Machinima's Scores

  • Games
For 532 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 34% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.9 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 77
Highest review score: 100 The Walking Dead: Season Two Episode 3 - In Harm's Way
Lowest review score: 10 NCIS
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 27 out of 532
532 game reviews
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The story is forgettable but the puzzles paired with the ability to control gravity make for addictive gameplay.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It may not have the most cars, but it's certainly the most enjoyable driving simulation experience you'll find this year.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    The convenience of modern games makes this Resident Evil Code: Veronica X feel dated.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cumbersome controls hamper what would otherwise be a resoundingly memorable adventure. At just five dollars The Binding of Isaac is a great indie title that offers up a ton of replay value and gruesome fun.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 4 was an incredible game in 2005, and surprise surprise, it's still an incredible game in 2011. Graphics and controls have predictably tarnished with time, but the gameplay is still as sterling as ever.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Dark Souls has hooks, and those hooks are in me deep; I'm already planning my next several playthroughs as different classes, and for a game that is 80+ hours, that's a testament to its gripping quality.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Do you feel games similar to Fallout 3 are a little too open-ended? Or maybe Call of Duty is too linear? Well, Rage is some kind of happy medium between the two and it's unlike anything id has done before.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    If you're a fan of the X-Men, you might find something to enjoy in this game, since there are tons of characters, and lots of powers to try out. But the game is so fundamentally flawed it will undoubtedly disappoint even those committed fans.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A fun game that does a great job showing off the DS. Unique controls, a fun new concept for the series, and the same fun and imagination that made the Kirby series popular combine to make Kirby Mass Attack is fitting end to the popular handheld.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Every button on the controller can make a difference to your attack or defense at almost any given time; any direction or weight on the analog stick can affect the outcome of that defense-splitting pass or attack stopping tackle, and that in itself proves how thoroughly engaging this beautiful game can be.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It's the most exhilarating racing experience I've had since Dirt 3, and if you had to ask me which one I liked better, it would be like having to choose one of my children to sacrifice.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I can appreciate the goals and gumption of the game's small development staff, but the game is just painful to play.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The more time I spent with it, the more the new changes to the formula grew on me. The AI routines are less predictable and scripted, meaning every game feels like anything can happen.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    I really wanted to like this game. The fact that you get a free download of Fruit Ninja Kinect sweetens the deal, but not enough to save this game from mediocrity.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I liked the sense of accomplishment I felt after completing a complex level, and online play is entertaining. Racing game fans won't find the same type of gameplay in Gran Turismo, as the arcade style gameplay leans more toward the casual crowd.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    BloodRayne: Betrayal is on the line of a game I'd recommend and a game I wouldn't recommend. The visuals are wonderful and genuinely a pleasure to look at. But the gameplay is hindered entirely by overly difficult platforming and atrocious controls.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The superlative bosses that serve as the lynchpin for Shadow of the Colossus are worth the price of admission alone.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It especially tickled my fancy with its irreverent, unrestrained humor that rivals Earthworm Jim. If you're expecting innovation or extremely tight gameplay, this isn't the place to find it. On the other hand, if you enjoy simple action games, quirky indie experiences, or senses of humor that we seem to have left in the 90s, don't let Double D slip by.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Sure, the multiplayer might not set your loins on fire but PS3 owners will find the game's single player to be one of the best times they'll have shooting stuff in the face.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you missed parts one and two, Gears 3 is still accessible. That in itself is impressive, helped by the "Previously on Gears" video that provides a quick reminder of who did what to whom, where, and why. Second, if you're a veteran, you're likely diving online immediately, and those modes are very impressive, fun, and likely to help keep this turn in the trilogy in your gaming rotation for some time to come.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A great game, but it's not necessarily the greatest bang for your buck.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A few technical hiccups here and there, a super-short campaign, and an almost nonexistent story weren't enough to hinder my enjoyment of Hard Reset.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A tight, well-made package. Playing this game makes you feel like a badass and a finely-honed killing instrument. If you've ever waved around an electric saw, cackling with power, this is a game you need to play.