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) | – | 76 | 4 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 134 |
| 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) · 2 reviews sampled · 2 total reviews in window · weighted 1.6 up / 0 down · computed 5h 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.
- 70
“While its runtime is noticeably short for a JRPG of this style, especially when compared to the classics it so closely resembles, Shadows of Adam is still a really enjoyable experience while it lasts.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Although its story isn’t always flawlessly compelling, it manages to be an overall fairly enjoyable experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Shadows of Adam comes close to being great. It is hampered by its excessive influences from Final Fantasy VI and requires its own voice to convey a more original and profound story. The combat system is also too restrictive due to the small party size and lack of customisation for most of the game. All the elements are present for an incredible RPG: the art, music, and a fun, easy-to-pick-up battle system. It just needs more of an X-factor and a bit of fearlessness from the developers.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you’ve been looking for a game to hit you right in the feels as a lover of the 16-bit RPG era Shadows of Adam does a solid job of delivering that...”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Shadows of Adam is an enjoyable but familiar JRPG. It doesn't do anything overly surprising, but its fun combat mechanics and humorous writing largely overshadow a by-the-numbers story. It isn't overly challenging, but sometimes it's nice to step away from the grind and the random battles and take on something more leisurely. Those who long for the plethora of similar titles from the SNES days will find a better than average adventure here that outclasses many of the budget releases currently on the eShop.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“While it might not display the same creativity of top-of-the-line JRPGs like Final Fantasy or Persona, Shadows of Adam executes its ideas well, and more importantly, is simply fun to play.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The game is a fantastic love letter to the genre and offers gamers a trip down memory lane. What will surprise you, though, is how it's so much more than a cash-grab throwback to a bygone era.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Fans of 16-bit era JRPGs itching for their next meaningful experience need look no further than Shadows of Adam.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Shadows of Adam takes the very best aspects of the genre, cuts out most of the tedium and delivers an exciting, stirring and compelling trip through memory lane.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“So basically, if you’d love to play an RPG but can’t dedicate hours a day to it, Shadows of Adam could be a great solution on Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“A decent game, but it doesn't do enough to stand out in the oversaturated "me too" retro-game crowd.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With an intricately crafted world, innovative and engaging battle system, and delightful array of scenery and music, Shadows of Adam is a splendid and true tribute to the SNES JRPG. The bugs one might encounter in beta versions are overshadowed by pure awe and captivation, a relentless desire to play more and more.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
RPGamer
Cubed3
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
Worth Playing
GameGrin
SwitchRPG
GameSpew
Nintendo Enthusiast
RPG Fan…and 3 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- V 1.1.2 UpdateJan 25, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.1.1/1.0.4 updateJun 11, 2018
- Steam Lunar Sale, V 1.1.0/1.0.3 now out!Feb 15, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Steam Lunar Sale, V 1.1.0/1.0.3 now out!Feb 15, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Steam Fall sale, V 1.0.9/1.0.2 now out!Nov 22, 2017
- Steam Fall sale, V 1.0.9/1.0.2 now out!Nov 22, 2017
- Guild of the Artificers v1.0.2 (WIP)Nov 14, 2017
- Guild of the Artificers v1.0.2 (WIP)Nov 14, 2017
- Guild of the Artificers v1.0.1Oct 29, 2017
- Guild of the Artificers v1.0.1Oct 29, 2017
- Version 1.0.7 patch now out!Oct 11, 2017
- Version 1.0.7 patch now out!Oct 11, 2017
- DLC Update + Upcoming V 1.0.7 patchSep 28, 2017
- DLC Update + Upcoming V 1.0.7 patchSep 28, 2017
- Version 1.0.6 patch now out - upcoming DLC and new achievements!Aug 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Version 1.0.6 patch now out - upcoming DLC and new achievements!Aug 19, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch - Version 1.0.4. and OST now available!Apr 10, 2017
- Patch - Version 1.0.4. and OST now available!Apr 10, 2017
- Patch - Version 1.0.3Mar 5, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch - Version 1.0.3Mar 5, 2017significant · resets scoring window