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) | – | 70 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 80% | 74 | 54 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (17)
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.
- 70
“It's not been the smoothest of journeys to release for Dimension Drive, and nor will yours be through its initial twelve stage campaign, but it is a polished and engaging shooter that asks more of each player. This is definitely not a 'turn your brain off at the door' kind of bullet hell experience, but it's worthy of the effort. Failure will be frequent, and frustratingly so in the early stages, but it's not cheap and beating a section or level never feels unattainable. There is a specific type of coordination required that will take time to perfect, and for some it might overwhelm, but Dimension Drive is a game that can be as rewarding as it is demanding.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Overall Dimension Drive isn’t a bad game but its split focus on shooting, precision maneuvering, and to a degree solving puzzles puts it at risk for being a jack of all trades but master of none. When the shooting intensity steps up the focus on shifting settles more into the background and then it can sometimes get into a nice groove but, overall, the game seems determined to keep you shifting. Between the element of challenge and it being split down the middle in terms of its genre focus I’d consider it more of an acquired taste but probably compelling for the right audience.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The concept of Dimension Drive offers a unique style of gameplay that would melt most brains with the frantic on-screen action, particularly as players have to navigate two different set of maps at the same time on the same screen. From the outset, this particular feature will overwhelm many who aren't familiar with shoot 'em ups, yet with dedication and time, Dimension Drive can offer a gratifying experience once the powers and abilities have all been mastered. The short length of Dimension Drive is a downside as some will breeze through the earlier stages and whilst there is a challenge in the latter levels the average gamer will be left feeling slightly short changed.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Dimension Drive takes a commonly held problem in vertical shooters on home consoles, and turns it into a fun gameplay mechanic. It takes a fair amount of getting use to, and at times it becomes evident that there is definitely some room for improvement. In general however Dimension Drive offers some fun twists that fans of the genre will absolutely want to try out.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Dimension Drive does not go easy on anyone and its feature gameplay mechanic will multiply the woes of any player. If those well versed in 2D shooters will quickly grab it and hike up the difficulty level, those with less experience will beg for mercy and feel less of a bond with this game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Dimension Drive takes an interesting concept and implements it well to separate itself from the many other shooters out there. The split gameplay mechanics may be a bit too much for the majority of the casual market, but anyone with a bit of thirst for a challenge could quite easily get to grips with its structure. It feels a bit like a fast-moving Tetris run at times, creating a somewhat puzzle element within its core when swapping between screens in the more maze-like sections of the game. It's also very well priced for what it is, and more importantly, it plays considerably well as a portable time killer.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Dimension Drive is a intense scrolling shooter, where you switch dimensions between two screens to avoid (or in my cas,e crash into) enemies. It's well made, appealing and incredibly challenging and if SHMUP games are for you, then it's well worth checking out Dimension Drive @ XBOX.COM”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall really I liked the gameplay mechanics of Dimension Drive. It is clear that a lot of love, care and attention went into the game, and the game looks and feels like a project that took way more money to develop than the Kickstarter funding the studio secured.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Dimension Drive is a fantastic addition to the Shoot-em-up genre and the Dimension swapping mechanic is implemented incredibly well into the game, just don't expect an easy ride.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“Dimension Drive is a breath of fresh air for a genre as exploited as the classic arcade shoot'em up.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“All in all, I enjoyed my time with Dimension Drive. It took me 6 and 1/2 hours to beat all 13 levels, which is pretty good for a SHMUP. What’s nice is after you beat the game, you unlock Mirror Mode, which when combined with the Data Cubes, offers solid replayability. For $12.99, you get a pretty great adventure in Dimension Drive. I’m happy to finally play the polished end result of 2Awesome Studio’s hard work. They’ve managed to offer some innovation in a genre that typically rests on its laurels. While the game isn’t perfect, it’s solid and fun, and shows a lot of heart. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last adventure we get from the talented indie studio. I have a feeling there’s a lot more story for Jack and V.E.R.A. to tell, especially after that cliffhanger ending…”
read full review ↗ - 75
“We love our Shoot em ups here at Switchwatch and this one is a welcome addition to the Switch library and one I have no hesitation in recommending. There is a decent story, great audio and decent visuals all in a package with fun gameplay either on your own or with a friend.I like the switching screens mechanic even though it took some getting used too as it adds something different to the genre. You may prefer a single screen experience but until you try this you will not know for sure so bare that in mind. While the game does have a few flaws none of them detracted too much from what is overall a solid package.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
FNintendo
Nintendo Insider
Xbox Sector
PS3Blog.net
Switch Player
IGN
oprainfall
SwitchWatch…and 5 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update #46: Rank system and better graphicsFeb 15, 2018
- Update #46: Rank system and better graphicsFeb 15, 2018
- Update #44: Launch update, Ultimate Mega Super Awesome edition (1.0.2.3)Dec 10, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #43: Release date: December 7!Dec 2, 2017
- Update #43: Release date: December 7!Dec 2, 2017
- Update #42: The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and EverythingSep 4, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #41: We changed a lot of things!Jul 30, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #41: We changed a lot of things!Jul 30, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #40: Two more enemies and faster loading!Jul 11, 2017
- Update #40: Two more enemies and faster loading!Jul 11, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #39: World 2 (almost) finished and new enemies!Jun 23, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #39: World 2 (almost) finished and new enemies!Jun 23, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #38: World 1 (almost) finished and new enemies!Jun 9, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #38: World 1 (almost) finished and new enemies!Jun 9, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #37: Stability and clean up.May 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #37: Stability and clean up.May 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #36: Life bars and energy drops!May 6, 2017
- Update #36: Life bars and energy drops!May 6, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #34: Pew, Pew, Weapons!Apr 21, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #34: Pew, Pew, Weapons!Apr 21, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #33: The Painful OneApr 4, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #33: The Painful OneApr 4, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #33: DelayedMar 30, 2017
- Update #33: DelayedMar 30, 2017
- Update #32: Welcome to hell!Mar 16, 2017
- Update #32: Welcome to hell!Mar 16, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #31: New Biweekly and PAX East!Mar 3, 2017
- Update #31: New Biweekly and PAX East!Mar 3, 2017
- Update #30: LAUNCH DAYFeb 16, 2017
- Update #30: LAUNCH DAYFeb 16, 2017
- Update #29: Let's add boss fights!Feb 7, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #29: Let's add boss fights!Feb 7, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Update #28: Pre-release build!Feb 3, 2017significant · resets scoring window
…and 55 earlier patch announcements.