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For 2,224 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 52% higher than the average critic
  • 9% same as the average critic
  • 39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.3 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 71
Highest review score: 100 Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy
Lowest review score: 6 The Language Of Love
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,071 out of 2224
  2. Mixed: 884 out of 2224
  3. Negative: 269 out of 2224
2228 game reviews
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    • 95 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Mixtape
    Celebrating the 90’s, excellent music and how it impacts and marks our lives, and the joy of growing up with a few close friends, Mixtape is a stellar experience from start to finish.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Wax Heads
    Wax Heads was a unique experience that definitely lived up to the cozy promise. It may not be difficult, and it may not be my style, but I enjoyed the actual gameplay elements. I believe this one is a see it and you’ll know type of game.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    REPLACED
    Replaced has been a long time coming, and for the most part we’re happy with how it has turned out. The combat and presentation are the highlights here, with incredible animation making every encounter look and feel awesome. A slow opening and generally heavy platforming and exploration can drag things down at times though. As it is, Replaced winds up being worth a play for sure, even if it isn’t quite the next best thing we were hoping for.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Crimson Desert
    Despite the AI controversy around the launch of Crimson Desert, I’ve found a lot to enjoy during my time with the game. There is a lot of content to explore, and freedom to do so at your own pace and style. So much so, that even with some annoying interface and controller decisions and an initially confusing storyline, I found myself compelled to keep coming back and enjoying the moment to moment experiences.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Tides of Tomorrow
    Presenting a serious message in what is a fairly light-hearted game, Tides of Tomorrow is absolutely an entertaining time. The Story Link feature is a very cool concept, and the way it affects not just our world but those that come after gives us pause for thought every time we’re asked to make a choice.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Kiln
    Simple, solid fun from Double Fine’s multiplayer brawler, with a charming and easy to use creation suite to boot. Matchmaking can take some time, and playing with random players is far less enjoyable than with a group of buddies, but this is still an easy recommendation for those looking to add a new game to the game night rotation.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 66 Critic Score
    Basketball Classics
    Basketball Classics is a solidly made blast of fun in short bursts, but is missing the depth I’d hoped for a modern re-imagining of retro sports game.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss
    A game that isn’t afraid to let players muddle through it on their own is an idea to be lauded, and here there is a core mystery that will provide a compelling enough reason to continue if you can get into the rhythm of the puzzling.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege
    Every now and then I get the bug to play some retro games while playing something new and that’s where Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege fills the gap! Given the options of difficulty, found modifiers, codes, and currency that carries over, Saint Slayer does a good job of trying to cater to any gamer. At the asking price, I don’t see how you could have buyer’s remorse with this one.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    GreedFall: The Dying World
    Greedfall II had a big ask to follow on from the original which I enjoyed a lot even if it had its annoyances and limitations such as repetitive dialogue choices. Greedfall II feels much more refined in terms of graphics, story and dialogue. The new combat system was a bold choice but it’s a risk, allowing players to try their hand at both real time and tactical styles. Returning players will find a lot to enjoy here, but newer players will be able to pick things up easily enough as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Shinobi: Art of Vengeance - SEGA Villains Stage DLC
    Fantastic level design and brutally hard challenges remind us of what made the base Art of Vengeance title so good. Add in plenty of love for iconic Sega series and we have an absolute winner on our hands.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    PRAGMATA
    I was pleasantly surprised by many aspects of Pragmata. First, the constantly evolving and engaging hacking mechanic, then, the creative level design and puzzles, and finally the emotional bond forming between Hugh and Diana. Hopefully we’ll see more from this new, innovative IP in years to come (hopefully with a much-improved map).
    • 60 Metascore
    • 62 Critic Score
    Crimson Capes
    Crimson Capes is an interesting experiment, where every fight could be a chance for meaty combat, instead it feels like too close to Prince of Persia combat – flailing and anachronistic.
