Try Hard Guides' Scores

  • Games
For 367 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 70% higher than the average critic
  • 10% same as the average critic
  • 20% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 7.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 82
Highest review score: 100 Neva
Lowest review score: 0 Garten of Banban 6
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 5 out of 367
480 game reviews
    • 94 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Hades II is everything I wanted and more, expanding upon nearly everything in the original and making it bigger, better, and stronger. Supergiant delivers a title that will satisfy existing fans and capture new ones, creating a game that is far more than just a sequel.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Requiem has everything fans have come to love from the series, combining two very different styles of game into one experience to enjoy. The story is rich, the characters are excellent, and the scares are outstanding, making for what is now likely this Resident Evil devotee’s favorite game in the franchise.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Shadow of the Erdtree is more of everything you love about Elden Ring, expanding on the award-winning game with a bigger arsenal, tougher enemies, a brand-new story, and even more beautiful landscapes.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Thronefall has easily become my new favorite tower defense game, thanks to its solid mechanics and the absolute wealth of variety present in each aspect of the game. Countless difficulty mutations and enemies await you in this game, which gives new meaning to the word “replayability.”
    • 92 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Metaphor: ReFantazio feels like another classic ATLUS RPG, with some enough new to stand out. The game is loud and proud with its message, and though it sometimes can write in circles, it features some real heartwrenching moments, loveable (and hateable) characters, and some classically engaging turn-based RPG mechanics.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues to blow me away with its thoughtful remake of one of the best games ever created, expanding the incredible story and opening up the gameplay to a more broadly appealing, exciting experience.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is everything players wanted from a sequel, delivering more incredible open-world medieval adventures with a focus on realism and historical accuracy. Full of cleverly designed mechanics, surreal levels of immersion, and phenomenal writing, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is honor-bound to excite you.
    • 88 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    Abiotic Factor is a fun multiplayer survival game with great potential. It wears its inspirations on its sleeves and harkens many familiar feelings (at least it did for me) while still being utterly unique. [Early Access Review]
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Mewgenics deserves all its praise and more, delivering a solid monster-rancher premise with strong roguelike gameplay and packaging it all with incredible humor that only the creative minds behind Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac could pull off. You couldn’t swing a cat around in this game without smashing it into something awesome.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Though PC players may face some optimization issues, Dragon’s Dogma 2 impresses with stellar monster-slaying action, incredible immersion, and satisfying adventures with NPCs you can’t help but call your friends. You’re sure to get sucked into the world with an incredible character of your own making as you claim your throne and face off against the intimidating beasts of Dragon’s Dogma 2.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Wilds surprised me, improving on both areas I was critical of and loved in past games. A straight improvement in every way, Monster Hunter Wilds should easily become a franchise favorite for newcomers to the series as well as tried and true veteran hunters.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Mullet Madjack is something between a clever parody and a loving tribute to the genres it was inspired by, full of both clever critique and engaging writing. Throw a fast-paced, exciting, and super-addictive gameplay loop on top of that, and you have my new favorite title.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    KILL KNIGHT is an exciting bullet hell romp that challenges you to master its mechanics and descend through the circles of hell, prompting you with greater difficulties and higher scores to beat as you go.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Mouthwashing is a masterclass in psychological horror, featuring phenomenal writing and striking imagery that is sure to leave you awed, inspired, and utterly terrified.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Monster Train 2 doesn’t just earn its place in the crowded roguelike deckbuilder genre—it sets a new bar. From the intense, multi-layered combat to the unforgettable art and music, every part of the game feels purposeful and polished. It’s rare to find a sequel that not only stands alone but also pushes the genre forward in such a confident, satisfying way.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Tactical Breach Wizards uses great writing, genuinely well-executed humor, and subversive takes on genre gameplay and pairs it with a super unique setting to make what is one of my favorite new titles.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection uses the incredible storytelling potential of the Monster Hunter universe to tell a unique, excitingly dark, and political narrative with great animation and gorgeous music. Its turn-based combat is excitingly cinematic, and if you can handle awkward flying mechanics and general JRPG pacing, you should definitely enjoy what this game has to offer.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Dispatch brilliantly sets the stage for AdHoc Studios to fill the void Telltale Games left and do it better. This superhero workplace comedy is full of heart, incredible character-driven storytelling and art, and is worth all of the praise it’s received and more.