The Games Machine's Scores

  • Games
For 2,656 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 71% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 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: 99 Baldur's Gate 3
Lowest review score: 30 Dino Dini's Kick Off Revival
Score distribution:
2658 game reviews
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Sometimes less is more, but other times it's just plain less. The streamlined city-builder mechanics keep the player focused on the zombie menace, but the few military units and lack of strategic combat make They Are Billions repetitive. Ah, the game is also tough as nails.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Rock of Ages 2 is a typical "more of the same" and provides a lot of fun, until you discover that the dish gets empty in a little bit more than an afternoon. Surely, such a fortunate architecture should have deserved more content.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Cozy Caravan applies the concept of cozy gaming to a solid game structure based on trade, management, and exploration. Gameplay revolves around the classic economic cycle of gathering resources, crafting, and selling at weekly markets, with interconnected quests and progression driven by social interaction. The absence of time limits or real penalties makes the experience relaxing, but the graphics don't always support the good design ideas: flat textures, overly low-poly models, and a fixed camera without pan and zoom penalize the visibility of the scenes, especially in crowded areas. The aesthetics are certainly consistent with the cozy tone, but at times they border more on technical simplification than conscious stylistic choice.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    A bunch of new maps sniper-oriented and a new game mode is the proposal of In the name of the Tsar, an essential purchase for Battlefield addicted players, but exclusively for them.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator simulates the life of a novice alchemist trying to pave his way to fame and glory discovery after discovery. As in real life, it requires dedication and perseverance, which do not always go hand in hand with casual game philosophy. The system of moving along the alchemical map will entice you to experiment for a few hours in search of the ultimate formula, but an uninspired endgame relying on grinding might turn away even the most ambitious alchemists. If you're looking for an original sandbox puzzler and aren't afraid of repetitive gameplay, it's definite-ly an interesting game.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The Necromancer's Tale is a narrative RPG set in an alternate 18th century, where black magic and political intrigue intersect. The gameplay in the early hours prioritizes storytelling over action: character creation takes place through a long interactive prologue, which affects stats, reputation, and relationships. The pace is slow, but it offers depth in dialogue and moral choices. The trust system heavily influences interaction with NPCs. Turn-based combat benefits from good artificial intelligence, and once the art of necromancy is discovered, the action becomes much more compelling. A fascinating title that requires a good deal of patience, ideal for those seeking immersion and storytelling.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    It could be argued that this is a collection of roms and that, in one way or another, the PC community has found a way to challenge each other online for years, but the rich dose of extras and the presence of rollback and ranked matches alone is enough to give the collection an edge, not to mention a great way to legally own seven excellent games. To be had, hoping that sales will prompt Capcom to challenge Marvel superheroes again in the near future.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Road 96: Mile 0 will appeal to those who enjoyed the previous chapter. Instead of taking up the formula in its entirety, Mile 0 introduces a variation in the form of musical sections. The combination works conveying anxieties and concerns of the teenage protagonists. From a technical standpoint, the game is a bit backward, but it does feel acceptable.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Actraiser Renaissance is a skilfully made remake, but it does suffer from a couple of major technical and stylistic uncertainties. If you love Actraiser I recommend giving it a chance: the strategic portion has been significantly expanded and even those who know the original by heart will find new elements to play with.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Showgunner blends real-time action and turn-based combat very carefully, adding nothing to either genre but placing them within a brutal reality show in which surviving is everything that matters. The result is fun and the game is recommended for loyal fans of the genre, but those hoping for some new features may be disappointed.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Odium is a small but well crafted game, full of pressing music and high difficulty. The very hard challenge and the heavy rhythm of techno music could be frustrating for some players.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Rainswept might be the first game to learn from Kentucky Route Zero not only aesthetically, but also in terms of direction. All things considered, it tells a simple story, but it does so in a way that shows remarkable sensitivity, a talent for writing, and above all a very uncommon attention to the overall direction of scenes. It may not be as revolutionary as its source of inspiration, but it certainly has something to say.