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For 1,249 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 26% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 67% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 7.5 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 67
Highest review score: 100 Undertale
Lowest review score: 20 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 418 out of 1249
  2. Mixed: 700 out of 1249
  3. Negative: 131 out of 1249
1254 game reviews
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    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ys X: Proud Nordics
    Compared to the original release, the Sandras now also boasts a faster travel speed while on the high seas. Apart from that and the new island of Öland, there is also the new post-game Muspelheim dungeon for players to tackle. All previously released cosmetic DLC, namely costumes for Adol and Karja and decorations for the Sandras, are included, as are some tweaks to specific game mechanics like naval combat and mini-games, and some graphical and performance upticks. All told, this package is certainly worthy of being deemed the game’s definitive edition. The Ys formula, while certainly evolved over time, has always been focused on more action-oriented mechanics, and there are enough bells and whistles here to keep it generally engaging, if a bit repetitive, while the storytelling has taken on a more and more prominent role over time. It may not be up the alley of those looking for deeply engrossing gameplay, but for players with a passing interest in the franchise who have not yet committed to this installment, now’s the perfect time to dive in and get their feet wet.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Under The Island
    Under the Island does the job it sets out to do: provide players with an enjoyable adventure with plenty of puzzle-solving along the way. The puzzle-solving elements — including the boss fights — are easily where the game is its strongest, but it never really steps out from the traditional top-down adventure template, and the lack of any substantial narrative and mediocre overall combat prevent it from distinguishing itself from the crowd. While it certainly has enough to satisfy players who pick it up, it doesn’t quite take the next step to fully stand out.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Escape from Ever After
    Escape From Ever After is a gem of a game, offering clever layers that are engaging throughout its playtime, as the narrative and the game’s combat truly carry the experience. While I wish the puzzles and platforming were more refined, I can also see the follow-through and how others may not have had the same issues as I did. What I won’t deny is that Sleep Castle Studio has created a genuinely fun game that has brought new life into fairy-tale properties and given them an original spin. Escape from Ever After offers so much joy in such a small package, and those who love stories will find much to adore here.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Calamity Angels: Special Delivery
    Calamity Angels: Special Delivery is an ambitious title that took one-note jokes way too far. A title about deliveries at its epicentre has promise, and the character designs are very enjoyable. Combat has moments where the absurdity all connects, and a wonderful finishing move is shown on screen that always brings a smile, but that smile quickly becomes a twitchy bunch of frustrated nerves when the party will not listen to commands. The constant chatter and disdain from the party is easily annoying, and while the game is only twenty hours, it still feels painful herding them to complete the most basic survival instinct-related things. This constant source of manufactured tension sadly overshadows most of the good on offer here. This courier is anything but dull, but the chaotic frustrations will cause many prospective clients to look elsewhere.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
    I am struggling to fully reconcile my feelings about Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. I have nostalgia for the original game, even if it’s not rated highly within the series. However, while I enjoyed some of the changes made, such as the side content with the Morning Glory Orphans and the silly Okinawa Girl Gang, those rose coloured glasses come off when I realized that the story feels quite messy, content from the original has been removed for questionable reasons, and everything in the game feels bloated. Coupled with following some of the worst characters in the series, it’s hard for me to say with confidence that this is the definitive version of the game, because it’s honestly a substantial step backwards.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass
    While Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass has its share of problems, I cannot deny how intrigued I was by the game’s characters, story, and world. Kasey Ozymy has crafted such an intriguing, yet sinister world that makes you want to follow the game’s mysteries to the very end. While the combat is serviceable and the puzzles are passable, these are not the elements that will attract players to pick up the game; rather, it is the absurdity, humour, and sharp writing that will keep them exploring. While the PlayStation 5 port has a few crashes, Starseed has done a decent job of porting the game to modern consoles. While Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass is an imaginative experience filled with nightmares, its combat and grindiness hold it back from being a truly exceptional experience.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Nioh 3
