RPG Fan's Scores

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For 2,282 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 70% higher than the average critic
  • 8% same as the average critic
  • 22% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 5.2 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 80
Highest review score: 100 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition
Lowest review score: 25 Arcania: The Complete Tale
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,745 out of 2282
  2. Mixed: 509 out of 2282
  3. Negative: 28 out of 2282
2296 game reviews
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    • 71 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Tales of Xillia 2
    Tales of Xillia 2 had the potential to be one of the best games in the franchise. While it hits many notes perfectly, it also gets some things terribly wrong.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    TR-49
    It demands a specific mood and mindset, but if there’s a match there, it’s like cracking a code and your reward for meeting these demands is thoughtful, flow-like immersion to reveal an engaging story. One that decidedly does not feel fake when you experience it.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    BattleTech
    BattleTech is a special kind of experience that doesn't come around too often. As much as it demands from you, it offers equal or greater reward in return. As I said before, this property is very dear to my heart, so it brings me joy to see this game achieve what it sets out to accomplish with so much success.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Summon Night: Swordcraft Story
    All in all, it's the best control I've seen in an action-RPG for a handheld game. I'm serious.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
    For many, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is a chance to experience a game (and franchise) that was tragically shortlived. The DS original has made an effortless transition to modern consoles, and the core experience is every bit as good as it was 12 years ago. Not all puzzles carry their weight, and the game doesn’t exactly stick the landing, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a mystery with the wry wit and subtle charms of Ghost Trick. If you’re a mystery buff, don’t miss this caper.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster
    Still two great games, but the PS3 version is $30 cheaper.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Dice Gambit
    With its combination of rich character and ability design and the smooth way it integrates rolling and manipulating dice, it’s proven an addictive presence. The original Italian Renaissance art style is the finishing touch that drives home Dice Gambit’s unique style and approach, even if it does outstay its welcome. Excited as I am to see where the developers and the game go next, I’m off to try a new run where, whenever dice are spent, all remaining dice are rerolled. Crazy! But hey, this is the way Lady Luck dances; let’s roll the bones.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Alpha Kimori - Episode Two
    All things said and done, I still enjoyed my time with Alpha Kimori Episode 2 despite my gameplay grievances. As with episode 1, I enjoyed it more than my critique would indicate. Despite having design traits that I normally dislike in RPGs, the atmosphere, story, and characters still have me invested.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    LifeSigns: Surgical Unit
    However, if you want a Phoenix Wright style visual novel that's set in a hospital where surgeries are there to accent the character interaction, then definitely check out Lifesigns: Surgical Unit.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    ETHER One
    If you enjoy the sort of puzzles found in Myst, then you'll feel right at home in the clever, exploration-focused world of Ether One.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    The Witcher
    This intangible attribute of the game is difficult to put into words, but Geralt's personality, the mature humor, the bizarre characters, and the sex and drugs combine in odd ways to create a game better than the sum of its parts.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
    It's a fun game with a cute story and a difficulty level that will welcome casual players. It also offers enough variability and special features to make JRPG fiends rejoice.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Eselmir and the five magical gifts
    Eselmir and the Five Magical Gifts is a good start for graphic adventures in 2018. Perhaps if enough people check this game out, it may open the gates for the Pirin trilogy of novels to be localized. Familiarity with the books would have more viscerally connected me to the game's world, characters, and lore. Regardless, it is clear that much love was put into this project, and I'm sure players will pick up on that when they play Eselmir and the Five Magical Gifts.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin
    For players who have been on hiatus from the game for the last few years (like me), Seekers of Adoulin is a fantastic re-entry point to Final Fantasy XI. It marries convenient travel to fun new gameplay systems that provide equipment varying in potency from good to outrageous. I was intimidated when I started playing again, but before long, I settled into a groove and have come to enjoy the pioneer's life. You don't need a shovel or a machete to brave these wilds.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Demonheart: The Ice Demon
    Overall, Demonheart: The Ice Demon is a more mature otome VN full of flawed-yet-realistic characters in a compelling fantasy storyline. I enjoyed the time I spent playing the game and found it to be both a surprisingly solid standalone title and one that has piqued my curiosity about the more extensive Demonheart series and its mythos. Fans of romantic VNs, in particular, should check this one out.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
    Remake or not, this is the first time we've seen the original game in the series here in the US, and almost 20 years later it's still worth playing.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
    Ghost Trick is worth a playthrough, if only to experience something completely unique in the graphic adventure genre.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Code Vein II
