TechRadar Gaming's Scores

  • Games
For 357 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 1.1 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 76
Highest review score: 100 Blue Prince
Lowest review score: 20 Tamagotchi Plaza - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 19 out of 357
358 game reviews
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Armored Core 6 offers slick and well-polished mech battling fundamentals, diluted by the inclusion of ill-fitting soulsborne mechanics that don’t compliment the mech pilot fantasy. Though there’s much to enjoy for fans of the series, newcomers will be met with a lopsided experience that doesn’t quite capture the full potential of the Armored Core series.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Silent Hill 2 is a visually stunning remake that captures much of the original's ambiance, but it could be more delicate with its difficult themes and pacing.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    It may not be set in the titular town, but Silent Hill f undoubtedly encompasses the essence of the series with a dark, twisted, and emotionally weighty tale of psychological horror. It also takes plenty of imaginative and creative risks that are fantastic and flawed in equal measure. It would be an even more special game if only it weren't plagued by an inconsistent atmosphere and some of the most miserable combat I've ever experienced.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Jurassic World Evolution 3 is a behemoth park management sim. It offers an engaging campaign, the opportunity to revive, breed, and genetically upgrade dinosaurs, and the ability to build your own scenery from scratch. But I’d still like more scope to flex my creative muscles, and certain mechanics like managing dinosaurs’ comfort become a bit of a chore. A satisfying evolution, but it’ll require some tweaks to become truly great.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Marathon looks great and benefits from some excellent moment-to-moment action, especially if you’re playing with friends. Even so, the clear lack of content, terrible cosmetics, and abundance of repetitive fetch quests give you few compelling reasons to keep coming back for more once the initial burst of excitement wears off.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This top-tier strategy game loses points for the slurs and racial stereotyping in the writing. The best urban combat in a tactical game in years, but the world feels paper-thin even as the fights impress.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you can look beyond some janky fights and want to experience a unique setting, there’s fun to be had in Black Myth: Wukong.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s a lot of fun to be had in F1 25, largely thanks to the excellent Braking Point 3 campaign and a very welcome upgrade to the My Team career mode. That said, most modes remain practically unchanged from last year’s entry, leaving the series feeling like it's spinning its wheels somewhat. Here’s hoping Codemasters has some big changes planned for next year’s game in line with the sport’s real-world regulation changes.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Just like real-life golf, PGA Tour 2K25 is a hearty mix of satisfaction and frustration. The former comes from its excellent shot crafting and wonderful shot-to-shot golf play which is moreish and multifaceted. The latter comes in the form of disappointing commentary and audio, a dizzying amount of transition screens, some missteps in skills, and the glaring absence of the most famous courses and tournaments which still keep it firmly in EA Sports PGA Tour’s shadow.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A handful of ill-conceived alterations prevent Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake from being quite as compelling as its legendary predecessor, but it’s still a strong survival horror game elevated by a memorable narrative and impressive production values.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    An obtuse yet pleasing adventure, Remnant 2’s post-apocalyptic dimension hopping is hobbled by wonky and imprecise combat. That said, fans of bleakly beautiful environments, immersive settings, or the prospect of battling Soulsborne bosses with friends may find themselves enjoying this genre-melding third-person shooter.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Every night in Hinterberg ends with a Stardew Valley-esque recap of your day that encapsulates the game’s innovative blend of dungeon crawling and social simulation. You’re reminded of the undead Miner’s Widow you conquered, alongside the HP you gained from meditation. Staring down the barrel of another day of dungeoneering can be offputting, especially with the prospect of an over-familiar puzzle or frustrating fight on the horizon. Still, Dungeons of Hinterberg’s personable cast and stunning environments provided the necessary pockets of reprieve that kept me wanting to wake up and face the day every next morning.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fast Fusion is a very impressive showcase of the Switch 2’s graphical capabilities. A decent range of tracks and the awesome fusion mechanic definitely make it worth checking out (especially at its unbelievably low price tag), though some frustrations with progression and borderline unfair AI rubber-banding hamper the overall experience.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Dicefolk is a fun turn-based roguelike with a decent variety of environments and characters to stay entertaining, but the content itself becomes repetitive. Although excitement is added through boss encounters and the gamble of random rolls, the repetition holds Dicefolk back from excelling.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer is another excellent addition to developer Hamster’s collection of preserved arcade classics. Having the arcade version of the original Ridge Racer on Switch 2 is a real blessing, and its support for online leaderboards allow for quickfire, moreish handheld play. It’s certainly not the most feature-rich game in the series, but a handful of modes and satisfyingly simple gameplay have kept me coming back.