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) | – | 88 | 17 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 98% | 93 | 300 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.1, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 4,112 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 6, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 257 total reviews in window · weighted 128 up / 3 down · computed 2h 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
“It's hard to think of a better example of what VR does so well than Pistol Whip. An immensely enjoyable soundtrack that directly feeds into the core gameplay loop and some wonderfully vibrant visuals all add together with addictive gameplay to make this a fantastic experience. For a great workout it's perfect but with the modifiers allowing more relaxed gameplay, it also can appeal to those who just want some escapism. 2089 adds a new layer on top with an actual narrative tying together the gameplay, adding to what is already a pretty great package. The fact that all the content was added as free updates also goes to show not all VR games need to be extortionately priced.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Not that the title should be a hard sell to begin with! With its colourful environments and masterful level design, there’s very little to poke holes at here. The gunplay functions brilliantly on its own, as does the rhythm gameplay. So, when these two disparate elements harmoniously converge, the product ends up supremely easy to recommend.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Even though Pistol Whip has a small musical offering at the moment, it's one of the best VR experiences I have played on PSVR and in general. It's easy to pick up, great to play, and tough to put down, and ultimately, that's all it's about. It isn't rich in features yet, but with a content roadmap in place, this potentially looks like "the next big thing," although it's marginally held back by a lack of content and song variety for now.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It’s definitely an essential for those that love their PSVR devices. So, why not chuck that headset on, get shooting, blasting, dodging and sweating?”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pistol Whip is a nice addition to VR rhythm games with its John Wick-style action gameplay. But it gets boring sooner than you hoped.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Among all of the PlayStation VR titles available today Pistol Whip would rank near the top of the must-play titles.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pistol Whip is up there with Walking Dead Saints & Sinners as the best PSVR game of 2020. Hell, it’s one of the best games the headset has to offer. If you have any interest in rhythm games or even just waving a gun around, you are going to have an absolute blast here. When all is said and done this is likely to be mentioned in our top games of the year discussion.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pistol Whip is a VR highlight with fast-paced rhythm shooting, an exciting soundtrack, and an enticingly abstract art style.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There’s something to be said for a stripped down to basics game experience, without too many complications or intricacies that get in the way of the fun. Pistol Whip is entertaining and another of the growing list of successful arguments for VR as a near-staple for gamers.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Pistol Whip offers an immersive and enjoyable gameplay experience, making it a fantastic addition to anyone's gaming library. Its excellent use of PSVR 2's features and its diverse soundtrack and cinematic scenes make it an exceptional game that stands out among other arcade-style shooting games.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Pistol Whip 2089 has a very short campaing with 5 levels (or songs), that offer around 30 minutes, cutscenes included. It feels short, and that joins the new gameplay elements, that also feel short (it plays almost the same than Pistol Whip). But, as the great arcades from the 80s, it has some memorable moments than you won't forget easily.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pistol Whip may not be for everyone but it certainly makes anyone that plays through the campaign an action star.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
Worth Playing
Checkpoint Gaming
SECTOR.sk
ThisGenGaming
VDZE Media
IGN
Darkstation
Twisted Voxel
Hobby Consolas
Console Creatures…and 15 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Are you ready Heroes? Gather your parties as VOIDSLAYER has awakened!Jun 6, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- v1.5.65.209 Hotfix Now LiveMay 28, 2024
- v1.5.65.201 Hotfix Now LiveFeb 21, 2024
- v1.5.65.195 Hotfix Now LiveNov 20, 2023
- Surprise Weapons Update for Pistol Whip’s Fourth Anniversary!Nov 8, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Celebrate the Launch of Elixir of Madness! with a Halloween Party!Oct 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Plunge into Madness: Our Next Content Update Arrives October 5!Sep 19, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix v1.5.62.90 Now LiveJul 19, 2023
- The Remixed Update is Here, Heroes!Jun 14, 2023
- Pistol Mix UpdateMay 17, 2023
- Kick it into Overdrive with Pistol Whip’s newest Season!May 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix v1.5.58.217 Now LiveApr 12, 2023
- Hotfix v1.5.54.175 Now LiveDec 9, 2022
- Enjoy a Refreshed User Experience with our Holiday Update!Nov 29, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix v1.5.48.245 Now LiveJul 21, 2022
- Hotfix v1.5.44.147 Now LiveMar 25, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Join the Party in Pistol Whip’s Latest Update, Encore!Feb 24, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix v1.5.38.3 Now LiveAug 23, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- New Action Available Now in Pistol Whip's Wildest Update Ever!Aug 12, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Cinematic Campaign,"2089," Now AvailableDec 1, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 0.6.20.228 Now LiveSep 16, 2020
- "The Heartbreaker Trilogy" Now AvailableAug 27, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 0.6.17.147 Now LiveJul 2, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Survive Dirigible Danger in Free "Dark Skies" UpdateApr 16, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Put the Pedal to the Metal in the new "Full Throttle Update"Mar 18, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 0.6.2.2 live nowFeb 28, 2020
- Free scene "Akuma" available now in new update!Feb 6, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- The High Priestess Update - Available NowDec 19, 2019significant · resets scoring window