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
    • 64 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Accel World VS Sword Art Online has a decent and enjoyable combat system, but everything else is definitely sub-par: the graphics seems to be coming from the previous PlayStation, and the world is dull and pretty anonymous. Probably slightly more interesting if you're a fan of the series.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    STRAFE is an engaging and captivating roguelike with a solid, 90's FPS gameplay (and graphics), tailored for fans of the "old school" genre. The procedural maps are well designed and varied, and the idea of having a single, moddable weapon throughout the game is pretty unique. The recently released Millenium Edition fixes a lot of bugs and adds some new game modes.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Town of Light is a heavy, emotionally-tough game, and it's definitely not for the faint-hearted. There are no monsters or jump scares, but a story so intense and cruel that is much more frightening. If you feel that videogames can be something more than simple entertainment, this is a journey you might want to engage in.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    RiME is still a wonderful game, but the Switch version is a tremendous porting, that can seriously ruin an otherwise unforgettable experience. You can overlook the downgrade of the resolution, or even the lower graphic detail, but the palette is faded, the pop-in is terrible, the frame rate unstable, and all these combined can seriously discourage everyone.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    The usual Telltale's formula, applied to a superhero story, with some smart ideas and a plot focused much more on Bruce Wayne rather than on Batman himself.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative spin-off that seems intriguing on paper but unfortunately lacks substantial content. With only five missions—rather simplistic ones at that—unremarkable classes, a limited variety of enemies, and uninspired weapons, the investment of time and money may not be justified. On top of that, the artificially slow progression system is reminiscent of the worst live-service practices. It might have some appeal if played with a close-knit group of friends, but engagement risks being short-lived.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Sea of Solitude is a game of suffering and altruism, of lights and shadows, of terrible errors and courageous teachings. The work of Cornelia Geppert and Jo-Mai Games is without any doubt a game worth playing.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Adr1ft can be enjoyed on a "traditional" PC, and it's still a nice, not particularly challenging and pretty short, sci-fi adventure title. If you play it with Oculus VR, though, you can expect one of the most compelling VR experiences, probably the closest you can get to a real walk in the space, at zero gravity. [Tested with and without Oculus Rift]
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Forspoken is a game that has great potential, expressed in a precise, fast and fun combat system. Sadly, everything else in the game lacks novelty or interest in exploration.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Hellpoint is a recommended game, even if not for everyone. If you are not a soulslike fan, spending about twenty hours in a less refined game than a "Souls-Borne" is certainly not a wise choice. If, on the other hand, you are a big fan of the genre, give it a chance as long as you are willing to ignore small but numerous bugs.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    RPG Maker FES has a lot of potential, but it's bound to be (at least partially) wasted. There's no tutorial, and it's impossible to edit the predefined (and limited) assets; the UI is simple and accessible to everyone, but the PC version is much more complete.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 56 Critic Score
    Samurai Riot lacks personality and charm; the combat system doesn't offer anything more than mimicking the classic side-scrolling beat'em ups. As it is, the game could be a starting point for something new and interesting, but Wako Factory has a long way ahead.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Warlander is a high-quality MOBA with a hack 'n' slash combat system that works well even in the most chaotic online situations. Regardless of the task at hand in battle, there is never a shortage of action, whether you seek for a fight to break through enemy lines or stay in the rear building defen-sive machines. Character growth and equipment provide satisfaction, and even without the Battle Pass, a lot of rewards can be unlocked. I am a bit afraid about the importance of in-game purchases, however, since the upgrades are not all merely cosmetic but directly affect player stats.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    This new release of The Witch and the Hundred Knight is just a mere porting of the PS3 version, with no discernible improvement, neither for graphics nor for gameplay. It could have been a good opportunity to revive the series, but unfortunately it is not.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The one thing not lacking in this Definitive Edition of Dead Island is the content. Unfortunately, it's the same as some years ago, and if you already played it, there's no real reason to do so again.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    King’s Bounty II is a decent turn-based RPG, but it’s also one of the most derivative games out there.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Gex Trilogy reintroduces the three original chapters of the famous 90s platformer, with accurate emulation and some modern features such as quick saves, rewind, trophies, widescreen support and CRT filter. The first episode, in 2D, is notable for its wall and ceiling walking mechanics, while the two sequels in 3D chase the Super Mario 64 model, losing some of the originality. The constant, dated humor may be repetitive, but the collection remains a solid product for nostalgists and completists, enhanced by extra content such as concept art or interviews with the developers.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is still an intriguing survival horror experience with creepy atmosphere and engaging story, but younger audiences may not like its old-style controls and slow pace.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    An horror adventure dull, boring, and technically modest. It manages to create a bit of suspense, but the gameplay is too repetitive to really captivate the player.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Immortal: Unchained could have been an original take on the soulslike genre, but it's too buggy and imperfect to be a fully enjoyable mix of action RPG and shooter mechanics.
    • 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.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Fable Fortune doesn't reinvent the wheel, and the few new things it brings to the table (pun intended) are not that good. It's unlikely that it will find a spot in the crowded arena of CCGs, even with cross-play between Xbox One and PC. Well, it's free, anyway, so if you're a fan of the genre, it may be worth a try.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The Suicide of Rachel Foster is a fascinating interactive thriller that manages to treat extremely delicate issues such as suicide, depression, and love with extraordinary tact. The writing is always on point, even if near the end of the adventure the events appear perhaps a bit rushed. In any case, the game developed by One-O-One Games manages to leave its mark by making us, the players, think about the consequences of our actions in other people’s lives.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 71 Critic Score
    A decent arena shooter, but the lack of PS Move support is somewhat inexplicable.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Chocobo GP is a decent alternative to Mario Kart, hampered by the presence of such an important opponent on the same console. It lacks that flash of brilliance, that uniqueness that allows it to outdo its elusive rival, and a future that already leans towards microtransactions doesn't help. Try the Lite version, it might just win you over.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A remake only makes sense when it truly enhances the original game. Guess what? This is not the case. For lack of a better option, it's best played on a Super Nintendo Classic Mini. The best way to describe this remake is "unnecessary", and it could be worth your time only if you don't have any other way to play the original.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 67 Critic Score
    A charming game with an astonishing atmosphere, The Way Remastered will surely be a splendid Flashback-like adventure in the near future. Sadly, Sonka's porting is "today" quite unstable tot the point that we had not been able to see the ending because of a sudden crash and a corrupted autosave: beware, if you want to buy the game before a fixing patch.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 66 Critic Score
    After 30 years, the original Fire Emblem gets a Western release, an English localization and some new features meant to smoothen the experience. It’s a neat history lesson, but gameplay wise Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light shows its age.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Saints Row proved to be a worthy reboot of the saga, capable of looking back to draw heavily on the soul of the franchise, but also of looking forward to the future of the series, creating a perfect starting point for everything that, potentially, will come. Volition has given its best both on the content and on the technical front, and the result is an open world that has nothing, or almost nothing, to envy to the competition.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Alone in the Dark is, unfortunately, a missed opportunity. Despite an absolutely fascinating aesthetic and artistic structure, the game encounters terrible technical problems, so much so that it affects the performance of the game itself in terms of gameplay mechanics.

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