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) | – | 63 | 51 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 74% | 70 | 186 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 6 total reviews in window · weighted 2.7 up / 0.8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (32)
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.
- 60
“If you are a Metroidvania fan and recently played Prince of Persia: The Last Crown or Blasphemous 2 and are actively waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong, Kong: Survivor Instinct will leave you wanting more. Not only does it lack exploration rewards, but the combat is also forgettable and sometimes frustratingly bad. The lack of focus on combat development in Metroidvania is just bizarre, and it is perhaps the only major flaw in this otherwise brilliant design of a game. Once you get the grip of the poorly executed combat, it is fun for a few hours until you hit that credits screen, and then you turn it off for good. If you need to fill your Silksong void with some cool Kong and Kaiju moments, consider giving it a shot, but if you are looking for slick movement and combat skills, this is not the Metroidvania you are looking for.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Kong: Survivor Instinct is a solid Metroidvania that capitalizes on the atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic world and several well-designed gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, it’s let down by an underdeveloped combat system, frustrating checkpointing, and a lack of truly memorable moments with the Titans. Kong, unfortunately, isn’t the king here, he’s more of a backdrop. Still, the game will find its fans, especially among those who enjoy exploration and an atmospheric experience without an overly fast pace.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Ultimately, Kong Survivor Instinct plays well enough (with the exception of its janky combat), but it probably won't be for anyone but the most die-hard Monsterverse fans who are looking for even more lore and expansion of this universe. If you're not a Monsterverse fan or if you're not a fan of kaiju in general, there are loads of other better Metroidvania games out there that are more worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“I’m coming across as very harsh toward Kong: Survivor Instinct, so let me address that. You see, it’s not a truly bad game. I’ve played truly bad games and compared to those Survivor Instinct is like a sweet peck on the lips. But in some ways, it’s also worse than those terrible games because it’s boring. Horrible games and amazing games have something in common: they are interesting to experience. A truly god-awful game is at least interesting to pick apart and talk about in the same way that a great one is, too. But Kong: Survivor Instinct is just dull from start to finish. There’s nothing to talk about, from its non-existent story to its lifeless gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The game has good ideas and a story tied to the Monsterverse, but repetition, limited combat and enemy variety, and pacing issues hold it back. Fans of Kong and Godzilla will enjoy the visuals and immersive world, but those seeking advanced gameplay may be disappointed. Overall, it’s an acceptable but average experience for Monsterverse fans.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“All in all, Kong: Survivor Instinct is a wild ride through a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, and survival is all that matters. The blend of personal stakes, resource management, and the looming threat of giant Titans makes for an intense, immersive experience. It has its rough edges, sure, but the sheer scale of what’s happening around you and the way the game makes you feel like a small, fragile part of that world kept me hooked.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Survivor Instinct's biggest saving grace is the entertaining set-pieces, which usually involve escaping from a Titan strangely determined to kill you. While this can deliver a visually impressive spectacle, it's frustrating how little room for error there often is. These moments are meant to be fast-paced, sure; you're running for your life after all. However, a split-second delay or mistimed jump is often enough to kill you, and that annoyingly restarts the entire segment.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“I wish I had more to say about the game in general, but it is a relatively simple experience. The campaign only lasts around 5-6 hours and never really switches up dynamics. With tedious combat and clunky controls, it is serviceable at best, and kind of boring at worst. Can we get a remaster of the move, the game. Kong deserves better.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Kong Survivor Instinct delivers an enjoyable 2D platforming experience with Metroidvania elements, offering high-quality visuals. However, the story lacks excitement and some gameplay elements feel repetitive, though this does not significantly diminish the overall enjoyment of the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Overall, I had a great time playing through Kong: Survivor Instinct, with my first playthrough at just under 6 hours. While it may not be the most ground-breaking metroidvania with a few flaws, it is a fun, well designed experience that I think Monsterverse fans in particular will surely go ape over.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“In the end, Kong: Survivor Instinct is a pleasant surprise when compared to the rest of the Kong-related games up to this point. The story isn't that great, but it has enough of a hook to keep players going. The platforming can be quirky, especially during the big chase sequences, but it works fine most of the time to provide some fun sections. The same can be said of the combat, which has flaws but also gives players the chance to take care of enemies in a few fun ways. The adventure isn't too long, but it is satisfying enough once the end credits roll. It isn't a sleeper hit, but it isn't a bad experience to go through for a day or two.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Funnily enough I think King Kong is the game’s biggest asset, with standard 2.5D action and platforming gameplay alone it would be easy to dismiss, but the interactions with Kong and solid level design mean that there is enough here to find Kong: Survivor Instinct enjoyable.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Release Notes - Patch 1.0.4Nov 29, 2024
- Release Notes - Patch 1.0.3Nov 14, 2024