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 (Metacritic) | – | 70 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 77 | 2 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.2, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 7,602 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 6 reviews sampled · 6 total reviews in window · weighted 3.7 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (11)
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.
- 74
“Robotron is a good game to riff off, but there's only so many waves of bullets that you can avoid before you give in and go and do something more interesting instead. [June 2010, p.101]”
- 60
“Conceptually beautiful, it takes the basic mechanics of a twin stick, top-down shooter and then essentially procedurally generates enemies - and therefore entire levels - based on the ebb and flow of any given music track.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This dual-stick shooter gives you a fun new way to listen to your favorite bands.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“A slog that's worthwhile for arcade and music lovers alike. [July 2010, p.76]”
- 74
“Beat Hazard is a rather traditional Asteroids clone, with the fun addition that your own music can influence the game. Whoever thinks this suffices, will enjoy this game as a way to pass the time. However, the game does not contain the originality we have expected from indie games, and the influence of your own music could’ve been way better.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“Beat Hazard is a short and sweet ten-dollar investment that is given solid longevity as long as you like the tunes in your music library.”
read full review ↗ - 69
“There's not enough reason to come back after the initial wow factor from the visuals wears off. [July 2010, p.90]”
- 68
“The best thing Beat Hazard has going for it is the price. At $9.99 it's easy to recommend the title to anyone with the means to play it, as it provides a new way to experience music.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Beat Hazard has a brilliant premise, which is sadly let down by uninspired gameplay and lacklustre presentation. Still, if you're a fan of twin-stick shooters and love music, then this game is for you.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“At such low price, Beat Hazard is a good stimulation for both eyes and ears.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With some new social features, online play, or even some adjustments that more closely tie in the arrangement of enemies with the pace of the music, Beat Hazard's value could ascend well beyond the $10 asking price.”
read full review ↗
Eurogamer
GameSpot
PC Gamer
IGNPatch history
- Exit screen change. Mobile out now.Jul 7, 2026
- A few preparations and a small ad!Sep 19, 2025
- Beat Hazard 3 - Major UpdateMay 20, 2024
- Discord linkMay 15, 2024
- 14th Birthday update!Apr 6, 2024
- Birthday Update on Saturday.Apr 3, 2024
- BH3 - Phase 4+5 Major Galaxy Update.Feb 26, 2024
- BH3 - Phase 3: Ancient Aliens update now live.Sep 19, 2023
- BH3 Phase 2 Update.May 1, 2023
- Updated BH3 Exit TextNov 17, 2022
- Christmas Radio Station UpdateNov 6, 2022
- Updated exit text and imageOct 17, 2022
- v1.107 updateApr 18, 2017
- v1.107 updateApr 18, 2017