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) | – | 83 | 28 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 93 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 86 | 29 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 92 | 3000 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 91.6, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 8,890 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 3, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 5456 total reviews in window · weighted 255.9 up / 10 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (21)
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.
- 100
“In Stars and Time invites us to live the experience of being trapped in a time loop, repeating the same thing over and over again, while we seek to escape from it without losing our sanity. insertdisc5 has managed with very little to give life to a truly moving experience. To a journey that repeats itself so much that, when I reach its end, I couldn't help but feel a little melancholic.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In Stars and Time can be unforgiving, but if you're a sucker for story-driven RPGs with roguelite mechanics and tricky puzzles, you won't find many better options out there. It's a difficult game to beat quickly, with our initial run taking us just over the 45-hour mark. Aside from the small problems like some unclear visual cues and minor lag issues, the game plays brilliantly. The characters are loveable and feel incredibly authentic, and the story is deeply engaging. Just be warned - almost every item becomes important at some stage. There are heaps of rooms, hidden passages, and corridors, and you'll need to remember where everything is if you want to progress. Keep a pen and paper handy.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I mostly adored my time with the game, but I won’t sugarcoat my frustration in having to constantly replay the same battles and dialogue. For those who stick with it, In Stars and Time is an emotionally engaging tale that is worth the effort.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Embodying the indie spirit, determined to do its own thing proudly, this will be a home run for the right crowd”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While it doesn't persist throughout the entire playthrough, there's an unmistakable uniqueness to In Stars and Time. Its parts may be stronger than it ends up as a whole, but there's humor and heart pouring from its cast. While the back half features some interesting twists, with them come more repetition and occasional frustration with how character and area progression occurs. Even though it's a little too verbose, the overall experience of In Stars and Time is a worthwhile one, especially for fans of Undertale and other offbeat RPGs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In Stars and Time takes a unique approach to a time loop, with some QOL features to make the repetition more manageable.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“In Stars and Time is probably my dark horse for one of the best games of the year. It's a distinct, fun and interesting experience that makes masterful use of the time loop concept to create something that's deeply heartfelt. At times, it borders more on an RPG-themed visual novel than a full-on RPG, but it uses the RPG trappings more than well enough to justify it. Aside from some dullness when it comes to repeating events, In Stars and Time hits all the marks dead-on and should be a must-play for fans of plot-heavy RPGs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Come for the time-loop mechanics and Undertale inspirations, stay for the beautiful, heartfelt and guttural story. In Stars and Time is an artful indie RPG that explores a found family’s battle with time. With this, it explores complex topics with grace and utmost reverence. Though it’s a little long in the teeth and could have been a bit tidier in how you unravel some of its mysteries, within is a magical world much worth exploring, backed by fantastic chip-tune music, a sense of place and some real good vibes. Unlike protagonist Sifrin and his problems with memory in the time labyrinth, your foray into In Stars and Time won’t soon be forgotten.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Few games this year deserve a spotlight as much as In Stars and Time does. It is undoubtedly going to end up as many people's favorite thanks to its dedication and commitment to a unique vision.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“In Stars and Time is an intriguing game with a crazy time loop system. If you are willing to put in the time needed, you will be rewarded with a great story with fun characters.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Still, as a package, this title is stellar. The music is superb. I love that it’s emulating the look and feel of a Game Boy title, and the writing is delightful. I don’t think the roguelike angle meshes with the JRPG one seamlessly, but that’s on me. When the narrative is important, having to rehash plot beats is tiring. Regardless, I still recommend In Stars and Time, but not if you’re like me.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In Stars and Time might drag on a little longer and get repetitive more often than I would like, but its ambition and adherence to its themes are commendable, and are made even more impressive by the fact that the game was developed in RPG Maker. This game is a must-play for fans of quirky indie games, but even if you are tired of that style, there is loads here to love.”
read full review ↗
La Orden del Pixel
Nintendo Life
RPGamer
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
Siliconera
Worth Playing
Checkpoint Gaming
GameLuster
GameGrin
WayTooManyGames
RPG Fan…and 9 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- In Stars and Time... PHYSICAL VERSION!??!!Nov 13, 2024
- Patch Notes v1.0.6.3Jul 3, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes v1.0.5.1Mar 6, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes v1.0.4.1Dec 14, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- Devlog #9: Play and TestingDec 5, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: Demo v1.6Oct 4, 2022