Vandal's Scores

  • Games
For 6,608 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 69% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 24% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.7 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 77
Highest review score: 100 Bayonetta 2
Lowest review score: 10 Make it indie!
Score distribution:
6611 game reviews
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Little Nightmares II Enhanced Edition is a fantastic way to experience an adventure that was already brilliant. While it doesn't undergo a radical transformation on the Switch, it runs more smoothly, looks more detailed, and offers a highly welcome handheld mode. It still suffers from the occasional imprecise jump or clunky action sequence, and the resources used for this edition could perhaps have been allocated more wisely, but none of that stops it from working wonderfully. What matters most is that the nightmare remains intact. Tarsier created a game that is beautiful, melancholic, unsettling, and full of memorable imagery—the kind that doesn't need to last twenty hours to leave a lasting impression—and we recommend it just as highly today as we did when it first launched.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This is an adventure for those seeking exactly this: a charming game that evokes the feelings many of us experienced when the genre was thriving on the SNES and Mega Drive. Those looking for more complex gameplay won't find it here. However, anyone who enjoys *Zelda*-style games blended with touches of *Secret of Mana* will have a blast—especially if nostalgia plays a part.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    As it stands, if you’re a fan of MMA or realistic fighting games, UFC 6 is a title you’ll enjoy this summer. EA Vancouver has created the most satisfying in-Octagon UFC experience to date, yet it leaves us feeling that, with a bit more care and/or ambition, it could have achieved so much more.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Don't let minor graphical flaws rob you of the satisfaction of playing an unforgettable JRPG. If you’ve never played Xenoblade Chronicles, this Nintendo Switch edition will captivate you, provided you have even a passing interest in the genre. And if you played it on the Wii but skipped the previous Switch release—which included the new epilogue—you’ll be blown away by the massive graphical leap in this new remaster. Even if you started the game on Switch but didn't finish it, the improvement is significant enough that we highly recommend this enhanced version to wrap up the adventure just as Monolith Soft likely envisioned it all along.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Final Fantasy VII Rebirth arrives on Switch 2 as an ambitious technical achievement, maintaining its massive scale and cinematic soul despite hardware limitations. Although textures and environmental details see noticeable downgrades, the framerate remains impressively stable during exploration and combat. It lacks new content, yet this port stands as a definitive way to experience a modern masterpiece.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    This surreal metroidvania brilliantly translates its iconic source material with a striking art style and sharp, dark humor. It delivers creative boss encounters and an insightful exploration of anxiety. However, the repetitive combat and brief four-hour runtime prevent it from reaching its full potential, leaving a charming yet shallow experience.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Punishing yet ultimately gratifying, this remake revives the oppressive atmosphere and uncompromising difficulty of the original. It rewards patience with deep sociological complexity despite the intentionally clunky combat and total absence of modern guidance. This polarizing experience successfully prioritizes heritage over accessibility, delivering a brutal journey for dedicated fans.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    It delivers a nostalgic and fluid football experience that masterfully revives the spirit of classic Pro Evolution Soccer. The arcade-style World Tour mode provides addictive progression, and the technical performance on Switch 2 is impressively smooth. However, frustratingly inconsistent goalkeeper AI and porous defensive logic occasionally undermine the polished ball physics and fun factor.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    This beautiful interactive tale captures the Moomin spirit through stunning visuals and a sensitive narrative. Although the gameplay feels repetitive due to its reliance on basic fetch quests, it remains a warm, accessible experience. It delivers a cozy atmosphere perfect for younger audiences, yet its shallow mechanics limit the overall adventure.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    Coffee Talk Tokyo delivers a deeply relaxing experience through well-crafted characters and an inviting atmosphere. The polished pixel art effectively captures emotional nuances, yet confusing drink instructions and an uninspired soundtrack occasionally disrupt the meditative flow. Despite these minor flaws, the narrative remains a thoughtful, human oasis that encourages quiet reflection.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Phonopolis delivers a breathtaking handmade cardboard dystopia, blending exquisite stop-motion animation with a charmingly absurd narrative. This tactile world feels truly alive, yet the experience suffers from irregular puzzle design. While many interactions prove clever, others rely heavily on trial and error, slightly marring what remains an otherwise unforgettable and visually stunning artistic achievement.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mina the Hollower delivers a masterclass in classic action-adventure design, blending nostalgic Game Boy Color aesthetics with brilliant modern ideas. The world-building and secret-rich exploration are exceptional, making every discovery feel rewarding. Although the souls-lite mechanics occasionally feel unpolished or frustrating, the game remains an essential, demanding, and beautifully crafted modern classic.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    This cozy adventure delivers a visually stunning and relaxing journey through nature, anchored by an endearing protagonist. While the atmosphere and lighting create a masterful sense of place, the experience suffers from repetitive mechanics and a brief four-hour runtime. It remains a charming, didactic stress-reliever despite its limited ambition.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 86 Critic Score
