Play Magazine's Scores

  • Games
For 2,350 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 65% higher than the average critic
  • 3% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.8 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 76
Highest review score: 100 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES
Lowest review score: 0 Dragon Ball Z: Taiketsu
Score distribution:
2350 game reviews
    • 78 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Its focus is clunky, and the disparate connection to your teammates sabotages the elements that game does get right. [Aug 2002, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    I buy games to explore other worlds, and the Wii seems satisfied with merely distracting me from this one. [Oct 2007, p.90]
    • Play Magazine
    • 75 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    Although the game holds an intriguing and extremely likable protagonist in the plucky slacker Zoe Castillo, the rest of the game in the gritty parlance of the streets, blows enormous monkey chunks. [Jun 2006, p.49]
    • Play Magazine
    • 73 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    Although the game holds an intriguing and extremely likable protagonist in the plucky slacker Zoe Castillo, the rest of the game in the gritty parlance of the streets, blows enormous monkey chunks. [Jun 2006, p.49]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    In a game that is billed as a "true filmic crossover," neither the story nor the play provide any pull, and their inability to work in tandem reveals the cracks even deeper. [Mar 2003, p.44]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The game is in serious need of some diversity – namely, some platforming and/or puzzle elements. [Apr 2002, p.59]
    • Play Magazine
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I find Spy Hunter somewhat an exercise in memorization as you traverse each trecherous path discovering which weapon to use where. [May 2002, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 38 Critic Score
    The game, like the movie it was also inspired by, has failed to properly tap into the vivid, dark energy of the comic book. [Feb 2005, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    The game part of the game has you snapping pictures and keeping stray dinos under control, which couldn't be a more miscalcualted idea in modern game design. [Apr 2003, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 38 Critic Score
    The game, like the movie it was also inspired by, has failed to properly tap into the vivid, dark energy of the comic book. [Feb 2005, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I hate to be the bearer of bad news for WWF fans, but Raw falls well short of expectations. [Apr 2002, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Flat control, annoying fish-eye perspective, and a schizophrenic camera that never settles down. [Jan 2003, p.80]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 38 Critic Score
    The game, like the movie it was also inspired by, has failed to properly tap into the vivid, dark energy of the comic book. [Feb 2005, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    My feelings are a lot less mixed about the fact that the Anniversary project is basically just a PSP post of "Dawn of Souls" with the two games sold separately. [June 2007, p.83]
    • Play Magazine
    • 66 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Takes the shallow one-on-one fighting action of its predecessor and repackages it with essentially no noteworthy enhancements to the fighting engine or visuals... Disappointing. [Dec 2003, p.82]
    • Play Magazine
    • 65 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    We're treated to slow-paced gameplay hindered by arbitrary rules - having to start every stage without your weapon, and being forced to sneak around the level to find it, is a huge contrivance. [Nov 2004, p.90]
    • Play Magazine
    • 65 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Budokai has style, but the substance is almost non-existent. [Nov 2003, p.92]
    • Play Magazine
    • 65 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Flat control, annoying fish-eye perspective, and a schizophrenic camera that never settles down. [Jan 2003, p.80]
    • Play Magazine
    • 65 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The graphics, though slick, lack the sort of interest I expected and are actually quite bland. [Feb 2002, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Though the doggie animation is realistic, the graphics are sub-first-gen quality, the first-person "Smellovision" view is misguided and the platforming always stays pretty basic. [Oct 2004, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    An extended session with Misters Been There Done That. [Dec 2005, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    The game, however, also gleefully stomps over its source material when it allows these same tiny hobbits to impede the path of a huge and insanely powerful Balrog. [Jan 2006, p.53]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    This isn't an awful game, just so average, rough and predictable at everything it does that you find yourself quickly ready to call it quits. [Sept 2003, p.81]
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Besides a real lack of polish on the models and backgrounds in Dimension, it just feels mediocre when stacked against competition like "DOA," "Kakuto Chojin," and "MK Deadly Alliance." [Jan 2003, p.81]
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The missin objectives leave no room to breathe and take in all the loveliness; the physics on the robot are too floaty given its awesome scale; and the difficulty becomes insane too quickly. [Aug 2002, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I’d have enjoyed movie tie-ins as well, like Michael Ironside barking out the mission briefings. [Feb 2002, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War allows players to win most, if not all, of its battles solely by holding down the right bumper button on the Xbox 360 controller. [Nov 2007, p.73]
    • Play Magazine
    • 62 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Briefly interesting, until repetitive, unimaginative mechanics make the experience more closely resemble prostitution than actual gameplay. Ok if you’re looking for a cheap thrill (or a rental)...for everyone else, you’re advised to look elsewhere.
