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) | – | 85 | 22 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 81% | 75 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 142 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 24, 2026) · 107 reviews sampled · 142 total reviews in window · weighted 67.7 up / 21.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (15)
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
“Ultimately, Pioneers of Pagonia is a high-quality return to the classic values of city-building strategy games, offering depth, variety, and, above all, the freedom to play by your own rules. It’s a game that doesn’t punish you for every mistake like harsh survival strategy games do, but instead rewards you for careful planning and optimizing logistics. Whether you’re a veteran of the genre or a newcomer looking for a gateway into the world of complex strategy games, this title will offer you dozens of hours of satisfying fun as you watch your economy flourish. Despite minor flaws, it’s one of the best experiences of its kind in recent years.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Pioneers of Pagonia is the Settlers game fans have been waiting years for, complex production chains, satisfying city-building, and zero monetization nonsense.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“After many hours spent playing "Pioneers of Pagonia", one thing stands out above all else: the tranquility of a game that draws its excitement not from spectacle, but from the quality of its growth. The settlement develops steadily, layer by layer, until a few pioneers give rise to a finely interlocking network of paths, workshops, and flows of goods. Long-term motivation comes primarily from your own planning. Those who enjoy fine-tuning production chains, optimizing paths, or rethinking village structures will find a constant challenge in "Pagonia".”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Pioneers of Pagonia delivers a relaxing and visually appealing city-building experience with satisfying depth, though combat and usability issues still leave room for improvement.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In my opinion, there is really nothing to complain about. During the two-year early access phase, there was ample time to refine the game, and that time has not gone to waste. Pioneers of Pagonia plays very well, looks very nice, and its sights and sounds create a pleasant, relaxing experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Settlers-style building strategy is finally out after spending almost two years in Early Access. The wait was worth it, and the game offers suitable entertainment for fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pioneers of Pagonia is a legitimate successor to The Settlers. Rediscovering classic settlement gameplay with modern helpers was great fun, building roads, gathering resources, and watching settlers bustle is still enjoyable in 2025. Only a few hardware issues and the awkward military system slightly dent our overall impression.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Pioneers of Pagonia is a great city-building title, one which simplifies certain familiar aspects of the genre in order to better introduce its satisfyingly deep production chains and management aspects. Combining production, trade, exploration, and war, this charming city builder should provide the kind of depth genre veterans enjoy with enough accessibility for brand new players to feel just as welcome.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pioneers of Pagonia has made several meaningful improvements since launching in Early Access nearly two years ago, and it’s now well worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pioneers of Pagonia is a deep and intentional city builder that rewards care and planning. Its rough edges and slow pace make it less appealing, but its classic design and linked systems make it a great choice for serious strategy fans.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Goodbye Settlers, welcome Pioneers: Finally, a game as bustling as Settlers 1 & 2, but cleverly expanded and modernized.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Volker Wertich has earned my lifelong respect for his past attempts to breathe life into the genre of games widely known as RTS. His new project belies the image that had formed in my mind, that of a bold, creative, ambitious creator.”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
gamefinity
Digitec Magazine
TestingBuddies
Eurogamer
SECTOR.sk
Cerealkillerz
Try Hard Guides
GamingBolt
NoobFeed
CD-Action…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 1.4.1 Hotfix #1Jul 6, 2026
- 1.4.0 Quality of Life & Pagonia Editor UpdateJun 24, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 1.3.3 Hotfix #3Jun 15, 2026
- Roadmap Update (May 2026)Jun 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Beta Test for the 1.4.0 Pagonia Editor Update Starts Now!Jun 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 1.3.2 Hotfix #2Jun 9, 2026
- 1.3.1 Hotfix #1Jun 2, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Meadowsong Expansion DLC – Now Available! (incl. new Roadmap)May 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Dev Blog #14: Look Forward to the "Free Beer Update"!May 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Beta Test for the 1.3.0 "Free Beer" Update Starts Now!May 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 1.2.2 - Hotfix #2Mar 30, 2026
- 1.2.1 – Hotfix #1Mar 11, 2026
- A Touch of Spring – Cosmetics Pack is now available!Mar 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.1.0 – New Quality of Life ImprovementsFeb 17, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- The Beta Test for Quality-of-Life Update 1.1.0 Starts Now!Feb 4, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Roadmap Update January 2026Jan 28, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- 1.0.3 - Update #3 – HotfixJan 20, 2026
- 1.0.2 - Update #2 – HotfixDec 18, 2025
- 1.0.1 - Update #1 – HotfixDec 16, 2025
- Pioneers of Pagonia 1.0 Full Release – Out Now!Dec 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Pagonia Editor Update 0.15.2 – HotfixNov 14, 2025
- Pagonia Editor Update 0.15.1 – HotfixNov 4, 2025
- Pagonia Editor Update 0.15.0Oct 30, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Beta Test for the Pagonia Editor & Quality-of-Life Update 0.15.0 Starts Now!Oct 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Pioneers of Pagonia – 1.0 Release Date RevealAug 20, 2025
- Dev Blog #13: Visit us at Gamescom, Official Wiki Launch and more!Aug 12, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Major Economy Update 0.14.2 - HotfixJul 30, 2025
- Major Economy Update 0.14.1 - HotfixJul 8, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Major Economy Update 0.14.0Jul 2, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Beta Test for our Major Economy Update 0.14.0 Starts Now!Jun 24, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Roadmap Update May 2025May 27, 2025
- 0.13.2 - Hotfix 2May 13, 2025
- Hotfix 0.13.1Apr 22, 2025
- Patch 0.13.0 – New Quality of Life ImprovementsApr 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- The Beta Test for Quality-of-Life Update 0.13.0 starts now!Mar 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Dev Blog #12: Character Updates – Readability & StorytellingMar 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix 0.12.1Feb 18, 2025
- Patch 0.12.0 – New Quality of Life ImprovementsFeb 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Dev Blog #11: Building Updates – Readability, Art Style and More!Feb 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
…and 31 earlier patch announcements.