PLAY's Scores

  • Games
For 679 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 34% higher than the average critic
  • 8% same as the average critic
  • 58% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.5 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Astro Bot
Lowest review score: 10 POSTAL 4: No Regerts
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 29 out of 679
679 game reviews
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Makes for a wonderful interactive movie. You may need some patience to see it through to the end, but it’s a beautiful, rewarding adventure. [Issue#40, p.86]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the action and UI hinder some enjoyment, this is a well-crafted mystery that aspiring detectives and FMV connoisseurs alike will enjoy. [Issue#16, p.140]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The game never outstays its welcome, but in addition to some spotty localisation, its promise of greatness is held back by its unpolished execution. [Issue#14, p.78]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Adds more activity to a great game at a steep price, but doesn’t do much to justify another go-around. Ultimately left living in the base game’s shadow. [Issue#46, p.90]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This doesn’t include all the classics, and aside from Monster World IV they’re not must-plays. If you’re not into that, the rest won’t sell you on this overlooked series. [Issue#16, p. 130]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This compelling mix of top-down action and survival sets a strong foundation for further Viking adventures. That said, there’s plenty here at launch to keep you busy. [Issue#5, p.85]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A beautifully crafted game about a family breakdown that's unfortunately held back by its lack of story. There's a lot of heart here, but not much depth. [Issue#14, p.82]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    You’ll want to get lost in the well-realised world. No single element is a revolution, and it’s sometimes a little thinly spread, but it’s still a successful adaptation. [Issue#41, p.86]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Who knew a house in the north of England could make a great setting for science fiction? A smart twist on time travel that shines despite room for improvement. [Issue#42, p.91]
    • PLAY
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cozy Grove is designed to be played a little each day, which makes it perfect to have on hand for while other things download or the in-between times when you can’t commit to something longer. You’ll want to keep coming back for your daily dose of quirky, calming fun, as the blend of wholesomeness and gallows humour, distinctive style, and solidly expansive content make it satisfying and wonderfully moreish. [Issue#1, p.81]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While not reinventing the wheel, this Star Trek take on the choice-driven narrative formula is worth a go, even if it is somewhat lacking in presentation. [Issue#29, p.80]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A delicious stream-of-consciousness journey into geek culture is underpinned by solid combat, but undermined by filler, rough edges, and a void of meaningful cohesion. [Issue#21, p.82]
    • PLAY
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It looks absolutely beautiful and the mystery is initially intriguing, but where’s the game? Gradually becomes one of the most tedious spacewalks in a long time. [Issue#35, p.74]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A worthy entry for fans of the series, this might very well win over some new ones. It’s a solid reminder of what makes Project Zero so unique and appealing. [Issue#8, p.85]
    • PLAY
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As much as we enjoy our first taste of Xuan-Yuan, it’s definitely rough around the edges. We experience framerate drops whenever we go near rivers, hitboxes not being where they should be, and some oddly endearing animation jank. But as long as you’re fine with that, you’ll have a good time hacking through it. [Issue#8, p.84]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Despite a nice map, the content and additional mechanics never really come together, and Havi’s adventure feels notably weaker than Eivor’s.[Issue#13, p.86]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A lighter take on the soulslike formula that’s generous with its toys – just don’t expect them to be crafted with the godlike precision of FromSoftware’s classics. [Issue#44, p.83]
    • PLAY
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Has all the hallmarks of a PSVR hit – great ideas, action, and visuals – but playing it will make you feel ill. Even seasoned PSVRers should play with caution. [Issue#6, p.89]
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The tale itself is slightly wonky by the end, but sharp puzzle design and a good understanding of VR space makes for an enjoyable, if rather brief, voyage. [Issue#28, p.86]
    • PLAY
    • 71 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Diofield has all the elements that should make it a great tactics RPG, but it squanders them on a bland story, simple combat, and unengaging characters. [Issue#20, p.86]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A repetitive Dark-Souls-by-numbers is livened up by a universe-swapping idea. Hey, why doesn’t FromSoft steal that idea for its next game? Seems only fair. [Issue#34, p.84]
    • PLAY
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Imaginative and densely populated but also rather samey and sparse at the same time. Technically iffy, but its lock-on gameplay suits the open world playground. [Issue#22, p.70]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While these segments are fun, they don’t seem entirely necessary. Repeating this process several times in the first half does become formulaic, yet the intriguing story makes it all compelling. The genre combination feels forced but given the narrative’s this good, Yurukill still gets our recommendation. [Issue#17, p.89]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Set-piece-driven micro-stories and interesting puzzles shine in this evocative first-person horror. Poor gunplay and linearity aside, it’s a haunted headtrip worth taking. [Issue#7, p.85]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Infuriating. Fun sea exploration, but we can’t help wondering if Quantic Dream published this to make its own horrible writing look better by comparison. [Issue#33, p.92]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Success is leaning into the saccharine story of a witch on a quest for candy, which also helps save the world (and a fairy world) from darkness. Apparently. With this in mind, the sparkling visuals and sumptuous colours make sense. Neon bullets shine as they whizz across the playing field and each explosion feels like an evening of serotonin-boosting fireworks. It’s a joy to experience. However, with only a few modes of play and score-based leaderboards, this Reboot! may leave competitive players and retro fans wanting more. [Issue#5, p.77]
    • PLAY
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Bland and glitchy scenery does nothing to endear you to the one-note gameplay. It’s decently playable, and controls well, but the magic of the first game is gone. [Issue#29, p.97]
    • PLAY
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you want to take your time teasing out the story while also looking like you came off the cover of JRPG Vogue, then you’re in for a good time. [Issue#22, p.74]
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    • 70 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Short but intense, Road 96: Mile 0 offers a joyful, inventive, and memorable experience of a quality that some games several times the price can only dream of. [Issue#28, p.93]
    • PLAY
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While not reaching its full potential, Balan Wonderworld is a grand and well designed adventure, which runs superbly on PS5. It’s perfect for family co-op play. [Issue#1, p.88]
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