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) | – | 89 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| 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.
- 80
“Espaulga II HD looks stunning on the iPad, and is one of the best high-score chasing shooters available on the App Store.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Through Cave's uncompromising vision, Espgaluda II manages to squeeze one of the most frenetic, frenzied and thoroughly enjoyable shooters onto iPhone without sacrifice. That should, without hesitation, be fervently embraced.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Espgaluda II is a surprise bit of fun that works much better than expected. It takes a big visual hit, which is disappointing.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Espgaluda II is a beautiful, well-developed port for the iPhone and the best 2D vertical shooter I've ever played. It's breathed new life into a stale, complacent genre and raised the bar for other 2D scrolling shooter developers.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you own an iPhone 3GS and are a fan of the manic shooter - go buy this game right now. If you are a general shooter fan and feel that you're up to facing the dense and constant volleys of enemy fire that this type of shooter brings - go buy this game right now.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“It's rare to expect a game of this quality to make the transition from the Arcade to the iPhone so smoothly, but ESPGALUDA II has lost nothing from the 2005 classic.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I thoroughly enjoyed Espgaluda 2. Sure, it's pretty mindless arcade fair, but the craziness to it all makes for an exciting ride.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“While not everyone can try Espgaluda 2 for themselves, if you own an iPhone 3GS and love shooters, this one's worth your attention.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Vibrant visuals, great arcade sound, touchscreen native gameplay that's smooth and enjoyable, and even achievement and leaderboard integration via OpenFeint all combine to make this a must grab for those with a shmup-ish itch to scratch on the go.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Magnificent controls. [Issue#96, p.100]”
- 90
“A classic that arrive on iPhone with a shiny vest and perfectly balanced gameplay. Probably the best shoot'em up to date on the Apple device.”
read full review ↗ - 100Jan 29, 2026
“You have to admire Cave's audacity. It's basically saying that here is the greatest shooter to grace iOS, and that if you want it, you're really going to have to pay for it.”
read full review ↗
Eurogamer
IGN
games(TM)
Multiplayer.it…and 1 more tracked reviews.