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) | – | 72 | 4 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 14 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (13)
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
“Chambara is a very strong local multiplayer title that catches some of the appeal of the late 90's deathmatch experiences, added with some stealthy hide-and-seek elements. While it's fun while it lasts, the fact that at least two players are required to play, mixed with the feeling of being one of those "in between" games that are played for like 10 minutes, makes it difficult for it to last as well as some of the older classics, and makes it hard to build up a great gaming night on its own, but the time it gets in the spotlight will be remembered fondly by those present, and will be revisited again and again.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Chambara is a smart, stylish, and truly entertaining game to play locally with friends and family. There's a timeless class to games of this ilk which offer experiences that you simply cannot get elsewhere. As long as you can provide a steady stream of willing players to engage with, Chambara returns the favour with a limited but excellent selection of arenas to engage with them in.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Even prior to launching a match, the visual presentation of Chambara commands your attention”
read full review ↗ - 82
“If you have friends willing to travel or live with people who love gaming, Chambara will provide hours of great fun. A clever and striking art style allows some great tactical and tense gameplay. Its a little light on content, but what is here is a solid experience. Unfortunately it does suffer from being local multiplayer only, as a large portion of players will be excluded because of it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Chambara is a multiplayer titan and courageously reinvents the wheel without fail. I could complain about the game’s lack of modes, but that goes against the entertainment you really are receiving. After all, nothing I’ve played this year matches this kinetic, effortless, and overall enticing concept.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“If all these caveats sound fine, I think you'll like Chambara. Like many focused dueling games before it, it does one thing, and it does it pretty well.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This USC Advanced Games Project release has some great, if underdeveloped, ideas around local competitive play”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The first game published by USC features a fantastic concept that is executed well, but one that really feels like it could've used some more time to be fleshed out. 'Chambara' is a fun local multiplayer diversion, but the lack of online play and variety really stifles the overall experience. Hopefully a sequel will be able to take the game to the next level, but as of now I'm left with a rad proof of concept that is best played in short bursts.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The element of disguise makes Chambara surprisingly deep, though its shallow content leaves nothing for gamers uninterested in local multiplayer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Chambara lacks solo play, but its fast-paced kinetic action makes for a thrilling co-op experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Chambara represents a compelling idea in the multiplayer duel arena genre thanks to visuals that are not only unique but play an integral role in the gameplay. The lack of modes and online hamper the longevity of its gameplay. Overall, though, it’s definitely a more than “OK” start for Team OK.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“These juxtapositions are what makes this game so great; it is a constantly shifting experience which is easy to pick up, but difficult to master.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
GameSpew
Entertainment Buddha
The Cube
Destructoid
Post Arcade (National Post)
High-Def Digest
PlayStation Universe
CGMagazine
Reno Gazette-Journal
COGconnected…and 1 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
No patch announcements found on Steam yet.