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 (Metacritic) | – | 77 | 39 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 82 | 378 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 90% | 84 | 370 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 18, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 370 total reviews in window · weighted 186.1 up / 20.6 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
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.
- 100
“Seethingswarm's Metroidvania stands out for offering an adventure with survival mechanics, charming pixel art, and an emotional story that dispenses with dialogue. It's a great addition to the genre's catalog. It's a game that relies on its atmosphere, gameplay, and dialogue-free narrative, resulting in a thoroughly entertaining experience made with an obvious love for the craft.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“Aside from its prehistoric setting and trappings there are some good ideas that help this Metroidvania distinguish itself from its competition”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Primal Planet is not the best Metroidvania you’ll ever play, but it offers a unique blend of prehistoric survival and sci-fi elements, with an emotional wordless story and charming pixel art visuals. Despite its clear issues with world design and map navigation, it remains a journey worth experiencing, especially for fans of exploration.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Going against the grain in many aspects, Primal Planet is a self-described "dinovania" that feels more like a classic 2D platformer with RPG elements. Charming, beautiful, and at times intense.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“All in all, Primal Planet is a rare gem, something that looks familiar at first glance but hides a big heart and plenty of surprises. It blends exploration, crafting, and narrative in a way that feels fun and even touching. This is one delightful surprise, and it absolutely deserves attention”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Primal Planet is a disappointment as its thematical material can't make up for how bad it is to play. (Review in Portuguese)”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Primal Planet is a pixel-perfect primaeval playground of adventure and exploration. If you don’t mind getting lost now and then, it’s an approachable metroidvania, with generous checkpoints, forgiving combat and no bosses. For some, its lack of handholding might be a barrier, but I was swept away by the vibrant world and the sweet story of community that holds together the people and wildlife of this primal planet. Just look out for those T-Rexes and UFOs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Primal Planet is a pixel art metroidvania with survival mechanics, free exploration, RPG-style progression, and an emotional story without dialogue, starring a caveman and his dinosaur companion.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Primal Planet may not be the best Metroidvania ever made, but it features an incredibly cool world and satisfying gameplay. It doesn’t hurt that it offers some genuinely beautiful pixel art on top of that. It’s not an absolute must-play, but fans of the genre digging through the loads of solid but uninspired games being made these days will find that Primal Planet rises above most of the pack.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Seethingswarm and Pretty Soon deliver a bold, charming and enjoyable indie that manages to tell a lot without words, relying on images, grunts and music. Its pixel art can feel rough, but the world still feels lively and adventurous.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“With its high points outweighing its low points, Primal Planet sets the platforming action in the harsh survival of a Stone Age populated by dinosaurs and invaded by alien ships. The mid-campaign, with its narrative emptiness and trivialization of some mechanics, gradually loses the emotional strength and gameplay dynamic of the beginning, which is compounded by the poorly functional mapping. However, those who enjoy facing dinosaurs and exploring the corners of dangerous, interconnected 2D worlds will have reason enough to venture into this prehistoric world.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Primal Planet is an excellent game that efficiently incorporates all its elements to create a highly entertaining experience. Its weaknesses lie in its soundtrack, which, while competent in creating atmosphere, can sometimes be overlooked. Its handling of on-screen elements can also be overwhelming in certain areas.”
read full review ↗
La Orden del Pixel
Nindie Spotlight
Just Play it
GameLuster
LadiesGamers.com
Entertainium
So Many Games
Hey Poor Player
TodoJuegos
GameBlast
ProGamers.life…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- ⚡ PRIMAL PLANET UPDATE #4 – OptimisationSep 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- 👽 PRIMAL PLANET UPDATE #3 – Alien Moon Base + Extended Ending!Aug 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Primal Planet ROARS into Steam Next Fest — and something BIG is coming...Jun 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Demo Update #3 - New Features, Bug Fixes, Remote Play, and More!Mar 4, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Demo Update #1 - Patch NotesNov 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window