The Games Machine's Scores
- Games
For 2,655 reviews, this publication has graded:
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71% higher than the average critic
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7% same as the average critic
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22% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.3 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
| Highest review score: | Baldur's Gate 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest review score: | Dino Dini's Kick Off Revival |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 2,063 out of 2655
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Mixed: 569 out of 2655
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Negative: 23 out of 2655
2657
game
reviews
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- Critic Score
Playing Cronos: The New Dawn is a memorable experience, not so much for its moments of pure terror, but for the way it immerses you in a devastated, abandoned, and, at the same time, dangerous world. The constant sensation is that of walking through ruins and distorted memories, knowing that every step could change something, and that every choice has a real impact on the fate of the Traveler and that of the inhabitants of a humanity struggling against its own end. There's a subtle, persistent tension that pushes you to observe, plan, and carefully evaluate every action, as if you were truly part of that broken time flow. It's a game that lingers more for its atmosphere and worldbuilding than for its technical perfection or shrewd game design choices, which are often cumbersome and unable to work perfectly together. It's tough, at times frustrating, but ultimately satisfying.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 3, 2025
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This re-release of Raiden III doesn't add anything new, but it packs and brings to the audience a fun and solid vertical scrolling arcade game. The price is a little high, but enthusiasts will appreciate it.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 2, 2023
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Future Unfolding is a game of love and hate. It could be an interesting concept to explore if you like experimental game design and unique experiences, but at its core, more than once the gameplay mechanics simply don't work.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 6, 2017
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Perhaps, for reasons of consistency/compatibility with those who don't yet have a Switch 2, Jamboree TV doesn't 'dare' to add too many new minigames, but limits itself to slightly 'revising' the gameplay of existing ones and making a few purely cosmetic additions. The attempt to give the Switch 2 Camera a meaning that isn't just hedonistic for the challengers is commendable, while the Bowser Show part, with its three rhythmic and vocal games in a row, feels like a wasted opportunity. I'm therefore inclined to start from the score that Super Mario Party Jamboree originally received (a solid 9) and make a Solomonic average based on what I would have given to the update alone (7.8), for a total of…- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 23, 2025
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En Garde! focuses the whole experience on the charismatic protagonist and the spectacularity of the fights, which are truly reminiscent of the swashbuckling films that were so popular in the last century. It therefore offers a lot, but at the same time it offers only this: a hack and slash that in the end is little more than a beat'em up. Definitely a welcome surprise for those who enjoy action-packed games with a light and fun story in the background, but those looking for depth in gameplay, exploration or character growth will find this game too simple. In any case, I'm sure we will hear the name of Adalia de Volador again.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 16, 2023
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After a year off, 2K Sports is back on the golf course with a title that deserves a wide promotion. There is still room for improvement regarding the game modes, while the gameplay is perfect for both the most demanding players and those who want to hit a few balls without having to worry about spending too much time between bunker, rough, and water hazards.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 23, 2022
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Remember that thought I advised you to keep to the end? Here you are. Atomic Heart suffers from that taste of "already seen" which ends up distorting its workmanship a bit, an important element that could affect anyone's experience, precisely due to the inability to create empathy with characters who, in the end, lived almost like extras. A set of clichés which, however, does not penalize the success of the work in its entirety. The show staged by Mundfish has all the credentials to establish good starting points, which could make more sense after the launch. We'll see: the potential of the setting is more than actually exploited.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 20, 2023
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All things considered, The Crew Motorfest makes variety its strong point and its postcard views a perfect setting for experiencing everything it has to offer. An open world a little bare of significant secondary activities, which however excels in atmosphere and functions as a link between the playlists, the true strong point of the production. Of course, not all driving systems have succeeded in the same way, but the possibility of changing elements and gameplay so quickly allows you to always keep curiosity and the desire to race high, simply because apart from GTA, a completely different genre and mood, there are no other series that offer such a great variety of engines. Quantity, thus, also plugs certain qualitative holes. What remains is the feeling of holiday, persistent and precious. Maika‘i ka huaka‘i!- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 18, 2023
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Between a visual novel and a strategic game, Utawarerumono: prelude to the Fallen crosses the boundaries of the oriental market to capture the hearts of western players with a well packed game.- The Games Machine
- Posted May 25, 2020
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Threefold Recital is narrative game with light investigative elements, by which I mean that more often then not a wrong deduction will simply lead to the main characters correcting themselves. But the story itself is compelling, the dialogue is snappy, and the minigames are varied enough.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jan 29, 2025
