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Relayer

Relayer

Kadokawa · released Mar 24, 2022

Turn-Based TacticsPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

A next-generation robot SRPG set in a sci-fi alternate reality, in which Starchildren, humans who have been granted special abilities, take on an extraterrestrial threat known as the Relayers. Command a squadron of Stellar Gear, humanoid weapons developed from the technology of ancient alien civilizations, to defend Earth from the invading Relayer aliens. Approximately 100 unique cutscenes play during battles throughout the game, and stage maps are all illustrated in high-quality, full 3D. Relayer also features exciting special attacks such as Backstab and the Big Bang. Players must use a wide range of strategies in order to lead the Starchildren to victory!

57
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence
77%
Press
55%
Player sentiment
55%
PS store
1,155
Ratings

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.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (Metacritic)7720
All-time Steam reviews0
Metacritic user ratings0
PlayStation store ratings55569
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)0
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

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 (8)

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
    trust 67Apr 10, 2022

    Despite quibbles, though, Relayer is a solid entry into the canon of mecha-based strategy titles. Kadokawa Games developed an original, endearing sci-fi RPG with a strong character focus. It may be held back by its rougher edges, but anyone with a love of sci-fi anime should give it a look.

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  • 70
    trust 67Mar 24, 2022

    Do you want a completely average, by-the-numbers strategy RPG that revolves around giant robots? Relayer will probably scratch that itch. If you're looking for anything more than that, it falls flat. Nothing the game offers excels beyond "average," and there are enough nagging flaws and problems that you have to put some effort into getting to the good bits. There's the makings of a better sequel here, but for now, Relayer barely makes the grade.

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  • 85
    trust 60Apr 4, 2022

    Throughout my Relayer playthrough, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment, even the overly long battles near the end. It’s a challenging, fun, and charming game with a lot of great systems and unit design. Relayer is a game that I’d recommend to anime, mecha, and SRPG fans alike. Though it’s a little on the long side, it feels completely worth the time investment. The game has a solid ending, and after the credits roll, an entire post-game opens up with 35 more episodes of content covering the aftermath of the game’s events. Relayer is a game that continually upended my expectations. It ended up being far more vast than I thought, and I eagerly look forward to a sequel.

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  • 70
    trust 58Mar 22, 2022

    Relayer has the building blocks of a promising new IP with a compelling ensemble of characters and an intriguing world to build off of. There are too many key flaws with its English localization, its design decisions, and its UI that holds it back from being truly great, but all of those can easily be improved upon in a sequel. I hope Relayer does well enough to encourage the development team to make more because I am so interested in where they take it next, especially with the way the main story ended.

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  • 75
    trust 57Mar 18, 2022

    Relayer is an exceptionally niche SRPG that may slide under your radar if you aren’t explicitly looking for it. I would say it’s a game made for fans of the genre, but the mechs and sci-fi narrative open it up to a broader fandom. The SRPG features are accessible, and the systems for customization are deep enough to enjoy, no matter how familiar you are with these games. However, the narrative and pacing are weak, which weighs heavily on the enjoyment as it requires a level of investment that you will likely never have.

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  • 80
    trust 56May 7, 2022

    Relayer is a very solid and fun SRPG, with an interesting story, a rich and captivating cast of characters and great systems, which only suffers from its localization problems and the technical issues seen in the PS5 version. If you are a fan of the genre, this is yet another gem that should be on your radar.

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  • 80
    trust 54Apr 1, 2022

    Relayer gets so much right. It’s gorgeous on the eyes, the narrative is twisty and fun in the way that the very best pulp sci-fi can be, and the traditional tactics JRPG action is well-executed and clean. It takes such joy in what it is doing that I can’t imagine there will be many people that walk away from it without a smile on their faces. While it might not do enough to stand out as one of the greats of the genre, it is more than worth your time, especially if you’ve ever looked to space and wondered just what tactical warfare up there might look like.

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  • 74
    trust 45Apr 7, 2022

    If you're looking for a hardcore SRPG then you'll likely be disappointed by Relayer but it's still a satisfying spacefaring adventure that features enjoyable cinematic combat, incredible audio, and a memorable cast of characters.

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