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
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The new Battlefield 1 DLC is a good one, with a solid collection of new, beautiful maps, especially the Verdun battle. It doesn't alter the core of the game, and it's not cheap, but if you loved the original game, there's no reason why you should skip this DLC.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite appearances, Bears In Space is an FPS that knows what it's doing. Bullet hell and platforming, weapons to upgrade and secrets to find, madness galore, infernal boss fights and gameplay deviations, there really is a bit of everything in this bizarre Australian title which may not be perfect, but where it is written that a video game necessarly have to be one to be fun?
    • 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.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    F1 25 marks an improvement over the previous installment, featuring new content and a more in-depth My Team mode. The LIDAR scanning has made some tracks much more realistic, though the disparity with those that haven't been updated is noticeable. As for Braking Point, once again, the developers have opted for a highly dramatized approach to Formula 1, resulting in a simplistic and somewhat unrealistic narrative. The driving model remains largely unchanged, offering a good balance between arcade and simulation.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The rating takes into account the absolute and undeniable value of Chrono Cross, an excellent role-playing game that everyone should experience. Unfortunately the operation of "rebirth" is not entirely successful due to some questionable choices, but the inclusion of the elusive Radical Dreamers contributes to a package that – especially at this price – must be a part of the cultural baggage of any fan of JRPG worthy of the name.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For The King II perfects the winning formula of the first chapter by adding bonuses/maluses linked to positioning and some other pleasant innovations. The gameplay is improved and makes it a great starting point for those who have never played the IronOak franchise. It is not one of those sequels that shows off lots of new features, brilliant innovations or incredibly original ideas, quite the opposite: it is so anchored to its past that it also drags with it some of the defects of its predecessor.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stellar Blade is a video game that simply takes the best of many works, expanding the concepts in its own way. It's a warm and long-lived production, satisfying and with real action, which could certainly do its best with a second chapter. SHIFT UP Corporation, carefully packaging its work, has given life to a new series and created a character that could surprise in the future.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A kart game that challenges Mario Kart or Smash Bros. on floating vehicles? Kirby Air Riders has speed in its DNA and rewards the most skilled and patient players with tons of unlockable items. At the same time, however, the many facets of its playful soul risk being too much and confusing the “core” experience. Between dozens of mini-games, lightning-fast races, and boss battles with weapons, the game loses some of its focus but still remains a fun experience... especially in multiplayer.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Steelrising confirms the golden age of Spiders’ team, with a solid and compelling soulslike. Nothing new, but a complete, funny and rewarding game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A bit Duke Nukem without the Duke and a bit bit Bulletstorm with some reminiscence à la Anger Foot, 420Blaze It 2 is an engaging and lively FPS, powerful both in exposure and in their never tiring content. It is a work that, very capable of surprising and bewitching the player with borderline situations, manages to speak well to the hearts of fans.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Razerwire: Nanowars is definitely one of the best time-wasters you could decide to buy on Steam, a game that offers in its honest simplicity a genuine challenges between friends and a satisfying sense of destruction. The price is really insignificant, for what it offers.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Sims 4 Discover University involves you to play and play again with your Sims, without ever getting bored. The many elements introduced, from PHD to careers, passing through most goliardic events, are able to create a self-contained chapter in the life of our Sims, clearly satisfying the most fierce fans of the franchise. Cosmetic elements are not so many, but careers and PHD offer a proper entertainment, creating a great play experience, similar to the old expansions.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    3D SEGA Classics Collection is a decent compilation, without heavyweights like Out Run or Super Hang-On, but with a strong personality as well.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fasten your seat belts, because you're about to go for an authentic Jeff-Minter-trance-lysergic-VR ride. Polybius offers pretty simple yet robust gameplay basics, and a good punishment-reward balance that requires a little bit of strategy. Protip: take a breath, once in a while, or you may send your brain in overdrive.