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) | – | 86 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 95 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 88 | 171 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 79 | 34 |
| 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 (32)
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.
- 95
“I’ve enjoyed every moment of it, moreso perhaps than I have with any mainstay Borderlands game, and I can’t wait to return.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tales from the Borderlands marks the return to high form after a mediocre (in my opinion) second season of The Walking Dead. The new Telltale Games production has poor gameplay, isn't very pretty, and the decisions often signify nothing. And yet again a great story, excellent characters and superb humor make you believe it's a very good game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Tales From The Borderlands ends its season on an absolute, marvelously cheeky, high note. The epic Vault Guardian battle at the heart of the story not only showcases a brilliant twist in Telltale's "traditional" formula, but also playfully trumps long-time Borderlands fans expectations.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“In addition to its satisfying emotional arcs, dark humor and semi-insulting banter are the other major hallmarks of Tales from the Borderlands. This final , written in collaboration with longtime Borderlands writer Anthony Burch, is the funniest episode in the series. One minute you're on the verge of tears as the characters spiral into despair, and the next a character speaks a line or an event occurs that brings you right back up to a side-splitting high. In my time with the episode, I alternated between wildly upset and laughing hard enough to choke.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“An excellent ending to an inconsistent but enjoyable season of sharp comedy and surprisingly affecting drama.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“From belly laughs to heart-wrenching despair, Tales From The Borderlands has had it all. It's absolutely Telltale's best series to date, and it's entirely fitting that this finale is also its greatest episode.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Episode 5: The Vault of the Traveler finishes off Rhys and Fiona’s journey in impeccable fashion. From heartbreak to hilarity, it runs the gamut of emotions in some really effective ways.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“For those willing to suffer through a couple hours of mediocrity, this ending justifies the investment.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The last Tales from the Borderlands episode does exactly what the last episodes should do. It answers the questions you have asked since the first episode and offers some of the most memorable moments in the entire series. In short, it’s a great ending that will make you laugh and touch your heart. More laugh, less touching.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This last episode maintains the action, drama, and comedy present throughout the series. It ties up all the major loose ends while leaving just a hint of room for more to come. Most of all, it solidifies Tales from the Borderlands as Telltale's best series to date, a pinnacle of modern adventure gaming.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While I enjoyed the character interactions and reveals in Vault of the Traveler, I couldn’t get myself excited for the episode’s action packed finale.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“As far as finales go, I think Tales from the Borderlands gets things right. All the major threads are wrapped up nicely, and while there’s room for a sequel involving this cast, it doesn’t feel absolutely necessary either.”
read full review ↗
The Jimquisition
GRYOnline.pl
GameSpot
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
IGN
RPG Fan
Destructoid
Darkstation
Gaming Age…and 20 more tracked reviews.