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
    • 87 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Okami that we loved and held dear, presented in up to 4K. No, that's pretty much it. Played it before - play it again. Never played it before - play it now, then play it again.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MH: Rise is an excellent addition to the franchise, and it worked flawlessly as one of the best Nintendo Switch titles. This next-gen port lives up to the expectations and provides great new gameplay inclusions and mechanics. However, but still fails to come up with the masterpiece that was MH: World due to its hardware limitations in level design, difficulty and overall graphics and atmosphere.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Witness is a unique, complex and brilliantly designed puzzle that won't resonate with every player. It offers over thirty hours of highly cerebral gameplay that will delight every fan of "intelligent" games, yet is open enough to let more casual players explore its landscapes.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This years PES reminded us of the great PS2 era titles. Gameplay absolutely shins this time around. Football fans should not miss PES 2016.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The most complete edition to a famous franchise to this date, with improvements on almost all levels is the showmanship of how you remaster a video game. Exceptional work and a stellar upgrade for a masterpiece of a trilogy that is Mass Effect.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The New Colossus is a Wolfenstein game and it doesn’t deviate much from the formula. This is good and bad at the same time because the strong story is not backed up by evolution in gameplay.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Just like its predecessor, Inside is a puzzle in itself. Mysterious, intriguing, dark yet beautiful, it's one of the most unique platformers around and a journey well worth taking.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dispatch is a wonderfully pleasant surprise—from its excellent voice cast and its fresh take on the overplayed superhero theme, to gameplay mechanics that blend Telltale-style storytelling with innovative systems. Most importantly, it delivers a beautiful, fun, emotional, and thoroughly entertaining story that’s hard to put down until the very end—and even then, it leaves you wanting more.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    With its captivating prose, Sunless Skies will certainly scratch the narrative itch of its niche audience, but the lack of innovation in the gameplay department threatens to prevent new fans from being drawn in. Too often the rudimentary gameplay and masterful plot find each other at odds, and in both cases the player ends up being the victim.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Great addition to an already great game. Total War at its finest.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Tales of Arise could be the best title of the series, as it reinvigorates many of its great recipes that earned it a cult status. Great characters, amazing worlds and flashy combat are just a few of its greatest traits. But to experience them all, you have to play the game - which we strongly recommend you do.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    PC players have long awaited Spidey to come to their platform, and Insomniac with Nixxes delivers with this port completely and even expands on the audio-visual experience this game has to offer, with Spider-Man looking the best possible so far, despite some of its original problems and few performance issues.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is a stellar remaster that goes far beyond just visual enhancements, delivering a wealth of gameplay refinements and quality-of-life improvements. It’s an essential experience for longtime fans and a surprisingly welcoming entry point for newcomers to the series.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Overall it’s a very good package and the best way to prepare for Uncharted 4 if you missed something during the PS3 era.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Vanillaware does it again! It's a strategic RPG with a simple story yet full of charm. It borrows, reshapes, and presents a certain genre in its own unique way. It certainly isn't the greatest game the genre has to offer, but it is undoubtedly one of the sweetest ones! It's just another one of the instant classics from this studio.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Diablo IV does not alter or revolutionize the two-decades-old formula but polishes it instead. While Blizzard admittedly ‘’played it safe’’, we can't deny it's a fantastic product that's easy to recommend. In its current state, it's one of the greatest entries in the series and by far the one with the best story. If microtransactions aren’t introduced later, Diablo IV will remain an amazing title to play for years to come.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    F1 2020 provides one of the best racing modes where every aspect of your own F1 team is highly manageable and customizable. It is well balanced, providing great experience to new players, as much as seasoned sim racers, and it is a true showing of one of the greatest racing games of this generation.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    It is a game that reminds you how some titles earned their legendary status in the history of video games, and teaches you how it can be possible to implement that epic old school essence into the modern age of gaming. A truly superb and rewarding gem you should not let slip unnoticed.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest Time Devourer is back! A full-fledged JRPG with plenty of Minecraft elements comes as a ridiculously huge and open sandbox world. If there is a single element of the game that catches your eye, the bet is - you would enjoy it. Because, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a monster of a game, only one with enough spare time will manage to explore it in a full capacity.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Death Stranding on PC is the best way to experience this journey. Game is much more than a walking Sim, it mixes and matches a ton of brilliant new ideas and game mechanics. It is bursting with atmosphere, and the overall quality of the production and presentation is fantastic. Other than minor issues and some non-consistent storytelling, Death Stranding shows us that boundaries can be moved in the today gaming world.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on the PC isn't just a game; it's a breathtaking showcase of technological feats. Whether you're a seasoned fan of the series or a newcomer ready to dive into dimensions unknown, this PC version promises an adventure that transcends platforms and defies expectations. With an optimal blend of technical innovation and creative brilliance, Rift Apart stands as a testament to the harmonious marriage of hardware and imagination. Don't just play the game; step through the rift and embark on an unforgettable journey.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    After more than 20 years, Silent Hill 2 is back in its best form. The remake is an audio-visual marvel while maintaining the original atmosphere and stellar story. Despite some lackluster choices and repetitive combat, it is a must play for any horror fan.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Coalition did play it safe for their first game, but still delivered a fun, classic Gears of War experience that will, hopefully, provide an equally good sequel.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mario Kart World dazzles with stunning visuals, an interconnected track system, and endless multiplayer fun, making it a strong launch title for the Switch 2. However, its cautious design, lack of deep customization and simplified gameplay hold it back from true greatness. The new content feels safe rather than bold and longtime fans may miss some of the series' more ambitious mechanics. Still, it's an undeniably fun racer that shines brightest with friends on the couch.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nioh 3 is a mechanically rich action RPG that refines the series’ trademark combat while experimenting with a semi-open structure. Its strongest moments deliver exceptional flow and mastery, though repetitive objectives and technical issues hold it back. Not the series’ peak, but still one of the most satisfying skill-driven RPGs available.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As someone who has never played Persona 3, I tried to make myself a believer but never managed to do so. The Persona system is great fun, the theme is not for my taste, and the school segments are beyond boring, at least for me, and I am probably in the minority. Apart from the price, this game will scratch that Persona itch and let you relive your childhood with gorgeous graphics and quality-of-life improvements, but it did not make me fall in love with the series.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    An amazing sequel to a great game, Dishonored 2 would be absolutely phenomenal if it weren't for its plethora of terrible technical problems. Framerate drops, freezes and such are marring this brilliant game so much, the overall experience is hurt.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bayonetta 3 once again manages to amaze new and returning players alike with its fast pace and new wild combat options. If you are here for some spectacular action, you have come to the right place.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A DLC that has all rights to be considered a proper expansion, The Following adds so much to Dying Light that it almost feel like a proper standalone game. This is a great example of how DLC should be made - with new map, incredibly fun addition of vehicles and even improving upon the familiar gameplay.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ghost of Yotei is a gorgeous, polished samurai adventure that builds on Ghost of Tsushima’s formula with satisfying combat, organic exploration, and a personal, albeit average revenge-driven story. While it refines the open-world experience beautifully, it doesn’t take bold risks, making it feel more like a reimagined chapter than a true leap forward. Still, its atmosphere, design, and narrative make it a must-play for PS5 owners.

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