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) | – | 78 | 9 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 99% | 95 | 334 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 91.6, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 671 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 4 reviews sampled · 4 total reviews in window · weighted 3 up / 0 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (18)
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
“Penko Park is an adventure game that combines creepy and cute. You visit an abandoned wildlife park where you must get photos of the creatures who live there. The game is super fun and comforting, providing a great way to help pass some free time.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite its repetitiveness and short length, Penko Park is still a wonderfully charming successor to Pokémon Snap. From the delightfully creepy atmosphere to some fresh new upgrade ideas, Penko Park is successful in both honoring its roots and creating its own identity. Fans of Pokémon Snap would be remiss to overlook this game and will surely have a great time discovering everything that Penko Park has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Yes, you could choose to view it as an indie Pokemon Snap clone, but that would be denying its simple charms”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The gameplay will appeal to players who enjoy this kind of games, but it will feel repetitive to those who are less keen on its mechanics. Nonetheless, all players who are willing to tread new paths in Penko Park will find more reasons to keep the game in their hands and will find it less repetitive than it might seem at first.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Penko Park plays mechanically better than others in its genre and is a strange blend of the cute and unsettling. It’s a little bit on the short side, but there’s never a dull moment when you’re taking snaps of all the weird and wonderful wildlife.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Penko Park’s undeniable influences and not-so-stellar content make it a bit of a hard sell, but for those looking for a Pokémon Snap-style game, it’s a fine choice.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Penko Park is a wonderful attempt at making a “snaplike”. It captures a sense of childlike wonder and the easy-on-the-eyes graphics make it an easy game for kids to understand and get engrossed in. It is fine as a game for adults who are children-at-heart, but it is even better for actual children too.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“While not the most complex game in the world, Penko Park is an adorable ride through a creepy little zoo of the cutest little creatures and a relaxing time for a casual experience.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Some may find it repetitive, but those who like the idea of going on a strange and spooky safari through an abandoned wildlife park will love Penko Park. It’s a short and sweet experience brought to life with a cast of creative critters, and hunting them down to shoot them (with your camera of course) is nothing but a joy. If you like Pokémon Snap, this one is for you.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Penko Park offers great entertainment in its wildlife park populated by bizarre and weird creatures.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Penko Park is a real joy. Although its simplicity may leave those after a more complex experience wanting more, it's an enjoyable photography game with a great setting. And above all else, its various creatures will keep players coming back for more.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you enjoy Pokemon Snap and Amanita Design games, Penko Park feels like a lovely blend of both with its own unique charm that will keep you coming back for more as you inch towards 100% completion. While it may seem repetitive on paper at first, the developers have done a great job of throwing unlocks at you as you explore the different locations trying to grab secrets, photograph the eclectic creatures in different positions, and fill up your guidebook. ”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Starbit
FingerGuns
GameGrin
Niche Gamer
GameSpew
IGN
Screen Rant…and 6 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Christmas Patch - 1.2.3Dec 16, 2021
- Minor Patch - 1.2.2Nov 16, 2021
- Halloween Update (And -25% Sale!)Oct 28, 2021
- Minor Patch - 1.2.0BSep 9, 2021
- The Shivering CryptsSep 7, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Huge & free Penko Park update - Coming SoonMay 7, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.4 - Speedrun Timer and BugfixesDec 17, 2020
- Patch 1.0.1 - Inverted Mouse & BugfixesOct 25, 2020