Vooks' Scores

  • Games
For 780 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 49% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 45% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.1 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Lowest review score: 20 PixARK
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 38 out of 780
787 game reviews
    • 81 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s great to see developers like Image & Form Games doing different things with their always-interesting SteamWorld franchise. Both the Dig and Heist games worked very well for their genres, and SteamWorld Quest works for card games. There is a decent card game here and the fantasy setting is charming, but it is a shame when not all of the game is as fun to experience. At the end of the day it’s still a solidly-made game and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of their neat robot designs.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    RAILGRADE is a wonderful mix of railway management and puzzle-solving, with genuinely satisfying railway gameplay, mind-scratching puzzles to solve, and a bangin’ soundtrack. It does get frustrating at times, and it’s near-unplayable on the Switch Lite, but there's still absolutely plenty to like.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fitness Boxing 3 keeps the sweat up just as much as the previous games in the series. There are enough new modes here to keep things interesting, but how long you stick with it depends on your ability to find the time to exercise. I played much of this in handheld mode after waking up in the morning, and that worked for me. It is a great package, and makes for a good introduction to exercising. It has its annoyances for sure, but nothing big enough that would prevent me recommending this title to anyone looking to improve their overall physical wellbeing.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I had a blast with AngerForce: Reloaded… until I realised that to finish the game I’ll need to spend a lot of my time grind missions over and over to get anywhere. I felt like 5-20 minute play sessions at a time were enough to rack up points, buy a power-up or two and then tap out for a while. Which is perfect for playing on the go - provided you can make the most of that vertical perspective.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bravely Default II is a game laden with frustration, with unfairness, with a lack of respect for the player's time. It's a game that could be massively improved, but only ever in small ways. It's an active step backward in terms of quality of life and playability features for the series… But when it works, it works wonderfully, its combat systems soaring to satisfying heights, its storytelling exciting and chilling. It's a game forever at conflict with itself, offering freedom then punishing you for pursuing it. I hate myself for loving it, but I love myself too much to ever go back to it. To sum it up, it's an arduous, glorious, frustrating, beautiful mess. It's a bit of a love-hate relationship.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While it may seem like a strange decision releasing the original Escapists game after the sequel, there is still plenty of fun to be had here. Some elements such as the crafting made being in virtual prison pretty punishing, but piecing together how you’re going to break out and what you need to do can be enjoyable as you make your way to freedom.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite some hefty potential, Shovel Knight: Showdown doesn’t quite make it. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, and there’s some great ideas, but anyone who hasn’t played a Shovel Knight game is going to find themselves quickly alienated in a party situation. So, if you and your friends are up to date with your royally appointed warriors, you… probably already own this game, since it’s free with Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove. If you’re not, consider yourself warned, although to be honest this is good enough to likely still have some fun. Shame there’s no online, though.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    As the credits rolled I found myself thinking the game could’ve done with a bit of length. If you charge through it, you could probably finish No Longer Home in less than two hours. And that’s not to say I would prefer some padding but I wanted some more resolution. But perhaps this is just the length and type of story that Humble Grove wanted to tell, and that’s okay. No Longer Home is a great game regardless, and if you’ve been in a similarly uncertain situation to Ao and Bo’s (or Hana and Cel’s) you’ll be sure get some enjoyment here.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Is Super Mario Bros. Wonder: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park better than just more Super Mario Bros. Wonder with more stages and more Wonder effects? We’ll never know, but what is here is a fun package of minigames built into the Wonder mould, you’ll just need to navigate the slightly confusing way the modes are all laid out, but least you’ll have your friends with you to do so.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you love Lego games or have younger people around that do, then this game is one of the more fun ones in a while. The overall Lego formula stays the same, for better or worse. But if you’re a DC fan they’ve once again gone all out on their characters, references and voice actors. Lego DC Villains brings together some of the well-known characters and the lesser-known, and chucks them into a decent story to make for a fun time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rogue Singularity is a very specific callback to a point in 3D platform gaming. For those familiar with this era, you’ll get a big hit of nostalgia. It also plays just like those games. For better or worse, bad cameras are still bad. Just like back in the 90s, 3D platformers can be fun. Think about how groundbreaking Mario 64 was. Rogue Singularity captures that fun and distills it into a focused challenge that’s not a bad way to spend some spare time.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Armello’s Switch port is a good game hiding behind some user interface and minor performance issues – all things that can be patched in the future. If you don’t mind a digital board game not made for local multiplayer, Armello’s beautiful tabletop experience is worth checking out.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy is an impressive remaster and a terrific way to re-play the trilogy that brought many of us fond memories and proved that Nintendo weren’t the only ones who could create an endearing and enduring mascot platformer.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s nothing inherently wrong with Drag X Drive — the control scheme is engaging and fun — but there’s no getting past the fact that, aside from those controls, this is just a very bare-bones and drab-looking basketball wheelchair game. If the controls aren’t enough to keep you hooked, there’s really nothing else here to hold your attention. The game feels like it was split off from a bigger concept or a package of games, and while Nintendo has expressed a desire to make cheaper, smaller titles, could they at least make them less empty in both atmosphere and features than this one?