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Ultimately, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance – SEGA Villains Level is a DLC that delivers on its promises… but falls just short of making a lasting impression. The boss battles are the true heart of the experience: spectacular, well-crafted and capable of evoking the Sega tradition with great respect and sensitivity. It is here that the package really shines, turning every encounter into a mini-event. Everything else, however, struggles to keep up. The levels leading up to these encounters are functional but unremarkable, lacking the inventiveness and personality that made the base game so memorable. The result is content that’s enjoyable to play through, but rarely surprises. It therefore remains an addition recommended primarily for fans and those feeling nostalgic, capable of delivering moments of great satisfaction, but also leaving the feeling of an opportunity only partially seized.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    A.I.L.A works best when it lets the silences and disturbing scenarios speak for themselves, less so when stiff animations or technical roughness come into play. In short, an imperfect but evocative horror game with some interesting insights.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Live A Live tries to do many things, but not all of them live up to the same standard. The overall narrative is satisfying, but the stylistic discrepancy between its various adventures, combined with a certain underlying simplicity, makes the game a short adventure lacking depth, but admittedly exciting when it gets into the right gear.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    If you liked Schizm and its sequel, you will simply love Nemezis as well. However, 15 years later, we’d expect something more, with a slightly enhanced gameplay, while Nemezis is just a harder, shorter “more of the same” of Schizm 2.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Activision should probably rethink the formula for Call of Duty's DLCs. Nevertheless, Sabotage is a DLC with no real flaws nor weaknesses, some good multiplayer maps and an exciting zombie mode, but at the same time with no particular inspiration.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    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.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Despite its ups & downs, it’s hard not to love Miitopia and its quirkiness. Even the most generic and basic RPG story suddenly becomes a compelling tale if you use friends-shaped Miis as characters and Miitopia adds to this formula a large amount of humor and weirdness that fills the void when the rhythm slows down. If I had a child, this would be the first RPG I’d play with him (or her).
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Another nostalgic compilation from Capcom with a robust miscellaneous of arcade games, glued together by a shiny old-school interface and a wide range of visual options. Some of the titles are already available in other collections, but this time each one can be purchased separately.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    An atmospherically rich puzzle game with an intriguing backstory and simple but layered gameplay. Too bad about a few too many stumbles on Nintendo Switch and near-zero replayability.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Moons of Madness manages to balance the stylistic elements of the walking simulator with some different game mechanics and its puzzles. Rock Pocket Games has handled the available Lovecraftian material as it should, setting up an adventure that can easily walk alone with dignity.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Famicom Detective Club is not the new Ace Attorney that many were hoping for, that much is clear. The new graphic design makes a huge (and obvious) step forward compared to the original, but the investigation mechanics really feel the weight of the years and might not meet the favour of less patient players. Two good stories, but condemned to a lethargic narration despite their objective merits. Recommended for visual novel lovers and hardcore Nintendo fans.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Bravely Default 2 is a classic JRPG that certainly doesn't reinvent the wheel, but its intriguing combat system and the customization offered by the many classes available can make it interesting for fans of the genre.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Stories is a game you can easily fall in love with, though it doesn't invent anything new. The way it mixes and entwines the paths of destiny and its peculiar storytelling top the linear gameplay. An interesting concept, well implemented.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Zero Hour isn't groundbreaking or technically perfect, it has some obvious limitations, and the AI ​​leaves much to be desired. That said, it's a good entry point for tactical FPS newbies thanks to its immediate and engaging mix of slow-paced gameplay and wild PVP.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Once Upon a Climb is the new installment of a series that started big, stumbled in the second episode, and rose again in this third episode. A few puzzles, a lot of humour, some occasions for deeper thoughts, and excellent writing and dialogues. Good work, The Odd Gentlemen.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    BOULDER DASH 40th Anniversary revives the 1984 classic with over two hundred levels, including the original sixty from the first three chapters, introducing new gameplay elements such as enemy generators and acid pools, plus an intuitive editor. The fast pace and scoring system reward reflexes and precision, while the variety of content ensures longevity. Among its strengths are the solid gameplay and Chris Hülsbeck's soundtrack. Less convincing is the graphic style, which is uninspired and too reminiscent of hyper-casual mobile games. A successful tribute, despite the occasional lapses into laziness.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Planet of Lana II continues the formula of the first game: environmental puzzles based on Lana and Mui's cooperation, a few essential controls, and simple yet fluid gameplay. The puzzles are intuitive and well-integrated into the environments, rewarding observation and timing rather than complex logic. Artistically, it remains a delight, with refined animations and a quiet yet effective narrative. However, the structure is almost identical to the original: the mechanics are often repeated, and the action is sparse, with very low difficulty. A coherent and refined sequel, but lacking in courage.