XBLA Fans' Scores

  • Games
For 493 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 38% higher than the average critic
  • 9% same as the average critic
  • 53% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 9.3 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 66
Highest review score: 100 Potion Permit
Lowest review score: 20 Dangerous Golf
Score distribution:
493 game reviews
    • 73 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I loved the idea behind Typoman, but sadly the the actual implementation didn't play out as I hoped. The graphics are stunning, but the gameplay itself doesn't hold up. It's also extremely short and worse still when you consider the 3 hour runtime is being padded out with lengthy cutscenes and having to repeat sections due to unfair instant deaths. On the other-hand, The Antonymizer mini game was a real hit, but not quite enough to save the game and warrant a purchase.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Jump Gunners has a strong main concept, but the game does so poorly at highlighting it that it merely feels like optional bells and whistles. That leaves us with a basic core of a competitive sidescrolling shooter, and while it works, it doesn’t have a high level of polish. It’s a mediocre party game you’ve seen a million times before; while it has enough mayhem to be fun with a few friends, it’s not going to leave a lasting impression on anyone.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    While A Knight’s Quest can have its moments, the negative outweigh anything positive. The fun is eclipsed by an infuriating nonexistent roadmap of what you’re supposed to do. While I was able to get to the end, for some reason my save file got erased and all of my progress was lost. After that mishap, I had mixed feelings. I love getting achievements and feel I didn’t have long to complete the game which had me upset. However, I realized it was a blessing in disguise and freed me from having to continue getting lost again or wasting hours figuring out where to go next.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Quantic Pinball tries to stand between the greats, but doesn't present anything memorable. Honestly, it feels more like a beta than a full release. The name of the game is plastered in the top right corner, and the play area is presented in a little box, with a splash covering the left and right sides. It's bland. Space Cadet Pinball from early Windows operating systems came free and pre-installed and it too had more depth and design than Quantic Pinball has. Unless you’re a hardcore pinball enthusiast, it’s probably best to avoid this game altogether. If you have $5.00 to burn, there are tables in Pinball FX 2 and 3 for the same price that offer more than any of the 7 levels in Quantic Pinball could.
    • 44 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Indeed, I was a sucker for this horror game. It could very well be the worst one I have ever played. Still, that fan inside me kind of enjoyed it. I have to respect the attempt, as if another fan of the genre had decided to make their own version based on previous titles they’ve played. Unfortunately, that’s all it has going for it. I cannot recommend this game because it was poorly done. Everything about it is a disaster. From movement to the clunky item management system, it just doesn’t work smoothly.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It’s just too basic and doesn’t live up to a lot of things being released these days. I understand it’s more of a throwback to the old school arcade shooters, but even they seem to offer more. The story itself is a bit confusing and a bit hard to follow. It’s not a bad game by all means although it’s nothing that should be on your radar.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    At first, it was an eerie nightmare I got excited to become entrapped in. Things start becoming much brighter and the mood is suddenly less appealing. The music even changes (it’s pretty decent though). I quickly began to lose interest because the story never really plays out well. I had some guesses and then it gets even more confusing by the end. It’s even left open for the possibility of a sequel. So the title stays true; it is indeed unknown.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This is a game purely for the faithful who want a return to the days of old-fashioned hardcore Nintendo games. Folks who like modern day advances such as auto-saves, adjustable difficulty and the like should probably skip this if they want to keep their temper under control.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Though the gameplay itself is fun, the lack of any balance to the difficulty at early stages of the game — even on the easiest difficulty — is maddening.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The tracks, power-ups and controls aren't offensively bad; they're just average and lacking in innovation. Coffin Dodgers can be a good bit of quick fun with friends, but don't expect most to stick around for more than a few races or an hour or so for the most dedicated drivers.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Telltale squandered the opportunity to make a great game for one of The Walking Dead's coolest characters. If you haven't read the comics, all you'll get out of the game is a dull story. If you have read the comics, this will likely sting you a whole lot more.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Songbringer is a good approximation of a classic exploration-based adventure – when it sticks to the overworld. The dungeons up the challenge in a very uncomfortable way and do little to support the game's strengths. Even though the hub fares better, it's still where the bulk of the grating story happens, so no part of the game is without its frustrations. Sure, throwing around a boomerang top hat has its moments, but it's not worth slogging through the dungeons to experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Chasing Carrots started with a rather good idea and failed to deliver what it seemed to promise. The driving and shooting always felt slow and unadventurous. Most of the time you could just stop driving if you needed a break from the action. That eliminates the hard edge that a shmup style game needs to be good. Endless mode is fun in co-op or by yourself, but it isn't enough to carry the weight of the game. So even if you've got money to burn, there are much better fire pits to throw it in.