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) | – | 74 | 6 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 68% | 66 | 67 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 3, 2026) · 2 reviews sampled · 2 total reviews in window · weighted 0.7 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (12)
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.
- 75
“For people who revel in the challenge of making the most of what you’re given in shooter form Black Paradox is a rock solid challenge and should excite...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Looking at screenshots, and playing the game briefly, it does not seem like it might be as good as it actually is. But there is something oddly addicting trying 'just one more time' to get further. The progression could use some quickening, and other things could use expanding; but the flair the game possesses is hard to deny. Really the only thing stopping this from a higher score is the lack of depth, such as a story, better upgrade systems, or anything along these lines, but for what it is, it is surprisingly solid.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It's endlessly repetitive, has an unfair upgrade system, the gameplay is relentlessly unforgiving, and yet I've been playing the game constantly. Black Paradox has that magic 'one more go' element, and whilst it's tough, the fact that you progress just a smidgen further each time, learning a new attack pattern or safe space, means you just have to keep on playing. Recommended to hardcore shooter fans, casual gamers may find it just too difficult.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Black Paradox is a shmup that looks great, sounds great, and plays great but doesn’t reward great. The roguelike elements can really feel unfair when you get stuck with useless weapons and the grind to increase your ships abilities feels a bit unbalanced. It’s a good thing that I found the gameplay to be so fun and addictive though as it kept me playing despite those concerns.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Black Paradox is a game seemingly designed with the philosophy that gamers enjoy ice skating uphill.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Satisfying shoot'em up with rogulike elements that will entertain those who seek an almost classic experience with a twist... That doesn't remain interesting for too long sadly.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 75
“I’m having an absolute blast with Black Paradox. I keep coming back to it as there’s just so much more fun for me to have in this retro-futuristic world. The Roguelike gameplay is addictive and for every death I experience, I feel pumped to just try that little bit harder. It’s so ’80s it hurts and I absolutely love that about it. Is it the best game ever made? No, of course not but that’s not what it’s trying to be. Instead, it’s a beautiful homage to the classic arcade days, made even better when you bring along a friend to shoot up all of those evil space baddies. The frustrating progression system holds it back from being the best side-scroller shooter I’ve ever played but it’s certainly one of the most fun.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The visuals and 80s soundtrack are amazing and look great whether playing on a TV or on the Switch in mobile mode. Too often did I feel I was on the back foot when it came to weapons, upgrades, and dealing with random enemies. There's definitely a balance issue when it comes to the procedurally generated mechanics.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A good italian shoo'em'up with all the elements of the classics of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“The game is everything you would want from an arcade shoot ‘em up, the 80’s references and feel, the classic gameplay, that makes you pick up the controller and not put it down.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Black Paradox may not be the biggest shmup out there but it plays so well that it's hard to put down once you pick it up.”
read full review ↗
Nindie Spotlight
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IGN
peppage
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GamingTrend
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Completexbox
Video ChumsPatch history
- The Reloaded Update is here — free for everyone who owns Black ParadoxJun 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Black Paradox blasts out of Early Access – here’s what’s in V2.0May 2, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #14Nov 27, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #13Nov 5, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #12Oct 29, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #11Oct 19, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #10Oct 12, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #9Oct 1, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #8Sep 21, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #07Sep 14, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #6Sep 7, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #05Aug 31, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #04Aug 24, 2018
- Weekly Update #03Aug 10, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Weekly Update #02Aug 3, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix. Level end bugJul 31, 2018
- Black Paradox now available on Steam!Jul 27, 2018
- Weekly Update #01Jul 26, 2018significant · resets scoring window