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Color Splash is Wii U's swan song. The game is fun and brings some new (coloured) dynamics in a consolidated structure, despite some smear here and there.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 5, 2016
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Simon the Sorcerer Origins is the latest chapter in the saga that's been missing for thirty years, more or less since the release of the second installment, and was likely meant to inspire a new generation of players to become fond of the character. Simon's comical expressions, his impatient banter, and his frequent fourth-wall breaks take us back to a time when humor reigned supreme and permeated games of the genre. It will certainly appeal to those disappointed by the penultimate installments of the series, although, it must be said, we're no longer accustomed to such a crude approach to puzzles. In some places, it's truly overdone. But the sublime technical execution and incredible irony almost scream masterpiece. Almost.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 30, 2025
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Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is a successful and must-have Japanese RPG for Adol fans, but it's not the decisive step forward that a legendary series like Ys deserves. The Switch version is plagued by too many technical uncertainties.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 12, 2021
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Behind an amazing art direction and great dialogue lies the moving story of an ordinary man, lost in a forest and in his life. It's a survival game in the most profound way, the survival from the fires that burn inside our soul.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 11, 2016
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The Rise of the Necromancer is a good offering, dedicated to real, hardcore fans of Diablo III: if after five years you still love slaying demons in Tristram, for a fair price you'll find hours of fun and some new stuff.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 3, 2017
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NBA 2K25 is - still today - the best basketball experience on the entire market, with the right optimizations regarding the shooting system. Unfortunately, problems related to microtransactions remain.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 11, 2024
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Voidwrought is a competent Metroidvania, in which, admittedly, not all the ideas are very original, but that does not make it any less enjoyable to explore the recesses of its occasionally a little too cryptic world or less than successful soundtrack. Overall, therefore, a game that is absolutely worth considering if you are a fan of the genre (or if you need something to calm the wait for Silksong).- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 23, 2024
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We don't often have the opportunity to put ourselves in our enemies’ shoes, and Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Manager succeeds at bringing a slight breeze of novelty to a positively overcrowded genre, these days. It offers a casual approach, thanks to extremely fast runs, but completing the game with all three available classes requires some commitment, and the variety of monsters and traps never makes it repetitive despite its simplicity.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 30, 2021
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Midnight Fight Express is a brutal beat ‘em up whose only goal, despite a story with a weird plot, is to slaughter enemy after enemy. Really enjoyable in the early levels when each new skill learned improves the way you fight, it becomes repetitive when you try to complete the secondary challeng-es, which require players to retry a lof of times the same game sequences. Those seeking for perfect completion of the game, however, will find a tough challenge, as the unlockable techniques are quite a lot and all beautifully animated. To be played at a very loud volume to get even more exalt-ed.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 28, 2022
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.hack//G.U. Last Recode gives you good bang for your buck, with an original chapter as a bonus. The game has aged a little, technically and gameplay-wise, but the vision of CyberConnect 2 is still fascinating after all these years.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 9, 2017
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Grab some Left 4 Dead, a splash of the much-loved arcade VR flavor, and mix it up with a hefty dose of frozen zombie apocalypse. The result will be After the Fall: not a perfect game – variety could use some work, especially – but the best action co-op ever developed in virtual reality, thanks to the experience and talent of one of the most skilled studios when it comes to injecting adrenaline and fun in VR.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jan 2, 2022
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Dawn of Ragnarok is a bit shallow and nothing more of a “more of the same”. Still a decent content for the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla fans, but it could have been much more.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 21, 2022
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Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster is a re-release that really does the bare minimum to justify the arrival of such an important title on high-resolution screens. Atlus has decided not to invest further time to improve and modernize the experience, forcing us to recommend the game only to those who do not own it in its original incarnation.- The Games Machine
- Posted May 19, 2021
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Rematch is a serious candidate to be the Rocket League of this decade. Beyond the obvious similarities (more obvious once you pick up the controller) it is finally a different take on football than EA FC, closer to the real experience that a footballer can live but without forgetting the ludo thanks to the blatantly arcade approach of some gameplay ideas. Many things are missing, I think (I hope) that they will arrive, for now Fútbol is still bailado (and very danceable).- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 23, 2025
