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) | – | 67 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 73% | 69 | 193 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 0% | 15 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0.7 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (21)
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 voice recognition control scheme is extremely engrossing...but only when it works, with the alternative being an aggravating contextual menu-based system that requires the mouse. The action can be fun…but it mostly feels so hand-holding and tedious that it's like working instead of playing. The only thing of value here is, undoubtedly, the story…but the whole adventure ends so fast that it's impossible to feel any connection to this otherwise well-thought-out sci-fi universe.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“There Came an Echo feels like more of a proof of concept than an actual game. The voice control does work well if you have the right headset, but it only goes so far in making up for the dreary gameplay on offer. And while the story is serviceable enough and the graphics are eye-catching, they don't do enough to turn this into a compelling game. If the idea of controlling a title using only your voice really does excite you then this may be worth a look, but if not, consider commanding yourself to buy a different game.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“There Came An Echo is more of a proof of concept than a real game. There's a basis for a strong game here, but it really needs to get fleshed out. It's a great proof of concept and an enjoyable experience, but it breaks just too often to be worth playing. Some of the title's weaknesses are the simple gameplay, awkward and fidgety mechanics, and voice orders being too inconsistent to feel natural. The short main story also means it's tough to recommend, despite being an interesting experience. If you're willing to work past some hurdles, there's a fair bit to like here, but it's probably best to wait for a sale.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“For now it's a game with a lot to offer, though mostly for players willing to meet its ambitions halfway. I can't help feeling that we'll see this speech mechanic refined and put to even better use somewhere down the line.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Although stripped down, the gameplay that is present is still generally competent and works with the given technology. However, the level design can only be referred to as disappointing, consisting of layouts that are generally dumbed-down when compared to its RTS companions. Passion was clearly put into this project, but the sum of its parts is better on paper than it was in execution.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“In this strategy game where you command real-time tactical battles entirely with your voice, the greatest threat is the voice recognition system itself.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A unique control scheme that was put a great deal of care to do correctly, shame the game it very short and a little bit simplistic in a few ways or it could have been excellent.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“'There Came an Echo' is a must buy for everyone who loves Sci-Fi or strategy games. Iridium Studio's decision to place voice commands at the core of all aspects of the game provides a uniquely enjoyable experience that is complimented by a thought-provoking storyline and fantastic soundtrack. If there is going to be a 'There Came an Echo 2' sign me up and take my money now because I am already sold.”
read full review ↗ - 100
- 70
“I would recommend getting There Came An Echo if you're looking for a different strategy game, with some light flaws. While it may not be as commending to other players unfamiliar with the genre, it's still a great title where it fits, and I'd like to see more potential from where it came from, in the form of a sequel, spin-off, or new IP.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The proof of concept is here, and I would certainly look forward to a hypothetical There Came an Echo 2 if it were announced. The groundwork has been laid, and with more content and finer polish it could be great. But knowing Iridium, the studio's next project will be something completely different, taking its science fiction stories into another unusual genre mashup.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The game creates a dynamicity of feelings within the player. From being calm and cool-headed to frantic and panicky. There's really no end to what you need to be in order to beat this game. Whether you're in the offense or in the defense side of it, the possibilities on how to approach There Came an Echo is endless.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameGrin
GameSpot
TechRaptor
Gamers FTW
TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit
The Cube
Destructoid
Sirus Gaming…and 9 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Japanese Support Now Available!Mar 30, 2015
- Portuguese, Korean, and Russian support addedMar 27, 2015
- Spanish, German, Italian, French now supportedMar 17, 2015
- Patch 1.0.5 NotesMar 9, 2015
- Patch 1.0.5 NotesMar 9, 2015
- Patch 1.0.3 NotesFeb 28, 2015significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.3 NotesFeb 28, 2015significant · resets scoring window