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) | – | 82 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 85 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 61 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 46 | 68 |
| 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 8h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (41)
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.
- 90
“Though the framerate can detract from the experience at times, it makes up for its one notable shortcoming with charm, nostalgia, and by bombarding you with joy.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A solid roguelike space shooter with sleek anime style, Galak-Z: The Dimensional is a dashing mix of old arcade challenge and modern design traits. A highly recommendable indie game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The perfect roguelike for all the classic anime and space shooters lovers. Packed with homages to classics like Robotech/Macross and Starblazers/Yamato, it’s a fun but hard game that will entertain you as much as it will punish you.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It's a layered, complex system, and even now, 20 hours after I started it, there are upgrades I haven't found, techniques I haven't practiced, and possibilities I haven't considered. Galak-Z pummelled me, knocked me to the ground and kicked me when I was down. But when I finally got the upper hand, and beat the final season with only a sliver of health left, the victory was all the more rewarding.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The only real hurdle to clear when offering a recommendation for Galak-Z is the difficulty. The ship is fun to use but it takes a long time to master, and the game does require mastery of movement to progress into the later stages. That paired with resetting progress to the beginning of the season and losing all your upgrades sometimes feels like a bit much, particularly after enduring a steep and lengthy learning curve.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I'm sure more casual players will still be deterred from taking the plunge, but any fan of roguelikes need not look any longer for their next fix. Galak-Z has style, and it's got it in spades.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“With a very well designed gameplay, excellent use of its environments and hard challenges, Galak-Z: The Dimensional becomes one of the best modern roguelikes with fresh elements, nice presentation and extremely fun and addictive gameplay. ”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Progressively mastering its wonderful controls and unlocking new upgrades had me totally hooked, and even though its idea of mission variety is something of an illusion, its smart, playful personality kept me too entertained to care.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Sure, Galak-Z may be rough around the edges, but the core of it is so good that it’s easy to recommend regardless. It’s a game of ecstatic moments, where you’ll kill a boss with only a sliver of life, or dodge a barrage of lasers at the very last second. Galak-Z may not have the highest production values, but it’s one of the most energizing games we’ve played on the PS4 this year.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I wish Galak-Z: The Dimensional wasn't so fragmented, because the core experience is a treat for roguelike and space combat fans alike. Even 15 hours through I was still seeing new items and upgrades, which is a testament to its lasting power, warts and all -- I just need to take breaks from the tedium every so often.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There are some technical issues that you’ll need to look past but if you’re able to, you’ll find a game with incredible controls that is just waiting for you to step up to the joysticks.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This hot mess is deliriously fun, a game from a simpler time that might find more contemporaries in New Arcade than in other neo-roguelikes.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
LevelUp
Eurogamer
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
We Got This Covered
Atomix
IGN
GameTrailers
Destructoid
Darkstation
Kill Screen…and 29 more tracked reviews.