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
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Fast, brutal and incredibly fun, Valfaris is as heavy metal as a game can be.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    If you're a fan of the broad "bullet heaven" genre, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor is undoubtedly one of the best games in this category, thanks to its breadth of offerings and overall well-thought-out gameplay. It's a shame there are a few minor stumbles overall, but nothing that seriously compromises the quality of the final offering. And it's all at a truly competitive price.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Switch version of Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze is basically the same as the one released on Wii U four years ago, and that's a good thing. It was an excellent game then, and it still is today: fun, challenging, full of ideas and tough, like the best games of the past.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Mario Kart World evolves the iconic series with interconnected tracks, expanded multiplayer chaos, and a thrilling mix of exploration and competition — all while staying true to its fun, frantic roots.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Dishonored 2 is a big "more of the same". A gorgeous level design and an inspired art direction are the two main PROs; on the other side, the story is not as good as the previous one and the PC version really needs a patch quickly to fix a myriad of performance issues.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Bayonetta 3 undoubtedly ranks among the best action games out there, and is one of the most ambitious projects out of the PlatinumGames forges. Such a weight makes the technical realization creak, in turn constrained by the limits of the Switch, however the end result is a party for all fans of these games and the charismatic Cereza.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Chants of Sennaar is a game that uses language in a unique way, putting it at the center of its bizarre puzzles. Midway between graphic adventure and puzzle game, it sports rarefied and evocative settings, populated by mysterious figures speaking unknown languages. Beyond that, however, it does something very few other games do: it displaces the player, disorients him or her, and urges them to pursue the discovery of knowledge, instead of replicating already seen mechanics. That is why it is even forgiven for stealth phases.
    • 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.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 93 Critic Score
    Ghost of Yōtei is an ambitious project, capable of capitalising on the success of Ghost of Tsushima while building its own identity, rooted in the cultural context of the Ainu and 17th-century Hokkaidō. The protagonist, Atsu, is a highly successful character: strong, consistent and driven by clear motivation, she carries the narrative forward with intensity without ever seeming like Jin's female counterpart. The combat system evolves the formula of its predecessor, adding variety and a faster pace, while the game world is rich and dense, rewarding exploration with both concrete upgrades and narrative ideas such as the bond with the Wolf, one of the best-realised ideas. Aesthetically and sonically, the title reaches one of the peaks of the current generation: from visual filters with great personality to an inspired soundtrack, to consistently theatrical art direction, Ghost of Yōtei knows how to enchant with continuity. However, there are still limitations that betray the legacy of the past, including stealth that is still lacklustre and outdated exploration mechanics. Overall, it is a game that is entertaining and engaging, greater than the sum of its parts, but one that prefers caution over revolution.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Not every wrinkle can be hidden by a skillful make-up, but the in-game feeling is very good, and impersonating Commander Shepard gives the same vibrant feelings of the past. Saving the galaxy from the Reapers has never looked so cool.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy XII was definitely too ambitious and way ahead of its time. In 2017, that makes it an incredibly modern videogame. If you already played it back then, know that there are some nice changes to the gameplay that will make FFXII worth your time.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Star Wars Pinball continues to bring credit to the developers of Zen Studios. If you want to experience the thrill of a pinball machine on the move, this title is really for you.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    ARC Raiders perfectly combines the punishing gameplay of extraction looter shooters with the setting, graphics, and storyline of the best single-player shooters. Battling against machines is engaging, and the game encourages cooperation even without friends to form a party. The gun physics are very well done and create a pleasant sense of impact. While you can purchase assets with real money, there's no pay-to-win. Servers that guarantee near-instant access and a solid, lag-free netcode complete the package.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Our time with the complete edition of Nioh 2 proved to be really positive, an element that leads us once again to praise the care with which Team Ninja tries to involve PC users, offering them an extremely dignified port of their game. The presence of all three additional contents published for the title guarantees not only an almost inexhaustible fun, given the new stories and modes, but also a good and interesting closure for a story that will leave a mark on the soulslike scene. A word of warning: make sure your PC is within the hardware requirements.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    We had high expectations for this new instalment in the Konami series, and for once we can say that they were not disappointed. Silent Hill f is one of the best “classic” horror titles ever made. It manages to revamp the original formula by enriching gameplay that has very few flaws and delivering a deep, multifaceted, painful, unfiltered story that is worth experiencing more than once.