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The First Berserker: Khazan is one of the toughest action games and soulslikes in recent years. It's relentlessly punishing, with challenging spectacle fights and bosses to overcome. However, each challenge you do topple leads a sense of satisfaction that harkens back to the genre’s origins when everyone was less experienced at these games. That combat is only let down by a somewhat overwhelming story for newcomers to the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe, a lack of accessibility options besides an easy difficulty, and a gear crafting system that feels unnecessary.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Oxenfree 2 is a smart, stylish but ultimately safe sequel to a modern cult classic. It unfortunately repeats many of the mistakes of its predecessor, and perhaps that’s the point, but there’s still plenty here for those looking for another dose of small town mystery drowned in spectral radio static.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Days Gone Remastered looks and feels better than the original, offering welcome accessibility features, more challenge, and enhanced visuals. But the old issues, primarily poor pacing, underwhelming story, and repetition, plague this open-world adventure. If you're looking for a decent zombie-slaying survival game, you'll be satisfied with this but don't expect a bump-free ride.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    El Paso, Elsewhere is a creative and thoughtful project that expertly mixes nostalgic graphics with clean controls. It’s a thrilling fight from start to finish. However, sometimes, the protagonist's monologues can feel like a pizza cutter: all edge with no point.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is an audacious love letter to Games Workshop’s dystopian sci-fi setting, offering a bleak yet compelling portrait of the iconic universe. However, engaging combat and gripping decision points are let down by abundant bugs and a mechanical depth that can be off-putting at times.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 builds on the engrossing flight model of its 2020 predecessor and finds substantial new ways to turn the impressive 1:1 Earth replica into a structured experience. But even after its disastrous launch, the streaming tech powering it seems determined to keep you from the good bits.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This series has been veering towards an increasingly hardcore audience lately, so the addition of arcade handling is a welcome option in Moto GP 25. There are tweaks to be made in post-release patches, most notably AI difficulty in arcade mode, and the flat track, but the handling, visuals and authentic touches keep this essential for MotoGP fans and well worth a look for a broader audience of racing gamers.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    WWE 2K26 once again sees 2K improve on its yearly release, but like with other years, there's always a downside to go along with it. This year's MyRise feels undercooked, and the Ringside Pass locks paid DLC behind progression that takes an age to move forward. It's still a top-of-the-line grappler, but frustrating choices hold it back.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is finally a definitive way to play Retro Studios first Donkey Kong adventure that’s untethered from forced motion controls of the Nintendo Wii or the performance of the Nintendo 3DS. However, outside of that, it brings nothing new to what is probably the weakest entry in the series, apart from a high price point.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Luigi's Mansion 2 HD is a no-frills port of the 3DS game with some minor visual upgrades. It won’t win over those who disliked the original, but it’s a solid experience for everyone else.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Synapse is a substantial, somewhat interesting FPS adventure and a compelling PSVR 2 exclusive that lets you become a mind-trawling mayhem merchant with psychic powers.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Persona 5 Tactica preserves the style and sophistication of its predecessor, offering a slick and sharp tactical experience that continues to reward after hours of play. Full of familiar Persona 5 hallmarks, fans of the series are in for a treat, but newcomers may find themselves left out in the cold.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Much like the game’s creatures that assemble from the bits and bobs of the deceased on their path, Cronos: The New Dawn also amalgamates the prime cuts of Resident Evil 4, Dead Space, The Last of Us, Alan Wake, and more survival horror classics. At least the result isn't a hulking monstrosity that I want to kill with fire. However, despite traces of genuinely inventive ideas, it's a flawed patchwork that just about gets away with competently imitating all of its absorbed parts.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mario Tennis Fever builds on its predecessor's solid presentation and arcade tennis action with more content than before and a new mechanic that's a recipe for Mario Kart-style courtside mayhem. Although the underwhelming Adventure mode doesn't last long, it doesn't mean you won't have fun during a match.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Metro Awakening is a solid first VR entry for the series. It's not going to be loved by everyone, but it will be by fans of the Metro franchise who want to explore the horror-filled passages in a more immersive medium as well as those who like a more gradual plot.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While surely a joy for series fans, as a newcomer, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening can, at times, be unwieldy and lack direction, with core tenets that should work to balance out the game, like diplomacy left flying half-mast. That being said, it’s a rewarding game to master, offering ample replayability and a healthy dose of Japanese history.