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    I didn't start out with the best of expectations, but The Smufs Mission Villeaf turned out to be a nice little game! For a few hours it brought me back to the age when I hastily dined to leave my parents to their sad newsreel, and went to watch the Smurfs on the TV in my room. The graphic rendering of the characters is commendable (certainly more rounded than that of the two recent films) and the soundtrack a small masterpiece.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    At face value, Nordic Ashes offers a lot of content, which makes it feel even more weird when you realize that build variety is one of its issues, due to how character progression works during a run. Overall, it’s not a bad enemy hell kind of game, but it doesn’t make top of the class.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Stories 2 turns out to be a good JRPG that will delight fans of the saga, especially those willing to turn a blind eye to its undeniable ease and a narrative held back by avalanches of fetch quests and a disappointing protagonist. Those who have played the first game should keep in mind that this is a more of the same, with all the pros and cons that this entails.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Death Squared brings the trial & error concept in the world of puzzle games. Nothing new, really, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. If you’re looking for a game that will rack your brain, this is something worth your while. Be sure to have a friend to play with and, most of all, a lot of patience.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Livelock is more linear and simple than other sci-fi top-down shooter influenced by Diablo, but it's also one of the best in terms of visual design and pure fun factor.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Strange Brigade, with its pulp magazine taste, is a good action co-op to play among most demanding titles. Unfortunately, the amount of content at day one is limited, holding back the score, although Rebellion has announced additional campaigns and new characters to expand the game after launch.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Sable is a fascinating coming of age videogame with an incredible art direction inspired by the works of the late Jean Giraud.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Foreclosed manages to condense in a single game a decent shooter, a basic role-playing game and, why not, even a bit of science fiction thriller, which doesn't hurt. The problem, however, is who exactly this game is meant for: it is too light as an FPS, too basic as an RPG, and the puzzles aren’t deep enough for an adventure. It needs someone who wants to simply live a cyberpunk experience, as long as your expectations aren’t set too high.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Black Jewel is a game designed for gamers that spent their childhood watching the loading screen of the Commodore 64, with its simple gameplay and a soundtrack that sounds exactly like a SID tune. In order to appreciate it, though, you need to get back to the 8-bit era, and forget everything that came after it. The fact that it costs only 2 euros is the cherry on top.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Table Top Racing: World Tour is not a bad game per se, but it lacks the "spark" we felt playing classics of the genre like Re-Volt or MicroMachines. There's a lot of content to go through, tons of events and championships to win, but at the same time there's lot of repetitiveness, and the AI-controlled cars can be real jerks. The biggest flaw, however, is the lack of a split-screen multiplayer mode.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    A decent ending to a tormented adventure.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Sonic Colours: Ultimate improves on the fine game released many years ago on Wii, but after all this time it was fair to expect something more, especially for the hedgehog's 30th birthday.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    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.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    JDM: Japanese Drift Master is the result of boundless passion, and as is often the case this leads a bit to overdoing it. The driving model is very good and overall the experience is fun and evocative. However, the game could have used a bit more refinement: it is still rough in some parts. Overall, however, JDM: Japanese Drift Master is spectacular arcade racing and definitely recommended.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Pathfinder Kingmaker is an incredible game full of content, capable of entertaining for a countless number of hours, especially considering the Definitive Edition includes all expansions. The porting, unfortunately, suffers from very poor optimization, and managing combat on a pad might prove a bit of a hurdle.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The new Battletoads is a convincing return for the historic Rare brand, characterized by excellent art direction and writing. Some pacing issues ruin the overall enjoyment of the game, but it is still a very satisfying experience.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    WWE 2K18 is very similar to the previous installments of the series: the gameplay is still somehow slow, but approachable and easy to learn. If you were hoping for a radical change, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're looking for a game with a solid roster and full of spectacular moves, well, WWW 2K18 is the right answer.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Ministry of Broadcast has some weaknesses but also a lot of style. So much it feels original even if you can clearly see Ponce of Persia, Flashback or other classics inside his shell. All of this wouldn’t be possible without his strong narrative and his on-point irony: there’s nothing better than laughing to force your brain to work.