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) | – | 68 | 33 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 81% | 75 | 275 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 80 | 266 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 17, 2025) · 266 reviews sampled · 254 total reviews in window · weighted 199.9 up / 32.6 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (24)
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.
- 50
“The sins of Chains of Freedom are on a completely different plane: its ending is not a reward, but a long-awaited release from the monotony of life. And the further you progress, the more tedious and lengthy the endless battles become.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Chains of Freedom is a great addition to the genre of turn-based tactical strategy games, in which you lead your unit members on a journey of adventure. The entertaining turn-based combat system offers tried-and-true elements that will satisfy fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“Chains of Freedom is a well-rounded tactical-RPG, sporting an excellent turn-based combat system and a surprisingly good story that only shows some hiccups nearing the end of the game. The level of difficulty is quite high, mainly because of the resource management necessary to even reach the later stages, bringing depth and a rising sense of tension to the whole experience.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The main problem with Chains of Freedom is that it never stakes its own claim. It doesn’t carve out territory that feels unique and often feels more like an imitator of other games than something with its own personality. While the core mechanics are largely serviceable, without a unique angle, there are far greater entries in the turn-based tactics genre to spend your time with. Ultimately, the predictable narrative delivered by dull characters and the repetitive combat make this a difficult recommendation for all but the most die-hard fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Not all Xcom-like games have to be the same, as shown by Chains of Freedom, a post-apocalyptic strategy game with a strong focus on story. It's a shame that the second half of the game is weaker.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Chains Of Freedom promises a lot both mechanically and narratively, but fails to deliver. Functional, but not exactly fun - there are better options out there for getting your tactical RPG fix.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Chains of Freedom probably isn't going to interest anybody other than big fans of the XCOM-like tactical genre. If you are that person, the combat here is good enough to keep you going until the end, but there's a fairly narrow window of appeal.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Chains of Freedom is a turn-based action game with incredible art and good storytelling, but its gameplay may be too familiar, missing opportunities to make its combat more exciting or original.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Chains of Freedom features a post-apocalyptic world with potential, but its weak plot and bland characters fail to make the story compelling. While crafting items from gathered materials adds some strategic depth, exploration is linear and the environments are unremarkable. The turn-based combat stands out thanks to diverse abilities and unlockable skills using bio-crystals. Unfortunately, poor enemy AI, frustrating pathfinding, and drawn-out battles hurt the overall pacing and enjoyment.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A captivating dystopian turn-based tactical experience on PS5”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Chains of Freedom combines Classic mechanic for turn-based tactical with a solid story to delivers a pleasant game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Nordcurrent’s Chains of Freedom isn’t an outstanding turn-based tactics game for me, but some of its core systems are genuinely good and, depending on your personal tastes, it might be one you will greatly enjoy.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
Gaming Professors
Gamesource Italia
Checkpoint Gaming
SECTOR.sk
GameLuster
TheSixthAxis
Try Hard Guides
Gameliner
PS3Blog.net
IGN…and 12 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Chains of Freedom – Update #1.0.3Jun 17, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Chains of Freedom – Small Patch (April 23, 2025)Apr 23, 2025