Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
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 (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 31 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 75 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 81 | 176 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 68% | 65 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 7 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 3.1 up / 1.5 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (27)
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.
- 90
“Even with an inconveniently designed save system, Lunark is a game I'll look back fondly on for reaching the highest of highs. It's easily one of my favorite titles in recent years, one I'll undoubtedly revisit. A must-play for cinematic platformer fans, Lunark's full of surprises, bound to leave lasting positive impressions with players. If this is indie studio Canari Games' first release, I can't wait to see what they come up with next.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Lunark is a brilliant homage to the cinematic platformer. Vinet's work in capturing the look and feel of the genre with the rotoscoped animation and methodical platforming style is pitch perfect, even if it sometimes adapts some pieces of the era that you'd rather leave behind and forgets to bring in some elements that feel crucial to the experience, like an exciting story. That said, Vinet's solo debut is a standout and one well worth embarking on. 2023 is the year of taking a breath and remembering where we came from as gamers, and Lunark is just another step in that direction.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Even our minor frustrations with Lunark can't overshadow the joy we felt as we played this unashamedly retro platformer. It is a competently put-together and lovingly crafted homage to an often-overlooked genre of gaming. Even the imprecise controls and Leo's sluggish movements feel like a feature and not a bug in the game's design. If you can wrap your head around them, there is a solid platformer to enjoy.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“If you like a Flashback or Another World throwback title that kindles your nostalgia, go ahead and jump into Lunark. It'll keep you sated for a few hours with its lush pixel artwork and quirky puzzle-and-platforming gameplay. However, I cannot recommend this title to anyone else looking for a standard and modern 2D gaming experience, because Lunark is purposely designed for that specific 90s mindset.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“If you're a fan of Flashback and the sort, you really can't go wrong with Lunark, even if it's a tad forgiving and far too short. If you're less comfortable with the sub-genre, or want something meatier, consider waiting for a sale.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“This pretty cool throwback to the age of classic cinematic adventures like Out of This World (and others) is a retro treat”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Canari Games delivered a little gem of a video game. Its obvious LUNARK was crafted with love and respect for everything that's been done in the genre before. It's visually stunning, very easy to jump in and the platforming phases offer plenty of variety. While one could say it’s a little bit short, I prefer saying the game doesn’t get unnecessarily long. When I will think back on the year 2023, LUNARK will definitely be high on my list of games I've really enjoyed.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Lunark does an excellent job mimicking cinematic platformers of the ‘90s to its benefit but also to its detriment, resulting in a solid sci-fi tale that can be a bit too frustrating at times.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Lunark was a blast from the past for sure, I enjoyed my time with the sci-fi adventure game. As I said Flashback was one of my favorites and playing Lunark I was smiling the whole time thinking back on the fond memories I had as a youth. The more I played the more I really liked Leo and enjoyed seeing his story unfold, while there are issues with checkpoints and controls to get used to at the end of the day Lunark tells a great sci-fi story that fans of the genre will surely enjoy.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“A dystopian sci-fi platformer from a fan of nineties games bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Flashback. Maybe that's why you'll enjoy it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Still, with how beautifully this game runs on Switch (hardly a hitch or dip to be seen during my 3.5 hours of play), I’m very pleased to have experienced this tribute, as Lunark is definitely one done with a lot of love and attention to the genre, even with all the genre-bound frustrations.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Lunark won’t supplant Flashback any time soon. It’s held back by its derivative story and lame dialogue. However, the visuals and animation are truly an artistic achievement. It does manage to improve on the subgenre’s conventions in a minor way and the overall challenge is worthwhile for any fan of Flashback.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Updates changelog for version 1.1.0 - April 21Apr 21, 2023significant · resets scoring window