    • 95 Metascore
    • 98 Critic Score
    Hades II
    Surprising no one, Hades II is a stellar example of the roguelike genre, with excellent combat, rewarding loops and progression, and for those that are willing to spend the time a dense and expansive story and lore to dig into.. Packed with more game than meets the eye, Hades II is something we’ll be playing for a long time to come.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Super Meat Boy 3D
    While the addition of the extra dimension brings a few niggles to the precision platforming that simply weren’t there in the original, overall Super Meat Boy 3D retains a lot of what made the original game great – with snappy restarts, generally tight controls, tricky challenges and a lot of reason to go back and beat personal records or find hidden secrets.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Life is Strange: Reunion
    A massive improvement over Double Exposure, and an excellent send off for the two characters that the Life is Strange fanbase are obviously hugely fond of. The core mystery kept me guessing throughout, the performances are excellent, and the investigative nature of the story encourages us to dig deep rather than just follow a checklist. It’s just all-round brilliant stuff.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Ship v Maze
    Short, sweet, simple and challenging arcade action that is easy to pick up and play, and very moreish thanks to super fast restarts egging us on for ‘one more go’.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Project Songbird
    While it didn’t grip me fully, I did enjoy aspects of the tale, and I really dug the horror sections thanks to great use of audio and visuals to make a genuinely unsettling experience.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Messy Up
    In my opinion, it’s a real shame that Messy Up falls short, as there are the makings of a good game here. It just needs a little more care to optimize the menus for consoles and to fix some gameplay mechanics. I just can’t recommend this game when there are other games that do it much better.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
    Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties was always going to be a hit with me as a fan of the series. A lot of the amendments to modernise the game and make it more fun and interesting have hit the spot with me. Although its not the strongest story in the series, coupling it with the Dark Ties side story brings an interesting dynamic on the story which I enjoy. But a horrifically bad casting choice has completely tarnished the game and left me with mix feelings.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Screamer
    Screamer is quite simply an incredible arcade racer, with stellar presentation and gameplay. It’s a rare racer that can hold my attention for more than a few hours, but I’ll be playing this for a long time to come.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly REMAKE
    A strong setting and atmosphere provide genuine creeps and a tale that is engaging, though for me the combat is a weak spot in an otherwise enjoyable experience.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Marathon
    While there’s no denying Marathon is an aggressive PvPvE extraction shooter, it is also a remarkably moreish one. The core loop of exploration, looting and fighting feels great as we’d hope from FPS veterans Bungie, and while the UI could use some touch ups in both inputs and clarity, that one more game feeling is present and correct enough that I can see myself sticking with this for some time to come. With constant updates and additions promised, I think the future is bright for Marathon indeed.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Styx: Blades of Greed
    Styx: Blades of Greed is unrepentantly a stealth game, and this instalment adds a lot of new features and mechanics but makes sure to never move to far away from what has made this series appealing – skulking in the shadows.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    JAWS: Retro Edition
    While the base gameplay may be simple and of the time, Jaws Retro Edition proves that can still be fun even today. The Enhanced edition is great and offers more meat on the bones to the original, and while it may not be my favourite retro game ever, I have still enjoyed taking it to Bruce and his aquatic cohorts all the same.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Sumerian Six
    Like I mentioned this one was not on my radar, no pun intended, and I was pleasantly surprised. A few glitches with the enemies soured the experience a little but not enough for me to not recommend the game still. Even as someone who doesn’t gravitate to stealth games, this one was successful in integrating a system simple enough to pick up and swap between characters easily and make you feel satisfied clearing an area whether by yourself or through an automated, planned team effort. It has a thorough save system to boot which absolutely helped make the game more enjoyable with my trial and error. For sure, I recommend it as a really solid game.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    WWE 2K26
    A downer to end with, but I do want to reiterate that the game otherwise is excellent in terms of quality. The roster (at least what is unlocked to start with) is stacked, the match types are more varied than ever, and there are so many modes here to play with I am honestly staggered how anyone could find the time to explore them all properly. Showcase does CM Punk justice, while MyRise is a great character builder for our custom superstar, and the creation suite is even more mind boggling in its scope than ever. If you’re even remotely into the world of professional wrestling, then WWE 2K26 is an absolute no brainer as the best game of graps out there.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 96 Critic Score
    Planet of Lana II
    Across all aspects of the experience – gameplay, story., audio, and visuals – Planet of Lana II is a resounding success. A joy to play, a touching story, and incredible soundtrack make for what will be a top contender for my favourite game of the year.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Resident Evil Requiem
    Easily the best Resident Evil game in many years, with inspirations from both RE2’s survival horror and RE4’s more action horror. Paced perfectly, and with plenty of surprises to discover, I can’t recommend Resident Evil Requiem highly enough.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Heart of the Forest
