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) | – | 73 | 7 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 67 | 3 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 96% | 90 | 8 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 89.1, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 2,942 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) · 22 reviews sampled · 22 total reviews in window · weighted 10.9 up / 0.5 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (22)
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.
- 90
“Akane is a delightful twin-stick shooter that focuses primarily on melee combat, and wants the player to use their firearms sparingly. Mix this with the delightful graphics and upgrades, and there is a lot of fun to be had with this game.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While it might not share the intricate levels and levelling up mechanics of Hyper Light Drifter: Special Edition, Akane balances out its lack of topographical variety with a simple yet challenging set of rolling objectives and an increasingly tough variety of enemies to slay. Death is constant in those first few hours, but persevere and you'll discover a hack 'n' slash survival game that rewards precision, position and quick-thinking. With a brilliant chiptune/synth soundtrack and an art style that wears its influences front and centre, Akane has plenty of charms for those willing to learn to wield its blades, even if it does become slightly samey over time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you appreciate great pick-up-and-put-down play sessions that are intense and keep you coming back for more Akane may be a great match...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Akane’s break-neck pace and cyberpunk setting is not one to overlook. The lack of variety isn’t a huge issue when everything it presents is impeccable and you get as much as you put in with the game. The arcade elements make for an addictive game play loop that’ll keep you repeatedly fighting through the night.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A strong debut title from Ludic Studios and one to play on and off when you want a sword fight with no strings attached.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Akane is a sleek, stylish arena fighter that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. The simplicity of its premise and the stylish presentation are equally matched by its fun one-more-go gameplay. Akane is a game that does one thing and does it exceptionally well; its biggest flaw is that there simply isn’t enough of it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Thanks to its quick gameplay mechanics and variety of goals, it will easily get the player into trying again and again in order to reach a higher score. It doesn't stand too well on a long term basis or on a more in-depth experience, however, as this is a game that mostly appeals when played in quick experiences.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“GREAT - QubicGames’ Akane is a game that truly emboldens the phrase, “Simple, but well executed.” While it can be lacking in depth and variety, it nails it in the categories that truly matter: gameplay, value, and most importantly… fun! For $4.99, Akane is a great addition to your Switch collection.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Akane is an alright experience, it handles well, and nailing a good run is always satisfying. But it is very repetitive. The lure of an increased strength boss probably isn’t enough to hold the attention for much longer.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“With its gameplay backed up with stylish pixelated visuals and a banging soundtrack, there’s a lot to like about Akane. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to master, fun to jump into for just a few minutes of fast-paced action whenever the urge arises. Play it for much longer, and the feeling of repetition is sure to creep in. But thanks to its budget price, you’re guaranteed to not feel short changed by what’s on offer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Another potential hurdle for Akane is that it takes place in a single square level and requires players to defeat the same enemies ad infinitum, which runs the risk of getting stale. Thankfully it's an intriguing gameplay experience, so players may not play it for long sittings but the desire to jump back in later is strong. One impression that came up time and again while playing is that this game would be perfect for mobile, with its limited setting, simple controls, and "jump in and play" mentality. While Akane is unfortunately not available on mobile platforms, it's made a solid transition to consoles and is well worth picking up.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Akane is the kind of game you pick thinking is going to be just a minute... And hours (and many tries) later you realize you are hooked. I mean, how would you say no to a mix of katanas, cyberpunk and pixel-art?”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- PATCH 1.0.5 NOTESNov 25, 2018
- PATCH 1.0.4Oct 22, 2018
- Patch 1.0.3Oct 9, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.0.2Sep 25, 2018
- Bug FixSep 16, 2018
- Patch 1.0.1Sep 12, 2018