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Banana Mania delivers the best levels, mini-games and modes from the 20-years old Super Monkey Ball series... and it's more fun than ever.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 30, 2021
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A "cozy game" in the wake of Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley and other similar games. Phoenix Labs has drawn heavily from the inevitable sources of inspiration and created an all in all enjoyable and relaxing sim-farm that unfortunately, however, does not sufficiently deepen its fantasy and adventure soul.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 15, 2023
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EA SPORTS FC 24 is not a revolution in the football world, but an evolution of what we have seen in past FIFA seasons. A mammoth amount of content and a game structure that convinces, albeit with some flaws, are a good calling card for this "debut-non-debut", which promises to keep virtual footballers busy for a long time, be they potential coaches, hunters of stickers or street game enthusiasts.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 22, 2023
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Not very different from other GIANTS Software productions, Farming Simulator 2025 certainly brings some interesting news, implementing three new biomes and as many different methods to deal with the experience. Recommended for anyone who needs to get their hands dirty with mud and for those looking for a quiet experience.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 12, 2024
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Arkane Studios offers a very well crafted roguelite experiment, although repetitive on long distance, with some small but forgivable weakness.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 22, 2018
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Katanaut is an action roguelite that focuses heavily on the katana: quick and brutal slashes deliver great impact, with the ability to reload your firearm only by striking in melee, creating an aggressive and satisfying gameplay cycle. Melee weapons are complemented by laser rifles, railguns, and grenade launchers that diversify the runs. The extensive perk and power-up system offers spectacular synergies, but some cooldowns are too short, making certain builds overly powerful. The experience is penalized by procedural generation, which offers linear corridors or empty areas, aggravated by enemy AI. Visually polished, it's fun but remains imperfect.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 11, 2025
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The new course of the Tomb Raider saga seems to have definitively matured with this chapter: someone could find it superior to Uncharted 4, and it would not be blasphemous.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 10, 2018
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Outlast II does basically everything better than its predecessor: the levels are bigger, the enemies are smarter, and the story is more articulate. And yes, it's more terrifying, if that's even possible.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 24, 2017
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Some technical issues prevent the Switch version of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 from letting the player live the same experience seen on other platforms. Despite this, the game is fun and is what a Dragon Ball fan should consider buying.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 22, 2017
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The Climb 2 remains too unbalanced in muscular activity to really fulfill the task of the only fitness game in VR. If this is your aim, it must necessarily be combined with other “sports” experiences in virtual reality, including the well-studied FitXR and VRWorkout.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 4, 2021
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The Last Worker is as much a satire of the work environment in this phase of capitalism as it is of those video games that seem to be more about work than fun. Overall, this is an interesting and artistically sound production that lacks something to leaves its mark.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 13, 2023
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A new League of Legends spin-off that tells a story of friendship through well-established gameplay but lacking any particular creative flourishes. The most "Disney-esque" of Riot Forge's products to date, it is a game unsuited to discerning palates or experienced players, but it can become an excellent pastime for younger audiences or for those who crave something well-told but undemanding.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 9, 2023
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Atelier Resleriana: The Red Alchemist & The White Guardian marks a return to the series’ roots, abandoning recent experiments in favor of a more traditional, alchemy-focused approach. With a solid and relaxing crafting system, a charming cast of familiar faces, and a light yet engaging story, it delivers a comforting and enjoyable experience for long-time fans. However, a very low difficulty level, outdated exploration design, and uninspired dungeon layouts keep it from standing out, making this a solid but non-essential entry in Gust’s beloved franchise.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 6, 2025
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Despite some narrative clichés, the little prequel of Life is Strange 2 proves to be very effective in intensity and emotion.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 27, 2018
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If you love FPS games and have some friends with whom to share hours of hilarious nonsense shootings, this is the product for you, definitely.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 21, 2016
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- The Games Machine
- Posted Dec 22, 2017
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Mario Tennis Aces is probably the best episode in the series: easy to start, challenging for veterans, visually excellent and, above all, incredibly fun.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 20, 2018
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Endless Dungeon is a very good roguelite that, while it can be enjoyed solo, shines much more brightly when played cooperatively.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 16, 2023