    As a debut FMV title, Trapped Predator has done a great job of following in the wake of publisher Wales Interactive. The tale is engaging with plenty of twists, turns, and reasons to replay. We’d have liked a few more choices, more frequently to make along the way and we hope that whatever they bring us next can fine tune what is already a solid base in their production and story telling.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Dynasty Warriors: Origins - Visions of Four Heroes
    Pricing aside Visions of Four Heroes is great content, and for those interested in this series it is a decent extension of the game with an interesting concept on the storylines.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Love Eternal
    While the narrative didn’t grab us, the brilliant presentation and moreish challenge did. It may make us curse more than a few times as we die yet again, but the challenge was ultimately enjoyable enough to want to continue on regardless.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    REANIMAL
    REANIMAL is a great step in the right direction for Tarsier’s portfolio, though with all the improvements there are still some problems with its execution.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Torii
    Torii is an interesting little game with some good visuals and solid puzzles. The stealth elements don’t need to be here, and it will entirely depend on your frame of mind as to whether the story hits.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cats Around Us: Giant Cat
    Cats Around Us: Giant Cat isn’t going to win any game of the year awards, but it does offer gamers a good time for just a few dollars. Older gamers can expect an hour of relaxing gameplay while younger gamers may spend more time with the simpler puzzles and the ability to color screenshots.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    The Run
    All in all, The Run is another excellent FMV title from Paul Raschid and his team. The performances are great, the choices present some real dilemmas, and the conclusion is satisfyingly surprising.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Cairn
    Cairn is thoughtful in its mechanical exploration of being a climber and it also delivers a story that pushes back on the mythology of the sport and the people that reach the highest levels. This is an essential game.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rightfully, Beary Arms
    In short bursts there is fun to be had with Rightfully, Beary Arms, and once we nab a few permanent upgrades some of the issues are less pronounced. But we simply didn’t find it all that engaging enough to want to repeatedly play and progress, with one-note combat and occasionally cheap deaths.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    God bless, or Goddess
    All in all, God Bless, or Goddess is an odd curiosity. On the one hand it has some decent special effects, some interesting characters and some added gameplay elements you wouldn’t normally see in an FMV title, as well as some tongue-in-cheek humour. On the other, it’s clearly aimed at a certain (mostly male) audience for certain, obvious reasons, and the plot and characters can become a tangled mess of names and proper nouns that are hard to keep track of, especially with the rapid pace of the subtitles going by.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch
    Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch is a really interesting attempt at doing something different with the deck-building genre. Frustrating, absorbing, annoying, engrossing, very fiddly, but also not as complex as it seems. Fascinating game, that I hope gets a refined sequel.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    MIO: Memories in Orbit
    MIO has a lot of features that other games in the genre introduced and found a way to incorporate and make them shine. The modifier system is similar to Hollow Knight or Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The accessibility option that makes each boss a tiny bit weaker after each failed attempt is similar to Hades. The extended platforming sections of the Ori games and Guacamelee are also present. MIO does a fantastic job of taking all these systems and making them their own while wrapping them up in a huge world to explore. This is Douze Dixièmes’ second game which follows their stunning debut, Shady Part of Me, and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Kentum
    Kentum is an excellent combination of Metroidvania exploration and combat, and light base construction. The two genres enhance rather than distract from each other.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Street Racer Collection
    Overall, it’s been good to play these classic racers again. Nostalgia is doing some heavy lifting though, and if you’re not familiar with Street Racer then I would hazard a guess that you won’t quite see what the fuss is about. A lack of archival content, as well as some other versions of the game, is a shame but if you’re into retro gaming and fancy a fun – if challenging – racer, then this collection is worth a look.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 77 Critic Score
    CAPTURED
    This is probably one of the best versions of this style of game I’ve played (which isn’t many as I am a bit of scaredy cat) and it is helped by the visual style. Most of the level is bathed in a blue hue, reminiscent of the afterglow of a static TV, and it feels like it takes a lot of its inspiration from the low-budget-but-with-a-ton-of-style film Skinamarink. It is a good visual inspiration as the long drawn out shadows make it look like everything is a threat, and the hues support the theme of the mundane turned terrifying. It is fairly short experience, but the difficulty settings give you the option to make it more challenging (or you can turn the monsters off entirely to just soak up the environment). But at the price point, this game is unassailable as a purchase recommendation.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Neon Inferno
    This type of game may not be for everyone, but for anyone who misses the era of “gameplay only possible in an arcade cabinet” you might want to check out Neon Inferno.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    DAVE THE DIVER
    Ol’ Dave has captured hearts and minds with his debut game in Dave the Diver. But seriously, this was a fantastic game from start to finish. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot that is happening, either in the background or you having to deal with it directly, but I found the experience more enjoyable than not. A tried and tested game made its way to Xbox and the same greatness shows over here. Plays well anywhere and fun for all ages. Well worth a dive!