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Neva is a game you won’t soon forget. With stunning visuals, gorgeous art, and an incredibly emotional story, this new classic continues Nomada Studio’s solid reputation and is a must-play in this reviewer’s book.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cross Blitz has only gotten better since I first played it in Early Access, improving upon its unique and fun-to-play core mechanics with over five hundred cards and even more ways to play. While the AI can seem to slow down during a match, creating a bit of a tedious drag, it was not enough to prevent my enjoyment of the game, which I easily recommend to anyone looking for a new Slay the Spire type deck builder with its own unique flavor.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Bionic Bay is my new favorite in a genre I rarely enjoy, captivating me with its setting, unique mechanics, and fun physics system. With a competitive speedrunning mode alongside its 12-hour campaign, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this standout title.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    With its explosive high momentum level design, creative visual design, and a dash of irreverent humor, ANTONBLAST is an exciting platformer that will keep you coming back for more destruction and mayhem.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Absolum blew me away with its mastery of the side-scrolling beat-’em-up and roguelike genres, seamlessly combining the two in a game that is exceptional on a technical level and a blast to play. Paired with the excellent combat and roguelike loop are phenomenal characters, great worldbuilding, and gorgeous art, making for a game that is an absolute steal at just $25.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Minds Beneath Us is an excellent visual novel, telling a heart-wrenching story with a ton of unique sci-fi concepts. Fans of visual novels and great stories are in for a treat with this dystopian treat.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    OPUS: Prism Peak is an emotionally devastating, bittersweet work of art that takes an honest, if not always happy, look at life, past losses, and how to pick up the pieces and move on. A slow title focused on exploration and attention to detail, this game will appeal to anyone with the patience and determination to see it through, even if your first playthrough might feel overwhelming and incomplete… by design.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    With its lonely, other-worldly setting, interesting sci-fi and fantastical elements, and puzzling puzzles, the remake Riven is a game that feels incredibly faithful to the era in which it was created and should be a fantastic title for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    ARC Raiders seems to be a good contender for the extraction shooter genre, offering solid, if familiar genre gameplay and a unique aesthetic. However, overpriced monetization plagues this already pay-to-play title, and as something of a tourist to the extraction shooter genre, I can’t personally say that ARC Raiders does anything too different or exciting, proving to be an inoffensive experience, albeit one that failed to win me over.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Sons of the Forest is an incredibly unique, immersive, and terrifying horror survival game that pits you against the mutated inhabitants of an island far away from civilization. The story is incredibly interesting and forces you out of your comfort zone as you delve deep underground and brave the horrors of the island while seeking answers.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Timberborn is a colony simulator with a fantastic core identity and some genuinely unique systems driving it, particularly when it comes to water management. While I personally found that the challenge, urgency, and sense of direction began to fade as I became more familiar with the mechanics, there is still a lot here to enjoy for players who like slower-paced, methodical colony builders, or those who really want to build a series of intricately designed beaver dams.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Closer The Distance is a game that will make you feel. It reminds you of some of life’s saddest moments and grief, as well as about healing and the depth that a community can have. It may be rough going down like bitter medicine, but you’ll feel better in the end.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Enigma of Fear is an excellent little horror puzzle game. With cute characters, fantastic art, and thoughtfully challenging puzzles, it should easily become a favorite of genre fans and newcomers alike.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Frostpunk 2 does exactly what a sequel should do. It excels in all the ways the original game did while increasing the scale and adding even more. It is an excellent expansion on everything we loved about Frostpunk and delivers a new, utterly unique experience and story, and one that fans of the original, as well as newcomers to the franchise, are sure to love.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Batman: Arkham Shadow is not only a worthy entry into the Arkham series, but by far the best VR game I have ever played. The game looks great, has faithfully remastered mechanics to translate the original Arkham experience into VR, and has a story that keeps you so engaged you do not even notice you have worked up a sweat beating down Gotham’s bad guys.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Technotopia is an engaging puzzle game with a soothing soundtrack, excellent art-deco visuals, and a non-intrusive story. This allows players to choose between a narrative experience or simply relaxing gameplay.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Skate Story is a fantastic game for fans of the street skating genre, mixing things up with an incredibly unique setting, striking visuals, and thought-provoking ideas, while still encapsulating both the culture and the mechanics of the genre we love.