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The game is simple and allows for you to pace it however you please. The glitches in the game and some poor design choices leave it buried in a heap of rubble without any feeling of real accomplishment after you finish. Because of the negatives, I would have to say this game is just pretty mediocre.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Every level felt the same and even in the bonus stages I always seemed to be running around like a grotesque hamster. The only thing I truly enjoyed was the boss battles. There were a few fun moments while playing, but the riddle of where to go next was beyond frustrating. I never gained any bandanas (gives you perks) because you have to beat levels in under ten minutes, which is a ridiculous target. I don’t know how you could memorize where to go. I’m still confused about how everything works, even after several hours of playing. With a map being no help, and everything just looking bad (on purpose I’m sure), this is the kind of atmospheric experience I can’t recommend.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I really didn’t enjoy my time with The Final Station at all. Combat, whilst not particularly difficult, was still frustrating and often unfair, and the infuriating menus aboard the train meant there wasn’t any point during my playthrough that I was actually having fun. I suspect the story is the real draw here, but the text was too small to read without sitting with my nose to the T.V. screen and the ending just made me want to uninstall the thing as fast as possible.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I certainly enjoyed looking at Hunter's Legacy while I was playing, but I can't really say that I enjoyed the act of playing it. The combat is slow and exhausting, and the lack of awareness afforded by the camera when fighting enemies that fly off screen is an enormous pain that leads to countless deaths. There's plenty of game in Hunter's Legacy, and a 100% will probably take close to 20 hours; I just can't think of who would be interested in such an offer, especially with far better Metroidvania games on the market.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Siegecraft Commander will grow on you, but how much, I can't say. The controls and the rubbish drawstring aiming spoiled it for me, and with a better implementation of those things, I think I would have found less to fault about the building chain mechanic that could actually have been quite interesting.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It’s a game you will want to like and respect because of the retro feeling that it provides. Having goofy characters and themes does help, but everything else seems to fall apart as you realize you’re just not having all that much fun. It’s a short game that allows you to get all but three achievements easily. You likely won’t have the patience to play the more difficult modes. Cooperative couch play is a minor bonus but there is no online to be seen. I commend the approach but don’t feel it harbored any real interest. Void of any replayability or extra content, Coffee Crisis leaves us with a short and unrememberable creative idea.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It’s an admirable attempt with a clear love for the era, but you will likely not spend too much time playing it. Since the achievements are extremely easy, many may buy this just to grab them, however, unless you are a super fan of the nostalgic vibes this game is dropping, you are better off skipping this one. There are a lot of other games that can give you the same nostalgic feeling, while still adding new mechanics and creating a better overall experience.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Solar Shifter EX is a shiny, yet boring entry into the shmup library. It offers a slightly unique mechanic in the form of teleportation that could have made for amazing gameplay, however, the game never really takes advantage of it.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I was completely enthralled with Bad North‘s simplified take on the RTS and its straightforward yet tactical gameplay – up until I died the first time. There are some neat ideas here, but the roguelike structure highlights its weaknesses more than its strengths. The brilliant minimalism is really only intriguing the first time around; all other times you’re trudging your way back to the part where it gets interesting, then suddenly losing it all.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    If you are looking for a true dungeon experience that offers significant challenge and great depth or even just a classic style game to enjoy what made these style of games great in the first place, then this is definitely not it. All technical difficulties aside, this should be far more than what it is for what it claims to be.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There’s always room for fun when it comes to gaming. When something doesn’t take itself too seriously, it has to lean on the bad to be the good. While this game captures that in some areas, it also seems to be lacking in “so bad it’s good”. It starts out well, with the comedy and terrible dialogue, but then tries to steer into atmospheric horror. And while the tension is needed for horror, the silly beaver from the beginning is quickly forgotten about. The funny phone calls stop. It becomes a hide-and-seek game for the rest of the game. The pacing isn’t bad, but because the game is so short, it ends just when you think things could start getting interesting.