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) | – | 86 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 92 | 2 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 65 | 586 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 91 | 750 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 50 | 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 (80)
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
“There are still plenty of thorns, most notably in the laughable matchmaking (or lack thereof, when it comes to end-game raids), but The Taken King manages to address and improve just about every aspect of the original 1.0 release.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Destiny enters its second year stronger than ever. The fans will finally have a chance to experience Bungie's vision in a much more polished game overall.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The Taken King is a must-buy for people wanting to start or continue their friendship with Destiny. Bungie has gone the Blizzard way - The Taken King is to Destiny what Reaper of Souls is to Diablo III. A great refreshment and a metric ton of fixes and upgrades. It's worth to give Destiny a second chance, you won't regret it.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“The Taken King could have been named Destiny 2 without lying. The quantity of new content is made for those still playing the game and looking to take full advantage of Year Two.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Taken King lights the way forward for the sci-fi shooter, and while it's not the brightest of glows, it's clear that Destiny's darkest days are over.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Above all, The Taken King's new raid brings a whole new level of challenge and you will be forced to put your power and friendships to the test in your quest to bring down Oryx.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Current players get the Destiny they’ve always wanted, and new players get to experience the best iteration of the game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Taken King is everything Destiny's fans wanted from Bungie. A new area, new Strikes, a wonderful Raid and lots of contents. This second year starts in the right way, despite a very short campaign and a cap level that you can reach in a couple of hours.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Taken King is more than just an expansion; it's also a heart transplant. And with its wounds sewn shut, the anesthetic wearing off, and the scalpels put away to dry, Destiny has pulled through the operation with renewed vigor and a much stronger pulse. Now, only a few scars remain.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Having managed to reach but not successfully beat Oryx for the first time, it already feels as though the boss battles have the kinds of game mechanics and the inherent but not unduly unfair difficulty that will help to sustain interest in repeated plays in a few months time.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“The Taken King is truly Destiny 2.0. Practically everything has been revised and improved, making this the unmissable Bungie title that Destiny should’ve been a year ago.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“All the changes and additions are for the best, and a great step forward for Destiny in general, but they come at a price, both literally and figuratively.”
read full review ↗
Slant Magazine
PLAY Zine
GRYOnline.pl
Push Square
LevelUp
ZTGD
Eurogamer
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
Power Unlimited
Metro GameCentral…and 68 more tracked reviews.