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) | – | 75 | 41 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 155 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 70% | 67 | 5 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 13 reviews sampled · 11 total reviews in window · weighted 6.5 up / 2.8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (27)
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.
- 70
“Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a worthwhile release, though it feels like a bit of a mixed bag. Despite some cool ideas here, both games epitomize the 'flawed masterpiece' while the changes and updates made for this remaster are minimal at best (though obviously welcome). This package is easy to recommend to any fans who want to venture further into Monolith's back catalog and are looking for something a little unconventional to scratch that RPG itch. Just recognize that this isn't something that you need to rush and play immediately and that both games are very much products of their time, with design elements that feel outdated in a modern context.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is frustrating because it is so close to being great and is only undermined by its utterly perplexing choices put into the boosters. The meta of resisting the boosters is too distracting for the experience, and succumbing turns these games into walking sims with some visual novel elements. The new UI elements have an air of "mobile game" about them, but thankfully the in-game visuals still look hot, and the QOL feature to speed up combat is a worthwhile addition. Baten Kaitos I & II are not the best from Monolith Soft, but they are both still way better than Xenosaga: Episode II and are roughly on the same level as Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Even without the boosters, there are better retro JPRGs out there, but few of them will look as nice as these.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster brings back two fantastic cult classics with improved visuals, and some limited QoL features.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The blend of nostalgic charm and modern enhancements makes Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster a standout title that showcases the enduring appeal of the classic GameCube titles. Whether you’re revisiting the skies or soaring through them for the first time, this remaster is an adventure worth going on. The journey is as magical as it was years ago, and the improvements make it even more enjoyable today.”
read full review ↗ - 90
- 70
“The Baten Kaitos Collection is a duology remaster that's full of contrasts, demonstrating perfectly the highs and lows that come with bringing decades old games to new consoles. The two games are great little JRPGs from yesteryear, however given the weird nature of the first and the generic nature of the second, it's difficult to recommend to any but those wanting the nostalgia trip or die-hard fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Baten Kaitos I & II, originally released on the Gamecube, have been remastered for the Nintendo Switch. The upgrade brings players back into the enchanting fantasy world, with beautiful visuals and a compelling story. Although Part 1 already scored highly, Origins surpasses its predecessor on all fronts, with significant improvements in both visuals and gameplay. Both games introduce a unique card-based battle system, which adds an interesting and tactical dimension to the game. Highly recommended for RPG enthusiasts looking for a refreshing experience.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“At many points one notices the games' age, and without the acceleration features it would often be slow as well. Overall, however, one can definitely give the games in Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster a chance.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is a pretty straightforward of two great JRPG from the Gamecube. Best resolution and some quality of life improvements is all that your are going to fin here, but is also a pretty good chance to play this cult games.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As someone who hadn’t played these titles originally I was very apprehensive coming into Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster. These games have a cult following and you either haven’t heard of or played them, or you love them. There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground and I was worried they were overhyped or would have been outshined by more modern games. I was wrong, Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster is quite possibly my favorite JRPG title of the year. The games feel, for the most part, just as fresh as they would have at release, and the QoL features help where some rust has gathered. Two genuinely forgotten gems that shine far too bright for the lack of exposure these games have had. I hope this package gives Bandai the nudge to greenlight Baten Kaitos 3. If you’re a JRPG fan and haven’t tried these titles before, you owe it to yourself to discover Bandai Namco’s best-kept secret.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Baten Kaitos has no shortage of amazing ideas, and just as many shortcomings to go along with them.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Baten Kaitos I & II are back for both the older and newer generation of players to enjoy in the Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster. What is new and improved? What is all the hype about among enthusiasts? Should you buy this title, wait for a sale or leave it be? Read all about it in this review for more information so you can decide.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
Siliconera
UnGeek
Games Freezer
TheSixthAxis
Play Watch Read
Gaming-Village
Atomix
NookGaming
RPG Fan
XGN.nl…and 15 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update on January 8, 2026Jan 8, 2026
- Release Note for 2025/11/20Nov 20, 2025