Review aggregators like Metacritic have become a popular resource for those in need of a quick and dirty score so they can determine if a game is worth their time or not. Video games, like any form of art, are a subjective field and it does make sense to want a summation of all the credible video game reviews around the internet regarding a particular game. On Metacritic you will find an aggregate score for nearly every video game ever made, each with a score on the 0-100 scale.
Games aren’t getting any cheaper, this everybody knows. In turn, sites like Metacritic thrive on all of those consumers who are sitting on the fence waiting for that review embargo date to drop so they determine if they are going to pick up a copy or not. I am certainly guilty of playing that Metacritic game a time or two. Gamers aren’t the only ones who place weight on sites like Game Rankings and Metacritic. Publishers too place a great deal of weight on the average scores displayed on those sites. To the point where if a gaming website isn’t included on Metacritic, a publisher may not provide your outlet with an advanced copy or with a copy at all. Right or wrong, it happens all the time!
Here’s the thing, video game reviewers don’t always get it right. In fact, in many instances we are either too generous or too harsh. Destiny is a prime example of a game that received harsh criticism yet received high praise from the masses and continues to have a faithful following to this day.
Metacritic is certainly a valuable and handy tool for gamers and more often than not can provide a decent indicator of a game’s quality. That said it isn’t the ‘be all and end all’ and should not be considered the definitive gauge on a game’s value. The following seven games scored somewhere in the 60 to 70 range (aside from one 59) and regardless of that falling into the ‘above average’ ranking on the 100-point scale we all know that anything under a 75 is doomed. These scores likely cost sales and quite possibly a few people’s jobs in the process.
The Order: 1886 (Metacritic Score: 65)
As it stands at the time I wrote this, The Order: 1886 is averaging a 65 on Metacritic. Simply put, that is a nail in the coffin for Ready at Dawn’s first stab at a PS4 exclusive. When Octodad and Just Dance 2015 are getting higher average scores than The Order it sends one message to gamers – avoid it! Our review of The Order was mostly positive. Sure the game isn’t perfect but you could argue the games visuals and story are second to none. Well at least on the same level of The Last of Us and Uncharted. Many consider The Order a failure and certainly sales will be negatively impacted by the shabby scores. Unfortunately many are missing out as the Order is a stunning game worthy of any PS4 owner’s library.
“When Octodad and Just Dance 2015 are getting higher average scores than The Order it sends one message to gamers – avoid it!”
NHL 15 (Metacritic Score: 59)
Okay I get it. Some of the features that had been included in previous NHL games were not included with EA Sports’ first next generation hockey game. Many, including some of our die-hard NHL fans, were pissed off some of the modes had been removed and stripped down. But really?!? Do you really care that 6-on-6 EASHL wasn’t included? Would you have preferred a game that played like crap but jammed every one of your precious little features from the Xbox 360 version of the game? The developers were left with tough choices given the hardware they had to work with and the resources they were given. NHL 15 isn’t the best hockey game but it plays fantastic and looks incredible. For its first entry on next gen consoles, NHL 15 is solid and nowhere near worthy of the 59 Metascore. I am sorry internet, you got this one wrong!
“Would you have preferred a game that played like crap but jammed every one of your precious little features from the Xbox 360 version of the game?”
Ryse: Son of Rome (Metacritic Score: 60)
I found Ryse incredibly hard to put down. It was fun, gory and featured some stunning next generation visuals. The combat was satisfying and equally entertaining. Some of those execution kills are memorable even to this day, which says a lot considering how forgetful I am. Granted it was far from original, it was linear and very short for many as you can plow through the game in less than 8-hours. Yet if you take it for what it is, Ryse: Son of Rome is a remarkable Xbox One launch game that can be played with confidence given you could definitely land yourself a copy on the cheap.
“Some of those execution kills are memorable even to this day, which says a lot considering how forgetful I am.”
Assassin’s Creed Unity (Metacritic Score: 70)
When Assassin’s Creed Unity launched last fall gamers and critics were quick to jam a fork down Ubisoft’s throat. To say it was released with some hiccups would be an understatement. It was glitchy and the experience was hampered by some significant framerate issues. Now this isn’t an excuse for Ubisoft releasing an unfinished game but we’re now five patches later and the experience is much cleaner than it was before. Many AC fans probably avoided this one and if you fall into that category you made a mistake. Unity is a vibrant and massive game you can tackle alone or with friends. It stays true to the franchise and is a blast to play. By now it has probably come down in price. If you have avoided it to this point, do yourself a favour and give it a shot.
 “This isn’t an excuse for Ubisoft releasing an unfinished game but we’re now five patches later and the experience is much cleaner than it was before.”
Thief (Metacritic Score: 67)
Thief didn’t exactly push the stealth action genre forward. It didn’t win anybody’s game of the year either. Fans waited a long time for Thief to arrive and when it finally did, many reviewers panned it. Stealth games aren’t always my cup of tea but I enjoyed this game. In fact, I scored it an 81 when I reviewed it many months ago. I found the gameplay intense and the level of detail that went into the game is brilliant. I soaked a massive amount of hours into it and I do not regret one minute. Much like Ryse, Thief has been out for a while and you should be able to find yourself a cheap copy. Have you got some downtime? What are you waiting for?
“Fans waited a long time for Thief to arrive and when it finally did, many reviewers panned it.”
EA Sports UFC (Metacritic Score: 70)
Maybe many of the reviewers were still holding a grudge against Dana White for selling out to the evil empire that is EA but whatever the case may be EA Sports UFC received a lot of negative press. Some were overly critical of the game’s lack of depth and others hammered it for its complex controls. Excuse me, but MMA is complicated sport! THQ’s game wasn’t any easier. No question EA Sports had a tall order ahead of themselves as THQ had nailed the UFC experience. By and large, EA Sports accomplished exactly what they set out to do. That is to deliver an enjoyable MMA game featuring stunning next generation visuals, a fabulous audio experience and a satisfying fighter.
“Maybe many of the reviewers were still holding a grudge against Dana White for selling out to the evil empire that is EA…”
Shadow Warrior (Metacritic Score: 70)
Let’s face it, this game was not well liked on the PS4. The reviews were a little more positive on the Xbox One but the general consensus was that Shadow Warrior is a mostly forgettable experience. I beg to differ! This game is perfect for those looking for a mindless hack, slash and blowing stuff kind of up experience. It’s a tribute to old school gaming and will make you laugh, over and over. Many likely passed this one over given the less than stellar scores. If you did, it’s not too late.
 “This game is perfect for those looking for a mindless hack, slash and blowing stuff kind of up experience.”Â