The Games Machine's Scores

  • Games
For 2,655 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:
2657 game reviews
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    While MLB The Show 25 closely follows the aesthetics and gameplay structure of the previous edition, albeit with some pleasant refinements, it is the new game modes that bring a breath of fresh air and elevate the level of excitement. From the single-player career mode to the collectible card system known as Diamond Dynasty, passing through the management of an entire franchise, the implemented changes are particularly well-thought-out. They inject vital energy, intensifying the passion of fans and compelling them to take the field daily in an endless cycle of pitches and hits.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For reasons of time (the game is quite large) I dedicated myself almost exclusively to solo play, and from this point of view V Rising is certainly a very successful title, which alternates fights that are always on point with that sense of progression that never fails to provide a powerful stimulus. Every now and then you'll have to take a trip into the mine, though.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Fun to play and with plenty of game modes (thumbs up for Ultimate Team and The Journey), FIFA 19 won't disappoint football fans.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cuzzillo, Foddy and Boch have torn the cage of the creative processes by creating a model of their own. Ape Out is pure jazz: overwhelming, defiant and free. The monkey has escaped, infuriated, and wants to sow panic on the gaming industry.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    With its strong artistic direction and the captivating story, Danganronpa 1·2 Reload is a must have for fans of visual novels and detective stories. The only problem - and the only reason why you shouldn't play it - is that it's a collection of games developed for portable consoles: if you own a PS Vita, you'll probably have already in your collection.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Katana ZERO is a stylish action platformer with a deep and engaging story.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Nintendo Switch can finally boast a great JRPG within its remarkable roster. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is a game that every fan of the genre should play. There are some minor flaws, such as the great chaos ensuing during some battles, but the combat system is deep and rewarding, and the story and the characters are great. Well done, Monolith Soft, well done.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    With plenty of quality content, a revamped progression system and many intriguing features like Torgast and Covenants, Shadowlands is an artistic triumph and one of the best expansions ever. It doesn't revolutionize World of Warcraft and the leveling phase doesn't really develop the character that much, but who cares? The Afterlife is fun.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Two great classics from the GBA era brought to Nintendo Switch with excellent results, Single player and multiplayer are the two souls of a strategy package in Nintendo sauce perfect for every type of player. Simple to learn, hard to master, impossible to leave on the shelf.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Aiko’s Choice is a solid addition to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, which expands the game’s story by introducing a new villain straight from Aiko’s past. The three main levels will keep you entertained for a few hours, but if you’re expecting new mechanics or daring gameplay you might be in for a disappointment.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    I spent a few days hunting for undead, Lords and great knights. I visited Oolacile again from the comfort of my bed, I lost thousands of souls in Anor Londo from the terrace of my house, and I banged my fists on the desk while slipping in a ravine trying to take a shortcut. Although it is a pity that the frame rate isn’t perfectly stable, the chance to play whenever and wherever I want has its own charm.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Frozen Wilds expands the Horizon Zero Dawn's gameplay driven philosophy to a brand new area, packed with tons of action and a new questline. The DLC offers a solid 10 hours more of the same experience, while Guerrilla Game's open world still shines after nine months in terms of breathtaking visuals and compelling gameplay.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Fantasian Neo Dimension is a title that needs to be played, explored and brought to everyone's attention. There is nothing new, except for a couple of interesting mechanics, but the aesthetic and musical realization is of the highest quality, net of what is a game made with an extremely low budget. They have made a virtue of this situation, squeezing every single experience in Mistwalker and returning a decidedly remarkable JRPG.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Trials of Mana is amazing and, by itself, makes this compilation essential for all of those who have poured tears and hopes on the photos of the game during that torrid summer of 1995.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pistol Whip is an excellent and original VR Rhythm FPS, now even more unmissable with the free 2089 DLC. Great on PC VR, but even better wireless on Oculus Quest or Quest 2.