TheSixthAxis' Scores

  • Games
For 4,006 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 45% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 48% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.5 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Ratchet & Clank
Lowest review score: 10 The Lord of the Rings - Gollum
Score distribution:
4133 game reviews
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Phoenix Point is a good try at capturing some of that XCOM magic, but it falls short of being great. I found myself enjoying the experience, but at the same time, couldn’t help feel that something was missing. Hopefully it’s something that can improve in a sequel, if it ever comes.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    As an experiential piece of software, and one with a fantastic sense of place, Eclipse ticks a lot of PSVR boxes, but don’t be surprised to come away wanting for a bit more.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Through the highs and lows of a newfound love, Florence is a wonderfully told and emotive story that engages you in such simple, but effective ways.
    • 70 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    As a newcomer to the franchise, you’ve got a $60 game packed with the most content I’ve ever seen in a Dynasty Warriors entry. For fans who already own the original game, though, you’re faced with purchasing a $40 upgrade kit that comes with two new story chapters, seven characters, one replayable game mode and a handful of gameplay updates. It’s an easy sell for brand new players, but I think only the most hardcore of Warriors fans will feel like the price-tag of the DLC update is worth it for Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Another solid, but fairly unoriginal shoot 'em up, Iro Hero's colour coding mechanic adds a layer to the gameplay that elevates it above a bog standard shooter. A cheap and cheerful game to pass ten minutes while a 30GB update for the latest AAA game downloads.
    • 72 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Playing on PC brings sharper resolution and a much more stable and smooth framerate, for sure, but none of it amounts to a night-and-day difference. Go with your heart and play the game on whichever machine speaks to you the most, because at the end of the day, you’re guaranteed to have a good time no matter how you play this game.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    AO Tennis 2 is a bright, likeable tennis sim with bags of room to grow, and as it stands is easily the best tennis game of this generation.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Azur Lane: Crosswave has a well-written story mode that runs as deep as the ocean, but the combat that strings these story scenes together is as shallow as a kiddie pool. It's wonderful to see fan favourites interact, and the voice acting adds a lot to the already charming story mode, but it's a shame that the gameplay fails to leave as much of an impression as the narrative and art did.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Kentucky Route Zero is a game that I’m still thinking about days after reaching its conclusion. Though it’s slow (maybe too slow for some) and introspective, it’s also an exceptionally engaging interactive experience. If you are into the slow burn kind of story then this is definitely for you, but if you’re not then you may bounce off of the Zero.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A fun and funky sequel, Patapon 2’s bolstered roster of cheerful eyeball folk make for another welcome trip soundtracked to the beat of Pata Pata Pata Pon. It’s a shame then that the remaster feels incomplete, offering an experience that’s fundamentally less comprehensive than the PSP original.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Kunai is an expressive, stylish and retro-tinged metroidvania that kept me engaged the entire time I played it. The feeling of slowly mastering the rope-kunai and being able to flawlessly swing around environments and flank enemies was incredibly satisfying. I only wish the rest of your abilities in the game had the same kind of skill ceiling to reach, because without any cool reasons to deflect bullets, why bother having the ability to do so in the first place?
