PLAY! Zine's Scores

  • Games
For 1,364 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 55% higher than the average critic
  • 8% same as the average critic
  • 37% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.6 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Returnal
Lowest review score: 10 Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV
Score distribution:
1364 game reviews
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    This is a collection of some of the greatest video games in history. On the other hand, it’s based on an old HD collection and yet somehow manages to look and perform even worse than 12 years ago. In terms of what it is, it’s an amazing package. But in terms of care it’s given, it’s absolutely disappointing.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Chrono Cross has been and still remains one of the greatest JRPG titles of all time. As such, remastering it properly would require utmost care and love, making the game shine once more in the modern era of video games. Unfortunately, this remaster is of no such sort as some of the improvements made the game look even worse than the original. But as it still remains what it is at its core, Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers edition is undoubtedly worthy of your time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Simply put, CRYMACHINA is the definition of a niche JRPG title that will either win you over with its writing and characters, or infuriate you with its combat sequences. Aside from that, this is another visual novel in disguise.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Fate/Samurai Remnant brings one of the most unique Warriors style games ever. The characters and their relations require some patience from the player, but everything pays off in amazing emotional moments, fun action and great replay value.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Exploring Warsaw at the onset of the 20th century and its many political and social topics is a fantastic experience. Expect intriguing characters, mature themes, enjoyable exploration and plenty of narrative role-play options. On the negative side, the combat quickly becomes repetitive, and some gameplay mechanics feel undercooked.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Day is your lady, night is your mistress, young shopkeeper. For what you seek in the depths of randomly generated dungeons will reward you dearly, if you decide to keep the lights of the family business on. Who knows, maybe someday you may even enter the mythical fifth door of the dungeon creepiest of them all. Hah, who am I kidding, you can never do that... If you don't buy the game, so buy it.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 69 Critic Score
    This is a quick, fun and chaotic indie title that has the feel of good old retro games. But its random core gameplay loop makes it rather frustrating at times if you end up drawing the short end of the stick. All in all its a fun bite-size package for summer or just as a quick drop in drop out game.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    You are looking at a few hours of pure fun. Despite being short, this game is worthy of every minute of your time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Fun little game.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Phoenix Point should be the spiritual successor to the XCOM games, but it only presents itself with some big staggering issues on top of its innovative and fun gameplay ideas. In the current state, it is so poorly balanced and riddled with bugs, its hard to recommend it, while only hope remains that the developers will fix some of these problems in future patches.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This is still the good old Street Fighter, where the bouts are decided in the blink of an eye, flashy and difficult to master. It's not the most expansive fighting game content-wise, but Capcom will be adding free content throughout the year, making SFV a "gaming service" and without the need to release several different editions which would only segregate the audience. Street Fighter V has a very bright future.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Short but sweet is the best way to describe this beautiful 2D puzzle adventure that gives you a fun movielike experience. Besides that, the game is very short and simple, so keep it in mind if that isn't your cup of tea.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    In essence, it offers a bit more of everything compared to the PS Vita game from last year, but still very little to the overall Monster Hunter formula.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Gibbous is a great entry-level point-and-click adventure that has many of the base features of old classics as well as a few new tricks. It very much looks and feels (and even has the humour of such games) as Monkey Island and the like, but it does lack the ingenuity of the puzzles from those games.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Scott Pilgrim EX delivers a chaotic retro-inspired adventure packed with time travel, alternate dimensions, and countless nods to classic arcade games. Its stylish pixel art, varied soundtrack, co-op gameplay, and diverse cast make for an entertaining beat-'em-up experience, though repetitive enemy waves before bosses and occasional combat frustrations hold it back from true greatness.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Its a wild, crazy, weird world out there. And you and a fellow victi…friend will be able to explore it. If you have been looking for an actually fun and enjoyable survivor exploration game then look no further. Even with a few hiccups, it can still be a nice adventure.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Swords of Ditto is a really cute dungeon crawler with pretty simple yet challenging game mechanics that will hold until the very end.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cris Tales brings all the classic JRPG greatness and modernizes it in its own fashion. While the repetitive battles and numerous bad twists make the game lose the momentum, if you know how to cherish all that is great about it, you will have a great time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Soul Hackers 2 is a surprising sequel. But another surprising thing is its accessibility and openness to the new players of the whole Shin Megami Tensei franchise. If this is to be your first one, it’s an excellent step to take.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a visually stunning Soulslike that dazzles with its Unreal Engine 5 environments and ambitious new systems, but it often stumbles under the weight of its own mechanics. The Madness disease adds a unique twist to combat, though its mandatory nature quickly turns frustrating, especially in boss fights. Slow animations, unbalanced encounters, and bland NPCs hold the experience back, yet for dedicated fans seeking an uncompromising old-school challenge wrapped in modern visuals, Wuchang delivers a substantial, value-priced adventure.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime! is a fun-packed title for the youngest of gamers and for those that want to join the ride. Colourful and refreshing, full of exciting mechanics, yet at times simply yearning for upgraded Nintendo hardware to perform better on. If you know what to expect, you will surely have a great time. Just try not to let a few imperfections ruin the experience.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    RIDE 4 isn't the best entry in the series, but it fixes a lot of its past problems. The on-track action is amazing, and no matter what track you’re on or what time of day or conditions you’re racing in, you’re in for a fun time. It’s a challenging game, but in a good way, as it encourages you to get better and offers a wide variety of difficulty options to help you along the way.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This is the Transformers game we wanted all these years.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Forgive me Father mashes 2.5D with comic-style graphics and Lovecraft themes to bring you a back-breakingly fast-paced and frantic shooter that rewards precision and good ammo management.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Quarry does a fine job as a spiritual successor to the renowned Until Dawn, yet takes a few steps forward when it comes to character development and atmosphere building. Unfortunately, it sacrifices a few elements in the process which makes it a not so scary interactive movie more than a video game. Still, for lovers of the genre and Supermassive Games legacy – it’s a treat you should not miss.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you like the style and dynamics of Daedalic adventures, you should not miss Anna’s Quest.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A great 3DS JRPG title gets a crispy clear remaster. Higher Definition simply asks for appreciation, as The Alliance Alive brilliantly implements its cute style into the game world. Great mechanics, music, and characters, make this a classic you should at least try now when it's available on more than one platform.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What was supposed to be a celebration of the 30 years this series has existed, turned into a bug infested glitch fest. Luckily, all of this is fixable if the team puts some effort into future updates. And it surely would be worth it, as the core game still holds as one of the most fun and imaginative 3D Sonic titles of all time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The game lacks information and suffers from repetitiveness. It might be better down the line or if a sequel comes out. For now it's an interesting idea still worth picking up.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Of many mainstream superheroes, Batman is among the darkest and most mature, which is the tone TellTale absolutely managed to hit. This is a great start to a potentially amazing season, with familiar gameplay but palpable atmosphere.

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