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    DETECTIVE - Rainy Night
    Despite not fully delivering on its promise of a mystery to crack, I still enjoyed my time with Detective Rainy Night. A sequel with a bit more mystery and production value could be great, but for now this is recommended if you’re in the mood for a short thriller to spend an evening with.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    KILL IT WITH FIRE! 2
    I’ve said it before but the same applies. I was very excited to play this follow-up game to what was kind of an indie gem back in the day. Kill It With Fire 2 went above my expectations with the depth they were able to add. I love the fact the co-op exists because it made for some fun moments with friends. Obviously, fans of the original will want to give this a try, but I would recommend this to a group of friends with no prior experience to this game, as long as you weren’t deathly afraid of spiders … I guess.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Kamikaze Lassplanes
    As a whole then, Kamikaze Lassplanes is a game of two distinct halves: a romance-heavy narrative adventure, and a good scrolling shooter. Personally, I’d have preferred more of the latter than the former, but what’s here is decent enough to enjoy all round.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 89 Critic Score
    Puzzle Parasite
    With dedicated solo and co-op level campaigns, Puzzle Parasite offers a great entry point into the puzzler genre, one with a good balance of difficulty and a decent selection of levels to play through.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 97 Critic Score
    ROUTINE
    Routine grounds the player within this lunar base, and trusts them to get out alive with a fantastic diegetic presentation, compelling narrative and setting, and genuine creeps and tense atmosphere.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    The Last Case of John Morley
    As a short, narrative adventure, The Last Case of John Morley is enjoyable thanks to a great sense of atmosphere, good story and well paced reveals that keep us second guessing right until the very end.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
    MARVEL Cosmic Invasion is yet another fantastic brawler, with excellent combat complimented by the dual character switching and combos, some brilliant A/V work, and plenty of reason to play it through multiple times. Some difficulty spikes ruin the flow a little, but get some buddies in and you’re in for a real treat with MARVEL Cosmic Invasion.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
    Strong multiplayer props up an otherwise poor showing from Call of Duty this year. The combat and movement is a good as ever, but a woefully dire co-op campaign drags the experience to one of the lowest points in years, and is only mildly mitigated by the End Game extraction mode that has some good to it, albeit marred by not being the main focus of the release of Black Ops 7.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cat God Ranch
    I tried out Cat God Ranch on a whim and was pleasantly surprised. It quickly became one of those games I just needed to get one more round in. There are a lot of different animals in the world and in Cat God Ranch which is where I ultimately fell off. Even when you don’t use most of them in a round, I felt the need to try and mix and match and I was doing more reading and thinking than just playing, which for me, took me out of it a bit. That said, in this newish genre of seeing crazy numbers appear through crazy combos, Cat God Ranch has earned a spot at that table.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 98 Critic Score
    Dispatch
    Dispatch is a refreshing piece of gaming. Bringing back the Telltale-style choose your own adventure is great, but doing so with such brilliant style, technical proficiency and excellent script and performances has won me over entirely. Engaging from start to finish, Dispatch is easily one of my favourite games of the year, and a new standard in the genre.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    9 Years of Shadows
    I think that the active-reload healing mechanic in 9 Years of Shadows had potential to make them stand out in a crowd of other action platformers. Unfortunately, the difficulty spikes, lack of signposting, and frequent dropping of button presses wore me out and I would not recommend this game to anyone but the most hardcore fans that must absolutely play every game in this genre.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Tormented Souls 2
    Some weaker combat and a few UI problems aside, Tormented Souls 2 is a good love letter to the survival horror genre, with good exploration and puzzles to keep us wanting to see more.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
    In VF5: R.E.V.O. the gameplay and content have never been better. This version feels like the complete package, even if visually it is starting to look long in the tooth.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Radiolight
    Radiolight is an enjoyable sci-fi adventure where we’re constantly wanting to see what’s next, with great performances pulling us through to a solid conclusion.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    It Takes a War
    To sum it up as spoiler-free as I can, if you like a bit of off the wall gaming with something to say, and are willing to spend an hour just going along for the ride, then ITaW is an easy recommend. Just do others a favour and tell them to play it with no prior knowledge as well.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Orbyss
    Orbyss proves less is more, with a snappy runtime filled with decently balanced puzzles and continuous new ideas to keep things fresh. A slightly more robust hint system would be great for when players need it, but otherwise Orbyss comes with a hearty recommendation if you’re in the market for a few evenings of puzzle goodness.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    1000xRESIST
