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) | – | 81 | 14 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 91% | 85 | 6 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.5, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 4,952 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) · 16 reviews sampled · 14 total reviews in window · weighted 11 up / 1.1 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (45)
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
“When you're not hitting its walls, Freedom Planet is an exciting game that feels natural in both docked and portable mode. The different characters give it some flair, and the nostalgia certainly helps, too. And honestly, although SEGA has kind of found their way again with its iconic franchise, Freedom Planet often feels more like a Sonic game than many actual Sonic games did. One minute you'll wish Sonic games played more like this, and the next you'll be wishing Freedom Planet played more like Sonic. If you can handle that dichotomy, Freedom Planet is worth the run.”
read full review ↗ - 50
- 80
“Freedom Planet may have started as a mere Sonic rip-off, but to view the game as nothing more would be an enormously reductive judgment. Despite its ho-hum story and occasional difficulty spikes, Freedom Planet manages to rise above and become more than the sum of its parts, imbuing a well-trodden gameplay style with fresh ideas and concepts. We’d recommend that you give Freedom Planet a try, even if you've sampled the superb Sonic Mania; it’s clear that a substantial amount of care and work went into making this game, and it’s an excellent love letter to fans of action platformers. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The game has been around for a few years now, but if you haven’t had the chance to pick it up, this Switch port is definitely an opportunity you don’t want to pass up.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“What I think the game gets absolutely right is the balanced combination of speed sections, more traditional platforming and exploration, and some great boss battles. Rather than simply being derivative the result feels more like the game I’d always wished Sonic could be. If you’re a big Sonic fan it’s absolutely worth checking out, and even if you’re not you may find it surprising.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“What little flaws there are, are down to the inexperience and budget of the team, something that makes the upcoming sequel very exciting. Imagine what can be offered now. This new release on Switch gives another platform of players the opportunity to see what it has to offer and reminds those who experienced it the first time why Freedom Planet 2 should be on their radar.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“What we end up with is a 16-bit throwback that's worth playing for the reasons that matter the most. The story isn't great and we encountered one or two glitches, but its shortcomings are nullified by excellent platforming and arcadey action. The lengthy levels are impressive, and the three playable characters all offer fun ways to get through them. If you're after a solid 2D platformer to tide you over until Sonic Mania, Freedom Planet will definitely scratch that itch.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A great innovation on a classic formula. Any fan of platforming will be more than satisfied with the joy of speeding around the long levels and the derivative gameplay of the different characters. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you have a hunger for retro 16-bit games, GalaxyTrail's Freedom Planet is the title for you. This colorful sci-fi platformer feels like a forgotten NES gem.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“This Switch version of Freedom Planet doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from what came before on Wii U, but then, it doesn’t have to. Many players didn’t get the chance to try this game out the first time around, so I encourage them now to give Freedom Planet a look. It’s a heartfelt love letter to the platformers of old, marrying some of the best bits of Sonic with so many other notable series. Freedom Planet is full of retro charm but isn’t held back by it, instead pushing forward with new ideas to stand on its own two legs. The eShop is full of winning software, but don’t let this one slip by under your nose!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Since the game released back in 2015, it's been ported from system to system and has received good to excellent praises throughout the years and once again this is not exception. The game is fun, fast and engaging. If you're looking for something that fits those categories then look no further than Freedom Planet to stop those jittery nerves. This game get my rating of 8 out of 10 for being a colorful, speedy, surprise.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Four years after its initial Steam release, Freedom Planet still stands as a good modern interpretation of the classic platforming formula. The multiple characters play differently enough that it's worthwhile to replay the game to see the different pathways and use different strategies to beat bosses. The two main modes do a good job of pleasing players who value narrative and those who prefer action, and the nice presentation solidifies Freedom Planet as a good choice for platforming fans.”
read full review ↗
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Worth Playing…and 33 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Language UpdateAug 30, 2018
- 1.21.5 Released For Win/Mac/LinuxJun 9, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- 1.21.5 Released For Win/Mac/LinuxJun 9, 2017
- Windows Release Candidate 1.21.5 on Steam!Apr 19, 2017
- Windows Release Candidate 1.21.5 on Steam!Apr 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Freedom Planet is coming to the PS4Sep 1, 2016
- Freedom Planet is coming to the PS4Sep 1, 2016
- 1.21.4 Steam Cloud Fix, Lilac in RunbowApr 12, 2016
- 1.21.4 Steam Cloud Fix, Lilac in RunbowApr 12, 2016
- Milla Adventure! 1.20.6 Update NotesFeb 24, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Milla Adventure! 1.20.6 Update NotesFeb 24, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.21.3b (BETA) Released!Jan 4, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.21.3b (BETA) Released!Jan 4, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- 1.21.2b (BETA) Patch NotesDec 31, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- 1.21.2b (BETA) Patch NotesDec 31, 2015
- Torque Beta / 1.21.1 Patch NotesDec 25, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Torque Beta / 1.21.1 Patch NotesDec 25, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix Update for 1.20.4Aug 15, 2015
- Hotfix Update for 1.20.4Aug 15, 2015
- Hotfix Update for 1.20.4Aug 15, 2015
- Steam 1.20.4 NotesAug 1, 2015
- 1.20.4 Update NotesJul 31, 2015
- 1.20.4 Update NotesJul 31, 2015
- Gallery Update! (1.20.2 Notes)Feb 10, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Gallery Update! (1.20.2 Notes)Feb 10, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- 1.15.5 Update NotesOct 20, 2014significant · resets scoring window
- 1.15.5 Update NotesOct 20, 2014significant · resets scoring window
- Indie MEGABOOTH and Demo UpdateNov 23, 2013
- Indie MEGABOOTH and Demo UpdateNov 23, 2013