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 | 4 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 83% | 77 | 210 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (19)
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
“[I]t's disappointing that Penarium feels so fatigued and repetitious by the third and final act, especially since it's scarcely even a two-hour game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Penarium is one of the best arcade-style games we've played this console generation. The campaign doesn't last all that long, and more multiplayer options would've been appreciated, but all in all, there's a healthy amount of content for the price. If fast-paced gameplay and high-score chasing are your thing, we suggest planning a trip to this sadistic carnival. Just don't be surprised if you end up imprisoned, losing hours upon hours of your life to the addictive chaos.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A trip to the psycho circus is far more enjoyable than it might first appear. Penarium is an excellent game that delivers quality fun with or without friends. The graphics and story are a perfect platform to deliver this unique platformer to the masses. The pacing works well to move players through the game's grinding levels to the beat of a perfect soundtrack. Players who enjoy this type of game will find gold here, and players even remotely interested should dive in without fear.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Penarium is a great title that channels that addictive nature of "just one more" in its game play. It is just challenging enough to keep me coming back, and forgiving enough to annoy me at times.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Overall the game is comfortable to play, enjoyable, and it's easy to pick up but hard to put down.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It's simple and repetitive, sure, but it's also hugely enjoyable and grossly addictive”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It’s a sadistic thrill ride that dies down way too quickly, and unfortunately, I don’t see myself going back and playing it again anytime soon.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The game is difficult, but I haven't found myself so lovingly furious with a game since Spelunky. It works well within the scope of its own mechanics to create a game that stays consistently challenging, without ever feeling truly impossible.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A simple thing like a shield pick up could have made this game more accessible to a larger audience. Forgoing that, just a checkpoint when you’ve completed a task so you don’t have to repeat them all every time you die as it gets monotonous. If you can get past that and have the skills and patience required then this is a great game for those looking for that next seemingly impossible challenge.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A uniquely difficult and well-developed game, made purely for the challenge and therefore probably not for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The gameplay is wonderful, the music is whimsical, and the story (so far) is very entertaining. If you're looking for a great challenge presented in a unique way, then run off and join the Penarium circus.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Penarium has the potential of being one of those games that you can get addicted to, but where it excels most is also its downfall. The rewards that you achieve is minuscule compared to all the deaths that you have to endure.”
read full review ↗
Slant Magazine
Pure Xbox
GameWatcher
ZTGD
ThisGenGaming
GameSpew
Destructoid
Marooners' Rock
SelectButton…and 7 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.