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 Pony Island
Lowest review score: 10 Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV
Score distribution:
1364 game reviews
    • 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.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dying Light: The Beast marks the return of Kyle Crane in a thrilling sequel that breathes new life into the series. With ferocious beast powers, adrenaline-pumping Chimera boss battles, and parkour that’s as exhilarating as ever, the game delivers plenty of standout moments. The open world can feel a bit too sprawling, and the controls occasionally slip into clunky territory, but the fast-paced combat and amazing side missions more than make up for it. This is an excellent return to form — one that blends fresh ideas with the spirit of the original in a way fans won’t want to miss.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Buried beneath a pile of technical issues, memory leaks, and broken textures, there’s a good Borderlands game struggling to shine through. However, at this point in time, I cannot in good conscience recommend this game. This is a shame since the game is a fun looter shooter at its core, with a pedigree that started this genre but did not innovate enough. Tiny Tina’s spinoff had more ideas and progressed the genre further than the official sequel to the franchise.
    • 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.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wildgate did not hook me as hard as I thought it would. I thought it would be more of a ‘’Sea of Thieves in Space’’ type of game; however, Moonshot Studios tried to do something new. For what it’s worth, I think they did it, but the novelty quickly wore off with its PvPvE approach. The matches are fun only if you have a good crew with friendly players who are there for the fun of it and not to win at all costs.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wheel World is truly an ode to cycling, masterfully represented in its beautifully stylised world, rich with content and secrets. Despite a few technical issues and inconsistencies, it provides a relaxing trip to a colorful world of cycling.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 delivers a faithful yet refreshed take on two skateboarding classics, with new maps, QoL upgrades, and a massive dose of nostalgia. While some levels and tracks are missing, and a few clunky moments remain, the smooth gameplay, customisation options, and lack of microtransactions make this a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Drifter is an amazing point-and-click adventure game that forces you to think fast in order to save the protagonist from a deadly fate. Aside from engaging puzzles, the game stands out thanks to its thrilling story, full of mystery and emotion.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Serving as an homage to the good old Metal Gear Solid, Spy Drops offers a great retro experience. Unfortunately it suffers from a lot of issues ranging from repetitiveness, poor camera, to very unintuitive controls.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Secret Level episode blew my mind when it came out and I couldn't wait to play a dark version of Pac-Man in a metroidvania setting. In the end, it’s a bog-standard metroidvania with a Pac-Man gimmick that does nothing new for the genre. The style was also not my cup of tea, as the contrasts between the background and the animation were too overwhelming and not very well implemented. Unfortunately, the show was much better than the game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Mafia: The Old Country takes the series back to its Sicilian origins with a powerful, story-driven campaign. Despite limited side content and a few rough visual details, its atmosphere, narrative, and combat deliver a memorable experience.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    As a newcomer to the series, I expected a wave-based horror FPS but was disappointed by the lack of horror and a competent FPS – I guess I got the waves, though. The feel of the game is quite off. Weapon feedback is lacklustre, the class system is basic and uninspired, and the performance is abysmal, even on the PS5. I guess Killing Floor has its audience, but it's not for me.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Gears of War: Reloaded is not a remake, but it’s a good re-release for Steam and PS5. I guess they are preparing the public for E-day, which is a prequel to this game. Now, this is not a critique, since I’ve relived my old Xbox 360 days with this release and I could not be happier. The biggest improvement from my point of view was the audio, which was assaulting my ears in a good way throughout the campaign. The multiplayer revival was also fun, and it did bring back the old-school feel of this game. The only things this release is missing are the second and third game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Everdeep Aurora is a gentle, narrative-driven platformer. Explore an underground world through the eyes of Shell, a feline child looking for her mother. Atmospheric pixel art and vague navigation won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if it’s yours, this could be a gem you’ll cherish for a long time.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition brings back the 2006 classic with controller support and restored multiplayer, but aside from bundled expansions, the release feels barebones—plagued by minor bugs, bland menus, and only minimal upgrades that make it a missed opportunity rather than a true enhancement.