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
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Eerie, with nice lighting – you’ll want to see what horrors lie in wait. Thanks to The Presence, even replaying brings brand-new frights. Worth a scare. [Issue#3, p.128]
    • PLAY
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The main story has blips, but Tural is a wonderful world to explore and, importantly, creates a solid foundation for more FFXIV updates to come. [Issue#44, p.76]
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    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This WW2-set XCOM-a-like is a really pleasant surprise and a massively confident first title from its developers. Let’s hope we see a lot more from this studio. [Issue#39, p.78]
    • PLAY
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    An interesting selection of games that can feel over-familiar are saved by an excellent emulation platform that manages to make these old hits playable again. [Issue#3, p.145]
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    • 90 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With easy-to-understand fundamentals, the possibilities every card has for interacting with others result in depth that makes you feel like a genius. Luck be a Joker! [Issue#39, p.79]
    • PLAY
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    From’s mech series is purring better than ever, offering you a path to finesse like little else, though some parts here could still use a tune-up. [Issue#32, p.76]
    • PLAY
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Challenging without being unfair, accessible without being patronising. It might be the VR skating experience you’ve dreamed of (if you dreamed of using your hands). [Issue#32, p.80]
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    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A throwback platformer that feels innovative rather than derivative, Penny’s world and joyous movement is infectious. You’ll be back for another spin. [Issue#39, p.84]
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    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A stunning coming-of-age tale. Despite half-baked minigames and a slow middle section, gorgeous pixel art and strong writing make it worth your time. [Issue#44, p.92]
    • PLAY
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    El Hijo is a fun and heartfelt stealth adventure sure to put a smile on your face. [Issue#1, p.88]
    • PLAY
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sure, the game takes more than a little bit from The Binding Of Isaac in terms what you actually do, but it’s a lot less gruesome than running around hitting your own trauma. Undermine isn’t a particularly complicated roguelike, then, but it’s a fun one, and there’s nothing wrong with that. [Issue#1, p.81]
    • PLAY
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While we’re sad to see RPG mode go, the fighting in this update-sequel is wonderfully easy to get to grips with and dripping with possibilities. [Issue#36, p.76]
    • PLAY
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A solid basis for digitising the card game across platforms, presentation aside. You’ll need to love the card game though, or you’ll be left in the dust. [Issue#12, p.94]
    • 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]
    • PLAY
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With immense scope for creativity and an admirable approach to customising the experience, Teardown smashes it. You can break this in all the right ways. [Issue#36, p.78]
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    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Death means restarting a mission from scratch. That’s understandable – there are only six, and each probably averages about five minutes played flawlessly – but it can sometimes be frustrating. Once you’ve seen the credits, speedruns and missed collectibles tempt you back. If that’s not your thing, there are optional interactions and alternate solutions to explore; but you’ll have more or less seen everything there is. Great spy-flavoured fun while it lasts, though, and don’t forget your headset – it’s VR eyes only. [Issue#6, p.90]
    • PLAY
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A ghost story we’ve heard many times before, told once more with feeling. A friendlier introduction for newbies, and a worthwhile return to fans’ special place. [Issue#46, p.91]
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    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stilt is simple but innovative fun that can be both wildly rewarding and frustratingly random, often veering from one to the other in the blink of an eye. [Issue#39, p.88]
    • PLAY
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    What was already a good game proves to work excellently as a VR adventure. Grab plenty of ammo, plenty of armour, and don’t wear anything that’ll stain. [Issue#1, p.83]
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    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Best appreciated by Doom veterans, this is a ferociously challenging, fresh-feeling, satisfying end to Eternal. Brace yourself for more platforming, though. [Issue#1, p.82]
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    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fantastic characters, impeccable combat, and a fresh setting lift up a game that can otherwise feel stuck in the past. We’re beyond ready for more Kasuga. [Issue#36, p.72]
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    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Four years on from the abysmal WWE 2K20, this overhauled series is among the sporting elite – but hasn’t resolved frustrations with its most controversial mode. [Issue#39, p.90]
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    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A MotoGP maniac’s dream, and a great choice for anybody looking for a motorbike sim that kicks asphalt. Mocking death at high speeds has never been such fun. [Issue#1, p.80]
    • PLAY
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The rough edges have been sanded down. This JRPG attracted a cult following, and thanks to Toylogic’s upgrade it’s now easy to see why for yourself. [Issue#1, p.84]
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    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    An accessible city builder that looks as good as it feels, with fantastically friendly design. If only it also gave you the ability to build on rock and roll. [Issue#39, p.94]
    • PLAY
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    As clever and wonderfully bittersweet as it ever was, now with a drop-in and -out co-op option. A great way to discover or rediscover this indie classic. [Issue#39, p.95]
    • PLAY
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Though it lacks invention, the solid narrative approach and satisfying endgame ensures Outriders escapes the repetitive trappings of the loot shooter genre. [Issue#1, p.72]
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    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It turns out you can cry quite comfortably while immersed in PSVR2. What begins as a tired tale about the life of a great artist satisfyingly dismantles itself mid-way through, taking pot shots at all-too-familiar false binary choices along the way. If the initial big twist doesn’t move you, the final emotional beat brings it all home and is bound to leave creatives of all stripes blinking back tears. Short but very sweet. [Issue#27, p.75]
    • PLAY
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A fantastic murder mystery with engaging puzzles. Impressive storytelling devices give different routes purpose, but ironically it ends up feeling a bit too linear. [Issue#17, p.80]
    • PLAY
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you enjoyed the original Coffee Talk, you’ll enjoy this continuation too, perhaps even more. It builds on the first entry in a way that inspires hope for an Episode 3 down the line too. [Issue#27, p.75]
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