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) | – | 75 | 27 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 86 | 115 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (37)
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
“It could use a stronger pairing of story and gameplay, but Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a cleverly conceived puzzle-platformer stuffed full of dual-character, double-dimension obstacles to overcome.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a cute, clever puzzle game with a distinct style and engaging challenges, which could benefit from a more fully realised narrative.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Tandem: A Tale of Shadows brings several interesting ideas to the realm of logic puzzles, wrapped in a fairly appealing package. However, it suffers from minor yet ultimately critical flaws that turn what should be a relaxing experience into a nightmare. The simplistic presentation and weak attempt at storytelling mentally categorize the game as one for a younger audience, but the content itself doesn’t warrant that label. Neither the dual perspective nor the innovative mechanics can fully compensate for the inconsistent difficulty or the control issues. Still, it’s not an outright bad game, it will keep you entertained for about five hours.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“In spite of a unique aesthetic and passable puzzles, Tandem: A Tale of Shadows struggles to keep itself exciting. The almost complete lack of narrative thrust and droning gameplay progression drag it down from the moment it begins, and its failure to capitalize on its more attention-grabbing elements guarantees a disappointing experience out of a game that could have easily been more.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There's no doubt that, especially at this time of year, the darker and more funky art style of Tandem is able to catch the eye...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While Tandem: A Tale of Shadows does feel like it runs out of a bit of steam by the end, overall this is still a fairly entertaining little puzzle adventure. There are plenty of places for improvement, and both the story and the gameplay really could have used a bit more refinement if this was to become something truly special. But even if it is a little rough around the edges, the biggest impression the game is going to leave behind is just how clever its puzzles are. It is the core gameplay that saves the game, even if the stuff around it might not be all that impressive. Even when the game starts to drag and become a bit more predictable, the puzzle platforming is fun enough to warrant seeing everything through until the end.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tandem: A Tale of Two Shadows does a good enough job at executing its well thought out premise. But, it isn't the revolution in puzzle games it purports to be.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“So overall, while I do wish that there was more narrative and storytelling as I think Tandem: A Tale of Shadows could have really benefited from that addition, what’s being presented in terms of gameplay was both fun to play and challenging. From alternating points of view and visual presentations over to some creating puzzle solving, I think that Monochrome Paris and Hatinh Interactive have created something worth looking into.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“As a package, Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is a game I’d recommend to puzzle game fans, with some caveats. The game world itself is brimming with character and intriguing little details. The puzzles that are housed within it are quite inventive, making smart use of top down exploration and a complimentary chiaroscuro inspired side scrolling platformer. It’s the story, which doesn’t fulfil its potential, and some rough edges that prevent this game from really challenging the genre’s best though.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you’re looking for a narrative-driven game, you might want to give Tandem a miss, but if you were after a unique and fresh puzzle platformer that won’t force you into a fit of frustration, then Tandem: A tale of Shadows is perfect for you.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tandem: A Tale of Shadows is good where it counts: the gameplay. It may not be a difficult game, but the puzzles are a fine challenge for the average player, while the relatively short playtime means that the title doesn't feel like a chore. Don't expect too much from the rest of the package, whether that's aesthetics, narrative, or a reason to replay it once the credits roll. Overall, it's good enough to check out if you're itching for a puzzle-platformer.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tandem: A Tale of Shadows has a lot of unused potential and some parts of the game almost seem unfinished or discarded mid-development but it still manages to deliver an experience well worth your time, should you decide to grab it.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Linux cutscene fixFeb 27, 2023
- Linux achievements patchFeb 20, 2023
- Czech and Turkish support updateJan 26, 2022
- Tandem: A Tale of Shadows hotfix patchOct 21, 2021significant · resets scoring window