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) | – | – | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 96% | 91 | 397 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.5, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 800 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 · 4 total reviews in window · weighted 4.6 up / 0 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (2)
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
“Nightshade adds another title to the visual novel segment of the Nintendo Switch catalogue and it stands out thanks to an involving plot with very sombre overtones, multiple endings, a good art style and exceptional voice work. Its occasional clichés are easily overcome in this work that is certain to captivate fans of the visual novel genre.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“Nightshade is a text-heavy otome visual novel with a whole lot of plot to uncover, and I enjoyed my time with it immensely! Enju's journey to find her true self and love is something both otome and ninja fans might find worthwhile if given a chance. Like Hakuoki, I'd even recommend Nightshade to those who aren't sure if otome is for them, as the plot has a lot more to offer than just the romance angle.”
read full review ↗
Patch history
- December 26th Patch Notes(1.0.5.1)Dec 26, 2017
- December 26th Patch Notes(1.0.5.1)Dec 26, 2017
- Summer sale!Jun 29, 2017
- “Nightshade/百花百狼" Stickers now available!May 12, 2017
- April 24th Patch NotesApr 24, 2017
- April 24th Patch NotesApr 24, 2017
- Present from Goemon.Apr 18, 2017
- April 17th Patch NotesApr 17, 2017
- April 17th Patch NotesApr 17, 2017
- April 13th Patch NotesApr 13, 2017
- April 13th Patch NotesApr 13, 2017
- April 12th Patch NotesApr 12, 2017
- April 12th Patch NotesApr 12, 2017
- Nightshade is now available!Apr 12, 2017
- Present from HanzōApr 4, 2017
- Present from Chōjirō!Mar 14, 2017
- About the play video release of "Nightshade"Mar 9, 2017