    Nioh 3 feels weighed down by its own scope. There’s a lot of space, and not quite enough content to fill it all adequately. If Nioh as a series was going to move towards an open world, there definitely could have been a better balance between scope and content. This is a game that could have benefited had it traded at least one of the time periods for more unique yokai and more missions. If it had to be this big, the performance issues and eventual repetition indicate it needed a bit more heat and time in the crucible. That said, it does maintain ferocious, ruthless, fast-paced action combat, punctuated by blood-pumping compositions, and it has a generally competent story and world built around it. Just don’t expect it to excel in every dimension.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dynasty Warriors: Origins
    Wounded only by minor flaws, Dynasty Warriors: Origins for Switch 2 offers a banquet of content to those willing to follow its path of conquest to the top. From a grand narrative to addictive combat to music and visuals that deliver, it wins the war by succeeding on every front. Good for both quick portable sessions and binging on the big screen, as well as causal and hardcore play, it stands above many of its rivals for being capable of winning the hearts of many. Fans of the genre who have yet to experience the game will find much to appreciate about it, while newcomers and skeptics may find themselves persuaded by it to awaken the warrior within them and head into battle with the wind at their backs.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest VII Reimagined
    Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is about new beginnings and, speaking as a relative beginner to the franchise, it is a great adventure. The artwork and character designs are just a treat, and it’s always worth getting to the next island just to see what big bad resides there. The combat system is snappy, making it a fun way to fight to the next heartfelt story beat that runs the whole gamut of emotions. Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is an eye-catching and enjoyable appeal to wide audiences, and serves as a great example for the franchise.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Little Witch in the Woods
    For RPGamers who like cuteness and low-stakes adventure, there is much to enjoy here. Each of the main areas of the game provides its own puzzles and mysteries to figure out, and discovering how best to approach the various creatures provides for fun adventures. The characters and story are strong points, and the decoration aspect is not to be ignored. Little Witch in the Woods is a game that knows its niche and fills it well.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Mega Dimension
    While it wasn’t the game I had thought to spend much of my winter holiday pursuing, Pokémon Legends Z-A turned out to be a pleasant romp, a delightful return to a part of the game world I hadn’t seen in over a decade, and the chance to learn many new and interesting words in French. I shan’t be delving too deep into the post-game or DLC, so others may touch on those as they wish. All I may say is that this was, in the end, a very welcome Christmas present.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
    Ultimately, Final Fantasy VII Remake can be considered a rousing success and sets up the Remake trilogy to great effect. There’s a huge amount to enjoy about the game, be it the exciting combat, impressive presentation, highly endearing cast, fascinating adjustments to the original tale, or detailed realisation of Midgar. If one hasn’t already dove into Final Fantasy VII Remake, the fine Nintendo Switch 2 release is an excellent opportunity to.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokemon Legends: Z-A
    While it wasn’t the game I had thought to spend much of my winter holiday pursuing, Pokémon Legends Z-A turned out to be a pleasant romp, a delightful return to a part of the game world I hadn’t seen in over a decade, and the chance to learn many new and interesting words in French. I shan’t be delving too deep into the post-game or DLC, so others may touch on those as they wish. All I may say is that this was, in the end, a very welcome Christmas present.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails beyond the Horizon
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon is easily the best game in the Calvard arc thus far, and one of the greatest games in the entire franchise, though with the caveat that it is made possible by building on twelve games worth of context. New players should really avoid leaping in here and go back to at least Trails Through Daybreak, but series fans are in for a treat. The narrative is excellent, the combat is in top form, and has never been at a higher level.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Kingdoms of the Dump
