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Renowned Explorers: International Society

Renowned Explorers: International Society

Abbey Games · released Sep 2, 2015

AdventureIndieRPGStrategyPC

In this strategic rogue-like you become a famous expedition leader in the 19th century. You form your own crew with the skills and personality to discover legendary treasures, while exploring randomized locations and stories on every new adventure.

Steam page ↗OpenCritic ↗Metacritic 72 · users 7 ↗
85
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence
86%
At launch
92%
Steam all-time
76%
Press
70%
Player sentiment
100%
Recent sentiment

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.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)–764
All-time Steam reviews92%861000
Metacritic user ratings–724
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)100%974
Calibration prior (typical game)–7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 10 reviews sampled · 9 total reviews in window · weighted 6.4 up / 0 down · computed 16m ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (13)

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.

  • 85
    GameWatcherGameWatcher
    trust 69Sep 2, 2015

    “So whether you're off finding lost forgotten celtic artefacts in the Scottish Highlands, delving deep into ancient Egyptian tombs, or scaling the heady heights of Shangri-La, it's clear that Renowned Explorers has a lot to offer. While in truth, it's possible that some might tire of its regimented systems and board game esque beats, the fact remains that Renowned Explorers still stands as one of the best surprises of the year so far that wannabe adventurers of any age can enjoy.”

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    Gamers FTWGamers FTW
    trust 61Sep 15, 2015

    “Renowned Explorers: International Society is a brilliant adventure with the feel of an RPG. With plenty of characters to choose from, each with their own abilities, each play is different and intriguing. Also, with so many places to explore as well as upgrades and combinations it is difficult to exhaust all the features. It is a wonderfully put together game with hours of fun to be had from it.”

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    TotalBiscuit, The Cynical BritTotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit
    trust 60CreatorOct 24, 2015
    read full review ↗
  • 60
    DestructoidDestructoid
    trust 59Nov 20, 2015

    “I'm not chomping at the bit to keep playing, but I am curious to delve deeper. Different combinations of explorers can beget different tactics both in and out of battle. That thought alone is enough to keep me from uninstalling it.”

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    Pixel DynamoPixel Dynamo
    trust 58Sep 17, 2015

    “A fun take on the strategy genre which favours being played over and over again.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    GameSpaceGameSpace
    trust 58May 23, 2017

    “The game has a lot of complexity but thankfully has a wonderful, mostly text-based, tutorial system which sprinkles in some actual in-game play. It’s a nice system to introduce you to, and walk you through, the rather complex game elements. The game is a unique turn-based tactical RPG that will initially require some trial and error as well an upfront time investment, including potentially starting over early, to learn the mechanics but it’s an exploration worth pursuing!”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    TwinfiniteTwinfinite
    trust 54Oct 14, 2015

    “With its mix of board game and RPG mechanics, there's a little something for everyone, and if you've found yourself wondering where the idea of games being made just for fun has gone, look no further. It's an easy recommendation for anyone who'd like some relaxing, enjoyable game time.”

    read full review ↗
  • 84
    VGProfessionalVGProfessional
    trust 53May 10, 2017

    “Renowned Explorers: More to Explore! is a game that strategy table-top lovers will certainly enjoy, and its simple mechanics hide a deep, intricate system of progress that pushes you to really think things through. Its light humor and likeable cast of rogues is a great bonus.”

    read full review ↗
  • 65
    Everyeye.itEveryeye.it
    trust 53Jul 1, 2017

    “Renowned Explorer is a pretty original experience, with various features which allow us to customize our personal adventure. It's a pity that the game offers a lot of boring and redundant situations to the player.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    ShacknewsShacknews
    trust 53Sep 3, 2015

    “Shacknews travels the world with Renowned Explorers: International Society, the adventure strategy game that requires intelligence along with might in order to succeed. See what it takes to become the best explorer in the world in our review.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    SpaziogamesSpaziogames
    trust 52May 7, 2017

    “Renowned Explorers: International Society was a fun and challenging experience, but with few contents. The Emperor's Challenge adds what the players want, but maybe it is not enough to start a new expedition.”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    God is a GeekGod is a Geek
    trust 49Oct 28, 2015

    “A charming and unique turn-based adventure that hides an intricate battle system behind all the whimsy.”

    read full review ↗

…and 1 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Patch notes for build 525 on April 23rd, 2021
    Apr 23, 2021
  2. Patch 26: Reus' Birthday
    May 16, 2018
  3. Patch 25: Family Matters
    Oct 10, 2017
  4. Patch 25: Family Matters
    Oct 10, 2017
  5. Patch: Epic Items and more free content as Community Reward
    May 18, 2017
  6. Patch: Epic Items and more free content as Community Reward
    May 18, 2017
  7. Out now: The Emperor's Challenge DLC + Transylvania content
    May 10, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  8. Patch #22 adds Insight Limit. 75% off Daily Deal!
    Feb 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  9. Patch #22 adds Insight Limit. 75% off Daily Deal!
    Feb 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  10. Patch 21: Sydney Sale
    Nov 30, 2016
  11. Patch 21: Sydney Sale
    Nov 30, 2016
  12. Anniversary Update, Midweek Madness & Livestream
    Aug 30, 2016
  13. Anniversary Update, Midweek Madness & Livestream
    Aug 30, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  14. Patch #18: Shangri-Love and more.
    Jul 19, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  15. Patch #18: Shangri-Love and more.
    Jul 19, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  16. Patch #17: Community Unlocked New Cities and Stories
    Jun 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  17. Patch #17: Community Unlocked New Cities and Stories
    Jun 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  18. First expansion, More To Explore, released!
    May 31, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  19. Patch #15: New Entourage, Ivan, Balance & Fixes
    May 18, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  20. Patch #15: New Entourage, Ivan, Balance & Fixes
    May 18, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  21. Patch #14 & Live-stream
    Apr 14, 2016
  22. Patch #14 & Live-stream
    Apr 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  23. Patch #13: New Main Menu & Decreased Memory Usage
    Mar 29, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  24. Patch #13: New Main Menu & Decreased Memory Usage
    Mar 29, 2016
  25. Patch #12: Balance, Fixes & Highlands adventure
    Jan 20, 2016significant · resets scoring window
  26. Patch #12: Balance, Fixes & Highlands adventure
    Jan 20, 2016
  27. Patch #11 & Expansion Announced!
    Dec 17, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  28. Patch #11 & Expansion Announced!
    Dec 17, 2015
  29. Patch #10: New Research, Pedrinho, Supplies, Twitch
    Dec 9, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  30. Patch #10: New Research, Pedrinho, Supplies, Twitch
    Dec 9, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  31. More Personality with the Speech Icon Pack
    Nov 29, 2015
  32. More Personality with the Speech Icon Pack
    Nov 29, 2015
  33. Patch #9, Thanksgiving and Diplomacy for Dummies
    Nov 26, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  34. Patch #9, Thanksgiving and Diplomacy for Dummies
    Nov 26, 2015
  35. Patch #8: A new challenge for Kwame, Molly and Bia
    Nov 13, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  36. Patch #8: A new challenge for Kwame, Molly and Bia
    Nov 13, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  37. Halloween Explorers: International Investigation
    Oct 29, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  38. Now available! Mali Mystery free DLC & Leaderboards
    Oct 20, 2015significant · resets scoring window
  39. Patch #5: Highlands, Egypt, Items
    Oct 8, 2015
  40. Patch #5: Highlands, Egypt, Items
    Oct 8, 2015

…and 4 earlier patch announcements.