NZGamer's Scores

  • Games
For 2,085 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 62% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 32% 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 Gears of War 4
Lowest review score: 20 Smash 'N' Survive
Score distribution:
2085 game reviews
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    I like Bulletstorm. I like its tongue in cheek, in your face attitude, and I like that it tried to do something new in a time when nobody else was doing so. Is it a good game? Yes. Is it a great game? Probably not anymore. Unfortunately the Full Clip Edition has fallen into the trap of a remaster that, while I’m sure people wanted it, just doesn’t live up to the memory of the original. A sequel would probably have been a better move; this cliffhanger only hurts more the second time People Can Fly, come on! But in the end it’s a romp. A bit pricey for what it is, but most remasters are. I’d play it again, but I’d wait for a sale before taking the plunge.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    This could have been a great game. Heck, it still is, but it is a real shame they did not put more effort into the player instructions instead of relying on the player to work things out as they went on. Despite this, if you are a fan of space trading and combat games, this will light up your night sky and deliver you hours of happy game play.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    If you enjoyed the Monkey Island series you will probably feel right at home dumpster diving on Deponia.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    It's an enjoyable game, and I have had the songs stuck in my head for a few days after playing it. If you're a fan of Glee, and enjoy having a sing along at home, you will most likely enjoy this.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Drawn to Life is by no means a bad game, it's just a simple one with innovative mechanics thrown into the mix.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Although the game isn't ground-breaking, it's well worth that trip down memory lane - especially to anyone who didn't play the Wii version.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    It is a very, very good series of puzzles. And, (I suppose we can't avoid the elephant in the room any longer) if you've been looking for the smaller, cheaper, nephew to Professor Portal, without the co-op play, the polished presentation, or the laughs, Quantum Conundrum is it.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    And as with previous Off Road Fury games, the handling is fun and accessible while the competitive AI supplies a surprisingly tough challenge right from the start.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    The controls are a mixed bag.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A good option for those times when you have a few minutes to kill, and for less than the cost of the Dom Post, it's a real bargain.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Spec Ops: The Line spurs you through the eight hour campaign thanks to some incredible cut-scenes and storyline progression, but sadly makes every interactive experience in-between fairly mundane.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    With its colourful visuals, animated soundtrack and a real sense of “pick up and play” gaming, Age of Booty is a title most people with Xbox Live should check out, even if it is just for the demo, as chances are you’ll like what you see and purchase it for 800 MS points.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Microsoft's Kinect is impressive tech and granted, has had a rough time making any headway in the world of gaming. It's here, though, that the motion-capture technology excels. Giving kids a creative outlet in an educational realm is fantastic and Kinect works beautifully for navigating media and getting people up off the couch.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Seasons is to The Sims what MSG is to cooking (minus the possibly toxic side effects): it enhances the overall experience. Even if you've played it to death already, the simple application of weather and seasonal content guarantees plenty more mileage from the original game.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    With a mixture of action and basic puzzles, they'll spark the imagination, keep them laughing, and soak up a decent amount of energy too. It's perfect for a lazy Sunday when you just want to sit back and read the paper.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Still enough juice in this well-worked smoothie of fun.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    LEGO City is a great game - but I do wonder just how many limitations the hardware had on the final product. Perhaps it has nothing to do with the Wii U, but for Traveller's Tales to omit multiplayer altogether? That seems an unlikely choice, considering their previous work.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    This game is one that requires you to play with friends in order to extract the fun out of it. In single player, Wildlands is passable, but in multiplayer it shines. While the missions don’t do much in terms of variety, in playing with others, you find yourself expecting the unexpected. But the real hero is the vast open world, providing you with freedom to approach each objective in any way you wish. Yet while the open world giveth, it also taketh away. A lack of density is obvious, and meandering becomes the most frequent activity that you do.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Twang the Fox is good fun. It's highly accessible and does a great job in adding variation to the gameplay, despite the basic mechanics.