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) | – | 59 | 5 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 84% | 77 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 93% | 87 | 31 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 89 reviews sampled · 13 total reviews in window · weighted 16.7 up / 1.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (15)
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
“12 is Better Than 6 provides quick, intense battles coupled with a great soundtrack and visuals. I had an enjoyable time in the Wild West, much more than expected. A few tweaks could go a long way, but as it is, I highly recommend this game to anyone looking for something unique in the twin-stick genre.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“12 is better than 6 is an enjoyable top-down shooter that stands out not only for its combat system but also for its unique hand-drawn visuals. TThe game combines the great satisfaction of making progress with the frustration of repeated deaths. If you’re a fan of the genre, aren’t put off by black-and-white graphics, and are prepared to die, 12 is better than 6 offers you great entertainment for an entire afternoon.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“You’ll play as Juan, a man on the run who starts out with a simple pistol but, as the game rolls on, will get access to much more...”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Gorgeous graphics, a wonderful soundtrack, and exhilarating and quick-paced gunplay makes 12 is Better Than 6 a very fun experience. However, the game is dragged down aggressively by its terrible story and equally awful writing.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“12 is Better Than 6 has good combat and a great art style, but is held back by technical issues, unpredictable AI and some odd design decisions. The issues hamper the gameplay and, whilst there is a story, it's entirely forgettable and delivered in awkwardly written dialogue. It's probably best to stick this game's obvious influences.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“On Switch, 12 is Better Than 6 is much more of a mexican let down than a mexican stand off. It sure had some potential as a far west hand drawn Hotline Miami but issues like frame rate dropping, protagonist stuck near some walls or very disappointing A.I. make it a game that can be hard to enjoy. Too bad.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Considering Nintendo fans don’t have Hotline Miami to fire-up on their Switch, 12 Is Better Than 6 cocks its gun and shoots its way up towards the top as one of the best in its genre. You don’t want to miss out.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A stylish top-down shooter brought down by mechanical quirks. They say that 12 is better than 6, but this game is only holding 6. It's good, but it has some work to do if it wants to get all 12.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“12 is Better Than 6's art style is what first drew me in. It features a hand-drawn style where the environment, the weapons, and all the people look like they've just been sketched on a white piece of paper”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Ultimately, I had a lot of fun with 12 Is Better Than 6. It’s not your standard twin-stick shooter. There’s a huge tactical element alongside the standard twitch shooting. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“12 Is Better Than 6 is a game which doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it offers brutal and satisfying combat mechanics which you’ll quickly pick up yet spend the whole game trying to master. Maybe not recommended to those who don’t like games which have you retrying segments over and over again, but everyone else should check it out upon release.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you are looking for an interesting top-down shooter with some fresh mechanics, something with a pen-and-paper art aesthetic, or you just have a soft spot for a good, old-fashioned western, 12 Is Better Than 6 is a good title to consider. It's mix of face reaction with stealth setup can turn the tides from calculating to chaotic at any moment, keeping you on your toes. ”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Gaming Professors
Nindie Spotlight
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Gameblog
Nintendo Insider
TechRaptor
GameSpew
Nintendo Enthusiast
GamePitt
GameSpace…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- UpdateMar 11, 2018
- UpdateMar 11, 2018
- Big update! DLC release 6 December!Dec 5, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Big update! DLC release 6 December!Dec 5, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- The Big update!Jun 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- The Big update!Jun 14, 2016significant · resets scoring window
- Fix 25.01Jan 25, 2016
- Fix 25.01Jan 25, 2016
- Update#2 AnnouncementDec 10, 2015
- Update#2 AnnouncementDec 10, 2015
- UntitledNov 28, 2015
- Hotfix #2Nov 22, 2015
- Hotfix #2Nov 22, 2015
- Hotfix #1Nov 20, 2015
- Hotfix #1Nov 20, 2015
- Beta - Update #1Nov 13, 2015
- Beta - Update #1Nov 13, 2015