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) | – | 82 | 13 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 71 | 4 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 92 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 6 reviews sampled · 6 total reviews in window · weighted 3.3 up / 0.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (63)
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.
- 90
“The sense of flight and weightlessness is as intoxicating as the build-what-you-want nature of the game's war machines. And besides, dying is just an excuse to try out a new combo of parts, and I'm mighty curious to see how an armored, cannon-firing airplane with an underwater engine would handle.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Luftrausers is a perfect case study for the benefits and limitations of a game concerned solely with fun. On the plus side, it takes all of four seconds to get into the game and start enjoying it. On the other hand, anything that detracts from the fun (in this case, balance issues) damages the overall experience more than it normally would. As a result, all but the most dedicated fans will give up on Luftrausers after a short time - not because the game itself is short, but because it's not fine-tuned enough to maintain interest. However, it must be stressed that before that drop-off point, the game's sharp controls, dynamic presentation, and unique combat options make it irresistibly addictive. Two days' worth of constant entertainment is time well spent, and if that doesn't deserve a recommendation, nothing does.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Often frustrating and sometimes unfair, but the glorious flight mechanics, general compelling gameplay, and attention to detail mean Luftrausers is easily worth considering.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Luftrausers is a great a time-waster, a great test of your leet twitch skills, and a game that doesn't assume too much and just lets you enjoy yourself. You'll notice that Devolver have published this game, I sometimes think Hotline Miami could learn a thing or two here.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Ultimately, Luftrausers is a game that balances a lot on its plate. It is easy to pick up but demands a lot of patience. It is challenging but lays all its cards out on the table within a very short time. It is fast and exciting, but requires the player to adapt. But it also doesn't pretend to be anything it's not, and all in all I found it to be a fun experience.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Luftrausers is a nice little getaway from the story-focused games that populate the landscape nowadays. It's a great game that is both fun and challenging for those who appreciate simpler experiences. Those not interested in chasing high scores will still get some mileage out of the challenge and unlock system, but the game is really made for those who adore points. The short playtimes for each round ensure that you can sneak in a round or two between other things, but the addictive nature proves alluring enough that hours can fly by before you notice. For anyone who enjoys a fun, solid game, Luftrausers comes highly recommended.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Luftrausers is a breathless arcade delight - video game dogfighting has rarely been better.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Luftrausers' arcadelike simplicity makes conquering the skies feel natural and fun.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Luftrausers is a good game with an excellent presentation, it's just too repetitive to recommend to all of the gamers out there.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Like the best of Vlambeer's cannon, a simple concept executed beautifully. Limited enemy and level design, though.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“As an example of the purest gameplay Luftrauser's is almost unparalleled, but the almost total absence of mission structure of plot means that, unfortunately, it won't be everyone. For those craving a pick up and play arcade classic though, it's hard to go wrong with a spot of 'Rausers.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“LUFTRAUSTERS is a great example of using very old ideas and recycling them in very interesting and fun ways”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
PC Invasion
GameWatcher
ZTGD
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
GameGrin
PC Gamer
Game Debate
GamingBolt…and 51 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- LUFTRAUSERS Trading Cards and MoreOct 30, 2015