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Ea Sports UFC 3 is a pretty good mixed martial arts sim, deep and spectacular enough. The gameplay feels a little bit unbalanced, the Career has some unconvincing moments, and the multiplayer forces the Ultimate Team mode on the player. The game is intense and satisfying, but there's still room for improvement.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 26, 2018
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Visions of Mana is an operation that exudes love for the reference brand, but which above all aims to be an extremely light experience for fans, or better yet an excellent example of entertainment aimed at the younger and neophyte audience of RPGs. Despite a gaming experience that is all in all simple, the Square Enix production still manages to stand on its own two feet thanks to the charm of its colorful and fairy-tale universe of characters and the charisma of its cast of protagonists, all of which can be ascribed to the canons of the series.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 27, 2024
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Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged is what they say is a classic sequel: it enriches and expands the legacy of its predecessor by adding novelties to a consolidated game frame, without ever daring to dig deep or dare in terms of originality. Those who appreciated the first one and its gameplay will surely know how to enjoy every moment behind the wheel of the new Hot Wheels video game.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 16, 2023
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Last Day of June is an intimate and moving adventure, yet elegant and sophisticated. Albeit a linear structure and some minor gameplay flaws, it's a game that tells an extremely human story, with some unexpected surprises, and where the gameplay drives the narrative. A shining example of how videogames can be an authentic expression of emotions.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 29, 2017
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Sometimes, Seasons After Fall is a pleasant, engaging and delicate experience, with some nice and well crafted design ideas. Sometimes it's flat and boring, with a chaotic exploration and basic puzzles. It could be worthy of your time if you like the wonderful art direction and you're not looking for a challenging experience.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 16, 2016
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Despite the lack of some great titles and a technically forgettable multiplayer, SEGA Mega Drive Classics is a good collection that offers dozens of hours in old-style fun.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 5, 2018
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Despite some questionable design choices, The Mummy Demastered is a fun game, imbued with good exploration and action moments, in perfect metroidvania dress.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 13, 2017
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Are you ready to play the role of a badass secret agent? Despite some undeniable flaws, Twisted Pixel's game let you do it with style. Poor interactivity with the environment and mini-games can awaken abruptly the player from the feeling of "presence", but the variety of action and a fair degree of replayability make Defector a remarkable example of a virtual reality mix, balanced between adventure and action.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 7, 2019
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After each descent you want more. More speed, more show, more fun, Descenders is the classic easy to play hard to master game, embellished with rogue-like elements that exponentially increase its longevity.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 25, 2020
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Kong Survivor Instinct is an extremely simple metroidvania, but functional in its nature. It lacks structure in the narrative sector, decidedly over the top, as in the depth of the level design, but overall it turns out to be a good job.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 15, 2024
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Dice Gambit is a turn-based tactical roguelike that combines combat on a hex grid with family management. Each member of the family belongs to a different class and can evolve with active and passive skills, but Stamina decreases with each mission, forcing constant turnover. Death is permanent, and the loss of a relative can jeopardize the lineage's expansion, forcing a balance between rest and deployments. Combat is good, with various combos to execute with dice, but the graphical representation of heroes and enemies in battle is less so, as they are rather anonymous.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 3, 2025
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The Persistence is still a good roguelite, but it is impossible to ignore to the absence of a fundamental element such as virtual reality in the new versions of the game.- The Games Machine
- Posted May 20, 2020
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Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow brings the series into virtual reality territory with surprising naturalness, building an experience based on physical stealth, verticality, and tactile interactions. The City is alive, dark, and believable, Magpie is an excellent protagonist, and the optimization on Quest 3 is solid. Some AI rigidity, an inconsistent pace, and frustration caused by imprecision don't undermine its value: it's one of the best native VR stealth games of recent years.- The Games Machine
- Posted Dec 5, 2025
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The Master of Magic remake is an ambitious project which, however, has never decided whether to be just a graphic restoration or a complete makeover of the original. It’s still a decent 4X video game, but nothing more. Ultimately, if I had to choose between the remake and the original one, I would opt for the latter without hesitation.- The Games Machine
- Posted Dec 12, 2022
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Let's be frank: an evolution of Lunar Lander must do Lunar Lander's job, and Lunar Lander Beyond fulfills its task. Do you find the gameplay too simple and repetitive? This is a 1979 game repurposed in a deliberately faithful manner, for better or worse, adding some features typical of modern productions but aiming above all to preserve the spirit of the original. Nothing to object to in this respect then, but more effort could have been made in terms of aesthetics, with some elements looking too amateurish that almost makes you regret the vector graphics of the old arcade.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 22, 2024
