Xbox Tavern's Scores

  • Games
For 2,226 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:
2230 game reviews
    • 82 Metascore
    • 95 Critic Score
    Far Cry 5 is a masterpiece. Ubisoft has refined the core formula and delivered what may well be the best shooter we’ll see this year. The story, writing, and voice acting, remains remarkable throughout. The gameplay is every bit as energetic and chaotic as it ever was, with more depth than ever before. Far Cry 5 is stunning, well designed, and thoroughly engaging.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Raven Remastered isn’t a bad game. Besides its sub-par control mechanics and linear feel, the game actually has a compelling story with interesting characters. It’s no Sherlock Holmes, but it does have its good points and may well appeal to fans of such games as Black Mirror.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Alteric, despite its very generous price tag, fails to standout in an already overcrowded genre. The visuals are bland, the core gameplay loop becomes tedious, and the lack of evolving mechanics ultimately drags this experience down. Indeed, it may play well, but in the face of its competition, Alteric just doesn’t tick the boxes it needs to.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 31 Critic Score
    Releasing a PC game on console can work great, but some concessions have to be made for the differing audiences and control schemes. The core gameplay loop is more than capable of holding interest and has been put to great effect in recent games, but here, every opportunity is wasted. If you enjoy obscure interfaces, slow fiddly combat, and dated visuals, then please, fill your boots.
    • 32 Metascore
    • 68 Critic Score
    The casual baseball fan will assuredly have fun here, while those that are more passionate and hardcore, as many baseball fans are, will be left wanting. As far as baseball games on Xbox go, you can’t make a wrong choice. It’s really the only option you have. This is a laid-back game that offers a good time, but is hindered by poor audio and questionable presentation.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Western Press is far too repetitive and far too short for its own good. The game does indeed dish up some unique locations and interesting characters, but the gameplay loop remains the same throughout the entirety of play, rapidly becoming dull and boring as a result. Marginally fun in short bursts, but this has no hope whatsoever in the long run.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 83 Critic Score
    Early feelings of frustrations aside, Surviving Mars offers numerous challenges and satisfying feelings of success with each play through. Definitely not a one and done kind of game, the replay value is quite high. Surviving Mars is well worth the investment if you fancy city builders, and both Paradox Interactive and Haemimont Games have experience on their side.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Sea of Thieves offers a stunning world for players to explore and uncover its secrets. It’s fun, often hilarious, and unique. Though, the lack of meaningful structure and its simplistic gameplay really do hurt the experience. The game needs to offer more than cosmetic stature and acquisition if it wants a lengthy lifespan. Still, this is one of the few exclusives that Microsoft can, and should, be proud of.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Assassin’s Creed Rogue Remastered brings back one of the most interesting titles in the series, along with all previously released DLC. The visual improvements are top notch for the most part, but technical issues from the original version have come along for the ride too. That being said, it’s well worth a trip down memory lane, warts and all.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 67 Critic Score
    Octahedron isn’t your average platformer. The solid design, wonderful soundtrack, and clever functionalities, go hand in hand to produce something fun and exciting. Though, with that being said, the floaty controls and repetitive gameplay often hinder this otherwise decent loop. Different it may well be, but it’s hardly groundbreaking.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 71 Critic Score
    The Count Lucanor wonderfully blends together survival and puzzle gameplay, ultimately producing an experience that’s tense and enticing. The tedious controls and the frequent framerate issues hold it back to some degree, but even with these problems, The Count Lucanor is a worthy investment.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 62 Critic Score
    VALA offers up heaps of action-packed twin-stick shooting madness, with a great deal of content to work toward and unlock. However, the lack of interesting locations, repetitive enemy variations, and the tedious random weaponry system, ultimately holds it back. Better gameplay structure and less grinding would have done VALA some justice.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 33 Critic Score
    High score enthusiasts will find some enjoyment in bettering their scores, but anyone else will likely get fairly bored after just an hour or so. Simple and to the point, it feels more like an early app store game. Something to pass a few minutes while waiting for a train, rather than something to sit in front of the telly to play.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Pure Farming 2018 is a very deep and diverse farming experience, but it doesn’t come without fault. The visuals are far from impressive, the draw distance remains very limited, and the game can become overly repetitive. With that to the side, Pure Farming 2018 accomplishes everything it sets out to achieve. Simply put, this is multitasking made fun.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Tesla VS Lovecraft is a game that doesn’t make you wait to get into the action, constantly giving you more and more powerful weapons to deal with the hordes before you. As a power fantasy, it is great, just don’t expect there to be much more than that, going in.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Burnout Paradise is already available through backward compatibility, however, if you’re yet to try out the original game, this remaster is certainly the definitive version of it. It looks great, it plays well, and above all else, it comes packed with heaps of additional content. With some minor issues to the side, this is one hell of an arcade racing experience.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 67 Critic Score
