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) | – | 79 | 8 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 127 |
| 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 12h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (8)
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.
- 82
“Undeniably novel and entertaining with its decision to run with the vintage 50s black and white sci-fi look, but just a decent arcade shooter overall”
read full review ↗ - 85
“I was not just having fun; I was invested in the cheesy over the top story. After every level I eagerly loaded up the next one excited to see more of this wonderfully realized world. Yes, the seams are sometimes more visible than one would hope, and loading times to restart a level are legitimately frustrating, but the net result is easily one of my personal favorite shumps of all time.”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Squad 51 vs. The Flying Saucers is a brilliant game. With tight fun combat, combined with that incredible 50's style makes it a title that is incredibly unique and fun in the medium. While the black and white image can sometimes detract from gameplay, it still manages to be an amazing experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers occasionally overcommits to its retro vibe with punishing and unfair difficulty, but its action is tight and it's charming enough to overlook the flaws.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Even though Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is beyond frustrating, I didn’t think it was that disappointing. It’s still very unique and completely bonkers. Its premise is set, and needs no improvements. Its gameplay design choices render it annoying to deal with right now, but I honestly think a second attempt, with a smaller playable character and better balancing, would result in one of the best bullet hell shooters in years. As of now, this is a fun diversion, but a flawed one.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“A great game that shows what R-Type could be like, if only it was coded in 1958! Blast the freaking aliens like it there's no tomorrow, with this stunning shoot 'em up action in black & white, with great FMV intros in every level.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is honestly pretty great. You can just tell this game was made with love, and it shows. Between the unique FMV approach to Shmups, and it just being an overall good game, I'd say give it a go, even if the price point is a little bit much.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As a piece of '50s nostalgia, Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers fits the bill almost perfectly but as a shoot 'em up, it makes for quite a maddening experience complete with ambiguous visuals that will cause many unexpected failures.”
read full review ↗
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Video ChumsPatch history
- Update Notes 1.13Apr 10, 2023
- Update Notes 1.11Jan 26, 2023
- Update 1.9Dec 9, 2022
- Update 1.8Nov 28, 2022
- Update 1.01Sep 29, 2022