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) | – | 76 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 86% | 79 | 46 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 3h 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.
- 70
“If only the developers took more time to tune in balance and camera, and made characters more distinguishable, than we could have a true indie gem. But even now the game is quite good.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“A good game that needs some serious work. All the content is in and the gameplay is enjoyable, but it needs some serious polish to reach its potential.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A fun premise, solid mechanics and excellent presentation mean that Bartlow’s Dread Machine might be my favourite twin-stick shooter since Geometry Wars. Hopefully, it doesn’t get lost in the madness that is the end-year shuffle, as it more than holds its own and deserves an audience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Bartlow's Dread Machine is a fun time if you can overcome the quirks. The old-time setting works well in delivering some charm, and the shooting is solid. The idea of using rails for movement quickly becomes a novel way to play, and the variety keeps things fresh. Bartlow's Dread Machine is an enjoyable ride if you're a fan of the genre, and it's well worth checking out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Automatous agents are ready to save Teddy Roosevelt. They are unique and successful.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The mechanical amusement element of the game has been beautifully and vividly recreated, it really does feel like the sort of thing one might find in a seaside pier arcade around 1910. You can see the mechanical rigging working on the characters and backdrops, and the characters and enemies are visibly made of tin, with holes and sparks appearing at they take damage.”
read full review ↗ - 71
“Bartlow’s Dread Machine is in all matters intriguing, from its old style mechanical arcade box feel, to its limited movement along rail shooter gameplay. There are a lot of positives to enjoy here, but I worry it may not last longer than a single play through. It is a good dual stick shooter to enjoy with a friend though, so should provide at least an evening or two of fun in that department.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“Bartlow’s Dread Machine has a great set of bones. The concept and the core mechanics of being on rails are a great starting point, and the story (which I have not spoiled here) was surprisingly effective. However, the key phrase here is “starting point”. Despite its appeal, there’s a lot of polish that needs to happen before I would be able to recommend this one to shooter fans.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall, Bartlow’s Dread Machine stands out as an arcade shooter. From the great graphics to the outstanding variety in levels and customisation. Bartlow’s Dread Machine incorporates all of this in a 20th-century feel that not only controls well but makes you feel like an agent of a bygone era. Despite pacing and movement issues, the game stands out amongst its rivals in the arcade shooter genre. It is adding a considerable amount of new to an already saturated genre of games.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Bartlow's Dread Machine is a solid bullet-hell shooter with an excellent look that's held back by a few curious design decisions.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“It would have been nice if the gameplay were anywhere close to being as great as the premise. If we were going by looks and ideas alone, Bartlow’s Dread Machine would be an easy GOTY contender. As it stands, it’s simply a great-looking game with more than a few flaws, but those looks are so good, they might just be enough to make this game worthwhile.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Though it will not win any awards for its gameplay, this game is a real treat. It encapsulates the heart and spirit of what wonderful things can be done with an indie game. Its rougher edges and rustier bits can be frustrating, but if you want to play one of the most unique titles of the year, then you could do a whole lot worse than Bartlow’s Dread Machine on Xbox One.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
PC Invasion
FingerGuns
Worth Playing
SECTOR.sk
GameOnAUS
Xbox Tavern
Movies Games and Tech
DualShockers
Gaming Age
TheXboxHub…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hotfix- World 5_3 balance improvements.Oct 1, 2020
- HOTFIX Preview - World 5_3 Balance fixesOct 1, 2020
- The Canal ZoneSep 9, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Open Beta!Sep 1, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Open Beta!Aug 15, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1Aug 6, 2020