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
    • 51 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Chances are, however, that you'll be bored senseless within an hour. [May 2005, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shot-Online is a pleasant snack between much heartier gaming feasts. [oct. 2006, p.69]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For 30 bucks, the capable haunts here are worth this house of horrors. [May 2008, p.60]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hmmm, do I smell yet another Bandai anime-based fighting game? Indeed I do and again it's all that and a trip to the fruity farm... [Nov p.94]
    • Play Magazine
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The top dog in large-scale fighting. The fact that it's covered with melted Japanese cheese is merely icing on the cake. [Nov 2002, p.90]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This isn't just a clone of Koei's slash-'em-ups, but a game that actually improves upon them in several ways. [Oct 2005, p.68]
    • Play Magazine
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Big fun... The only real problem I have with the game is the inability to build your fighter's attributes through climbing the ranks. [Apr 2003, p.63]
    • Play Magazine
    • 45 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I just couldn't sink my teeth into the game, mostly because of the seven-character-based non-linear play, which left me a bit disinterested. I guess I like my games more straighforward. [June 2003, p.57]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If hardcore stealth is your game, satisfaction is guaranteed. [June 2005, p.57]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sure the A.I. is basic, but the action is so smooth and flowing, you'll enjoy your first kill as much as the 500th. [Oct 2002, p.83]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A leaden feel of backtracking and other nags here and there tie the game down from anything memorable. [May 2005, p.54]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The best thing to happen to the Tony Hawk franchise since free roaming, Downhill Jam is allso, if not more so, an introduction to the challenge of re-acclimating oneself to tilt gameplay. [Jan. 2007, p.75]
    • Play Magazine
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The overall result is a Robotech fan's dream come true (the amount of "Paint Designs" and extras to unlock, like cast interviews, is staggering) but also a unique mission-based mech game that (finally) breathes some fresh air into an otherwise stale category. [Oct 2002, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's packed with missions and objectives, clever yet straightforward level design and delivers co-op and single player switch-on-the-fly movie derivative critter-foolery. [July 2006, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    But here again, another fun idea inevitably joins what feels like a game thrown together out of genre spare parts. [May 2005, p.39]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There are a lot of games out there that will be much better received and demonstrate sounder core design, yet those games in the end didn't entertain me like this one. [June 2007, p.78]
    • Play Magazine
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It doesn't hold a candle to the Xbox version in terms of visual appeal. [Dec 2002, p.82]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re thinking of picking up the game, go into it knowing about the steep difficulty of the story mode, and try out the demo first. I recommend the game with the caveat that you may never obtain the skills needed to see the end of the story, just like arcade games of old.
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If hardcore stealth is your game, satisfaction is guaranteed. [June 2005, p.57]
    • Play Magazine
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The boss battles earn points for uniqueness alone. [March 2005, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Radiant Mythology will likely disappoint anyone expecting the intense storylines, vast worlds and well-designed dungeons of a "real" Tales title. [July 2007, p.68]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tomb Raider: Legend is an impressive technical achievement on PSP, mirroring the console versions closer than you might think. [June 2006, p.55]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Elite excels at creating an atmosphere of paranoia and alienation... [Nov p.93]
    • Play Magazine
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A leaden feel of backtracking and other nags here and there tie the game down from anything memorable. [May 2005, p.54]
    • Play Magazine
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's a cavern in here reserved for viewing your stockpile, along with enough mini-games to keep you busy until the 720 comes out. [Dec. 2006, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There's some definite meat on these bones, with old-school eye candy and the music and gameplay to back it up. [Jan 2003, p.87]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Elite excels at creating an atmosphere of paranoia and alienation... [Nov p.93]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's packed with missions and objectives, clever yet straightforward level design and delivers co-op and single player switch-on-the-fly movie derivative critter-foolery. [July 2006, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Still, Trauma Center: Second Opinion was one of my favorite games during the launch window for the Wii, and New Blood delivers more of the same joy. [Dec 2007, p.73]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Upgrades on the variety of cars gradually up the speeds and intensity. [Aug 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In theory, it's great, in execution, it falls short mostly from the lack of impact imparted by the fighting. [Dec 2005, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A free-play mode returns Hawk to his origins and here, the game does not disappoint one bit with its go forth and explore approach. [Dec 2005, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 55 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Arcade-perfect fun. [Oct 2005]
    • Play Magazine
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Weighs in on the hard side mainly because of its balance and control issues, rather than its AI. [Mar 2003, p.65]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Demands forgiveness for being over-the-top in its attempt to be wacky. [Jan 2006, p.46]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The isometric level design is once again pretty dull. [Aug 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Elite excels at creating an atmosphere of paranoia and alienation... [Nov p.93]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Japanese quirk plus puzzle-centric platforming plus affordability plus ridiculously cute mushrooms make for a tasty, if brief, treat. Soup’s on.
