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MINOS

MINOS

Artificer · released Apr 9, 2026

ActionAdventureRPGSimulationStrategy

Minos is a maze-building roguelite where you, the fabled Minotaur, must defend your sanctuary from bloodthirsty adventurers. Design and re-design deadly labyrinths, set traps, and turn every brave fool into your next victim.

81
VGC Score
Stablemedium confidence

anchored at patch: “Patch 1.1.1 is live now!” (1mo ago)

82%
At launch
89%
Steam all-time
82%
Press
84%
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)8252
All-time Steam reviews89%83299
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)84%7832
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 30, 2026) · 32 reviews sampled · 31 total reviews in window · weighted 22.9 up / 4.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (26)

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
    trust 87Apr 9, 2026

    MINOS is a masterclass in genre-blending. Artificer has successfully combined the strategic foresight of a puzzle game with the chaotic, trap-springing joy of a classic tower defense, all wrapped in a highly addictive roguelite shell. While the UI needs a few quality-of-life updates to improve visual clarity, and the Dismantler enemies can feel a bit cheap when the RNG turns against you, the core foundation here is exceptionally strong. If you have ever wanted to play the villain and design the ultimate dungeon of doom, MINOS is easily one of the best strategy games of 2026.

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    trust 77Jun 13, 2026

    Artificer’s latest game invites us to become architects of pain in a roguelike that feels like a distant relative of the Deception series but is inspired by Greek mythology. It’s a game that respects our analytical intelligence and mercilessly punishes recklessness or inattention. An irresistible invitation for anyone with enough patience to embrace their own inner darkness, weave a deadly web, and claim, with all the pride in the world, the throne of steel and blood in their own personal hell.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 71Apr 13, 2026

    Minos is one labyrinth of a strategy title you won't mind getting lost in; assuming that's your cup of Greek tea, of course. [...] It's a thinking man's roguelite, for better or worse, and your mileage may vary.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 71May 7, 2026

    MINOS feels like a mythological trap-building fever dream, turning roguelite progression and spatial puzzle design into something clever, stylish, and dangerously addictive. Its labyrinth could use more visual variety, and the balance loses some bite near the end, but the core idea is bold enough to make it stand out.

    read full review ↗
  • 78
    trust 70Jun 15, 2026

    MINOS is especially worthwhile for those who enjoy games focused on strategy, space puzzles, tower defense, and more cerebral roguelikes. It's not a game for switching your brain off.

    read full review ↗
  • 75
    trust 69Apr 9, 2026

    Minos has that certain something that keeps you wanting to tackle one more maze. You’re either eager to learn more about Asterion and Daedalus, or to discover what new weapons might help you defeat the enemies. The depth isn’t limitless, but it’s up to you to find the best combinations to keep the fun going. It’s surprising to see how Devolver Digital always manages to unearth hidden gems among developers. Artificer and its game Minos are now part of the lineup.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 68Apr 9, 2026

    Minos is a clever, satisfying trap-laying game dressed in Greek mythology and held together by strong mechanics and just enough depth to keep you hooked across multiple runs.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 66Apr 10, 2026

    Minos is another excellent and entertaining gameplay-focused experience from the underrated developer Artificer. Crafting deadly labyrinths to make waves upon waves of human meat victims feels truly devious, thanks to the diverse set of traps and creative building abilities you can experiment with. Though I don’t quite think every piece of the pie works, it’s a winning formula in the form of a well-designed roguelike experience that I can’t exactly turn my nose up at either. Besides, how many other games let you feel like your own ancient Greek version of Jigsaw, crafting mazes and escape room hellscapes of death and torture? Not bloody many.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 66Apr 9, 2026

    Minos is an excellent PC roguelite with a strong story and deep maze-building gameplay. The presentation is also a major strength, with an overhead view that keeps the labyrinth clear and brutal trap effects that make every successful setup satisfying to watch. This is a great pick for tower defense fans who want something clever, bloody, and different.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 65Apr 19, 2026

    There's a satisfying strategy to Minos, as you lay out your maze, set your traps, and lie in wait for foolhardy adventuring parties. It's not as endlessly compelling as the best roguelikes, but you can easily lose hours within the labyrinth.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 64Apr 10, 2026

    Minos is, in many ways, a simple game of defence. But underneath the surface lies a complex and lively network, with a lot of fun to be had. It is simple, not out of limitations, but to draw focus to the important parts.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 62Apr 27, 2026

    MINOS lets you construct your own perfect Heath Robinson/Rube Goldberg murder machine.

    read full review ↗

…and 14 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Patch 1.1.1 is live now!
    Jul 30, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  2. Patch 1.1 is live now!
    Jun 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  3. Patch 1.1 Beta available now! Check it out!
    May 21, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  4. Patch 1.0.1 released
    Apr 14, 2026significant · resets scoring window