Shacknews' Scores

  • Games
For 1,747 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 47% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 47% 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:
1774 game reviews
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I can't eloquently explain why I like it so much after spending most of my words rattling off negatives. I just like it. If you want to escape into the best Assassin’s Creed world in the series, this is the ticket.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    For WWE fans, there is a lot to like with the package, but ultimately, bad design cripples what could be a real winner. While I was not the biggest fan of them, the removal of the showcase events is a huge loss for longtime wrestling fans.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Evil Within 2 is a better game than the original. While I feel that no part of the game close to the excellent opening moments of the chainsaw man chase that opened the first game, the sum of those parts makes for a better overall experience. That said, I did not really fancy any of it. My aforementioned gripes and PC port issues leave me feeling indifferent towards the scattered high points. In classic horror fashion, the game ends with a hint towards another sequel. Hopefully it will try breaking new ground in gameplay systems and offer a more compelling story.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    South Park: The Fractured But Whole has around twice the content that The Stick of Truth did, and I felt like there was more variety in missions, combat, and things to do in general. When I got to the end of the first game, I was pretty disappointed that it was over so quickly, but this time around I would say that it's about the perfect length.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For music aficionados and wannabe DJs, DropMix feels like a worthwhile investment.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It’s a fantastic game with a near flawless execution.The journey is enjoyable and the characters you help and hinder throughout the game make it an memorable experience. If you’re looking for a high quality, AAA single-player game, look no further than Shadow of War.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Considering I’ve already written 2000 words on a game with no gameplay that lasted less than two hours, I would say I’ve probably seen enough. Did I learn anything about myself? Would I have enjoyed it more if these people were gay terminators as part of a weird government social experiment? Probably, yeah.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The best part about Cuphead is that the challenge feels attainable. It's the right kind of frustration, the kind that makes a person feel like they can prevail if they just try one more time. It's easy for this type of game to feel cheap, but it never feels impossible. It's a gorgeous piece of work and a cup that feels better on repeated sips.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    I don’t believe it is as good a game as Forza Horizon 3, despite having much better tracks, but would not hesitate to recommend the console version to any driving game fan. Had I not experienced the aforementioned performance issues, I would be inclined to give Forza Motorsport 7 my highest recommendation for PC players. As things stand now, I cannot give it any higher than a 6/10. If a patch arrives in a timely fashion (the 8 months it took to fix Horizon 3 is unacceptable) that addresses the performance problems, I would have no issues with a 9/10.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokken Tournament is a very solid game. It has well refined mechanics that create a fun battling experience.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you’re looking for a Deep RTS without the insane speed of StarCraft II, I highly recommend Total War: Warhammer 2.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    At its center, it is a hardcore RPG that will reward players that invest in it heavily and it has more than enough value at its lower price. The game’s most significant issues have been addressed with a patch, thankfully, and any that step into the world of Andal is in for a treat.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While the heavy tilt towards simulation provided by Project Cars 2 is not really in my wheelhouse, I can still objectively see it for what it is, a love letter to driving that hardcore players will find irresistible.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Destiny 2 proves that the journey is more rewarding than the destination. Sure, I'll pick up duplicate or useless loot, but at least I had a good time along the way. And honestly, it's the kind of good time I could see myself having for a long time.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I’ll be much less forgiving if the same flaws that NHL 18 suffers from remain a problem in NHL 19 a year from now, but EA Canada has done mostly right by both casual and veteran players. Big wins outscore annoying misses, and overall NHL 18 is a step in the right direction.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While the single-player content feels phoned in, Infinite's multiplayer is enough to make it feel worthwhile. The Infinity Stone mechanic also helps it stand out, with enough variety to keep it from feeling like a tacked-on gimmick. It certainly has its shortcomings, but if Capcom can keep the roster growing, Infinite stands to have a good, long shelf life ahead of it.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One of the best Madden games I have ever played. It’s accessible to new players and offers brand new experiences for seasoned video game football vets. There are some years when Madden just doesn’t have the right feel, and I usually will be the first to tell folks to hold off on buying the game. But this is not one of those years. 2018 is coming, and Madden is ready to give you hours of awesome gameplay experiences.