ZTGD's Scores

  • Games
For 4,811 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 64% higher than the average critic
  • 6% same as the average critic
  • 30% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 75
Highest review score: 100 Sea of Stars
Lowest review score: 0 Ultracore
Score distribution:
4814 game reviews
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    There’s plenty of little life improvements but to me, and I realize this is extremely biased, is where PokéMon peaked and to remake PokéMon Diamond and Pearl this well is quite something. I think it’s hard to find complaints with Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl outside of simply not liking the formula of PokéMon. There’s so much to discover and do that it comes very close to feeling like living in the world of PokéMon and I suppose that’s all I ever wanted. Let me compete with friends on whose PokéMon is the cutest, see who is the toughest, and then let us hang out in the dingy underground digging up fancy gems together. Maybe when we’re done I’ll save the world from some evil group and catch some legendary PokéMon too. It brings me back not just to my teens, but to the feeling I had when I borrowed my friend’s copy of PokéMon Red and for a game to continue this long and still hook me after all this time is more praise than I can necessarily articulate.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    I may sound a little harsh on the game, but Sideway: New York is not bad by any stretch. It does have some annoying parts, but the art style and constantly changing perspective is something you don't see every day. For the most part, the game is enjoyable.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    While the fan service is a bit heavy handed and some of the gameplay elements feel a bit dated, at its core DT2 is a competent, albeit unremarkable first-person dungeon crawler.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    Mother Russia Bleeds is a great game with some truly oppressive decisions, with the lack of online co-op being the most obvious. Still, those looking for that Streets of Rage itch to scratch, this does it, and does it well. I just wish there was a bit more to it, of and of course online co-op. Not sure I mentioned how much this game suffers from not having that option.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    I really enjoyed my time with Mages of Mystralia. It’s a neat little game that has a lot of heart. There are a few issues here and there, but nothing that really bogged down the experience for me. The presentation is stellar, and me being a video game music fan I found the soundtrack alone worth the price of admission. It helps out a lot that the puzzles and abilities feel rewarding and fun to use. I would suggest picking this game up for anyone that enjoys an action adventure game with some puzzle solving thrown in. It’s a pretty great time.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Sniper Elite V2 Remastered is a nice throwback in the series. While it is more linear than its follow-ups it still packs a visceral punch worth checking out. For those that exhausted the original it might be a tougher sell, but for anyone that passed it up the first time around it is definitely worth a look. Those slow-motion shots still never get old, even to this day.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    In the end Sparklite feels like a game that could have been great, but ended up just being good. It leaned too heavily into shoehorning in mechanics that did not need to be there. With a little more focus and some expansion on its ideas it could have been something special. As it stands it is yet another pixelated indie game that I will enjoy experiencing, but be hard pressed to remember.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    In the end, Landflix Odyssey is a decent game. Sure, it can be a bit lame on the originality, but the platforming works well and the gimmick for each show is fun. There will be times you’ll be fed up with the trial and error style of gameplay, but I always found myself going back to it for one more try. It is definitely one of those game where you have to play it not the way you would but how the developers made it. For the platforming fans, it’s a decent trip. If you’re not really into perfecting a level in a game, I would suggest looking somewhere else for your platforming fix.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Gex Trilogy is a great collection with a few missing pieces. It was a lot of fun to revisit these games as I loved playing them in my youth. The new rewind feature makes the games much more playable, and the updated controls make the second and third game tolerable. Limited Run Games did a great job with this collection, and it is worth it alone for the interviews and extras. Hopefully we can see Gex return in the future, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. He was definitely a product of a certain time.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    Savage Moon is an enjoyable game, even if it lacks the charm and obsessive allure of PSN alum PixelJunk Monsters.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    I really wanted to like Atomfall, as I said that first trailer I was already intrigued by its weird and very British world but its narrative was boring to me. While its visuals for the various zones are drop-dead gorgeous at times, its ‘Leads’ system, while certainly unique; just leads to more frustration that innovation for me. And when you combine that on top of the combat system that has a reliance on melee but then refuses to give you the ability to block an on-coming punch while simultaneously letting you get beat-down by 13 dudes… nah, I had to fall off of this one.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 65 Critic Score
    As it stands, it’s a difficult title to recommend at the current asking price, except to those that are die-hard fans of the genre.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    My only gripe is that for how much this game wants to be seen like an RPG it never really does anything of interest with it. If the world is going to be big, fill it with quests. Fill it with more side activities. Even if the main focus is combat, give me a reason to explore the world more than just Dragon Ball flashbacks and collectibles I am required to have to upgrade skills. I think the Yakuza games and more importantly the Fist of the North Star game from the Yakuza team shows that the game can still have heavy emphasis on combat and still be a role playing game. Kakarot unfortunately just doesn’t hit that mark.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    While there is some semblance of enjoyment to be had here for those who like to see numbers go up, to see a series I’ve adored and followed for nearly two decades take inspiration from garbage mobile games in the spirit of greed and becoming bastardized as a shell of former self, breaks my heart.