The Mako Reactor's Scores

  • Games
For 311 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 77% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 17% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 7.1 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 82
Highest review score: 100 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Lowest review score: 40 Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 1 out of 311
312 game reviews
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Persona 3 Portable on Nintendo Switch is an excellent conversion of one of Atlus' best PSP games. While it still has the flaws present in the original Persona 3 Portable release, I'm glad to see Atlus make this more accessible, and it is an easy recommendation thanks to the low asking price on Nintendo Switch. Hopefully Atlus does a physical release for Persona 3 Portable on Switch in the future.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Rise on PS5 is brilliant with its excellent performance, visual options, PS5 features like Activity Cards, gyro support, and the inclusion of new feature updates and event quests available from the start. The only disappointment is Sunbreak not being available until this spring.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you were afraid of One Piece Odyssey being a typical anime licensed game trying to cash in on the name, don't be. The combat blends in Monster Hunter Stories 2-like rock paper scissors mechanics, positioning, One Piece abilities, and more with traditional turn-based mechanics to be more interesting than I expected. It looks great and has brilliant music. It has a few pacing issues and too many loading screens holding it back, but is an easy recommendation right now on PC with a good port.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    In its current state, Akai Katana Shin is excellent with its superlative gameplay mechanics, but the lack of a tutorial and translation for the game selection hold it back. Hopefully these can be added in by the time it releases for consoles internationally. Right now, it is a joy to play on PC and Steam Deck. 
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Cleopatra Fortune S-Tribute brings a home console version of an arcade classic to modern platforms, and it is well worth checking out if you enjoy falling block puzzlers with cute aesthetics. It is disappointing that the Mystery Mode requirements for levels are untranslated though.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute is an excellent release for fans of run and gun games with its accessibility options like stage select and rewind options. It also includes the original game accessible from the title screen making this a more compelling package for its asking price. 
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion feels like a blend of a remaster and a remake given how much it has improved, and it perfectly suits portable play. It is a surprisingly great experience on Nintendo Switch in handheld, and is a joy to play even on Steam Deck out of the box. We need more remasters like this from Square Enix in the future.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    River City Girls 2 should've been a slam dunk release by building on the excellent original and supporting online multiplayer with cross platform play, but it is held back by the gameplay feeling sluggish compared to the original thanks to a lower frame rate target. The music, voice acting, and boss fights are excellent though. Hopefully the performance can be addressed in future updates.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pokemon Violet feels like a giant step in the right direction for the franchise in most ways, but also a step back in others. While I still consider Pokemon Legends: Arceus a more polished experience, there is no denying the quality of core gameplay, new mechanics, and music in Pokemon Violet. The whole experience is held back by abysmal performance and poor visuals though. 
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While it isn't the best way to get into the SaGa series, Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song Remastered features a plethora of enhancements and new content making it worth your time if you're interested in checking out a more unique JRPG you might've missed back in the day. Hopefully it gets a physical release on Nintendo Switch in the near future.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 2 is worth getting if you enjoyed the first collection and want more. It has deeper cuts and includes three untranslated games, but is still a good value proposition with some quality titles and the extras included here. It is disappointing that the games unavailable in English weren't localized for this collection though.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Sonic Frontiers on Switch is visually downgraded compared to other platforms, but I can still recommend it to anyone looking to experience Sonic's newest outing on the go. Having now played through it on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck, Sonic Frontiers remains one of the most fun games of the year with a superlative soundtrack. 
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is an improvement over the original in just about every way. It is worth playing if you enjoy farming and life simulation games, and is one of the best in the genre on PlayStation right now. While it is disappointing that more wasn't done to enhance the visuals on PS5 like in the PC version, I can safely recommend this to Story of Seasons fans and to those looking to get into the genre.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Valkyrie Elysium has excellent combat and music, but is let down by its story. The PC version is good and it runs well on Steam Deck barring one issue which I hope will be addressed soon. Hopefully Square Enix continues to support this release and doesn't give up on the Valkyrie series going forward because there is a lot of potential here for future DLC or sequels.