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Beyond the first few hours spent groping around and a fair amount of hard work required by the progression system, Grounded is a solid survival with a good technical value, and which offers a good amount of settings that allow you to customize the game according to your needs.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Pokémon Legends: Arceus is clearly flawed, yet courageous; it succeeds in the arduous mission of rejuvenating some of the clumsy axioms of one of the most conservative series around, laying the foundations for an eventual rebirth of the brand.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    What is most refreshing about Helldivers 2 is not just the fact that it’s an incredibly fun game, but that Arrowhead managed to grow in scope without losing its identity: this is, without question, a game made by the same people who created Magicka so many years ago. At present state, however, Helldivers 2 suffers from some stability issues, and employs an invasive anticheat.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Green Hell VR is a great survival game also in virtual reality for PC, certainly one of the best. The interactions are less accurate and responsive than those in the excellent version for Quest 2, but overall the audiovisual impact balances these differences and offers one of the most vivid "wilderness" settings ever seen in VR.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    A traditional metroidvania with a fascinating setting that mixes Japanese folklore and cyberpunk, brought to life by excellent pixel-art. The classic gameplay is enhanced by a mechanic that allows you to manipulate time and matter. A couple of bugs and a few minor technical stumbles, as well as an imperfect difficulty balance, however, prevent Blade Chimera from aspiring to the Olympus of the genre.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch 2 isn't a revolution, but thanks also to the 3.0 update, it proves to be the most solid and accessible version of the game, ideal for veterans and newcomers.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    It's not without its flaws, but The First Berserker: Khazan is ferociously capable of instilling first hatred and then love in the most determined player to tame it, and this makes it a must-have for any hardcore action game fan.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    A more compact and aesthetically pleasing Dragon Quest VII. The redundant narrative elements of the original have been appropriately trimmed, and although the plot remains quite conventional and in some instances rather "cheesy," the protagonists remain among the best in the series. The additions made to character progression and customization are effective, as are those to the combat system, which, while remaining very classic, is now faster and more immediate. The ability to adjust the difficulty at will is excellent, but the game still needs some post-launch balancing adjustments.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    Brilliant simulation of a traditional dungeon crawler board game with a decent variety of enemies. I can’t wait for the release of the next dungeon.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Cairn is, without further ado, the first great gaming experience of 2026. Its mechanics aren't perfect, with flaws that need to be ironed out everywhere, but it's a game with a disruptive force in what it aims to be, with form and substance among the best I've ever played. The classic gaming experience marries perfectly with the grammar of climbing, which here becomes a challenge of positioning, endurance, and mentality.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    The Plucky Squire is evidently a game created with the younger generations in mind: it’s easy to approach, never particularly complex, and the most challenging parts, well, they’re not very challenging in the first place, but just in case they can be easily skipped. This isn’t a bad thing or a criticism: it’s a great game that even adults that just want to have a fun time in a beatifully drawn 2D world can easily enjoy. Just make sure you’re not looking for something that might put your skills to the test.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This is definitely a lucky time for soulslike lovers, and Lies of P is no exception. Nice to look at and well thought out in terms of gameplay, the criticisms to be leveled at the creation of Round 8 Studio are very few, and all of them have little impact. It also manages to be an interesting reinterpretation of the Pinocchio opera, think about it.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rogue Waters is a roguelite with turn-based combat that is certainly not among the most complete around, but it benefits from a fascinating setting and interesting use of pushing and projecting to create domino effects and quickly get rid of enemies. What's more, it has a story to be followed all in one go or by taking breaks while engaging in the many side quests. Unfortunately, the naval combat section was not articulated enough, but the battles and character growth lift the fortunes of this production, which will not fail to thrill lovers of turn-based combat.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Marvel's Midnight Suns left me dumbfounded for a few hours, unsure of what to think of this impressive work by Firaxis. Day after day, however, I realized a simple concept: I was having fun. Yes, ok, with some limitations due to design choices that I didn't appreciate on the turn-based combat, but I liked the card system, particularly how each hero's skills reflect their personality. And then there are many other delicious contents available, whose only flaw is to divert attention from the main course, a story so fascinating that we could easily find it in many beautiful softcover volumes in our favorite comic store.