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Alters may not reinvent base building or survival gameplay, but it masterfully frames both around a fascinating narrative hook. This is a game that asks the player, “What if you could meet who you could’ve been?” and makes that question its core mechanic.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Demon Tides rocks, combining chill and unique expressive platforming mechanics with an absolutely magnetic cast of characters, some great art, and an overall sense of style all its own.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    BALL x PIT does everything I want a roguelike game to do, delivering fun mechanics in an infinitely replayable loop that also manages to be a unique departure from many games in the genre. Paired with gorgeous dark fantasy pixel art, incredible music, and a fun, unique setting, the game gives you many reasons to give it a try and few excuses to avoid it.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a faithful update to a horror classic, keeping its old-school spirit intact with upgraded visuals and new co-op multiplayer. But make no mistake—this is still a remaster, not a remake. The dated combat and clunky systems are all here, for better or worse. It’s a must-play for horror fans and genre history buffs; just don’t expect something modern.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Lost Records: Bloom & Rage stands out in its genre for its shockingly real portrayal of its characters and the world they live in, delivering an experience that can be too close to home; the defining realism that makes the game something of a masterpiece.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Nine Sols feels like a love letter to Sekiro and the Metroidvania genre as a whole. Though slow at times, the game’s focus on storytelling pairs well with its great visuals, presenting a narrative experience paired with some challenging but fair gameplay.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Deathless. Tales of Old Rus. delivers a great deck-building roguelike experience, thanks to its mastery and twists on the genre’s mechanics, its fantastic art and characters, and the unique way it brings its Slavic mythology setting to life.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Keep Driving is an incredible road trip adventure game, truly living up to the vibe of an early 2000s drive across the country. Every aspect of the game wowed me, and I was left with no desire other than to get even more from the experience. Here’s hoping the developers launch some future DLC for the game.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Though Final Fantasy XVI departs from the franchise formula, it still maintains so much of what makes Final Fantasy such a beloved franchise. It has easily become one of my new favorite entries in the series. The game does its own thing, and while I do miss some classic Final Fantasy RPG elements, I certainly enjoy the cinematic action Final Fantasy XVI has to offer.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Anomaly Agent is a wonderfully weird adventure, full of strange and interesting characters and fluid mechanics that are satisfying to execute. Players should have a blast exploring the weird, humorous future world and fighting to keep things normal in this modern spin on a classic genre.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    One of the most emotionally gripping and atmospherically rich games I’ve played in a long time. It’s got heart, horror, puzzles that actually made me feel smart without being frustrating, and a story that had me hooked from start to finish. Powerhoof has made something special here, and The Drifter absolutely deserves your attention.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist is a visually striking Metroidvania game, with meticulously crafted artwork and an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly enhances its unique world. The gameplay is both engaging and rewarding, offering fun mechanics and a captivating story that draws you into its dark, mysterious setting.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is near perfect in every way, with exceptional art, game design, characters, and writing. While the game is slightly held back by dated controls and poor mapping options, this complaint hardly feels like a drop in the pond of greatness that is this moonlit journey.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is the best arcade racer on the market, especially for PC players. However, the steep price feels too high, even with everything the game offers, and the choice to include characters from outside the franchise while beloved Sonic characters are still missing leaves this reviewer disappointed and a bit perplexed.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    For a game all about the number four, Quartet packs in way more than four reasons to play it. The story builds into something surprisingly big, the combat has just enough twists to stay fun, and the characters feel alive in ways that matter. The first hours may test your patience, but stick it out and you’ll find yourself hooked. As classic as Quartet may feel, it is just as memorable as its inspirations.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    News Tower is a rare kind of tycoon game, one that puts a lot of care and effort into simulating a very interesting and niche business. While the early game can feel slow and the loop might be repetitive for some, it’s otherwise a fun, detail-oriented simulation game with a decent amount of diversity in its progression systems and overall content, enough to keep you printing papers for hours.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Ravenswatch is my new favorite roguelike game, and a title I’m going to be spending a lot of time with in the future. Absolutely packed with cool ideas, from the game’s setting to the philosophy behind its mechanics, Ravenswatch is sure to become one of your favorites, too, if you give it a chance.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a familiar Call of Duty experience, albeit improved with a unique new setting and incredible gunplay. Fans of Black Ops’ campaigns, multiplayer, and Zombies modes all have something to get excited for in this latest addition to the franchise.