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warcraft III: Reforged is built upon such strong foundations, yet manages to be somewhat unremarkable in 2020, mired by technical hiccups and Blizzard’s clumsy messaging.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    If you like shooting zombies with friends, then Zombie Army 4: Dead War is the game for you. There's a few new twists and several layers of progression now thrown into the mix, as you battle undead Nazis once again, but this is classic undead sniping action through and through.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    I really wanted to like Bookbound Brigade, but its flaws are too great to overlook. There are moments when it all comes together and you get a real sense of achievement from navigating a tricky section of traps or figuring out a nice environmental puzzles, but these are too often overshadowed by boring combat and the chore that is getting around the world. Unlike the books and stories that Bookbound Brigade is inspired by, good writing is not enough to salvage this story.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    An enjoyable way of spending an hour or two, but a lack of significant progress combined with a fairly ordinary career structure, uninspiring user-created tracks and rocky online performance means that you won't be running home from school desperate to play the next level.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Stories Untold is a very interesting and engaging horror title, building a huge story that taps into your imagination before expertly drawing that scope back in. A couple of puzzles don't quite stick the landing, but the game is engaging over its three hours.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Kingdom Hearts III doesn’t go in the direction some RPG fans will no doubt have been hoping for. It’s unashamedly over the top in just about every way, from its barmy story and stunning presentation to its huge cinematic battles. There’s plenty of depth here too, though you’ll need to find your bearings first.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Golem is a game with some great ideas and flourishes that ultimately falls short through the simplicity of its gameplay. Combat is just too simple to stay exciting for long and constantly forces you to defend, and soon gets repetitive as you fall in battle and have to slowly trudge back through the world. Golem has a beautiful world, but I have no real inclination to return to it again.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A rollicking space adventure, Journey to the Savage Planet has the smarts to make you laugh out loud while taking shots at consumerism and big business.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A deeply challenging iOS Souls-like that begs to be played with a controller, Pascal’s Wager indicates a true maturing of gaming on Apple’s platform.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is an excellent VR game that stands out from a lot of what the medium tends to be associated with. The weight of the combat combined with the constant worry that the undead and the living both bring combine for an incredibly gratifying experience. Throw in crafting, the solid writing and meaningful quests and you've got a pretty special game on your hands. This is definitely worth a look if you can stomach more zombies. I mean, kill them, don't eat them.
    • 49 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Rugby 20 is like a Northern Hemisphere team's World Cup campaign. It's full of big ideas and good intentions, but a shock defeat here and an expected loss to the South's big boys there, and it soon comes off the rails. There's some fun to be had, but it's often at the expense of the game, not because of it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Darwin Project is a fun and bold twist on the battle royale genre which doesn't take itself too seriously. Grab your bow, your axe and getting out there swinging.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Super Crush KO is a great brawler-shooter. Vertex Pop has managed to create a game that feels fresh right until the very end, and one that offers a lot of replayability. There's some good humour within to deal with the absurd situation Karen finds herself in, and the gameplay just flows very well. Super Crush KO is an early highlight for 2020.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot displays unparalleled care and respect for the iconic story arcs it adapts. The original music is there, original Dragon Ball characters return, and pivotal moments are gorgeously animated. If these were stories being presented in video game format for the first time, it would be a mind-blowing experience. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot doesn't push the envelope enough to warrant sitting through the Cell Saga for the umpteenth time and seeing Frieza get obliterated yet again. If you've played a Dragon Ball Z game before, you've basically played this one.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Barring Sol Divide, this is a great collection of shooters from one of the best in the business. If you’re a fan of the shmup that hasn’t made the leap into these titles on Switch, now’s the perfect time to do so, even if it does only just manage to justify its price versus picking up the games separately.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore feels particularly timely. The world hasn’t been the brightest, most hopeful place in recent years, but leading a team of cheerful, committed teen pop idols against demonic entities makes it feel that much brighter. This is a game that’s dedicated to hope for the future, and that creativity is an integral component of that. I’m willing to believe them too.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're new to the series, Transport Fever 2 is a great place to start. The campaign offers a gentle introduction to transportation logistics, while the late game guides you through managing modern cities. The new demand and production mechanics may annoy some more experienced players, who will also notice that this game isn't as much of a step forwards as Transport Fever 1 was over Train Fever, but fans will definitely find endless hours of replayabilty as they grow and master their transport empire.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With the Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack, the entire library of PlayStation 3 Atelier games is now playable on modern systems. While the Arland trilogy broke ground by being the first 3D entries in the franchise, the Atelier Dusk games trade technical innovation for narrative, introducing a strikingly solemn and mysterious world inhabited by gorgeously designed characters that won't be soon forgotten by anyone who plays these games.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    PC players have been rewarded for their patience; Monster Hunter World Iceborne on PC is the definitive version of one of the best games of the last decade.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    There's not much actual story in Story of a Gladiator, but it's probably the most fun I've had on my PS4 in the past year. Equal parts fun and painfully hard, Brain Seal Ltd have created a compelling and hopelessly addictive 2D brawler, survival hybrid. Are you not entertained? How could you possibly not be?
