Pocket Tactics' Scores

  • Games
For 912 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 45% higher than the average critic
  • 15% same as the average critic
  • 40% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Cinco Paus
Lowest review score: 20 Session: Skate Sim
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 67 out of 912
914 game reviews
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Meganoid 2017 is an incredibly challenging game, but it is one that hangs on this challenge because of both intended design and poor controls. When you die from a laser that was off screen, it teaches you to tread more carefully and pay attention to your environment. When you slip off the edge of a platform into a spike trap due to the controls, it just leads just annoyance and frustration. I like certain elements about this game: parts of the presentation and level design, plus the large array of item, but I can’t see myself coming back to it anytime soon.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Stripped down strategy mechanics that are both interesting and fun, but the game is mired by a ham-fist attempt at comedy.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Galaxy of Trian feels very unpolished, but the core of what here is an enjoyable tile-based strategy game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like its predecessor, this is a complex game with a lot of interesting ideas — but possibly a few ideas too many.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's the perfect way to kill some time while on your commute to work, waiting at the doctor's office, or any time you want to jump into an RPG-flavored world without the lengthy introductions, lore setup, or being forced into character roles you don’t want at the onset. For RPG combat on your terms, Battleheart 2 delivers in spades.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Despite being a tad beige and not hugely ambitious, The Trace is a palatable concoction of hidden object and traditional first-person adventure gaming. Worth trampling a crime scene for, if only to see where the series will go.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    My Time at Portia makes for a strong mobile title with plenty of content and quality of life changes, but lacks charm and polish.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Not without faults, but a generous amount of free contact makes this worth trying if you are prepared for the significant time investment.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Initially quite fun, with some neat ideas, but the repetitive nature of the gameplay will soon irk all but the most patient of players.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A charming aesthetic and a few fun ideas are held back by repetitive gameplay and some performance issues. Anyone wanting to play something spooky might get their kicks, but there are much better rogue-likes for anyone who wants to enjoy some action.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It's Space Hulk, that's good. It's slow-playing, that's bad. It's still easier to set up than the miniature game, if you even have a copy.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is a gorgeous title with some charming elements, but the action isn’t sharp enough to be memorable, and the town building elements only serve to hamper the other sides of the gameplay. A lovely game is buried in here somewhere, but instead, too many unsuccessful elements drag down the greater experience.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like a loveable puppy that’s peed on the carpet, it’s hard to be mean to Wobbledog. The adorable pet sim has a distinct personality and loads to do. I just wish it wasn’t quite so aimless, and that the performance and controls on Switch matched the heart that the core gameplay so clearly has. You’re a good boy Wobbledogs, but you can be better.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan, there’s nothing here that’s going to shake the foundation of puzzle games in the future but if you’re looking for a quick puzzler to kill some time, Magic Flute does what it sets out to do. If you’re not a fan of sliding puzzles and find them the bane of all that is good in the world, stay far, far away.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The first entry into The Dark Pictures Anthology, Man of Medan still holds up as a tense, cinematic horror experience where every choice matters. Unfortunately, the Switch’s ageing hardware holds this version’s performance back, but it’s nonetheless an impressive port with some welcome additions, and still captures the souls of all who board this ship.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    An intriguing puzzler that takes a novel approach to tried-and-true mechanics for a unique experience.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Let’s Build a Zoo reminds us why tycoon games were once an industry monolith, but also why the genre couldn’t stay at the top forever. Morality mechanics, plenty of animals, and an appealing visual style all make this Zoo one you want to visit, but some tired systems and a slightly clunky Switch control scheme means you might not stick around for more than a few breeding seasons.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Grimvalor is the best Metroidvania you’ll find on a mobile platform, but doesn’t move the bar for the subgenre at large.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Trek to Yomi is an ambitious journey revolving around love, honour, and, above all, revenge. An ode to classic Samurai flicks, its gameplay is simple, but its striking aesthetics and clear focus on cinematography is what truly sets it apart – unfortunately, it’s also where it struggles the most due to the performance limitations of the Nintendo Switch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like its predecessor, This is the Police 2 is a vacuous and ineffective crime commentary. It’s mechanically more sound, but still feels overstuffed with new features that are largely disjointed and unnecessary.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It’s not overly complicated to learn (it’s actually quite easy to pick up) but presents the player with a wealth of gameplay options and possibilities and allows for multiple strategies to win.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Though I wanted to love A Storied Life: Tabitha, its smooth and relaxing gameplay is let down by a frustrating narrative arc, which left me with more questions than answers - ones that a replay doesn’t seem to help solve.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As bad as the user interface is—and it is completely horrible—I still can’t hate too much on XenoShyft. Much like those old VASSAL modules of mine, once you get over the learning curve and figure out how the UI works, it’s manageable and the game underneath isn’t hurt by it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The open-air theme will probably appeal to a larger audience, and being able to play solo or with as many as four players is a welcome addition. Patchwork wasn’t a hugely interactive game but there was a little more going on in that you could deny your opponent tiles and time your moves to grab the bonus patches. In contrast, pottering around in your garden feels very much like a solitary pass time. Cottage Garden is a stress-free, easygoing game with flowers and cats. Despite this, I still prefer the slightly more involved Patchwork, with its less cluttered screen, clever time management and button economy.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Banksy wannabes and those not familiar with this style of game should check this out. For everyone else, Vandals could prove to be underwhelming.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ultimately, the Switch offers a unique way of playing Apex Legends on the go, but one of the best battle royale experiences is seriously hampered by the limitations of the hardware.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Armello plays like an American-style board game with loads of dice rolls and player conflict. It has some neat ideas, with asymmetric player powers and multiple paths to victory, adding long-term interest, all of which are explained in a very well-presented tutorial. My biggest problem with the game is that at the moment it seems quite difficult to arrange matches with reliable players. Mutual enjoyment relies on all players sticking to a code of honour that involves seeing the whole game out and not ganging up on a single player.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    In the end, if you’re in the market for Hearthstone with tanks, or just looking for a new deck-builder, World of Tanks Generals is worth a try.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The game’s sheer style and approachability will draw players in, but for seasoned gamers there is a distinct lack of challenge.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It’s just a shame that Buried leaves some of its greatest potential, well, buried on the table.

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