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    While Super Mutant Alien Assault stays true to the arcade inspirations of coin-eating games from yesteryear with fantastic artwork and 2D shooting action, it is cut at the hamstrings from reaching a wider audience by the varying challenge playthrough to playthrough. Random elements, graphical slowdowns from action heavy sequences and a focus on repeating games to grind out for equipment are not for everyone.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There’s quality in At Sundown, but sadly its biggest strength in online play didn’t work out. There’s not much fun to be had past a couple of matches against bots. I didn’t really get into the “in the dark” element because I didn’t like or dislike it. I was impartial and though I thought it was a neat idea, I wasn’t impressed with the implementation. Without an online presence, the only appeal this will have is to those who seek out games they can play with people they know.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    For the brief moment it lasts, SPIFFING is a great game with an excellent script and a fairly high standard of production. Unfortunately, it's so short that it feels like a tutorial or a demo even. I'm known at XBLA Fans for commenting on game prices too often, but I can't ignore the fact that SPIFFING weighs in at nearly $20, yet lasts for less time than a decent TV drama.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Planet of the Eyes is a surprisingly short game, clocking in at around an hour and a half. The game just doesn't have the level of polish that allows such a length to be excusable. It's an incredibly simplistic take on gameplay and narrative ideas we've all seen a million times before, never doing anything new or memorable. Even at its best, it amounts to little more than a bland experience, one that will be over quickly and easily forgotten.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The difficulty in this platformer is beyond frustrating. It has its moments but falls just as often as you will. You won’t even worry about your times; you’ll be more concerned with surviving. The ranks end up feeling like you have to find the faster routes which require a lot of upgrades. It’s either you complete the level with a low ranking, or you find an alternate route to get a cheated S rank. There’s really not much in-between. This leaves the whole idea of speed running in the dust. It just doesn’t work, and I don’t feel many people will enjoy trying to obtain better times. Razed is playable even with its flaws, but how much you play will be up to your patience and determination.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Ittle Dew 2 was a fun little title that I enjoyed about 80% of the time. It controls well and unabashedly pulls from many classic games from the past. However, it fails to achieve the same level of greatness their inspirations achieved. Instead, you find bosses who feel impossible to beat and solutions to puzzles you will only find by accident or Google. The idea of me finishing off as many bosses in as many dungeons as I did and never once feeling accomplished or masterful was saddening. If you're a fan of this genre in need of a quick fix, maybe check it out, if not, don't waste your time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    One person made this title. I can’t imagine the dedication it takes to complete a project by yourself. The ideas and design feel like they could be escalated with a good budget and a team of people. It’s a mixing pot of potential that seems to fail at almost every corner. Having something mimic a play-to-win structure without the actual option to pay real money is confusing. Not being able to feel comfortable with the movement was the biggest issue. I didn’t hate what I played, but I didn’t really like it either.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    At the end of it all, Drift Zone truly feels like an unfinished game. It lacks the polish that many other current racing games have, and doesn’t bring anything new or interesting to set it apart from those games. The lack of a tutorial makes the game complicated for those new to the concept and puzzling for those who know the basic mechanics, but not how to implement them here. The only real variety comes from the cars which unfortunately don’t really vary at all. Even when considering the obvious price difference, if you’re looking for a game with strong customization including varied tuning options, a catchy soundtrack and the possibility of completing a handful of tracks within a 7-hour period, then you’re most likely better off looking for a Forza or Need for Speed title.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It really isn’t a bad game, for what it is, it just lasted way too long. A lot of work is sadly overshadowed by the flaws where frustration can ruin the fun.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This isn’t the worst physics game by any means, but there isn’t much to it. With nothing fun to unlock and no sense of accomplishment in gaining three stars, you find yourself bored very quickly. Reload times are fast and the instant retry is great for when you want to test out the level first and mess around before you make an actual attempt. This is probably better on a mobile platform where you can use touch controls to determine the force at which the little square guy flies. With an analog stick, it’s like being in a constant sand trap. I can’t say I hated Midnight Deluxe, but I can say I didn’t really like it either.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There are some redeeming qualities, such as the level design, puzzles, and the ability to replay levels at your leisure. However, the camera and jumping controls really make the game almost uncomfortable to play. The puzzles are fairly easy (minus one extremely difficult mirror one) and can be somewhat enjoyable. Each level serves as its own little world, keeping you from becoming bored. There may be some people who enjoy it, but the vast majority likely won’t have enough patience to complete the story (even thought it’s pretty short).
