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) | – | 77 | 11 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 69% | 66 | 99 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.7 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (28)
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.
- 80
“Tempest 4000 is perceptibly held back by a clunky UI, missing two-player modes, and a gimped AI Droid. But it's still recommended, thanks to its superb audio/visual package and "one more time" gameplay. Especially for series fans, getting "in the zone" will ensure this entry has high replay value. Being able to enjoy this in handheld mode on the Switch is a big plus also.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Though I wouldn’t say that it was among my favorite arcade games back in the day, there’s no question that the original Tempest is an absolute classic...”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Look, it's a fun game, filled with flashing lights and so much digital detritus you'll need a shower after one run. But the thing is, you've played this before, not in this form in 4K on this particular format, but Tempest is Tempest and Tempest 4000 doesn't really try to be anything else.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tempest 4000 is another Tempest game. If you are OK with that and perhaps need an excuse to retire the Vita version, then this package will be worth it. Otherwise this game feels like a relic that didn't really need the 4K upgrade.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Tempest 4000 brings back all those awesome memories from arcades. Its presentation, visuals and soundtrack are still great. But the game is too similar to TxK and it is a bit pricey.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I have spent countless hours playing TxK on Vita and it's one of my favourite games, so I'm disappointed that Tempest 4000 doesn't really add anything new, especially considering the higher price. It's still a great game and hopefully a patch will tone down the overzealous use of effects. This is worth a look if you are bored of cut scenes, collectables, and other frippery that clog up video games and want some serious old school arcade action.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“TxK gets the official name tag it's always deserved, but a monstrously high price and a lack of innovation sour the occasion.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Trippy, harsh, explosive and bizarre. This is everything you would want in a Tempest sequel, provided you want one at all.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Tempest 4000 is a fun and fast-paced game that does everything previous entries in the series did, and then some. It will certainly appeal to fans of the previous releases from ages past, but it's not going to appeal to all players due to its considerable challenge, as well as its art style and very colorful presentation, since it might make some of you feel a bit overwhelmed.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Tempest 4000 then, is a great game. But if you want it, you're going to have to part with more cash than you probably expected to.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The music is really catchy and features a lot of techno songs that change about every eight or nine levels. If you press triangle at the main menu you can actually toggle between three versions of the OST, some including music from Tempest 2000. Other than that, there really isn’t much else to say about Tempest 4000. There is a lot of fun to be had with the game, however your mileage will vary on how much you like playing this kind of game. If you are the type to play it through over and over again to achieve that high score or compete in online leaderboards, this game is more than worth it and you can add half a star to the score. For everyone else however, the $30 price tag may seem a bit steep considering the relatively low amount of content.”
read full review ↗ - 71
“I love Tempest. I love Tempest 2000. I even love TxK on the PS Vita. And if I’m wearing my Tempest fan hat and badge, I love Tempest 4000.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nindie Spotlight
Push Square
ZTGD
SECTOR.sk
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
TechRaptor
PS3Blog.net
GameSpew
oprainfall
PowerUp!…and 16 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Tempest 4000 PatchNov 8, 2018