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Though incredibly faithful to the original, severe performance issues plague this remake of Snake Eater. While the game could and likely will be made playable down the line, it is hard to recommend the title at the time of writing, where severe framerate issues and engine-level crashes plague the PC version of the game.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Terra Invicta puts the “grand” in grand strategy, offering experienced players a deeply involved strategy game that takes them from a shadow government to a space-faring superpower. That same depth creates a demanding learning curve, however, and the time commitment required may put some newcomers to the genre off.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Farthest Frontier has its issues but still manages to be one of my new favorite city builders thanks to the sheer amount of depth in its economy and attention paid to gorgeous, expansive city building. Though it lacks some options in the logistics department and the UI is hard to look at, fans of the genre should find a title worth investing in with this deep colony builder.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While Forgive Me Father 2 is a fun title with excellent art and some wonderfully spooky Lovecraftian elements, I feel like the gameplay can be a bit too simple, repetitive, and even frustrating at times. While it is definitely a true portrayal of a beloved genre, I personally would mix things up by introducing more boss fights, power diversity, and maybe even more enemy types. That being said, you’ll be hard-pressed not to enjoy what’s already on offer.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Sorry We’re Closed is a remarkable fusion of punk aesthetics, survival horror mechanics, and deeply authentic character-driven storytelling. Its unapologetic blend of style and substance, from its diverse cast to its unique visual flair, makes it a standout in a genre often dominated by darker, more serious tones.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Age of Mythology: Retold is a faithful remaster of a classic RTS game, featuring improved graphics, UI, and great quality of life changes. Whether you’re new to the franchise or a returning fan, this buffed-up classic is worth checking out.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    ROBOBEAT has a personality all on its own, presenting a unique experience that is much more than just a fun spin on the rhythm game genre. Absolutely oozing with style, it demands to be experienced to get what it offers truly. It is a fun romp with thrilling visuals, exciting action, and an emphasis on excellent music catered to your particular tastes.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sultan’s Game features a twisted, heart-wrenchingly engaging narrative about the dangers of absolute power and the dreadful decisions made to survive. Though I found the game overall interesting and fun to play, translation issues severely hampered my personal ability to play the game, often leaving me in the dark for entire segments of dialogue or instructions.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Whether you’re chasing leaderboard scores, working through the campaign, or just squeezing in a short session during a break, Drop Duchy is right for you. There’s a quiet brilliance to the way it unites so many simple on the surface yet subtly complicated gameplay systems without letting any of them spiral out of control. It is rare for a puzzle game to offer this much substance while remaining this approachable, but Drop Duchy makes it look easy.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    30 Birds is a beautiful and surreal experience—a thoughtfully created puzzle game with a unique setting and incredible visuals. This hidden gem should be your next purchase if you enjoy point-and-click adventures, puzzles, or art.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Helldivers II provides an exciting, explosive, and tension-filled experience unlike anything else on the market right now. While the game skews any arbitrary grind or level scaling, allowing you to take the game on at any experience level and have the same enjoyable experience. Some questionable progression systems and server issues hold the experience back, but I hope to see the developers address these soon.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Plucky Squire is a brilliantly creative little game that will hook you with its unique presentation and phenomenally full-of-life art and reel you in with nostalgic gameplay and great characters. It is fun for all ages. I struggle to think of anyone who won’t find at least one thing they enjoy about The Plucky Squire, making it a game that is definitely worth checking out if it’s on your radar.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    MIO: Memories in Orbit demands patience, offering a serene and strange world to explore, great characters to meet, and some of the better platforming mechanics I’ve played with. It lacks a lot of familiar genre mechanics, which can make it feel punishing for some, especially those who want to get through the game fast. If you find that you enjoy taking your time in MIO: Memories in Orbit, then you’ll have a lot of fun.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Oblivion Override is my newest roguelike obsession. Though not without its troubles and with a seemingly unintentional learning curve, the game stands out with its exciting combat, huge depth of customization, and fantastic presentation.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    OFF
