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) | – | 66 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 84% | 78 | 250 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 46% | 49 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 2 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.2 up / 0.2 down · computed 4h 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.
- 70
“The Long Reach is a well-written game that suffers from backtracking, pixel hunting and not always logical puzzles. We hope that the next game from Paint Black Games will take into account the shortcomings of this one, and it will be much more fun and addictive.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A quirky 2D adventure with hints of psychological horror and some classic puzzles. Though its gameplay is riddled with glitches and its narrative full of flaws, The Long Reach keeps tempting you to peer around the next murky corner.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“Overall, the hook of The Long Reach, the mystery, the horror elements, and the suspense, needs to be the primary thing you’re looking for in order for it to be a good fit. If you’re invested in that aspect of the experience I think there’s enough meat there to chew on for a few hours if you’re willing to be a bit patient and understanding. If what I’ve described of the story doesn’t sound very appealing unfortunately I’d say that the rest of the elements won’t be able to make it compelling.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The Long Reach just barely misses the mark thanks to a painfully tone deaf script full of juvenile dialogue and puzzles that rely on process of elimination as much as actual thought-work. The general aesthetic of the world is appealing, with just well-crafted sprites, and the atmosphere is appropriately oppressive, but the overall story feels bound together by a script that can't decide between humour and tension. When every character speaks the same way, alternating between sarcastic quips and actually moving the plot along, it makes for an exhausting experience. Along with repetitive dialogue trees, it's hard to immerse oneself into the narrative. The game is short enough and might be worth buying on sale, but it certainly shouldn't be purchased for full price.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“All told, The Long Reach could have used some more time in the oven. It presents issues that seem readily solvable, lighting, object highlighting, proof reading, but in its current form, the game is frustrating and not particularly enjoyable. Maybe some of the problems can be patched out, but until that happens, I can't recommend The Long Reach despite its intriguing storyline.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“At the end of the day The Long Reach is worth the short time it takes to play, I'm just not sure at full price. Had the ending really stuck the landing on everything the gameplay was delivering I'd say it's a must, but unfortunately the story is just alright. On sale I think any adventure fan will find enjoyment in The Long Reach.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“There's some potential in the game, but you can't shake off the feeling that developers could do more with it.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A deeply layered story with the scares to match, The Long Reach brings back the basics of psychological-horror by keeping players both intrigued and nervous until the very end.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The Long Reach has a good potential and some clever puzzles, but eventually never manages to fulfill its promises in terms of atmosphere and scenario.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The Long Reach could easily be considered as one of the better point-and-click games of recent years providing you like your games to be a bit more challenging. If you’re easily frustrated you will probably give up way before the four or so hours it takes to beat the game, which is a shame because it’s a title that has something to give. It has an intriguing story that will make you want to carry on, but the narrative is a little off sometimes, which counteracts what it is trying to achieve. It’s certainly an alienating game, one that has some serious glitches, but those that stick it out and for those who enjoy classic games in this style, there is certainly enjoyment to be had.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Overall, The Long Reach was an interesting experience encompassed with an array of psychological horrors. The happenings in Baervox are a bit of a headscratcher, but that's the point - you're not supposed to fully comprehend what's going on.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“More of a Psychological experience for the mature gamer who wants a change of pace while still taxing the grey matter. At £11.99, it's worth every penny.”
read full review ↗
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