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Steel Division: Normandy 44 is an excellent old-school RTS, probably one of the best historical videogames of the past few years: it's complex, engaging, with a deep gameplay, truthful to the events of the WWII, and an excellent multiplayer component.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Hearts of Iron IV throws the player in the midst of the WWII, offering a deep gameplay and a spectacular freedom. There are still some things than can be polished and improved (AI above all), but Paradox laid the foundation for one of the greatest strategic titles ever produced.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    A totally nonsense rhythm game, full of things to do and easy to understand, but very VERY hard to master.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stormteller Games' Lost in Random: The Eternal Die fights, dodges, stings and hits hard to try and knock out rival Hades. It comes close to doing so thanks to convincing and compelling gameplay, but less deep and eclectic than Supergiant Games' masterpiece. Still, it remains an excellent product that fans of the genre should seriously consider.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    MIO: Memories in Orbit is a beautiful and substantial Metroidvania with excellent presentation and fluid gameplay that avoids becoming frantic. It's a shame about the trial-and-error platforming sections and the overly cryptic exploration, but fans of Metroidvania games will find plenty to enjoy (though you might want to keep a guide handy).
    • 83 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Worms is a timeless classic that finds the perfect home on Switch. One of the best episodes in the series, to play on the go. What could go possibly wrong? Nothing! Another must have for the new Nintendo console. This version has some exclusive content, soon-to-be released on other platforms as well.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Assassin's Creed Odyssey is the turning point for one of the most famous series produced by Ubisoft. Despite a somewhat shallow storyline and a constant sense of déjà-vu due to the evident reuse of assets from its direct predecessor, the metamorphosis in a full-fledged action RPG is successful, assisted by a system of choices and consequences that works well in guaranteeing tangible repercussions in the world. Now we can’t wait to find out how the series will evolve.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    A brilliant and captivating video game with an excellent and detailed story. An original and brutal game model that shows great care in every area, from the hustle and bustle of battles to other noteworthy details such as the relationship between Crimson and the secondary characters of the experience. A video game not to be missed.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Level Devil is a toxic love letter to games that don't want us to have fun, but to suffer with style. It is a minimalist, unforgiving 2D platformer with nearly 200 short, unpredictable levels in which every obstacle can suddenly change: moving holes, treacherous walls, collapsing floors, and invisible traps. New mechanics are constantly being added, including teleports, reverse gravity and transformations of the protagonist. No need for extreme skill, but memory, intuition and steady nerves. Sadistic but refined, Level Devil knows what it wants to be, and never apologizes. All for playing and giving unsuspecting friends a try.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy cements Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi as masters of narrative ambition. This visual novel/RPG hybrid delivers a gripping, twist-laden tale spanning 100 days, 15 protagonists, and 100 endings, bolstered by tactical combat and a sandbox structure. While pacing stumbles during exploration segments, its razor-sharp script—packed with meta-humor, genre subversions, and emotional gut-punches—excels. Vibrant art, Masafumi Takada’s electrifying score, and streamlined timeline-hopping mechanics elevate its 100+ hour journey. Though its sheer scale may daunt, the available demo eases newcomers in; for fans, it’s a triumphant evolution of Danganronpa’s legacy, proving visual novels can still push boundaries. A flawed, unforgettable odyssey.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Islets is a compact, very nice metroidvania, full of ideas and adorable characters. A beautiful, hand-drawn world divided into six parts to be put together, rebuilt, setting off on an adventure that is as crazy as it is epic.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    As a remaster, this is as good as they can possibly get. As a game to be played in 2020, it still stands up pretty well, and its raw gameplay is so distant from today’s standards that it feels like a breath of fresh air.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This second DLC isn't for those dreaming of epic battles, frenetic pace, or pitched warfare across the lands of medieval Bohemia. There's a more intimate nuance to what happens in the forge; between working at the anvil and filing, there's time to delve into a part of Henry that deserves to be explored. The same way the brave young man devotes himself to his father's trade, a craft he must learn to honor his late parent's memory, but also to build a genuine fortune, as well as a refuge for his weary limbs and tormented soul.