    • 64 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    I've not played enough of Monochrome Mobius on PC for a full scored review, but I can say that this port is a lot better than the PS5 version going by the Japanese console demo I played. I'm looking forward to dig into the PC version more and see if it lives up to my high expectations when it comes to the narrative after how much I adore the Utawarerumono trilogy. Right now, I'm enjoying my time with Monochrome Mobius Steam Deck quite a bit.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA remains one of Falcom's best games, and the new PS5 version is a great entry point into the series thanks to its enhancements. If you already own the PS4 version, it isn't worth grabbing, but this is the best console version of Ys VIII, and the low asking price makes it an easy recommendation for newcomers.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Bayonetta 3 excels in its combat, music, voice acting, and scale making it essential for fans of the series, but it has a few technical issues holding it back. This is definitely PlatinumGames' most ambitious game yet, and an excellent exclusive for Nintendo Switch.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Tactics Ogre: Reborn on PC is an essential for tactical RPG fans with its deep gameplay, tons of customization, superlative soundtrack, and with how amazing it feels on Steam Deck. It took Square Enix a long time to bring Tactics Ogre back, and I'm glad we got such a great version of it.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Tactics Ogre: Reborn feels like it is a bespoke Nintendo Switch game rather than a remake of an older title. It looks and plays like a dream on the system both docked and handheld, and the addition of proper HD Rumble makes it even better. With Tactics Ogre: Reborn and Triangle Strategy, Square Enix has delivered two of the best tactical RPGs within months of each other on the best platform for the genre.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Frontiers is one of the most fun games I've played all year with a superlative soundtrack. It managed to successfully blend open world elements with Sonic mechanics which is something I didn't think would work, but here we are. Despite the visual issues and some design-related annoyances, I'm looking forward to replaying it and hope it gets some quality of life improvements in future updates.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is a game I didn't think expect to release outside Japan. It is the best modern platform entry point into the world of Monster Rancher, and I've had a blast playing it over the last few weeks. While it does suffer from the same issues that Monster Rancher 2 has, Ultra Kaiju Monster Rancher is well worth checking out on Nintendo Switch.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    While The DioField Chronicle has some technical issues on Nintendo Switch, it is one of Square Enix's most interesting games in years, and one I recommend to anyone looking for a great strategy RPG. The diorama aesthetic is gorgeous and I love what the team did with the narrative and soundtrack here. Hopefully we get a sequel or story DLC in the future.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Despite its flaws, The DioField Chronicle is one of Square Enix's best and most interesting games of the year. It runs and looks great on PC, and even seamlessly syncs your progress to Steam Deck thanks to the recent addition of Steam Cloud support. The demo was promising, and I'm glad that The DioField Chronicle has delivered in almost every way on PC and Steam Deck.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Village – Winters' Expansion is well worth the asking price if you enjoyed the base game, but it feels a bit lacking in some aspects.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a bigger and better sequel in almost every way. It feels like the jump we saw from Assassin's Creed Origins to Odyssey. There are some annoyances like turns taking too long even when sped up, or how enemies spawning out of portals are handled, but Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is one of the best Switch exclusives of the year, and a showcase for the OLED screen in handheld mode.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 has finally hit Steam following its release on Nintendo Switch and Xbox platforms. The new PC port had a rough launch, but it has quickly been fixed up to be an easy recommendation for those looking for an excellent action platformer. It runs perfectly on Steam Deck now, and even supports 120fps if you have a supported display. I'm looking forward to the remaining updates and the epilogue in December.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Triangle Strategy on Nintendo Switch was one of the best tactical RPGs in years. On PC, it scales up well and plays great even on Steam Deck barring one issue. If you skipped the Switch release for a potential PC port, your wait has been worth it. Triangle Strategy has gorgeous art, amazing music, and memorable characters that come together for an unforgettable experience that is an essential for fans of the genre.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Persona 5 Royal on Nintendo Switch is the true successor to Persona 4 Golden on PS Vita. Despite the visual cutbacks compared to the PS4 version, it is an essential for Nintendo Switch owners. With the inclusion of all prior paid and free DLC, this is a fantastic value proposition and well worth your time even in this busy month.
    • 95 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Persona 5 Royal was already the best version of one of the greatest JRPGs, and it has gotten an excellent PC conversion that is a joy to play on Steam Deck and PC. With the inclusion of all prior DLC from the start and support for higher frame rates and multiple control options, Persona 5 Royal on PC is absolutely essential. If you held off on prior console versions of Persona 5, your wait has been worth it.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    NieR: Automata The End of YoRHa Edition is a port that I never expected would happen, let alone one that would deliver a competent NieR: Automata experience on a portable. If you've wanted to play NieR: Automata on the go, this is a great way to do so. Square Enix and Virtuous went above and beyond here with support for motion controls, touchscreen, and also exclusive DLC. It isn't as good as playing on other platforms, but delivers in a proper NieR: Automata portable experience retaining everything that made the original game one of the greatest of all time.

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