    Once again, it’s hard to really delve into 1000xResist without ruining the experience as the story is the main draw and driving force of the game throughout. It can get a bit confusing, and perhaps goes on a little too long at the conclusion, but all the same it is gripping and full of interesting twists and turns.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Last Mind Standing
    Last Mind Standing is a fun little throwback, that I think has potential for those that like their challenges retro and offbeat. Those are the people that will persevere with the game’s peculiarities, probably even thrive in them. For most others, the onboarding is too punishing that they will not get past the open levels to be able to find the fun.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
    After jumping back into the Plants vs. Zombies world, I can safely say this is my favorite way to play the franchise, classic tower-defense style gameplay loop. Not third person shooting or open worlds, just six lanes, some plants and some zombies. An argue can be had to whether we needed this as there are older GOTY editions, but I can’t lie and say I wasn’t excited to earn new achievements for it again. There is a little bit of new content but all in all this is just another repackaging of PvZ which if you’ve never played before … I definitely recommend it.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Chickenhare and the Treasure of Spiking Beard
    There’s a lot that interested me with this one going in but in the end, the gameplay soured my experience and for a platformer, that has to be top-notch. While aimed for kids, I don’t even know if this one could hold their attention unless they were a die-hard fan of the franchise. Regardless, it’s an easy miss.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    EA Sports FC 26
    EAFC 26 is still the leading football simulation game in the world, and it’s not even close. It’s a shame there is no real competition to keep them on their toes. They are keeping with the ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ mantra and appeasing their biggest money maker by putting a large amount of focus on the Ultimate Team game mode. They have made just enough graphical and gameplay changes so it can be considered a new game, but barely.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 55 Critic Score
    Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition
    This is an arcade-perfect port that is fast, flashy and furious. Sadly, this also has no extra frills and struggles to justify an afternoon of play.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Hello Stranger
    Paul Raschid has been in the FMV game for a while now, and though The Complex still remains a firm favourite at Tavern Towers, Hello Stranger is a strong contender for some of his best work yet thanks to a snappy playtime, great performances and plenty of replayability.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bye Sweet Carole
    Here we are again, an absolute gorgeous game taken down a point or two by gameplay. If not for the bugs I encountered and the slowness that the game just seemed to me, this game could have been great. That said, I can realize when a game isn’t meant for me and ultimately, I don’t think this is a game I’d go in for myself after really thinking about it. But with visuals and audio like this, at least the ride was nice to look at it. I’d welcome a sequel even if we can just do without the sneaky, hide and seek bits.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    9 Lives To Defend
    9 Lives to Defend is a great game to have installed and play now and then. The shortest round is 12 minutes, and it is fun to try and survive the level to earn the kibble to try and maybe complete a harder round next time. The game is cute enough to be enjoyed by kids, but it is tricky enough to be enjoyed by hardened gamers. So, if you prefer a more innocent-looking Vampire Survivors-style game, then this could be the one for you.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 78 Critic Score
    Battlefield 6
    All in all, Battlefield 6 feels very much like a game of two parts; the campaign is an exhilarating spectacle that lacks any narrative interest whatsoever, while the multiplayer is just all out chaos is the best way. It will have its learning curve for new players, but DICE certainly has a very good online shooter contender this time around, and it’s something that will keep drawing me back for some time as I attempt to get even remotely passable at it. Hopefully before the next game…
    • tbd Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Hidden Cats in Tokyo
    Hidden Cats in Tokyo is everything you need it to be. For older gamers familiar with Where’s Wally or Waldo, depending on where you are from, it’s just a fun challenge to find everything. I find the game something you can play with younger kids, as they also enjoy the hunt. You can get a little extra knowledge about Japan and Tokyo, too, so learn whilst you hunt for cats.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    BALL x PIT
    When I looked at the trailer for Ball x Pit I was immediately intrigued but I didn’t think it would grab my attention like it did. Whether it was getting a few more resources or inching closer to the end of the level it seemed like there was constant progression during my time with this one from beginning to end. Even if I failed a run, there was some kind of progression being made to make me have a better chance on the next go. It’s not often I have to think about how a game was bad and I think that deserves some kudos. Ball x Pit has definitely solidified itself as one of my top games of 2025!
