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 | 5 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 93 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 88 | 774 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 76 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 3 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 9 reviews sampled · 8 total reviews in window · weighted 4.9 up / 0.4 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (28)
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
- 80
“Four years on, and Kero Blaster is just as engaging and rewarding as it was when Pixel first unleashed from within the Japanese indie scene. It doesn't just look like the classics that made the genre such a pillar of gaming three decades ago, it confidently recreates the deep mechanical prowess of Contra and its ilk, with just a sprinkling of modern persistent systems to make it more palatable to newcomers and replayable far beyond those first few hours of froggy firefights.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It has an artistic simplicity and mechanical purity reminiscent of Bill Rizer, Simon Belmont, and the Blue Bomber.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“While it manages to avoid falling into too many repetitive patterns and stays engaging I’d say the experience has charm on its side more than excitement. It’s a solid traditional game but with the variety that’s out there, though not necessarily all on the Switch, unless that’s specifically what you’re seeking it may not be as appealing. This is more of a light romp initially but if you’re down for a challenge the unlocked modes more than deliver. If you’re itching to shoot things like it’s the old days this may be the ticket for you but if you’re thirsting for more modern sensibilities you may want to look elsewhere.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A nice and definitely underrated little gem, Keroblaster brings back the magic of doujin games with an excellent design and control, albeit it is a little brief and somehow less ambitious than its forerunner, Cave Story.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Kero Blaster is lighter fare, but the well-thought-out weapon balancing and fine-tuned platforming make it an amusing little journey. If you crave more gameplay and challenge, harder modes await, but even if you were to just play through the short initial story, Kero Blaster is still a game worth checking out.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Throw in a handful of modes that encourage replay, a stellar cast, brilliant production values, and a killer soundtrack, and Kero Blaster is a modern classic. It could stand to be longer, but this is a game that will keep players hooked. Go give it a download!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While research shows that the majority of games remain unfinished by their players, Kero Blaster draws you steadily through to its conclusion, a three-hour trip that demands to be finished. Amaya's singular vision is beguiling and, while this game is a more straightforward proposition than the enchanting crisscross complexity of Cave Story, it's no less delightful.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Old-school Japanese shooting, platforming action reminds us just how fun the simple games of the ‘80s could be.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Studio Pixel is back to the future, with this addictive action-game. It came from the NES (not from the desert) and its a pixel bonanza. With its “Japanese spirit”, Kero Blaster is a wonderful indie game and you shouldn't miss it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Those who never experienced this type of game in the past won’t acclimate as quickly as veterans, but it’s still an easy to pick up and play game. It just isn’t easy to win. There’s even a surprise ending and plenty of hidden secrets for those seeking something more than just intense action. Kero Blaster is a nice throwback to the older days of gaming that delivers a short but sweet side-scrolling shooter that hits most of the right notes.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Pixel made a fun game, but it requires some fixes. It is worth a chance, but you should wait for a discount.”
read full review ↗
Fintendo
Nintendo Life
VGChartz
Nindie Spotlight
LevelUp
NintendoWorldReport
Nintendojo
Eurogamer
PC Gamer
IGN
GameTrailers
NEOsite…and 16 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- [Touhou Luna Nights]100K Downloads! Thank You for Your Support! “Dash” Fixes & German Support Incl. in Update!Jun 24, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Kero Blaster Joins the Holiday Sales!Dec 22, 2017
- Kero Blaster in the Autumn Sales!Nov 22, 2017
- Kero Blaster in the Weekly Sales!Aug 9, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Steam Summer Sales!Jun 26, 2017
- Kero Blaster on Sale!Mar 22, 2017
- Adding Languages!Mar 21, 2017
- Kero Blaster UpdateDec 15, 2015
- Kero Blaster UpdateDec 15, 2015