    • Play Magazine
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There just isn’t anything about this game that excites the way a jet-ski racer should. [Feb 2002, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This truly is a shell of the other two console versions, so I beg you to pass. [Oct 2002, p.84]
    • Play Magazine
    • 61 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Briefly interesting, until repetitive, unimaginative mechanics make the experience more closely resemble prostitution than actual gameplay. Ok if you’re looking for a cheap thrill (or a rental)...for everyone else, you’re advised to look elsewhere.
    • Play Magazine
    • 61 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Besides a real lack of polish on the models and backgrounds in Dimension, it just feels mediocre when stacked against competition like "DOA," "Kakuto Chojin," and "MK Deadly Alliance." [Jan 2003, p.81]
    • Play Magazine
    • 60 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Dislike it because it's a tired game on a tired engine. You could press those boobs against the screen and it still wouldn't make this game any good. [Jan 2003, p.79]
    • Play Magazine
    • 60 Metascore
    • 0 Critic Score
    There's hardly a semblance of gameplay here, and the game rarely even offers a laugh. Smut isn't what gaming should be about. [Nov 2004, p.75]
    • Play Magazine
    • 60 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Instead of proceeding to that final stage, I was told to backtrack through the entire game, beat every minigame two more times, and then trudge all the way back. Sorry, but that's not fun - that's lazy desing and artifical lengthening through tedious repetition. [June 2004, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 60 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    If Gauntlet were a used car, It'd be a '72 Pinto with 400,000 miles on it. [May 2002, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 60 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Setting a game on the moon is a great idea, but even this setting is wasted. [Oct 2004, p.77]
    • Play Magazine
    • 59 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The framerate clicks in at a slow 30-fps, the controls are shifty, and the graphics are ordinary. [Feb 2002, p.61]
    • Play Magazine
    • 59 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    I kept waiting for a real adventure to unfold, but it never materialized. [Sept 2004, p.73]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Drakengard 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, warts and all. [Apr 2006, p.63]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    The crude mechanics of the end result and the antiquated, bland look of the arena make it all a tedious exercise with zero payoff. [Feb 2003, p.90]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Chief among its problems is an unconvincing graphical presentation. [Feb 2002, p.61]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Dislike it because it's a tired game on a tired engine. You could press those boobs against the screen and it still wouldn't make this game any good. [Jan 2003, p.79]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 25 Critic Score
    What I'm opposed to is a crude, unattractive, senseless war game like Shellshock: Nam '67. [Oct 2004, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    NBA
    Lay-ups and dunks are also extremely frustrating to execute. [May 2005, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    The Lethal Alliance of uninspired third-person shooting and dull platforming elements pretty much dooms the newest Star Wars game. [Feb 2007, p.44]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 38 Critic Score
    It's almost like they picked parts of the first that worked really well, and then broke them. [Feb 2005, p.67]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Just like in real life, the Corvettes on display possess wicked oversteer and, adding insult to injury, grace some of the most lackluster course designs I've ever traversed while good-'ol-boy rock and swanky sax music crackles in the background. [June 2004, p.61]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 33 Critic Score
    Utterly deflated. [Aug 2004, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Feels flat and recycled, a perfunctory exercise to suck in the remaining loyalists. [Dec 2002, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Besides a real lack of polish on the models and backgrounds in Dimension, it just feels mediocre when stacked against competition like "DOA," "Kakuto Chojin," and "MK Deadly Alliance." [Jan 2003, p.81]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 38 Critic Score
    The thrill of the series has always resulted from engaging in semi-realistic dogfights amidst some of the most gorgeous visuals ever seen - features that are sorely lacking in the GBA version. [Feb 2005, p.81]
    • Play Magazine
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Solid control, excellent animation, and a fittingly cute soundtrack. [Aug 2002, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    A great technology demo for the box, and the best demo derby game around. [July 2002, p.82]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Worse still are the "Gaddgets" that are your rewards - completely boring and devoid of any enjoyment. [May 2005, p.73]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I like the idea behind this game well enough, but the generic packaging leaves it stalled. [Feb 2003, p.91]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Dislike it because it's a tired game on a tired engine. You could press those boobs against the screen and it still wouldn't make this game any good. [Jan 2003, p.79]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Uneventful level desigin and poor AI. [Feb 2003, p.91]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    I suppose MMBCC pulls off the light strategy it's attempting well enough, but I'm afraid that doesn't make it any more fun to play. [Jan 2004, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Takes the action-shooter genre and shoves it straight through the Blanderizer 6235 to ensure any sense of novelty possibly contained therein meets is brutal end. [May 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Graphics and sound it has, but fun is in short supply. [April 2002, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    For the GBA, 'Zilla should have been planned as a no-nonsense 2D beat-'em-up. This just isn't fun. [May 2003, p.63]
