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) | – | 71 | 22 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 70% | 67 | 567 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 65 | 4 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 77 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 6 reviews sampled · 7 total reviews in window · weighted 3.3 up / 0.6 down · computed 3h 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.
- 40
- 60
“The universe of this game is one that could have benefited from a sense of atmosphere that's rooted in the past.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“It's impossible to not be caught up in Planet Alpha's charms. The product of one man and a small indie team from Denmark, it's a game that runs remarkably smoothly considering the detail of its environments and the vibrancy of its art style. The platforming won't blow you away - especially if you've become trained in the twitch arts of Hollow Knight and the like - but with some brilliant puzzles, a rewarding balance between endangered stealth and peaceful exploration and some of the most intense set-pieces we've ever played on Switch, Freedom Planet has secured a place as one of 2018's most important indie releases.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Planet Alpha is a solid 2D puzzle platformer, with a fantastic visual style and some very interesting game design choices. Player is allowed to control the day/night cycle of the planet, which is integrated as a part of the puzzle solving, but it can also lead to some beautiful landscape moments. It can be sometimes too easy, and jumping mechanic could use a bit more work, but all in all it is a nice journey through a strange world. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Planet Alpha is an interesting experience. Its astonishing visuals and sound track are a treat, and end up making up for the limited gameplay, which has its moments.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall Planet Alpha is an interesting adventure that takes you across (and under) a visually diverse and interesting planet. It can be hard to appreciate as you dash by it, sometimes while being fired at, but it's obvious a lot of care was put into making this feel like a real place complete with ecosystems and a variety of life forms both benign and aggressive. While it isn't a terribly long experience I'd say it stays just ahead of the curve for exhausting its ideas completely, making it a generally well-paced and simply different experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Planet Alpha is an enjoyable sci-fi indie, one that is undeniably stunning and engaging thanks to a unique day-night dynamic and interesting puzzles. Its major downfall is the glaring predictability of the story, but most players will be over the moon with what this game has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“There are not many new things under Planet Alpha's alien sun when it comes to platforming and revolutionary gameplay. However, it manages to provide a pleasantly colored tale of alien exploration and mystery to experience in your living room. Not a classic, yet a decent title with memorable visual aesthetics.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Stealth segments do drag down the experience somewhat but are the exception not the rule in otherwise compelling gameplay. From a technical standpoint, the Switch may not be the best way to play, but the core experience shines through. Planet Alpha was the refreshing breath of air that I never realized the genre needed.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“This game isn't bad, it's annoying. With moments of really solid gameplay peeking through maybe pick this one up on sale but otherwise there are better games doing similar things out there.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“All in all, for what the game is supposed to be, it does it really well. Yes, there are some minor inconveniences but that’s all they were, minor. It’s just a shame that it’s one of the shorter ones out there, but it was still a pretty good time, aside from the end, let’s leave it at that. So if you want, give Planet Alpha a go. It’s definitely worth it in terms of how it looks and it can get pretty fun.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Planet Alpha is a truly special title. It's gorgeous to look at, the puzzles are clever, and the challenges will give gamers a strong sense of reward. While the lack of direction and visibility difficulties will grate on the nerves of some gamers, it's a truly an impressive experience on Switch.”
read full review ↗
Fintendo
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
Fun Factor
Nindie Spotlight
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
PlayStation Galaxy
Nintendojo…and 54 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Planet Alpha Patch NotesSep 6, 2018