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite a handful of issues issues, Tools Up! is a co-op game that does the impossible and actually makes DIY fun! It might even inspire you to do some real-life DIY. Nah, who am I kidding? That extractor fan is going to stay well and truly un-extracted.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cuisine Royale is a surprisingly fun battle royale. It won't compete with the likes of Fortnite for player numbers, but if you fancy something different with its own irreverent sense of humour, then I'd recommended giving it a go.
    • 64 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training for Nintendo Switch is a solid return for the series, mixing classic minigames with a handful of new ones that use the Switch's various capabilities – and which exclude those with a Switch Lite. Just as with the original, it's going to be easy to drop in for a few minutes a day and test yourself, but this isn't really doing much more than the DS games.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In an industry still obsessed with lifelike visuals, gratuitous violence, and tear-jerking stories, Wattam is a welcome remedy. Though short-lived and bizarre is its design, it has a joyous cleansing effect that will have you grinning ear to ear.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    While Heroland looks good and has a few funny moments thanks to the writing, there's simply not enough here to make it worth your time. Idle games work well on mobile because you're meant to do other things while they're chugging along, Heroland requires too much input to be left alone, but not enough input to ever hold your attention.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    With this latest batch of DLC, Frontier have taken Jurassic World Evolution to its natural conclusion. All that budding dinosaur park owners ever really wanted to do was create their own Jurassic Park and now they can, buoyed along by the deeply welcome return of the franchise’s most recognisable stars.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    New additions and returning favourites make Discover University a very strong offering, despite being the eighth expansion pack for The Sims 4. It improves on previous university-themed expansions but doesn't quite achieve the lively atmosphere of other DLC packs available for a similar price. A strong recommendation for hardcore Sims fans, but not a must-buy.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs is a lot of fun. It works exactly as you'd hope in VR, and the game world is pretty to look at even as you're toppling the horribly capitalist pigs and their snotty structures. The level editor is an excellent addition, though there's no online sharing at the moment. Even without that, it's still a fun game to play and should keep you occupied for a few hours.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency is an excellent addition to the Budget Cuts universe, one which well and truly builds on the original in every way. The new tools add in plenty of new strategies and the stealth gameplay is just as good as it was in the first game. The levels have a bit more variety now too, which should be a nice change for anyone who works in an office in real life. It could have done with a slightly longer tutorial for brand-new players, but aside from that, it's a great addition to anyone's VR library.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    L.A. Noire: Case Files cleverly recycles one of the most intriguing games of the decade. Team Bondi’s meticulous meticulous world-building and technical achievements still live on, clicking seamlessly with VR, even if Case Files doesn’t exactly break new ground.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It was hard for me to imagine a way to expand on a game that was already so good but Dragon Quest Builders 2 has managed to do just that. A bigger story, new things to build, multiplayer and more make this an absolutely jam-packed experience. Building game enthusiasts will love the blend of crafting and survival management, while Dragon Quest fans are sure to love the unique spin on the long-running JRPG franchise, and if you’re a fan of both? Well, Dragon Quest Builders 2 is the must have game of 2019.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    AVICII Invector proves to be something of surprise. Edge of the seat rhythm action, great visuals and a varied and moving soundtrack make this a fantastic retrospective of a genuinely unique artist.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Last Labyrinth might tickle your morbid curiosity through its mysterious atmosphere and deadly puzzles, but with Katia's slow speed and hit and miss puzzles, the game quickly loses steam.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    With Audica, Harmonix has taken a shot at reclaiming the rhythm action crown. It touts a challenging lineup of stages matched by a strong song roster yet feels boxed in by its shooting range premise.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mosaic might only last a few hours, but within that time it has moments that can stick with you, bring you joy amidst the monotony of everyday life. There's a message here to say that there is always a glimmer of hope even if it isn't always obvious, which is a good message to send. Plus, there's a talking goldfish.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    A mighty debut from Sirvo Studios, Guildlings is an upbeat deconstruction of the roleplaying game genre that’s full of heart. Despite its silliness, there’s a tale of friendship here that will hit home for many. It’s just a shame it ends so abruptly, though a second chapter seems very likely.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If a classic JRPG is what you’re looking for, The Alliance Alive HD delivers most of what you could want, if little else. With a few tweaks to the JRPG formula, a likeable cast of occasionally dumb characters, and some interesting combat mechanics, it’s not exactly breaking the mould, but it’s doing a pretty good job of filling it.