    • Play Magazine
    • 53 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    X-Men: The Official Game is pretty awful. [July 2006, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The game falls apart in its execution. Quite frankly, it's not very fun to play. [Dec 2002, p.90]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Hip-hop-fueld thug culture that seems too forced to come anywhere but from a marketer's meeting. [Oct 2005, p.69]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    X-Men: The Official Game is pretty awful. [July 2006, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It’s also home to some of the most pathetic voice acting I’ve ever heard. [Feb 2002, p.59]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    X-Men: The Official Game is pretty awful. [July 2006, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    X-Men: The Official Game is pretty awful. [July 2006, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Mundane battle exercises. [Aug 2006, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I think it's time somebody rethought this license. DBZ fans deserve much better. [May 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Foist this game on a hated enemy; it's surprising a bomb this big doesn't come ticking. [Oct 2005, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Hip-hop-fueld thug culture that seems too forced to come anywhere but from a marketer's meeting. [Oct 2005, p.69]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 33 Critic Score
    There are many reasons to be appalled by this game, but it all starts with a poorly designed game engine that's spazzy to the point of near unplayability. [Dec 2003, p.100]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    It just doesn't gel, with misshapen models, repetitive, bland music and a watered-down story that struggles to maintain a "thug-like" quality through forced profanity. [Sept 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Not a whole lot went right here, other than the cinemas, which are gorgeous. [July 2002, p.82]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Takes the action-shooter genre and shoves it straight through the Blanderizer 6235 to ensure any sense of novelty possibly contained therein meets is brutal end. [May 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 42 Critic Score
    Far too many key elements are poorly executed. [Nov 2004, p.87]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Sometimes a mindless shooter does have an appeal, but MiB II needs more juice in its tank. [Aug 2002, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Unless you stay within the given path, you're guaranteed to lose every race. [Feb 2002, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    All dogs go to heaven? Not hardly. This one rots somewhere else. [Dec. 2006, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Foist this game on a hated enemy; it's surprising a bomb this big doesn't come ticking. [Oct 2005, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This idea just doesn't work. [Aug 2002, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The antiseptic chill of the game eventually takes its toll as well, finally sending this monotonous five hour experience into the deep freeze. [Mar 2003, p.65]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    After playing "X8," legends looks pathetic. This is just not good. [July 2002, p.82]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    As boring and mundane a steering exercise as you will ever find. [Feb 2003, p.91]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    All dogs go to heaven? Not hardly. This one rots somewhere else. [Dec. 2006, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    xXx
    xXx is so cookie-cutter action, it's actually sad... The 2D portions are just total crap. [Oct 2002, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    X-Men: The Official Game is pretty awful. [July 2006, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 35 Critic Score
    All dogs go to heaven? Not hardly. This one rots somewhere else. [Dec. 2006, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 33 Critic Score
    There are many reasons to be appalled by this game, but it all starts with a poorly designed game engine that's spazzy to the point of near unplayability. [Dec 2003, p.100]
    • Play Magazine
    • 49 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I think it's time somebody rethought this license. DBZ fans deserve much better. [May 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 48 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I think it's time somebody rethought this license. DBZ fans deserve much better. [May 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 48 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    Feels flat and recycled, a perfunctory exercise to suck in the remaining loyalists. [Dec 2002, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 48 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    It just doesn't gel, with misshapen models, repetitive, bland music and a watered-down story that struggles to maintain a "thug-like" quality through forced profanity. [Sept 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine
    • 47 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Some decent ideas do fight there way to the surface. [Aug 2007, p.68]
    • Play Magazine
    • 47 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    A soundtrack so preposterous I forgot the Mazda zoom-zoom jingle for almost a full minute. [Apr 2002, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 47 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There's a big list of moves and attacks, but you never find any worthwhile ways to use them as the game devolves into tiresome plough-ahead combat. [June 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I hadn't played an all-stylus game until now, but having done so, I can officially state tht I find it utterly joyless. [May 2005, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There's a big list of moves and attacks, but you never find any worthwhile ways to use them as the game devolves into tiresome plough-ahead combat. [June 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine

Top Trailers