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While the Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake expands upon the original’s content and adds replayability, its clunkiness leads to even the simpler puzzles feeling frustrating, especially with a slow start that drags on for longer than it should.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Marvel's Deadpool VR is the latest Meta Quest 3 exclusive to hit our VR headsets, and it's exactly what fans of the anti-hero will want, and everything his haters will despise. From the humor to the action, I had a blast, but it isn't the must-play experience that previous Meta Quest exclusives were for that reason.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fired from your job and abandoned on a distant planet, Revenge of the Savage Planet is a competently put together action-adventure game with Metroidvania progression that's entertaining enough on the whole. Thanks to its formulaic structure and tacked-on co-op mode, however, you’ll occasionally get the feeling that you would be better off doing something else with your time.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Jamboree TV offers some more and varied uses of the Switch 2's unique features with a charming game show format that will be fun for breaking out at parties. Its new content, however, doesn't integrate with the base game and makes for an awfully pricey package if you don't already own the original game.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Crew Motorfest has plenty of moments of joy and wonder as you traverse its open world rendition of Hawaii. The massive variety of events and stunning presentation, however, are held back by a general lack of polish, an unsatisfying handling model and some truly outrageous AI behavior.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The first original Mana series game in over a decade and a half is a pleasant romp through a visually stellar fantasy world. Fun combat quirks such as class switching and malleable builds offer plenty of customization, too, that’s all really quite easy to understand. Unfortunately, some stiffer elements of movement and a story that doesn’t quite realize its full potential have Visions of Mana falling short.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Like its predecessor, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged is a solid racer elevated by its stunning life-like visuals. With few new additions, however, this sequel struggles to justify its own existence.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While Homeworld 3 looks the part and is a competent strategy game, the chaos of battle obscures much of the nuance of its new features.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Wild Hearts S gives Switch 2 owners the chance to play Dynasty Warriors developer Omega Force’s monster-hunting game. It’s far from a perfect port, with a noticeable visual downgrade and choppy performance. But it’s still perfectly playable, and the game’s fantastic Karakuri system and interesting take on weapons and armor sets remain as refreshing today as they did in the original release.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Savage tactical strategy and effective use of the license make this a must-play for fans of Xenomorphs or think-’em-ups. Some jagged edges and jank mar things a bit, but it’s the most terrifying strategy game you’ll ever play.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Ride 5 is a stunningly realized motorcycle racing sim with excellent attention to detail that is held back by frustrating controls, a steep learning curve, and the fact that it barely iterates upon the previous entry in a meaningful way.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fragpunk isn’t perfect, but it’s still a lot of fun. The game-changing Shard Cards and unbalanced Lancer abilities are a blast in a casual setting, but its poor side modes and lack of competitive appeal mean that it might be a short-lived thrill.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Total War: Pharaoh offers satisfying battles and challenging empire management, but undermines itself by pushing the player towards half-baked diplomacy, trade, and intrigue systems that feel authentic but aren’t consistently fun.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a solid action-packed package that impressed me with its cathartic, overhauled combat. Performance is consistent, the fleshed-out Morning Glory content is addictive, and the Dark Ties episode offers a comprehensive look into the motivations of antagonist Yoshitaka Mine. However, some underwhelming side content, graphical quirks, and questionable narrative changes stop this entry from hitting the heights of other titles in this phenomenal franchise.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There’s a lot to like about Lysfanga: The Time Shift Warrior - the tactical, set-piece hack‘n’slash combat often feels satisfying and snappy. However, a forgettable story and uninspiring skill progression cement Lysfanga within the shadows of its mechanical and narrative contemporaries.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Atomfall reimagines a jolly trip to the Lake District as a fight for survival, a unique idea that leaves a lasting impression. Not every decision you make feels like life and death but its British sensibilities and stunning visual design make up for those weaker points, delivering an engaging jaunt in the countryside… with guns.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Mafia: The Old Country offers a compelling mob story, complete with great voice acting and beautiful cinematics, that’s undermined by some bizarre mechanics. Shoddy stealth segments, familiar set-pieces, and vanishingly few opportunities to explore its stunning world make for an entry that’s far from the worst in the series, but falls short of the best.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A competent strategy outing, Dune: Spice Wars provides a range of strategic systems that offer engaging decision points for players. However, without a narrative campaign, options for play are limited, and immersion into this classic sci-fi setting is held back by samey environments and shallow combat.