    007 First Light delivers a masterfully crafted origin story, blending sophisticated social stealth with high-octane spectacle. While predictable enemy AI and genre-typical "tunnel vision" occasionally break the immersion, the exceptional level design and respectful character evolution create the definitive Bond experience. It is a bold, polished return that prioritizes player intelligence over mindless action.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    It delivers a compelling fusion of deep tactical management and high-stakes roguelite survival that captures the franchise's spirit perfectly. The combat feels intense and demands constant adaptation, yet the experience suffers from a generic narrative and a frustrating lack of clarity regarding long-term consequences. It remains a standout strategy effort despite some mechanical trial and error.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    This classic remains a premier Zelda-style adventure, excelling with its satisfying mix of combat and exploration. Although the native 4K resolution and DualSense integration provide a crisp experience, the minimal technical updates feel disappointing. It delivers a great starting point for newcomers, yet fails to justify the upgrade cost for returning veterans due to aging assets.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Yoshi and the Mysterious Book delivers a creative masterpiece that redefines the series through its ingenious book-themed exploration. It provides exceptional variety with unique mechanics in every level, yet suffers from occasional design inconsistencies and sparse boss encounters. Despite the lack of local co-op, its charming stop-motion aesthetic and addictive replayability solidify it as a premier Switch 2 gem.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    This ambitious title delivers an exceptional tribute to the Dark Knight, blending deep fan service with a vibrant open-world Gotham. It successfully incorporates Arkham-inspired mechanics and rewarding co-op play, although the combat eventually feels repetitive. Despite slightly clunky vehicle handling and simple boss encounters, it stands as an essential experience for fans.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    This masterfully crafted CRPG evolves the foundation laid by its predecessor through a chillingly paranoid narrative and a sophisticated skill system. Although the initial abstraction and dense political jargon may intimidate, the transition to Unreal Engine 5 delivers a vivid, postmodern world where information remains the ultimate power.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Gecko Gods delivers a serene and visually enchanting exploration experience, capturing the tactile joy of movement as a gecko. Its mystical atmosphere and superb art style foster a constant sense of discovery, yet persistent technical performance issues and an erratic, frustrating camera frequently mar this otherwise charming and meditative puzzle-platforming adventure.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Neverness to Everness delivers a refreshing urban gacha experience that successfully blends GTA-style sandbox activities with vibrant anime aesthetics. Although its combat lacks depth and menu navigation feels cumbersome, the sheer variety of side content and a generous monetization model make it a compelling free-to-play adventure despite its superficial mechanics.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Call of the Elder Gods delivers a more ambitious and visually stunning sequel that significantly elevates the puzzle-solving experience. It features intricate, rewarding riddles supported by a clever hint system, yet the narrative becomes unnecessarily convoluted. Although the steep difficulty may frustrate some, its vibrant art direction ensures a truly captivating journey.
    • 90 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Forza Horizon 6 is a fantastic game that we’ve really enjoyed, and we know we’ll keep going back to it, but we expected more after almost five years since its predecessor was released. We believe the series deserves more ambition and creativity, and not only a new map and some QoL features.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It delivers a surprisingly deep and addictive evolution-based roguelite experience, merging Spore-inspired mechanics with charming pixel art. While the visual impact of mutations and creative gene combinations fascinate, frustrating RNG and a lack of tutorials occasionally stall the momentum. Repetitive early-game stretches hinder its brilliance, yet it remains a highly original and engaging endeavor.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The most remarkable aspect of this adventure is the constant sense of discovery. Although the puzzles and physics engine don't always quite measure up, the game's overall approach is ideal for unwinding after a hard day, or simply for when we feel like stepping into the skin of one of these little lizards for a while. After all, that is what defines video games: the opportunity to experience adventures that, in any other context, would be unthinkable.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Directive 8020 delivers innovative features like decision rewinding and an engaging messaging system, although it suffers from a sluggish first half. The sci-fi atmosphere eventually shines, yet excessive, mediocre stealth sequences and stiff animations undermine the tension. It remains an entertaining cooperative experience despite failing to meaningfully evolve the franchise's established formula.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    This cozy masterpiece redefines survival through a brilliant modular construction system and a breathtaking, stress-free atmosphere. It transforms vehicle customization into a therapeutic journey, although solo players may struggle with imbalanced resource gathering. Despite this pacing issue, the stunning visuals and rewarding technological progression create an essential, tranquil refuge.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Mixtape is a brilliant narrative masterpiece that masterfully blends nostalgia and sound. It delivers an emotionally resonant journey through perfectly paced vignettes and a legendary soundtrack. While the gameplay remains simple and technical performance fluctuates, its creative hand-drawn animation and intelligent storytelling create a uniquely beautiful experience that prioritizes heart over mechanical complexity.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    It delivers a more refined experience on the track thanks to new pilot-centric physics. While the simulation feels authentic and accessible for all skill levels, the career mode lacks depth and secondary features like AI and presentation remain inconsistent. It stands as a solid evolution that shines during races despite underwhelming off-track content.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes delivers a compelling sense of scale and atmosphere that effectively translates the series' horror to virtual reality. The first-person perspective enhances the feeling of vulnerability, yet the experience is severely hampered by its two-hour runtime. Despite its solid foundation, a lack of interactivity and replayability prevents it from reaching its full potential.

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