    Kingdoms of the Dump displays plenty of effort and ideas stemming from a unique premise. Combat tries something new, but ultimately feels like a complicated way of doing something routine, and the platforming bugs can irritate quickly. However, the heartwarming and remarkably designed party members and its world, with something new to see around every corner, make that irritation disappear quickly. Tone shifts between jokes that don’t always land and serious stakes of world altering proportions make the story feel too disjointed to be a win, but the passion is clear and there is still enough quaint charm to give this quirky title a worthwhile look.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
    It’s very pleasing to see Inazuma Eleven make its return in strong form. Level-5 has translated its gameplay onto PC and consoles well, while keeping the series’ nature and enduring charm intact, as well as ensuring that fans will have plenty to keep them occupied ahead of any potential sequel. There are still plenty of areas for improvement: the non-story modes struggle to find a gameplay loop that is particularly engaging, and there are times where more of a challenge would be welcomed. However, with a solid revival to build upon, here’s hoping it’s a much shorter wait before the next entry.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tales of Xillia Remastered
    Tales of Xillia Remastered is another successful feather in the cap of the series’ 30th anniversary Remastered Project. While the game itself has some wrinkles in the story department, and visually the game shows its age, it is still filled with fun combat, wonderful characters, and one of the best antagonists in the whole series.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
    Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree is a very solid first foray into the Metroidvania/action RPG space for developer Primal Game Studio. Combat is enjoyable and provides many options to tailor the experience to one’s personal taste, even offering some replayability for those wanting to try a wholly different character build. Combat is generally challenging, with a noticeable increase in difficulty coming from some late-game bosses, so this one is not for the casual crowd. A handful of drawbacks must be taken into account, such as a tendency for too many bosses to make palette-swapped repeat appearances, and the Switch port did exhibit some occasional lagginess when transitioning into menus as well as lengthy loading times between areas. But the quality of the gameplay, in addition to a considerable layer of polish in its presentation, easily make up for the occasional technical hiccup, producing a fine overall package that is well worthy of a place in its crowded niche.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Demonschool
    Demonschool has a methodical pacing to it from story to combat that largely works in its favour. There are moments where the story drags out simply to match its established weekly formula, but the charming characters and thoughtful combat more than make up for that shortcoming. It is easy to appreciate the impressive amount of ways that its innovative combat system uses something as novel as strategic positioning. The level of thought and care put into the presentation and gameplay experience in this ambitious title is rewarded in spades for anyone that enjoys an entertaining romp into a strategic campy horror experience.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Persona 3 Reload
    Persona 3 Reload on Switch 2 is functionally the same game found everywhere else, and though the remaster of Persona 3 Portable is playable on the system, this is a more refined way of experiencing one of the most memorable stories in gaming and a seminal title for the RPG genre. The inconsistent frame rate will be unnoticeable to some and inexcusable to others, but the added perk of portability may be enough to make up for its graphical shortcomings. Moreover, it wouldn’t be right for a game that aims for excellence to be shot down for the few targets it missed, just as how a life of many highs shouldn’t be defined by the times it stumbled and struggled. Persona 3 Reload is a beautiful game, and it being on the Switch 2, imperfect as it may be, means that more people will get to see that beauty for themselves and come away from it with a greater love for what games can really be.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cairn: Mathair's Curse
    Cairn: Mathair’s Curse is a game that’s well worth the time invested in it. While its gameplay might not push the boat out very far, it provides a solid foundation for an engaging storyline and entertaining setting. Heartfelt events, a good balance of zaniness and challenge, and a strong soundtrack ensure that those looking for another strong retro-styled RPG, or even just a fun RPG in general, are well catered for.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Cladun X3
    Cladun X3 has so many customization options that it is easy to get lost and difficult to find ways to get the full extent of their capabilities. This creates a lack of balance between dungeons, as players are forced to either flee to survive or too overpowered to matter. There’s more strategy and balance in the exciting boss fights, but they are too infrequent to save the fluctuating difficulty. As it is, loot hounds will be happy with the constantly evolving magic circles and equipment, but the unbalanced progression and uneven presentation will not do this quirky dungeon crawler any favours in finding more than a niche audience.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
