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
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Riven remake makes its return to the scene with absolute pomp, proving once again how much the journey is more important than the destination. The graphic modernization is illustrious and of absolute caliber, as well as everything else, elevated to the asymptote of wonder. It could involve both long-time enthusiasts and newbies.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    If you consider the Final Fantasy soundtrack worthy of being counted among the heritages of humanity, then Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the music game for you. Rich in tracks and truly suitable for everyone, with a very well-calibrated level of difficulty. Too bad they haven't modernised the aesthetic, distinctive but undeniably little more than functional.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One Hour One Life is a masterpiece of game design. No other word can tell the exceptional concept behind this online survival.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Crimson Diamond is not a game for everyone; indeed, the adventure genre, already quite niche in its own way, is made even more hostile by the presence of text-based controls. However, anyone should try this experience, because such well-packaged products rarely come out and transcend the nostalgia operation by offering a story worthy of Agata Christie in the artistic guise that made the defunct, but still alive in the hearts of fans, Sierra On-Line so famous. The excellently crafted parser and a notepad full of hints make it much more accessible than you might imagine.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    An enveloping production, complete and well composed in every nuance. It's really a lot, a lot of stuff, something that never abandons and that entertains, taking you back in time focusing on the present and the future without compromise. It is a language that can do good, that can be essential and unique, that can set the tone for the future. There is passion, there is love, there is a desire to do and, above all, there is a desire to go against the grain. Go beyond the market itself.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lately, the gaming landscape has seen a constant stream of open world action-rpgs that feel vapid and bloated and that might as well have all come from the same mold. This isn’t Everspace 2’s case, however. Rockfish’s game builds and improves upon the achievements of its predecessor, delivering an incredibly entertaining combat, beautiful vistas, and plenty of content, managing to bring a much-needed breath of fresh air in an over-crowded genre.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    One scam at a time, the (mis)adventures of an XVIII century apprentice cheater are transformed into the chapters of an unmissable tale in which the deceptions at the table are intertwined with political intrigues. Recommended even for those who are not that into card games.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Surviving Mars is another shiny diamond in the chest of Paradox Interactive: a multi-faceted, well designed city builder with a pretty unique approach and visuals. The gameplay is simple enough to get the attention of the player, but ultimately immersive and engaging.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    All in all, Voidigo is just another twin stick shooter with roguelite dynamics, but it ranks among the best of all time in its genre. What does this mean? That if you love this type of game, it's a must-have that will keep you hooked for a long time. If, on the other hand, you are used to a more lukewarm reception to roguelites, then this could be your chance to try a video game that represents excellence. Finally, if you are fed enough with this type of gameplay, try to have it as a dessert, and you won't regret it.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Dragon's Dogma 2 is an extremely engaging open world action game, featuring a combat system that is practically flawless and a huge map full of secrets to explore. It follows a philosophy of its own and for this it deserves to be rewarded, but the optimization problems that afflict the PC version tested during the review do not allow it to achieve excellence, at least for the moment.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is a great second season that makes the already beautiful Oxenfree feel like a pilot episode. An intense, exciting and playfully aware narrative adventure, capable of perfectly integrating gameplay with writing. Artistically remarkable, thematically profound, full of tense situations, where to make decisions and direct the fate of our protagonists, playing the part that seems most suitable to us, without the story ever lacking in coherence. If this is what Netflix wants to do with the video game, the future looks rosy for lovers of this genre (success permitting). Radio chills.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Everything has led to this... Resident Evil Requiem is the game that sums up 30 years of the saga, taking us back to where it all began. It was a huge risk for Capcom, but one that paid off almost flawlessly, delivering a narratively compelling, technically sumptuous title characterized by two gameplay styles that are as different as they are well blended.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    What Remains of Edith Finch talks about death, but sounds like an incredible hymn to life and its meaningful journey. Giant Sparrow brings walking simulator to another level with an amazing story told through compelling gameplay solutions and an inspired environmental storytelling.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pokémon Pokopia is a beautiful game that perfectly embodies the Pokémon soul. Omega Force's Animal Crossing-Minecraft hybrid makes friendship its cornerstone, and between one construction and another, between one friend and another, the world torn apart by selfishness seems to be reborn in the blink of an eye. Pokémon Pokopia is a mature game, probably the most mature in the series. Let's hope Game Freak takes notes for the mainline too.
    • 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.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Were all the remastered so beautiful, we would be truly happy. Odin Spere: Leifthrasir, beyond being unpronounceable, improves the original in every possible way, from the combat system to the graphics. The result is simply breathtaking, perfect for newcomers as well as for fans of the original.
    • 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.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A game geared towards younger players, but that doesn't mean that hardcore RPG fans should necessarily ignore it: with a volcanic dose of inventiveness that will make you laugh more than once and an enchanting artistic direction, the game is the perfect bedtime story to end the Switch's extraordinary career with a bang.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    A true sequel or a glorified "more of the same". Oddly, both. There's no real revolution in Splatoon 2, just some small improvements here and there. A game that's so rich, deep and full of content, and it's only bound to grow in the upcoming months. Blessed by a solid net code, a stylish art direction, and great personality, Splatoon is sheer fun.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    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.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age on the Switch is a dream come true.
    • 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.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    As is traditional for Ice-Pick Lodge, Pathologic 3 is not a game designed to entertain, please, or make the player comfortable with welcoming introductions, explanations, and power fantasies. It's a game that demands to be approached on its own terms. Whether you like them or not, those are the terms. It's not a "physical" ordeal like its predecessor; the protagonist's torment this time is certainly more cerebral. However, the beauty of fragility remains intact. No matter how much power and knowledge are accumulated, even knowing in advance what will happen in 5 days, some events are inevitable. Others can only be mitigated. Others can be changed at a very high price. It's not a world of heroes, but rather of humans (and non-humans) with all their differences, doing the best they can with what they have, against an enemy about whom they even have differing opinions.
    • 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.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    More than a remake, Project-X Light Years is the modern sequel to a great classic that made history and, in addition to being one of the best 'reboots' ever seen for IPs of the past, it is also one of the best side-scrolling shmups released in recent months, competing with Yuzo Koshiro's Earthion for my very own award for the most interesting of the season. Proof, if there was still any need, that we Westerners are also very capable of making excellent games of the genre, even if we don't speak Japanese.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Laika: Aged Through Blood is a metroidvania that experiments in interesting way with stunts and slow motion in combat and exploration thanks to the motorbike mechanics. It has a wonderful diegetic soundtrack and a cruel plot well screenplayed with some great ludonarrative moments.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Beat Saber is a rhythm game that’s both simple and fun. Unfortunately, its soundtrack is very limited at the moment.
    • 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.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Remake Integrade shines as brightly on PC as it did on PlayStation, with a port that's every bit as pretty as the PS5 edition while also being not too demanding, and that includes some nice additions such as 120fps support. Recommended for both newcomers and fans of the original.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Football Manager 2022 is the kind of game that doesn’t really need to change. Even if there’s no revolution mechanics wise, many aspects show a finer attention to detail, and there are some new factors to consider. A more complete and more fun game, that every fan of the franchise is sure to enjoy.

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