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) | – | 81 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 96% | 91 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 730 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.6, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 3,334 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 (Mar 5, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 730 total reviews in window · weighted 251.1 up / 14.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (14)
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
“Shadows Over Loathing very much picks up where West of Loathing left off. The two games have a very similar appeal, focusing on fun first and foremost but providing plenty of depth in their puzzles and exploration to ensure players are well engaged throughout. Exploring Ocean City offers plenty of rewards for players, be it satisfaction from solving a tough puzzle or challenge, or simply a good chuckle at the strange goings on.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Continuing the weird style and sense of humor from “West”, Shadows Over Loathing turns the uniqueness dial to 11”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Shadows Over Loathing is a quirky, text-heavy RPG adventure that blends humor, puzzles, and stick-figure charm into a surreal 1920s setting. While the humor shines and the variety of activities keeps things fresh, the game’s length, repetitive gear-swapping, and occasional weak puzzles can wear thin. Still, for fans of offbeat comedy and unconventional RPGs, this is a delightfully strange experience worth exploring.”
read full review ↗ - 85
- 80
“Shadows Over Loathing is the hallmark of comedic role playing games, and executed to near perfection. Only a few cumbersome mechanics and game padding holds itself back.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Shadows Over Loathing is a very solid story focused RPG that offers a lot of original questlines and plenty of player choice and freedom and packages it all in an unique and very humorous style. The combat is a bit simple, but it doesn't really spoil the overall enjoyment.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A short run time and a few obtuse puzzles do not damper Shadows Over Loathing's irreverent energy and rewarding RPG gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It's a hell of an entertaining horror ride that should not be ignored by any admirers of slapstick humor. [Issue#324]”
- 80
“If you’ve played West of Loathing, you’ll know what to expect here: a delightfully silly narrative, excellent writing, and gameplay that’s far more engrossing than it has any right to be. But even if you’ve not, you can jump straight in and have a whale of a time. Video games should be about having fun, and Shadows Over Loathing captures that spirit perfectly. Joyful, captivating and surprisingly deep, you’ll love every moment you spend with it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As a whole, Shadows Over Loathing provides a highly entertaining and intriguing experience. If you’re looking for a game that brings positive aspects of old-school, text-heavy games forward, this is a good bet. It has all the charm of those types of games while being far more accessible. There are even non-combat and arachnophobia options for accessibility, with some bonus options related to the latter that seem to serve as a reward for investigating the accessibility options. It may go some way toward filling the void left by earlier graphic adventures while eliminating some of the frustrating puzzle-solving and downtime. Or you could, you know, just close that void with your shadow pliers. Be sure to pick up this game and get those, by the way. Leaving a void around would probably be bad.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Shadows Over Loathing may be part of the Loathing franchise and reflect that silly yet deep gameplay we’ve come to know and love, but there’s something deeper to this world that we’ve yet to uncover. Although there’s plenty of laughs to be had here, there’s a bit more of a serious vibe to the third installment with some Lovecraftian overtones; it’s best to go into this one with a sense of curiosity instead of just waiting to be entertained.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Shadows over Loathing will put a smile on your face, and keep it there. It’s a detailed and endlessly amusing RPG, with a delightfully lighthearted vibe and a constant stream of delightful, funny gaffs for you to nourish yourself on. Asymmetric knows how to make a good comedy game, and it’s well worth getting in on the joke.”
read full review ↗
RPGamer
Nindie Spotlight
KonsoliFIN
Games Freezer
GameLuster
SomHráč.sk
TechRaptor
GameSpew
RPG Fan
Hey Poor Player
GamesHub…and 2 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- A tiny 7th PatchOct 16, 2025
- Sensing a small sixth patchMar 5, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- A small update...Apr 11, 2023
- We Plea the Fifth... Patch is Here!Apr 7, 2023
- Four Whom the Patch TollsDec 22, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- How Do I Patch ThreeNov 22, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Two, Electric BoogalooNov 16, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Our First PatchNov 13, 2022significant · resets scoring window