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Excellent shooting, fluid parkour, and plenty of variety electrify this brief sci-fi adventure. The visuals are superb, but it’s undermined by rocky performance and awkward dialogue throughout.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Layers of Fear is a shiny remake with the same dull and slightly uneasy story that plagued the original titles. While it masters elements of a hallucinogenic game with smooth transitions and creative mind-boggling settings, I was never even slightly scared, surprised, or excited.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is an underwhelming port of a great game. The addition of a single new mode and a handful of hardware features isn’t enough to justify the steep asking price, especially given its online matchmaking limitations. Had Sega offered a cheap upgrade path for existing Puyo Puyo Tetris owners, it would be much easier to recommend.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mouse P.I. for Hire hits a lot of the right notes with its fast first-person gameplay and brilliant rubberhose-style animation. But on Nintendo Switch 2, the constant frame drops and other technical hiccups hold it back from greatness.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Throne and Liberty is at its core an old-school player-versus-player MMO with a defined focus on world and large-scale group combat. While graphically stunning, an average combat system and a potentially divisive monetization model hold back this otherwise extremely competent MMORPG.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Directive 8020 is a welcome evolution of Supermassive’s The Dark Pictures Anthology survival horror series, offering a more forgiving gameplay experience, improved visuals, and new stealth elements. While the core of the gameplay remains, fans may feel divided on these new additions, as the game leans into more traditional survival horror elements than previous titles, but doesn’t quite hit the mark when weighed up against other heavyweights in the sci-fi genre.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While it makes for a fun, relatively short co-op jaunt, Little Nightmares 3 doesn’t live up to its predecessors. Puzzles lack complexity, the story lacks heart and, though it’s still a grim world for our protagonists, the fear factor just doesn’t pack enough punch.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Wizard with a Gun promises a sandbox survival experience, but it relies slightly too heavily on its crafting mechanics as you get set up which takes away from the combat side of the game. It's got a few flaws for sure, but it's still fun as long as you're prepared for a bit of repetition.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Invincible deploys its source material brilliantly in terms of style, aesthetic, and story, however a lot of slow parts, empty spaces, and over-simplistic mechanics and puzzles mean it never really hits truly stellar heights.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At its best, this blacksmith action adventure endears with great characters, engrossing action, and retro simplicity. Attempts to chase industry trends often hold it back.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lego Horizon Adventures is a funny platformer that avoids adapting the source material’s complex lore and opts for simple, repetitive levels that become tiresome quickly. However, despite heartfelt vocal performances and beautiful world design, Lego Horizon Adventures fails to reach its full potential.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered delivers a welcome visual overhaul to The Last Revelation, Chronicles and The Angel of Darkness with excellent character models, detailed textures and revamped lighting working together to wonderful effect. The modern control schemes across the collection are frustratingly cumbersome but some great quality-of-life improvements and the excellent photo mode features make this remaster a must for longtime fans.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Enotria: The Last Song’s stacks of gameplay systems and offbeat terminology make for a fairly convoluted soulslike experience. However, it brings some cool ideas to the table when it comes to combat and traversal. That, and it’s a simply gorgeous world set against a backdrop of Italian folklore, makes for an incredibly compelling experience. The relatively short length compared to most soulslikes also makes it a digestible game that's worth playing at least once.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer gets a lot right, and it’s an addictive, well-thought-out boxing experience with a virtual workout planner that's perfect for beginners. At its best, you can tailor it to create an engaging daily workout, and even I struggled to keep up with its harder difficulty levels. However, it suffers from the same issues as many movement-based games that came before it: it’s easy to cheat yourself out of the experience based on shoddy movement controls.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    High on Life 2 boasts an inventive FPS campaign that kept me hooked throughout its runtime thanks to varied level designs and excellent setpieces and bossfights. But skateboarding and its effect on both the speed of the game and the pace of the combat were the real stars of the show. And while there are some groan-worthy jokes, I found the humor to be stronger this time around, mostly thanks to some less obnoxious characters. However, a litany of performance and glitch issues holds it back from true greatness.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    King of Meat delivers heaps of content at a reasonable price. It’s a lot of fun when you’re exploring a great dungeon with friends, but the cumbersome platforming means that others can be a slog. The level making and character customization options are top-notch, too, though you’ll have to put up with no shortage of annoying dialogue as you play.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Synced boasts superb PvE for a free-to-play title thanks to its compelling upgrade loop and an excellent mod system. Unfortunately, the disappointing battle royale component lets the overall package down.