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What a surprise Call of the Sea was! Out of the Blue’s debut title shows off its own well-defined personality through a very accurate artistic direction and attention to details. All puzzles have their own logic and the idea of proposing them in blocks, separating the adventure into sealed chapters, helps to focus attention on a limited number of elements. With its crazy atmosphere and an eight-hours duration, which prevents any kind of fatigue, Call of the Sea is a highly recommended game for adventure’s (and Lovecraft’s) lovers.- The Games Machine
- Posted Dec 14, 2020
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It’s a shame that Homeworld 3’s plot seems to completely miss the point of the story in the older games, focusing too much on Imogen’s hyperspace superpowers rather than on the Kushan’s struggle as a people, because gameplay and presentation are otherwise top notch and prove once again Blackbird Interactive’s competence and skill as a versatile RTS developer.- The Games Machine
- Posted May 20, 2024
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Absolver offers a truly unique take on the combat genre, with a peculiar mix between single and multiplayer. Technically solid and visually inspired, it suffers from a sometimes confused level design and the absence of a real, high-level endgame.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 26, 2017
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Remothered for console is the same beautiful game seen on PC, a survival horror with strong adventure components that perfectly balances non-scripted AI with puzzles and a cohesive tale. The game is weaker in the concluding portion, and it takes only 6-7 hours to deal with it, but remains a high-level exercise in storytelling and gameplay.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 25, 2018
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Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses listed in the review, Styx: Blades of Greed is a classic video game that reveals its true colors and uses all its gameplay in the very first hours, only to then become bogged down in chronic repetitive gameplay, remaining unchanged until the end credits. The inspired level design and clever use of the lighting system are some of the game's redeeming features, but it's truly difficult to overlook the enemy AI's structural flaws and generally low difficulty.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 23, 2026
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One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the best Musou around, and it's also a must buy for all lovers of Eiichiro Oda's opera omnia.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 30, 2020
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God’s Trigger is a fast-paced, relentless and visceral action game, although lacking in style and elegance.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 17, 2019
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A masterpiece. This is the way every software house should think and build a graphic "point & click" adventure game.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 24, 2016
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There's no dancing around the fact that Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is a disappointment. Despite a pleasant art direction and a good representation of the digital monsters, the gameplay is unbalanced, the challenge for the player is basically non-existent, and the storyline is too verbose and full of clichés.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 19, 2016
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GRID Legends does its job but nothing more. More than ever, it is an arcade experience that promises a lot and delivers some of it, and the result is a franchise that still hasn’t found the quality leap it needs.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 25, 2022
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This new adventure game from Wadjet Eye is a small, retro-looking gem. Not so difficult to play (especially if you're a fan of the genre), it tells a great, captivating and deep story, set in a dramatic dystopia, that will stay in your heart for a long, long time.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 9, 2016
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LUNA The Shadow Dust is a magical point-and-click adventure with amazing hand-drawn backdrops and animations. Too bad the puzzles are trivial and the pacing is a bit messy.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 28, 2020
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The Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack collects three chapters of the Atelier series released between 2016 and 2018. It also includes all DLCs and some additional content, making it a good choice for people who would like an introduction to the series – but if you come from the recent Ryza games, keep in mind that the Mysterious Trilogy is not as detailed or refined. Finally, the price point seems pretty steep, especially on PC.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 23, 2021
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Gran Turismo Sport is a pretty complicated affair: a mediocre single player experience, an exhilarating multiplayer title, the last work from Polyphony Digital is the greatest testament to a democratic vision of motorsport, where driving is really for everyone. A temple where players can share and contemplate truly stunning and beautiful images of cars, and drivers can look for the aesthetic perfection of driving. In the middle, a driving model with the same old limits of the previous chapters, and an overall anachronistic feeling.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 31, 2017
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Atelier Sophie represents a new identity for the series. A self-pilot episode, that tries to capture the interest of a new fanbase. Good, but we would have preferred a more challenging game.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 10, 2016
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Incredible and aesthetically striking, Nobody Wants to Die offers a deep and brutal story, which uniquely details the criticism of alcohol and antidepressant abuse. It also details a character who tells his existence in detail, through a gameplay that is exposed in a unique and well-defined way, demonstrating a lot of personality. A video game to have, both for those who are passionate about similar scenarios, and for those who need a breath of fresh air.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 29, 2024
