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The Games Machine
55

The Games Machine

Press2,310 reviews on recordTrust score from 1225 scored reviews vs. playerswebsite ↗

5 above players
Bias
within ~10 pts
Vs player sentiment
0.27
Ranks like players
1225
Games compared

How this trust score was computed

Trust blends alignment (40%): does the outlet rank games the way players do; decoded accuracy (30%): after translating the outlet's own scale habits (a '7/10 means mediocre' scale is decoded, not punished), how well its reviews predict player sentiment; and player-side (30%): on games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, whose side it took. Recent reviews weigh more (2-year half-life), and the blend is shrunk toward a neutral prior (60) so small samples can't peg the scale. Player quality is launch-window Steam sentiment, so outlets aren't punished for reviewing a launch build that later got patched.

64
Alignment (40%)
69
Decoded accuracy (30%)
29
Player-side (30%)

Controversy record: on 177 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 43 times.

Computed 44m ago · full methodology →

Outlet vs. players

Each dot is a game both this outlet and players scored. The dashed line is perfect agreement: dots above it mean the outlet was more generous than players, below it more harsh.

Biggest disagreements with players

The receipts: games where this outlet's verdict landed furthest from player sentiment.

Recent reviews (2120 tracked)

  • 80
    PalworldAug 31, 2026 · Alessandro Alosi

    The mix of creature capture, survival, exploration, combat, crafting, and automation works because each game system fuels the others, creating an addictive gameplay loop. There's not much originality in Palworld, and the grinding can be noticeable in the later stages, but the game is worth it, so that's fine.

    read full review ↗
  • 88

    With Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, Asobo Studio partially distances itself from the previous installments in the series - not from a narrative standpoint, which remains, rich, compelling and features mature writing full of plot twists, but in terms of gameplay. The strong stealth element of its predecessors has been relegated to specific parts of the adventure, while the rest is a delightful mix of exploration, puzzle-solving (often quite original), and combat, built on a well-crafted, varied, and sufficiently deep combat system. It’s a sort of captivating Uncharted/Tomb Raider hybrid, with faint horror undertones, that fits perfectly into the franchise’s timeline.

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  • 90

    Star Wars Zero Company is one of those rare examples where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The solid turn-based tactical combat blends seamlessly with squad-member progression mechanics, team management, and the various narratives unfolding—ranging from the overarching plot to intimate personal stories. While each individual system is impressive in its own right, it is the way they interlink and influence one another—mirroring the bonds between the game’s characters—that elevates the experience, making every battle (or decision) feel like the most critical one yet.

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  • 80

    It almost feels like, rather than comparing Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters to an EA FC game, you’d be better off thinking of it as Tekken played 11-a-side. The only thing I’m holding off on judging is the online mode; otherwise, it’s genuinely hard not to recommend it to anyone looking to scratch that arcade-style football itch.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    STAR WARS Zero Company™Aug 26, 2026 · Claudio Magistrelli

    Star Wars Zero Company is one of those rare examples where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The solidity of its turn-based tactical combat blends seamlessly with the team members' progression mechanics, the team management aspect, and all the different narratives it weaves-from the overarching plot to the small personal stories. Each system, taken individually, is more than good, but it's the way they influence one another (mirroring the relationships between the game's characters) that elevates the experience and makes every battle (or every decision) feel like the most important one yet.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERSAug 26, 2026 · Pietro Iacullo

    It almost feels like, rather than comparing Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighters to an EA FC game, you'd be better off thinking of it as Tekken played 11-a-side. The only thing I'm holding off on judging is the online mode; otherwise, it's genuinely hard not to recommend it to anyone looking to scratch that arcade-style football itch.

    read full review ↗
  • 91
    Truxton ExtremeAug 24, 2026 · Paolo Besser

    The graphics and music are pumped up to the max, and the gameplay respects the original and improves upon it, with a few very welcome improvements. The ticket price may be a little steep, but in my opinion, it's well worth the trip in a spaceship!

    read full review ↗
  • 72
    The Sinking City 2Aug 17, 2026 · Emanuele Feronato

    The Sinking City 2 shifts its focus toward action, featuring combat against parasite-infested humans and various monstrosities. The concept works, though encounters are hampered by the enemies' ability to always pinpoint the player's location, effectively rendering stealth futile.

    read full review ↗
  • 90

    Pokémon Pokopia: Bubble Blub Depths confirms that Omega Force’s title is one of the year's best games. This DLC improves upon all the mechanics seen in Pokémon Pokopia and prompts reflection on a future that is as imminent as it is inevitable if we continue to treat our planet the way we do. The decision to set the entire game underwater allows it to unfold across multiple levels and make the most of the most widespread Pokémon fauna: Water types.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    DuskfadeAug 13, 2026 · Daniele Cucchiarelli

    A game inspired by titles like Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, and (especially) Kingdom Hearts, but one that struggles a bit to find its footing and offer something original. The first half is a bit of a slog, but once a few key mechanics are introduced, the game becomes fun and replayable thanks to its pseudo-3D Metroidvania structure. The platforming mechanics and lock-on system require some getting used to, but overall, Duskfade is enjoyable and suitable for a very wide audience thanks to its multiple difficulty levels.

    read full review ↗
  • 90

    MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a fighting game that’s difficult to explain and, for that very reason, surprisingly easy to love. Arc System Works has taken the chaos of Marvel crossovers and transformed it into something personal, capable of welcoming those who’ve never played a fighting game before without sacrificing the complexity needed to win over veterans. Its accessibility is no shortcut to banality: once you get past the surface, Tōkon demands study, muscle memory and the ability to read what’s happening on screen. Underpinning it all are an original combat system, extraordinary art direction and a love for Marvel evident in every detail. There are still a few undeniable rough edges, from the clarity of the fights – which practice can help overcome – to the difficult launch of the PC version, an issue that needs to be resolved as soon as possible for a title that relies on cross-play. But the most important impression remains: Tōkon has forged its own unique path. If Arc System Works can provide the right support, this strange and irresistible experiment could become one of the most interesting fighting games of its generation.

    read full review ↗
  • 75

    Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand is, overall, a competent horde survival game that will keep you entertained and coming back. However, variety is a little more lackluster than it might seem at first glance, and the relatively steep price point does not make it an easy recommendation to people who are not already familiar with CoH.

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  • 75
    Company of Heroes 3: Final StandAug 5, 2026 · Marco Bortoluzzi

    Company of Heroes 3: Final Stand is, overall, a competent horde survival game that will keep you entertained and coming back. However, variety is a little more lackluster than it might seem at first glance, and the relatively steep price point does not make it an easy recommendation to people who are not already familiar with CoH.

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  • 80
    Beast of ReincarnationAug 4, 2026 · Pietro Iacullo

    Beast of Reincarnation proves that Game Freak really knows how to make video games when given enough time. Quite a lot of time, actually-considering the first draft dates back to 2020 and it took six years to reach release. But those six years were well spent, because despite a few rough edges and stumbles, the end result is a blast to play.

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  • 70
    The Relic: First GuardianJul 29, 2026 · Alessandro Alosi

    The Korean studio doesn't quite hit its stride. Despite this, and provided the technical aspects are quickly fixed, The Relic: First Guardian is a dark ARPG that rewards initiative without ever becoming too frustrating or punishing; it's not a mere imitation of FromSoftware's work.

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