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 | 76 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 66% | 64 | 383 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 74% | 70 | 300 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 6, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 270 total reviews in window · weighted 137.9 up / 49.1 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (46)
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.
- 85
“While its combat system leaves much to be desired, Dustborn is filled with a variety of fun elements focused on opening up to the people around you that truly helps the game blossom into a powerful experience. Once your trip is over you will definitely miss those you got to know, but you will be thankful you got on the bus in the first place.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Dustborn follows the Telltale Games studio's precepts: no-choice elections, minimal variation, and silly plot twists. The second part of the game looks like it was finished by another team of writers.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“Past all of the cringe dialogue and turgid gameplay, perhaps Dustborn’s biggest sin is feeling more like vacuous agitprop than an actual story. Whatever fight against fascism Pax, and by extension Red Thread Games, had in mind, it's an unintentionally hilarious one since her words feel as plastic as her bat.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Dustborn starts as a promising narrative road trip but gets muddled by unnecessary genre-mixing. While the world-building and character interactions shine, the blend of rhythm gameplay, arcade combat, and story elements weakens the overall experience.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Some people might not enjoy Dustborn. Patience and a passion for storytelling are required due to the game’s slow pace and focus on narrative and intricate dialogue mechanics. Playing Dustborn will force you to interact with the characters on a deep emotional and intellectual level. But if you’re looking for a game with innovative gaming mechanics, a compelling story, and engaging characters, Dustborn isn’t that game.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Dustborn offers a rich story with compelling characters that drew me in and kept me hooked over the 15-hour adventure. Pax and her gang are down-to-earth and relatable, brought to life through excellent voice acting.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The excitement and interest I felt when I first started playing Dustborn never faded away. This is one of those games that you can't put down once you start, thanks to its very interesting story and everything connected to the narrative in general.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Dustborn ultimately left me with mixed feelings. It’s excellent cast and voice acting mixed with a solid story is just what I hope for in an adventure game, however its ho-hum combat and annoying interruptions in the dialogue hold it back from being great.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While some of its gameplay diversions miss the mark, Dustborn is an excellent example of how to craft engaging characters and wrap a story around them. The game is filled with surprisingly natural sounding conversations, whether they're serious and detailed or funny and light. It's very rare that I encounter characters that are so believable in a game. Quite the achievement considering one of those characters is a gruff, bearded New Yorker with dwarfism who heals people by reciting poetry, who I honestly wish I got to spend more time with.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Dustborn isn’t a game for everyone. Its slow pace, heavy focus on dialogue, and political themes might turn some players off. But for those who appreciate a well-crafted narrative with complex characters and a world that feels both familiar and strange, it’s a journey worth taking. Whether you’re a fan of more simple narrative-driven games or just looking for something different, Dustborn offers a unique experience that’s hard to forget.”
read full review ↗ - 30
“Ultimately, Dustborn is an amazing tech demo. Red Thread Games could do amazing things if they took the mechanics of the game and applied it to something… ANYTHING else.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Dustborn is a heart-warming single-player action adventure that tells us a unique story. With a playtime of around 20 hours, the narrative adventure is actually quite extensive and offers us a unique gaming experience with a well-written crew.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
GameMAG
Cubed3
KonsoliFIN
GamesCreed
NextGen Player
AltChar
Gamer Social Club
TheSixthAxis
Quest Daily
Niche Gamer…and 34 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Dustborn is now available on macOSJul 8, 2025
- Free content update v1.14Jun 6, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Dustborn update v1.12: March 2025Apr 1, 2025
- Dustborn update v1.10: The 2024 Holiday SpecialDec 13, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.8 patchedNov 5, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Dustborn content update v1.8Nov 1, 2024significant · resets scoring window