Shacknews' Scores

  • Games
For 1,736 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 47% higher than the average critic
  • 5% same as the average critic
  • 48% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Tekken 8
Lowest review score: 10 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5
Score distribution:
1763 game reviews
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s enough variety to the levels, both visual and otherwise, to keep things interesting, and Sandman Team does a good job of iterating on concepts in interesting ways while ensuring they don’t overstay their welcome. Through the Nightmares isn’t a long game — you can get through the whole thing in about five or six hours — but it is a good one with a unique concept, and it feels custom-made to be played in short bursts. It gives just as much back as you put in, and I appreciate that in a platformer like this. It probably won’t change your life, but it might just get you through a couple of sleepless nights. Sometimes, all you need is a little help from a friendly Sandman to make it to dawn.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Even with some annoying free-to-elements that can be very difficult to swallow and take away from the Trials experience a bit, this winds up being a pretty sweet ride that stands out on its own.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're aching to go dancing with your favorite Persona characters, Persona 4: Dancing All Night remains the best choice for now. If you want to listen to Persona 3 or Persona 5 songs instead, opt to borrow these games if possible instead of investing in them for now.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Volition knows exactly what the Saints Row series is. It's dumb, enjoyable fun that's not to be taken too seriously. Gat out of Hell certainly fits that criteria and though it's a smaller package this time around, it's still nice to take a short weekend trip to hell. Just don't expect to stay very long.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    We can appreciate flashy action and grindhouse exploitation nature of No More Heroes 3 for what it is, but it kept the camera on the boring parts a little long for our liking. Still, if you’re looking to continue the weird assassin adventures of Travis Touchdown, then the chores are also probably worth doing to see how the escapade unfolds.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Iron Harvest presents a fascinating alternate reality of which I’d like to see more. The war is intense, the maps are rather pretty, and the units are an escalating maelstrom of steel and steam from which delightfully concepted war machines come into play. The battles are intense and the deployment of armaments can make one feel giddy in the rush of it as bullets and shells fly and explode. That said, some unfortunate aspects distract from the experience. The game’s increasing technology tree makes cover-based tactics a questionable proposition, the slowness can make downtime between events seem just a bit too long, and multiplayer is a bit too limited. The game is not horribly marred by these drawbacks, but best bear Wojtek can only carry the spirit of Polania so far with the baggage weighing him down.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Crookz is challenging, despite its comedic trappings, and it's easy to get obsessive over it. However, unless leaderboards or pulling off the perfect heist in the lowest time really appeals to you, there's not much reason to replay old missions.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're aching to go dancing with your favorite Persona characters, Persona 4: Dancing All Night remains the best choice for now. If you want to listen to Persona 3 or Persona 5 songs instead, opt to borrow these games if possible instead of investing in them for now.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Its complexity can be overwhelming, but once you hit your stride, it's entertaining all the way to the home stretch.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Stratton Studios succeeds in creating a fun Halloween game with Costume Kingdom. The trick-or-treat and costume mechanics are inventive, while the battles heavily lift from the Pokemon formula. The story and world feel a bit shallow, making the overall experience a bit forgettable. Costume Kingdom is a sweet treat to have for the spooky month of October.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This Legend is definitely worth exploring, especially since it’s free to play, which seems like a must today in the overcrowded mobile marketplace.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For the asking price ($14.99), Into the Breach is a pretty good buy if you're into strategy games. However, I don't think it'll convert anyone into falling in love with the genre. The gameplay is tight, but not sophisticated enough to warrant more than a few playthroughs. Once you've unlocked most or all of the squads and tried out the different mechs, it loses it's appeal and doesn't retain that "surviving against all odds" feel that FTL has.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you managed to endure Trials HD and Trials Evolution and want more where that came from, Trials Fusion will certainly sate your appetite for a next-gen entry. Although the XP system isn't what it could've been, and the new tricks take some getting used to, the community features promise to keep gamers entertained for a long time.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Long story short, Phila Fantasy is cute. It’s a neat, simple action-RPG that sets out to do a few things, and accomplishes them well enough to offer a dozen or so hours of fluffy entertainment. If you like to run around a new world, bonk some monsters, and make some numbers go up, you can do worse. You can probably do a lot better as well, though. If you’re concerned about the limited time you have left on this planet, you might come away from this adventure a little frustrated. But if you’re the type of digital adventurer who likes to dip their toes into everything possible, there’s a nice little chunk of video game to enjoy here. Just don’t expect to find your new favorite this time.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's a great story wrapped in a more confusing story, some satisfying stealth action, and mechanics that leave me banging my head against the wall. It's Assassin's Creed, warts and all.