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Nebulous is a successful puzzle game in that it meets the general criteria to be one; however, it does not have any element that draws you in and makes you want to play for hours or even complete the game.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    This game can be fun but not for long periods of time. It is more likely a game you would buy, play once then forget about until you are looking through your game library because you ran out of storage. I've said this before and I will say it again: puzzle games should require patience and skill rather than focus on speed and luck. King Oddball's enormous amount of levels and chuckle-worthy achievements just don't cut it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The presentation was nice, but it had very limited gameplay. Awkward physics worked very well for duels though they were almost depressing during the mini-games. Watching the clock tick as your character makes no progress because you can’t move deters your desire for more. It’s going to have a niche group of gamers that love it but most people can look elsewhere to have a duel.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    On the surface, the game looks nice, and the thought of playing inside someone’s story is quite awesome. But with so many bugs, annoying encounters, and obstruction of sight, there are too many flaws to make this very enjoyable. Also, a lot of what you do in the game is very mundane. Especially at the end, when you have to do chores. Get the plates, put them on the table, get the drinks, get the food, put the food on the table. Clear the table, get the coffee, and take the coffee to the people. That’s a whole lot of stuff to do that isn’t very entertaining. I also don’t understand why a group of people would drink coffee after having dinner and alcohol, at night, before bed. Pretty strange! Of course, there will be some people who enjoy it for what it is, similar to when people say art is subjective. There will be a few who adore it. But everyone else is a different story, one that Sid would not like reading.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Sadly for a game that is all about memories, Dear Esther just never does much to leave a lasting one.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I can almost see the appeal of playing Doddle God on a mobile phone. Perhaps when you're waiting for the next bus, or when your friend is late meeting you. I say almost, though, as I'm pretty sure I could find a million other more interesting things to do on my phone. Or maybe I've just never hit that level of boredom required to find a game like Doodle God fun. However, on a home console system, it's about as dull as you can get and at $9.99, there are hundreds of better games out there worth your time and money
    • 49 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Korgan is a game that fails on many fronts. The lack of a story is definitely the biggest issue. The world you’re playing in feels empty and lifeless. The characters you’re controlling are forgettable to the extent that you don’t know anything about them other than their class and skills. The enemies are only bad because the game is telling you so, not because you’ve been given any reason to despise them.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    To summarize, I can't help but position Warhammer Quest as decidedly average. There is quite a lot to do here, and some of it is borderline enjoyable, but so much of it is dull, repetitive and so lacking in a strategic challenge that it feels as if it might as well play along by itself. I can't help but think it's quite a cynical release either, considering it costs ten times as much as the practically identical mobile game, which is a medium that feels much better suited to the subject matter anyway. Steer clear if you're looking for a pulse racing, genuinely enjoyable digital board game, and only dive in if you feel you know what you're getting yourself into.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The subject matter is deep, almost invasive. It might be something that actually helps you consider your own destiny. However, the actual gameplay is bad. There are easy puzzles then there are ones that slow down your progress, making you wonder if it’s worth continuing because the experience hasn’t been that great to begin with. It’s kind of bland and sometimes boring. Some may like the personalized questions that allow them to have a bit of self-discovery but usually games are an escape from reality. Instead, Solo: Islands of the Heart can actually bring back those memories. It really depends on your own life and experiences. If you’re happy and together with someone, the game will feel pretty pointless. If you’ve had your heartbroken or are alone, it may just highlight your failures instead.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It tells an excruciatingly sad, very real story about a person who is utterly helpless, and it does so using interesting mechanics and scenarios. The controls, aging graphics and lack of replay value, however, make it a difficult proposition to recommend wholeheartedly, so approach with caution unless you absolutely love similar games.