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Street Fighter V: Champion Edition is a convincing expansion, the perfect entry point into the series for newbies, while offering a range of improvements for everyone.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Necrom expansion of The Elder Scrolls Online stands out for its captivating atmosphere and richly detailed setting. The presence of Hermaeus Mora and the introduction of the Arcanist class add a surprising depth to the gameplay. Despite some potential improvements, the expansion offers a compelling new experience and reaffirms that ESO is destined to remain a force in the world of MMOs.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch Dogs 2 has its main target on younger players, but can be an interesting free roaming for older ones as well. Despite a boring story and a imperfect driving model, the game is enough fun to be worth your money.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    As demanding as it is satisfying, Chivalry 2 pushes you to to keep an eye on mission objectives while managing its easy-to-learn-difficult-to-master fighting system. Unfortunately there is no single player campaign, but the missions are as varied as the maps are beautiful.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Vampire Crawlers attempts to recapture the sensations of playing Vampire Survivors through a turn-based roguelite hybrid of dungeon crawler and deck-builder. The experiment can be considered largely successful, although the game's pacing suffers from a mid-game phase that leans too heavily on grinding, while—as it currently stands—replayability is quite low. In this regard, the situation could improve with the updates that have already been announced; however, the nature of these new additions remains an unknown quantity.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The second (and final) DLC of Dark Souls III proves to be a far more robust and articulated experience than the first one. The level design is tangled yet magnificent, the content is richer and never ordinary. The perfect conclusion to an unforgettable chapter of the Dark Souls series.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Hitman 2 is an excellent more of the same, a game that pushes the boundaries of the freedom given to the players in delivering the perfect assassination. The level design reaches new height in the genre, and the plot is compelling. Sadly the two multiplayer modes are a bit shallow.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Lost Judgment is a high quality sequel. It’s fun to play, despite the few gameplay changes compared to its predecessor, and has a very engaging and well-acted story. There is never a moment of boredom when playing in the role of Takayuka Yagami, moving between Kamarucho and Yokohama in search of the truth, with a thousand doubts in mind, a thousand enemies to defeat and a thousand extra activities to try.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Banner Saga 2 is the worthy sequel to one of the most acclaimed titles of 2014. The core of the game remains the same, further improved by a lot of new additions and tweaks to the gameplay. On top of that, the art direction and the soundtrack are simply amazing.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I had so much fun playing Kaze and the Wild Makes. Fast, colorful, easy to play if you just want to see the end, and absolutely challenging if you try to fully complete it unlocking every secret. The gameplay is not that innovative, and sometimes borrows heavily from the classics, but the result is an undeniably competent game. If you like platformers, there is no reason in the world not to try it. Highly recommended.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Football Manager 2018 is a bigger, deeper and more complex episode of the saga. The best football universe simulation features a lot of new mechanics which give to the managers the chance to feel, manage and understand even better their teams. The evolution is amazing, but lacks of a real update to the UI, too old and chaotic, a little bit of polishing, with some dynamics which need to be fixed with the upcoming updates, and some issues in terms of hardware optimisation.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    SUPERHOT is an FPS based on a simple, yet brilliant idea: time moves only when the player moves. The gameplay mixes speed and strategy, with the bonus of a brilliant story. It falls a little short of duration, but in the few hours needed to reach the end, you'll be truly entertained.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    With the launch of Yakuza 6: Song of Life, the saga of Kazuma Kiryu reaches its conclusion on PC and Xbox as well. The two years that passed since its launch on Sony consoles has provided it with technical improvements that, especially on PC, made the game’s visuals more in line with the times. Compared to Yakuza 0, the combat is a bit on the stiffer side, but still satisfying, and Yakuza 6 is a worthy final chapter in a fifteen-year long narrative arc.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Even if it feels like a 90’s racing arcade, with marvelous landscapes and frenetic races, Horizon Chase Turbo doesn’t give up showing a strong personality and a fresh low poly style.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Madden 17 is a football game that speaks to everyone, pleases most and delights the hardcore fans. It doesn't shine for its technical prowess or for the presence of new ideas, but everything works just great, and the new Play the Moment feature lays the foundation for a bright future for the series.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    F1 2016 is the best Formula 1 videogame developed by Codemasters, and one of the most captivating racing games of this year. It perfectly combines simulation and accessibility, offers a great Career Mode and a lot of multiplayer options, but most of all it literally drags the player into the chaos and adrenaline of the competition.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 74 Critic Score
    Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a work of great courage and respect for the platform genre. It is not revolutionary but manages to be a simple, but refined pastime made with all the trappings of the genre.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Excellent work which brings back one of the most beloved chapters of the saga: highly recommended to all, even to those who have already played it over two decades ago.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Atelier Sophie 2 follows in the same vein of its predecessors, refining the general formula while maintaining it pretty much intact. It’s still a good comfort game, but it could use some work when it comes to combat and story.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Creature in the Well is a hypnotic flipper ‘n’ slash with astonishing art design. A brilliant mix that explodes in pure arcade pleasure, despite its dungeon crawling being quite repetitive and little inspired.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    F1 23 improves and expands almost everything from the previous iteration of the series, from the driving model to the physics of the single-seaters, even the multiple game modes are now – finally – abundant.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Howl is a puzzle game in which planning your moves and predicting the consequences play the lion's share. Keeping enemies' reactions in mind for the next six turns can prove very challenging, although with the assisted mode or a healthy dose of trial and error you will be able to complete all sixty levels in two or three evenings. The darkly grim story, medieval setting, and distinctive graphics make this a thoroughly interesting game. Once completed there is no reason to replay it except to try to earn all the achievements, but it remains a recommended experience for lovers of this genre of games.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a second round of collections that focuses entirely on fun and nostalgia. The gameplay formula is still highly satisfying, perfect in this summer period to recall a few games, two minutes of essential gameplay and dozens of tricks to perform. The new graphic coat is excellent, with the updated roster of skaters and some new maps. The usual problems persist around the use of the camera, to be left on automatic since in manual it is truly a terrible experience. Excellent longevity for those who have played them in the past, but a clever and usable package even for those who are approaching it for the first time.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is perfect for those who want to take a break from high-paced action games and want to spend a few hours between deductions, clues, evidence and interrogations. Ryunosuke Naruhodo's legal adventures are engaging, boasting excellent writing with imaginative cases (sometimes almost too much), a good dose of twists and great characters. Graphics are alright, but the lack of an Italian localization could make the game almost unplayable for those unfamiliar with the English language.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold is, hands down, the best chapter in this J-RPG saga. It's marketed as a remake, but it's so full of new content and material that it's only fair to consider it a new game.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Thanks to a gameplay formula more refined and an even more prominent identity, Valhalla is the chapter where Assassin’s Creed’s new cycle reached its full maturity, despite the fact that some of its oldest flaws still remain.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Hero's Hour mixes RPG, roguelike, real time strategy and auto battler elements in one convincing bundle, portrayed with a nice use of pixel art and an impressive number of units on screen. The gameplay loop, however, tends to be a bit repetitive and the lack of a single-player campaign doesn’t help. Still worth it for its price, though.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    It is not always perfect, but overall we are facing the best story driven FPS in recent years, crafted with love, much more freedom but still impressive in its narrative, graphical and playable level of detail.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    The return to Quel'Thalas is the emotional heart of World of Warcraft: Midnight, a solid expansion that sets the stage for the epilogue of the Worldsoul Saga. The campaign revolves around the Sin'dorei and the conflict between Light and Void, with narrative highs and lows. Gameplay-wise, however, despite one truly new feature—Housing—and no structural revolutions, just pleasant refinements, there's the usual abundance of activities between progression and the endgame that will delight those who enjoyed the latest expansions.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds is Obsidian Entertainment’s magnum opus, an RPG with an enticing and multifaceted ruleset set in a dystopian capitalistic society. Its only flaws reside in the combat system and gunplay, but these are easily counterbalanced by the excellent writing and the many possibilities offered to the players. Let’s hope Obsidian will explore this setting further, possibly with a much needed sequel.