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Wildfrost

Wildfrost

Deadpan Games, Gaziter · released Apr 12, 2023

IndieStrategy

Take on the elements in Wildfrost, a tactical roguelike deckbuilder! Journey across a frozen tundra, collecting cards strong enough to banish the eternal winter…

79
VGC Score
Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “Wildfrost Mod Support Storms In!” (2y ago)

72%
At launch
83%
Steam all-time
78%
Press
79%
Player sentiment
87%
Recent sentiment

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.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)7836
All-time Steam reviews83%771000
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)87%811578
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 22, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 1578 total reviews in window · weighted 206 up / 26.1 down · computed 2h 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.

  • 80
    trust 79Jun 21, 2023

    Wildfrost is definitely worth investing in if you enjoy deck-building games. However, I wouldn't recommend it for those unfamiliar with the genre. It's too difficult for inexperienced players and could ruin a newcomer's interest. However, if you are looking for a challenging card game, Wildfrost is the perfect candidate for you. There's a lot to love about this game, and I hope that it gains popularity outside of just the deck-building community.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 71Apr 12, 2023

    In summary, Wildfrost is a well-crafted and engaging deckbuilding game that offers a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience. With procedurally generated maps, dynamic attack counters, and various status effects, the game keeps you on your toes and provides a satisfying level of complexity without ever becoming overwhelming.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 71Jun 22, 2023

    Are the complaints reason enough to avoid Wildfrost though? Nah, it’s really great. Yes, it will occasionally kick you in the shins, and like all games of this type, it’s charms will last about as long as it takes for you to ‘solve’ the game and beat it. Developers Deadpan Games and Gaziter have put together all the right ingredients for a stellar roguelike-deck-building experience, and if you’re a fan of the genre or interested in seeing what the fuss is about then Wildfrost is certainly worth a look. It’s pretty cool (ICE JOKE!)

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 69Apr 17, 2023

    Despite the palpable chill in the air throughout, there's a cosy fire burning at the heart of Wildfrost. Gather round for a tough-but-rewarding deckbuilding adventure.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 69Apr 12, 2023

    Wildfrost is a welcome surprise that comes in an addictive package. The cute designs lure you in but then the game proceeds to kick your shiny gnome tush with its unforgiving difficulty. But that’s OK, because a new run is just a few clicks away and who knows, this might be the one!

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 67Apr 13, 2023

    Wildfrost is a challenging game that suffers from some balance issues.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 66Apr 10, 2023

    Overall, Wildfrost is an incredibly well-designed gameplay experience that is sure to delight. Through its dynamic attack counter system, combined with features like charms, encounters, and randomised hero stats, the gameplay feels as dynamic and challenging on the twentieth run as it does on the very first one. No matter whether you're a complete newbie or a card game veteran, Wildfrost is sure to entice you with its beautifully hand-drawn graphics, charming soundtrack, and engaging gameplay.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 66May 2, 2023

    Sleek presentation and engrossingly deep gameplay makes Wildfrost a distinctive roguelike deckbuilder. It’s a brutal learning curve that might snow you in, but if you persevere and learn you’ll have an overall great time with the game.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 65Apr 11, 2023

    The whole thing is a delight, and one of the more interesting takes on the deckbuilding roguelike genre I've played since Monster Train, which is apt, because it definitely takes some inspiration from that game. This is one of those games I'll be playing for months and possibly years to come, because it just feels good when you finally get a strong run going. However, the difficulty may put off some players. I recommend pushing through and fighting for those small successes, and those that do so will be rewarded by one of the best indie games of 2023 so far.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 64Apr 25, 2023

    This is another of those reviews where I think the game was good, but it didn’t click for me fully. The gameplay is horrendously addictive. Although I got mad so many times at the bad cards I was dealt, I still found myself jumping back in for another run. This was probably thanks to the quick game sessions, cheerful graphics and happy game presentation. I highly recommend downloading the free demo and giving it a go for yourself. I think Wildfrost has a good thing going here but could use a bit more balancing and tweaking to make it my new go-to roguelike deck-builder

    read full review ↗
  • 83
    trust 64Mar 31, 2023

    A perfect balance of accessibility and strategic depth, elevated by charming visuals and buckets of personality.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 63Apr 15, 2023

    Despite the rough state of balancing, Wildfrost is a game with a lot of love put into it, and rests on a solid foundation. With a little bit of TLC, I could easily see this game being an 8 or 9 out of 10, and I encourage players to keep an eye on the patch notes.

    read full review ↗

…and 19 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Wildfrost Mod Support Storms In!
    Jul 22, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  2. Friends and Foes 1.2.0 Update OUT NOW!
    Jun 3, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  3. 1.1.1 Teeny Tinkers
    Feb 20, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  4. Unwrapping 'A Storm is Coming' 1.1.0 Update - Out Now!
    Dec 11, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  5. Bug Fixes & Storm Bells BETA
    Sep 29, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  6. 1.0.6 'A Better Adventure' OUT NOW!
    Aug 29, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  7. Mini Update: 1.0.6(a) Beta Available Now!
    Jul 25, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  8. 1.0.6 Beta Available Now!
    Jun 29, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  9. Fixes and Tinkers Update. 1.0.5 OUT NOW!
    Jun 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  10. Hotfix 1.0.4
    Apr 20, 2023
  11. What’s Next? [Dev Update 1]
    Apr 14, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  12. Wildfrost OUT NOW ❄️
    Apr 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  13. Wildfrost Dev Update: 2023 Release with Cool New Features
    Nov 9, 2022significant · resets scoring window