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) | – | 85 | 8 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 864 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 11 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 1,727 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 28 reviews sampled · 31 total reviews in window · weighted 20.6 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.
- 86
“One thing I've learned over the years as someone both on the programming end of software and on the consumer end is that creating experiences that are "simple" by nature is often anything but...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The overarching feeling while playing this game is that it's wonderfully relaxing. Save for a handful of tough difficulty spikes or moments where you lose your way on the sprawling map, A Monster's Expedition provides a genuinely pleasant puzzle experience you can enjoy at your own pace. A few options for tips mean you have some help if you want it, and no loading means it's a doddle to get into. If you're after something chilled out to wind down with, it's certainly worth taking this journey.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“There needs to be a clear logic to the puzzles throughout that acts as a foundation for each sequential one to build off of. What elevates it even further is world building and music design that sews it up into a tight, cohesive experience. A Monster's Expedition's quick hits of small puzzles passes all of those criteria with flying colors, and you owe it to yourself to give it a look.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Draknek masters a genre with a game of little touches, big challenge, and giant heart.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“A Monster’s Expedition is a delight to play. The solution to some of the puzzles might not click right away. However, when you do find it, it comes with such a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that it’s hard to describe. A game filled with lots of a-ha moments when the solution pops into your head. This is a must-play game for puzzle fans. A Monster’s Expedition is one of the best puzzle games I’ve played this year. I definitely recommend exploring the open-world museum of EnglandLand!”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Principally, A Monster's Expedition is a very cleverly designed game which extracts an immense amount from its basic mechanic. Furthermore, for persons seeking a head-heavy challenge, some island puzzles are a true feast. The atmosphere, whether through humorous comments on humanity or meditative music, is also very pleasant and calm. Unfortunately, the game's pacing does not work. The museum is at home on too many islands, and soon a repetition of the always identical gameplay loop sets in. Since from this phase on the main path of the game the difficulty stagnates and the puzzle design offers no great variety, much idle time and monotony are the result.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A Monster’s Expedition was such a whole experience. For a game with no real story, narrative, or characters, it was strangely emotional. It was such a soothing experience that I only wish I could experience for the first time again.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“When A Monster’s Expedition, the latest release from the highly acclaimed developer Draknek, was pitched as an “open-world puzzle adventure”, I was hesitant; replacing the linear, building up of difficulty found in most puzzle games with a self-guided approach to level progression sounded like trouble just waiting to happen. But as I uncovered the outdoor museum exhibits of “Englandland”, A Monster’s Expedition instantly charmed me in ways few games do. Find out why this Puzzling Exhibition is worth going on in this Rapid Review.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A Monster’s Expedition is a brilliant little puzzler. It gets incredible mileage out of a simple mechanic and manages to use it in unexpected ways. The game’s zen-like presentation, open-ended exploration, and sense of humor create a relaxing environment that soothes away the frustrations found in other puzzle games. I do wish I had a little assistance in the late-game portion, but maybe I’m the only one who needs it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I never thought I could have that much fun with a puzzle game. A Monster's Expedition is a delighting experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Monster's Expedition is practically perfect in everything it does. The game has challenging but not unfair puzzles, humor just right and very beautiful and varied scenarios. With the exception of choosing to hide the map most of the time, the navigation, controls and organization of stages in islands are very well done and tweaked. Those who like to rack their brains without getting angry will have fun like never before in this strange exhibition.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“If you're looking for a chill albeit tricky puzzler with an excellent sense of humour then I highly recommend playing A Monster's Expedition. Its blend of exploration and clever puzzles makes for one stand-out tree-toppling experience.”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Eurogamer
LadiesGamers.com
Gaming-Village
Nintendo Link
Rapid Reviews UK
Hey Poor Player
Gamer's Palace
Nintendo Blast
Video Chums…and 1 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Hint Update comes to A Monster’s Expedition!May 19, 2022
- 2021-12-20 updateDec 20, 2021
- 2021-08-16 updateAug 16, 2021
- Bugfix update 2021-08-08Aug 9, 2021
- 2021-03-09 patchMar 9, 2021