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Despite an old-gen graphics engine and some balancing issues, Tales of Berseria is an ambitious title, with rock-solid writing and a rather deep gameplay. It could have been bolder, but the new installment in the Tales saga is an enjoyable experience, one that the fans of the saga will definitely love.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    After many years of waiting, Assassin’s Creed finally lands in feudal Japan. However, although Shadows’ gameplay is engaging and the setting visually satisfying, Ubisoft Quebec’s work is penalized by a particularly invasive live service structure and a plot that gradually loses its bite, until it reaches an unsatisfactory conclusion. Despite everything, the experience remains enjoyable, thanks to an open world full of activities without ever being oppressive and a combat system that fully enhances the peculiarities of both protagonists.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The epitome of fan service: Project x Zone 2 is a must have for all fans of the series. Everyone else should carefully ponder the purchase of a game that's too easy, and incapable of shaking off some of its well-known flaws.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    While not having the quality and personality shown by the greatest boomer shooters, Dread Templar is a fast-paced, fun and deep enough retro FPS that knows its stuff.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Stranger Things 3: The Game proved to be a much more mature and complex title than what could have been expected.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Lone Ruin is an action roguelike with an intense gameplay loop, the kind of game that you want to keep coming back to. A shame that, even for an indie game, it’s not particularly rich content-wise.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Bleach Rebirth of Souls is a solid fighting game based on Tite Kubo's manga, perhaps the best production related to the franchise. It's not a perfect fighting game and there are some problems with online matches, but it's a solid base to start from.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Ace Attorney Investigations Collection revives the fan-favorite spin-off series with a fresh take on the classic formula. The collection introduces Western audiences to the previously unreleased second entry, but long-standing series limitations may still feel dated. Despite this, the collection’s charm and the return of beloved characters should delight fans who crave more of what they love.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Len's Island is a distinctive mix of survival, ARPG and dungeon crawler. It makes you feel like an explorer grappling with a world that can't wait to be discovered. There are some flaws such as a technical sector that could be improved, but as a start to the adventure it's not bad.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Sol Cesto is a roguelike that transforms probability into pure gameplay: you choose a row, but the outcome is random, with percentages shifting every turn. The system—initially simple—grows in complexity thanks to modifiers, abilities, and items that allow you to bend the odds in your favor, creating a surprising depth of strategy. Its true limitations, however, lie in a slow progression and a heavy reliance on chance—factors that can lead to frustrating runs, even with solid builds. Nevertheless, it remains an original and intelligent experience, capable of standing out within the dungeon crawler landscape.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Orcs Must Die! 3 does not innovate significantly – some might even call it lazy – but is an effective recollection of everything that made Robot Entertainment’s franchise so great in the past, turned up to eleven.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    A new Serious Sam game! And guess what? You get exactly what you’d expect! Siberian Mayhem is a mindless fragfest that does not overstay its welcome. Just a shame that graphics also seems to be coming from 10 years ago.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Redout: Space Assault is an aesthetically brilliant rail shooter, with a casual-gamer oriented gameplay but a lot of sci-fi appeal. Pleasant graphics, good soundtrack and low price.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Killsquad is a game that evolved significantly since it first arrived onto Early Access two years ago, and the result is a solid twin-stick shooter with looter elements. When it comes to loot drops, the balance is unfortunately a bit off, but overall the game is a fun mix of genres.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Spirit of Justice is exactly what you're expecting. The merits and the flaws the series is usual to embody are massively present, so you know what you're going to buy.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Ni no Kuni II is a good game, rather on the easy side but blessed with a unique charm. This Switch version comes across as the least performant of the bunch, but the inclusion of DLC and portability are good reasons to consider it if you really don't have any other platforms to play on.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    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.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a good and well-made remastered, It does not make who knows what changes to its game design, although we would have preferred more attention to the aspect of the TPS dynamics, however good and well made. Packed with gadgets, the work allows you to base yourself on the situations to be faced in often complete ways, and tends to be constant in the atmosphere.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Speed Limit is a kaleidoscope of pixels, bullets and ever-changing gameplay. It's very short and not that deep mechanically, but speed runners and nostalgic people will love it because it’s an intense challenge and an inspired love letter to the 80s/90s.