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) | – | 54 | 5 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 300 |
| 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 · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0.8 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
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.
- 63
“This was a weird one for me, bringing back all sorts of memories with it's retro graphic presentation, it's overall simplicity, and its very oddball sense of humor...”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Overall Pixel Heroes: Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic is an interesting game. It brings a very familiar concept to the table and then randomises its attributes until it becomes something different, a less generic RPG with significantly increased difficulty. Its sense of humour, and fun systems and visuals make it well worth picking up for anyone in the market for a turn based RPG, or those who enjoy a bit of traditional tabletop dungeon crawling. For most, the jokes will mostly hit and will stave off the boredom factor, but for those that don't like referential humour, maybe steer clear of this title.”
read full review ↗ - 45
“Pixel Heroes: Byte and Magic simply decides when it's your time to die and doesn't equip you with enough tools for a fair fight. The combat is not strategic enough to justify the difficulty. The characters fleeting charm doesn't justify the headache.”
read full review ↗ - 35
“Ultimately, the bland, dreary combat sinks the entirety of the experience and it's with a heavy heart that I must warn you to avoid this title if you have any choice in the matter. Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic is a swing and a woeful miss.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic that will present players with a considerable challenge, especially for trophy hunters. I really dig the game's graphics, and sound and its writing and humor gave me a chuckle here and there as well. If you're into old-school styled games then you should dive into Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic!”
read full review ↗ - 30
“Random but ridiculously repetitive, this deadly dull dungeon hack gives little reason to recommend it.”
read full review ↗ - 66
“Pixel Heroes excels at emulating the classic RPG formula from the 80's and 90's, albeit with a cool rogue-like twist. It certainly has some flaws and it's touchscreen mobile roots become more apparent the longer you play. However, those with a love for past games of this type will benefit most from what it has to offer. So finish that frothy mug of ale and get adventuring!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The shoddy UI, lack of a "stash" feature, and general lack of polish hold it back from being a resounding recommendation, but those who look back fondly on the realms of Alefgard and Corneria should definitely check it out.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“Pixel Heroes is a game of luck. It depends on our luck who we can hire, where we venture, what we get. It takes away significance of all the choices we make. This simple 2D RPG was really close to hit the mark, but missed by a mile.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic has a lot going for it at first with clever humor and many intriguing RPG, rogue-like systems in place, but the archaic design and multitude of navigation problems mar the overall experience. The Bitfather definitely had their heart in the right place creating this title, and it can be seen in the retro call-backs to many fantasy stalwarts. However, no amount of nostalgia can cover up the glaring control issues and dull, dreary combat present in the final product.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic is a solid distillation of a lot of the appeal of classic computer and tabletop RPGs, stripped of a lot of the rust that can make the old classics hard to play these days.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Pixel Heroes: Byte and Magic is a fun and challenging is a fun and challenging old-school styled RPG on PlayStation 4 with a lot of quests to complete and plenty of fun to be had. Due to the game's nature, this one certainly is not for all gamers as it is aimed at a more hardcore crowd. But if you're looking for a meaty RPG that will test your skills in full, and in which when your party dies you are forced to start all over with a new group, then be sure to check out Pixel Heroes: Byte and Magic.”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
ZTGD
GameGrin
PS3Blog.net
GameSpew
Real Game Media
TrueAchievements
Pixelophobia
DualShockers
Games Xtreme
PS4Blog.net…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update Version 1.365 is live!Oct 17, 2015
- Update Version 1.365 is live!Oct 17, 2015
- Update Version 1.361 is live!Aug 19, 2015
- Update Version 1.361 is live!Aug 19, 2015
- Update Version 1.328 with new achievements!Feb 26, 2015
- Update Version 1.328 with new achievements!Feb 26, 2015
- Update Version 1.320 is live!Feb 18, 2015
- Update Version 1.320 is live!Feb 18, 2015
- Update Version 1.315 is live!Feb 14, 2015
- Update Version 1.315 is live!Feb 14, 2015
- First update / Erstes UpdateFeb 9, 2015
- First update / Erstes UpdateFeb 9, 2015