    Despite the dated visuals and camera issues, the gameplay remains as fun, as fast paced, and as addictive as it was over a decade ago. However, the lack of anything new in this collection may leave many of you wanting for more. The content alone is worth the asking price, but time and minimal effort certainly hasn’t done Dante any favors.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    The Council is ambitious, unique, and serves up some truly in-depth functionality. However, the otherwise intriguing story is let down by poor voice acting and daft character animation. The game also puts an awful lot of pressure on the player to learn so much in a short space of time. The Council is off to a good start, but it should have been refined more.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Nine Parchments is an excellent co-op adventure game with a fantastic combat system, beautiful environments and a wonderful melodic soundtrack. There’s a lot to see and unlock, and just trying out different character and spell combos will take multiple playthroughs. This game will surely be a popular choice for group play.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 76 Critic Score
    Q.U.B.E. 2 is thought provoking, well designed, and intriguing. Unfortunately, however, issues with the framerate and some texture problems persist throughout. With that to the side, this is a wonderfully crafted puzzle adventure that maintains its innovation and unique concept from beginning to end.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 69 Critic Score
    TT Isle of Man will no doubt impress those that can forgive its lack of content and bond with its hardcore mechanics. This is certainly one of Kylotonn’s better efforts, but it doesn’t come without fault, namely rendering and camera issues. With that to the side, this is a decent racing game, but it’s far from on par with the best.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 54 Critic Score
    Way of the Passive Fist is fun to begin with, and indeed offers a unique twist to the typical brawler formula. That being said it rapidly becomes repetitive, and the lack of content outside of the campaign leaves much to be desired. It’s a one-and-done sort of experience, one that doesn’t particularly go to great lengths to intrigue or innovate.
    • 66 Metascore
    • 59 Critic Score
    Scribblenauts Showdown is a lot of fun to begin with, but it doesn’t take long for repetition to sink in due to the lack of content. Despite how innovative and deep the summoning dictionary is, the price tag is too steep to justify a wholehearted recommendation. Nevertheless, this is still a solid family game that’s sure to please gamers of all ages.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 73 Critic Score
    Mulaka is stunning in its design and detail, but lacking in its gameplay execution, more specifically its combat mechanics. The problem with delayed control feedback certainly doesn’t help. However, if you can overlook these faults, Mulaka offers up a remarkable journey that boasts distinction, meaning, and ambiguity.
    • 46 Metascore
    • 36 Critic Score
    Fear Effect: Sedna is a bad game. Sushee’s confusing design choices are splattered everywhere in sight; ridiculous voice acting, poor level structure, frustrating puzzles, and shoddy combat, to name but a few. The overall product remains tedious, boring, and underwhelming, throughout.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 45 Critic Score
    Switch: Or Die Trying is a game for those who relish a challenge, though oftentimes the challenge comes not through design, but lack of polish. If you are looking for something to scratch that Meat Boy itch, you’ll find some fun here, but be prepared for that to quickly give way to frustration.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 57 Critic Score
    One Eyed Kutkh is short and sweet. It’s not a particularly challenging game, but it should please just about anyone that doesn’t expect too much from it. The gameplay remains simplistic throughout, making this a very accessible and easy to understand experience. Ultimately, the target audience is clearly focused at the younger gamer.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 48 Critic Score
    North may indeed offer up some unique design choices, but the overarching plot is messy and underwhelming. Gameplay requires minimal effort, and even the puzzle aspects remain far too simplistic throughout. That being said, the game’s heart is in the right place, it’s just a shame that its structure is far removed.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 62 Critic Score
    Immortal Redneck is a good, lengthy game. With its outdated graphics to the side, the game holds its own and deserves a place up there with Serious Sam. Its fast-paced gameplay offers fun, hilarity, and comes with some truly crazy gimmicks. The biggest downside is that it becomes overly repetitive before long.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    While it won’t unseat Forza as king of racing games on the Xbox One, there is a lot of good fun to be had here. Gravel is both visually and audibly satisfying, and comes with a decent pool of content. It’s a shame that the game lacks a dynamic commentary system, but outside of this, only a few technical issues linger, pulling it just shy of greatness.

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