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
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Even if it looks like it came from the Commodore 64 era, the second season of The Last Door is a chilling adventure with a haunting soundtrack. It is a Lovecraftesque journey from mental asylums to opium dens, a proper horror game that refrains from using cheap scare tactics.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A beautiful fairy tale and smart use of VR makes this game one of the great VR experiences thus far.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you loved the original, Director's Cut won't really offer anything mind blowing when it comes to the gameplay. A couple of innovations might please those that found the original too sluggish or repetitive, but what really makes the game shine this time around, is a flawless presentation. Graphics, audio and controls, make this as immersive and memorable experience as possible. Still not a title anyone could enjoy, but those who will - won't ever forget it.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Legendary RTS and the original Esport enjoys fresh new life with beautiful HD textures and new matchmaking system.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For the diehard fans, there’s no doubt - FIFA is the way to go once more. Providing even more than we hoped for, FIFA 17 is a massive new entry in a long series.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As the best possible compromise between shooters of old and the new trends in the genre, DOOM is just the game for anyone craving that sweet hyperactive and ultraviolent action and is a game that has absolutely earned the right to have its title written in full-caps.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Remastering a great title by making some subtle changes and adding fully voice acted story, can't be a bad thing, now can it? Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology, though not in many ways better than the original, remains a masterful JRPG experience no one should miss.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The developer has managed to successfully make an old school platformer that is continuously challenging and giving respect to the previous games. If you played the previous games in the series you need to experience this one as well.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Disgaea 4 Complete+ on the Nintendo Switch is the ultimate way to experience Disgaea 4. Able to go portable and grind anytime, anywhere, but on the big and pretty Switch screen, really is a treat for any Disgaea fan out there. And it could be for you if you are not one of those people of good taste and style.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A title worth the wait, Shin Megami Tensei V makes for one of the best JRPGs of the year. With an atmospheric world, well known and fun systems and a great story, the recognizable style now shines as bright as ever. Still, don’t expect this game to hold your hand. It requires dedication, patience and at least some knowledge about the series to truly enjoy it to the fullest.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Octopath Traveler 0 holds on to the elements that made the originals great but isn’t afraid to experiment further. It freshens up the formula in ways that finally let its potential shine. Though pacing and some repetitive elements hold it back, it still carries the legacy of the series and shines as bright as ever.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    F1 2021 is one of the best F1 games to date, with a fun little story mode in the form of Braking Point, also presenting a great co-op driving career mode, and marking the return of the extremely detailed and fun My Team mode. The only drawbacks it has are its severely smaller amount of content than the 2020 edition, and occasional server problems.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Although it might look like just another Souls clone set in a 2D environment, Salt and Sanctuary manages to almost effortlessly transition the familiar gameplay into a different dimension. The gameplay is deep, offering multitude of combat options and as rewarding as it was in Dark Souls.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A unique masterpiece of a game, a victory of creativity.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Even if you can get over the constant grind and repetitive nature of the game's dungeons, what will put you off is RNG that easily wipes your whole parties. Instead of a truly challenging game, Darkest Dungeon turned out to be a frustration generator.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Dirt Rally 2.0 is back to show us how difficult it is to drive rallies around the world.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The continuing of Adam Jensen's saga delivers on visuals and style, yet again it misses a key ingredient that's expected from a high-profile RPG and that's narrative. It is a game with a complex and serious premise that does offer an amazing journey but drops the ball in the story department.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Nine Sols is truly the revolutionary Metroidvania we were waiting for. Even though it doesn't do anything groundbreakingly new, it is a truly masterful creation. From its elaborate taopunk world, gorgeous art and design, challenging Sekiro-like combat, and remarkable enemy diversity and originality, it is a game that any fan of the genre must experience.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    The Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remakes shine with retro simplicity and modern visuals. Added mechanics and accessibility options make the games approachable, though grind and slow-paced storytelling can drag. Still, the package delivers a nostalgic and enjoyable adventure for both new and longtime fans.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Frostpunk shakes up the often cheery or stale genre of City Building games with a dystopian background, survival elements, and involved decision making. With the right fixes of the game’s technical faults and (much) more content, Frostpunk could be a new staple for city builders looking for something different.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Keep Driving is a true gem worth your time. It’s immersive, nostalgic, and packed with captivating stories and encounters. With one of the best soundtracks and atmospheres in gaming, it delivers a road trip adventure you won’t forget.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Year after year, Sports Interactive again managed to give us another great Football Manager game. Using the same structure as before, with many little improvements, FM20 is so far probably the best football simulation we ever got.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Stellar Blade is one of the best PC ports currently available. The new AI technologies such as DLSS and FSR are not necessary on better rigs and are used for what they were initially created for – to help weaker rigs. The game ran like butter throughout my playthrough, and it even ran amazingly on Steam Deck. On top of that, Stellar Blade itself is an amazing game that I wholeheartedly recommend.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Wargroove manages to overcome Advanced Wars as its spiritual successor. It is genuinely fun and ridiculously pretty to look at. Its simple to get into, but hard to master in the best way possible.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Precise and dynamic fighting system, great looking maps and characters, and the best customization system in any fighting game to date.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you can get past its very obvious downsides and need to play a challenging, even a bit frustrating game, there's no dilemma that Hyper Light Drifter is for you. Yet, we remain sad that we didn't get to play the fantastic game which this one could have been had it spent more time in development. Maybe in the sequel.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hogwarts Legacy brings the world of Harry Potter to life, more than we could ever hope for. A weaker main story and some unpolished elements can’t dent the armour of a mind-blowing atmosphere built through a world that feels truly alive. When it comes to world-building, this game is a true monster - a beast that will engulf you until every last corner of it is explored, and every story brought to its end. Undoubtedly a masterful experience.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    RE: Village is a mixture of almost all previous Resident Evil elements, making the most of both survival horror and puzzle intensity, but with the primary stage being left for the more action-like nature of Resident Evil 4. It has some great story moments, sprinkled with a few lacklustre characters that are still overshadowed by its most notable characteristic – most detailed environment to date.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Made by the creators of Amnesia and Penumbra, SOMA is yet another great psychological horror experience with a unique setting and atmosphere. Although not as scary as its predecessors, the immersive story and surroundings will keep you on the edge of your seat.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Division 2 is one of the best looter shooter games available, and puts other to shame. This sequel is perfectly built on original by implementing and perfecting ideas that work fantastically in post-apocalyptic Washington D.C.

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