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    No campaign, no alternative modes. No frills, in short. PEAK focuses on doing one thing, and tries to do it as best as possible. In this case, then, it is one of those rare examples in which the level of fun is directly linked to the people you play it with: its nature makes it perfect as a co-op title to share with a small group of close friends, as long as we are not too scared by the roguelike component.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is the perfect example of how a minor classic should be brought back to life: without distorting its identity, but updating it with intelligence, respect and a healthy dose of courage. The work done by Atlus is not limited to a coat of HD paint: it is a real redevelopment of the original game, which today can be played with pleasure even by those who have no nostalgia to redeem. The new combat system, the more balanced pace and a more modern general direction give new life to a title that, at the time, had brilliant ideas but a rough realization. It is not perfect, nor does it want to be: it is a fascinating piece of a larger story, a bridge between the old Megaten spirit and its more accessible incarnations. In short, Raidou awaits you in better shape than ever, and finally ready to be discovered by everyone.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante is an interactive novel in which interaction is reduced to the bare bone, allowing us only to turn the pages of the book and choose our next moves from a list of options. So it should not be evaluated as a game but as a story. And from this point of view it is a brilliant tale, which manages to capture attention from the very first pages, making us suffer for the unfortunate protagonist. Like all products of this kind, however, after the first intense run you will only want to see the multiple endings, skipping most of the rest of the story.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Cult of the Lamb looks like a roguelike in The Binding of Isaac way, but in reality, it is also a deep god game. The message behind the title is: you have to be afraid of losing those who the day before you treated as pawns. You feel omnipotent and invincible, but the truth is that you are a slave to others like anyone else.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Behind Children of Morta's pixel art, lies an excellent hack’n’slash which has little to envy to the pillars of the genre. The RPG aspect is well defined, and the growth of the characters is never trivial.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mix the feeling of weakness of the movie Open Water with a compelling story, a world to explore in metroidvania style kind of like in Don't Starve, add the maniacal detail of In Other Waters, shake and there we have Subnautica: Below Zero, an intriguing sci-fi survival with just a bit of horror. While at first it might seem a little limited in scope, with a bit of patience you will soon realize how great of a game it is.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a good collection, but more because of the games it contains than because of Nintendo's effort in making it. The absence of extras and of Super Mario Galaxy 2 are an unpleasant disappointment.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is a sequel that builds on the legacy of Relic Entertainment. It does so by offering an exciting campaign that perfectly conveys that feeling of perpetual war and all the “grimdark” typical of its setting. Even without ever reaching the depth typical of other games in the same genre, the combat system infuses all the physicality and brutality of the Astartes. The optimization is also good, despite some small flaws that can be easily solved with a round of patches. The only let down is the soundtrack, light years away from the epicness of the first game.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    As the final chapter of the trilogy, The Banner Saga 3 should not be bought with the hope of finding some kind of gameplay innovations, but to savor the last part of an epic journey in search of safe place and truth.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Slightly better than Innocence in terms of storytelling, gameplay and world building, A Plague Tale: Requiem still needs some tuning on the technical side.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration offers a lot, but the shadow of a legendary brand like Atari pushes to demand even more. The absence of Atari Games' historic coin-ops along with many of the more distinctive home machine games weighs heavily, but the new games created by Digital Eclipse somehow manage to save the party. As a work of preservation and divulgation, however, it plays in a league of its own that is really hard to approach.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Last Spell combines RPG, Tower Defense, and City Builder genres, with the extermination of numerous hordes as seen in They Are Billions, managing combat with the beloved turn-based system. The problem is precisely here: each run is a complex and slow chess match that can last a very long time, so those expecting quick sessions may be disappointed.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Lunacid is certainly an intriguing action RPG with plenty of old-school charm, but audiences more used to modern games might find some of its quirks – and its balance that heavily favors magic builds – a bit annoying.