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) | – | 58 | 18 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 63% | 62 | 77 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 0 down · computed 5h 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.
- 70
“With only a handful of new refinements, Princess Maker 2 Regeneration is most notable for bringing Gainax's classic life simulator game to a wider audience than ever before. While its retro aesthetics are charming and its no-wrong-way-to-play design philosophy is still just as rewarding to tinker with all these years later, there's no denying that this title is beginning to show its age. That said, those with a deep interest in game history or the simulator genre should still be able to find plenty of enjoyment in helping their virtual daughter grow up to face the world head-on. It's an experience that may not be everyone's cup of tea - but the original wasn't either, was it?”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A classic take on the challenges of raising a child in sim form gets returns with a minor facelift”
read full review ↗ - 80
“That all being said, Princess Maker 2 is a game worthy of your time, if you’re interested in gaming history but also if you want something that has held up as being genuinely fun and compelling 30 years later. It’s certainly not for everyone, but as a menu game enthusiast I enjoyed myself thoroughly and will keep playing, if only so I can finally make my character into the Princess the title suggests.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“From my time as a player of Princess Maker 2: Regeneration, it is impossible to not notice those features of the game, but I would still deem it to be a game worth your time. It is a proper look back at titles of the past and Japanese pop culture. The game itself is addictive and poses to be a challenge many players would not be expecting unless they are already familiar with the franchise. A fix here and there would have gone a long way for this remaster, nonetheless, it was a very memorable gaming experience for me which I will not forget anytime soon.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Princess Maker 2 remains an incredible and addicting game, but Regeneration is a disappointing remaster, offering barely any gameplay changes and an inconsistent art style. It misses obvious quality-of-life improvements that Princess Marker 2 sorely needed, leaving us at a loss as to why they bothered to remaster the game at all. Play Princess Maker 2 as it's a fantastic piece of gaming history, but there's no need to pay for this particular version.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There are ways in which Princess Maker 2 Regeneration does feel like a valued, fresh start and approach to the game, partially because of it also being on systems like the Switch. However, there are also times when it feels like it also isn’t quite there yet and Princess Maker 2 Refinemay be a better bet. There are some definite bugs present and in need of squashing. I also wish the localization was stronger. However, the core game is a lot of fun, especially if you appreciate stat management simulations such as this. I think it is worth the time even if it isn’t the best version of the game available, and I hope Bliss Brain fixes some of the more glaring problems after launch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ultimately, Princess Maker 2 Regeneration is a slightly spiffed-up reissue of a game originally released on Japanese computers more than three decades ago, and it often feels like it. Without a manual, it would have been nice if the game itself had some additions to teach the players how this rather complex game functions, but as-is I think newcomers are going to struggle trying to understand what they need to do. Those who persevere will find a game that is just as unique and oddly compelling now as it was back in 1993.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Princess Maker 2 Regeneration is a solid remastering of the second game in Gainax’s child-rearing simulation series. It’s still the same charming experience that was released in 1993. All of the depth is retained, and the remastered art is handled by the original director and artist, ensuring that PM2’s legacy is preserved 30 years later. Decision-making is the name of the game. The stats your daughter works so hard to gain mean nothing if she doesn’t have the proper guidance. Your scheduling and management are what will determine the future that awaits her. With over 70 endings, there are plenty of outcomes you can strive for.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite initially seeming complex, Princess Maker 2 proves to be a masterpiece of social simulation games once you understand what needs to be done. I've never played anything like it before and there might not even be anything like Princess Maker on the market these days. As a newcomer, it was a fun experience overall, and the gameplay loop kept me hooked until I could watch my daughter get on with her life and bring tears of pride to my eyes. This remaster, however, despite being welcome to catch potential dads of the current generation, ends up being too basic, to say the least. It turns out that, for those who are veterans, shelling out money to replay this, it is perhaps only justified by the glimpse of Takami Aka's new arts, as I don't believe that the scope itself has expanded.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Princess Maker 2 is such a fantastic game, and this incarnation is just not the best version of itself. Poorly optimized, glitchy and very pricy, it’s hard to justify its existence when a better release already exists on PC. But, as a console only take, it’s a fine title indeed.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“Fruit of its time, Princess Maker 2 Regeneration should please only the most ardent fans of this obscure Japanese franchise.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Princess Maker 2 Regeneration is a solid rendition of Princess Maker 2 with a variety of improvements to the art and dialogue. I do wish for more improvements that utilize QoL changes.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
GamesCreed
Checkpoint Gaming
Siliconera
Final Weapon
NintendoBoy
WayTooManyGames
PSX Brasil
The Outerhaven Productions…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.