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    NHL 18 is a good game, but I’m biased; even I know that there is little in it that’s new, and NHL Threes isn’t enough make it worth buying. There are great details that I love. The gameplay is fast and tough and takes work to master. But hockey is in danger. It’s in danger of falling behind baseball, football, and basketball in the gaming world, just like it’s lagging behind in real life.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    It's big, dumb fun, presented in a package that might be derivative, but at least has a lot of polish. The story is forgettable, and the jumping is entertaining.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    But ultimately The Force Unleashed II is let down most by the short campaign mode which most people will be able to plough through in around 5 hours with time added for a couple of unlockable Challenges thrown in.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    In the end the high difficulty will drive away casual gamers so trying the demo first is a must. But between the tough bosses and fast gameplay, this is a worthy successor to the NES original.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Whether you go to whole-hog and play in 3D, or your budget only extends to 2D, the games are all largely the same as when they were originally released - only brighter and sharper.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Sore fingers aside though, The Simpsons Arcade Game not that difficult.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Set in an enchanted world of monsters and mysticism, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom brings together exotic locations, plenty of puzzles, platforms, and a large chunk of bonding between a boy and his big furry muppet monster.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    It would have been perfect with a little more polish and gameplay variety, but it still manages to be enjoyable, not too hard or scary for younger kids, and a nice looking game that adults hopefully shouldn’t find too unbearable to play with the young ‘uns.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    For anyone who hasn’t had their fill of retro side-scrolling platformers, Broforce effortless and undeniable fun. Load-up, settle in, and invite a few bros.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Soul Sacrifice pulls you in with an interesting premise; retelling the exploits of a dead sorcerer. The levels are short and brutal, making it ideal for a lunch break brawl. As far as action RPGs go, this is the best Vita has to offer thus far, but it’s far from perfect.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    OlliOlli is addictive and challenging. While face-plants and missed jumps are common, the accessible gameplay and gentle learning curve will keep players coming back for more.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    While strategically deep; pacing and control issues prevent this game from being fantastic.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    In the end the high difficulty will drive away casual gamers so trying the demo first is a must. But between the tough bosses and fast gameplay, this is a worthy successor to the NES original.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    This is a mindless game really. Catching virtual fish, trying to beat a game clock, and working out the right lure to fool the fickle fish. But - and this is a qualified but - it is still strangely entertaining.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Overall, EndWar got right the part I thought would go horribly wrong – the voice system – yet didn’t manage to get the more traditional RTS stuff up to the same level. As a result, this game is fun for a little while, but might not hold your attention for too long.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Despite all of this nonsense, Virtua Tennis 4 still packs in plenty of authentic traditional tennis.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    After raising the bar higher and higher, this version seems to come across as underwhelming.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    In the end the high difficulty will drive away casual gamers so trying the demo first is a must. But between the tough bosses and fast gameplay, this is a worthy successor to the NES original.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Fat Princess, despite the dodgy premise, is heaps of fun. It’s old-school gameplay with a fresh new look.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Feels like an intern, in that it knows what it wants to be - but it isn't quite sure how to do it yet. From a simple consumer point of view, this isn't THE game. But from an industry standpoint, it's an exciting warning shot to Turismo and Forza.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    At no point in the adventure do you ever suspect you're playing a cellphone game, nor do you feel like the experience is ever less than it can or should be. It's fun to play with a cool (if formulaic and linear) tale to tie the various levels together. If you're at all interested in Kingdom Hearts and have a DS, there's no reason to leave this one on the shelf - just make sure you've played through Birth by Sleep before you do!
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A challenging platformer disguised as a racer.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    We managed to tear through over half the songs before my voice starting shutting down from overexposure to my bad falsetto. We were anything but bored. The songs are fun, the videos are hilariously bad, and a good time was had by all involved (except Tristan, who just seemed a little awkward through most of this).
