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For 386 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 42% higher than the average critic
  • 2% same as the average critic
  • 56% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 1.1 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 76
Highest review score: 100 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Lowest review score: 20 Babylon's Fall
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 262 out of 386
  2. Mixed: 93 out of 386
  3. Negative: 31 out of 386
395 game reviews
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    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club
    As the third game in the Famicom Detective Club series, Emio: The Smiling Man is a faithful entry that fits perfectly alongside the 2021 remakes of the first two titles. It fits in a little too well, however, because its gameplay hasn't changed much from the 1980s originals, meaning its 'choose every option until you move on' dialogue system ends up feeling like a boring box-ticking exercise rather than an intuitive investigative process. The story is great but it's strictly for those who love visual novels, no matter how linear.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Rad
    With its twisted style and humour, RAD offers a fresh take on the roguelike, proving there’s plenty of life in the genre.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Total War: PHARAOH
    Total War Pharoah doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does introduce a handful of promising and sometimes deep new ways to approach the familiar formula. Combat is still hit-and-miss, but the approach to history and empire-building are among the best in the Total War series.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind
    Those with an interest in Nintendo's history should undoubtedly pick up Famicom Detective Club, and those simply looking for a couple of good mystery yarns will have a fun time with it too. Just be aware that it’s a very linear adventure, and once you’re done there’s very little replay value.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Back 4 Blood
    It seems backhanded to say that a game is only worth playing if you can find people to distract you from the actual game, but if your group wants something mindless to wind down after an intense night on Warzone or Rainbow Six: Siege, Back 4 Blood is ideal.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Scott Pilgrim EX
    Scott Pilgrim EX takes everything that was great about the first game – the combat, the music, the beautiful pixel art – and throws it into an all-new adventure rammed with game references. The open-world structure and relatively short length won't be to everyone's tastes, but if those aren't a problem to you then it's a must-have.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Journey to the Savage Planet
    A memorable, if modest, open-world adventure with inventive mechanics and enjoyable exploration.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Princess Peach: Showtime!
    Full of personality and variety, Princess Peach Showtime delivers a performance that’s better than the sum of its parts, with some shallow mechanics lost in the glitz of its cabaret show. The challenge is definitely geared towards youngsters, but even experienced players will find it difficult not to be charmed.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Romeo is a Dead Man
    Romeo is a Dead Man is Grasshopper Manufacture at its most confident and its least conformist. It's got its fair share of rough edges, but the combat is satisfying – offering a challenge without being frustrating – and the sheer inventiveness in its myriad art styles and its bizarre plot ensure this is an adventure you won't have seen before. Anyone with an interest in wandering off the beaten track of familiar third-person action adventure games should check this one out.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Still Wakes the Deep
    Still Wakes the Deep is a short but effective game with brilliant performances, a deeply atmospheric setting and fun creature effects. Critics of the hand-holding found in the 'walking sim' genre likely won't be converted, but those looking for an engaging story they can play through in a night or two will strike oil with this one.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Ascent
    The Ascent is a superb action game that looks as fantastic as it plays. Its plot and dialogue can be pretty hard-going but its gunplay is deeply satisfying. On Game Pass it's a no-brainer, but it would be worthwhile at full price too.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sonic Colors: Ultimate
    An impressive remaster of an already entertaining Sonic game, this should keep Sonic fans busy until we get something new (as long as you're happy replaying levels for S-Ranks, because otherwise it's pretty short).