    Over a decade later, OFF maintains its status as a delightfully bizarre, compelling little narrative that will haunt you far beyond its 5–6 hour runtime. This timeless RPG benefits from the polish and updates in the remaster, but otherwise remains faithfully true to its incredible original incarnation.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Once Upon A KATAMARI remains as iconic, colorful, and fun as the rest of the franchise, once again using its signature formula to create an entertaining and unique puzzle game. While the title does not do anything different or reinventive for the franchise, it does not necessarily need to, providing another delightful helping of the series for fans and new players alike. PC players will be pleased to have another KATAMARI title on the platform, though they are better off avoiding the awkward keyboard controls and using a dedicated controller.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    For what it is, HANK: Drowning on Dry Land is fantastic. Short but exceptional, this little love letter to graphic superhero comics is sure to entertain with its great characters, fantastic visuals, and cleverly designed, unconventional gameplay.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Though I felt the game’s progression system was somewhat flawed, Death Howl still managed to impress me thoroughly with its incredible storytelling, art, and unique blend of genres, creating something utterly unique and highly memorable.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Though I personally found the combat slow, punishing for the wrong reasons, and the customization a bit shallower than I would have liked, I can certainly see the appeal in Xenonauts 2, particularly for those wanting a tactically demanding, strategy-heavy game reminiscent of classic XCOM with some great lore.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    PowerWash Simulator 2 delivers exactly what it promises: an incredibly satisfying game about cleaning dirt with a power washer. It simulates this fantasy well and offers a lot of opportunity to do it in interesting places and with some fun dialogue exchanges during. If you’re asking the game for more than that, you’d be sorely disappointed, but if the title was enough to draw you in or you enjoyed the first game, you’ll likely have a great time with this sequel.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Crashlands 2 is full of character and lets players explore and progress on a strange alien world completely at their own pace and in their own way. While the combat can feel a little stat-checky, and early progression can be slow, players should generally enjoy Crashlands 2 for all the freedom and creativity it offers.
    • 82 Metascore
    • Critic Score
    While the game excels in gameplay with its resource management, building mechanics, and satisfying sound effects that make abilities feel impactful, the visual presentation falls short. Character models and animations feel stiff and uninspired, with a lack of dynamic movement or style that detracts from the overall experience. The maps and enemies are slightly more engaging, but the design is still fairly generic. Additionally, the game’s difficulty curve needs tweaking, as early levels are too easy and lack a sense of accomplishment. Despite these issues, Achilles: Survivor shows great potential, particularly with its unique gameplay mechanics, though its visual presentation and difficulty adjustments could be improved to match the engaging core concept. [Early Access Review]
    • 82 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2 is a game for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike, providing great cinematic action gameplay and genuine fun that can be experienced alone or with a group. It’s my favorite game of the year so far, and try as I might, I can’t find anything to complain about. It’s just plain good.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Cataclismo is an excellent tower defense title, providing some classic horde-defense gameplay with an incredibly unique building mechanic as a twist. Cataclismo’s 1.0 launch was a straight improvement over everything I criticized in its Early Access version, living up to my expectations and managing to impress me a second time around.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Incredible in its narrative and gameplay, Leila is a must-have game for puzzle enthusiasts as well as those simply looking for a great story to experience, though it is one that will trigger introspection and emotions both happy and sad.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Pioneers of Pagonia is a great city-building title, one which simplifies certain familiar aspects of the genre in order to better introduce its satisfyingly deep production chains and management aspects. Combining production, trade, exploration, and war, this charming city builder should provide the kind of depth genre veterans enjoy with enough accessibility for brand new players to feel just as welcome.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is a fantastic roguelike entry that’ll retrain the way you’re used to playing games in the genre. Packed with great humor, simple but fun mechanics, and a dead-eyed killer turnip, there’s not a whole lot more you could ask for from Turnip Boy Robs a Bank.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Crypt Custodian takes a relatively dark plot and makes it whimsical, showing an at-times scary yet mostly wholesome version of the afterlife. With solid, familiar Metroidvania mechanics, great art, and fun characters, Crypt Custodian is sure to win you over.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is everything I hoped for in a Like a Dragon game and more, presenting incredible action, impressive cinematography, and irreverent humor that kept me hooked all the way through.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Borderlands 4 elevates the franchise, showcasing the best the gameplay has ever been and greatly improving on the storytelling and writing of Borderlands 3. However, performance issues keep this game away from a perfect score, and I urge would-be buyers to keep an eye on fixes before paying the steep cost of entry for this otherwise incredible title.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Songs of Silence offers a game that is fun enough to play and impossible to put down, easily captivating players with its unique world, interesting concepts, and phenomenal art.