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) | – | 79 | 41 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 480 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 91% | 85 | 295 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 29, 2025) · 295 reviews sampled · 282 total reviews in window · weighted 179.7 up / 17.8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
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.
- 85
“Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a brilliant and engaging visual novel with clear inspiration taken from mecha anime, manga, and video games from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Despite the almost overwhelming nostalgia the visuals and music may invoke, the title manages to stay fresh and exciting all the way through.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I came into Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog solely for two reasons: the initial art and the promise of a “PC-98 style adventure.” What I got was an enthralling story straight out of late-80s mecha anime, with some honestly surprising turns, all accompanied by stunning pixel artwork evoking the era.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Space Colony Studios did a fine job with their first effort in the Stories from Sol series. It definitely isn't going to appeal to everyone - players who haven't enjoyed adventure games won't likely be won over here, but if you're like me and felt some real nostalgia looking at the game's screenshots and trailer, I'm pretty sure you'll have a good time. Now I guess I'll have to wait for the next entry in the series.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog is a brilliant start to what is possibly going to be a lengthy and stunning visual novel adventure series. The art style is incredible, the pacing never wastes too much time, and the cast is smartly small to give enough focus on each”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Stories From Sol: the Gun-Dog would fit right into any collection of the best PC-98 titles, emulating the detailed art and bit-crushed music flawlessly while also integrating modern game design to marry the best of both worlds. It creates an exciting and dramatic sci-fi universe just like your favourite mecha anime from the 80s, while avoiding the bad tropes that are best left in the past. It's an excellent debut into the world of Sol, and I can't wait for whatever next instalment may come.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A visual novel adventure game emulating the style and serious constraints of a PC-98 title, Stories From Sol: The Gun Dog tells a compelling and suspenseful tale of ingenuity and resourcefulness in deep space. This is one for those who like their retro indies, but regardless of niche, it’s a brilliant game that deserves attention.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“With stunning visuals, an engaging storyline, and characters you’ll never forget, Stories From Sol: Gun-Dog is a must for visual novel lovers, bonus points if you like retro sci-fi!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I’m impressed by Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog. It’s a great story with fun twists, lots of incredible art, and a few simple but rewarding puzzles. I never felt too encumbered or lost running around the JFS Gun-Dog. And the story culminated in a very interesting way that had me excited for future entries in the series.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you've ever wanted to pretend to be the chief security officer on a random Star Trek episode, this is the game for you! If you've somehow never wanted that, it's still a great story with endlessly charming characters.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Stories From Sol: The Gun-Dog is a decent visual novel, and a good opening salvo for what is supposed to be the first entry to a wider universe. While most of the story is self-contained, there are major plot points left open to be resolved in later releases. The different visual styles all look good, the story is fine if familiar, and you can get through it in an afternoon.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Stories From Sol: The Gun-Dog is an immersive visual novel with a bold visual style, meaningful choices, and a handcrafted world that pulls you in. Its fragmented design keeps every scene engaging, and makes exploration and replayability rewarding. While some technical hiccups can get in the way, the game’s depth and storytelling make it well worth the ride.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog channels the charm of the PC-98 era, not just in its appearance, but also in its spirit. It may be a brief experience, but don’t let that fool you, this Gun-Dog has plenty of bite. With echoes of classic mecha anime and space-age adventures, this game shoots for the stars and hits its mark.”
read full review ↗
Gamer Escape
NintendoWorldReport
Siliconera
Checkpoint Gaming
FingerGuns
GameLuster
MonsterVine
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
GamesNight
Game8…and 11 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch Notes v1.1.0Apr 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes v1.0.10Feb 28, 2025
- Patch Notes v1.0.9Feb 22, 2025
- Patch Notes v1.0.8Feb 21, 2025
- Patch Notes v1.0.7Feb 20, 2025
- Demo Update NotesJun 20, 2023significant · resets scoring window