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Slave Zero X has a lot to offer fans of 2.5D platformers, and with levels full of gore and violent enemies, there’s rarely a dull moment. However, this intensity can often become overwhelmingly difficult, especially when later fights drag on.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Miasma Chronicles brings all of the right ingredients to the table; it’s raw and gritty yet earnest and charming, built around an engaging narrative and an endearing host of characters. The issue is, it’s undercooked. Stuttering animations, a gappy tutorial, and untapped RPG potential make for an occasionally grueling, albeit still very enjoyable game.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    The pre-launch hype, understandably, got wildly out of control for Football Manager 26, and even though Sports Interactive was somewhat transparent about features being removed, nobody expected just how buggy and half-baked the final product would be. It's still Football Manager, and there's still a lot to love, but it's abundantly clear this game was only released because it had to be contractually. Keep playing Football Manager 2024, and wait until Football Manager 27 if you don't think you'll be able to stomach missing features and buggy UI.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss doesn’t truly excel at anything, chucks in a few unnecessary mechanics, and can be technically wobbly, but fans of cosmic horror and in-depth puzzle-solving will surely enjoy it as a perfectly competent investigation game that offers a sinister and spooky edge.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Despite its bizarre premise, Exoprimal’s core loop works tremendously well, providing a team-based multiplayer experience that’s simultaneously unlike anything else and has a strong ‘one more match’ feeling. However, it remains extremely difficult to recommend due to being a full-priced multiplayer-only title.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This demanding strategy game forces you to embrace the fact that you can’t save everyone, and you may lose more lives if you try, but bugs and a lack of polish mar what is an otherwise great experience.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Crash Team Rumble has all the ingredients of an engaging online multiplayer game. Its team-based fundamentals are strong with a small but well-thought-out roster of playable characters and varied map design that greatly complements the game’s quickfire matches. It’s unfortunate, then, that Crash Team Rumble is lacking the content – and progression – needed for a live service title to stand the test of time.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Frontier Developments’ foray into the Age of Sigmar universe is competent and slick, boasting a fun single-player campaign and plenty of robust multiplayer features. However, the game’s cookie-cutter approach to unit design and combat interactions makes for a simplistic experience that will disappoint seasoned RTS players.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island & Emerald Rush gives you a neat, though largely empty, rendition of DK Island to explore and a cool side mode to master. It’s a fun little extra that would’ve made for a fantastic free update, but it's certainly not worth the relatively steep asking price.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Still, Aphelion is simultaneously riveting and isolating outside of these weak spots. The pacing is sublime; the game only takes about eight to 10 hours to complete, and each chapter doesn’t overstay its welcome. Ariane and Thomas demonstrate that even when people are physically apart, absence only makes the heart grow fonder.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Payday 3 is a competently made and fairly polished heist-’em-up but while stealth gets an upgrade, the shooting is the same as its decade-old predecessor. Hitman-esque levels provide a nice distraction, but this feels like a foundation for Payday 3 as a live service game rather than a total product.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Detective Pikachu Returns is a charming, if bare-bones, mystery game that deals with surprisingly heavy themes at times. However, simplistic game mechanics and formulaic mysteries mean that more grown-up Pokémon fans may find the experience frustrating at times.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    GreedFall: The Dying World could have been a triumphant fresh start for a setting with a rocky foundation - providing Spiders with a true breakthrough mainstream hit. While offering a trek through some beautifully realized forests and cities, it unfortunately fails to deliver either an engaging strategic challenge or a narrative that competently handles the difficult themes it wants to explore.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Paleo Pines offers a fresh spin on what is starting to feel like an oversaturated genre, yet still maintains the same satisfying day-to-day loop of traditional farming simulators. It’s a lot of fun for dinosaur fanatics, but there’s a lack of content to drive you to keep coming back once you’re set up.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A near miss, Immortals of Aveum is a fun arcade shooter that is less than the sum of its parts. The stunning world and unique concept aren’t quite charming enough to make up for the game’s sluggish pace and disjointed combat.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    With stellar gunplay and great maps, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has some of the best multiplayer and zombies action in the series so far. The intriguing new Endgame mode is also a highlight, so it’s a huge shame that the rest of the co-op campaign is a rushed and sloppy mess that drags the overall package down.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion clearly takes inspiration from the Xenoblade Chronicles series with huge open maps and deeply customizable mech suits. The game nails the customization and has some cool ideas all its own, like the superb fusion system. Unfortunately, it does very little with its open spaces, and they aren’t particularly visually interesting. With bland interior levels, shallow side missions, and rather listless combat, it’s ultimately a game that feels half-baked.