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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) | – | 89 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 90 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 90 | 300 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 93 | 750 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 77 | 128 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.8, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 55,170 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 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (62)
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.
- 85
“Beautiful cold world, magnificent monsters, and spectacular fights. It suffers from A small déjà vu feeling but for hardcore fans it’s a must-play.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While this expansion will certainly frustrate new hunters learning the ropes, it gives veterans nearly everything they craved for after finishing the original experience. Capcom continues to do what it does best in this series, improving upon prior efforts to refine these games for an even finer sheen. When it comes to games about hunting monsters, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne proves that this series is the apex predator. ”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Monster Hunter World: Iceborne offers us a gigantic expansion, full of new content dedicated to the most veteran players of the saga and offering many playable novelties that expand the possibilities in this new frozen moorland. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With everything that it brings to the table, Iceborne is a truly monstrous expansion. Capcom has gone above and beyond in crafting an additional adventure that breathes a shocking amount of new life into Monster Hunter World, setting a new benchmark for the series in terms of pure quality. Although many of the base game's gripes remain, it's ultimately very difficult to pick holes in such a supremely satisfying experience. Iceborne is Monster Hunter at its absolute best.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Monster Hunter: Iceborne it’s the return call to longtime franchise lovers, especially those who had reached the point where there was nothing else to do in the original release. Iceborne is a substantial expansion designed for those who demand a challenge.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“As the follow up to the best selling game that Capcom has ever made and my personal pick for game of the year, it’s an understatement to say that there was a lot to live up to. Luckily, the masters at Capcom were more than up for the challenge and delivered on an expansion that highlights the unforgettable moments of triumph the series is synonymous for while moving forward with clever new mechanics that enhance the Monster Hunter experience to its finest iteration.”
read full review ↗ - 90
- 90
“Iceborne is a confident step into the future of the franchise, and it's hard not to think about what might come next.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“In the most vital ways, Iceborne nails what it needs to as an expansion. It's easy to marvel at both how much there is and the quality of so much of it. There are things this review hasn't even mentioned, such as the elaborate endgame, but these elements are probably better to discover on your own. There is no doubt that Iceborne is worth both the money and time, leaving such an impression that it's hard not to be optimistic about the series' future.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Monster Hunter: World is deservedly Capcom’s most successful game to date, and the Iceborne expansion amplifies everything positive about it. More incredible monsters, new lands and a wealth of ways to upgrade your Hunter will have fans in rapture, while new players yet to experience the delights of monster hunting can rest assured that there’s never been a better time to join the hunt.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“An essential addition for any Monster World fan that offers a mountain of genuinely new content that includes some of the game’s best monsters.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Iceborne retroactively enhances Monster Hunter: World while adding so much content that you could safely call it a sequel. It’s clear Capcom has perfected their winning formula.”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
RPGamer
Push Square
LevelUp
ZTGD
Eurogamer
GameSpot
Easy Allies
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered…and 50 more tracked reviews.