    • 78 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Metal Eden
    Metal Eden is a fantastic title, brimming with explosive encounters and dazzling moments of traversal. It is as good as the other big budget run-and-gunner this year.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 63 Critic Score
    Formula Legends
    If you enjoy arcade-style open-wheel racing, Formula Legends has something to offer you thanks to its retro presentation and its accessibility, along with some strategic nuance with regards to tires and fuel. There’s plenty of content to get stuck into, which is quite surprising for an indie title, but Formula Legends is well stocked to keep you racing on and on. The question of whether you’ll want to continue racing on and on is questionable due to the lack of a damage model and fairly non-dramatic races, but the straightforward arcade pleasures and those playful name spins of drivers, teams and tracks do give you reasons to keep your foot on the accelerator. Formula Legends is therefore competent and fine, though it is overlapped by its stern competition and some of its less-endearing archaic design choices.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Blood of Mehran
    Poor combat and stealth only serve to highlight the rest of the issues with Blood of Mehran, and far too soon does it become a slog to play rather than the epic Arabian adventure it could have been.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    LEGO Party!
    LEGO Party! is a solid, fun party game for families or friends. The boards are well designed and offer enough differences to make playing them repeatedly interesting, and the minigames are just the right balance of chaos and execution to be laugh out loud fun. A bit more chaos at the end of a game with bonus bricks would have been welcome, but otherwise this is a great alternative to Mario and his pals’ boardgame shenanigans.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Cronos: The New Dawn
    As much a victim of greater survival horror games as it is an oasis in a desert of unique survival horror experiences, Cronos: The New Dawn tries its best to evoke the atmosphere and dread that put the genre on the map. However, what lingers is the stench of a lack of effort, as there are various instances where you’ll be reminded of the greatness of the survival horror classics that came before, while you discover the myriad of ways Cronos falters in its attempts to shock and scare you. There are decent boss fights, excellent presentation, and decent weapons, but its workmanlike protagonist and weak conventional enemies keep this promising double A horror on a leash, when it really should’ve broken the chains and unleashed itself impressively upon every genre fan. Cronos is good enough, but it really should’ve been so much more.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny
    As mentioned in the video I love crossovers and nostalgia and this game combines both for me. The RPG mechanics may be a bit shallow but there is enough content and characters to keep you and your kids involved for hours. The voices may not be exactly as you remember but it doesn’t take away from the feeling you are back watching a new episode of a cartoon you grew up with. This one was just a fun (albeit a repetitive at times but that’s okay) adventure when you go in not expecting deep and complicated gameplay mechanics. So set your expectations and have some fun!
    • 90 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Borderlands 4
    Borderlands 4 is easily the strongest entry in the franchise is years. It refocuses the core, fun gameplay, build creativity and exploration. The narrative is better anchored, and the polish in many systems shows growth. It’s not without its blemishes, where it does have some performance and optimization issues, however overall it is a very, very good game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 87 Critic Score
    Creepy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3
    Don’t let the name of the game or the simple match 3 gameplay throw you off. Crazy Redneck Dinosaur Mansion 3 (CRDM3) is a wild and fun ride through an actual videogame and what some of those characters are learning and figuring out. It’s a story I wasn’t expecting but quickly wanted to keep going to unravel it more.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 92 Critic Score
    Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
    I am not saying that Sonic games are back, but I am definitely saying that Sonic racing games are back. This is a game that loves accessible racing and has an adoration for its own franchise. It has elevated each part of what came before, and I don’t think Sonic Racing CrossWorlds can be dismissed as the ‘other kart racing’ game anymore.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Wobbly Life
    Bouts of input delay on Xbox ruin the experience, and it’s not something to play solo, but Wobbly Life, with co-op buddies, can be a surprising amount of fun. There’s a vast array of things to do, and the hilarity of the physics can make for some funny, rage-inducing moments.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    LEGO Voyagers
    Lego Voyagers is equal parts lovely to look at, simple yet engaging to play, and an all round good time for co-op players no matter their skill level.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Heading Out
    Heading Out has a clear sense of style and carries the whole experience. It falters a little with the driving model and some small bugs.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Arctic Awakening
    It takes something special for me to love a walking sim and trust me there are some really good ones out there. Arctic Awakening does fine, and I’d hear an argument to include it within top contenders. For me though, what holds it back is the length and the slowness that comes with it. Technical bugs aside, Arctic Awakening is worthy title in the genre however and fans should keep an eye out.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 84 Critic Score
    Platypus Reclayed
    Platypus Reclayed is a tough old cookie, but rewarding and fun to play at the same time.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 71 Critic Score
    Bad Cheese
    A lot should be forgiven when it comes to Bad Cheese. At only an hour or two in length it’s a comfortably brief experience, and it deserves kudos for the imagination lavished upon it, the cool gadgets, and for the aesthetics as well. For a one-person game it is very impressive and that can’t be denied. However, Bad Cheese enslaves you into performing chores and the mechanics could be improved. Overall, Bad Cheese is definitely a solid effort despite the sense it could be tightened up and improved in terms of gameplay.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    ZOE Begone!
