Screenshots & trailers
What players say
Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 299 sampled Steam reviews (267 positive / 32 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.
What positive reviews talk about
- Story & writing48% mention it
- Controls & UI17% mention it
- Visuals & art12% mention it
- Music & audio9% mention it
- Multiplayer & servers6% mention it
What negative reviews complain about
- Story & writing34% mention it
- Controls & UI25% mention it
- Multiplayer & servers22% mention it
- Bugs & crashes13% mention it
Satisfaction by hours played
Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.
Under 5h
85%
193 reviews
5-15h
97%
94 reviews
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) | – | 77 | 10 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 88 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 87 | 19 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 87 | 10 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 29 reviews sampled · 21 total reviews in window · weighted 12.1 up / 1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (79)
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
“If you've already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons on another platform there's not much in the story or in-game achievements to warrant another trip. Playing with a partner, however, creates a whole new experience that's certainly worth sharing. And if you've never experienced this tale before, you should. The puzzles are fun, the story is touching, and it comes together in a way that's likely to leave a lasting impact.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As poignant, heartbreaking and memorable as it was back in 2013, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons hasn’t lost any of its emotional impact in those intervening years. With a captivating soundtrack, an aesthetic design evocative of Fable and a genuinely clever take on co-op, you can really see why it’s held in such high regard. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The innovative gameplay, the art style used, and the simple soundtrack deliver a unique experience. It is a short adventure, but one that will certainly leave a mark on you.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“It's rare for a game to forge a connection so strong, and even rarer for you to become the connective tissue.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Whether played solo or with a friend Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons makes for a thoughtful and generally satisfying puzzle adventure...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It's certainly not a game for those that love fast-paced action, but for anyone wanting to take the time to appreciate the world around them, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is a good choice.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Brothers is a game that will endure in the hearts and memories of those who have experienced it for a very long time and should feature on many "Games You Must Play" lists. Fans of the game will find themselves once again transfixed as they embark on the journey once more and for those have not yet taken the plunge, now is definitely your chance. Just remember to keep the tissues handy. You might be in need of them.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you've already played Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, it's still very worthy of your time, but there's not much new to see beyond some concept art and commentary. If you're yet to play it, though, you now have no excuse. A well-told and engaging story awaits for those of you willing to forgive the slightly awkward controls.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, while short, has a lot to offer thematically. It doesn't show anything mind-blowingly new, but rather comes across like a beautiful amalgamation of the greatest hits from dark fairytale. It only scratches the surface of its own potential, but the beautiful scenery, music, themes, and interesting take on gameplay make it a definite title to check out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“My only real complaint is that 1200 points may be a bit steep for a game that can be finished in a few sittings and has minimal replay value. Still, it’s a good start to the Summer of Arcade, and anyone looking for something different will do well to check it out.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“ For those who have managed to avoid the game since its release a generation ago, there’s no time like the present to experience such a phenomenal example of how video games can stand out as a unique approach to storytelling and entertainment in general. Brothers is really a must play game, so you’d best get around to it sooner rather than later.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is an experience that doesn't hit Xbox Live Arcade too often. It has a story that doles out a familiar tale but tells it in a way that feels more personal despite the lack of a familiar language.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Portal E7
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Pure Xbox
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Nintendojo
Worth Playing…and 67 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.