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Salt and Sacrifice is a greatly ambitious title, melding a number of gameplay elements from other popular series but it comes at the cost of overall polish and focus, leaving a frustrating experience that feels like a step back from its predecessor.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    At $10 a piece these episodes are just long enough and entertaining enough to keep digging through them.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Warhammer: Chaosbane has the potential to be a top tier action RPG in the likes of Diablo, Torchlight, and Grim Dawn, but as it stands now, it is a fun 10 hours with the endgame content being watered down. Now, developers EKO Software has stated that their plans are to support this game throughout the rest of the year with updates and new additions, of course, only time will tell on that. Currently, almost a month after release, the newest patch that hit the PC version is still waiting approval for the consoles, so that’s been fun. Until then, you get a decent loot-driven action RPG that is fun all the way up to the level cap, after that, it becomes a bit of a bland grind.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Atomic Heart is a game I was excited to finally play, but went in with low expectations considering how long it was in the oven. The end result is easily one of the best games I have played this year and an experience I recommend everyone dig into. It won’t be for everyone, but for those that it is for it will be an amazing experience. There is just so much to this world and I had a blast exploring the world of Facility 3826. I am still digging into the side content and hope they continue to iron out its issues as time goes on. I cannot wait to see what is next from Mundfish, I just hope I don’t have to wait another decade to see it.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    All problems that I had aside, Hybrid is a decent game, in which a lot of people will likely sink a lot of time into. The concepts that it introduces such as the persistent world of seasons and cover to cover combat are clever, and the game can be fun at times, but I would play the 60 minute demo before dropping the fifteen dollars, considering there is nothing outrageously new being brought to the table.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 94 Critic Score
    So, will I play Earthworm Jim more than a couple of times? Absolutely! The humor and sound effects alone keep me smirking and coming back for more.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 75 Critic Score
    As I said in the beginning, I really love this game, while I never got to play the original version; Freedom Wars Remastered is a fantastic game. Blending the best of Monster Hunter and adding some kick-ass movements and abilities with the Thorn system, I really want Bandai to bring this franchise back. I am so curious what a new entry into this series built from the ground up with the new tech would look like. With any luck this was just a test to gauge public interest; and if so, I am extremely interested in the future of this franchise.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    For $13, players looking for a unique experience will find it here. Keep in mind, there is some trial and error platforming awaiting would-be players that can get nerve-racking after a while, and some of the dialog delivery is off, but the world itself is colorful and interesting and while it may be delivered slightly off at times, the story is rather interesting.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fighting EX Layer is a hard sell to casual fighting game fans. Its lack of modes is its biggest downfall. For those who grew up with Arika’s work though it is a pure joy to play. I hope they continue to support the game and add more and more content as it goes on. Perhaps it will be featured at EVO next year instead of just a side option. With the announcements of new characters, stages, and even crossover characters, the future looks bright. I just hope the momentum continues.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    I really wanted to love Rogue Trader, especially with how much I love the universe but more so because I had just come down from the high that is Baldur’s Gate 3. And perhaps this is unfair but the majority of my playtime was me grumbling because what is 1 step in BG3 was 5 or 6 in Rogue Trader. I do realize that both games are built on different rule sets but I just didn’t have fun playing with the one in Rogue Trader despite how much I love the universe. All of the bugs and issues I ran into didn’t help anything either, if you are interested in this one, I would suggest waiting for a few patches before really digging in.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 85 Critic Score
    Gears of War Ultimate edition seemingly does well enough on PC and everything that was on the Xbox One version is offered here.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    There is a lot to be said about the sheer amount of characters and being able to team them up together. Playing with friends is also much more enjoyable than flying solo, when it works properly. The upcoming DLC is exciting, the return of a mindless beat ‘em up feels good, and I just love a solid comic book title. I don’t think the price of admission is worth it in the end, but when this hits $30-$40 I definitely recommend it. There is plenty here for Marvel and non-Marvel fans to enjoy.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    When I started playing Talent Not Included, I was blown away by its tight controls and stage setting. Towards the end, I was still enjoying it, but my enthusiasm waned considerably compared to where it once was. Still, its unique presentation and complementary design does make for a good time.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Control and graphic issues aside this game is a must play for anyone who is a Marvel Comic book fan. Not only is the story engrossing, but the huge cast of characters is a comic book fans dream come true. Hopefully Activision will produce a sequel to wrap up the loose ends to this great game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    While I had some issues with both the puzzle selection and the game’s execution on Android, it’s still a great value for the $16 asking price, especially considering that according to Level5 this game is identical to the 3DS version coming later this year, at likely more than twice the price. That makes it a compelling choice for those who own a 3DS, and a no-brainer for any puzzle lover who doesn’t own Nintendo’s handheld.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a good time, just not a great remake. It captures the heart of the original perfectly, but doesn’t do enough to justify itself as the “ultimate edition.” If you’ve never played Plants vs. Zombies before, this is absolutely worth jumping into. For returning players, though, it’s more of a comfortable rerun than a revitalized revival.

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