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 | 39 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 101 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 99% | 95 | 37 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jan 28, 2026) · 37 reviews sampled · 32 total reviews in window · weighted 15.9 up / 0.2 down · computed 11h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (22)
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.
- 80
“MainFrames is one of those games that knows exactly what it wants to be, and nails it. It’s glitchy in the best way, fast without being overwhelming, and clever without being obnoxious. If you’re a fan of Celeste, VVVVVV, or Super Meat Boy, and you’re open to a few quirks, MainFrames is absolutely worth booting up. It may not change your life, but it’ll challenge your reflexes, make you laugh at a killer pop-up window, and remind you why tight, creative platformers are still one of gaming’s purest pleasures.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Mainframes leaves me with an overall impression of muddledness, albeit executed with a sincere passion. It throws in ideas about platforming, collecting, and environmental manipulation. But maybe some of the excess should've been left on the cutting room floor so the rest could be more polished and its potential better realized. While I admit a measure of satisfaction in getting past the trickiest parts, there is nearly equal amounts of relief, which is not a good ratio. The difficulty spikes (even with accessibility options) never feel "cozy."”
read full review ↗ - 90
“After finishing MainFrames, I felt satisfied. The game doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's entertaining, and at the end of the day, that's what matters. With incredible pixel art, challenging platforming sections, and great jokes localized in our language, MainFrames is highly recommended. If you're looking for fast, fun gameplay with a unique retro aesthetic, you've found the answer.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“All told, Mainframes is a solid recommendation if you’re after a new precision/puzzle platformer that tries something relatively fresh with its desktop-bending premise. We would have liked to have seen a few clever nods to real-world software brands to really take advantage of its setup, but with its pleasant pixel-art visuals and gorgeously laid-back soundtrack, it’s a good way to spend a handful of hours. Just watch out for those difficulty spikes; they can be a real downer.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“So it’s probably pretty weird that I am going to recommend this game with one big fat caveat. If you’re a fan of the genre, there are a lot of cool and original things happening in MainFrames. If you’re not already comfortable in the space it’s probably not going to work as shining introduction to the world of indie platformers.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“Running with some unique theming, this precision platformer makes clever use of what it has to work with”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Mainframes is an extremely creative, masterpiece in its art-style and soundtrack and a fairly difficult platformer about a floppy disc on a mission of finding its purpose all the while rescuing overworked daemons. This charming platformer set inside your grand-mothers Windows 98 can immediately hook you in with its amazing polish and challenging platforming sections. TLDR: GO GET THE GAME NOW!”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A cute and short platformer about a nostalgic time, the game efficiently entertains and pays tribute to simpler times with a very charming visual style, even with a slight pacing issue.”
read full review ↗ - 45
“MainFrames is a delight to look at, but less enjoyable to actually play. The charming and cute aesthetics can't save MainFrames from its simplistic gameplay which struggles to capitalise on its strong ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“MainFrames is, simply, a lovely retro-themed puzzle platformer with humour, challenge, and some brain-straining mechanics to master. While not easy, the satisfying controls and charming world will make it hard to put down.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“A short and sweet platformer with tons of charm, MainFrames is excellent time all around.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you are looking for a fresh, challenging and secret-filled platformer, MainFrames is an indie gem that deserves more attention. Don't let it go unnoticed. If you are a fan of the genre, you will enjoy it.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
Pure Nintendo
GameFM
Nintendo Life
Gamer Escape
Nindie Spotlight
Gameffine
Manual dos Games
Checkpoint Gaming
GameGrin
Entertainium
PCMGAMES…and 10 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Floppy’s Dropping A New Patch NOWJan 28, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- MAINFRAMES - Patch 1.1.0May 19, 2025
- MAINFRAMES - HOTFIX 1.0.2Mar 18, 2025