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) | – | 78 | 14 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 85 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 73% | 69 | 276 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 2 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.4 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (46)
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.
- 56
“There are moments of absolute joy to be found here, like leading a group of foes into the lair of a beast that will devour them or even juking over an enemy combatant and firing a missile up their exhaust, but they're rare instances, buried deep in the heart of a frustrating grind that doesn't do much to separate itself from the legion of rogue-likes out there. Sadly, in the end Galak-Z is yet another would-be great game undone by a ho-hum execution of ideas that must have sounded great on paper.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While it does occasionally get repetitive, the solid play mechanics and constantly evolving challenge is just reward for those that persevere with it. Plus (and this can't be stressed enough)... it has a ship that transforms into a giant mech.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With perfectly weighted physics that feel nice on the thumbs, tactical combat that allows you to deal with any situation in a number of ways, and a soundtrack that's catchy and euphoric, Galak-Z is one helluva ride. Though the framerate can detract from the experience at times, it makes up for its one notable shortcoming with charm, nostalgia, and by bombarding you with joy.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Galak-Z does everything it tries to do exceedingly well, but it unfortunately tried very hard to be one of the most challenging shooters out there.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Galak-Z falls just shy of genius. That it quickly reveals itself to be a demanding game is no surprise considering its lead designer's heritage (Jake Kazdal worked at Sega on exquisite yet challenging titles such as Rez) and the source material from which it draws inspiration.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Galak-Z is a brutal, demanding, and ultimately rewarding 2D shooter.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you can get over that though, there's a great game to be found here. It's visually pleasing, the audio is top-notch, the writing is good, and outside of a few technical hiccups here and there, it performs pretty well. It's not for the faint of heart, but Galak-Z offers enough depth and fun that it will likely keep you coming back, even after you've died for the hundredth time.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I'm sure more casual players will still be deterred from taking the plunge, but any fan of roguelikes need not look any longer for their next fix. Galak-Z has style, and it's got it in spades. ”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Challenging but immaculately calibrated controls power an exciting and enormously rewarding sci-fi roguelike.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Galak-Z is a fun take on the rouge like, and as punishing as they come. Maybe you like that, maybe you don't. Stick with in and Galak-Z will reward you, but it sure isn't going to make it easy.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With your shields down and only one bar of health remaining, Galak-Z really puts you on the edge of your seat as you frantically engage your thrusters to try and escape the next enemy attack”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Though GALAK-Z's roguelike elements are fairly basic and stripped down, they do succeed in adding extra layers of challenge and replayability to an excellent space shooter. Progressively mastering its wonderful controls and unlocking new upgrades had me totally hooked, and even though its idea of mission variety is something of an illusion, its smart, playful personality kept me too entertained to care.”
read full review ↗
Paste Magazine
Cubed3
Push Square
The Escapist
Eurogamer
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
We Got This Covered
PC Gamer
GamingBolt
GameSpew
IGN…and 34 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch v1.01.03 is now live!May 23, 2016
- Patch v1.01.03 is now live!May 23, 2016
- Patch Notes - v1.00.02 (843456)Nov 3, 2015
- Patch Notes - v1.00.02 (843456)Nov 3, 2015
- Patch Notes - v1.00.01 (837269)Oct 29, 2015
- Patch Notes - v1.00.01 (837269)Oct 29, 2015