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Virtually no changes have been made between this game and the last in the series. While not wholly bad, unfortunate omissions like online play and a revamped combat system will leave fans of the series (and of action RPGs in general), wanting more. DeathSpank has a penchant for the epic, but so far his games have been average.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Aside from a story that is sometimes too silly and a difficulty too unforgiving, there's not a lot to complain about in Driver: San Francisco. There are certainly a lot of things to love. The gorgeous graphics and entertaining gameplay definitely make the game a thrill ride.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The convoluted story is almost pretentious in its efforts at complex character development.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Unfortunately their goal of creating an epic, apocalyptic first-person zombie survival gameends up cracking under the weight of their own ambition. A smaller scale and some more time in development and Dead Island could have been the zombie game we've always wanted.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In an age where any game can be explained in half a sentence, Rock of Ages is a refreshing rarity. It not only attempts fantastic originality but succeeds in that attempt more than it fails. If you appreciate originality, you owe yourself some time with Rock of Ages.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A very good game, if not an unnecessary release. Minor enhancements to the graphics and sound coupled with the addition of an entire new day to play through are nice additions to the game, but shouldn't warrant another play through of the game for those who already experienced the first.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A fantastic downloadable title. Online play makes an already great game even better. Updated visuals, an in-depth training mode, and plenty of challenges to complete give Third Strike Online Edition plenty of replay value.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    For all the Criterion/Black-related hype that went into Bodycount, the end result is a disappointingly generic shooter that controls well, but doesn't offer anything that shooter fans haven't played before.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    God of War: Origins Collection is a great deal with a combined completion of 12-14 hours, and packed with plenty of extras. However, if you've played both games, there is no real reason to go back, unless you're a diehard completionist.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This is not a revolutionary game by any means, but it builds upon the established strengths of the franchise. Most importantly this is a fun game of football, one that immersed me in all of the elements that make the NFL exciting to watch on Sundays.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Fan-fu**ing-tastic. It's the sort of game you don't want to stop playing.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While it may seem trivial to say, Age of Empires Online lives up to its title perfectly. It's a fully-featured Age of Empires game, while including all the Online trappings an MMO aficionado could want.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    While the four re-released games are all good in their own right, there's really no need to play them again. On top of that, the two new games aren't enough to warrant a purchase on their own, with Pac-Man Tilt being the only one worth at least some of your time.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    It's disappointing to see the quick and dirty license-based games reappear from days of yore. I'm sure Bleach fans will be all too willing to forgive this game's numerous shortcomings, but everyone else should stick to more intelligent fare.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The robust feature sets and game modes help the replay value of this title as the season wears on.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    I really enjoyed the ridiculousness of playing poker to stop ice wolves and castle guardians (just think about it…).
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    And while some nagging design annoyances and control issues permeate the game, its incredible, whacked-out art style does a lot to carry the experience.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For fans of the comics and the character, I can't think of a good reason why you shouldn't pick this game up. But understand that you'll probably feel like it could have been so much more.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    I really wanted to love From Dust. I love the concept. I love Eric Chahi. But the gameplay feels like it was never play-tested, and the difficulty curve is wild and unsatisfying.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    It offers nothing profound, but improves incrementally over the last in the series (as the franchise is wont to do). Series regulars already know everything there is to know, and as such probably haven't bothered to read any reviews.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a shame it was released in such a crowded downloadable game window, as it's an enjoyable diversion for the price.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    It's a fantastically fun, original, and challenging puzzle game. At the same time, its story explores adult themes that games typically avoid, and will have you hooked on the drama within an hour.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    For every Mario-like overworld map screen and shifting platform puzzle it recycles, it sprinkles in a dash of new-age ingenuity, with fast-paced and complex obstacles, comical scientist slaughter, and laugh-out-loud '90s pop culture references.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    It's once in a blue moon that a game this special comes along.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A good way to play this quirky RPG if you don't have a PSP.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 25 Critic Score
    It's hard to imagine that anyone could enjoy Wipeout: In The Zone. Perhaps a five year-old child that can't tell the difference between a broken and a functioning game? Maybe a party guest so drunk that any combination of lights and sounds would entertain?