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Warhammer 3 is hands down the best Total War ever made. Despite some issues, some of them concerning diplomacy, the many new features and factions largely offset the problems of the game.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Returnal might not be the mind-bending masterpiece that I was, perhaps mistakenly, expecting after the praise I’d heard from friends and colleagues, but it’s still an excellent roguelike with clean gameplay and a beautiful presentation. Word of warning though: the length of each run combined with the difficulty might make it frustrating for some, and graphical optimization relies heavily on the use of supersampling technologies.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 91 Critic Score
    Sonic Mania is not a perfect game, and the Sonic playstyle is not definitely for everyone. If you love the blue hedgehog, though, you cannot let this one go: it's huge, challenging, full of secrets, with lots and lots of different situations. Hands down, one of the best platformers of the past ten years.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Mimimi Games did it again. Desperados III is a love letter to a genre of a long forgotten past, beautifully crafted in every single detail. John Cooper and his friends are finally back in action, and let’s hope they are here to stay for a long time.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Art of Vengeance is a title capable of redefining what a 2D action platformer can offer today. Lizardcube succeeds once again, combining technique, style, and rhythm with a mastery that captivates both longtime nostalgics and those approaching the Oboro Clan for the first time. Every fight is a lethal dance, every stage an invitation to explore and improve, and every extra feature a challenge that rewards dedication and commitment. It's an intense, elegant, and ruthless experience, where every victory is earned on the field and every mistake is paid dearly. A return in which past and present collide uncompromisingly, reminding us why Joe Musashi is, and remains, a legend. And now, friends of Lizardcube, how do you feel about bringing Golden Axe out of retirement?
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    MLB The Show 19 is a fantastic game. Many different game modes, great atmosphere and excellent gameplay. Few sports games have achieved such realism and overall quality.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Resident Evil 7 is a much needed breath of (filthy and rotten) air for the series: it contains the basics of the survival horror genre, together with some of the gameplay pillars of the previous titles, and the result is one of the scariest experiences ever played. The campaign will keep you on the edge for more than 10 hours, and you'll have plenty of reasons for - at least - a second run. We can only hope that this is a new beginning for a glorious ser-- HOLY S**T A SPIDER!!!
    • 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.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For the time being, Playerunknown's Battlegrounds won - pun intended - the battle royale of battle royales. This new "gold rush" spawned a good number of decent titles, but the one created by Brendan Greene if by far the best and funniest to play (even if there's still room for improvement).
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Even if the controls sometimes just make you wanna scream, Bonfire Peaks is a nice and small puzzle game worth playing. Its compact diorama levels are brilliantly engineered, using small spaces to test the player’s cleverness. Voxel graphics, more that just being nostalgic, help the game in recreating the right atmosphere of old adventure games like the original Tomb Raider.
    • 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.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Wildermyth is the best turn based strategy game out in the latest months, and also a great RPG. I would have preferred a unique big campaign rather than small stories that aren't even that tied together, but smaller episodes could be more attractive to a casual audience. Artistically beautiful to the eyes, with a very particular style, capable of keeping you glued to the monitor for a long time, although there isn't that much to do when we aren't engaged in turn-based combat. To be played at a high difficulty level, turning the game into an epic chess battle.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Fantasy Life I successfully expands the laid-back, colorful formula of the original, bringing it to modern platforms with a vast world, flexible class system, and tons of side content. While the story clearly targets a younger audience, the overall experience is rich and rewarding—especially in multiplayer. Combat remains simple but effective, and the excellent localization adds charm. A few camera issues pop up during fights, but nothing game-breaking. Perfect for players looking for a cozy blend of RPG and life sim with a whimsical, fairy-tale vibe.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the perfect example of the Nintendo way of making games. It comes six years after the last chapter, it doesn’t revolutionize the core concepts, but it introduces just the perfect amount of new features to feel fresh. However, the most important thing is that it's funny, damn funny, like watching a Ghostbusters VHS every Sunday morning in your childhood.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a return in style for the series of robots signed FromSoftware. Despite some frankly incomprehensible slip-ups, including the presence of invisible walls and stealth missions that seem to come from two or three generations ago, the Japanese studio's work manages to offer frenetic and deep combat, as well as heart-pounding boss battles and an incredibly diverse customization system.

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