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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) | – | 85 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (3 tracked) | – | 92 | 3 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 91 | 646 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 88 | 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 (130)
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
“True to its roots, Forgotten Land is a very friendly, lighthearted, and immensely delightful experience filled with the brand of exploration and discovery the series is known for. A little more variety in the selection of abilities and boss battles would have taken it to the next level, but it still manages to offer fans fresh concepts that elevate it to a new level and scale the series has never seen before.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land takes the Kirby series into 3D in a wonderfully designed, bursting with personality adventure. It might not be the most challenging game you ever play, but there are enough secrets in the game to leave anyone going back for more. Its beautifully designed environments, characters and overall humor make Kirby and the Forgotten Land a game that leaves a smile on your face. Its co-op mode is a bit of an afterthought, lacking any power-ups or true definition of what the second player is doing on your adventure. However, those with smaller kids wanting a first-time platform in a game to play, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is perfect for them. If you’re planning on playing solo, then Kirby and the Forgotten Land is one of Nintendo Switch’s must-play 3D platforms. It’s simply too fun of an experience for anyone to miss!”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kirby And The Forgotten Land is one of the most fun, polished and bright games this whole year, while also being a family-friendly title which is a big plus. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Forgotten Land may not nail the world-building or plotting, but it’s not snoozing when it comes to Kirby’s transformations.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land is a great big colourful joyride of an adventure for our little pink pal. This first fully three dimensional mainline entry in the franchise is bursting at the seams with fun and inventiveness, managing to transpose everything we know and love about past Kirby games to this all-new arena whilst adding plenty of delightful new aspects as it goes. Mouthful Mode is just as daftly entertaining as it looked in the trailers, each and every level is packed full of secrets and dripping in wonderful detail, and there are enough side activities, collectibles and co-op fun here to keep you entertained and coming back for more for a good long while. What a grand way to celebrate 30 years of Planet Popstar's finest.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land manages to bring the charm of the series into the tridimensional world. While some of its mechanics and level design have trouble evolving in order to remain accessible to the less skilled players, the game holds ground as a remarkably fun and atmospheric adventure. An absolute recommendation to all the Kirby fans, but also to those that seek some lighthearted fun that one can never truly have enough of.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you like 3D platformers from Nintendo, give Forgotten Land a chance. It will keep you entertained for a few nights, even if not everything works as it should. The basic concept and mechanics are there, but the sequel needs to expand and improve them.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“After years of always feeling like he's never quite reached his potential, Kirby and the Forgotten Land is the sort of series-defining triumph worthy of Nintendo's flagship blob. Kirby finally has his Super Mario Galaxy, his Sonic Mania, his Star Fox 64. And I for one, am delighted by that.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Kirby has had its first firm step into three-dimensional platform adventures with The Forgotten Land. It delivers remarkably well on everything it sets out to do, although it also has room for improvement in all of its areas.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Hal Laboratory and Nintendo smashed it out of the park with Kirby and the Forgotten Land, adding yet another gem to the already stacked Switch library. No, it's not the most challenging or taxing gameplay experience going, but that's not what one should expect from Kirby either. Perhaps it could be described as the perfect palate cleanser or antidote to those more difficult experiences - and more importantly, unlike those titles, doesn't require as many caveats to its recommendation. For those who enjoy their character designs round, this will likely appease, but at the end of the day, it's just… fun!”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn't a revolution for the series, but... did it need to be? All it had to do was deliver a game that was faithful to what has made Kirby a franchise that generates excitement, and it largely succeeded at that. Kirby took too long to make the leap to 3D, but the point is that he did it, and in a satisfying way.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kirby and the Forgotten Land is far better than I could have imagined. Its ruined yet beautiful world carries a tone of wonder and amazement throughout the entire game, and HAL Laboratory undoubtedly stuck the landing while transitioning the series’ gameplay into 3D. Though I am disappointed in the small number of copy abilities, the game’s issues are mere bumps in the road compared to its many triumphs. It is the only game I can think of to make me cry from the sheer joy of how cute and heartwarming it can be, and it is in my opinion the best game Kirby’s name has ever been on.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
Pure Nintendo
GameMAG
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
GRYOnline.pl
Gfinity
Cubed3
LevelUp
NintendoWorldReport…and 118 more tracked reviews.