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) | – | 80 | 32 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 87% | 81 | 986 |
| 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) · 3 reviews sampled · 3 total reviews in window · weighted 1.2 up / 0 down · computed 4h 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.
- 60
“For better or worse, this title has the overall feel of a relic. As an older gamer who grew up with arcades, it should hold high appeal to me. Yet I can't help but find myself thinking more about the games it's trying to emulate, at least when playing solo”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Blazing Chrome is a pleasant gift to the bored fans of the classic Contra with fun gameplay, well-balanced high difficulty and beautiful pixel styling. If you have already finished Cuphead and are waiting for something hardcore and interesting in the format of side-scrolling shooter, you can safely buy this project. The game will not disappoint you.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A wonderful game for Contra fans. Painfully short, though.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“For those longing for a time when side-scrolling shooters ruled the roost, Blazing Chrome is exactly what you're looking for. Perfect for short sessions, its slick gameplay and old-school art direction make for an astonishingly fun game full of explosions, epic set pieces and spectacular boss battles. Its brutal difficulty may not be for everyone, but if you're up for the challenge, then get ready for one of the most accomplished 2D action titles in years.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Whilst clearly inspired by Contra, Blazing Chrome is more than capable to stand on its own as a great run ‘n gun. It shows how much Joymasher grew as a developer and it is by far their best game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Blazing Chrome is challenging, well put-together, and replayable as heck, even if it comes off as familiar at times.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you adore Contra, you will absolutely love this game.”
read full review ↗ - 76
“As a huge fan of the classic arcade run n' gun shooters I hold Contra in very high regard, so it's always a thrill when someone manages to put out a title that can give it a run for its money...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This adrenaline-pumping, tough as nails run-and-gunner, isn't retro-inspired, but pure retro! Besides that, it's also tons of fun. That being said, it has a couple of issues, like some annoying hit-boxes, a lack of balance in terms of difficulty and weaponry, and, finally, the fact that it doesn't add anything new to the genre. It's great, but it could be so much more.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Blazing Chrome is a must-buy for retro fans. It looks and plays great - albeit with a few frustrating aspects inherent to the genre - and is even more fun, and chaotic, in coop.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A frantic co-op shooter in the same vein as Contra, Blazing Chrome is an electrified, 16-bit inspired run-and-gun game that will keep your trigger finger numb and your profanities loud. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Blazing Chrome's success comes from taking inspiration from the best 16-bit run-and-gun games -- with everything from the detailed pixel art, to the fierce two-player action feeling like a glorious homage to Contra III: The Alien Wars.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
GameMAG
3DNews
Nintendo Life
Hu3br
Kakuchopurei
VGChartz
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Nexus Hub
PC Invasion
Push Square…and 54 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- UntitledAug 12, 2019
- Blazing Chrome - Update 021CAug 12, 2019significant · resets scoring window