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) | – | 72 | 18 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 83% | 77 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 65 | 6 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 79 | 11 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 31 reviews sampled · 19 total reviews in window · weighted 18.1 up / 3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (66)
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.
- 80
“Portal Knights has been designed in such a way that encourages co-operative play; sharing the fun of exploring the worlds and discovering new things together is undoubtedly one of the game's largest selling points. If you would rather play the game alone, though, there is nothing stopping you from doing so and you'll still find that there is an enjoyable adventure to be had (albeit with a slightly different focus on how to go about completing tasks).Sitting somewhere between the Minecraft-type gameplay of building and exploring, and the RPG-like features of crafting, battling, and upgrading your character's skills and abilities, Portal Knights feels like it would most suit families, friends or even distant friends online, who wish to explore either of these genres of gaming together in a sometimes challenging - but usually charming - package.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“...this is the first to commit the most cardinal sin of gaming: I was bored to tears. The game several hours in is fundamentally the same as the game five minutes in, and there’s not even the spectacle of new discovery to entice me onward.”
read full review ↗ - 74
“Accessible, and with both online and offline co-op options, Portal Knights ends up being a little bit boring after several gameplay hours. Its visuals and RPG aspects are enough to avoid being called 'Minecraft clone', although there aren't that much innovations in this particular subgenre. Its combat mechanics are quite monotone, although it focus on developing our character and not our buildings, which is always interesting. ”
read full review ↗ - 60
“While it starts on a refreshing feeling that mixes Minecraft with an RPG, it eventually wears out the welcome and becomes a game that I beat, but I could have given up halfway through.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall Portal Knights is a game that gets far more right than wrong and, truth be told, I actually think its more active combat and RPG progression (among other things) make it more fun than the games that helped inspire it. There are some sacrifices that come with those differences, but this feels more like an adventure most of the time instead of just strictly a sandbox. If you’re grown accustomed to a vast online infrastructure you’ll likely be disappointed but playing with some friends is still satisfying and works well. In particular if you’re looking for a game to play with the family where everyone can have some fun I think Portal Knights may be among your best choices on the Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Unlike most Minecraft clones, Portal Knights delivers an experience wholly its own and for the most part it succeeds. Playing through the main story is a highly enjoyable experience and for those who are looking for a new sandbox to build in. The home worlds allow the freedom to craft to your heart's content. It's even better with friends, too. The inclusion of co-op was a very wise choice and gives yet another element to elevate it above its competitors.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Portal Knights brings some interesting new wrinkles to the crafting genre that has become so popular recently. The increased focus on combat works well, particularly with the boss battles and having a clearly defined end goal is a great way of keeping you invested. Unfortunately, some of the other additions like the poorly thought out stats system and the reliance on random drops for creating crucial portals keeps the game from ever fully achieving knighthood.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“There are hours of content in this game and it could be a while before I put this down. From the ease of combat, to the colorful worlds, all the way down to the gameplay loop of finding new portals, it's no wonder that you can see a whole day go by without even knowing it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Portal Knights certainly takes inspiration from Minecraft, but does enough different to stand on its own. It's procedurally generated environments and visuals impress the most, which make for a nice laid-back adventure.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Regular readers of our site know what a tremendous fan I was of Dragon Quest Builders. It was Dragon Quest with the best parts of being able to build through an open concept voxel world. Portal Knights is exactly this in concept, though it shifts points of emphasis. Here we have less story, more combat, and the ability to share in the fun with others.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I really enjoyed Portal Knights finding it to be a relaxing and refreshing take on the crafting style of game that is incredibly popular at the current time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Portal Knights is a great mix of ideas, a sandbox and role playing hybrid that gives his best during the multiplayer sessions. A brilliant Minecraft relative, with a simple role playing system that will ensure many hours of play to lovers of the sandbox genre.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Gamer Escape
Kinglink Reviews
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Chalgyr's Game Room
Gamerheadquarters
Eurogamer…and 54 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Stability Update 1.6.3 OUT NOWAug 20, 2019
- Elves, Rogues, and Rifts Premium DLC & FREE Questing Update Launching Today!Jun 27, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Coming Soon to the Questing Update - Quest LogJun 19, 2019
- Free Questing Update - The Mage's GuildJun 18, 2019
- A FREE Update and a DLC Expansion is Coming!Jun 11, 2019
- Little update on this week's free gift...Apr 25, 2019
- Update v 1.5.3 OUT NOWOct 22, 2018
- Steam Hotfix 1.5.2 OUT NOWAug 31, 2018
- OUT NOW - The Villainous Update (v 1.5.1)Aug 30, 2018significant · resets scoring window