Mike Epstein Avatar Image

Mike Epstein


Favorite Games:

68 games reviewed
67.8 average score
70 median score
41.2% of games recommended

Mike Epstein's Reviews

Freelance tech and culture critic. Former gaming editor for Digital Trends. Currently reviews games for IGN, Variety, and others.
Aug 1, 2016

Song of the Deep has too many bugs and design flaws to stay afloat.

Read full review

Sep 14, 2016

'ReCore' is a game you'll want to love -- which only make its flaws that much more disappointing.

Read full review

Apr 1, 2016

Quantum Break tries to master video game and TV storytelling, but fails at both.

Read full review

Feb 23, 2021

Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection is an honest, faithful homage to a series known for being so difficult, it's nearly unplayable.

Read full review

May 13, 2020

The Wonderful 101 Remastered revives one of the Wii U's most experimental games, but that doesn't make it worth revisiting.

Read full review

4 / 10.0 - Generation Zero
Mar 27, 2019

Generation Zero is a buggy and poorly designed open-world co-op shooter that tragically squanders its distinctive setting.

Read full review

Fans waiting for the next Fire Emblem will certainly not feel cheated by Fates: The nerve-wracking decision over risking a character's life with every move has not diminished. That said, with its many attempts at innovation falling short of their marks, and its core gameplay lacking the refinement seen in its predecessors, perhaps Nintendo should signal a tactical retreat and focus on making the best Fire Emblem possible.

Read full review

Fire Emblem: Fates offers new features and gameplay that weigh down the series' tried and true gameplay, rather than enhance it.

Read full review

Fire Emblem: Fates offers new features and gameplay that weigh down the series' tried and true gameplay, rather than enhance it.

Read full review

Mirror's Edge: Catalyst still has fun parkour, but fails as a compelling open-world game.

Read full review

May 12, 2021

Hood gives you glimpses of a new and exciting multiplayer concept, but its many, many design flaws keep the game from delivering.

Read full review

Feb 10, 2021

Destruction AllStars has solid driving, but its demolition derby-style car combat drags as much as it thrills.

Read full review

5 / 10 - Skully
Aug 18, 2020

Skully's basic puzzle-solving and platforming are mostly benign, with occasional shows of both clever design and poor craftsmanship.

Read full review

5 / 10 - West of Dead
Jun 29, 2020

West of Dead brings some interesting ideas to the well-trod Rogue-lite scene, but lots of technical and design flaws make it hard to enjoy them.

Read full review

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics can be a passable, if bland, strategy RPG with great inspirations, but lacks the polish or depth to make a strong impression of its own.

Read full review

5.3 / 10.0 - KILL la KILL - IF
Jul 26, 2019

Kill la Kill The Game: IF looks good, but lacks mechanical depth, narrative nuance, or a breadth of content to match.

Read full review

The best looking world we've entered all year can't save Assassin's Creed Origins.

Read full review

Jul 19, 2018

Far Cry 5 never decides what game it wants to be.

Read full review

Aug 23, 2016

'No Man's Sky' is the most massive exploration game of all time, but ultimately feels hollow

Read full review

Dec 16, 2016

Final Fantasy fans should play this game immediately. It's not perfect, but it has many of the franchise's traditional strengths. If you're new to the series, you may want to try the classics first, or wait for a sale.

Read full review