    A bit of style over substance, with Zoe Begone!’s controls proving too big a hurdle in getting to the fun for my tastes.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Echoes of the End
    The tech art and art direction deserve commendation as Echoes of the End is frequently breathtaking. The gameplay design is similarly breathtaking but in the way that it sucks all the oxygen out of the room.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 82 Critic Score
    Dead Reset
    Dead Reset is an enjoyable sci-fi horror story, with fun characters, great b-movie effects and gruesome deaths, and is ripe for several playthroughs to see how different we can make the outcomes of the crew. The time loop addition means we even get a small sliver of experimentation in our choices, as a bad one means we can try again almost without penalty – a rarity in these types of games.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants
    Nine months is a bit too long of a wait for this DLC to truly recommend returning to the game for, but newer players who will have it folded into their organic playthrough are in for a tough but enjoyable addition to an already excellent game.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 88 Critic Score
    Luto
    A stunningly presented psychological horror title with some excellent twists and turns that is only let down by a few obtuse puzzles, Luto is a strong debut title and easily makes its case as one of the better indie horrors in recent times.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 48 Critic Score
    Robots at Midnight
    Robots at Midnight brings little to the genre that is new. It is decent enough but lacks the spark to elevate it.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 100 Critic Score
    Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
    After Streets of Rage 4, I wasn’t sure bringing back another of the 16-bit classics would have quite the same impact, but I was wrong. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredibly fun action platformer, with fantastic combat design, enemy encounters, optional challenges, and the audio visual presentation to really make it sing. I’m done with the story but am already itching to get back and play the unlocked Arcade and Boss Rush modes, and whether you have nostalgia for the old days or not, this is quite simply one of the best games of the year, so get it played.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown
    Overall happy to see TMNT cross yet another genre, but Tactical Takedown just barely makes a good grade. It’s not bad but it does nothing for the genre to make me want more of it. I can, for sure, recommend this for those wanting a more toned down turn-based strategy experience, especially if you love the Turtles, however. Veterans to these games will likely find Tactical Takedown a bit slow and too simple.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Viewfinder
    What a ride that was! Viewfinder was pretty much exactly what I expected going into it and fortunately stayed that way the whole time. No matter how hard or easy a puzzle or chapter was, I always felt great completing a level. There aren’t a lot of negatives to say about the game, just an easy recommendation for those who enjoy puzzles and particularly ones that make you think outside the box.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ra Ra BOOM
    Ra Ra Boom is a fun, colourful scrolling brawler/shooter that has plenty of charm and good replay value. Some small niggles in the combat and early game power levels aside, this is one for those looking for some couch co-op brawling good times.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 72 Critic Score
    Mafia: The Old Country
    If you’re up for a fantastic yarn and gorgeous sights, Mafia: The Old Country is outstanding, meaning you’ll be totally sold by its presentation. The moments, the story and the characters are top-notch, and there’s not much to criticize on that front. However, The Old Country is old-fashioned with forced and bland stealth sections, predictable gunplay, and a lack of newness when it comes to the game’s mechanics—also the knife fights are unexciting and rote. You can have a blast with The Old Country if gameplay isn’t your utmost concern, but if it is, you may need to absolve it of its sins, because while the gunplay is functional and enjoyable enough, it lacks nuance and weapon variety. Altogether, The Old Country is definitely worth taking in, but when gameplay is king, you may feel underwhelmed that it spends more time focusing on its visual and storytelling qualities than it does on crafting a sophisticated playable experience.
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