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) | – | 76 | 31 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 96% | 92 | 556 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 83 | 11 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 92 | 581 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 90.5, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 1,143 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 (Apr 15, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 581 total reviews in window · weighted 166.7 up / 5.9 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (24)
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.
- 75
“Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore parodies a pair of uncanonical Zelda games while ensuring its experience is more than a one-note joke. The realization of these efforts makes for a good game, but one whose appeal may be limited. Still, the attention to detail here demands respect. How about following up on this release by mocking CD-i’s top-down take, Zelda’s Adventure, next?”
read full review ↗ - 50
- 85
“Arzette is proof that anything can serve as inspiration, even if that inspiration comes from one of the worst games in the history of one of the most respected video game franchises. A meme that turned into a fun and charming game. It left me wanting more, and I eagerly await a sequel in the future.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Arzette does a great job of aping the look and feel of the CD-i Zelda games, but it relies on the player being familiar with them. Without that knowledge, what remains is a perfectly serviceable platformer but one that isn't revolutionary in any way. If you’re in on the joke, though, it’s just about worth sticking around.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Arzette is a tough game to criticise, because in many respects it has accomplished its mission. The commitment to the bit is admirable, and anyone who gets a kick out of those old CD-i titles will have a good time with this. However, if you're not in on the joke, this is harder to recommend; old fashioned design and uninteresting combat might be part of the brief, but they don't make for an exciting time in 2024. If you're willing to accept this game's warts-and-all approach, though, there's lots to like.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you go in with the expectation of a loving homage to the Zelda CDi-games, Arzette and the Jewel of Faramore is exactly what you would expect. With its cheeky cutscenes, action-platforming gameplay and side-quests that see you exploring all nooks and crannies of the world, the culmination makes for a fun game to play over a weekend. While I don't expect it to have the lasting impact that its inspiration has had, I am optimistic that Dopply continues to be inspired by games that others have rejected. So, let's hope that Arzette 2 might take after Zelda’s Adventure. I'm definitely excited to see where this series can go.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Arzette is a love-letter to those old CD-i games and I am all here for it. I adored revisiting this style of game and it is clear that the developers have a genuine love for those older titles, and not just a need to tick some boxes. For people that have memories of the Zelda CD-i games, this is a must. Heck, even if you have only seen them in YouTube videos from retro personalities, I still recommend this game. It is a charming platformer that wears its inspirations on its sleeve while also carving out its own path.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is an applause-worthy commitment to the absurd idea of using the legacy of the CDi Zelda games to create something new and equally as interesting to look at.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This eccentric reexamination of games many consider to be the worst of all time is a resounding success. Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore proves that you can find inspiration in all that brings you joy.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore captures the intended retro charm with expert authenticity, warts and all. There's a great deal of energetic personality here, and the gameplay is straightforward fun, though the experience is slightly undermined by a lack of polish... but perhaps that's the whole point.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There’s no question who Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore is aimed at, and that crowd (small though it may be) is going to have a great time exploring the game and finding all the references and homages. If you fall outside of that hardcore CD-i demographic, you’ll still find a quality side-scrolling platforming adventure here, one whose bizarre nature helps it stand out from a very busy pack. It’s nothing fantastic, but given what it was building on, the fact that it’s any good at all is both unexpected and welcome.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore could have just been a solid joke title with everyone in on the punchline and then the developers would have laughed all the way to the bank. Instead, we have a banger of a title that is both artistically wonderful and plays like Shantae meets Rygar. It’s not just buffaloing ahead to watch the cutscenes: it’s getting better and finding satisfaction in exploration, response and style.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Fintendo
GameFM
Nintendo Life
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Forever Classic Games
GameLuster
Pocket Tactics
WayTooManyGames…and 12 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Arzette Update Notes 4/15/24Apr 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update Notes 3/5/24Mar 5, 2024
- Arzette Patch Live!Feb 21, 2024significant · resets scoring window