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There's much to love about Sparklite, and it's clearly been a passion project for the small development team, but my overall experience was a frustrating one. It's hamstrung by its half-formed and unnecessarily repetitive roguelite structure that undermines the positives of the aesthetic and challenging boss fights. A good roguelite gets better and more complex with repetition, but Sparklite just increasingly overstays its welcome.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Lost Ember is a great looking game that provides a number of different ways to play and explore its world. However, there are too many distracting performance issues that need addressing to improve its playability.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy is more Layton, but with a host of new characters and a healthy dollop of puzzles. Unfortunately, they're weaker, more contrived tests of your mind than previously. Katrielle and the stellar supporting cast really boost the experience, as do the stunning visuals, but the sum of its parts is less than I expect from a Layton title.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Dusk Diver is a game that promises a lot with it’s gorgeous visuals, but the combat ultimately falls short. Its basic combo system and missable story are not enough to even come close to some of this year’s stellar action titles.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Mary Skelter 2 is a fun game at its core, but it surrounds that with a lot of elements that detract from the experience and make it almost unplayable in public, at home, or anywhere you think your screen could be seen. Fanservice isn't an inherently bad thing, but the characters are all way too young to be used in this way, and it's just not great. The customisation is good, and the combat gets great the further you press on, but it's hard to ignore the random instances of undressed girls sprinkled throughout the game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Black Future '88 is a stylish, stunningly fast roguelite that has a unique setting and world to mess around in. If you love to get your head smashed in by games, then you'll undoubtedly fall in love with this one, but if you need a bit more than that to commit, then you might not find anything here for you. It's a lot of fun, but it does feel a bit cookie-cutter in some places, and the world of roguelites is very competitive nowadays.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    I really, really wanted to like Blacksad: Under the Skin. I love the original graphic novels and just wanted this to be an interactive version of that. Perhaps it could have been, but we're unlikely ever to know thanks to a torrent of technical faults that kill any enjoyment it might give. Pendulo Studios need to urgently fix nearly every aspect of Blacksad: Under the Skin on PS4, and until they do that, this is one mystery best left unsolved.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still an incredibly fun new adventure, and the Pokémon selection and variety is the best it's ever been. That said, it would be incredible to see the Wild Area become the new norm for the series, but as it stands, many of the new features feel more like spraying your sofa with Febreeze when really you need to buy a new sofa. Sure, it smells and feels new, but it's not, and you should really just commit to moving on from what was normal, and forge a new path into a new sofa. Look, just go with it.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still an incredibly fun new adventure, and the Pokémon selection and variety is the best it's ever been. That said, it would be incredible to see the Wild Area become the new norm for the series, but as it stands, many of the new features feel more like spraying your sofa with Febreeze when really you need to buy a new sofa. Sure, it smells and feels new, but it's not, and you should really just commit to moving on from what was normal, and forge a new path into a new sofa. Look, just go with it.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It's still an incredibly fun new adventure, and the Pokémon selection and variety is the best it's ever been. That said, it would be incredible to see the Wild Area become the new norm for the series, but as it stands, many of the new features feel more like spraying your sofa with Febreeze when really you need to buy a new sofa. Sure, it smells and feels new, but it's not, and you should really just commit to moving on from what was normal, and forge a new path into a new sofa. Look, just go with it.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Battlewake is another fun experiment from the Survios labs, though sadly one that can often feel lost at sea. At first you’ll revel in sinking ships and sailing the high seas, but the novelty soon wears off as you rinse and repeat the same swashbuckling gameplay loop.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Planet Zoo is simply wonderful; a bright and breezy park builder that gushes with enthusiasm for its charges. There’s depth to spare here, pushing further than either of Frontier’s most recent management games have, and it leans into its own identity, with a keen eye for the importance of education, animal welfare and preservation.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    VR Ping Pong VR's inconsistent physics are a constant issue that stops you from ever feeling comfortable whilst playing, as at any moment something might behave oddly. Add a few bugs, missing or poorly implemented arcade modes, and multiplayer that's already lifeless and it's difficult to recommend the game. Once it's been updated, if all you want is a very pretty ping pong game, this might do the job.