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Skyward Sword is still not one of the best Zelda games out there, even after improvements added to this new Switch port, but it deserves to be played thanks to a great cast of characters, a good narrative and some interesting gameplay ideas that Nintendo developed further in Breath of the Wild.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie may not mark the beginning of a new narrative arc, but it serves as a celebratory culmination of a beloved RPG series. With its well-crafted characters and intricate political storytelling, it offers a final chance to revisit the rich Trails universe. While visual aspects may show their age, the engaging gameplay and memorable interactions make this a worthwhile experience for dedicated fans. For newcomers, starting with earlier entries in the series is recommended for a proper introduction.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Swamps of Corsus is an excellent excuse to keep exploring the fascinating universe of Remnant: From the Ashes. The new marsh area is quite elaborate, while the additional enemies are well thought out. What is less convincing, however, is the Survival mode. In this case too the new mode is certainly welcome, but being completely disconnected from the campaign, it does not make much sense within the overall experience, and that’s because the cosmetic rewards are almost negligible.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    It's really not easy to recommend a roguelite with classic gameplay at this precise moment in history, yet Shadow of the Depth manages to entertain and offer a good level of challenge, so why shouldn't we consider it? The various classes offer distinct gameplay, and the ability to equip a warrior with a mage's items and successfully field test them opens the door to different builds to explore. Skill trees are lacking, and perks are not as crucial, but the growth of heroes run after run is evident and invites one to throw in the classic "last try." Nothing new, but all well implemented.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    While a terrible murder is what sets the events of Martha is Dead in motion, the real focus of the game is Giulia’s psyche and how it was affected by past and present thraumas. LKA’s new adventure might not be suited for everyone due to the brutality of certain scenes, but it is certainly courageous and competent.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Dragon Quest Heroes II offers a lot of opportunities for the fans of the series. You'll find some welcome improvements here and there, the same things you loved in the first chapter, and the same limitations.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a game with a lot of charisma thanks to an exceptional characterization of the world and the characters that populate it. Unfortunately, the mix of turn-based tactics and stealth isn’t always working as it’s supposed to, but the game developed by The Bearded Ladies is still able to entertain for about fifteen hours. Maybe next time it would be appropriate to give to the gameplay the same care given to the narrative aspects of the game.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    It’s easy to understand and justify the state of worship that Metal Wolf Chaos XD has managed to unintentionally create during the last fifteen years: an insane setting, a pungent satire aimed at the American society and a good technical realization, all at the service of an enjoyable third-person shooter. However, the latter ingredient didn’t age very well: Metal Wolf Chaos XD is quite easy, somewhat spartan, and the weapons fail to convey the right feedback.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Bound is a visionary title, with a incredibly inspired art direction; unfortunately, the game has some gameplay flaws that prevent the player from fully enjoying the experience. It could have been something along the lines of Journey and Abzû, but it ends up being “just” a good game.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    All things considered, Pokémon Champions is exactly what we expected—barring a few too many rough edges. In fact, looking at the game’s monetization and other titles within the Pokémon ecosystem, one is almost tempted to say we got off easy. At least, for now.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Fly Punch Boom! it's a fun and colorful smash bros like. It has an excellent online mode, thanks to the large community, but the lack of longevity undermines the fun over a long period.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A great action Gundam game, penalized by instability during online matches and the lack of some modes that should have been implemented. Not only, but mostly for fans of the anime series.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    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.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten is an exciting and engaging JRPG, with an interesting and impactful story. More could have been done on the play system.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Despite some technical issues and a skimpy single player, Empires Apart is an enjoyable and well balanced old-style RTS. If you are in search of a competitive multiplayer game, look no further.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Improved on the field, with a gameplay that shows signs of an evolution that affects animations, attack and defense, Madden NFL 25 misses the mark when it comes to the game modes offered. Too few differences compared to last season, for an element that instead needs new proposals capable of bringing a burst of innovation that has been missing for too long now.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    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.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    An official version of Super Robot Wars on our PCs is a long-cherished dream, but it's not an experience for everyone. Certainly not for those expecting a deep and challenging strategy game, as almost the entire experience plays on fanservice. Not to mention a roster incapable of giving back the encyclopaedic feeling that an event like the 30th anniversary would require.