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) | – | 74 | 18 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 74% | 70 | 138 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 81% | 75 | 70 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Oct 15, 2025) · 70 reviews sampled · 67 total reviews in window · weighted 46.8 up / 11.1 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (9)
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.
- 65
“HYKE: Northern Light(s) places gamers in an attractive world with interesting characters, but doesn't give them enough to do to really hook fans of retro RPGs. It's a game worth playing and finishing, but easy to move on from.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“While a visual treat, and possessing some characters that make for varied and amusing combat, the overall experience is still somewhat middling”
read full review ↗ - 70
“HYKE: Northern Light(s) is a charming road trip with an interesting premise about people fighting against witches, complemented by fast-paced action gameplay. However, it suffers from a predictable story, underdeveloped characters, and above all, a steep price tag.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“HYKE: Northern Light(s) knows exactly what it wants to be, and across its art, story, gameplay, and systems, it consistently works to create a relaxing, soothing experience for players.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In a world devastated by the war between witches and humans, you might be the only hope...”
read full review ↗ - 73
“Hyke: Northern Light(s) is an enjoyable game with interesting game mechanics and a promising premise, let down by loose combat, and a less than perfect storytelling experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There is a lot of charm in Hyke: Northern Lights and what it does works well for it. Its just a shame everything it does is simple and bare bones. Though I love the characters and world, the simple combat and bare bones exploration hold it back.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Aniplex's new game, Hyke: Northern Light(s), puts players face to face with many dangers in top-down 2D action.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“HYKE:Northern Light(s) is a super-fun action RPG that does a great job of providing a variety of gameplay via its unique character abilities. The maze-like dungeons are challenging and rewarding for sure but I wish there was more to the game world elsewhere.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nindie Spotlight
SomHráč.sk
Gamersky
PS3Blog.net
RPG Fan
PlayStation Universe
Hardcore Gamer
Video ChumsPatch history
- Patch (Ver. 1.0.1) Release and Post-Launch UpdateOct 15, 2025significant · resets scoring window