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) | – | 81 | 12 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 86 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 83% | 76 | 17 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 5, 2026) · 17 reviews sampled · 15 total reviews in window · weighted 10.8 up / 2.3 down · computed 6h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (13)
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.
- 85
“APICO might start off slow, but it becomes intriguing pretty quickly. It's a chilled experience that allows you to complete the game at your own pace. The crafting and building features are easy to pick up on and enjoy, allowing you to design the island to your liking. But what makes APICO stand out is the beekeeping aspect, breeding different bees to get desired traits and ultimately discovering new bees. The game sneaks a bit of science in the fun, and I'm all for it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“APICO is a charming sandbox simulator that also teaches you a thing or two. For fans of laid-back gameplay in a pleasant natural setting, this game is the perfect choice. The price of €16.79 is currently a bit on the high side, but it’s justified either by a discount or the promise of future updates. By purchasing the game, you’ll also be contributing to the #SaveTheBees charity, thereby improving the lives of some real bees.”
read full review ↗ - 64
“When you need to unwind after a long day, or get lost in the Zen-like calm of caring for your in-game world farming sims are a great distraction...”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A wonderful, laid back beekeeping simulation that is perfect for players looking for a change of pace from the standard farm sim”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While playing APICO, it’s clear that the developers have put a lot of love into their game and bees. It’s littered with bee puns and humour throughout the game, and it is educational as well. Four-player online co-op is available to play, which I didn’t get to try. However, the enjoyable and chilled gameplay will keep you buzzing for hours and coming back for more. Gotta go and check on my bees!”
read full review ↗ - 65
“APICO isn't as relaxing as it states, but you'll still have a fun time conserving bee populations if grind-y simulation games are your cup of tea (with honey).”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Those looking to learn more about bees, conservation, and genetics will likely enjoy the colorful world and endearing narrative of APICO, making it a great adventure for any player.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As the days grow darker and the nights grow colder, a relaxing game on the Switch is just the thing you need to cuddle up with on the sofa. APICO is a title which certainly ticks that box; leaving city life behind, you move to Port APICO to carry on your family’s beekeeping legacy. With a cutesy pixel art style too, is this a bee-autiful indie to chill with, or does it really sting? Find out in this Rapid Review!”
read full review ↗ - 75
“APICO is a tightly constructed and well-presented simulator about a topic loads of people are curious about but few people dive into. It’s a good way to quietly spend some time thinking about the majesty of these little animals while having a complicated enough gameplay loop to keep you invested for hours upon hours.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Oh honey, APICO has all the fixins of a good and relaxing farming sim, but with bees! You have an inventory system that allows you to multitask without wasting time or restricting your options. There are little-to-no penalties for playing however you want, whenever you want. The soundtrack is so soothing and laid back that you'll put viewers and bees to sleep. And, there exists an element of surprise within the gameplay loop of beekeeping, breeding bees, and discovering bees that can keep you playing into the wee hours of the morning and can be disabled if you wish to leave less gameplay up to chance. Despite the gigantic tutorial (that could admittedly use some tightening up for new players) and the lack of deep story/community-building that you may expect from other popular farming sims, it is SO easy for one to lose track of time and relax in the bee-pun filled world of APICO. Give APICO some time -- it's an absolute hit, and I'm SO EXCITED to see it grow.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The more I play APICO, the more convinced I feel that I'm playing it wrong. It calls itself "a laid-back beekeeping sim game about breeding, collecting, & conserving bees.” The Steam reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising it for being calm and relaxing. And me? All I can think whenever I play is how stressed it makes me.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“I didn’t know I needed a beekeeping simulator in my life, but APICO brings a great balance of education, relaxation and resource management that keeps me coming back for more.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Gaming Professors
Nindie Spotlight
Capsule Computers
LadiesGamers.com
TechRaptor
Screen Rant
Rapid Reviews UK
But Why Tho?
Digital Chumps
Gaming Age
CGMagazine…and 1 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 4.5.1Aug 13, 2026
- 4.5.0Aug 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 4.5.0 - Preview!Jul 23, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- /gimme bugsJun 9, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 4.4.2Jun 12, 2025
- 4.4.1Jun 8, 2025
- 4.4.0 HF1Jun 6, 2025
- 4.4.0Jun 6, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- TNgineers - 2024 In ReviewJan 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- 4.3.0 (+ Merry Hivemas!)Dec 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 4.2.1Aug 19, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Crystallum 4.2.0 HF1Jul 16, 2024
- Crystallum 4.2.0Jul 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Crystallum 4.1.4Jun 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 4.1.3 HF1Jun 21, 2024
- Crystallum 4.1.3Jun 20, 2024
- Crystallum 4.1.2 Hotfix 1May 29, 2024
- Crystallum 4.1.2May 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 4.1.1 HotfixMay 23, 2024
- Crystallum 4.1.1May 23, 2024
- Crystallum 4.1.0May 21, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Crystallum 4.0.0May 20, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- APICO 4.0 - AMA With EllApr 22, 2024
- 4.0 Update Release Date - May 20th!Apr 18, 2024
- Nautilus 3.2.2 Hotfix 1Nov 1, 2023
- Nautilus 3.2.2Nov 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Nautilus 3.2.1Oct 9, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- TNgineers News - SEP2023Oct 2, 2023
- Nautilus 3.2.0Oct 2, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Nautilus 3.1.1Sep 28, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Nautilus 3.1.0Sep 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Nautilus 3.0.1Sep 26, 2023
- Nautilus 3.0.0Sep 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- APICO 3.0 Coming Soon Trailer!Aug 24, 2023
- Papilio 2.2.3Apr 24, 2023
- Papilio 2.2.2Feb 7, 2023
- Papilio 2.2.1Jan 27, 2023
- Papilio 2.2.0Jan 22, 2023
…and 21 earlier patch announcements.