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you can deal with the clunky combat, the terrible script and the quirky, unreal animation, there’s a game and a story underneath that RPGers will enjoy. Just don’t expect the world’s most polished game - you won’t find it here.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As an action game, this can't contend with the top dogs in the genre, but that's a moot point, because it isn't just an action game. It's a Transformers game. And Transformers: War for Cybertron is better than anything else we've seen from the license before.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It might be asking for a lot of faith from gamers without a decent story tying it all together, but the good news is Season One adds up as one of the better Hitman titles in recent years. Episode two, set in Sapienza, was particularly enjoyable and there is a lot of replayable content as you try and unlock different assassination methods or uncover secret collectibles. However I wouldn’t be surprised that playing through all six chapters in one sitting loses it’s impact somewhat.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As a driving game, it actually handles pretty nicely.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A delightful little hack n’ slash rpg despite, or maybe because of, its flaws.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you're at all into shooters and like the idea of something bitesize you can consume whenever you feel the need, there's just no reason to leave this on the shelf.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    For now, our recommendation would be that if you're looking for a fighting game that skimps on story and has just a handful of options, but still delivers tournament-ready credentials, look no further. Killer Instinct is making a brash play at the top table and, as far as we can tell, it's got the goods.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Overall, we liked Battlefield Play4Free. The formula of quick, full-on combat makes this a game you can pick up and play when you have a spare 15 minutes or so.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Ashes of Ariandel is a competent piece of downloadable content for Dark Souls III. It checks all the right boxes and makes all the right moves. It’s gorgeous, mysterious, but it’s also tame. While it does fill in the gaps around one of the series’ bigger question marks, no amount of mystique can hide the fact that there isn’t a lot on offer here.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Despite feeling overwhelmed, and despite still feeling occasionally confused delving through the ridiculous amount of information and menus, there's something really addictive about Football Manager 2012.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    At $49.95, Luigi U is still pretty steep as far as DLC goes, and it’s probably not vital unless you really love the original game and just can’t get enough.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The strangeness of The Sims Medieval is still here, of course; the title is not-quite a strategy game, not-quite an RPG, not-quite The Sims. And fans of each of these different genres will still find the gameplay to be a bit odd. But for all its quirks, it's still extremely more-ish, and the Pirates and Nobles expansion just brings even more good stuff to the game.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Once you've beaten the two and a quarter hour experience you'll find little to go back for.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Call of Duty is the Coca Cola of the game industry. Popular, unchanging, and tastes good to most, but it’s still the same stuff.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    All the depth of 2D King of Fighters, none of the beauty.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It is action-packed however, and combined with the amount of 80’s Transformers fanfare added in, it’s a decent experience for anyone who still remembers Soundwave as a retro cassette tape deck.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The disappointing Poochy levels and lack of multiplayer aside, I had a lot of fun with Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World. That’s coming from someone who has a love hate relationship with platformers that leans more towards the hate side of things. If you’ve never played Yoshi’s Woolly World before, then you’re in for a treat. If you have, then you know what to expect; It’s still the same great game.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    But those controls are what I keep coming back to. Frankly, I really detest playing an iOS game that has virtual buttons. Gameloft has done what it can, but this is far from an ideal platform for first person shooters.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's also a fun game for adults to play in a party situation, and is likely to provide some level of entertainment to people of all ages - just keep in mind the high waggle factor and the convoluted controls; this will definitely lead to frustration for some.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    SoW is a great game, until it isn’t. And it’s such a shame, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think you’d all enjoy it. If you want an open world fantasy adventure, excellent and enjoyable combat, personal grudges with a variety of excellent uruk friends, and like spidery women, angst, and Gollum cameos, play it. But, like Brad Pitt, you don’t want what’s in the box.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A solid, meaty title. It has hours of gameplay, satisfying character trees, and a wealth of online role playing experiences to churn through. It’s safe and secure. It serves up the classic habitual MMORPG experience, albeit with a “Tamriel Twist”. And for many gamers, this will be fine. But Bethesda have created an example - not an evolution - of the genre.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    An excellent fighting game, wrapped in an incomplete package.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    In the end, The Godfather II has the recipe for an excellent game filled with action, mindless violence, great characters and strategic thought. But you just can’t help but shake the feeling that it doesn’t quite feel 100% finished.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you don’t have Lego Star Wars or Lego Star Wars II and you’re in the market for a cute, family-friendly affair that can be enjoyed by young and old, then Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is worth every penny. However, if you already own either game, you’re not going to find much here to justify the price.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Graphically the game looks to be on par with the PS2 titles, but what makes DDD shine above the rest is the 3D.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Just don't expect it to do more than tread water in anyway whatsoever and you won't be disappointed.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    For those who’ve already played Capsized on PC, the console version comes with four extra levels, but I don’t know if that’s enough to justify buying the whole game again unless you really liked it and are desperate for more content. If you haven’t played it yet, and are on the hunt for a cheap and charming, if at times frustrating, indie platformer, then a journey with Capsized’s crew is a good way to go.