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    When I first started playing Steven Universe: Save the Light I was excited, but quickly that excitement turned to boredom and frustration. Several of your teams' special moves cause the game to freeze, and about 30% of the map was unreachable as it just wouldn't load. So when I learned of an update in the works, I became optimistic. I thought, okay, we'll postpone the review and wait for them to fix the issues. Then the update came, and I couldn't lie to myself anymore, this game is just not fun. I was ready for the game to be over right around the three-hour marker, which for a game that's around ten hours long, that's not good. So if you love Steven Universe and "like, just have to consume everything," then get your rescue on. For everyone else, there are much better RPG's for you to spend your money and time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Even being one of the only party games on the Xbox, it sure didn’t seem to try very hard. There seems to be so much more they could have done and added, but there really isn’t much to do or unlock. Not all of the mini-games are bad. I actually really enjoy roulette. Some of them are completed in under a minute, reducing even more what was already a minimal game. I thought it was almost decent, but lacking online support and giving little effort to expanding a basic concept, Vegas Party may not be one you’d want to attend.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Robocraft Infinity can certainly be a fun and creative game. As you unlock more items, you can build better and cooler looking robots. You can even share your designs online for others to admire and use. If you like building-block type games, this is one you should try out. The customization ability, once you get past the controls, is a rewarding experience; the combat, not so much. If you are looking for a cool new shooter-style game to play with friends, this one doesn’t quite scratch the itch.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    On the outside looking in, there is a lot to like about a crazy dating simulation. Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try, the game makes it absurdly difficult to win the affection of another. The scenarios faced are not only crazy but on the brink of being too immature. I have laughed at all kinds of nonsense in my life, but this nonsense was not clever. It was shock humor that leaned more towards shock than humor. While I enjoyed the art, it didn’t really match the context of what was being said. Everyone has different tastes in comedy, but I find it hard to pinpoint anyone I personally know who would laugh at anything being said. There were some good things about my experience with Monster Prom XXL, but most of it was a letdown.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    There is a redeeming quality, and that’s the creative world and interesting crime scenes within it. But the clumsy navigation and fairly frequent bugs stop it short of being remotely entertaining. It seems like it is unfinished. There is even an option in the menu (to quit out) which is still not translated into English in the version I played. For the longest time, I didn’t even know what this option was because I didn’t know what it said. It ended up meaning quit, which is exactly what I’ve decided to do.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Everything about the game seems to make sense. It also isn’t anything you’ll fall in love with. Without substance, I can’t imagine anyone spending more than a few hours playing. Luckily the game is also on par with its price point. If you like easy achievements then, by all means, you can do it in one small gaming session. On a mobile device, this would be a pretty good time killer, but I can’t really say the same for a console.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    If you want to play an interactive book then you will probably like this. There just isn’t enough changing dialogue to really keep you engaged with repeat passengers even though a few are designed to have second pickups. You can refuse a passenger if you realize they are the same, but then you just lost gas money and precious time. I will probably play through the other missions just to do them, but I’m not entirely excited to do so.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The Path of Motus is short and not worth the money to purchase. If you don’t care about achievements, then you’ll get even less out of the game. The story is dull, and the characters are uninspiring. While you won’t hate your brief time with the game, you won’t exactly have much fun either. Everything does seem to run smoothly, and there are fast load times, but that’s seemingly because there’s so little to go wrong. Puzzles seem thrown in to delay you from completing the game too quickly. After gaining all of the achievements, there’s literally no replay value whatsoever.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    We’ve established there is some pretty spectacular music but no actual racing in Music Racer. So the developers got the name of the game at least half-right. If it were a better rhythm game than it is, I’d be a bit more willing to recommend it. What we have here is more of an interactive album, which has some gaming components added in to justify calling it a game. This may support the title’s album-like price point, its only other major positive attribute. For gamers looking for good music and 1,000 Gamerscore, download away. For those of us looking for more compelling gaming, Music Racer is more AM radio than high-end stereo.