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) | – | 86 | 48 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 99% | 96 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 99% | 96 | 2557 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 95.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 2,645 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 22, 2026) · 300 reviews sampled · 2557 total reviews in window · weighted 270 up / 3.1 down · computed 34m ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (31)
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
“Sharp, full of wit, and driven by a charming writing and voice acting, The Mermaid’s Mirror is more proof that within broader industry existential anxieties and subsequent self-destruction, you don’t need photorealism and bank-breaking budgets to create something cinematic, compelling, and enchanting.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The Mermaid Mask is just as successful, if not more so, than its two predecessors.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“The Detective Grimoire series reaches a new apex in The Mermaid Mask, which first equals and then outshines its beloved predecessors in nearly every way that matters.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For a lot of The Mermaid Mask's runtime, I often reflected on how flawlessly it delivers on its intent. The art, animation, voice acting, and music are excellent in the ways that support the narrative, and the narrative itself is top shelf. You may not be given very much agency when it comes to solving the mystery, but it doesn’t feel that way, and the time spent with the quirky, whimsical, but believable characters is a delight. This is one that you’ll want to investigate.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“There are a few times in The Mermaid Mask where characters, such as a tormented author, will make comments about how hard it is to make a sequel or that "this is a lot of work; I don't know if I'll do it again." And I can't disagree; it seems incredibly difficult. I've been editing my own novel for a few years now and it is... quite painful. But what keeps me going is the idea that some day, my mom might get to read my book and really love it, and maybe other people will, too. So, I say to SFB Games and brothers Vian, if you have finished your journey with these games, I would understand, but I'd be sad, The Mermaid Mask is an excellent game, and I can only imagine how brilliant the next one would be.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Mermaid Mask turned out to be not only the most successful game about detective Grimoire, but also one of the best detective adventures in recent years.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Mermaid Mask finds a brilliantly entertaining niche between deduction game and point-and-click. The tangled mystery of the death of Captain Mortuga is full of compelling twists and every suspect adds a surprise along the way. Some tacked-on logic puzzles slightly break the dramatic flow, but not enough to undo the magic of a well-constructed puzzle box of a game.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“The Mermaid Mask is an excellent cozy mystery adventure that draws the player into a compelling narrative without ever pushing them too hard. In addition to excellent writing, both in the progression of events (an essential element of a good mystery) and in character development, the game also stands out thanks to its distinctive visual style and top-notch art design. A few lulls in the middle don’t detract from the overall experience, which still manages to hold your attention right up to the game’s excellent conclusion, an aspect that had left more than a few players feeling underwhelmed in Tangle Tower. This experience is recommended for anyone looking for a lighthearted mystery, but also for those who want to discover one of the most successful and enjoyable indie games of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Mermaid Mask is a well-written adventure title with a quirky and fun cast of characters and weirdos, great pacing, brain-taxing logic puzzles that fit with the world it's in, and a juicy mystery with good amounts of deducing and second-guessing on the player's side.”
read full review ↗ - 87
“This follow-up adventure to the excellent Tangle Tower once again delivers on a promise of smart writing, fun characters, and approachable mystery solving”
read full review ↗ - 95
“It is so hard to weave a compelling mystery adventure but SFB Games have simply struck gold with this fourth Detective Grimoire adventure. The passion for their work oozes from the game and I think it is impossible to not love all of these characters. Frankly I cannot wait to see them return to the world of Detective Grimoire. But until then, The Mermaid Mask is a must for anyone looking to dive into the weekend with an engrossing mystery experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“SFB Games knows how to make a great whodunit. Combatting the usual point-and-click slog of characters sluggishly pointing out an observation, everything is wittily described. The Mermaid Mask shines as a murder mystery because of the attention to every painstaking detail. The theatrical cast, stylish art style, and impeccable structure make for one of those cases that beg to be solved.”
read full review ↗
GameHope.com
Maximum Utmost
The Punished Backlog
3DNews
Nintendo Life
STWGames Italia
Kakuchopurei
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
Pixel Byte…and 19 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- A BIG THANK YOUJul 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Update Notes 19th JulyJul 19, 2026
- Update Notes 18th JulyJul 18, 2026
- Language Update for The Mermaid MaskMar 23, 2026