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) | – | 80 | 13 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 91 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 83 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 96% | 91 | 41 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 19, 2024) · 41 reviews sampled · 37 total reviews in window · weighted 24.6 up / 1.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (9)
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.
- 79
“Death of a Wish is a game where simplicity has its own sense of being. Despite its apparent simplicity, it hides a depth of interesting mechanics both in the combat system and in the general gameplay. It is certainly a game that expects the player to learn its mechanics quickly. The visual style, although fascinating and original, sometimes works against the player and the combat system, creating confusion during some battles and when viewing the character menu. If you love an original style and a good challenge, Death of a Wish is definitely made for you.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Stylish and challenging, it has some appeal, but its distinct art style isn’t without some issues”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Death of a Wish is a great moody action game that's worth adding to your list of must-play 2024 indies. It's a narrative with textbook Catholic guilt, a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, and the exploration of queer acceptance. With its pulsating chalk-like line work that makes the images and action leap off the page, a diverse combat system, and an oh-so-satisfying parry to boot-style and substance are at the forefront of the game at all times. Though you can occasionally get lost in the weeds of the prose-like writing and confusing map design, it's hard to stay mad long at Death of a Wish. It's a damn cool video game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With striking visuals and satisfyingly smooth combat, Death of a Wish is an action-packed RPG that you won't want to miss.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The sequel to the excellent Lucah: Born of a Dream is a stylish action game that’s as heartfelt as it is intense.”
read full review ↗ - 91
“Death of a Wish's combat is fantastically design on all fronts, and will leave an impact on you thanks to its strong set pieces. It's something different and yet familiar, and is something you need to put in your library.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Overall, would I recommend Death of a Wish? Yes, unless you deal with motion sickness in any way shape or form. I didn’t feel like I did, but Death of a Wish certainly proved me wrong. It’s a fun game to play, but I had to take a break more often than I do in most games. Hopefully with future updates screen shake and motion can be adjusted and that will make it a nice simple and straight yes, absolutely pick up Death of a Wish.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I have no doubt that this is going to be, and in many cases likely already is, a runaway 2024 favorite for many. It didn’t quite land there for me, personally, but I won’t soon forget the satisfaction of a deft parry and the shrieks of those who sacrificed themselves throughout Christian’s harrowing journey. Hell, I may even dive back in and see how it holds up to a return trip, just not anytime too soon; the wounds are still fresh.”
read full review ↗ - –
“A tormented action fantasy that has heart, imagination and style in spades.”
read full review ↗
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Rock, Paper, ShotgunPatch history
- The Martyr Mode Update is here!Sep 19, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- The Apocrypha Update is here!Jul 22, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Apocrypha Update and Soundtrack - Releasing 07/22!Jul 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- The Randomizer Update is here!May 9, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- The Randomizer Update is coming to Death of a Wish!May 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes v1.0.7Apr 2, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Death of a Wish - Updates 3/20/24Mar 20, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Death of a Wish - Week 1 UpdateMar 17, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Death of a Wish - Patch v1.0.5Mar 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Death of a Wish - Day 1 PatchMar 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window