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    A deep and interesting Star Trek game that doesn’t quite scratch the strategy itch, but Trekkies will appreciate the chance to explore a new twist on a familiar universe. Still, I found myself itching for the depth of the very similar strategy powerhouse Stellaris.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Atlas Fallen is a solid but uninspiring open-world fantasy RPG with brilliant movement and traversal but not much else. In a crowded field of fantasy RPGs, it doesn’t have the level of finish, characters, and story to make it a truly memorable experience.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    God of War Sons of Sparta offers a fresh take on the iconic action franchise that won't be everyone's cup of tea. On top of representing a significant – and undoubtedly scaled-down – departure for the beloved series, it also suffers from a slow start. That said, Sons of Sparta comes into its own a few hours in, delivering a compelling prequel story supported by a solid metroidvania structure. It also "clicks" on the PlayStation Portal, looking and playing like a game that was made for the portable device.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fashion Dreamer is a solid fashion simulator that nails outfit creation and its colorful aesthetic but the lack of any real structure holds its single-player component back from greatness.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Survival Kids is a beginner-friendly co-op survival game that lacks the personality needed to leave a lasting impression. Still, with ample platforming puzzles and seamless GameChat integration, it does provide a playful backdrop for catching up with friends.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This Hellboy roguelike nails the ‘Hellboy’ but fluffs the ‘roguelike’. A brilliant recreation of Mignola’s art and surprisingly sharp writing are let down by thin, repetitive gameplay.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Drag x Drive is undoubtedly original and shows off the effectiveness of the Switch 2’s mouse mode pretty well. 3v3 matches are decent fun to hop into if you’ve got a spare few minutes, and the controls are generally intuitive. But as intuitive as they may be, those controls do get tiring on the arms after a little while. Additionally, the game is visually uninspired, lacking the vibrancy and character we all expect from Nintendo titles.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    More like Bizarro to Superhot's Kal-El, Cold VR's flip to slowing down time while in motion offers some incredibly fun gameplay moments that are also enhanced by great presentation. It's too bad that the game often lacks the polish of its biggest inspiration through bugs and occasionally wonky design.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Skull and Bones has well-built fundamentals, but lacks the follow-through to deliver on the potential of its fun naval combat and earnest commitment to the pirate fantasy.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lost Soul Aside is a competently made action game filled with phenomenal combat and cinematic battles. It has some compelling visuals and environments, but PC performance is lackluster, resulting in frequent hitches and distractions. The story isn’t the most engaging and has awkward platforming mechanics too.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour is ultimately a curio that won’t live long in the memory. As a literal tech demo for the various components that keep the Switch 2 ticking, learning things about the system can be fun, and the demos and minigame challenges presented each offer something unique. The experience only lasts a handful of hours, though, and you will need a 4K TV and accessories like the Switch 2 Camera in order to see the game through to completion, which is more than a little cheeky in a paid release.
    • 50 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Despite awful PC performance dragging down the gorgeous visuals, 1348 Ex Voto excels at offering satisfying sword combat in an enjoyable, bite-sized adventure. However, as a whole package, it wasn't able to keep me invested in a story that I would otherwise love had there been more time spent developing its central relationship.
    • 40 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Quantum Error is an intriguing and solid horror game - though never gripping or truly outstanding. At its best when you’re a firefighter using your specialist skills and tools, the title has an original premise and story but is let down by weird over-the-top cinematic stylings as well as odd pacing, as well as characters and dialogue carved out of oak.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lego Fortnite is a solid swing at a survival crafting game, but will likely only fully come into its own after a few updates. Building is an issue at present, a real issue in a Lego title, but as a survival game, it’s excellent.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rocket Racing is a rock-solid arcade racer that’s lacking in the personality department. Its main hook isn’t exciting enough to base a whole game around, and the selection of tracks offered up at launch is pretty forgettable. Still, the core racing is great, and hopefully, with future updates, Rocket Racing may come into its own.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Just Dance VR would have been perfect a few years ago, but the dated track list and the fact that it doesn't take full advantage of the VR medium leaves me wanting more.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Battlefield REDSEC is a pretty uninteresting and derivative take on the battle royale genre, one that makes me wonder whether there's much life left in this particular style of game. There's no doubting how well Battlefield fits into a Battle Royale, however, with awesome class-integration, impressive destructibility, and a streamlined launch offering that harkens back to better times.

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