The Games Machine's Scores

  • Games
For 2,678 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:
2680 game reviews
    • 72 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Capes is the perfect game for those looking for a level of challenge similar to that of any XCOM. Fun, complex and colourful, at times the game becomes very difficult, requiring more and more attention from the player, but if taken calmly, Capes can offer many emotions and hours of fun.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Continuity with the past has always been part of Men of War’s modus operandi, but this makes the absence of half the factions all the more jarring. The campaigns also seem to prioritize quantity over quality, and this is especially obvious in the voiceover department.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It might seem like a classic case of quantity overshadowing quality, but in reality Samurai Warriors 4 DX is a decent conversion of one of the most popular chapters among Musou fans, enhanced by a hefty dose of DLC. It shows its age in several respects but retains an exciting and entertaining soul, which will finally delight those who have been longing for the game's arrival on PC since 2014.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Ghost of Tsushima is surely not a revolution in the open world panorama, yet Sucker Punch managed to craft a must-play hit much more meaningful and interesting than other similar experiences. There’s no need to re-inventing the wheel if you are confident of your idea. Ghost of Tsushima is this.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    A uniquely styled adventure, with game mechanics that are not new but used in a constructive and entertaining way. Narration, direction and soundtrack contribute to a rich experience that will steal your heart away.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game that fits into the mold of Heroes of Might and Magic, trying to fill the void left by the latter, now missing from our screens for almost a decade. Despite a few flaws in the single-player campaign, Lavapotion's video game features a near-perfect balance of the four playable factions, all of which are well characterized, as well as a huge amount of content, including full support for community-made stuff.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 98 Critic Score
    Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is the crowning achievement of a team that has been able, over the last few years, to devote itself to every aspect of its work with particular and affectionate intensity, succeeding in the complex attempt to surpass what has been done in the past and outlining a production of great cultural depth. The production is touching, violent, brutal and physical, complete and brilliant. A must have.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    It’s a shame that Homeworld 3’s plot seems to completely miss the point of the story in the older games, focusing too much on Imogen’s hyperspace superpowers rather than on the Kushan’s struggle as a people, because gameplay and presentation are otherwise top notch and prove once again Blackbird Interactive’s competence and skill as a versatile RTS developer.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Die by the Blade works in its video game mission that pays homage to Bushido Blade. for the rest, it is a huge wasted opportunity given that the title lacks all the contents.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Developing a Battle Royale in pace with the times starting from the gameplay of Pac-Man, released in 1980, without disrupting its nature, must have been very difficult indeed. PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle Chomp Champs partially succeeds, offering a very interesting formula in the first few game sessions, which gradually reveals all the limits, with no additional modes to keep the momentum going. In a couple of hours you get to see all that the video game has to offer, after that it is only a matter of time before the fun begins to fade. If you are looking for fast-paced and colorful competitive multiplayer, however, it might be for you.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Animal Well is an atypical metroidvania that exploits many of the genre's tropes to give birth to something different, almost completely eliminating the entire action component to focus exclusively on the puzzles. The end result is a fascinating, mysterious and at times mesmerizing video game that does not end once the credits are rolling, since reaching the ending represents only a new beginning for Animal Well. As long as you really want to escape the well, of course, but why do it? It's so good down here.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Sker Ritual is a classic horror cooperative shooter (also playable in single player) in which you'll find elements already seen in similar games, from Call of Duty's Zombie mode to Left 4 Dead and Killing Floor. Technical issued highlighted the need for updates to make the gaming experience smoother and more satisfying. We also hope that the developers will get busy releasing new content in the near future because the four maps now available quickly tend towards repetitiveness.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    The Land Beneath Us looks like a classic turn-based roguelite with pleasing pixel art and very tiny levels full of dangers, in which every move must be carefully weighted. The weapon equipment system, however, grants a great variety of scenarios, making our hero sometimes very powerful only when moving upward, sometimes stronger in lateral movements, forcing us to adjust our strategy according to his position and the direction in which it would be most appropriate to engage enemies. A good variety of monsters, bosses and power-ups should keep roguelite lovers entertained for quite a while.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Robobeat is an original production that winks persuasively at POST VOID but follows a completely opposite structural line, succeeding in the overall but fantastic task of proving to be well mature and engaging. It's complex, but it's not a problem: you need to practice, learn the right moves and manage, of course, to get more than one note right. You need to kill.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Fabledom is a truly remarkable city-builder. The game formulas remain the classic ones, but the fairy-tale context significantly enriches the game structure. relaxing, fun and engaging.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Forcing us to live one second at a time, MULLET MAD JACK pays homage to the golden years of anime with contagious passion, the same that gushes from the small details that are difficult to see given the crazy speed of the gameplay. In a crowded landscape like that of old school FPS it's not easy to stand out, yet Jack manages to do so easily thanks to an out of the ordinary personality and mullet.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A highly atmospheric text adventure, with well-characterized characters despite some clichés and a plot that we can shape, one choice at a time. Cooper's development doesn't involve much furthermore, between rhythm and gameplay, there are several ups and downs which, together with the bugs, don't allow the game to shine like the neon lights of Terrahive.