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Crash Bandicoot 4: It's about time is an excellent follow up for those who loved the first three games. A lot of time has passed since then, and Crash 4 feels like a strange relic from the past. It's as if Crash was found frozen, thawed out by Toys for Bob and taught how to be a modern game just like Encino Man. For nostalgic fans, this will be exactly what you were waiting for, potentially at the expense of newcomers.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fitness Boxing has an admirable goal like Wii Fit before it; to help you get fit. While it isn’t a replacement for full exercising or getting down to the gym, Fitness Boxing will make you sweat to reach your daily goals, and the motion controls demand you make an effort to punch your calories away. The amount of content available is limited, and the amount of songs on offer to box to is a letdown. If you’re looking for a 20-60 minute game workout you can do at home then Fitness Boxing is more than capable, it’s just a shame it’s not more appropriately priced.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There’s no better time to get back into Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It’s hot outside, everything is too expensive, and the real reason to return right now is the free 3.0.0 update, which adds genuinely excellent quality-of-life improvements and new content to the game (for free). If you’ve got a 4K TV, play with a lot of people, and care deeply about getting your home designs just right, then the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade will serve you well. But for most people, you might be able to just skip it.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Ultimately, Sonic X Shadow Generations reflects my long-running relationship with Sonic games. Like having Sonic and Shadow on both my shoulders, I felt both frustration and delight during various aspects of the game. Minor control issues and level designs get in the way of pure enjoyment, though there is still a sense of fun and speed that shines through. Shadow’s campaign adds some welcome variety but left me wanting more from it. The 3D levels are pure 3D Sonic—for better or worse—and the 2D levels do not capture the magic of the Mega Drive classics. Sonic fans will rejoice in revisiting Sonic’s old worlds and reliving Shadow’s past.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Voxelgrams shows that a 3D Picross game can work on the Switch. It doesn’t work as well as it did on previous handhelds, but it does the job well. If you’re willing to spend some time getting used to the controls then you’ll be navigating around the puzzles with little drama. With 176 puzzles packed in for a good price, it will help fill the void with some 3D Voxelgrams. If you’re after a relaxing game with few pressures I would also recommend kicking back, turning up the sound and taking it easy with Voxelgram.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    It’s not going to be for everyone, but for people who hate the direction modern RPGs are going in will be able to get some old school RPGing.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sparkle Unleashed feels quite the opposite of it's name at moments. Having the slinger tethered to the bottom of the screen doesn’t help, but there is still a fun Sparkle game there. If you remember Luxor then this game will bring those memories back, if you want a fast-paced puzzle game or just to clear some more orbs, with all gripes aside, Sparkle Unleashed can get the job done.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Saints Row IV drew me in with its Matrix-like whimsy and dedication to player fun. The Switch port is serviceable, with blemishes easily ignored against the shenanigans on offer.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    A neon-soaked ode to the popular arcade racers from a bygone era, 80's Overdrive offers thrilling driving and a banging synthwave soundtrack, but the imbalanced and frustrating career mode scratches the paint of the overall experience.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite the issues mentioned here, Cities Skylines on the Switch is still tremendous fun to play no matter if you’re playing it on the TV or in handheld mode. Here’s hoping some of the technical issues can be ironed out as time goes on, but if you can put up with a little jank and don’t have a PC to check it out on, Cities Skylines is still the best city sim out there and now you can play it anywhere.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged, like its predecessor is an enjoyable arcade-style racer. Developer Milestone continues to show they get how to incorporate Hot Wheels in new ways. If you spent a lot of time with the original Unleashed, then it hits hard to find the game takes some steps back, but if you want some new environments and tracks, then it might not matter.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    MushihimeSama might've been around for a while now, but it's still as enjoyable, providing a nice change of pace from flying all those old aeroplanes around. Despite looking like there's too much going on at once. Even an average shmup player like myself can feel like a master bullet dodger. If you're looking for a Cave shmup with all the modes included, then MushihimeSama is a worthwhile purchase.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    If you’re a fan of Spelunker, then you likely have this game already. There is a demo if you’re on the fence about it, and if the demo isn’t a good fit for you then you should know the full game is a lot more of the same. Once I got used to the punishing mechanics I enjoyed the game more, but its platforming isn’t for everyone and the game makes no effort to help you get better at it. I recommend playing the demo first. Overall, Spelunker Party is a decent addition to the Switch if you’re willing to spend the time to learn it.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Detective Pikachu is an above average point-and-click style game wrapped with a great lead character in Detective Pikachu. The heart and the humour of the story more than make up for any clunkiness in the game’s mechanics and a slow start. Fun for everyone, let’s bring on the movie.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Townsmen is more than competent as a town-builder for those looking to be the ruler of their own little kingdom. It feels like just enough was done to separate it from its mobile origins, and you won’t have to spend a cent outside of the original purchase. If you’re looking for a smaller-scale SimCity or enjoy games like Settlers, then Townsmen can scratch that itch.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Despite its flaws, Solo: Islands of the Heart is an interesting experiment which weaves its puzzler gameplay and mature themes together well. Some design choices and technical issues hold the game back from being truly remarkable, but going in with an open mind and allowing myself some vulnerability delivered an emotional trip I hadn’t quite experienced from a game before.

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