The Games Machine's Scores

  • Games
Select another publication »
For 2,650 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 Real Farm
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,059 out of 2650
  2. Mixed: 568 out of 2650
  3. Negative: 23 out of 2650
2652 game reviews
view
per page
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    The King is Watching
    The King is Watching integrates city building, strategy, and resource management into a seamless and incredibly satisfying gameplay loop. A few tweaks would be nice, but it's still an original experience that exudes passion from every elegant pixel. It's like when the boss is away at work and you take it outrageously easy, with one difference: here you're the boss; you're the King.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Becoming Saint
    Becoming Saint is a bold, strategic management game that offers something different in the roguelike landscape with a refined approach. However, it's also a work marked by several more or less obvious flaws, which give it a rough and tumble appearance that clashes with the elegance of its artistic direction.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate
    Despite the introduction of a well-written new character like Lodi and the presence of the Nine, the gameplay in The Edge of Fate proves to be extremely repetitive, with dull puzzles and fetch quests that slow down the action. The Desert Perpetual raid offers a few interesting ideas, but the campaign feels shallow and lacking in narrative momentum, leaving the impression of filler content.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Wheel World
    If Wheel World set out to be a cycling-themed open world, well, it's nailed it. There are a few niggles, but nothing too serious and/or that can't be fixed with a patch in the days following launch.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Super Mario Party Jamboree: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV
    Perhaps, for reasons of consistency/compatibility with those who don't yet have a Switch 2, Jamboree TV doesn't 'dare' to add too many new minigames, but limits itself to slightly 'revising' the gameplay of existing ones and making a few purely cosmetic additions. The attempt to give the Switch 2 Camera a meaning that isn't just hedonistic for the challengers is commendable, while the Bowser Show part, with its three rhythmic and vocal games in a row, feels like a wasted opportunity. I'm therefore inclined to start from the score that Super Mario Party Jamboree originally received (a solid 9) and make a Solomonic average based on what I would have given to the update alone (7.8), for a total of…
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Patapon 1 + 2 Replay
    Patapon 1+2 Replay is the remaster of the first two games in the famous rhythm strategy series that was born on the PSP. As the Drum God, we lead a mini tribal army by giving orders only through sequences of four beats, to be executed with metronomic precision to advance, attack or defend. The system combines musical skills, tactics, unit management, material gathering, crafting and evolutions with the typical role-playing game system. Faithful and smooth re-release, ideal for those seeking a unique musical strategy experience, although the final third chapter is missing.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
    Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree combines souls-like combat and Metroidvania structure in a layered, dark gothic world that's compelling, both artistically and in its setting. There are some technical issues, but it's a 2.5D adventure worth experiencing.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 62 Critic Score
    RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business
    Unfinished Business is not a disaster, but neither is it something that will stick in the memory of RoboCop fans. It's a conservative expansion, merely replicating on a smaller scale what worked in the base game, but without adding enough personality to make it an essential purchase. The feel is still the right one thanks to exhilarating action sequences and - why not? - to a few moments of genuine videogame ingenuity, but the flat pace, repetitiveness and bland setting soon dampen enthusiasm. It will please those who want to make the trusty Auto-9 sing one last time, but those hoping for truly meaningful content would do well to lower their expectations.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 63 Critic Score
    EDENS ZERO
    Edens Zero features a good gameplay system coupled with an excellent combat system. Unfortunately, the game is extremely repetitive and superficial.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Shadow Labyrinth
    Shadow Labyrinth is a madness with a lot to say, but much like its mouthless protagonist, it can't always communicate as it would like, finding itself at the mercy of events. A little more quality of life wouldn't have hurt (even the markers you place on the map have to be unlocked), yet somehow there's a certain perverse charm that permeates the entire experience. And it's not just because Pac-Man has never been this dark.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    The Drifter
    The Drifter is a pixel-art point-and-click adventure that marks a compelling return to the genre, with a modern and fast-paced narrative style. Created in Unity with the PowerQuest extension, developed by the same development team, it offers dark and detailed environments, dialogues managed through thematic icons, and a fast-paced narrative with no dead moments. The puzzles are logical, never distracting, often contained within single screens in an escape room style. Excellent voice acting and a cynical narrator complete an experience that demonstrates how adventures can still be meaningful, when crafted by skilled hands.
    • 91 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Donkey Kong Bananza
    An action-platformer packed with destruction and fun. Donkey Kong Bananza manages to make us forget the longing for a true 3D Mario. In fact, it can easily be considered one of the best examples of the genre since Mario Odyssey, sitting proudly alongside Galaxy in terms of variety, eccentricity, originality, and fun.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition
    Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is a respectful and functional restoration of the role-playing video game originally developed by Obsidian Entertainment. The graphics and overall performance have improved, but the aesthetic remains dated. Modern accessibility features are missing, while companion AI is still lacking. However, most of the content, especially Mask of the Betrayer, shines with narrative depth. This is a faithful remake that aims to preserve the magic of the original, and it largely succeeds.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream
    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a narrative-driven isometric stealth game set in an early 20th-century Nordic country. It stands out artistically for its excellent character acting and magnificent environmental representation. Gameplay revolves around infiltration, noise management, and cooperation between three characters with unique abilities. The lack of traditional cones of vision makes for a more realistic approach, but the instadeath mechanics hinder improvisation. The level design is vertical and labyrinthine, with paths that are often linear but full of secrets and micro-puzzles.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    PEAK
