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) | – | 76 | 23 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 15 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 79% | 73 | 729 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 71% | 67 | 6 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 18 reviews sampled · 13 total reviews in window · weighted 6.4 up / 2.7 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (40)
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.
- 55
“While there are good ideas presented here, PHOGS! is too slow and unexciting for it to stand out from the crowd.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Some of the puzzles are clever, and they seem varied enough to keep those who enjoy it interested for a while, but the whole thing seems - despite obvious efforts to make it sweet - strangely bland.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A fun co-op game that can also be played solo. You’ll have to work a bit harder that way, but on the other hand, you’ll get to enjoy the end credits in the final mission. The game does still crash occasionally and can be a bit frustrating, but with its stunning visuals and great music, that’s something you can easily overlook. Plus, there are plenty of checkpoints in PHOGS! What still bothers me, though, is that the game was designed for consoles, and playing without a gamepad just makes it harder.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Phogs is a genuine dose of unbridled joy in a weird, physics-y, dog-tube package. It's hard to play this game without having a huge, goofy smile on your face. The Switch version has some minor to major issues here and there, but it rarely slows down the momentum of the puzzle-solving, dog-wiggling gameplay, this is another brilliant co-op experience for Nintendo's system.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“Phogs! isn't a great game, or even a good game, but it's impossible not to like.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The game leans heavily into its whimsical style, too. Colourful graphics and cute creatures make the world a fun place to explore, and unlockable cosmetics mean you can dress up your doggies as well. The whole thing is just happy, eager to please, and family friendly, like an actual dog, really.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“While I love great challenging roguelikes and other titles geared towards the hardcore set I'll fladly admit that well-made family-friendly fare always puts a smile on my face...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“PHOGS! is as delightful as it is unique and entrancing. While the controls are a little tough to get the feel of for solo-players, teaming "pup" with a friend allows for an experience that, though mostly on the easy side, guarantees the player a thoroughly good time-especially in the boss stages.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The zaniness of PHOGS!'s character controller combined with its elegant and diverse puzzle design is a recipe for a fun. The game ensures that every second is a new opportunity for friendship-fueled hilarity.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A super cute and fun game with an interesting control scheme and puzzles that will work your brain, but not too hard. Great family game with super fun and chaotic multiplayer that will have everyone laughing. Plus, who can resist the adorable pups RED and BLUE?”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Phogs! is an experience like no other, and one we’d recommend everyone to try, especially if you can rope in a friend. ”
read full review ↗ - 60
“I really, really wanted to love Phogs!, but I simply couldn't. It really is a lovely idea, set in a lovely world and there's a simple joy to the game's opening. It's clear just how much love went into this game, right down to the Hollywood Bowl carpet at the bowling alley, but the execution just leaves you wanting. Between the repetition and the bugs, there's just too much to get frustrated with, making the game, at times, an uphill struggle.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Jump Dash Roll
Gaming Professors
Nintendo Life
VGChartz
Push Square
Nindie Spotlight
NintendoWorldReport
PC Invasion
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis…and 28 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- PHOGS! December 2020 Patch NotesDec 16, 2020significant · resets scoring window