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) | – | 69 | 14 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 78% | 72 | 211 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 69% | 66 | 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 0.3 up / 0.1 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (36)
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.
- 65
“Shape of the World brings some rather strong elements to the table, but it also leaves the feeling of unfulfilled potential. It truly is a relaxing title, with an outstanding soundtrack to boot. But the sluggish speed combined with the limited interactivity, and short length, means this is probably best grabbed on sale, and not at its $14.99 launch price.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Shape of the World is a pretty nice meditative experience. The aesthetic is really cool and the music is excellent, but the game is rather short and lacks replayability.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The art and music direction in Shape of the World is undeniably delightful but its gameplay lacks purpose, and the game suffers as a result.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Shape of the World is a very different offering on the Switch's eShop, and one that we are glad to have experienced despite its shortcomings. Describing it as a video game doesn't feel quite right; it's more of an interactive playground that lets you take a couple of hours out, switch off, and be treated to some thought-provoking aesthetics along the way. It's definitely not for everyone, and it's all over a little too quickly, but Shape of the World is a nicely put together piece of art that deserves the attention of those most intrigued.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“What started out as a Kickstarter three years ago, Shape of the World is an impressive accomplishment.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“And I admit I rolled my eyes a bit as the creatures I met went from bug-like critters to sea creatures floating… in the air (a trend that culminated with glimpses of a whale floating in the sky). I found it a little cliché and New Age-y. The final moments were impressive and by the time I got to them, I had started enjoying myself, but it took a long time for the game to ramp up to that point.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Yes, you can interact with some of the animals in minor ways and use trees to give yourself a burst of forward momentum. Yes, you can throw seeds down to create trees. Yes, you can create bridges and wander around a handful of different biomes while the scenery grows around you. Without a goal driving you, however, this carries the same amount of weight as being lost in a supermarket.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall, Shape of the World provides a relaxing virtual playground for players wishing to create their own world. Gorgeous visuals and soothing ambiance make the game perfect for those wishing to kick back and relax with an incredibly chill explorer simulator. Being able to construct worlds with a variety of seeds gives players a reason to explore each area and come back for more. Multiple levels with their own flora and fauna give players new sights to explore. While walking can be slow at times and some visuals actually hinder progress, Shape of the World makes up for these shortcomings in a memorable sandbox experience that's perfect for casual play.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“The Shape of the World is an experience so I can’t really review it as a game. But as an experience, it fails to ignite my imagination in any way. I was bored very quickly and there isn’t much on offer either with only a limited number of chapters to explore.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“I notice a lot of lost potential here, be it a potential to expand this lovely world, or a potential to add compelling gameplay elements. Shape of the World is, ultimately, a pretty shell: gorgeous on the outside, but hollow on the inside.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Shape of the World isn't a bad game, it just never quite hits its stride in the way a game like this needs to.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Shape of the World does not follow the rigid tenets of most games. What Shape of the World proposes is rather a relaxation of the senses thanks to a skillfully-crafted abstract and psychedelic art style which does a very good job at immersing the player into a different state of mind. Pity that it does not propose more of that, as Shape of the World feels too short and with too little interaction, for a game that gets its sensory component right.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
cublikefoot
Jump Dash Roll
Nintendo Life
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
Killa Penguin
Worth Playing
FingerGuns
The Game is a Lie
TheSixthAxis
FNintendo…and 24 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.