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    WoW Classic targets the original WoW player base, the same player base that’s been playing since the game released in 2004, so if you started playing WoW at later expansions, like Cataclysm, or Mist of Pandaria, it may not hit you with the same nostalgia as so many other WoW veterans. I guess one could argue that the difference between WoW Classic and retail is, simply put, accessibility. What takes hours in WoW Classic, can take 20min or less in retail WoW. Which begs the question, does having a more or less accessible game make for a better or worse experience? This is the question I pose to you the reader. Ponder it and let us know what you think in the comments below.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Heroes 7 has a number of problems that completely ruin the experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As far as a dating sim goes, it’s not the worst I’ve seen, and I would go so far as to say the stories of some characters drew me in at times and made me laugh at others, even if some of it was still an eye-rolling level of writing. On the other end, the dog care angle is also enjoyable and raising your furry friend’s stats to make them the best puppo they can be wasn’t a bad time.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I was always going to pick up Amber Isle, so I was very happy to review it. Even though it has a few bugs related to the camera and UI, as well as some progression issues to be worked out, I know I'll be spending a lot more time in my shop crafting items to sell to my dinosaur customers. There’s a lot to like about Amber Isle and the team at Ambertail has tried its best to create a wholesome experience. All of these adorable dinos will be my friend before I’m through here, even the grumpy mayor.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Destroy All Humans! does a really great job of recapturing the spirit of the original. But, in a time where we’ve seen some developers take the originals and expand on them greatly, often adding new features altogether, the remake for Destroy All Humans! feels like it missed the boat. I really feel like the developers could have experimented with new things a bit more and really made the game standout a bit better in the current generation of games. Still, though, if you’re looking for a fun romp through one of the best games of the early 2000s, then Destroy All Humans! hits the spot.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s a strong foundation to build on, both from narrative and combat perspectives, and more than that, I just want an excuse to spend more time in Last Epoch.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The technical hiccups aren't the major obstacle for me. I just felt finished with the game after completing the campaign. The simple mission structure didn't compel me to come back. While I'm sure I could get into specializing my character and hooking up with friends to take on the wealth of extra challenges, I was left with the feeling that they'll be largely the same as the ones I've already completed.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I was left satisfied. This is an Infamous game through and through, and I'd like to have seen Sucker Punch venture further from its comfort zone. Still, Second Son holds its own as a fundamentally sound entry that makes great strides in presentation thanks to a new console.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Serious Sam 4 is fun to play – and an even bigger joy if you bring co-op into the mix. If you’re a fan of the series, then you’re going to feel right at home. If you’ve never played a Serious Sam game, then just don’t go into it expecting the same level of narrative as story-driven games, because you aren’t going to find it here.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As it is now, Battle Train is a fun ride, but maybe not everyone should ride these rails just yet.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite its limitations, Roll7 should be lauded for putting out such an interesting idea. Rollerdrome feels like a seed that can flourish into something greater. Extreme sports games with this kind of gimmick don't come along often and it's worth strapping on some skates to experience.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Farming Simulator 22 shines the most when it is enjoyed with friends and expanded via mods. Giants Software has made this process easy by implementing add-ons directly into the game, allowing everyone regardless of platform to extend and prolong their farming enjoyment. If you're able to find a way to make a profit, or at least enjoy the struggle to get there, then Farming Simulator 22 should easily find a spot at the top of your game library.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    What this game is really about is fan service and I must admit that it succeeds in offering folks up a hefty chunk in that department. Jump Force knows that it’s really for the Shonen Jump fans and if you are a fan there’s plenty to like here. One would probably be better off focusing on the core fighting game aspects though.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Midnight Fight Express offers players the tools to recreate their own John Wick-inspired action scenes while sporting the skins of their enemies. The replayability factor is there for players wanting to achieve S-rank or complete all level challenges. Despite its fluid and engaging combat, it is not likely that I will return to the streets for more.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While I’ve had fun with Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons, I don’t think it really succeeds at its own premise. It’s kind of a good time despite itself, with the core of Bubble Bobble’s unique, arcade-flavored gameplay shining through all the weird, clumsy roguelike stuff that doesn’t work well at all. Part of the problem is a bizarre balancing act and poor communication of what your expectations should be, and the other part is how annoying it is to have something inherently repetitive made artificially even more repetitive by making it structurally more punishing. More clarity and intuitive access to the upgrades would have helped a lot, and made especially the earlier hours feel less grindy and arduous. The roguelike stuff just ends up feeling not just tacked on, but limiting as well. But hey, if Sugar Dungeons sparks a craving for the real deal, Bubble Symphony is a perfect pack-in companion to satisfy that sweet tooth.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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    • 73 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Call of Duty: WW2 is competently made by a skilled team. I just wish some of that talent and skill could be put towards anything other than this yearly pile of linear shooting rehash. The game runs well and is very playable, so things aren’t all that bad, they just feel soulless. All I could think of while playing is how I would rather be killing Nazis in Wolfenstein 2. [Provisional Score = 50]

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