    No campaign, no alternative modes. No frills, in short. PEAK focuses on doing one thing, and tries to do it as best as possible. In this case, then, it is one of those rare examples in which the level of fun is directly linked to the people you play it with: its nature makes it perfect as a co-op title to share with a small group of close friends, as long as we are not too scared by the roguelike component.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ruffy and the Riverside
    Ruffy and the Riverside is an adventure-platform that seems to have come straight out of the 64-bit golden age, but the “swap system” integrated into its gameplay manages to make it quite unique in its genre and to give life to truly unique and fun puzzle elements. The perhaps excessive “richness” of some levels makes orientation more difficult than it should be and some performance issues on Switch 2 (in backward compatibility) would require prompt intervention by the development team.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 is a second round of collections that focuses entirely on fun and nostalgia. The gameplay formula is still highly satisfying, perfect in this summer period to recall a few games, two minutes of essential gameplay and dozens of tricks to perform. The new graphic coat is excellent, with the updated roster of skaters and some new maps. The usual problems persist around the use of the camera, to be left on automatic since in manual it is truly a terrible experience. Excellent longevity for those who have played them in the past, but a clever and usable package even for those who are approaching it for the first time.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Len's Island
    Len's Island is a distinctive mix of survival, ARPG and dungeon crawler. It makes you feel like an explorer grappling with a world that can't wait to be discovered. There are some flaws such as a technical sector that could be improved, but as a start to the adventure it's not bad.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Broken Arrow
    Broken Arrow is a solid RTS that can provide good fun to anyone who’s willing to spend a bit of time studying its systems, but the lack of campaign saves and an occasionally unclear UI are definitely areas where there should be improvements.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Gex Trilogy
    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.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
    If you missed out on this hidden gem from last year, now you have the chance to make up for it and enjoy a Switch 2 version that smells like a definitive edition.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
    System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster reintroduces the legendary mix of first person shooter, survival horror and role-playing game. It offers a large map to explore, full of interconnected paths and dangers to eliminate with weapons, psionic powers and hacking techniques. The research system adds tactical depth, allowing you to analyze enemies in order to increase their vulnerability. On the technical side, the remaster enhances the experience of the original with targeted refinements such as updated resolution, mod support, fifty achievements and cross-play co-op modes. The magic that made the game a cornerstone is still alive, even if some gameplay mechanics are starting to show their age.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
    Death Stranding 2: On The Beach improves on all the gameplay of the first episode and offers breathtaking views, it's a shame for a story that loses a bit of intensity in the central part.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Rematch
    Rematch is a serious candidate to be the Rocket League of this decade. Beyond the obvious similarities (more obvious once you pick up the controller) it is finally a different take on football than EA FC, closer to the real experience that a footballer can live but without forgetting the ludo thanks to the blatantly arcade approach of some gameplay ideas. Many things are missing, I think (I hope) that they will arrive, for now Fútbol is still bailado (and very danceable).
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Deltarune: Chapter 4
    Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 is the tangible explanation of why indie is beautiful, as well as being the confirmation that Toby Fox knows how to reinvent the 2D RPG with intelligence and irony like no other. A simply unmissable work, if you consider yourself a gamer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Deltarune: Chapter 3
    Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 is the tangible explanation of why indie is beautiful, as well as being the confirmation that Toby Fox knows how to reinvent the 2D RPG with intelligence and irony like no other. A simply unmissable work, if you consider yourself a gamer.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition
    Many thought it almost impossible to bring a “heavy” game like Cyberpunk 2077 to Switch 2 with comforting results, but mission accomplished. Obviously some compromises had to be made that make this version oscillate between those of the old- and new-gen consoles, but overall the CD Projekt behemoth performs more than adequately and proves to be an experience worthy of remaining in history. Instead, the Phantom Liberty expansion suffers a little more than expected.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lies of P: Overture
    Lies of P: Overture is a valid addition to the base game, in particular because it doesn’t just add new gameplay (enemies, bosses, weapons, Legion arms) but also some very powerful story moments. Wholeheartedly recommended.
    • 39 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    MindsEye
    MindsEye intrigues with its cyber-noir atmospheres but stumbles on many, too many of its promises. Everywhere you look while walking through Redrock City, you see an ambitious action game that shoots for the stars but ends up crashing to the ground.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army
    RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is the perfect example of how a minor classic should be brought back to life: without distorting its identity, but updating it with intelligence, respect and a healthy dose of courage. The work done by Atlus is not limited to a coat of HD paint: it is a real redevelopment of the original game, which today can be played with pleasure even by those who have no nostalgia to redeem. The new combat system, the more balanced pace and a more modern general direction give new life to a title that, at the time, had brilliant ideas but a rough realization. It is not perfect, nor does it want to be: it is a fascinating piece of a larger story, a bridge between the old Megaten spirit and its more accessible incarnations. In short, Raidou awaits you in better shape than ever, and finally ready to be discovered by everyone.
Page:

Top Trailers

See all »
See all trailers »