    • 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.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A classic and enjoyable metroidvania, which does not offer any particular creative ideas and delivers a challenge in line with most games in the genre. Platforming, combat and environmental puzzles alternate through scenarios inspired by African culture, in which an important story comes to life, well told and punctuated by a well-shaped cast of characters.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    It's really not easy to recommend a roguelite with classic gameplay at this precise moment in history, yet Shadow of the Depth manages to entertain and offer a good level of challenge, so why shouldn't we consider it? The various classes offer distinct gameplay, and the ability to equip a warrior with a mage's items and successfully field test them opens the door to different builds to explore. Skill trees are lacking, and perks are not as crucial, but the growth of heroes run after run is evident and invites one to throw in the classic "last try." Nothing new, but all well implemented.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    The Forgotten Kingdom is the classic excellent DLC for Remnant II: a budget price for an important amount of content. in the future, however, something more will be needed to keep the game alive for a long time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    At face value, Nordic Ashes offers a lot of content, which makes it feel even more weird when you realize that build variety is one of its issues, due to how character progression works during a run. Overall, it’s not a bad enemy hell kind of game, but it doesn’t make top of the class.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 81 Critic Score
    Generally, the fun curve of managerial games starts to go downhill when we have learned to gather resources, build facilities, and research technologies in the right sequence. At that point everything becomes routine and we are no longer surprised by anything. Undead Inc. manages to keep the interest a little longer thanks to various unlockable content but mostly because it touches on a hot topic in recent times, and earning billions on the lives of patients proves sadistically fascinating. Those who enjoyed Fallout Shelter will love this variation set in the cruel world of speculative medicine.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The faces and animations after the fall are out of place, some bugs or inexplicable maneuvers still occur, however the tweaks and innovations give us yet another must have for MotoGP enthusiasts, a vigorous, dynamic world motorbike simulator with adrenaline-pumping gameplay, welcoming to novices yet challenging to veterans.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    INDIKA’s gameplay is at the service of its narrative, so as to tell an allegorical and satirical story about religious institutions and the power they have over people. It is a story that deals with existential themes in an often surreal way, taking advantage of a staging that thrives on contrasts and dissonances, managing to convey a message while always keeping the balance between the serious and the irreverent (and at times even blasphemous) irony.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Endless Ocean Luminous is not the dream sequel I always hoped for to Arika's beloved submarine series. The change of direction has favoured the co-operative component, but has mutilated the original experience of many interesting and distinctive features. The purely educational aspect remains, and the possibility of organising dives together with such a large number of friends is not to be underestimated, but I wouldn't recommend the game to those who are only interested in reliving the fascinating sensations of the original chapters on Wii.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Phantom Fury is a classic FPS that manages to engage and entertain. It is a simple but well-finished evolution of its predecessor, to whom it owes a lot and which can still be an excellent yardstick in the panorama of boomer shooters. The new production, while not shining for originality, knows how to be a remarkable follow-up.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Botany Manor is a dense and emotionally charged work, designed to bring the player to live in the shoes of Arabella, a young woman who rediscovers her career, finding her own affections. It is a well-crafted and time-conscious production, with well-thought-out and satisfying puzzles. In short, a really convincing test.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    A light and light-hearted but no less interesting ARPG, Sand Land. It doesn't have deep gameplay nor the slightest revolutionary ambition, several game elements are so canonical that they make it appear flat to those who are more accustomed to it, yet it can still be played with a certain gusto. The vehicles give an extra something to the journey of Beelzebub and his companions, not only from the point of view of traveling in an unfortunately unexciting open world. The rest is taken care of by the pleasant touch of the late artist who many of us, from an early age, have learned to consider as a loved one.
    • 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.

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