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) | – | 82 | 13 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 97% | 92 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 90 | 68 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 50 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 91.1, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 25,427 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 140 reviews sampled · 144 total reviews in window · weighted 52.8 up / 4.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (17)
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
“While the visual novel format isn't exactly classic Sonic, it's a breath of fresh air for a franchise that lost its stride for a few years. It's safe to say I'm hopeful for the future of the Sonic franchise.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog is a simple and fun visual novel adventure that any Sonic fan can click with. Even though it's been released for April Fools, the game is well polished and offers a truly engaging experience. ”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Despite being originally released as some sort of April Fool’s prank, The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog is not a joke. Sure, it’s silly as hell, but it’s a pretty decent and lighthearted visual novel with some clever writing and a unique premise. Even if it was released as a paid product, I’d call it worth your time, but as a Steam freebie? Just go for it, we’ve all gotten worse stuff on that platform for free.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a very entertaining, casual-paced visual novel based on a beloved video game franchise. I enjoyed my time playing it, and I’m impressed by the level of detail and care put into a free title. The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is one April Fools’ Day joke that’s so much better than one initially expects it to be, and a part of me hopes there might be more games of this ilk in Sonic the Hedgehog’s future.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There really isn't much more to say about the game. I don't want to spoil the twists and turns of the story, as it's already pretty limited. But. if you're a Sonic fan and you enjoy a decent visual novel, you should consider checking this game out. With it being free, you're not really out anything but your time if you don't like it. It's a cute game though and a fun idea for a Sonic spin-off.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a must-play experience. Sega has hit it out of the park with a Sonic-themed mystery adventure visual novel boasting captivating storytelling, fantastic character interaction, as well as a stellar presentation and soundtrack of similar quality. I had a big ol’ smile on my face from beginning to end, and can’t recommend this game enough. The fact that it’s free is almost criminal. Sega making another entry like this is wholly up in the air, but I’ll be hoping with all my heart that they do.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is the delightful joke you hope to receive more often! A title accessible to all and capable of capturing you in its stories.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Chock full of mystery and fanservice, The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog takes the blue blur in a refreshing new direction. This trip on The Mirage Express might be a radical detour for the blue blur, but one should grab their ticket for this wild ride.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog is a very competent way to revisit the blue hedgehog universe from a totally different angle. Made with a lot of polishment for its characters, the game mixes a simple but well-executed point-and-click with isometric platforming sections to create a must-play experience for fans that's also worth it for those who just want a good adventure game to pass time.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Kudos to SEGA! The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog really shows what the developers are capable of. This inspired and creative game has already captured the hearts of many fans, and it captured mine alike. With its vibrant and immersive gameplay, this adventure is perfect to fill an afternoon with. Here's to hoping that SEGA sees the positive reception and makes more Sonic content like this. I already can't wait.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has many merits, above all the ability to once again decline the character of Sonic in another genre. By giving the right depth to each member of the cast, SEGA continues its worthy commitment to provide more layering to its universe. However, while the solution to the mystery is quite simple, the interlude minigame ends up - in the final stages - also being quite frustrating. In short, net of the short duration, the work appears a bit unbalanced in its playful components. In any case, it's about dedicating 2 hours to an excellent SEGA experiment, totally free, to spend an evening of fun with Sonic. It will be worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The Murder of Sonic is a quirky addition to Sonic’s library, if not anything particularly ground-breaking. It might not make up for Sega trying to sell us the main menu and cutscenes for Sonic Origins separately, but it’s a nice gesture.”
read full review ↗
GameLuster
TheSixthAxis
WayTooManyGames
RPG Fan
Netto’s Game Room
Noisy Pixel
Hynerd.it
Gamers Heroes
GameBlast
KeenGamer
Everyeye.it…and 5 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch Update 11/3/2025 - Security UpdateNov 4, 2025