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A tough game, full of good action but also with a lot of trial and error inside. If you are not afraid of going through exhausting boss battles, then do not hesitate.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A light and entertaining alternative to heavy-weight shooters like Raw Data and In Death, The Wizards gives the player great satisfaction in creating spells with their own hands, and that's simply amazing.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Made by a single developer, an industry rookie, FixFox really brings a good amount of ideas to the table. The main mechanics are quite simple, designed to be relaxing and reassuring. The outline, however, stands out for brilliant ideas and insights, which contribute to the creation of an intriguing context. Not everything is perfect, some aspect for example are a bit generic (music, especially) and some other may appear unclear at first glance. Its slow and somewhat repetitive pace might also bore more action-oriented players.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Sadly, Humankind isn’t Amplitude Studios’ magnum opus. Its interesting concept of civilization mix-matching is constantly let down by an uncompetitive AI and all sorts of balancing issues.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    MOTHERGUNSHIP is a strong step forward compared to Tower of Guns, with a very well made weapon creation system and an even more spectacular action core. Unfortunately we also found a certain repetitiveness in the game's structure, but fans of intense action and arcade taste will hardly be disappointed.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    It's been a while since we lost our temper with a videogame. The peculiar control system and the physics that rule the movement of a snake are at the same time the good and the bad of Snake Pass. Despite its cheerful appearances and the good level design, the game is difficult, and not always in a good way.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Bum Simulator could have simply offered vulgarities with no real purpose, but instead include a quite demential but nevertheless interesting story to follow, and a good crafting system. The world to explore is small, the combat system isn't enough complex and technically it could be way better, but in the end the formula works.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Super Robot Wars Y is an ode to nostalgia and a passion for Japanese robots: every animated sequence, every opening credit, every battle is a small celebration of the cartoons that shaped our childhoods. The roster combines old and new series to please fans of all ages, while the overly simple strategic action almost becomes a pause between one breathtaking sequence and the next. Here too, the series shows the weight of tradition: few innovations, long dialogues, and a conservative approach that limits risk and surprise, keeping it prisoner to its formula. You have to know what you're getting into. Those who love Japanese robots and jump out of their seats at the sight of Tetsuya incinerating assorted monsters with gamma rays, screaming like a maniac, will find this an almost essential experience. Those who know the series inside out and are looking for freshness and boldness will inevitably be disappointed.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Croc: Legend of the Gobbos Remastered is a faithful re-release of the original 1997 3D platformer, with more user-friendly controls and slightly - just slightly - more modern graphics. The retro charm remains intact with levels full of secrets, funny enemies, and simple but rewarding gameplay. While not shining in technical innovation, it includes extra content such as the Crocipedia and the original game. A nostalgic remastered, more conservative than revolutionary, designed for historical and curious fans of digital vintage, proving that even lesser known video games can deserve a second chance.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Earth Defense Force 5 is yet another iteration of a series that embraces the repetitiveness of the action to make it its own main strength, thanks to an enviable amount of unlockable content and an immediate gameplay formula capable of entertaining for tens, if not hundreds of hours.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Head Over Heels Deluxe is the re-release, executed with some laziness since it is taken heavily from the Spectrum Next version, of a 1987 isometric classic renowned for innovative gameplay and platform-puzzle challenges. Players control two agents, Head and Heels, each with unique abilities, who must work together to defeat the Blacktooth Empire. This new version introduces an additional world, 32 collectibles and technical improvements while maintaining the difficulty of the original. While fidelity to the past is to be admired, some historical issues remain unchanged.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    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.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    CyberConnect2 knows how to develop and port games, no question about that. It may not run at 60fps, but this pocket-sized version of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is still able to live up to its counterparts on other platforms. A pity that the last DLC was not included, considering it would have made the game even more appealing.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    A roguelite with a simple but fun premise, although the peculiar control scheme doesn't exactly work in its favor.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Despite some flaws, Lucid Dream certainly deserves a chance because of its wonderful surreal setting – entirely hand drawn – and the events that revolve around the little, "Alice-like" protagonist.

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