    • 67 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Shenmue III doesn’t push the Unreal Engine 4 to its limits yet, on the whole, there’s an enchanting aura about it. Yes, some character models look comically garish, but there’s a beauty to the game’s environments – spaces that you actually live in instead of racing through on a whistle stop tour. Where Shenmue previously captured the hustle and bustle of cramped urban areas, it manages to do the same with the vibrant and somewhat mystic Bailu village.
    • 73 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Heavy Metal is an impressive DLC update. It might be hard to justify if you’ve already stripped the game clean of everything to do, but if you’re a new player or still have some stories to conquer, then dropping ten new mechs and eight new devastating weapons to your arsenal is just what the doctor ordered.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Turning the Terminator franchise into an enjoyable game experience should be doable, but not on the budget Teyon have tried to do it on. Last-gen issues make this a time traveller that nobody wanted to come back.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    This is the kind of game that makes you want to reach out and tell your nearest and dearest you love them. And you should — life’s too short as it is. If you’re a fan of games like Beat Saber, but something to unwind with, this is the game for you. If you want something that tugs on your heartstrings, this is for you. If you have a PlayStation VR and you like rhythm games, this is the game for you.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    There's a lot to like about Yaga; intriguing world building, superb characterisation, conversational tactics and a clear passion for Slavic mythology all tick my 'Yes' boxes. But the uninspired combat, slow movement, ineffective forging and annoying bad luck mechanic. It's an unsatisfying folktale then, the kind where the storyteller insists on coughing and saying 'erm' a lot, when all you want them to do it get on with it and get to the good bit.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Skybolt Zack is exactly the kind of game that benefits from playing the same stage over and over again. Learning the patterns and routes for each will eventually have you zipping through, but it’s going to take plenty of tenacity to get to that level.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Narcos: Rise of the Cartels is a decently executed turn-based strategy title. Sure, sometimes it's a bit too easy, but when the enemy moves efficiently it become a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Just be warned that you'll grow attached to your squadmates, and hate if you lose them. This is for you, Ruiz!
