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) | – | 79 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 75 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 65 | 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 (83)
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
“The game does a superb job of striking a balance between being an easy route of entry for newcomers to the series and offering just enough post-game challenge and competitive play elements (and nostalgia, of course) to please series veterans; as a result, these new titles really do offer something for everyone, which can't always be said of the mainline Pokémon entries. They might not be an absolute masterpiece, but we’d urge any Poké-fans out there to give these ones a go, if a Let’s Go Johto sequel is on the cards, we’ll happily be there waiting in line.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A simple, nostalgic return to the Kanto region, offers little if you are a series veteran eager for complexity and challenge. But if that's not your main interest, Pokemon Let's Go has it all! It's a simple, cute and fun game that will keep you hooked for hours. An excellent starting point for newcomers, and a great nostalgia trip for those in a search for one.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“For what is supposed to be the next step forward for Pokémon, Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu! feels like it has taken a few steps back. While there are aspects of the game I do enjoy, there are also glaring issues that I cannot just ignore. Ultimately, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! needlessly simplifies core mechanics in a series that does not require such streamlining.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, as well as its almost identical counterpart, succeeds brilliantly at bridging the worlds of Pokémon Go and the mainline entries, combining evolved, simplified or even revised mechanics from both worlds into what is, make no mistake, a spin-off from the main franchise and not an actual new mainline game. Changes may not be to every old time fan's taste but diving in with expectations kept in check, everyone may find in there a lot to be enjoyed, both for fans of Pokémon Go or the modern games... or even fans of both who will best be able to appreciate it. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“After Pokémon GO's massive success, Game Freak tried to bring some of its core mechanics to the mainline series with Pokémon: Let’s Go! As a result, we have a new fresh take on the series that does a lot of things right, but also lacks in others, especially the postgame.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu justifies its own existence by trying to please every Pokémon fan. It can’t. What it does do is highlight the disparity among its bases; its fierce and loyal competitive scene, its incredibly friendly world, and its simple-to-grasp, hard-to-master systems. Going forward, the Let’s Go series would do well to let go of me. It’s okay to make a game for new and younger players, but it’s not okay to sell that game to stalwarts nearing 30. Let’s Go’s fresh ideas have me excited for the future of Pokémon, but these changes now mar the very experience that had me fall in love with this world.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“Pokémon: Let’s Go has certainly earned itself quite a bit of debate in the fan community. While fans clearly feel strongly about the changes made to the franchise formula, Game Freak has still managed to deliver a terrific Pokémon experience that lives up to the technological leap forward. Kanto feels more alive than ever before, and the original 151 Pokémon have never looked better. As a longtime fan of the franchise, I couldn’t help but find myself grinning from ear-to-ear. Whether you’re a longtimer like myself, a lapsed fan that came back with Pokémon Go or a newcomer, there’s something for everyone in Pokémon: Let’s Go.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pokemon: Let's Go! has a lot of offer on the whole. It's family friendly and makes it easy to pick up with a pal, meaning that parents can jump on to help out their kids and leave when needed. It's also brimming with charm, character, and animations that you can't help smiling at. I've got no doubt you'll enjoy the game if you pick it up, but how long for depends on how much you loved the classic era of the Pokemon franchise.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall the game is a pleasure to play, a breezy RPG packed with beauty and charm that will bring older players back to the series’ beginning while recruiting a new generation that will ensure Pokemon’s future. So much of my favorite childhood media just doesn’t hold up to my modern tastes and I have no real interest in using some form of emulator to relive the original Pokemon Red/Blue’s archaic gameplay. Let’s Go brings back the warm memories and blends them with a satisfying new experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Somewhere in the middle between a regular Pokémon episode and an entry-level spin-off, Pokémon Let’s Go manages to entertain both the seasoned player and the newcomer. It’s easy, OK, but not less fun, and returning to Kanto is a treat.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee are delightful reimaginings of the series' origins and a deep RPG in their own right. It makes a lot of smart improvements on the original Red, Blue and Yellow while holding on to what made them so special in the first place. Fans of the series might be let down by the lack of features they've come to expect, but Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee take the Pokemon formula in some exciting new directions.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! does introduce several good new features, but it fails to address some long-running issues. Though it’s nice to see Kanto brought to life again in this fashion, especially with some really nice new arrangements for the classic soundtrack, the game relies too heavily on nostalgia. It succeeds in making Pokémon more accessible than ever, but aside from the shift away from random encounters, it doesn’t take enough risks. This is a good entry point for newcomers to the series, but it ultimately leaves veterans yearning for more.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
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LevelUp
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Easy Allies…and 71 more tracked reviews.