Screenshots & trailers
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) | – | 75 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 83 | 2 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 83 | 271 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 68 | 750 |
| PlayStation store ratings | – | 69 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
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 (81)
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
“Concrete Genie is a stylized marvellous platform that will channel your inner artist. Too bad VR support is not more integrated into the core gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Concrete Genie is a warm, joyful experience that embraces creativity in a unique way. Painting your way through Denska is effortlessly fun, and the genies that help Ash through his adventure are delightful. While this main thrust of the game is well realised, combat feels like an afterthought, as it's stashed away right at the end. This and a couple of smaller issues hold the game back from greatness, but taken as a whole, this is definitely worth playing -- and pretty as a picture, too.”
read full review ↗ - 67
“It is clear that PixelOpus believes a lot in his project and that it was born out of sacrifice, dedication and love for art. Unfortunately, Concrete Genie is far from reaching the heights that so much effort would deserve and seems to be destined to pass unnoticed. With that said, it has the potential to touch the heart of those who love drawing more than anything else.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Concrete Genie is a wonderful experience with a strong message of kindness and forgiveness. Anyone wanting a fairly short, wholesome experience will find a lot to love here.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Concrete Genie is far less than the sum of its parts. A strong early game is lost by a bizarre late-game twist that undoes a lot of the charm. If it had just focused on the genies or had been about combat from the start, Concrete Genie would be a much more cohesive experience. Instead, the game has a lot of good moments but ends on a particularly dissatisfying note. There's still a lot to enjoy, but the flaws stand out as brightly as the strengths.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Concrete Genie is a colorful and magical fairy tale for children. The project, perhaps too ambitious, however led to a clearly incomplete work.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Most of what Concrete Genie has to offer is fun and beautiful in a sort of childlike way. The game is not particularly difficult, and overcoming a puzzle or combat scenario isn't always satisfying. But it's ultimately still an endearing experience throughout. There's plenty of enjoyment to be found just from the act of exploring, and little hidden secrets along the way help make it worthwhile; I just wish Concrete Genie had more adventure waiting for me.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Even though some concepts never really feel fleshed out, Concrete Genie's imaginative design is compelling. It’s often way too straightforward, and elements like the combat feel like afterthoughts. However, covering Denska's walls with vibrant illustrations brings a wonderful sense of satisfaction, and watching your genies come to life is a delight. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Relaxed and thoughtful, beautiful and moving, Concrete Genie is a delightfully different game that plays out like an interactive animated movie with bags of character.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“A peculiarly underdeveloped riff on Jet Set Radio that never manages to find anything interesting to do with any of its many gameplay mechanics and story ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As gorgeous to behold at as it is a blast to play, Concrete Genie offers up one of the best, most heartfelt video game experiences of 2019.”
read full review ↗ - 74
“Concrete Genie tells a realistic fairy tale with a wonderful painting system. Although its gameplay might have some obvious flaws, I still enjoy it.”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
Push Square
LevelUp
ZTGD
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
Easy Allies
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
Gamersky…and 69 more tracked reviews.