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) | – | 70 | 13 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 98% | 93 | 40 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 99% | 95 | 80 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 7, 2023) · 80 reviews sampled · 67 total reviews in window · weighted 27.6 up / 0.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (7)
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.
- 75
“With its pretty unique size-shifting mechanic and plenty of punishing stage designs, this has appeal, but possibly restricted to challenge hounds”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Through the Nightmares is a nightmarishly difficult, great labour of love, with the only thing stopping you from beating the game is your own skill and willpower. Just be willing to wait, use any knowledge you collect with each death, and don't give up.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“As a whole, I am glad I played Through the Nightmares. It certainly is not the best game I have played this year, but there are a decent number of solid components. The Sandman’s movement is fun, there are unique components relating to his size augmenting abilities, and the artistic design has some standout pieces. However, the primary gameplay loop had me waiting more than I would have liked, and I had some issues deciphering the on-screen information sometimes. It is a fun game, but there are other platformers I would recommend first.”
read full review ↗ - 70
- 85
“If you love brutally hard platformers, this is exactly what you're looking for. Through the Nightmares constantly demands skill from the player, and deeply rewards those who invest their time and effort into it. The game could have a broader moveset, but the level-by-level variety definitely makes up for it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It gives just as much back as you put in, and I appreciate that in a platformer like this. It probably won’t change your life, but it might just get you through a couple of sleepless nights. Sometimes, all you need is a little help from a friendly Sandman to make it to dawn.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It may be one of the most brutally frustrating platformers out there but Through the Nightmares manages to provide satisfying gameplay. 🛌”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
GameGrin
Rapid Reviews UK
PS4Blog.net
GameBlast
Shacknews
Video ChumsPatch history
- ⏰ New Update Alarm for PC & Steam DeckJul 22, 2025
- Oops, We Did It Again: Release 0.15.0 - Game Fixes and PolishingSep 7, 2023significant · resets scoring window