Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 302 sampled Steam reviews (277 positive / 25 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Visuals & art9% mention it
- Story & writing8% mention it
- Grind & repetition7% mention it
- World & exploration6% mention it
- Progression & loot5% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Bugs & crashes28% mention it
- Story & writing16% mention it
- Grind & repetition16% mention it
- Performance16% mention it
- Visuals & art12% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
86%
37 reviews
5-15h
86%
66 reviews
15-40h
90%
109 reviews
40-100h
100%
73 reviews
100h+
100%
17 reviews
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) | – | 76 | 44 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 74 | 29 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 88 | 2157 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (May 11, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 2157 total reviews in window · weighted 235.2 up / 14.4 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (28)
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
“Slime Rancher 2 takes the best elements from the first game and adds a ton of new features that players have been asking for. It expands the roster of adorable slimes, offers new materials, upgrades, and a crafting system that lets you decorate your base however you like. While it’s not a groundbreaking new release that offers a completely fresh experience, that doesn’t bother me at all. Slime Rancher fans have gotten exactly what they asked for, and I myself can’t praise the sequel enough. Although it’s currently in early access, the game is already worth buying if you’re completely new to this world or want to dive into the challenging life of a slime breeder for a second time. WARNING! Highly addictive! Consume in moderation, or there’s no turning back.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As it is right now, Slime Rancher 2 is a fantastic game that should appeal to both returning fans and those getting into the series for the first time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Even after spending close to 30 hours already, there are oodles of secrets to find, upgrades to unlock, and further optimizations I can make to my ranch setup. I think I’ll be vacationing here for a while.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This is an entirely fine sequel for those who want a cute and casual creature collector, as it provides enough busy work to keep you entertained for a minimum 25 hours or so. The exploration and graphics are some of the new game’s highlights, also bringing in new slime species and a higher focus on gadgets. If you liked playing the previous game, then Slime Rancher 2 is more of it, for better or for worse.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Slime Rancher 2 is a refined and slimy good time, building on what made the first game work. There's colorful exploration, exciting farming, and some of the cutest video game characters since Pokémon.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Slime Rancher 2 is an entertaining game and does offer a lot to do, but I enjoyed the more relaxed original entry more. The best comparison I can offer is that the first game felt like exploring a cozy area and taking my time collecting slimes. With the second, I feel more beholden to the inventory limitations and as though I’m playing to constantly collect resources to tick boxes. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of grind, and some folks might appreciate that increase in intensity. I do think it changes the general atmosphere and ambiance from the original experience in a way that might not make upgrading worthwhile for those who really loved the first title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Slime Rancher 2 is silly, strange, and always fun, even though it has some rough spots. It’s a game that knows its players want to get lost in small jobs, hunt for the next type of Slime, decorate one more corral, or go a little further into the unknown. You can do more than just farm slimes. It’s fun to find order in chaos and maybe make a lot of money in the process.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Much like the first game, Slime Rancher 2 is a really grand time. The expansive world is filled with gorgeous vistas and really clever level design. Uncovering the secrets of Rainbow Island while building your ranch remains a highly entertaining experience. In this regard, Slime Rancher 2 is a worthy successor to the original. But a bigger world to explore without equal developments to gameplay makes the cracks shine a little brighter. Ranching can still feel a little too shallow and wears thin without new challenges to overcome. Additionally, a heavy late-game grind shines a spotlight on how tedious collecting resources can become. This series of smaller problems highlights just how much Slime Rancher 2 suffers from refusing to evolve its gameplay. But, if you adored the first game, another ranching adventure with loads of exciting new content will more than make up for any shortcomings.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Slime Rancher 2 might be more of the same, but it’s still really good at the end of the day. With a new world, refinements to its design and mechanics, and tons of quality-of-life improvements, what else do you need in a sequel?”
read full review ↗ - 75
“While it’s not perfect and could use a bit of rethinking in some of it’s systems, Slime Rancher 2 is still a fun, low conflict game. I honestly think everyone needs at least one game they can turn on and just relax with and much like the first game, it’s a good option to go with if you’re looking for a fun cozy game.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Slime Rancher 2 is filled with charm, joy and adorable creatures, but the fun doesn't translate to every aspect of the gameplay. In seeking to expand and add content to the game, the developers have made what should have been an effortlessly delightful experience a somewhat monotonous one.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Having played our fair share of a handful of sandbox, farming, and life sim games like Stardew Valley, Coral Island, Mirthwood, Wanderstop, and Palia, Slime Rancher 2 is yet another delightful addition that players can spend hours investing in. With a new location to explore, spending hours personalizing your Ranch and interacting with the environments, every minute spent adventuring and engaging with the adorably wiggly slimes is an absolute joy!”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
eXputer
Gamer Escape
ZTGD
Tom's Guide
Siliconera
GamesCreed
Checkpoint Gaming
GameGrin
Gamer Social Club
TheSixthAxis
TechRaptor…and 16 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.2.3 NotesMay 13, 2026
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.2.2 NotesMay 11, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.2 NotesApr 16, 2026
- Our Spring Update is ComingApr 9, 2026
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.1.1 NotesJan 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Toys, Trimmings, and Tune-Ups - Patch 1.1.0 NotesDec 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.0.3 NotesOct 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.0.2 NotesOct 2, 2025
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 1.0.1 NotesSep 30, 2025
- Slime Rancher 2 - A Hero in Time - Patch 1.0.0 NotesSep 23, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.6.3 NotesApr 3, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.6.2 NotesJan 28, 2025
- Slime Rancher 2 - Into the Labyrinth - Patch 0.6.0 NotesDec 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.5.2 NotesJul 30, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.4.1 NotesFeb 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Gadgets My Way - Patch 0.4.0 NotesFeb 8, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- “Gadgets My Way” Update Coming February 8thFeb 2, 2024
- Come Rain or Slime - Patch 0.3.0 NotesNov 14, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.2.2 NotesApr 5, 2023
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.2.1 NotesMar 27, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Song of the Sabers - Patch 0.2.0Feb 16, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Slime Rancher 2 - Patch 0.1.2 NotesNov 15, 2022significant · resets scoring window