    • 68 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    I love EDF to death. It delivers a metric ton of stupid fun.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    There's absolutely no doubt that Trenched offers a deep and entertaining action and strategy experience, built on a familiar premise, molded into an amazingly unique perspective.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Improves universally over the original, and also manages to be the best looking PC game at the same time. If you're a fan of meaty RPGs or if you've been desperate to stretch your computer's technical legs, you need to play The Witcher 2.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    But if you have more refined tastes, you will see through Dark of the Moon's rushed, clichéd flair and find yourself put off by repetitive, uninspired gameplay, cramped level design, and patchy physics.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Easily the best game currently available on the 3DS. The incredibly story, fun and rewarding gameplay, and astounding soundtrack all make it clear to see why the original game was heralded as one of the greatest games of all time. Improvements like updated graphics, touch screen control for menu navigation, and the added Master Quest and Boss Rush mode make this port the definitive version of the game.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It no doubt has several minor flaws, but is otherwise a fun sequel that clearly understands the weaknesses of the original and addresses them all.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a single-player game, Dungeon Siege III succeeds as a fun action-RPG. It doesn't offer anything particularly new, but gamers that enjoy hacking and looting by themselves should have fun. As a multiplayer game, Dungeon Siege III is disappointing.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    A fairly competent game that is held back by some mediocre platforming sections.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    And while the additions of features like campaign co-op and survival-based multiplayer are not unwelcome, it's the core aspects of FEAR 3 that should be the reason you play this game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    There is so much to do in Dead or Alive Dimensions: Chronicle mode lasts only a few hours, but between the arcade, survival, online, tag, and survival modes DOA enthusiasts will be busy for several hours more.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A fantastic road trip through hell, but be aware of what that means. You see some crazy sights, meet some insane characters, and have a lot of fun, but once the trip is over, it's over.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A substantive package for a $10 download. The new additions to the core mechanics make for a diverse and enjoyable experience.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Duke, it's great to see you back again, I never thought I'd see the day. My memories mean you've earned a few runarounds online, and completing the campaign, but it is more nostalgia driven than being pulled through a compelling, polished experience.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    A missed opportunity. The source material is strong, but in this example is executed poorly.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Child of Eden provides two hours of mind-blowing originality and intense shoot 'em up gameplay that can be experienced many times… provided you can enjoy a game that way. It's not a long journey, but a moment of awesome to be experienced again and again.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Outland has a lot to offer: A great combination of gameplay styles influenced by other games, astounding controls, and a simple and effective aesthetic. In short it has everything a game needs to be great.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Due to the horrible AI, I can't bring myself to grant a higher score, but don't let that scare you. Even if you're stuck playing offline, you can still have a great time conducting a nighttime ambush or calling in airstrikes while perched atop a craggy vista, and if possible, the co-op is something that shouldn't be missed.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    But its hugely let down by this DLC idea of THQ's which, executed in the way it has been, has left the game lacking in any real content to justify laying down the initial $40.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Team Bondi did a wonderful job of creating an enjoyable game that takes interactive storytelling to a new level. The production values and graphics are up there with Heavy Rain, but the gameplay is more appealing to longtime gamers.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Team Bondi did a wonderful job of creating an enjoyable game that takes interactive storytelling to a new level. The production values and graphics are up there with Heavy Rain, but the gameplay is more appealing to longtime gamers.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Dirt 3 may be the best racing game I've played in the last decade. It's certainly the best one that takes place on surfaces other than tarmac.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Satisfying action and a fun cooperative experience make the game a blast to play, but a short lived campaign and frustrating difficulty hold the game back from being perfect.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A fascinating mishmash of concepts that don't always mesh well.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    With loads of unlockables, downright adorable presentation, and solid co-op gameplay, it's extremely difficult to think of a person that wouldn't enjoy LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean. Maybe if you hate the movies, hate LEGO games, or just plain hate happiness, you shouldn't give this game a chance.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    A mixed bag. The action and strategy implemented in an already demanding sub-genre of shooters is engaging and fun, but a lack of gameplay modes and stages cuts the experience short all too quickly. Dreadful voice acting, bland sound, and a lack of a compelling story keep the game from being stellar.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It won't blow your mind. It won't raise the FPS bar. And if you play the big FPS games on HD consoles, moving to this would be like dumping Jessica Alba for Snooki. You just wouldn't do it. But if Wii is your only console this is a refreshingly enjoyable romp arriving right in the middle of a worrying Wii games drought.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Truly an original offering: it's got all the requirements of a solid class-based shooter, it injects some story into the mix, and it forces you to work together with your teammates, be they AI or human, to win.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The lack of narrative hurts what could have been an awesome story.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Qoga adheres to every JRPG trope you can imagine but manages to be disarmingly charming and original within that framework. Think of it as a low-budget Tales of Vesperia.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you consider yourself a gaming history connoisseur it represents great value and a fascinating insight into the evolution of action-adventure titles.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For those that haven't played the game before, then Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection is a fantastic package that contains one of the greatest RPGs to grace the Super Nintendo and its two not-as-great sequels.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Essentially a no-frills score attack game with base-capture, twin-analogue shooter and real-time strategy elements all rolled into one. Its lacking content and technical niggles give it a cheap, rushed feel, yet it still manages to provide a surprisingly carrot-on-a-stick, addictive experience with just the right level of complexity for its 10-minute missions.