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Wild Hearts is an innovative, interesting hunting game that manages to make sense of the mass genocide committed by hunters. Net of a few camera flaws and a few too many reskin, it's a very good game that brings a breath of fresh air to a genre that is a little too scared of the shadow of Monster Hunter.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 16, 2023
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The first episode of The Council is a pleasant surprise. Big Bad Wolf has succeeded in inserting a snappy roleplaying system into a historical investigative-style narrative adventure, and the implications are surprisingly original, brilliant and ambitious. There are minor flows in the script and technical-wise it's quite clumsy, but it’s a good opening episode indeed.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 30, 2018
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Evil Genius 2: World Domination is a competent sequel, even if it remains inferior in several respects to its direct predecessor. The gameplay formula has been modernized, but some features that made the first chapter a cult classic have been inexplicably removed. A shame because otherwise we would have had a real masterpiece in our hands, but several shortcomings and smudges make it “only” a good video game.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 29, 2021
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There’s no doubt Arboria is an interesting rogue lite, but perhaps it was been published at the wrong time, in a market really overcrowded by games of the same type. The game offers captivating graphics, the original setting and the robust combat system, as well as the interesting character skill tree have but also lacks variety, which combined with the absence of side quests tends to make every run look the same. I still enjoyed, although the long waiting times between one run and the next are a poor fit for the genre.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 30, 2021
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Aliens: Dark Descent is a more than good real-time tactician, who manages to find the right balance between the proficiency in the marine weapons trade and the need to play smart and avoid confrontations when possible. In short, definitely a game that manages to respect the atmospheres that one would expect to encounter in the narrative universe popularized by Ridley Scott and James Cameron.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 19, 2023
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I have to be honest, 3 years after the fourth episode I would have expected a more evolved fifth chapter and, instead, net of a decidedly more focused and engaging career, the competition against the AI suffers from illogical behaviors that the player is forced to manage manually, while technically you don't notice a leap in current-gen quality that could have been expected, without the ballast of a cross-gen development. At its best it is always Ride, an almost unique game in the panorama of simulation racing and therefore a point of reference for those looking for this specific type of experience. But there is potential here that goes far beyond the improvements expressed in this chapter, closer to those of an annual series than a triennial one.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 21, 2023
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Eternights, an indie game inspired by Persona, blends RPG progression with hack 'n' slash action. While combat lacks depth, the game shines in character development and storytelling. Its teenage-oriented tone may not appeal to everyone, but it offers a unique mix of romance and supernatural intrigue.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 20, 2023
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Patapon 1+2 Replay is the remaster of the first two games in the famous rhythm strategy series that was born on the PSP. As the Drum God, we lead a mini tribal army by giving orders only through sequences of four beats, to be executed with metronomic precision to advance, attack or defend. The system combines musical skills, tactics, unit management, material gathering, crafting and evolutions with the typical role-playing game system. Faithful and smooth re-release, ideal for those seeking a unique musical strategy experience, although the final third chapter is missing.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 22, 2025
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The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is the Dark-Soulest of all Soulslikes. The idea of using lore as a game mechanic is interesting, but in the end maybe too easily applied on the experience. Overall Nostalgaia is a Dark Souls child with no regrets about it, but with some over-simplification and some battle-related issues.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 21, 2022
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WarioWare: Move It! is a masterpiece of minimalist gameplay where a level is completed in a couple of seconds. Surprisingly, all of the more than two hundred challenges are quite different from each other and all of admirable quality, with none of them seeming to be added just to make up the numbers. The Story mode is very entertaining already, but the challenges designed specifically for local multiplayer are little strokes of genius. All this with a graphic design that highlights the devilishness of the production. At first it is not so easy to understand what is asked by the various mini-games, but it is all a matter of practice.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 19, 2023
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The latest horror from Bloober Team is a great bridge between the new generation of consoles and the old classics of the genre, with an intriguing story, a surreal setting and a road full of puzzles to decipher.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jan 27, 2021
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The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood feels like an expansion developed with a different degree of maturity. Rather than adding new classes or skill lines, it focuses on improving the new player experience, while also adding intriguing new story content and world events. The addition of AI companions also makes the solo experience much more appealing, although obviously you’ll still have to look for flesh-and-bone teammates if you want to tackle tougher trials and events. Overall, a solid expansion pack, although we wish we could have had a better look at the Seal of Endeavors system.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jun 15, 2021
