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How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 90 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 85 | 2 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 94 | 552 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 96 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 93.8, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 42,245.264 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (26)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“As a typical MMO RPG, it has a really slow start and requires a ton of patience. If you can weather the more boring parts of the game, you'll find a great hotbar-based action RPG waiting for you at the end. Shadowbringers in particular is arguably the highest point of the series so far.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The active story events of ShadowBringers are good fun, but due to the grinding nature of the genre, it suffers from some terrible pacing issues. If you are invested in FFXIV, this DLC will probably excite and please you. It's a fun but forgettable romp that runs just the wrong side of boring during its hours-long retelling and bland A-B mission style. If this tickles your fancy, be sure to start and play with a team of friends - it will easily be 10 times more enjoyable, if infinitely longer.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For a story that starts with a laser focus on your character's motivations and misgivings, it tells a tale that ends up being the biggest and the best that Final Fantasy XIV has ever told. Equal parts redemption, vengeance, cruelty, and sassy Elezen, Shadowbringers promises a hell of a lot when you take your first steps into Norvrandt and delivers a truly spectacular finish even if it stumbles a little along the way.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Shadowbringers is easily the best Final Fantasy XIV expansion to date. It marks the highest point in the MMO’s lifespan, which has seen its fair share of impressive updates over the years. If you’ve been dismissing XIV because it’s not a single-player Final Fantasy, you’re missing out on one of the best installments in this series and letting an excellent game pass you by. ”
read full review ↗ - 94
“Final Fantasy 14 is quietly one of the best games in the series, but Shadowbringers elevates it even further by telling a bleak and heartfelt tale that generously rewards the investment made by its most hardcore fans.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Shadowbringers brings a lot to the table. From a great story, to amazing areas to discover and explore, Square Enix has truly outdone themselves this time. With many changes not only to the Jobs system, but also FATEs and just general gameplay, it’s more than enough to bring new players and returning players alike to the game. Unfortunately, it’s not all perfect, but the flaws are mostly revolving around issues not related to actual gameplay. Still, some will find the content boring, as per usual, but to me, it’s pure fun.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Shadowbringers has only further solidified XIV's status as one of the greatest Final Fantasy games ever made.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Shadowbringers is the best MMORPG expansion in recent memory - perhaps of all-time. Its exceptionally few warts are the kind that will be removed with a few patches of tweaking, and what's left is skin so unblemished it rivals the sheen of a crystal.”
read full review ↗ - 98
“Shadowbringers is not just the best FFXIV expansion yet, it's also one of the best Final Fantasies, period.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Full of emotion and high adventure, Final Fantasy XIV's Shadowbringers expansion brings MMORPG storytelling out of the shadows. Two great new combat classes, two cool new races, and a nifty system for running dungeons solo round out the experience of FFXIV's best expansion to date.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“Accessibility and potential to solo aside, Shadowbringers continues that redemption saga that began with Final Fantasy XIV 2.0. The greater emphasis on story and solo play mean that even the players that haven't dipped their toes into an MMORPG recently could still get in and enjoy Shadowbringers, although much of the new content can't be experienced until level 70.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers is one of the best MMO expansions I’ve ever played. The story is incredibly good, the new jobs are ridiculously good fun, and the mechanical updates work well. The word of the First is a beautiful treat, and music is top-notch. If this sounds like your jam, you should absolutely play it. ”
read full review ↗
FourFaceButtons
Cubed3
GameSpot
Easy Allies
PC Gamer
MMORPG.com
IGN
Screen Rant
RPG Fan
PCWorld
Wccftech
GameSpace…and 14 more tracked reviews.