    • Play Magazine
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The isometric level design is once again pretty dull. [Aug 2005, p.56]
    • Play Magazine
    • 48 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For a game that came out of nowhere Dark Angel delivers the prime time goods and then some. [Jan 2003, p.60]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Upgrades on the variety of cars gradually up the speeds and intensity. [Aug 2005, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Unfortunately, in an age when third-person games have champions like "Resident Evil 4" and "Gears of War", a half-baked contender like Infernal doesn't stand out. [May 2007, p.84]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're so inclined to prowl the mean streets for pinks, Juiced certainly deserves your registration. [July 2005, p.78]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sure it's fun, but the true star of Black Hawk Down is the multiplayer, albeit a truly archaic server browser. [June 2003, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 87 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Certainly not for everyone, this "life simulator" seems tailor made for the younger set. [Oct 2002, p.83]
    • Play Magazine
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In a world where death is as temporary as heartburn, nothing is out of bounds. [Dec 2005, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A delightful movie game that's sure to satisfy. [Nov p.92]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I'll give em this: It's never boring, always whacked out of its mind, and the control throughout delivers...Nunchuk or not. So in closing, may the Sponge be with you. [Dec. 2006, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    But here again, another fun idea inevitably joins what feels like a game thrown together out of genre spare parts. [May 2005, p.39]
    • Play Magazine
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There is some undue frustration thanks to an uncontrollable camera, but this is still the Monkey Ball game to get. [March 2005, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Still, as a pack-in, it's hard to take pot-shots at a game that so perfectly acclimates users to the new control. [Jan. 2007, p.76]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I'll give em this: It's never boring, always whacked out of its mind, and the control throughout delivers...Nunchuk or not. So in closing, may the Sponge be with you. [Dec. 2006, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A more serious issue is the amount of times I was disconnected or suffering through some lag. [Nov 2002, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's thorny, to be sure, and the caveat remains: handle these roses with care. [Apr 2006, p.59]
    • Play Magazine
    • 53 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Better than "Spiderman," but it still could have been better." [Jan 2003, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With great control, good graphics, and a very intense level of action, sweat will be dripping from your brow in no time. [Dec 2002, p.84]
    • Play Magazine
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As much as I enjoyed most of what Mana Khemia had to offer, actively disliking three of the game's main characters(Vayne, Jess and Flay)made it easy to be apathetic every time a storyline cutscene kicked in. [Apr 2008, p.61]
    • Play Magazine
    • 50 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Better than "Spiderman," but it still could have been better." [Jan 2003, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stuntman: Ignition would benefit from a more style substance, and its methods start to run a bit thin, but that doesn't keep it from hitting an acceptable summer-blockbuster-style mark. [Sept 2007, p.77]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The problem is, no matter how much you tweak Guilty Gear XX, you've still got a pretty stale game at this point. [Oct 2007, p.87]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As always, the Rayman universe is endlessly entertaining and the gameplay model diverse and bursting with creativity. [May 2005, p.72]
    • Play Magazine
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The overall result is a Robotech fan's dream come true (the amount of "Paint Designs" and extras to unlock, like cast interviews, is staggering) but also a unique mission-based mech game that (finally) breathes some fresh air into an otherwise stale category. [Oct 2002, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A rather straightforward 3D brawler, with enemies materializing in a green haze and fairly begging to be dispatched with prejudice. [Oct 2005, p.55]
    • Play Magazine
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A free-play mode returns Hawk to his origins and here, the game does not disappoint one bit with its go forth and explore approach. [Dec 2005, p.66]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What it lacks in polish it makes up for in diversity and brutality. This is one bloody game. [Jan 2008, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shooter fans may not respect it, but they will enjoy it. [May 2008, p.54]
    • Play Magazine
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you don't dig Pokemon, do DQM. Or, if you've already beaten Pokemon, take a stab at DQM. In the end, though, it's just more of the same. [Nov 2007, p.77]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you own multiple consoles - although the game is solid across all three platforms - the Xbox game takes the prize, with eight competitors to the GC and PS2's six, along with a four-player mode compared to the other consoles' two. [Mar 2003, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 57 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As these games go, the AI and balance between ranged and melee attacks comes off very well, and its dark steely environs brim with fine detail. [May 2003, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The game looks decent too; just prepare to struggle a bit with the perspective. [Aug 2006, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you like it old school, only updated--the game controls nicely holding the Wiimote sideways--do not hesitate to lock and load. [Apr 2008, p.60]
