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) | – | 82 | 13 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 61 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 86 | 32 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 9, 2025) · 32 reviews sampled · 23 total reviews in window · weighted 13.9 up / 1.2 down · computed 8h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (9)
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
“Overall, Pine Hearts is a short and (bitter)sweet title. If you're looking for a new cozy adventure that tells an amazing story in a sensitive manner, then certainly give this one a go.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“A pretty cozy mix of exploration and puzzle solving that comes together quite nicely”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Pine Hearts may have everything you need for a wholesome story game, including lots of meandering roads and fetch quests.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There is no denying that Pine Hearts is a beautifully crafted narrative. There are plenty of tasks to keep any quest hunter happy, but don’t rely on the quest log to keep track. The characters are adorable, the graphics are fresh and colourful, and the music adds to the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Pine Hearts invites you into its world with its sweet, tiny and sympathetic story”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Imagine Link to the Past without the combat and threat: that's sort-of what Pine Hearts feels like. There's a lot to like about this cosy adventure set in a colourful world, but a few issues hold it back from being quite as good as it could have been.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pine Hearts is a breath of fresh air, encouraging you to slow down and tend to your emotional roots. It doesn’t just simulate an adventure; it simulates peace, creativity, and community. Whether you’re revisiting childhood memories or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Pine Hearts offers a slice of serenity with no stress involved.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It doesn’t hold much in terms of replayability, but the emotional and concise story is well worth experiencing. Pine Hearts is a great game to cozy up with for an evening, and one that’ll definitely leave you misty-eyed before the credits roll.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Pine Hearts is one of those rare wholesome, cozy games that doesn’t try to use an emotional overlay to hide gameplay that’s not very fun when you get down to it, it’s got an emotional core underneath a game that’s fun to play.”
read full review ↗
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Gaming AgePatch history
- Small Patch Update v1.5Dec 16, 2025
- Small Patch update v1.4Nov 4, 2025
- New Update Now Live: Patch Notes, plus Mobile News!Sep 9, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.1.0.87Jun 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Pine Hearts is Steam Deck Verified! ✅Jan 20, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.0.3Jul 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- 1.0.2 - Mountain Gate Save FixMay 31, 2024
- Demo Fixes 🔨Feb 7, 2024