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    An action-adventure that repeatedly quotes the old Resident Evil games and uses their mechanics to offer the more nostalgic audience an experience very close to the survival horror of the PS1-N64 era. A hint of modernity in the controls makes it palatable even to less veteran gamers, but a few balancing problems and a fairly short longevity take it away from the pinnacle of the genre.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Parasol Stars is still a fun and colourful platform game, an heirloom from a simpler and more innocent era that is worth preserving. The low price and online leaderboards are a good incentive to embark on this journey into the past, minus a somewhat lazy and gritty adaptation.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Enjoyable, rich and long-lasting, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven arrives with the aim of carving out its own space in today's market. Coming out in a truly fiery October is a little self-destructive, it must be said, but the experience could - both for veterans of Metaphor: ReFantazio and Silent Hill 2 - be a great dive into the past and, at the same time, a great way to experience a truly atypical JRPG.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Synergy will mesmerise you with its art and setting, however there’s not too much innovation in it, and its user interface doesn’t do a great job at making the game complexity digestible and manageable.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Black Jacket transforms blackjack into a surprisingly deep roguelite deckbuilder, where hitting 21 is merely the starting point. Modifiable cards, special effects, increasingly absurd combos, and tables with unique powers turn every match into a war of manipulation and infernal sabotage. The gameplay manages to evolve continuously, shifting from a simple card game into a true turn-based strategy title. The decadent horror atmosphere is also excellent. There are, however, a few limitations: the grinding required to build a truly competitive deck can feel repetitive, and—as in all games of chance—some matches ultimately depend more on luck than on pure skill.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Death Stranding is a good game, as well as the most ambitious work born from the mind of Hideo Kojima. It's not perfect, but successfully captures the player in a dark and fragmented world, so it's really worth fighting for.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Vectronom should be in a museum, taking the place of one of those interactive, experimental installations, in front of which perceptions become fluid.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat 11 is probably the best chapter in the entire saga. Visuals, soundtrack and gameplay have reached an astonishing level of depth. Unfortunately, being forced to be always online and a progression system that seems a bit too random prevent this fighting game to become the masterpiece it deserves to be.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Toys for Bob managed to do justice to the original gameplay, improving (almost) everything else. Spyro Reignited Trilogy is great for the hardcore fans of the purple dragon, but it’s also suitable for the younger audience.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Super Hydorah is an old-school shoot'em up full of surprises, and it's incredibly polished. Fun, challenging, and rewarding, the new game from Locomalito is a must have for all the old gamers out there. Beware, though: it's really tough.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Little Nightmares II is based on the relationship between Six and Mono, both from a narrative and a gameplay perspective, and there will be heart-pounding situations where you will come to wonder how much you are willing to push yourself to get both children safe from this spiral of pure terror. If you enjoyed the original game, this new chapter is another little gem worth buying.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    I’m not kidding when I say that Jamboree is quite rich and varied with many minigames and activities. So rich in new features, so many additions and new discoveries that it is the best installment of the Mario Party franchise that anyone can remember. However, there are tons of works in the franchise: so many, different and peculiar that they have become fundamental to the creative development of the Big N. The only recommendation is to try not to make some friends angry because they conquer a star before they can reach it. In that case, play dead.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Konami scored an amazing goal with eFootball PES 2020, improving an already effective gameplay to make it almost perfect. Evolution has only partially involved the game modes, but the result is the best chapter in the series and a divine football simulation.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Battlefield 6 arrives in grand style to remind us that all-out war, when it's virtual, can be magnificent. EA, Battlefield Studios, and the community were eager to move on from the disappointment of Battlefield 2042, and we can finally say it: Battlefield is back.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mortal Kombat 1 is a triumph in every way. Aesthetically clean, carefully crafted, with a revised and optimized combat approach for each character. The introduction of the Kameo characters amplifies the need to find ever new and lethal combinations.

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