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) | – | 68 | 45 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 48 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 88 | 43 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 8, 2026) · 34 reviews sampled · 43 total reviews in window · weighted 27.4 up / 1.9 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (24)
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.
- 75
“DAMON and BABY represents a successful experiment: a chaotic and original action game with a strong narrative bond and unique style, but with imprecise controls, weak melee combat, and some readability issues.”
read full review ↗ - 48
“Damon and Baby is a risky and interesting proposition for Arc System Works, but honestly, the game doesn't quite live up to the hype presented here. While the game is fun at the beginning, the systems and gameplay loops become tedious and waste all the potential they could have explored.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Damon and Baby is a great game if you are looking for a boss rush with a side of story and exploration. The movement feels good, and the art style summons the feelings of old-school 3D platformers. A good pick-up for those who love boss fights that offer a challenge.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Fighting game legend Daisuke Ishiwatari has made his debut in the top-down shooter adventure genre. While clunky enemy AI, hitbox issues, and lackluster sound are disappointing, the game successfully blends top-down shooting with the deep exploration of classic JRPGs and the fun of platformer adventures. I look forward to seeing further improvements through the announced update roadmap.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Damon and Baby has some solid qualities, such as its core gameplay and narrative/setting, but its repetitiveness and confusing map design hold it back from reaching its full potential. I think a couple of additional mechanics and a couple of gameplay tweaks would go a long way for this one, as what’s there is decent, but could be better.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“While I admire what Daisuke Ishiwatari and his team set out to achieve with DAMON and BABY, the resulting work is weighed down heavily by poorly designed levels and unsatisfying combat. There are fleeting moments of charm to be found within its story and cute art style, but they are just as quickly diminished by a myriad of mechanics that fail to cohesively coalesce.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Damon and Baby is a game which is just sort of fine. It can be fun to play, but it just feels a bit repetitive most of the time, and neither the combat nor the story are engaging enough to really keep you locked in. I don't think it's a bad game, per say, but I do think it can be a bit dull, and that's just as bad a lot of the time.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Damon and Baby is a game designed to pave the way for Arc System Works to explore uncharted territory. It’s a project that takes the team out of its comfort zone, intended to provide valuable experience and, from there, serve as a guide for developing new games. I find it interesting that Daisuke Ishiwatari isn’t confined to a single genre and is opening up new avenues for the company. Unfortunately, this new venture has encountered many setbacks.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 70
“Damon and Baby is a fun, unique, and criminally underappreciated new title. While the game could improve in some areas and the mechanics are a bit simple, the game shines for its excellent characters and is a solid, fun experience. Damon and Baby certainly deserves more attention than it is getting, and will likely to be remembered as a cult favorite.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“DAMON and BABY is a game that starts well, intrigues and entertains, but ends up getting lost along the way. It's not a total failure, but not a complete success either, but it's still curious.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Damon and Baby is a good little game quite nervous to the multitude of different enemies that you should not take as a Die & Retry. Here to die is to return to the title screen (which is a little tedious) and start again at its last backup. The characters are endearing, and the gameplay nice even if it could have been a little more fluid and nervous. Still the problems of cameras or hitboxes that, however, can not spoil a nice journey.”
read full review ↗
Gamesource Italia
Manual dos Games
Minimap
INVEN
MonsterVine
Gamer Social Club
TheSixthAxis
Niche Gamer
Try Hard Guides
CrazyGameCommunity.it
TryAGame!…and 12 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- [Ver. 2.00] Update AvailableJun 24, 2026
- [Ver. 1.06] Patch NotesMay 14, 2026
- [Ver. 1.05] Patch NotesApr 17, 2026
- Bug Fix NoticeApr 9, 2026
- [Ver. 1.04] Patch NotesApr 8, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Upcoming Update Ver. 1.04 (April)Mar 28, 2026
- 📢 Demo Version Now Available!Mar 19, 2026
- Patch Notes: Demo [Ver. 1.03]Feb 27, 2026
- Patch Notes: Demo [Ver. 1.02]Feb 25, 2026
- Patch Notes: Demo [Ver. 1.01]Feb 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window