    Code Vein II is a game that’s in equal parts frustrating and entertaining. I spent hours on several challenging boss fights and sometimes, admittedly, wanted to cry from fruitless efforts to beat them, but the compelling narrative and characters kept me invested all the way to the end and even prompted me to take on optional fights to see things through to the fullest. It’s not perfect by any means, and it certainly isn’t the best Souls-like game out there, but it does show the heart and potential Shift puts into their games and has me hoping once more to hear about their future endeavors. If nothing else, Code Vein II is worth more than a cursory glance if it happens to catch your eye.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Lunar Knights
    A weak story and semi-clunky controls prevented the game from being a lot more enjoyable. Regardless, it's a good game that has some great style and music with very interesting concepts.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Kokurase: Episode 1
    If Kokurase were a person, I would heartily say that senpai has noticed you. I had a great time with the first episode and want to experience more of the misadventures of Kokurase/Cupid's Helpers. If you enjoy wacky anime hijinks with a quirky cast of characters and lovely music, give this game a shot, especially since the first episode is free.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Avalon Code
    Although Avalon Code would be without a niche had it not included the Book of Prophecy, the package as a whole is one full of variety and enjoyment.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated
    Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated is a delightful remake of a good game. The original Breath of Death VII is a favorite among indie game fans for a reason, and this version is even better. With lovely graphics, solid gameplay, fantastic music, amusing writing, a manageable length to fit into any busy schedule, and a satisfying RPG experience for half the price of a movie ticket, Breath of Death VII: The Beginning: Reanimated is worth your time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
    CotP is the worst game in the Valkyrie Profile series, but it is definitely my favorite SRPG on the DS.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening
    Awakening might feel rushed at times, but it tells an important story and allows the Commander of the Grey to kick tremendous ass, and there's little more satisfying than that.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV
    Overall, I spent well over one hundred twenty hours playing the Switch port of Trails of Cold Steel IV. While I certainly felt that the game dragged at times, it was ultimately still a solid JRPG experience. At times, “the end of saga” might have felt like it was going out with more of a whimper than a roar, but the conclusion of the True Ending more than makes up for the game’s pacing struggles. I’m glad I got the opportunity to experience the ending of the Erebonian story arc, and even with some Switch-specific flaws, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IV is yet another truly solid addition to the console’s JRPG lineup. If you picked up the Switch’s port of Trails of Cold Steel III, then the fourth game is certainly worth playing on that system as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Walk with the Living 2
    At times, Walk with the Living II does have a few hiccups, but it is an overall solid SRPG title with a lot of replayability and a powerful storyline that makes you think about what it means to be living. I enjoyed my time with the game, so I replayed it multiple times to see how things would play out if I chose one choice over another. It is heartfelt in the best of ways while also providing an entertaining tactical challenge. SRPG fans looking for more quality titles to peruse in the subgenre could quickly lose themselves for a little while here.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Life is Strange 2: Episode 3 - Wastelands
    What we have here is a good tale. Maybe it's not great or to the standard that people expect, but it's well worth the time of anyone who enjoys a good story, despite its slower pace.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Lost in Blue 2
    New unique minigames and a gigantic island to explore makes Lost in Blue 2 an engaging purchase for anyone who can get past the daunting first few hours of extreme survival. However, the one-two combo of a companion who lacks any sort of survival competency and the required precise micromanagement of each character's vital stats can tempt even the most hardened survival buffs to snap their DS clean in half.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    King Arthur: Knight's Tale - Legion IX
    This genre and approach are my catnip, and I could happily play Legion IX again just to explore different character builds and attain the full demonic morality bonuses, but I suspect many gamers will bounce straight off it even if they liked the original. If you really enjoyed the original, and want more of the same, you’re in the right place. If you enjoyed the original but wished it addressed some of its issues or innovated on its designs, this trip to Nova Roma won’t provide solutions. You can decide whether you’ll come, what you think you’ll see, and if you think you’ll conquer. Veni, Vidi, Vici, indeed.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer
    Despite its flaws, Kathy Rain 2 is another spectacular adventure from Clifftop Games that builds on the established characters wonderfully and, for the most part, pays off many of the original game’s lingering plot threads in satisfying ways. There are still some cliched, corny lines here and there, with some characters that feel very archetypal and stereotypical. It also feels like Clifftop Games wants to have their cake and eat it too with the supernatural stuff, considering it doesn’t always mesh with the otherwise grounded and gritty detective story, but it’s at least delivered better here than it was before. Regardless, it’s a sound, engaging mystery that’s easy to get invested in. If you’re a fan of the original game, this character, or adventure games in general, Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer will not steer you wrong, and proves that despite innovation across the industry, good old-fashioned, LucasArts-inspired adventure games still have staying power.
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