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 top.
In our ongoing monthly feature, we take a look at some of last month’s biggest games as ranked by Metacritic score.
PREVIOUSLY: May’s Biggest Video Games, Ranked By Metacritic Score
- Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn
Metacritic Score: 47 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 5.9 (Averaged across platforms)
It is not surprising that Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn was not one of 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 president Barack Obama as a playable character.
- The Crew 2
Metacritic Score: 65 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 5.6 (Averaged 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.
- Vampyr
Metacritic Score: 71 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 6.9 (Averaged across platforms)
Players take on the role of protagonist Jonathan E. Reid, a doctor who was turned into a vampire upon his return home from war, and whose thirst for blood compels him to kill innocent people. Vampyr acts as a sort of choose-your-own-adventure RPG, with each decision affecting the world and, ultimately, the game’s final outcomes. 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 middle-of-the-road reviews.
- Jurassic World Evolution
Metacritic Score: 72 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 7.1 (Averaged across platforms)
Take control and build the dinosaur 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.
- Mario Tennis Aces
Metacritic Score: 76 / User Score: 7.3
Mario is back on the court in Mario Tennis Aces, which features new tennis gameplay 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.
- Unravel Two
Metacritic Score: 80 (Averaged across platforms) / User Score: 7.1 (Averaged across platforms)
Unravel Two features co-op gameplay elements as players control a pair 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 took 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 be honest: we’re playing it for the over-the-top crashes and reliving the good old days of the fast and wild arcade racing genre, which Wreckfest pays homage to perfectly.