    • Play Magazine
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Immediacy gets lost in translation as the PC's empire building real-time strategy "Age of Empires" moves to the Nintendo DS, where it takes up residence as a turn-based game [Mar 2006, p.50]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're down for another BMXer, Hoffman 3 is without a doubt the best it gets. [Oct 2002, p.85]
    • Play Magazine
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stuntman: Ignition would benefit from a more style substance, and its methods start to run a bit thin, but that doesn't keep it from hitting an acceptable summer-blockbuster-style mark. [Sept 2007, p.77]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're so inclined to prowl the mean streets for pinks, Juiced certainly deserves your registration. [July 2005, p.78]
    • Play Magazine
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In theory, it's great, in execution, it falls short mostly from the lack of impact imparted by the fighting. [Dec 2005, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Now, with sharpened graphics, more features, and an original story, Uzumaki Chronicles is fine for fans of the series. But the battles are a little stiff, and the relationships between locations, characters, and events would be confounding to Naruto newbies. [Sept 2007, p.74]
    • Play Magazine
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What it lacks in polish it makes up for in diversity and brutality. This is one bloody game. [Jan 2008, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Quotation forthcoming. [Nov 2005]
    • Play Magazine
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're down for another BMXer, Hoffman 3 is without a doubt the best it gets. [Oct 2002, p.85]
    • Play Magazine
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The overall result is a Robotech fan's dream come true (the amount of "Paint Designs" and extras to unlock, like cast interviews, is staggering) but also a unique mission-based mech game that (finally) breathes some fresh air into an otherwise stale category. [Oct 2002, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a decent game that feels ultimately out of its league. [Dec 2007, p.62]
    • Play Magazine
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bet on Soldier's action really heats up later in the campaign, the level design and intensity improve dramatically. [Nov p.103]
    • Play Magazine
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The replays are totally interactive, the camera can be set just about anywhere, and the control is so easily grasped, you'll be busting out moves that would take you a lifetime to learn. [Oct 2002, p.85]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Provides a fun, challenging time that makes the most out of its constraints. [Oct 2005]
    • Play Magazine
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Beat down fun for the whole family. [Nov. 2006, p.86]
    • Play Magazine
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Flatout: Head On may not contain guns, but who needs guns when you get plenty of explosive destruction by simply crashing your ride into oblivion. [May 2008, p.65]
    • Play Magazine
    • 49 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I liked ES on the PS2, but I <I>really</I> like it on the GameCube. [May 2003, p.61]
    • Play Magazine
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Doesn't match the heights ascended by "Silent Hill" or "Resident Evil," but the game thoroughly entertains with its building tension. [Jan 2003, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 44 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What it lacks in polish it makes up for in diversity and brutality. This is one bloody game. [Jan 2008, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The AI is aggressive, but loads of upgrades are available to give you much-needed edge and add an element of strategy. [Apr 2005, p.70]
    • Play Magazine
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There is some undue frustration thanks to an uncontrollable camera, but this is still the Monkey Ball game to get. [March 2005, p.58]
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're so inclined to prowl the mean streets for pinks, Juiced certainly deserves your registration. [July 2005, p.78]
    • Play Magazine
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As a slightly improved sequel to this year's car-carnage racer on Xbox 360, the Playstation 3-exclusive Full Auto 2: Battlelines looks better, plays better, feels better....just enough to please current fans of the series, yet further bore the haters. [Jan. 2007, p.64]
    • Play Magazine
    • 52 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Its simple yet strategic move set makes it amicable for amateurs or aces. [Oct 2005, p.68]
    • Play Magazine
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fun and unique, but don’t get your hopes up. Don’t try to rush through, or else recurring enemy patterns will drain your patience. Let’s see if Abylight couples this fun engine with some interesting character and story ideas in the future.
    • Play Magazine
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A cartoon as cool and stylized as Samurai Jack deserves a game to match, and Virtucraft Studios deliver. [May 2003, p.63]
    • Play Magazine
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Great sound and remarkably smooth animation. [Dec 2005, p.71]
    • Play Magazine
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Aedis Eclipse has the shine and sparkle of a great game, and the battle system of a bad one. [June 2007, p.85]
    • Play Magazine
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Justice here isn't always pretty. But it gets the job done. Barely. [Dec. 2006, p.68]
    • Play Magazine

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