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Mutazione is a great example of how games can immerse you in a world in a manner that no other medium can achieve. Whilst it doesn’t push any envelopes, it is easy to recommend to anybody who is interested in games that can get an emotional response. Don’t let the description soap opera put you off; this is a movingly, melancholic and meditative experience.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is exactly the kind of single player game we had originally hoped to see when EA and Disney joined forces. Even if you strip away the license, you’re left with a super satisfying mix or combat, story, and exploration, deftly crafted by a studio best known for spearheading an entirely different genre.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Need for Speed Heat is the best the series has been in a while. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but it has a charm that reminds me of the Underground days of old. Now that’s a NfS game I can get down with.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    For Switch-owning sports fans there’s nothing that comes close to NBA 2K20. Boasting great visuals, stellar gameplay and a feature-rich range of play types, there’s something for everyone, and while VC is still a ‘feature’ that we’d rather didn’t have a place in modern sports titles, it’s been balanced back in the favour of actual gameplay.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I like Doctor Who a lot. As a TV show it's got all the best things about good entertainment and genuinely has some incredible storylines and messages. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is not one of them though. Between sluggish movement and dull puzzles, I think it's enough to say that even Jodie Whittaker can't save this game.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventures isn’t a terrible game, but it is so old fashioned and average that it is difficult to recommend. If you have kids of the right age range and find it on sale, then it's fun enough. The lack of a movie to tie into leads to a particularly weak story that feels like it's tacking on a license instead of a genuine entry in the Ice Age series. Scrat may find his nut, but I was left unsatisfied by a functional but mediocre tie in.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    New Super Lucky’s Tale isn’t so much a port as the true definitive edition of the game. A number of improvements to the controls, frame rate, level design, and overall structure of the game has resulted in a title that completely surpasses its origins. It isn’t challenging, or very long; but what is there is joyous, frivolous fun until the credits roll.
    • 44 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    With unenjoyable and clunky combat that is made much worse during the 3D segments, a laughably archetypal fantasy story, and dated character models, it’s hard to actually believe that AeternoBlade II released this year for modern consoles. AeternoBlade II simply falls short of all of its ambitions, whatever they might have been.
    • 93 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Despite how enjoyable the game itself is, what Rockstar Games has deigned to deliver to PC players can only be described as a big old mess.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Valfaris is an excellent and challenging action platformer with a wonderfully designed combat system. The balancing of close combat, laser action, and the shared resource for shield and subweapons mean that most encounters require a careful and skilful approach. The result in a standout title that shows how far Steel Mantis have come from the flawed Slain: Back From Hell.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 brings a raft of new and returning events with it, but manages to both reduce and overcomplicate everything to the point where it simply isn’t that fun to pick up and play with others. Younger fans may get a kick out of a few of the events, but overall this is a tiresome and drab tie-in that you’ll have forgotten about long before the real world opening ceremony next July.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Infinity Ward was never going to recapture the magic of the original Modern Warfare, but this is still their most memorable Call of Duty game of the past decade. This is a bold new spin that’s uneven in places, but proves there is still room for innovation within that core template.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Afterparty is a game with characters and writing, with the secondary characters often managing to outshine our two leads, Milo and Lola. Unfortunately a few technical issues with load times, stuttering and long periods of silence do suck some of the fun from Afterparty. Still, it's worth playing if you like your character centred pieces.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Death Stranding is like nothing I have ever played; beautiful, heart racing, heart breaking, frustrating, epic, stunning, and utterly nuts. I laughed, I cried, I cursed, and I went to the toilet an awful lot. Death Stranding isn't just my Game of the Year, it's a contender for Game of the Generation too.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Gun Gun Pixies has a very specific audience, and many of those people are sure to have a good time with this game. Cute characters and a wealthy abundance of fanservice are here in spades. Unfortunately, I often found myself struggling with the repetitive gameplay and clunky controls too much to appreciate any of the good aspects of the game.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There is something comforting about Jet Kave Adventure. It doesn't take any risks or fly off on any wild tangents, it is just a solid, well-made side scrolling platformer. Mastering each level will be a challenge, but younger players will still enjoy the story and zipping around on the jet pack. Jolly good fun!