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Bananza delivers a wildly inventive 3D platforming adventure full of chaos, creativity, and charm. Mining mechanics, massive levels, and transformative Bananza powers make exploration exciting, while gorgeous visuals and strong pacing keep the journey engaging. Performance dips, underused abilities, and a forced Donkey–Pauline dynamic hold it back from perfection, but its sense of discovery and explosive fun shine through. An instant classic that proves sometimes too much fun can still be just right.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    In Dragonball-esque fashion, CyberConnect2 and Arc System Works performed a fusion and managed to turn the tides! The majestic production values of Ufotable have been impressively mirrored, as this game delivers a multitude of breathtaking animations and of course – loads of flamboyancy! A solid battle system and plenty of content make this game a significant upgrade to the first. This one is for the fans.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Clutchtime is a true hidden gem. It is a masterfully crafted roguelike deckbuilder, intertwining the tactical elements of basketball with that sweet addictive roguelike gameplay loop. It flourishes with remarkable card diversity and some great design, that will surely get all fans of deckbuilders, not only basketball, definitely hooked.
    • 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.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Star Overdrive is a slick-looking, well-crafted action-adventure with some seriously fun hoverboard action. If you’re craving old-school mascot platformers, this is the closest modern take you’ll find.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you have younger family members, Shopenkraft’s Magic Goods is a fantastic choice as an introduction to the world of VR. But even if you’re not in that age group — let’s be honest, we all enjoy escaping reality every now and then into a magical world. And what better place to do that than in the role of a shopkeeper in an enchanted store full of potions, secret ingredients, and extraordinary customers?
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Rematch is an ode to football. It is a fun, adrenaline-filled experience that possesses a steep learning curve, but also provides a huge payoff to anyone who dives into its deep, yet simple systems. It suffers from a lack of content and not-so-small net code issues and bugs, but it is a refreshing take on the sport that many fans will appreciate and enjoy.
    • 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.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    F1 25 is probably the best edition of F1 to date. It features rich and revamped My Team mode with remarkable depth, as well as the much loved continuation of the Breaking Point story mode that often reaches movie-like quality. It still suffers from occasional handling issues and live-service features that might ruin the experience in some modes, but it is rich with content and its presentation is remarkable.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Nightreign is an asset flip done right. It may lack new content in comparison to its predecessor, but it compensates with fast paced gameplay and a very fun multiplayer experience that many fans will return to.
    • 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.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Death Stranding 2 takes everything the original did and does it better. More polished, more focused, more ambitious and far easier to follow. It revitalizes the genre it helped pioneer in truly spectacular fashion. Its greatest and arguably only flaw is that it still isn’t for everyone, but this time, it broadens its appeal significantly. And if it resonates with you, there’s a good chance you won’t just like it - you’ll fall in love with it.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Alters is a very successful blend of base management, survival crafting, and narrative-driven exploration. It delivers a compelling story, intense gameplay, and a unique approach to the genre, offering strategic depth without being overwhelming, and allowing players to stay focused on the story.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Precinct is a great 80s cop simulation in an old-school GTA aesthetic. The patrol segments are super fun and rewarding when the AI is not fighting you and the game itself. Driving is stiff, rigid and sometimes too sharp to be consistent and needs more work, but the overall feel of the game is amazing and I hope the patches will come rolling out to make it stand out even more.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Midnight Walk is a visually striking adventure with a unique stop-motion aesthetic and excellent sound design, yet it struggles to fully deliver on its narrative ambitions. It brims with creative potential, but ultimately feels like a missed opportunity—whimsical, yet clumsily told and mechanically shallow. Its short length works in its favor, as a longer runtime would likely highlight its repetitiveness and tonal inconsistency. Still, for the right player at the right moment, it may offer a rare and emotionally resonant experience.

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