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For 1,132 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 42% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 48% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 74
Highest review score: 100 Pokemon Pokopia
Lowest review score: 30 Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 598 out of 1132
  2. Mixed: 494 out of 1132
  3. Negative: 40 out of 1132
1132 game reviews
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    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ara: History Untold
    I keep bringing up competitors like Civilization and Humankind not just for obvious comparisons or to be cruel, but because Ara: History Untold sought to position itself as big mix up for historical strategy. And I want that! I love this genre, but only having a few big games flying that banner has led to it becoming a bit stale, and more competitors and new ideas could shake things up. But unfortunately, Ara doesn’t do much to really drive things forward. Most of the new additions have been tried before and the crafting system, the one actually unique part, fails to add much more than extra busywork and spreadsheeting. It’s still totally functional as a historical 4X, easily alluring me back into the one-more-turn mindset, but it doesn’t succeed in bringing much that is really new to the table.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    ActRaiser Renaissance
    ActRaiser Renaissance is the definition of a pleasant surprise. From its sudden launch as a Nintendo Direct shadowdrop to its refreshing revival of the game, it’s the epitome of the unexpected. It respects the original game. Yet, Sonic Powered and Square Enix built it up to ensure it does even more in a way that doesn’t feel forced. Both people returning to it and those experiencing it for the first time could equally enjoy it. And one can only hope Square Enix will keep in mind what worked here and make any other SNES remakes as robust.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
    Even with the pacing problems, Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is the best entry in the series yet. The puzzle-like investigative gameplay is straightforward, doing just enough to challenge the player without overwhelming or being too obscure. It all complements well with the excellent but a bit unique storytelling. This tale is not for every Switch player, being a bit too dark at times, but it is highly rewarding for those it appeals to.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Radiata Stories
    Fortunately the world in Radiata Stories is vast, with lots of quests and people to find. It's also gorgeous in it's own artistic way and complex with a fully integrated time system.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Thaumaturge
    I suspect I’m going to continue thinking about The Thaumaturge for a long time. The game is easy to pick up and very difficult to put down. While it might look like a very specific CRPG for a very specific type of audience, I feel like the way it combines its setting, storytelling, and mechanics makes for an extremely compelling game and a strong contender for those looking to get into CRPGs.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    OFF
    OFF is an experience worth having if you value the creativity of independent works and RPG Maker games, and it aged relatively well. I do think that, in the years since its release, we’ve seen other games with similar sorts of messages that do what it does better. Especially when it comes to the battle system. But when you factor in its influence, I feel it possesses educational value for those who may ever consider developing their own games or appreciate what independent developers can accomplish.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2
    One thing Naurto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 does right is it makes good use of the Gamecube's four controller ports. Of course playing against a friend is fun, but playing against two other friends is even more fun.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Monster Sanctuary
    Monster Sanctuary is a game that feels satisfying and rewarding. When you earn more skill points, get a new monster, or find a new Explore Ability, it opens up more of a sufficiently large world to explore. But this is also a challenging game that requires you to experiment with teams, learn how to build combos, and invest a lot of time battling wild monsters to make sure you have the special abilities, evolutionary items, and experience you need to survive.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Star Named EOS
    The Star Named EOS has a fairytale vibe to it like the start of a Pixar movie, but the same breezy pace and lightness of detail can also make the story feel flat or overly sentimental. Still, there’s a pleasant and affecting time for those who can slow down and enjoy it.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    void tRrLM(); //Void Terrarium
    Unlike that other game about the mushroom-y apocalypse, Void Terrarium is an optimistic game despite its dour premise. It isn’t afraid to be funny even in a sad context, and it really clings onto a sense of hope.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends
    Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is a sweet and cute game with an easy gameplay loop that keeps me coming back for more. With all the customization options, as well as so many different recipes to max out, there’s quite a lot to do even if you’re not interested in the story. Just make sure you have the number of your local sushi shop on speed dial! You’re going to want a plate of nigiri or two while playing this game.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind
    There are times when Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind shows its age. It absolutely isn’t user-friendly sometimes. However, its story is surprisingly timeless, and the new presentation is stunning. It’s a gorgeous adventure with a mystery that’s more well thought out and serious than I expected. I’d even say it can be approachable in spite of itself. But more importantly, it’s an opportunity to see another side of Nintendo’s history that for years we didn’t get to see.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Killer7
    Gamers eager for something different and darker will eat Killer 7 up. Whereas some gamers will absolutely loathe the game because it takes time to get into and time to relearn controls. [JPN Import]
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Terra Memoria
    Terra Memoria was a wonderful way to pass the time after a long day at work. I’d curl up with it before bed, discovering new recipes to make or creating a cute pond in my town just because I wanted to. The story was also satisfying due to how wonderful the cast of characters are, and they all felt believable in spire of their individual quirks and familiar character tropes.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory