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Where it is impressive is in the explosion and smoke effects – the combination of high impact sound, bright/expansive visuals and the shake of your camera makes for quite an impact.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Although it's easy to lose track of what's happening aurally in any game with an action element, the music in White Knight is consistently brilliant.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Universe is a good game that deserves serious consideration by RTS fans that are looking for a new game that doesn't stray too far from the Command & Conquer mould.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    I think fans will have a lot of fun with this one, as long as they take this for what it is: a platformer released on an aging console, with a helluva lot of personality and charm – a little like Homer himself.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It is a shame that V is largely a backwards step compared to IV, at least in terms of value. Playing this game, I get the overwhelming impression that the developers were phoning it in - who knows, maybe the budget was slashed, or they (somehow) didn't have much time.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The difficulty ramp is well designed, with occasional spikes to tease you with what the designers have planned for you later, and to a level, the game is fun to play. It's occasionally infuriating, but never frustrating; if you fail, you know it's because you need to perfect your technique, not because there's something fundamentally wrong with the game.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    With its bold artistic direction and its fun, refined gameplay, FIFA Street 3 is a winner for casual fans of the sport. Those looking for an in-depth simulation should look elsewhere, but if you want a fun virtual kick-around with mates, you need look no further.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    This game will certainly appeal to true puzzle fans. It is a refreshing change of pace for others and EchoChrome fits perfectly on the PSP platform. However, it is definitely not recommended for late night playing as these addictive and brain-taxing puzzles will keep you up for hours.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you can get through the first few hours, you'll probably finish it and look back on it with mixed (but mostly pleasant) emotions.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As mentioned, the traditional PS3 controllers work perfectly with SEGA Rally Online Arcade. But for a true, arcade-esque experience I recommend using a wheel.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's been months since I last sat down with this absolute classic of a game; if it takes a bit of DLC to rekindle my enthusiasm for this wild and wondrous title, then regardless of the frustrations, it's still a winner in my books.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    So, a few control and camea issues aside, and putting aside also the lack of replayability (this is a a game you'll probably play through twice at the most) Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is a solidly written, very entertaining, occasionally heart-racing adventure.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Great if you’ve got spare controllers to break and you don’t mind turning red.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A bit squidgy, but still fun.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A great evolution to the controller, but lacks the fun of the originals.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The new content is certainly welcome, but how much replay value the new area will generate still remains to be seen. In any case, the ability to crash your obnoxious Sim, permanently, at anyone's fancy digs is never going to get old.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Lost Odyssey’s turn-based combat is a bit of a mixed bag, with both its good and bad points. While the five mortals learn skills as they level up, the four immortals can only learn skills and magic spells by equipping an accessory or ‘linking’ with a mortal.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It's a genuinely good game with a lot to offer both Lord of the Rings and action-RPG fans, and it definitely has that "Snowblind" (Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance) feel to it. As long as you go into it expecting a diamond in the rough, that's exactly what you'll find.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The small player cap is disappointing in this day and age, but AllDrive shows real potential. The frame-rate issues I encountered were a downer on an otherwise impressive arcade racing game.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    These tweaks along with the additional maps are more than likely bound to keep the frag counts alive in the growing WarHawk online community.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Unbalanced characters and a very steep difficulty curve can cause an unnecessary amount of frustration. The Story Mode (playable from either the DC or MK point of view) was interesting to progress though and had some well thought-out storylines. But eventually you’ll come up against a near unbeatable foe like Scorpion who will put a dampener on your enjoyment levels.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Still, for $10 US on Steam, Fortix 2 is a good 'un, definitely worth adding to the collection.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    If you embrace everything, Grand Kingdom is a cheerful, relaxing, thoughtful experience.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A good game, but one that requires tactical patience and some skill. A very hard game to play solo, but certainly with a partner or a whole squad of mates it's far more enjoyable, and in some ways more doable.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Gorgeous visuals. Tight driving. No personality.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A big bonus to Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed is that up to ten players race against each other online, either in arena game modes or your usual races.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It may not be at the top of your play list in the long term, but as an ensemble it's well worth a look - particularly if you have a fondness for the various included Nintendo franchises.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Overall Shadow of the Beast a pretty good platformer with nothing much to hate about it. It’s a good time killer.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Might & Magic: Heroes VI is a refreshing look to the franchise, bringing it back to its roots without over-complicating its simple mechanics.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    There's nothing really special to report in terms of the controls.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    In the end, The Godfather II has the recipe for an excellent game filled with action, mindless violence, great characters and strategic thought. But you just can’t help but shake the feeling that it doesn’t quite feel 100% finished.

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