    While it offers a whole host of improvements, the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake experiences end up being quite different. Dragon Quest I’s remake offers an amazing story upgrade but has frustrating battles throughout, while Dragon Quest II’s remake is one of the most amazing and memorable Dragon Quest experiences there is. Together with the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake released a year ago, they do make a definitive trilogy that all Dragon Quest fans and those new to the series should explore. It was a worthwhile return to the games that made middle school me the RPGamer I am today.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Lonesome Guild
    I found myself truly struggling with how I felt overall while playing The Lonesome Guild. On one hand, it’s a game with adorable characters who build their own bonds to push back a very real threat in the form of loneliness. It wears its heart on its sleeve, and while a lot of what happens in the story is fairly cliché, there’s also a warmth and kindness that cannot be understated and is truly the focal point of the game. On the other hand, the combat is uninspired, the dodge mechanic is fussy, the puzzles are often so poorly explained, and the rewards offered to the player have no real value in the grand scheme of things. The Lonesome Guild is a game that will find its audience through its visual appeal, but those wanting much deeper gameplay and story may be disappointed.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds 2
    Despite all of its environmental detail, scope, and promise of a wider, more exciting space-faring adventure, The Outer Worlds 2 is a disappointment. While it offers divergence and choice, its paper-thin satire, tonal mishmash, and balancing oddities see the experience crumble under the weight. In addition, the review build’s far too many immersion-destroying bugs, blocked questlines, and other sequence breaks ensure that the game’s issues outweigh its redeeming qualities.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wander Stars
    If there is anything that should be praised, it’s that Wander Stars is a great reminder that episodic RPGs are a fantastic, if rare, thing. At no point does the game outstay its welcome across its ten episodes, and the writing and characters do a wonderful job of bringing players back. The battle system is interesting, though it ultimately plays a bit too safe, which is a shame given how playful the idea of using one’s words is. There is a lot to enjoy in this tiny package, but the Switch’s performance issues hold it back from being excellent. That being said, Wander Stars is a very joyful game that, if a sequel were made and its issues ironed out, I would be on board to play in an instant.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
    Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a wonderful remake where it is easy to see how much the team cares about the story and characters. Little touches in the revamped visuals and voice work add a vibrancy to the adventure that is much appreciated. This vibrancy loses some luster with an uneven pacing that highlights far too many meandering moments at the speed of everyday life, though it does build to just as many unforgettable crescendos of incredible storytelling. The hybrid action system, combined with the orbal arts system, adds a variety to combat that makes it enjoyable throughout. Altogether, the best and worst of deep worldbuilding are in full display and makes for a delightful re-entry into this long running franchise.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Disgaea 7 Complete
    The gameplay loop and humor of Disgaea is not for everyone, but for those curious about Nippon Ichi’s flagship series, Disgaea 7 Complete is a demonically good time and a playground for gamers who can’t get enough of seeing big numbers get even bigger. The move up to the Switch 2 remedies the ill performance of the original game, while the added content is sure to please fans who held out for the complete edition. Like an all-you-can-eat buffet, Disgaea 7 Complete will be heavenly for the hungry and hellish for those with weak stomachs, but one way or another, it’s got something you can’t find anywhere else.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    VARLET
    Varlet has a few interesting elements. The story is enjoyable enough to experience, with a welcome cast, and it’s quite enjoyable to listen to. However, the gameplay is ultimately little short of a disaster. While Varlet does a lot wrong, players can still readily get through it. However, the worst failing the game has is that it feels a significant improvement could simply come from excising much of its gameplay.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Digimon Story Time Stranger
    Ultimately, Digimon Story: Time Stranger is a mixed bag. An excellent Digimon raising and customization system is held back by a shaky combat core, and the game’s interesting yet linear plotline is severely hampered by awkward voice acting and dialogue. There’s parts of the game that are enjoyable, but its flaws hold it back from being truly memorable.
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