The official start to the summer gaming season is well underway. From a ratings and reviews perspective, many of the titles released in June didn’t quite live up to the pre-release hype, but there were still some fun and surprising games that came out on ꦐtop.
In our ongoing monthly feature, we take a look at some of last month’s biggest game💙s as ranked by Metacriti🌄c score.
PREVIOUSLY: May’s 𒐪Biggest Video Games, Ranked By Metacritic Score
7. Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn
Metacritic Score: 47 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 5.9 (Averaged acr🌱oss plat🎀forms)
It is not surprising that Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn was not one 𓆉of June’s more favorably reviewed titles, but let’s appreciate the game for what it is: an all-around enjoyable experience that succeeds in doing justice and improving upon the original, iconically terrible game from 1994. New DLC was also just released as a free add-on for owners who purchased the physical retail version of the game, featuring former pres✱ident Barack Obama as a playable character.
RELATED: Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn Review: No One Asked For This🃏, But We're Happy It's Here
6. The Crew 2
Metacritic Score: 65 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 5.6 (Aveไraged across platforms)
The Crew 2 puts players in the heart of Motornation, a free-roaming open-world experience that allows players to rise in the racing ranks through a variety🦂 of races, from street, to sea, to air, to off🐻-road. The follow-up to the original game released in 2014 has received mixed reviews, indicating that while fun and a great idea on paper, control schemes and vehicle handling leaves much to be desired.
5. Vampyr
Metacritic Score: 71 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 6.9 (Averaged acr🅘oss platforms)
Players take on the role of protagonist Jonathan E. Reid, a doctor who was tuไrned into a vampire upon his return home from war, and whose thirst for blood compel⛄s him to kill innocent people. Vampyr acts as ꦡa sort of choose-your-own-adventure RPG, with each decision affecting the world and, ultimately, the game’s final outcome🌳s. Beautiful, atmospheric level design playing perfectly with Vampyr’s narrative are some 🥂of the highlights, but its combat system and fighting mechanics have led to the game receiving m🉐iddle-of-the-road reviews.
4. Jurassic World Evolution
Metacritic Score: 72 (Averaged ac🌊ross platforms) / User Score: 7.1 (⛦Averaged across platforms)
Take control and꧑ build the di𓃲nosaur park of your dreams in Jurassic World Evolution, available for ✱the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Everything from the park design and expansion of the island itself to the dinosaurs inhabiting the land can be customized to your heart’s content. While not necessarily one of the more comprehensive tycoon simulators out there, fans of the genre and the Jurassic Park franchise will undoubtedly enjoy the game.
3. Mario Tennis Aces
Metacritic Score: 76 / User Score: 7.3
Mario is back on the court in Mario Tennis Aces, which features new tennis gamepla✤y dynamics, as well as the first story mode since🧸 the one included in Mario Tennis for the Game Boy Advance💃. The game’s core mechanics and fantastic graphics have all the bells and whistles to make it look worthwhile, but reviews of the game are average at best. Unless you are a tennis game fan, it may be more worthwhile to save your money for Nintendo’s other massively-anticipated ensemble title, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, due out later this year.
2. Unravel Two
Metacriti﷽c Score: 80 (Averaged𒊎 across platforms) / User Score: 7.1 (Averaged across platforms)
Unravel Two features co-op gameplay element🦋s as players control a pai༺r of creatures known as “Yarnys” in a side-scrolling platformer adventure. The pair must work together, solving puzzles as they navigate the beautiful level designs. While the game can be played as a solo adventure, it is much more enjoyable if played with a partner. Unravel Two is free to play now through July 30th and is available on the😼 PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
- Wreckfest
Metacritic Score: 83 / User Score: 8.5
Wreckfest too🌊k the top spot in June as one of the highest rated titles from critics and fans alike. Wreckfest is a racing game with a demolition derby theme, but let’s b🧔e honest: we’re playing it for the ꦕover-the-top crashes and reliving the good old days of the fast and wild arcade racing genre, which Wreckfest pays homage to perfectly.