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Saban's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Mega Battle looks great and sparks so many nostalgic memories for me, but that is where any happiness from this stops. The game itself is basically hot garbage in a pretty multi-colored wrapper. The boss battles are lackluster, controls are horrible and the story is generic at best, even for a Power Rangers story.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    I’d question whether Virginia can be described as a game at all and for that reason it is unlikely to appeal to the majority of gamers. There’s not enough gameplay, even for a walking simulator, to be called a game and the whole thing might have functioned better as a two-hour animation, rather than trying to package in the limited player interactions which serve only to distract from the story’s immersion.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    As a fan of the show, I'm disappointed I didn't like the RWBY: Grimm Eclipse more. I did have fun playing it online and mindlessly mashing buttons, but that thrill didn't last.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The character that you play is dull, so if he died no tears were shed. While some games get you hooked with “just completing one more quest” since you have none, there was no desire to continue. I know many people will disagree but I’m just being straightforward. It was hard for me to find anything within Darkwood that I truly admired besides the theme. Just because it’s not for everyone doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. Lots of people will love it. I just think that the majority won’t.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Cool on the surface, you’ll likely enjoy what you’re looking at. The style and idea of this evil world with female fighters who are an unlimited supply of clones is just awesome and unique. The major setback is the repetitive gameplay that isn’t varied. It’s like you’re just playing a demo for hours with no feeling of actual progression because of how many times you’ll be restarting. Without a really fleshed out story, you almost don’t have anything to really fight for. Seeing the conclusion of the story isn’t exciting because you expect it to just end without any dramatic elements in place. There just isn’t enough meat in it to satisfy your hunger. It’s a beautiful world, but not one you’re going to stay in for long.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    It's unquestionably dull and incredibly repetitive with very few redeeming features. But it doesn't feel like it is maliciously or deliberately bad, and it's definitely not broken.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Imagine a game that has the potential to exceed every expectation you had going into it in some regards, but is so poor in others that you can barely stand to play through the worse sections. That, for me, is The Dwarves. It is a huge missed opportunity.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Energy Cycle is perfect for those who take pride in their gamerscore and are always looking to increase their number of achievements. The game hands out achievements as frequently as parents hand out candy on Halloween night. Those looking for something a bit more than gamerscore in a game might want to look elsewhere as there is little in Energy Cycle that is particularly new or fun.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    iO
    Despite my love of physics-based games, I didn't have fun with this iO at all. At its worst, it's a mess where things just don't work the way you want, but most of the time it's just a dull platformer with lackluster visuals and repetitive level design. The concept is novel, but it left a lot of room to grow.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Nefarious attempts to show the other side of a classic video game power struggle, but like many evil schemes it just doesn’t pan out as intended. For all its ambitious goals, it buckles under the pressure at every turn. The blueprints are there, but it lacks the workmanship and polish to truly strike fear into the weak-minded masses. It might be good for a few sinister chuckles, but that’s about it.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Despite its pleasant appearances, Lost Sea is a fairly bland and uninteresting game.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    What it is is a victim of extremely unrealistic expectations. Perhaps the famous Kickstarter campaign is to blame for that. Or maybe it's our nostalgia-fueled game culture. Or maybe some of us just don't have the patience for really hard games designed for kids.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Uncanny Valley has a couple of good ideas. Firstly, it has an interesting setting and plot, and the 2D action adventure approach works well at a conceptual level. The introduction of a compelling reason to replay the game, and the various means to progress through it and end it is also very welcome. Unfortunately, the combination of abysmal controls, poor combat and a lot of repetition in almost every area can make it hard to get the most out of Uncanny Valley, and as a result, it's not going to be for everyone.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    If you honestly feel you must play Mulaka, you may want to wait for a sale, but I can’t fathom recommending the idea of doing so at all. Mulaka is a game with a beautiful and rich lore based environment plagued by not only the enemies but also by the core failures of the game.