    • 95 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    There was a certain magic to the first game that will never be recaptured. That being said, Portal 2 is better in just about every way possible. The puzzles are more intricate, the writing is better than most movies or TV shows I've seen, and the production value is everything you've come to expect from the guys that brought you Half-Life.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat is not only back, it's ripping off heads. This reboot has an unprecedented amount of kontent (with a k), unlocks, charm, and raw fun. Even if you haven't liked previous Mortal Kombats, believe me, you'll be hooked the first time you triple d.ck punch someone.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Anyone that is still actively playing (and enjoying) old beat 'em ups like Strider or Shinobi may have the temperance to enjoy Moon Diver. The controls are some of the tightest I've played in a platformer. Unfortunately, the crappy everything-else means that those who spend most of their time in modern games should stay there.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The robust Career and World Tour modes offer up an amazing and in-depth game of tennis that fans of the sports will love. Even if you've never picked up a racquet in your life, Top Spin 4 is still a great game that is hard to put down. The controls, while requiring some time to get used to, are intuitive.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The 3rd Birthday should have been brilliant, but is merely decent.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overall Pokemon Black/White is still a great RPG that offers up the same addictive gameplay you've come to love, but don't expect anything new to entice you to catch 'em all again.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Bust-A-Move Universe – from the puzzles to the music – feels stale. There simply are not enough new features to warrant purchasing it.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    For all its faults, The Sims 3 on 3DS is a serviceable way of getting your pretend life fix on the go. As a launch title, it's frustrating that the game's 3DS features aren't better tuned.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fans that want something like Monster Hunter but not in the same setting shouldn't hold their breath for Gods Eater Burst to be anything more than a quick diversion.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    That was the magic of Monkey Ball, and that's the magic that is completely and utterly absent here.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It is without a doubt fan service to the extreme, but being a fan of the series I can do nothing else but eat it up! A ridiculous amount of modes makes sure there's always something to do, and the game is rewarding you for playing every chance it gets.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A Jekyll and Hyde of a game.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Sims purist[s] will likely wretch at this latest entry, as it guts nearly everything that makes a Sims game a Sims game-the Sims don't even have to pee for Pete's sake! But if you're actually playing games to make things pee rather than slay beasts and bed maidens, you're clearly doing it wrong. This is a great start for a Sims branch that will surely get at least one expansion, and to be honest, it's already my favorite branch on the tree.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Your interest in Tiger 12 is pretty much dependant on your enthusiasm for the Masters, and your appreciation of its mystique.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you've found yourself underwhelmed by the lack of grandeur in other wrestling games, WWE All Stars is where you belong. Like NBA Jam, the game will not send you into another world for hours at a time or offer a profound single-player experience. It will, however, let you toss your friend twenty feet in the air and then stomp on his balls.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    There are still a few hiccups with AI, glitches in gameplay and presentation, and repetitive commentary that need to be checked off on the "To Do" list for next year. Overall, it's a solid, occasionally masterful, occasionally frustrating sim of the national pastime.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If the news of a zombie-themed spin-off signals the series' proverbial jumping of the shark, then at least Sega managed to produce a game that feels as full and complete as Yakuza 4.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    It's better than last year's abysmal effort, that's for sure. But it's still not the supreme racer the biking scene deserves.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This dungeon crawler is as long as it is generic, which is a terrible combination for a hack-and-slash game that appears to be a budget PS2 game selling on the PS3 at normal price.

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