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) | – | 72 | 45 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 79% | 73 | 565 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 91% | 86 | 335 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 27, 2024) · 295 reviews sampled · 335 total reviews in window · weighted 156.5 up / 14.6 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (29)
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.
- 60
“KAKU: Ancient Seal is a fun and visually appealing action-adventure game that, while it won’t blow anyone away with its originality or innovation, is nonetheless solid and entertaining at its core. It’s particularly recommended for younger players and those looking for some light-hearted relaxation. It’s also clear that the developers are making noticeable progress with every update.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite its obvious shortcomings, it’s a fun time that would best be played by someone who jumps on for a few hours a week so that the game’s simplicity can remain charming rather than repetitive. I certainly can’t fault the developer’s ambition, there’s a lot of stuff packed into Kaku: The Ancient Seal, including some very cool ideas. I just think if the developers had taken a few things out and focused on a couple of their key ideas, Kaku could have been even better. Taken for what it is though, Kaku: The Ancient Seal is a charming ARPG with a strong Zelda vibe and a lot of heart.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“When Kaku: Ancient Seal is at its best, it shows the potential of a great sandbox adventure. Many of the design choices are spot on. Great examples are the choices to focus more on horizontal progression than vertical, and to fill the world with rewarding respawning items. However, at its worst, it is filled with some of the genre's worst design choices. The main offenders are cruel invisible walls and non-existent enemy progression. In between, Kaku: Ancient Seal is depressingly textbook good. Sure, the game works, but nothing stands out, and the polish to make it memorable is lacking. However, it does leave curiosity about what future titles Bingobell will deliver with more experience under its belt.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Kaku: Ancient Seal is one of those games that reminds me why I love discovering smaller projects. It’s ambitious, heartfelt, and fun, even when it stumbles. The team at BINGOBELL clearly poured their hearts into this world, and it shows.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“KAKU: Ancient Seal is a genuine feel-good trek for anyone who loves exploration, puzzles, and steady progression.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Kaku: Ancient Seal is often great, but a collective of small issues and bland systems do hold it back. Combat is serviceable in that you have a few options that work well, but you’ll largely find yourself just spamming the best options. The story lacks agency for Kaku himself, making him more of a bystander than an active participant. The localization is being addressed, but as of right now, it certainly has several problems.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“KAKU: Ancient Seal offers a great experience in a fantastic world, but certain design choices leave something to be desired.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“KAKU: Ancient Seal is far from perfect, but it’s by no means a bad title. The problem, however, is that there’s competition out there that often offers more, and in a better form.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“KAKU: Ancient Seal is a captivating open-world RPG that successfully combines a rich narrative, combat, and immersive exploration. Its ancient fantasy setting, together with innovative gameplay mechanics, makes it a great title in the genre. Whether you’re a fan of epic quests and strategic combat or love exploring beautifully crafted worlds, KAKU: Ancient Seal is a journey worth undertaking.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Kaku Ancient Seal feels nostalgic for PS2 area adventure games featuring fantastic world-building and strong action-adventure mechanics. The game will take you in, invest you in its diverse and interesting world, and provide satisfying ways to grow your strength as you balance the elements and save the world from destruction.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“The ambitious action platform of the Chinese studio Bingobell leaves early access, expanding and polishing a generic and aimless game, condemned to live behind its references.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“KAKU: Ancient Seal is a decent title overall but it could have needed a little more work on many aspects.”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
Wolf's Gaming Blog
Cubed3
ZTGD
NextGen Player
Analog Stick Gaming
GameGrin
SomHráč.sk
LadiesGamers.com
Try Hard Guides
AnaitGames
CrazyGameCommunity.it…and 17 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- KAKU: Ancient Seal – Lowest Price Ever with 28% OFF! 🍁Nov 27, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- First Free Content Update: [Furious Trial] is Now Live!Sep 2, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on August 7thAug 7, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on July 15Jul 17, 2024
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on July 13Jul 13, 2024
- FAQs Before the Full Version ReleaseJul 5, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- KAKU: Ancient Seal Demo Update on June 19Jun 19, 2024
- The Full Version of KAKU: Ancient Seal will launch July 12th!Jun 19, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on March 25Mar 25, 2024
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on December 29Dec 29, 2023
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on December 18Dec 18, 2023
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on July 26Jul 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on June 25Jun 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on June 7Jun 7, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on June 1Jun 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on May 24May 24, 2023
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on May 16May 16, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on May 12May 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on May 6May 6, 2023
- Update of KAKU: Ancient Seal on May 5May 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Version Comparison—Dev Log 04Apr 20, 2023