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Four Sided Fantasy is a visually appealing game with low replayability. Its screen-wrap mechanic is a fun idea and works well, but it needs to be fleshed out to add more complex puzzles. I also experienced a few glitches as I progressed further into the game that forced me to quit the level and start it over. This game is a quick and easy Gamerscore booster, but needs some work to make it stand out. If the puzzles and mechanics were as creative and polished as the artwork, this might be worthwhile.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    I like the ideas, acting, and creativeness found in Headspun. The dark humor is pretty great and I enjoyed being in someone’s head trying to help them regain their memory. While I enjoyed it, I hate to admit that the game is broken, more so than Theo’s mind. It has some of the worst glitches I have experienced in any game.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    It’s a game that feels very rushed and unexplained. Sure, the concept alone might have made sense in the mind of that of the person who wrote it, but for those of us experiencing it first hand, there isn’t anything exciting or memorable about it. The hour and a half max playtime the game has to offer is a slap in the face when you're presented with the facts that there is just no story or content to offset. For anyone who’s looking for an interesting game to help fill some free time are better off looking at games such as Firewatch or What Remains of Edith Finch, which are more deserving of your time. If you’re an achievement enthusiast, you may be able to justify the $7.99 for the easy completion, though it's probably best to just wait for a sale.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    There is no reason for anyone (including the most diehard fan) to waste their time, money and hope on this mess. I wasn't kidding when I said that Battle Crashers was the worst game I've played since Frizzy. It really is just dull, unimaginative and embarrassing rubbish.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    R.B.I. Baseball 2017 is not a good baseball game. The game is plagued with bad fielding controls and animations, along with awful base running controls that will make you feel like you are playing against yourself. The hitting and pitching are fine, but not nearly good enough to keep you wanting to play more. The lackluster variety of modes is hindered even more by the absence of online multiplayer, making there even less to do than last year's game. If you are looking for some sort of MLB experience on Xbox One, this is pretty much your only option. If you're looking to play a good MLB game, though, then, unfortunately, you own the wrong console.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    With minor changes to this, there could have been some kind of charm that a lot of people could like. But sadly, none of these design choices were executed and we’re left with an unmemorable game that released a while back on the Apple store and was free, minus in-app purchases. With that in mind, I imagine the price tag is basically unlocking the game without having to actually spend the money to play. At least there’s that.
    • 56 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    If the issues of the game were fixed, it would be an honor to go back and play the game just to continue experiencing the story. Unfortunately, in the present state that the game is in, its impossible to recommend Fall of Light to anyone.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    If Gene Rain ever goes on sale for $5, and you’re desperate for some achievements, then by, by all means, pick it for the points. Otherwise, there is no redeeming value in paying anything for the game. There are no strong aspects. Literally, nothing is done well. I wish I could say "despite all the negatives," but I can’t. Gene Rain is just awful and you should save your time and money.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Let’s face it, Asemblance: Oversight isn’t just more of the same in terms of the confusing puzzles and the forgettable story, it’s even less of a game than the original just by how much shorter it is. How this game even got made into a sequel is questionable, and the developer taking the game in the same direction as the original hurt it more than it helped. Do yourself a favor and save your time and money. Avoid this game. Avoid this series.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    This game is a like a slot machine that forgot to let the player win every once in a while to keep them playing. All things considered, it’s just a very poor experience; and if you bought the game, I hope you enjoy losing. Don’t give this game a chance because it isn’t going to give you one.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    The flaws outweigh all positives. I enjoyed the world and the idea behind the story, but it’s nearly unplayable. I just don’t think it was ready to launch when it did, needing vast improvements in the most important areas. There were several occasions I force quit the game to take a break from the mess. I couldn’t even start to name every annoyance I had while playing. Even the starting screen makes no sense. You’re always on “New Game” and must scroll down to “load game”. Why would I want to start new? It should not be my first option. I’m really disappointed. I think there was a total miss on what could have been an exceptional adventure.