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
    Cygni is an exceptional evolution of the shoot 'em up genre, one that relentlessly pummels the player with enemies and explosions. Its combat is extremely satisfying and its lengthy stages and customisable elements make it the sort of game you'll play through numerous times. We'd be recommending it as a full-price game, but at £25 / $30 it's a no-brainer.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir
    Those with an interest in Nintendo's history should undoubtedly pick up Famicom Detective Club, and those simply looking for a couple of good mystery yarns will have a fun time with it too. Just be aware that it’s a very linear adventure, and once you’re done there’s very little replay value.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Minecraft Dungeons
    An oddly brief experience that feels unfinished to an extent. The fact that there are already two paid DLC packs on the way and Mojang is promising a number of free updates suggest that it expects players to stick with it and keep playing as new content is added.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Mafia: The Old Country
    Mafia: The Old Country returns to the series' roots with a more linear adventure, delivering a solid story (if a cliché-heavy one) and satisfying combat. The character models and environments are stunning to look at, but the latter raises our main issue: as much as we appreciate the focus on a linear story, this wonderfully sculpted Sicily map is begging to be explored more and is sorely underused as a result.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction
    We can’t recommend Rainbow Six Extraction if you’re planning on playing alone, especially on PlayStation platforms where you’re expected to pay £40 for the privilege, but if your regular gaming group is bored of the game you play every night, and they all have Game Pass, Extraction will provide laughs.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    LEGO 2K Drive
    Lego 2K Drive is a great open-world racing game with an infectious sense of humour and impressive customisation options. As long as you can cope with the typical 2K grindy microtransactions and take steps to avoid its major save-wiping issue at launch, it's well worth playing.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
    Stalker 2 could be a great game in a few years, but what's presented at launch is a technical mess that doesn't capitalise on its best ideas. Compelling side stories and a brilliant setting do a lot of the heavy lifting, but at launch Stalker 2 isn't an adventure we'd fully recommend embarking on.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Vanguard
    At launch, Call of Duty Vanguard feels like a solid step-up from Black Ops Cold War, but falls short of the benchmark that was Modern Warfare 2019. Together, Vanguard's three pillars make for a game that we’re frankly surprised is as cohesive and enjoyable as it is.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Outriders
    Outriders is its own greatest victim. There are some decent ideas in here – an absorbing cauldron of combat variables, some majestic geography, even a few guns worth holding onto – but they're dragged down and suffocated by a game that doesn't want to entertain you but hypnotise you with the prospect of another trinket.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    GRID Legends
    Grid Legends doesn't do anything particularly wrong, but doesn't do anything particularly interesting either. Its racing gameplay is typically solid, as is the Codemasters way, but this studio has pushed the limits of the genre far higher in the past than it does with this relatively safe offering.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Disney Illusion Island
    Disney Illusion Island looks and sounds incredible and doesn't do much wrong in terms of gameplay. It doesn't really do much to advance the Metroidvania genre, though, and while it's clearly designed to appeal to younger players the convoluted ending and hit-and-miss jokes mean we ended simply enjoying it, rather than loving it.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is a sad microcosm of the state of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio: a developer spinning its wheels, no longer caring for quality, content to chew up old assets and discard what made the original special in order to spit out a yearly release that cashes in on love for what the series used to be.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Pokemon Brilliant Diamond
    The original DS Diamond and Pearl were great back in the day, and 15 years later this new coat of paint makes them just as entertaining. The improvements may not be as drastic as some may have hoped, but what's here is a solid Pokémon adventure regardless.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Arcade Paradise
    While it takes a while to get going, Arcade Paradise is an outstanding celebration of the '90s arcade scene with a generous helping of fully playable retro love letters.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
    For retro enthusiasts with access to likeminded friends and family, this Switch challenge collection is a genuine local multiplayer hit. For solo players and those looking to compete with others online, however, it’s a far less impressive package.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Dead Island 2
    The best games ask important questions. In the case of Dead Island 2, that question is: "Do you think it's funny to chop zombies into bits?" If the answer is yes, then Dead Island 2 is a joy.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
    The Russo brothers have turned Marvel in to cinematic masterpieces. If you’re looking for a gaming equivalent, Ultimate Alliance 3 isn’t it, though that was never its intention. But if you’re looking to get your favourite heroes together to kick ass with friends then you’ll have a Hulk-smashing time.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Overwatch (2016)
    A handsome port of one of the best team shooters of our time, if not necessarily the best place to play it.
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