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
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Superstars somehow manages to be rough and inconsistent in terms of quality yet remarkably likable – just like the series itself has always been! It surely is a game that could use more polish and care, but even in the state that we found it in, it was a lot of fun. By no means a perfect Sonic experience but surely one of the most entertaining we’ve had in years.
    • 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.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is truly a result of great power used with a great responsibility. It is one of the most enjoyable and fun games I have ever played. Even with its predictable story, it is an audio-visual masterpiece that is full of love and passion for what this superhero represents. A truly great experience.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    If you love climbing, reading, mystery and slow-paced games, this one is a pick like no other! If you can’t stand any of these elements, we’d suggest giving this game a try either way. There is just something captivating in Jusant that you can’t easily find on the market these days.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged is a great continuation of the iconic series that adds a story mode, better way to get cars, and more tweaks and fixes. Despite that, it didn’t really bring anything new or revolutionary to the arcade racing genre, making it somewhat underwhelming. The nostalgia factor is still there though.
    • 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.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Endless Dungeon is a successor to the great Dungeon of the Endless, but it flops on so many levels. The idea is there, but the gameplay is very repetitive and gets stale very quickly into the game. The rogue-lite elements help, but the sudden difficulty spikes did not encourage me to continue playing. The singleplayer mode offers an abysmal experience, but there is fun to be found in a multiplayer session with your friends.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 64 Critic Score
    The most attractive feature of eFootball 2024 is its free price tag. The rest of it is a package that seems to get little to no improvements with each new iteration. It’s a solid football simulation, but I wish Konami would put some more effort into the development.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    This year, FIFA brings most of its changes in the shape of a new name for the franchise. In other aspects, it’s mostly the same old game with some additional flavors sprinkled around, unless you are really excited about the new mixed teams.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 89 Critic Score
    Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless came a long way to deliver one of the most complete experiences you could ever ask of the franchise. Balanced and polished in terms of gameplay, Disgaea 7 could be the best one of them all so far. Just let the Switch version be your last choice if possible.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Phantom Liberty is a true redemption arc, more reflected in its free of charge changes depicted in the vanilla game, while still providing a very nice amount of content and espionage action to do with V in the new Dogtown district. Even though it is not as well written as the original, it has some great moments and stellar performances from its high profile cast, while diving more into the atmosphere that is Cyberpunk.
    • 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.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 69 Critic Score
    If you are looking for something new and fresh, Atlas Fallen might just be the game for you. It has an intriguing world design and ways of traversing it, as well as interesting fighting mechanics. Unfortunately, the rest of the world building relies on boring characters and a story that will hardly keep you entertained for a long while, which is a shame since the rest of the game has some real potential.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Assassin’s Creed Mirage is an homage, a cover band of the early iterations of the series that tries as hard as it can to be respectful and bring the players back to the core of Assassin’s Creed. However, very basic combat and stealth mechanics, boring and forgettable story and clunky parkour mechanics are holding it back from being a truly great AC title. It does feel like an old Assassin’s Creed game, but it doesn’t play like one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Agatha Christie – Murder on the Orient Express is a great detective game, and the best part is that you don’t have to read the source material to enjoy it. It has some issues though - the choices in the game don’t really matter in the long run, and the setting is very, very bizarre - if you’re a long time Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot fan, you will probably find it to be pretty jarring.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 66 Critic Score
    If you loved Punch-out!!, chances are you will also like Thunder Ray. It may be super short and a bit unfair most of the time, but its gorgeous visuals and satisfying challenges alone will make up for it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Legend of Nayuta: Boundless Trails is a prime example that, even when games don’t age with grace in terms of visuals, they can still offer an amazing experience. Great characters and writing, fun combat and platforming and tons of content make this one of the most entertaining games of the genre. If you love action JRPGs, make sure not to miss this one.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Motorfest is a great addition to The Crew franchise with some great changes and additions, providing players with one of the best arcade driving systems to date. However, with its lacklustre usage of a marvellous open world and weird design limitations, it certainly could be better. Despite these flaws, it is still one of the most exciting driving games.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Starfield represents the first big Bethesda entry as an Xbox exclusive (better late than never), and it's a good one. While it is not completely ‘’bug free’’, the developers put a lot of work and passion into it. It might not be the most unique RPG ever, but it still offers an unforgettable experience backed with Bethesda's long history and expertise.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    I expected Payday 3 to be an immersive heist sim (having not played the earlier games), but I only experienced a solid shooter with useless bots and connection issues. There is a good game hidden behind the horrid XP challenge system, but I honestly can’t recommend it in its current state.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    2K24 brings enough upgrades to the table to keep things fresh. The Kobe Challenges and revamped animations make for some excellent highlights of the newest NBA simulation. Still, the absence of EuroLeague and increased microtransactions prevent the game from being one of the better entries in the series.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    MK 1 is a definite upgrade in the gameplay department, making fights faster, more explosive and skill-based, bringing back the old special meter with 3 bars and introducing great new mechanics such as Cameo Fighters and aerial combos. It is a culmination of what NetherRealm has learned from the last two MK iterations and poses a great baseline for the future.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten is the first fully-fledged Utawarerumono JRPG title. It follows the standard ‘’JRPG recipe’’ but still has a decent cast of lovable characters, and you can truly feel the developers' passion. If you are a fan of the original series, don’t miss out on this one.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fae Farm simplifies farming to a point where you might not want to come back to the old ways of Animal Crossing and alike. It may be a different cup of tea altogether, but there’s just something satisfying in snappy and dynamic actions with zero wasted time. It may grow repetitive after a while and may not be awfully long, but surely is a refreshing title for the ever-growing genre of farming games.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is an overall improvement compared to the previous game in the series but is still somewhat of a sidegrade. Some aspects of the game are great but others are still lacking. Overall, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is a step in the right direction for Invader Studios, and I can't wait to see what they decide to do with their next project.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Personally, I wouldn't say I liked Armored Core 6 since I was still high on the Elden Ring rush. As a rare mech game, it does a really good job at making you feel like you’re riding a powerful mech but it has little substance. Armoured Core 6 feels like a boss rush game with detail in mech customization, but the story lacks depth and engagement. Environments, granted very beautiful at times, are vast and vertical but feel like shallow backdrops or cardboard arenas you’d see in Power Rangers mech fights. AC6 will please many AC fans, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the other From Software titles.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Reverie is an amazing culmination of so many stories and characters over multiple games. However, if you’re new to the franchise, it’s a slow, annoying, and lore dumping experience that can get really tedious, and ultimately, not fun at all.
    • 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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you are a Danganronpa fan, this is a title to shake up the genre we don’t see much of nowadays. Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is a gloomy and mature, yet wacky anime thriller mystery that promises a lot and delivers exactly as much. Presuming you don’t mind slower pacing and loads of loading screens, we can say with zero doubt - you are in for a treat.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Lifespace Traveler is a game that is hard to praise but easy to recommend. While its most impressive trait is the fact that it was made by a single person, this also stands as its biggest weakness. The lack of polish and size may drive you away from playing it, but you should give it a chance nonetheless. It is a challenging game made with love, which is so very obvious every step of the way.

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