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) | – | 67 | 39 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 92% | 86 | 236 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 4 reviews sampled · 4 total reviews in window · weighted 4 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (37)
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.
- 65
“The Caligula Effect 2 is a notable improvement over its predecessor, with better writing, better characters, and better combat. Still, it does continue some of the faults from that first game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Although it may lack those standout moments that top-drawer RPGs provide, it’s easy to find time whizzing by with catchy music and speedy combat and exploration. With characters and a story that keep things ticking along nicely, The Caligula Effect 2 makes for a satisfying use of one’s time.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“The clever battle system and the fresh ideas introduced by the series deserved far better than this for a sequel.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If there is one problem with Caligula Effect 2 it is pacing. The beginning hits incredibly hard, with great characterization and drawing the player into the plot. The hours-long plodding dungeons and 'slice of life' sections kill what otherwise is actually a pretty cool story. Much like the first game, the core experience of fights and story is solid, but it is absolutely buried in detail which is unfortunate as it makes it far less accessible.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The Caligula Effect 2 has loads of cool ideas, but it's undeniably rough around the edges.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“I haven't had a game in which I've had to pull myself away from playing it for a while, but I spent a Saturday basically playing The Caligula Effect 2 and only stopping for supper. I really hope a lot of the other RPGs coming out before the year's out on Switch can elicit that level of devotion.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Like its predecessor, The Caligula Effect 2’s greatest sin is that it is entirely average. The soundtrack is incredible, to be certain. Progress is clear, given that the dungeons work so much better. The general story feels stronger as well. But the supplemental elements, generic enemies, and need to only take advantage of the tactical parts of battle when facing bosses leave it feeling a bit lackluster.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Overall, I had a lot of fun playing through Caligula Effect 2, and those who felt squeamish with some of the content in the first may feel better with the second. Caligula Effect, both 1 and 2, are pretty unique games, and I highly suggest looking into either or both of them, as they are both really fun titles.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This sequel features a very well crafted plot and characters, which are two of the game's biggest assets, as well as an absolutely magnificent soundtrack and an improved combat system. At the same time, The Caligula Effect 2 doesn't do as well when it comes to its level design, where it's often difficult to tell one level from another, and while the soundtrack is exquisite its repetition in some moments can make it very tiresome. This sequel represents an improvement over the original on several elements, but it could have been even better.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“An unreleased Hololive character on a quest to stop a Hatsune Miku character gone wild.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The Caligula Effect 2 is a game that deserved a better budget than it got. It's combat system is amazing and engaging, but everything else about it could be better.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Caligula Effect 2 is a virtual encounter that ended up being a mixed experience for me. It has a solid combat system and a fantastic soundtrack. But this is kinda let down by an overbearing story and side quests which created a lengthy and rather dull experience. Overall, I think the game will appeal to a niche audience looking for a story rich experience as well as fans of the original game. While the concept of trying to escape a virtual world doesn’t seem like something new, this still was an experience I enjoyed plugging into and escaping reality for a few hours a day.”
read full review ↗
cublikefoot
RPGamer
VGChartz
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Siliconera
Chalgyr's Game Room
Starbit
CFG Games
GameGrin
LadiesGamers.com…and 25 more tracked reviews.