    • 51 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    While it’s nice to live back in the day, nothing is new enough to want to play Zeroptian Invasion for more than a few rounds. If people have a craving to play those older arcade classics, they can simply play them. There aren’t any actual problems. Everything works and plays just fine. It just isn’t very fun. Nothing new is present, just recycled ideas. It’s like an old classic car that wasn’t restored. Though in this case, it was never actually a classic. It’s a new car bearing a resemblance to a classic.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Where The Bees Make Honey just didn’t quite hit home. It tried too many different things and forgot about the core puzzle stages it should have instead put all focus into.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    The appearance of DragonFangZ is pretty, but the concept feels like it deserts you from the beginning. You like what you see, thinking you’re going to have a blast in some dungeons. Then you die. No problem, let’s attempt it again. The cycle continues and unless you fall in love with the game, you’re going to despise it. It might not be fair for me to come to such quick judgment, only having played for a couple of hours. However, I do think it’s fair to say that I’ve played enough to know I never want to load it on my Xbox ever again. I guess if you’re playing on a portable console such as the Nintendo Switch you may find a little more value inside. On the Xbox, it just doesn’t deserve the attention.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    It was terrible at first but the game got a tiny bit better as I played. However, there is absolutely nothing to do besides the one campaign. It’s extremely limited. There’s so little to do that it’s hard to even talk about it. After gaining a few of the generals, it becomes a mindless dump and fight. You dump all your troops absolutely anywhere, then just start the battle and win. Sure, there are a few good ideas but they were barely scratching the surface. The controls are so difficult to master that even after more than ten hours of playing, I was still struggling at times to figure out how to do specific actions. And there really aren’t many to know. At least the game doesn’t come with a big cost associated with it, so if you’re an achievement hunter it might be worth your completion.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    The levels are difficult, but the real difficulty of the game comes from all the aggravation the player will deal with from their jumps not registering, constant deaths from invulnerable enemies, the irritating progression back to your most recent checkpoint and the constant failures due to not meeting the time constraints. It’s really the type of game that you wouldn’t recommend to anyone based on how much it fails on all fronts.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    In the end, the game failed to deliver not only what I was expecting, but what it was advertising from the beginning. With a game that classifies as horror, I’m really surprised that it didn’t do what most Hollywood movies do and throw in a bunch of jump scares. The only real delivery came from the very beginning of the game and after that, it fell far shorter than I was expecting. If you have money to burn and are looking for an escape room game to play, I still wouldn’t recommend Your Toy especially when there are plenty of other fantastic games of the same type on Xbox One for relatively the same price or only a few dollars more that would meet and even exceed the expectations of the player.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    As for Rento Fortune: Monolit Tycoon, it’s best to spend your fortune elsewhere.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Unless you have an absolute destruction fetish, Dangerous Golf provides, at best, only momentary bursts of fun. The concepts for a good game are there, but they aren’t utilized effectively and are hampered by severe issues. The game doesn’t feel good as a golf game due to the extreme lack of control and precision.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    The gameplay gets more tiresome and unimaginative as you play, ultimately becoming a never-ending slog. Things do take a small turn for the better near the end, but if I wasn't reviewing this game I would have given up long before then.
    • 36 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Monster Jam: Crush It! is fun for about five minutes and that's only if you skip the stunts and go straight to the hill climb mode.
    • 42 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Hello Neighbor has been through several alpha builds on PC, yet on Xbox One we're going straight to a full release. However, in its current state with distinct lack of polish and muddled gameplay it feels more like a demo or a modders pet project than anything that should be sat on the Xbox One store. The skeptic in me also suspects that the obscure puzzle design was a deliberate choice to force some hype around the game, as players reach out to internet forums or hit YouTube to watch the many let's play videos doing the rounds for some answers. However, unless you are a streamer yourself or of an age where you can't play real horror games, I can't honestly recommend this to anyone.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 20 Critic Score
    Vaccine sets out to imitate the classic horror games of old, and in that regard it is successful; however, it fails in being an engaging and enjoyable experience as a whole. The roguelike elements are not a great match for the classic genre, and the reliance the player will have on luck and having to deal with clunky controls will make the game an easy one to put down. If you are itching to play an old school horror game, then you're way better off just playing the HD remake of the original Resident Evil, than having to deal with the frustration that is Vaccine.

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