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Children of the Sun is everything I love in a game: Fun mechanics, creative direction, and a fantastic sense of style proudly displayed in the game’s art and story. Fans of gritty storytelling, telekinetic sniper challenges, and just killing cultists will love this pulpy murder puzzle game.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Workers and Resources: Soviet Republic is one of the most in-depth economic simulators on the market, offering an excellent experience for the management-enthused player. However, poor placement tech means that players interested in the game’s building side will surely miss out.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Back to the Dawn is one of the most unique indie RPGs I’ve played in recent memory—gritty, tense, mechanically rewarding, and full of well-developed characters who surprise you with their humanity, despite being cartoon animals. Its depiction of prison life is thoughtful and serious without relying on shock value, and the branching narrative gives your decisions real weight.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    MOUSE: P.I. For Hire has a great, unique rubberhose aesthetic, which does a lot of heavy lifting for the game. The DOOM-like mechanics are solid, albeit they do very little to differentiate the game from others in the series, and the balance is toned down to the point where even a newcomer to the genre should have an easy time progressing on the hardest difficulty. It isn’t a bad game in the slightest, but it relies a little too much on its visual uniqueness and doesn’t impress me much mechanically.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Outer Worlds 2 improves over the first with a more compelling story and better combat, while still delivering and even expanding on the game’s great setting and character writing. While the story isn’t shaped by the player’s choices as much as in other RPG titles, you’ll still find a lot of immersive roleplaying to be done in this game’s stand-out original universe.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Ultros is a psychedelic platformer that could easily belong in a modern art showcase. It has simple yet engaging combat mechanics, phenomenal art and music, and great characters. I urge you to check the game out if you’re even a little curious.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Though it could use a bit more polish, Stars in the Trash is a beautifully crafted game showcasing a love for old-school animation and pets. It’s an easy choice for fans of both.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tiny Bookshop is a heartwarming and comfortably paced game that delivers exactly what it promises: a quaint, comfortable, stress-free fantasy of running a mobile bookstore in a friendly little town. The charming atmosphere, cozy visuals, and personable customers offer a relaxing experience, perfect for those looking for low-stakes enjoyment. While it may not appeal to hardcore sim fans, those drawn to wholesome storytelling and slice-of-life gameplay will find a gentle and delightful escape in Tiny Bookshop.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    My only real issue is with the underwhelming flight mechanics. Despite being set in space, movement is surprisingly slow, and maneuverability doesn’t reflect the freedom of zero gravity. While you can move in all six directions, the controls aren’t as fluid or immersive as in other space combat games. I understand this might be due to technical limitations, but it’s a major flaw that took me out of the experience, especially considering how much I enjoyed everything else.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    What could have been an excellent entry in the creature-collection genre is spoiled by a bizarre focus on story padding and content that feels like filler. While the fun of collecting, battling, and evolving the Digimon cast is there, it’s executed in a way that demands players really dig to get to it, with odd design choices that undercut the progression system and the overall fun that could have been.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Tempest Rising feels like a nostalgic tribute to the classic RTS games of yesterday, with familiar gameplay that should appeal to old-school players and an incredible amount of polish that no classic can compare to. However, it may feel less-than-innovative to some, and there has been noticeable community backlash regarding the terms of the game’s EULA.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    REANIMAL far exceeded my expectations, even outdoing the original Little Nightmares with its mature themes, twists on the formula, and genuinely tense and scary gameplay. The original creators of Little Nightmares prove they’ve still got it, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    The King is Watching is a smart, surprisingly deep blend of roguelike systems and city-building mechanics that manages to innovate where many similar titles simply reiterate. While screenshots may not sell the experience at a glance, what welcomes players in The King is Watching is a rich and endlessly repayable gem.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    While not the most innovative in its genre, Diplomacy is Not An Option takes a solid focus on traditional tower defense and wave-survival city building, challenging you to manage resources and build a mighty castle to survive against huge, statistically varied hordes of enemies.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Planetiles offers a cosmic twist on classic puzzle formulas, inviting players to embark on a challenging journey of terraforming and colonization. The game gradually reveals its charms, beckoning players to explore its celestial landscapes one block at a time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Shapez 2 made a fan of me, someone who isn’t a usual fan of this genre, and someone who easily feels overwhelmed by its complex systems. Even with my comparatively meager builds, I had a great time with the game, falling instantly for its uniquely relaxing vibe and its special style of progression, pushing you into limitless expansion at your own pace and using incredible factory tools to accomplish it.

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