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Cat Quest 2 is a fun and simple experience that’s designed to be enjoyed on the settee with friends and family. It’s not as complex or vast as some of action RPG titles, but it’s one that is enjoyable from start to finish.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout reinvents the wheel on a series that felt like it was beginning to grow stagnant. Fresh combat and an engaging new protagonist help this entry usher in a remarkable new era for the long-running Atelier series, and other improvements like great Switch performance and gorgeous music are just icing on the cake. I never thought that Atelier Sophie could be out-done, but Atelier Ryza has thoroughly made the case to be my new favorite game in the series.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Overwatch on Switch offers the same, fantastically competitive experience that players have been enjoying on other formats for the past few years. While the necessary drop in frame rate is disappointing, it’s clearly helped to maintain the quality elsewhere, and does nothing to diminish Overwatch’s position as one of the best games of all time.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With a lot of gameplay enhancements from previous iterations, a gorgeously rendered game world, and a whole host more besides, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is easily the apex of the franchise. The sheer amount to see and do, along with the amount of adorable details, make this game a wonderful experience and one I would recommend. Sucking at games has (rarely) felt this good.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    MediEvil resurrects one of our all-time favourite PlayStation mascots for a new generation. This remake does exactly what it promises, revamping dated visuals while staying faithful to the 1998 original, even if that means digging up certain design choices that have remained buried with Sir Dan all these years.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds is the game that fans have wanted Obsidian Entertainment to make for the better part of a decade. The story is the main attraction here, with Obsidian's witty writing coming to the fore in an interesting and funny interstellar setting. If that's what you look for in your RPGs, The Outer Worlds will not disappoint.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Warsaw is a game that captures some of the desperation and inevitability of failure that the Warsaw Uprising faced. The random assignment of characters removes some player choice, and there is a lack of narrative to add more weight to the events. However, as a strategy game Warsaw is well put together and offers a challenge in a unique setting.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you're a newcomer, it's a daunting and probably foolish task to try and play this game. If you're a die-hard fan of the Cold Steel series already, you'll get plenty of satisfaction out of the continued plot development and engaging combat. Even the most dedicated of fans, though, are likely to be turned off by the dated visuals and confusing Legend of Heroes crossovers that mar an otherwise impressive story-driven JRPG.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I loved my time with Rusty in A Knight’s Quest. While it clearly doesn’t have the extreme level of polish of a Zelda title, it manages to capture the sense of exploration and progression of Link’s earlier adventures and mix it up with a real sense of its own identity. The added emphasis on platforming creates an interesting fusion of genres but isn’t without a few technical issues. That said, fans of classic 3D adventure games would do well to check it out.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Rain of Reflection: Chapter 1 has a winning formula of narrative and gameplay that, despite not being a traditional pairing, form an excellent symbiosis. The systems will all be familiar to fans of interactive storytelling games and XCOM-likes, but they’ve all been implemented so cleanly that they feel fresh. The only real negative is its short runtime, which leaves you wishing the developers had waited to release the entire game at once.
    • 83 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Whether or not it sticks, I’ll have to let you know, but it’s done a good (if initially repetitive) job of feeding a range of exercises into my daily life this past week. It’s not just for beginners though, and could easily appeal to those looking to gameify their workouts.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is another solid expansion for Bungie's addictive looter shooter. It's a mixed bag, building on the solid foundations of Destiny 2: Forsaken with some ideas working better than others. This is a new era for Bungie though, with an ambitious vision of a game that's constantly evolving from week to week, and the first glimpses of this already giving me real optimism for its future.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    AI: The Somnium Files has to be easily one of the best visual novels I’ve ever had the joy of playing, maybe even ranks as one of the best games I’ve played this year. With superb visuals, engaging gameplay, likeable characters, and a twist-filled story to rival that of M. Night Shyamalan, this is definitely not a visual novel to be slept on (sorry).
    • tbd Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Sadly, during our playthrough we encountered a number of frustrating bugs, some of which severely hampered our progress, others breaking the game entirely.
    • 85 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    While there are certainly a few tradeoffs that have been made in order to make The Witcher 3 run on the Switch, it’s hard not to be impressed. This is arguably one of the most comprehensive experiences to date on the Switch and one I still can’t believe actually works on the console. Though there’s a few caveats, The Witcher 3 on Switch is well worthy of your time, whether it’s is your first chance to play it or your twenty-third.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Despite it many flaws, I enjoyed BDSM and will be going back to get the Platinum trophy. It is mindless fun with occasional boobs, but really does need a good hard polish (honk honk) and a decent script editor.

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