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) | – | 78 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 73 | 20 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 67 | 62 |
| PlayStation store ratings | – | 74 | 226 |
| 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 (13)
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.
- 70
“It’s not the fact that you’re controlling a perambulatory candle that’s the oddest thing about this game, but that its story is so oddly affecting despite its absurdity.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Candleman lights up the night as a unique experience on Xbox One. Its use of light makes even the most basic puzzles and platforming challenges a lot of fun to play through. As I became more and more absorbed into the world of Candleman, I found connections with the protagonist that I never expected to share with a candle. And perhaps the unexpectedness of Candleman is that the time I spent with the game felt refreshing. I never found myself needlessly frustrated at the difficulty, rather; I found myself in a constant state of shock and awe as each new part of the journey offered exciting new opportunities. Candleman is a timeless tale meant for nearly all ages only hindered by a myriad of technical issues.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Candleman is a special indie game that has a lot of heart. Its story is surprisingly dark, no pun intended, but it seeks to offer an insightful life lesson, much like Spotlightor hoped to achieve with its games. Through solid platforming sections with a touching journey, it is easily worth peoples’ time, who may learn just how precious that is once they play this title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Candleman is a great platformer with beautifully rendered graphics and wonderful attention to detail.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“That's the unpredictable allure to Candleman. Its obvious hook is in its unique mechanic, but that's not enough to carry it to the conclusion. Then, there's a Rudy-like emotional investment that takes over when everything stops revolving around gameplay. Fittingly, Candleman burns out prematurely. But, that doesn't mean that it stops shining.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A platformer that makes great use of shadows and light. You'll get emotionally attached to the candle as he burns through some lovely environments and tough platforming, but the ending is a bit of a damp squib. ”
read full review ↗ - 95
“If you're looking for an adorable game with tight platforming, a unique lighting mechanic, fantastic graphics and level design then Candleman if for you.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Candleman is the first true surprise of 2017. An ambitious little platformer that seemingly came out of nowhere and ended up as an unforgettable, brilliant and gorgeous light in the gaming landscape, not unlike its protagonist.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I enjoyed my time with the Candleman. It’s an old-fashioned platformer with some very neat tricks and a lot of highly enjoyable gameplay. It might be a bit too samey for some regarding pace and style, but the story is charming with a very downbeat ending, that nearly ruins your investment in the little candle guy. But in conclusion, please give this a go if you like your platformers, love candles and hate the dark. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With its relatively short length, storybook-like progression and focus on a charming coming-of-age tale that offers surprising maturity, Candleman might be found sitting alongside Journey and The Unfinished Swan, although it’s lesser in scope. For Spotlightor’s first console outing, it’s remarkably sophisticated and tightly produced, I’m excited to see what they come up with next.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite being short, it will undoubtedly delight platform genre lovers.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Candleman delivers an highly charismatic and atmospheric adventure with striking visuals and a compelling gameplay, only occasionally hindered by its fixed camera. A surprising puzzle-platfomer that any lover of this genre should play.”
read full review ↗
Metro GameCentral
TrueAchievements
Destructoid
VideoGamer
CGMagazine
Hardcore Gamer
TheXboxHub
Generación Xbox
MondoXbox…and 1 more tracked reviews.