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
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    WWE 2K16 brings some improvements, but not enough to be the game fans deserve. Smashing the opponent from the ladders through the table is great, until you turn to the audience and realize they look like they came from a PS2 game. But if you close your eyes, the game at least sounds awesome.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Kingdoms of Amalur Re-Reckoning is a poor attempt at a quick money grab by the developers. We’ve expected a remaster and gotten a re-release of a 12-year-old game. Little to no improvements have been made and the price is almost as a full modern AAA game. The game itself is amazing, and all RPG fans should play it, but either get the original or wait for a big discount on this re-release.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    With memorable art style and brilliant narrator, Guild of Dungeoneering is a whimsical card game with RPG elements. A light-hearted adventure that lacks depth, but offers a really fun challenge.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A game chock-full of content that provides numerous hours of fun, surpassing the previous game in almost every way. Still, there is a long way until we get a proper, epic Dragon Ball game.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    More expensive with fewer changes, FIFA 21 is a sad entry for the franchise. Unless the PS5 version you’re getting with this one does not improve the formula by a lot, there is little to no reason for you to get this edition of FIFA. Especially if you already own FIFA 20.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Planet Alpha is a solid 2D puzzle platformer, with a fantastic visual style and some very interesting game design choices. Player is allowed to control the day/night cycle of the planet, which is integrated as a part of the puzzle solving, but it can also lead to some beautiful landscape moments. It can be sometimes too easy, and jumping mechanic could use a bit more work, but all in all it is a nice journey through a strange world.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Full freedom and innovative level design, but sloppy controls and sometimes stupid enemy AI will ruin your experience from time to time.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stranger of Paradise is one of the strangest Final Fantasy spinoffs I have ever played, but it does not necessarily mean it’s a bad game. Yes, it has a remarkably bad cast of characters and story, but still has strong points that make it a decent game. Packed with some truly enjoyable combat and nostalgia, it’s a game any fan of the series will know how to appreciate.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A creative mix of metroidvania and roguelite elements, Never Grave offers solid combat and a fun possession mechanic. Repetitive progression and forced resets hurt the pacing, but the game remains an enjoyable and interesting experiment.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dark Devotion presents a rather refreshing cocktail of different genres and games that only an indie developer would have the courage to try. Its pixel art, done nicely and with a lot of attention to details, presents a morbid and dark setting. Only issues come to inconveniences regarding controls, no jump and return options.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Lost Paradise delivers Fist of the North Star universe spot on. Though story may not be its core quality, there are many emotional outbursts throughout the medium sized campaign, and lots of flashy gore and fun action, any fan of the franchise will appreciate. Heck, even if not a fan, you may just become one.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Megaton Rainfall is an interesting concept and good idea on a paper, but in reality things are not so great. Mediocre gameplay and solid graphics with story that is rather nonexistent are not worth your time.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Aeterna Noctis is one of the most beautifully created 2D games to date. Its Metroidvania nature doesn’t provide anything new to the genre, but it poses the player with enormous amounts of content, challenge and fun, even with its sometimes clunky gameplay and irritating gameplay design choices. A must-play, and the best metroidvania of 2021.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It might not be considered a breakthrough a couple of years down the line, but today Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is THE experience everyone should witness and a perfect example of what VR can and should do.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened is a high-quality and well-polished remake which brings the old classic to modern standards. The game offers a good story, intriguing characters and diverse locations to explore, but don't expect challenging puzzles and gameplay.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Liar Princess and the Blind prince is beyond charming. A game of average gameplay but superb art style and story, ultimately delivers an extraordinary, fairytale-ish experience that is hard to forget, and even harder not to love.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch Dogs Legion is the best game of the franchise. The new Legion system is so fun and engaging that you will always look for a better one or someone more unique. The missions can get a bit simple and repetitive, but the way you approach them is totally up to you and your operative’s skills. We just really hope that they will keep innovating further with this premise and that the next game will be even better.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Shu
    Shu is a pretty and emotional journey whose atmosphere building is just like my love towards soccer - non-existent. It looks and plays nice, but ultimately fails to capture our hearts with its cute yet flawed storytelling.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A great game for "on the go“ for those that like to relax, then think and then rip their hair out in frustration.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It may not be flawless, but it is still amazing just how good this trilogy stands despite the test of time. A compilation of Sigma and Razor's Edge games, you could call this a definitive collection of sorts when it comes to the 3D Ninja Gaiden titles. And even though the Switch version sacrifices resolution in order to achieve a perfect frame rate, it is such a joy to be able to take these games on the go.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    GreedFall is bursting with intrigue, good quest design, and interesting world to support it, but sadly suffers from sluggish controls and lackluster design choices and bugs. It still manages to overshadow most of those flaws with its narrative and present a satisfying experience to the players.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Blades of Fire tortured me physically, but that is my problem. I could not get in grip with the controls, I had trouble with the outline colors, and I could not get my muscle memory to get used to the control scheme. However, if we take all these personal issues away, Blades of Fire is a sleeper hit that will find its audience, even though it was not me.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The epic clash between two storied universes returns with Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, the next era of the action-fighting game series. Marvel and Capcom universes collide like never before as iconic characters team up for action-packed player-versus-player combat.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The premise and story are offering some great comedy, parody and poking at the current generations and ways of dating. Problem arises at the fact that the game mostly does only that and does not delve any deeper into the possible hilarity of it all. As for the gameplay its the every day standard point and click adventure fare. If you are new to the series its a great simple and fun start.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Where Winds Meet is a casserole of gameplay genres that blend very nicely with each other. This gorgeous game invites exploration and is supplemented by a fun combat system that doesn’t get old. So far there are no P2W mechanics in this F2P game, only cosmetics and a bunch of mats that are easily farmed in game. The amazing experience is only trumped by awful voice acting and overuse of AI chat and voiceovers with bad localization. These are all fixable issues, and I think Where Winds Meet is here to stay.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    At this point, Stargate fans are aching for a video game in this universe of almost any kind. This time, we got a tactical stealth game with many interesting mechanics and ideas, but that is unfortunately very janky, unpolished and a bit uninspired at times. Great for SG-1 fans, though.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Even without state of the art graphics, Demetrios stands strong with its solid length, charm and humor so rarely seen in modern gaming.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Somerville begins with a promise and ends… It ends wherever you end it, for not all players will endure its 6-8 hours-long run. It is a far cry from the previous „Playdead“ experiences, yet it still holds enough charm to be recommended to fans of this unique genre.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    UNBEATABLE is a clear passion project that proves the rhythm genre can be about much more than just flashy tracks and timed button presses. Its story is engaging, the characters are vibrant and full of energy, and the soundtrack is packed with absolute bangers.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    God`s Trigger is a top-down shoot-em-up bullet hell which challenges your quick thinking and reflexes. Playing solo is ok, and playing with a friend is great, but it only supports local co-op. Frustration will reach high levels but will keep you motivated to get your sword bloody even more.

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