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 | 29 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 86 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 32 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 91 reviews sampled · 76 total reviews in window · weighted 59.9 up / 5.5 down · computed 8h 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.
- 70
“The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a short but sweet point-and-click horror adventure that uses the setting, style and folklore of Victorian Britain to immerse you in a distinctly creepy plot.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A slow-burn psychological experience which taps into the tropes of folk horror with precision, and leaves a truly memorable mark on your subconscious.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“At its best, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow feels like the halcyon point-and-click days of LucasArts. Some of its puzzle chains are compelling, immersive, and pitched just right difficulty-wise. It gets a bit messy in the third act, but not enough to undo the excellent scene-setting and plot-thickening that precedes it. Hob's Barrow could have been hobbled by its muted setting; instead it brings a barrowload of supernatural chills.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a clever and creepy indie game that isn’t afraid to show how much love they have for this style of storytelling. It may not be the kind of game that will please everyone, but it will satisfy those looking for an old-school experience wrapped up in eldritch horror. Switch owners looking to expand their adventure game library will find a solid experience here, and the low price point will work in its favor. Thomasina’s misadventure is a story worth playing, so long as you go in ready to tussle with the old-school quirks of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Delivers a mix of rural character, old-school adventure, and some legitimately chilling revelations”
read full review ↗ - 80
“What The Excavation of Hob's Barrow lacks in puzzle density and difficulty, it more than makes up for in ambience, presentation quality, and a story that'll stick with audiences long after the credits roll. Wadjet Eye Games are no stranger to dark, uncomfortable storytelling, but Thomasina's time in Bewlay reaches a level of unsettling that's genuinely hard to shake off. Haunting atmosphere, chilling music, and an unshakeable feeling of dread all culminate in an unforgettable ending that'll either make or break the story for players. Yet, the fact Cloak and Dagger Games end Thomasina's journey on such a bold note is exactly what elevates the script to a more profound, mature level. It may not be their best, but The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is Wadjet Eye Games' most memorable nightmare yet.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is an adventure of a rare "harvest", which, if it had been released in the golden age of adventures, would now be remembered as a top example of the genre. With its brilliantly written plot and a thrilling finale, Cloak & Dagger's creation has already carved out a lofty place among the best indie games of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With its skilled application of a foreboding atmosphere instead of cheap jumpscares, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is the perfect game to lead us into the spooky season. It's a well-crafted mystery that is creepy in all the right places, taking us back to a not-too-distant past of superstition. If you're in the mood for a suspenseful tale of oft-overlooked folklore and themes of grief and loss, the Excavation of Hob's Barrow gets my firm recommendation.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Everything about the game is immediately appealing”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Hob's Barrow is a game that refuses to leave your brain until the whole thing is untangled.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a nice bite-sized mystery horror adventure with well-done pixel art graphics and quality voice acting.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“A splendid adventure that's well paced, excellently voiced, and doesn't outstay its welcome.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Jump Dash Roll
Nintendo Life
Gamer Escape
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Checkpoint Gaming
Games Freezer
Eurogamer
SomHráč.sk
PC Gamer…and 15 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Excavation of Hob's Barrow Hotfix PatchAug 4, 2026
- The Excavation of Hob's Barrow - Smallest HotfixJun 20, 2026
- The Excavation of Hob's Barrow - Engine PatchJun 17, 2026
- Patch v1.05Oct 26, 2022
- Patch v1.03Oct 2, 2022