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s a lot of potential scattered around Agents of Mayhem but not enough of it is realized. The shooting and abilities are fun, the characters are interesting and could develop followings individually, but everything is hindered by a half-baked open world. No matter how fun the shooting is, the in-between moments are consistently a chore. If this was intended to spring a new series of games to life, the initial effort spits and sputters on the launch pad.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    >OBSERVER_ is a superior, more frightening take on the experience we glimpsed from Westwood Studios’ Blade Runner adaptation back in 1997. Outstanding level design and a perfectly paced nightmare make for one of the best adventure titles I’ve ever played. You will feel a sense of cybernetic dread that has been missing since your last run in with Shodan. This is a must play for fans of the genre or anyone looking for a solid scare.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Nidhogg II is a case where bigger isn't always better. It's like trying to improve on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Sure, it's possible to add things to it, but the PB&J isn't something that really needs improving. That's how I felt coming away from Nidhogg II. It's a good attempt at improving on the original, but the end result didn't leave me feeling the same magic that I did when playing the first game. But with that aside, for those looking for chaotic dueling action, it's hard to argue with either Nidhogg game.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I loved the previous titles in the series, and although this new one can miss the mark at times, it's a beautiful treasure hunting romp that brings back that same Uncharted feeling.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    LawBreakers has a lot of room for growth, particularly given that the objective-based modes start to feel old and limited over time. In fact, the game design that rewards individual skill above all else makes the lack of any kind of Deathmatch mode feel like a head-scratcher. However, while Boss Key doesn't quite have an instant classic on its hands, there are enough cool ideas like anti-gravity combat in place that there's a sense of a foundation for something truly great.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Mania is at once a blast from the past and a wormhole to Sonic's future, bypassing everything between it and the early '90s. Come for the callbacks, stay to get a firsthand look at what Sonic's custodians have in store for his future.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tacoma lays the foundation for a truly great story, but a short length and some unexplored ideas leave it feeling lacking. I loved the characters I met over the course of the story and there are some standouts. ODIN, voiced by Justice League Unlimited alum Carl Lumbly, is particularly a treat. But by the end, I was hoping for just a little more from them, as well as more from the whole concept as a whole.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Hellblade overcomes very minor hiccups with incredible presence, immersive design, and an overall package that truly leaves an impression, not to mention the fact that it’s only $29.99. If this is Ninja Theory stepping away from mainstream gaming, may they permanently inhabit this “Triple-A Indie” space they’ve carved for themselves and usher in a new era that strikes the balance between creative risk and high-quality production values.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I love Mega Man games. They're some of the best platforms ever made. However, as much as I enjoy the four titles bundled within its bits and bytes, Mega Man Collection 2 would be difficult to recommend if it cost a penny more than its $20 asking price. It's hard enough to recommend as it is.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Arms sessions are quick, fun, and satisfying. With easy-to-pick-up mechanics, solid stage design, and quirky characters, Arms genuinely feels like a fun and different addition to the fighting game genre. More than that, it feels like just the kind of game that makes the Nintendo Switch itself feel fun and different.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    While Tekken 7 doesn't offer a lot of varied game modes, it excels with the ones that it does feature. The fighting features enough new additions and familiarity to appease experts, while remaining as accessible as ever for newcomers. On top of that, the numerous customization options ensure that there's always something worth fighting for, in-between trying to prove dominance online. The Mishima Saga carries on the series legacy in the sense that it's a mess of a story, but even that spotlights how well Tekken's visuals have adapted to the new generation of hardware. With an iron fist, Tekken 7 proves that it deserves to stand with the best in the genre.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Ultra Street Fighter II tries to add a robust package around its tried-and-true Arcade mode, but much of that package doesn't pan out. All that leaves is the Arcade and Versus modes and for as great as Street Fighter II is, it's a game that also shows its age after a while. Fighting games have come so much farther since SF2 pioneered the genre, so it's hard to imagine going back and especially for a hefty $40 price tag. Thanks for memories, Street Fighter II, but I'm hoping that this is indeed the Final Challenge.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Injustice 2 feels like a step up from Gods Among Us in every way imaginable. It's a far deeper experience, follows up wonderfully on the last game's story, and also gives reasons to keep coming back for repeat visits. The rich cast of fighters all have their own distinct styles, but they're all wrapped up in an easy-to-learn fighting system that's just plain fun to play. NetherRealm has a true grasp of what makes the DC Universe special and this game is as much of a love letter to that world as it gets.

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