    There’s a sense that Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory is a game that wants to repay longtime fans for their commitment. The music and cutscenes draw from a deep well of nostalgia without relying on it. That said, fans looking for a game that advances the story might be disappointed. Within the context of the franchise, Melody of Memory isn’t the next big moment for Sora, Kairi, or any other of the game’s characters. Instead, it’s a celebration of the moments that have already happened for those characters with a very strong focus on Sora.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    SteamWorld Build
    It’s a shame, because SteamWorld Build has such a solid foundation, but it ends up not feeling that compelling to play. I’m usually the type to spend hours in any kind of base-building game trying to make a perfect, aesthetically pleasing layout, but this is one of the few games where I haven’t felt that urge past the first few hours. That said, there’s still a lot to love from the designs to the concept, so if you like the SteamWorld setting at all it’s likely worth checking out on Game Pass.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers
    Ultimately, what hurts the most about launching in the long shadow of Balatro is the expectation of a wide possibility space and near-endless depth. Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is more of a diversion than a new avocation, with interesting ideas that play out fairly quickly and funnel toward a few very specific viable strategies. It’s fun! Briefly.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wander Stars
    Wander Stars is interesting and tells a Dragon Ball type of tale, especially considering its novel combat system that uses words to construct every action. The aesthetics are fantastic. It’s clearly a labor of love and tribute to shonen series. The issue is there are some bugs that can hamper the experience, especially if it softlocks and you find yourself losing progress due to it only automatically saving at the outset of every map. A few patches should help things along and I think it is neat, but I do think the execution and bugs might keep it from being for everyone. I recommend checking out the demo first.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Scott Pilgrim EX
    I admire the fact that Tribute Games embraced the River City style with Scott Pilgrim EX, as it really makes this beat’em up more of an adventure. The artistic direction and soundtrack are perfect too, and the combat flows well. I do wish the story were stronger and some of my favorite characters from the previous game had been playable, and the presence of launch bugs that can affect multiplayer is a downer. But at the very least, after a patch or two, those gameplay issues should be fixed.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    On Your Tail
    It didn't provide a cozy experience at all.
    • Siliconera
      • Posted Jan 6, 2025
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    WiZmans World Re;Try
    WiZmans World Re;Try isn’t the most exciting JRPG, but it is great we finally get to experience it after about 16 years. The Anima Fusion system is interesting, and there’s some pretty intricate spritework involved for some characters. The game is something of a grind though, so be prepared to work for your best combinations and to take down some bosses that appear in later dungeons.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Soul Hackers 2
    Soul Hackers 2 succeeds at fusing appealing character elements and story into a more traditional dungeon-crawling mode. In a lot of ways it does manage to travel that middle path between the extremes of its sibling series. But its bright spots don’t quite mask the moments where the moments where both its halves can fall short.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime!
    Princess Peach: Showtime is a fantastic action-adventure title with many transformations that make the game fun and replayable. While some may find the boss battles tedious and repetitive, it is offset by enjoyable combat and a plethora of collectibles, making it fun for those who love the grind. Overall, Princess Peach: Showtime manages to hold its own as a Super Mario spin-off and proves that Mario doesn’t need to be in every game in its universe in order for it to be great.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Hollowbody
    Hollowbody has a pretty fascinating atmosphere and really strong vibes, but fails to deliver a fleshed-out survival horror experience. The game is clearly inspired by classic PS2 titles in the genre, but this comes at the expense of the game offering unique mechanics or a thoughtful narrative. And while I have pretty strong feelings about Hollowbody, I still want to jump back into New Game+ and try to get other endings and find answers to the mystery, no matter how vague they might be.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Winter's Wish: Spirits of Edo
    Winter’s Wish: Spirit of Edo is one of those Switch otome games that covers a lot of different topics well. Do you like period pieces? It’s got that. Enjoy stories with supernatural elements? Each route features blightfall hazards to overcome. There for the romance? I really recommend going through Yoichi’s route! Due to playing so many routes one after another, the sense of progression felt a bit similar to me, but I think someone playing it in a more measured way as intended would have a good time.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pocket Bravery
    Pocket Bravery is an impressive fighter that shows some wonderful detail with its combat motions. The varied characters and their vast movelists give you many options on how to mangle foes, and you’ll need to use them skillfully if you’re to hope to win. An Accessible mode goes a long way to making that possible, although it unfortunately does not do much for the empty online modes at this time. It’s a great game that is finding its feet right now, so if you can get past the character art style (or if it doesn’t bug you), then you’ll want to get in on the ground floor with this sharp title.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution
    I’m glad Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution is accessible after everything it went through, but you can see its struggles. It’s a fine adventure. It helps build up the timeline and backstory. I feel like it’s just a tad short and features some pacing issues that really highlight that this was a game that ended up being picked up, canceled, returned to, and had these halts in development.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher
    Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher does a good job of infusing Ultraman essence into an established series, all without potentially putting people off of it. Things are handled well, and the kaiju are fun to collect and train even if you aren’t aware of their backstories.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana
    Atelier Iris Eternal Mana relives the glory days of 16-bit RPGs with a fine polish to it. Although, many RPG gamers are into the genre for the story, which is Atelier Iris Eternal Mana's weakness.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Colors: Ultimate
    In short, Sonic Colors Ultimate remains one of the better Sonic the Hedgehog games to appear over the last 11 years.
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