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 (Metacritic) | – | – | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 215 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 2.6 up / 0 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (7)
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
“Imagine. A world without screen crunch, the crappy GameBoy speakers, needing to use external light to play the best of GameBoy. This is the kind of game Curse Crackers is.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Fans of the Game Boy Color days rejoice! Curse Crackers will have you feeling that nostalgia with its solid platforming, endearing world, and abundance of content. If you're up for uncovering all of its secrets and earning every achievement, there are dozens of hours to keep you busy, but an unlockable Arcade Mode and even just the overall level design lend themselves to leaping through every stage as fast as possible. However you choose to play it, Curse Crackers is an easy recommendation and a retro-fueled gem in the Switch library.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is a novel Switch game that ends up offering way more than you would expect.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is a retro pixel art action-platformer. As I progressed through the story, I navigated different locales, tackling tricky stages and ultimately taking on brutal bosses. Did this adventure keep me interested throughout? Or did I force my way to the end? Find out in this Rapid Review.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Honestly, Curse Crackers: For Whom The Belle Toils really took me by surprise. Not only is it jam-packed with content, including an Arcade mode, but the base experience is a ton of fun, with just the right amount of challenge. If you enjoy retro-inspired games or just like platforming, this is the game for you.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“On the surface, an old school platformer, very complete and with a level design focused on offering a perfectly scaled challenge. But digging a little deeper, it has much more, creating a tremendously original fantasy world that is governed by a well thought out base and numerous characters that you end up getting attached to.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils is a hidden gem with a great soundtrack and simple and fun mechanics that make this platformer an entertaining adventure. The storyline may throw players off, but for how much fun you’ll have, you won’t mind. Stretch those legs and jump in!”
read full review ↗
The Switch Effect
NintendoWorldReport
Siliconera
Rapid Reviews UK
Hey Poor Player
NaviGames
Cat with MonoclePatch history
- 1.2 RE-DAWNMar 20, 2023significant · resets scoring window
- FIXES 2/4Feb 4, 2023
- CURSE CRACKERS 1.1 HALTED DAWNDec 30, 2022
- FIXES 9-16Sep 16, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Secret UpdateSep 10, 2022significant · resets scoring window