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) | – | 73 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 10 |
| 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) · 3 reviews sampled · 4 total reviews in window · weighted 0.9 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (27)
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.
- 60
“For a collectathon, Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen does a decent enough job, and kids will appreciate the uncomplicated gameplay and callbacks to the show. A few more game mechanics, greater variability between zones, and a lengthier storyline, and this had the potential to be something far greater.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bluey's Quest for The Gold Pen is easily the strongest game the franchise has received so far and a genuinely enjoyable experience for younger players. While hardcore gamers may find its gameplay too simplistic, the game perfectly captures the charm, humor, and accessibility that make Bluey so beloved. Reviewing it alongside my four-year-old son made its appeal immediately clear, as he quickly became hooked and even started his own playthrough on iPad. Although older children may outgrow its straightforward design fairly quickly, younger audiences and parents looking for a family-friendly experience will find plenty to enjoy here.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a substantial improvement over the last game, offering up a bunch of well-realised worlds to explore with charming visuals and engaging puzzles. It retains the essence of the original show, but thanks to the adorable narrative, Bluey and Bingo can finally break free from the overly-familiar TV locations.Repetition does quickly seep in thanks to the focus on collectibles, but I'd wager that younger audiences probably won't care about this too much. The lack of a proper co-op mode is a bizarre omission, however, and the experience would have definitely benefitted from voice acting throughout. Still, this is a fine effort from Halfbrick, and an easy recommendation for the summer break from school.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“While there’s no question it’s a bit pricey, the wholesome family time story, accessible play, and plenty of extra mile content to search for help this to be a great choice for new gamers”
read full review ↗ - 55
“The plot, a new story by the show's creator, is barely a premise as the characters show no growth narratively or mechanically. Very young players might be entertained but will need a parent or older sibling to read the dialogue in this entirely single-player adventure. The touch controls from the original mobile release are here and work fine, though.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen finally delivers the interactive experience fans of the show have been waiting for. By combining engaging collectathon mechanics with authentic writing and gorgeous art direction, Halfbrick has crafted a joyful adventure that is easily recommendable to gamers of all ages and is the perfect introduction to platforming for those who are just starting out in their gaming adventures.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen likely won’t do much for older players or people who don’t care for the source material, but it’ll absolutely be a hit with kids who like the show. The gameplay is straightforward but solidly enjoyable, and the presentation feels like a perfect extension of the source material. If you’ve got a child who loves Bluey, this is definitely a great choice for their next gaming outing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is a competent adventure game that, while clearly aimed at children, does not shy away from offering a modest level of challenge. The levels are varied in design, and recurring puzzles and platforming challenges noticeably increase in complexity over time. The stages themselves are also surprisingly large. The cutscenes between levels are entertaining, and although the physical edition does not include any bonus content, it works perfectly well without requiring additional updates. The only significant drawback is the stuttering that occurs when collecting pearls, which can be somewhat distracting. While Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen is primarily targeted at fans of the series and younger players, those outside its intended audience can still find plenty to enjoy.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“Bluey’s Quest for The Gold Pen turns a family drawing game into a kid-friendly adventure for younger fans.Bingoose, optional collectibles, and stage toys keep the maps busy, but the repeated stage pattern and lack of co-op hold it back. It’s a sweet first adventure game if your household wants more Bluey beyond the show.”
read full review ↗ - 74
“Bluey's Quest for the Gold Pen works because it recognizes what its readers desire. The experience for the little ones is bright, forgiving, and emotionally appealing, offering exploration techniques without making it too hard or confusing. Difficulty is never the point of the game; ease of play and imagination always are.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Fans of the series will not want to miss this delightful adventure, as it is perfect for families to enjoy along with younger gamers.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Bluey's Quest for The Gold Pen is a perfect game for families. It'll keep mums, dads and kids happy while telling an original Bluey story that's every bit as good as the episodes.”
read full review ↗
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Skewed & Reviewed
PowerUp!…and 15 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hear the Story Come Alive!Jun 12, 2026