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GrimGrimoire rises from its ashes, picking up and greatly improving a product that initially showed Vanillaware's inexperience in the RTS sector. It's still not perfect, but console-powered real-time strategy fans will hardly find better at the moment.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 11, 2023
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It's clear that Lords of the Fallen starts from good foundations. The problem is that not everything that has been built on these foundations leaves one satisfied, with defects and unconvincing aspects spread like wildfire.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 12, 2023
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Ghostwire: Tokyo is a game that fails to live up to its potential, trapped by a lack of ambition and an uninspiring old-school open world. The audiovisual presentation is good, if flawed, but on its own it can't elevate a short and monotonous game. A pity.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 21, 2022
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Mask of Truth is a talkative interactive visual novel, with some bland tactical battles that break sometimes the flow of the story. If you are not scared by such a river of words, you could find in this new Utawarerumono enough reasons to reach the end. Otherwise, Fire Emblem and Disgaea are still out there, waiting for you.- The Games Machine
- Posted Sep 6, 2017
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With Assassin’s Creed III Remastered, Ubisoft improved the graphics of the games but did very little to improve everything else.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 9, 2019
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Farming Simulator 22 re-proposes the formula that made the Giants Software series famous, with all its strengths and weaknesses. The new features (new crops, cross-platform multiplayer, new build mode, seasonal cycles) are interesting, but the frequent graphical glitches should be addressed.- The Games Machine
- Posted Nov 22, 2021
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Deceive Inc. strives to distinguish itself from the mass of competitive multiplayer with a more stealth approach. The formula is successful and the matches are a lot of fun, however more content and a premium season need to be added to offer the same variety as the kings of this genre do: the premise is great, but only time and players interest will determine the game's success.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 13, 2023
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The Wandering Village offers us Onbu, which is great. It’s great to shape our relationship with him and care for him; however, as a city builder, the game rhythm is pretty flat and lacks memorable moments. It all runs pretty smooth – maybe too smooth.- The Games Machine
- Posted Jul 30, 2025
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Despite relying on the well-established and fashionable 80's pop culture, Crossing Souls is literally good for the soul, and there's much more beyond its simple nostalgic approach. Behind the levity of a by-the-book teen movie, there's a heartfelt and intimate game, extremely polished and deep, with a convincing art direction and a solid gameplay.- The Games Machine
- Posted Feb 13, 2018
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Scintillatron 4096 seems to have come straight out of an elucubration by Jeff Minter, and this is perhaps the best compliment that I can make. Frantic and fun, at times frustrating, but also endowed with an unexpected strategic depth, this game seems to have come here directly from an arcade of the 80s.- The Games Machine
- Posted Mar 4, 2019
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Chock full of interesting elements, as well as beautiful gameplay, Kvark knows how to involve and take the player into a Half Life revisited in a nuclear apocalypse key. You kill which is wonderful, you spend your time dancing on the corpses of enemies and there is a not bad dose of gratuitous violence. It is what could lead someone to buy it, in fact, to make it their own. And I would recommend it to those who need to see some blood spilled on the ground. I needed it and, of course, I came out as the leader of the pack.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 3, 2024
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Moonscars is a soulslike (although ‘lite’ would better describe it) with a very evocative visual style and well-written characters. The gameplay is also good, but it suffers from a certain lack of enemy variety and a poor balance of character options, especially egregious when it comes to special weapons. Still, it’s not a bad game by any means, but the competition is fierce in the 2D metroidvania / soulslike genre and standing out is not an easy feat.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 5, 2022
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Excellent throwback to memories of our younger selves, Total War: Rome Remastered reminds us how good the basics of this series were and how far it has travelled in the last seventeen years.- The Games Machine
- Posted Apr 28, 2021
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Endling - Extinction is Forever is, first of all, a survival adventure for everyone since the difficulty setting is deliberately easy, so everybody will be able to enjoy the game at its fullest. The story is compelling and it deals with a pressing issue, exasperating the drama, but never declining into the banality of the so-called “educational games” thanks to the excellent storytelling. The artistic side is also awesome, and we can say that if extinction is forever, a diamond is forever too, so the game can be considered a small diamond that is worth playing.- The Games Machine
- Posted Aug 20, 2022
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RUINER is surely a title not suitabile for everyone because of its top-down shooter mechanics; it's easy to learn, but very, very hard to master. The solid cyberpunk setting gives the game a dark-neon atmosphere that perfectly fits around the gameplay: this should be enough to turn on the attention of the genre lovers.- The Games Machine
- Posted Oct 2, 2017
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