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) | – | 84 | 19 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 99% | 95 | 366 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 96 | 73 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 92.4, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 731 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 10, 2026) · 73 reviews sampled · 37 total reviews in window · weighted 53.7 up / 0.1 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (15)
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
“A refreshingly bold, brash, and unique take on turn-based RPGs that has enough personality and flair to justify a look if you’re seeking a deviation from the more polished norm”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a fun game with a clever battle system that can be quite challenging at times. On top of that, it features a cast of characters charismatic enough to make the experience enjoyable.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a fun and inventive RPG that blends great visuals, genuinely funny writing and a deep combat system that all comes together to make this a must play.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands shows that independent RPGs don’t need a large budget to shine. Rather than resting on the laurels of nostalgia, it dares to forge its own path with inventive combat mechanics, an outstanding narrative, likable characters, and a fantastically weird universe that continues to amaze.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a superb turn-based RPG with an excellent music-themed battle system, a charming cast of characters, and non-stop jokes. Pick this one up if you need a silly escape into a boppin' world.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My initial fear that Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands would completely lose me with its metal heart ultimately proved largely unfounded. Yes, the game exudes devilish music and a hefty dose of genre attitude, but beneath that noisy façade lies, above all, a surprisingly funny and creative RPG. The inventive combat system and quirky humour make Deathbulge much more than just a niche game for metal fans. Even someone who’d rather spare their eardrums than dive into a mosh pit can have a lot of fun with this. So, not a deafening flop, but a delightfully odd indie hit with real bite. And made by a team of five blokes! FIVE!!”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a super creative, super charismatic indie RPG that stands out in a crowded genre. It makes the jump from webcomics to video games and sticks the landing, with a genuinely funny story, memorable settings, witty writing, and an art style with character to spare.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“I liked it well enough. There’s nothing about Deathbulge that would lean me towards discouraging players from enjoying the game. The music is great, the animation is brilliant, and the storyline, believe it or not, goes a lot of places that I didn’t expect in a positive way. The humor is great when it works, and it gives the player a brief moment of eyeroll when it doesn’t. It stands well enough on its own, and, I imagine, long time readers of the comic will really vibe and enjoy the references and drop ins from the rogue’s gallery.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a very well thought out RPG that is unfortunately let down by its constant attempts at being funny. It feels like that weird kid that would hang around bullies; they’ve got their own things going on in their lives that could be a better focus for their time but they’re too busy trying to get approval from people that don’t like them and force them to eat bugs for their amusement.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is an incredible indie RPG that manages to present a hilarious, charming world along with an absurdly well-crafted gameplay with all its details. Dynamic and full of strategic elements, the game is a truly special experience in the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a good game whose small development team has big talent. The music alone is worth the price of admission. Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is an enjoyable, if challenging, 12-15 hour (closer to 20 if you do all the sidequests) romp for those willing to invest in thoroughly learning and experimenting with the play mechanics. Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is not for everyone, but if it sounds like your jam, you will love it.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Hand-drawn musical RPG about three musicians cursed by a peculiar Battle of the Bands”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
Manual dos Games
Pure Dead Gaming
GamesCreed
GameGrin
Pragalicious
NoobFeed
WayTooManyGames
Switchaboo
NintendoBoy
RPG Fan
PS4Blog.net…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- v2.0.1 Bugfix Patch NotesAug 10, 2026
- v2.0.0 HAS ARRIVEDJun 30, 2026
- MAJOR Content Update Announcement v2.0.0 coming out JUNE 30TH!!Jun 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.3 Patch NotesJan 7, 2026
- v1.2.2 Patch NotesDec 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- v1.2.1 Patch NotesNov 28, 2024
- v1.2.0 Patch NotesNov 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- v1.1.1 patch notesJun 18, 2024
- PATCH 1.1 HAS ARRIVED!May 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- v1.0.6 Patch Notes: Saeva Yourself Some TroubleOct 6, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- v1.0.5 Patch Notes: Exorcise that Ego!Aug 24, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- v1.0.4Aug 17, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- v1.0.3 Patch NotesAug 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- v1.0.2: Keyboard Controls Update!Aug 11, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- A Big Post-Launch Thank You + Upcoming ChangesAug 11, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- French & German fix!Aug 8, 2023