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Featuring a relaxed and accessible gameplay, Hammer & Ravens' Ale Abbey stands out for its serene atmosphere and the care and detail in translating the artisanal brewing process. The charming fermenters, the variety of ingredients, and the ability to customize the monastery make the experience engaging and soothing, despite a certain underlying repetitiveness.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sniper Elite: Resistance is a solid "more of the same" of the fifth chapter, or a "Hitman with a sniper rifle" for the ones not used to the series. And it feels good.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite the poor interactive component, Virginia is a wonderful story that draws liberally from David Lynch to tell a story as crazy as it is full of symbolism.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO Dimensions is the best toy-to-life game out there, filled with the typical humor of TT Games. Beware: to enjoy the full experience you must be prepared to spend a quite amount of money to buy the various expansion packs.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Flame of Ambition is an excellent introduction to the daedric theme that will be further developed with the next big expansion, Blackwood. The two dungeons are entertaining and are characterized by good level design and interesting mechanics, especially when it comes to the Black Drake Villa. We’re definitely excited to see where The Elder Scrolls Online brings us next June.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Maid of Sker proves an enjoyable survival horror to play in one breath, paying particular attention to the care with which the story was developed. The presence of two different finals also highlights the intent to take it a step further, although it concerns only one choice during the final beats of the game. The fans of the genre will certainly appreciate it. Make sure you give it a chance.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Bleak Sword DX could be deceiving with its "mobile game" air, but underestimating the merits of the experience it offers would be a mistake. Frustration is real and there are some limits, but when the essential is so clearly visible to the eye and fascinating, it becomes easy to accept them and enjoy what is there.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gravel is welcome a return to Milestone's roots: a fun, engaging and exhilarating racing arcade, along the lines of Dirt 2 and V-Rally. The driving model is accessible but not trivial, the gameplay is challenging without being frustrating, some locations are simply unforgettable and the multiplayer has a lot of potential. Green light.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The new botanic videogame from Popcap is a big "more of the same", seeded with enough innovations to make it blossom. A lot of multiplayer modes, a brand new single player mode, a lot of new classes and well-designed maps will keep you busy and entertained for a long time.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    PES 2018 is like the Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde of videogames: troubled when played offline, very good when played online. There are some setbacks as far as AI and referees are concerned, but that doesn't seem to affect the online community. A game definitely worthy of your attention, especially if you mostly play online.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch Dogs: Legion starts with some really intriguing background ideas, ideas that try to dig deep and to leave us with many more questions about the near future. The overwhelming control of a state willing to know everything about its citizens, however, does not prevent a few uncertainties about the gameplay, a sore note that prevents the game from shining as hoped. However, it remains an enjoyable offer, ready to satisfy the taste of lovers of the genre.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Psyonix brings to Nintendo Switch all the flawless pleasure of Rocket League in 60 fps, despite a visual downgrade and the absence of analogic triggers. If you want to play for fun only (with no "pro" velleity), this is the version you should consider buying.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In the first decade of the 2000s, Cing was synonymous with atmospheric adventures and extraordinary gameplay ideas. Two of those now arrive on Switch with a complete graphic makeover and modernized gameplay. Slow pace, plenty of atmosphere and intriguing storylines are strengths of two productions that have kept (quite) intact their charm.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Quotation forthcoming.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    SCUM is an extremely technical sandbox survival game, focused on a detailed simulation of the human body and resource management. Set in a huge map, it offers advanced metabolism, thermoregulation and nutrition systems, which directly influence the character's performance and abilities. The gameplay alternates exploration, crafting, management of vital parameters and combat, both PvE and PvP. The learning curve is steep and the interface is not always intuitive, but the approach is unique in the survival panorama, offering a deep and punishing experience for the most demanding players.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    KOF XV is a great game, but it lacks a bit of courage, that spark capable of revolutionizing the series. I don't expect a Copernican revolution like it was at the time of KOF ‘96, but SNK will have to come up with some new ideas for the next chapter.

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