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) | – | 71 | 8 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 80% | 74 | 204 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 56% | 57 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 5 reviews sampled · 5 total reviews in window · weighted 1.3 up / 1 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (16)
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
“It's hard to be mad at a game like Summer Catchers that has such a sweet sense of humor and such an interesting way to present a simplistic gameplay design. If you're looking for the next indie platform that's not just a character jumping from ledge-to-ledge, I definitely recommend Summer Catchers.”
read full review ↗ - 57
“Whenever you have games come to Switch that were obviously originally intended for mobile devices the first question is whether or not they benefit from the move to a dedicated gaming console...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“All of these elements are familiar enough on their own, but coalesce into something that feels entirely new, and there’s a kind of underlying artistry intrinsic to the design that becomes increasingly evident the further you play. That having been said, I feel nothing but contempt for the underlying gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Summer Catchers is an enjoyable romp helping Chu see the ocean. When I first started playing Summer Catchers I wasn’t too sure what I thought of the game, but you know what? It grew on me! As I’ve mentioned Chu has a can-do attitude which really does rub off on you and makes you want to try to succeed. I like the art style, and even the gameplay itself becomes highly addicting.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Summer Catchers is visually stunning, but it is let down by its central mechanic and is too arduous to warrant playing.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Summer Catchers is a charming endless runner game with wonderful presentation and style, and an interesting narration. But the progression system, which is completely based on RNG and grinding rather than the players' skill, ultimately damages the experience ”
read full review ↗ - 40
“There are definitely elements of Summer Catchers that work. The visuals are astounding, the music is brilliant and, when you get lucky, there’s some solidly fun endless runner gameplay to be had. However, its strange focus on luck over skill means every element suffers, the fun level design never given the chance to shine as it should. In the end, Summer Catchers feels so insistent on being deeper than a simple runner that it ends up stumbling at every hurdle instead.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A road trip endless runner with charming atmosphere, music, and characters that only misses out on a higher score due to some repetitive gameplay and lack of replayability.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 78
“Whilst it has its fair share of frustrating moments, it didn’t take me long to find myself addicted to Summer Catchers’ charming endless-runner style gameplay. There was enough variety to be found across its quests and mini-games to ensure that the overall gameplay never grew stale, whilst the delightful world and its characters were always a treat to encounter. Sure, it has its share of flaws and the random nature of the gameplay (and dependence on luck) could cause some irritating moments here and there, but the addictive nature of Summer Catchers kept me coming back for more each time. It won’t be for everyone, but those looking for a quick and satisfying title to enjoy on their Nintendo Switch in short bursts really ought to give it a try.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Summer Catchers will bring players on an epic road trip where, thanks to their wooden cars, they’ll be able to travel to distant lands full of mystery, strange creatures and exciting races in your quest to finally experience summer. As you’d expect, it won’t be easy. As you’ll drive through shadowy forests, dark swamps, vast valleys, and underground cities, you’ll encounter a bevy of obstacles and difficult situations.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Overall, Summer Catchers is an aesthetically pleasing game. The simple, yet dynamic details immerse players into a magically unique environment. Players looking for a calming and unique game will find an addicting, but low-pressure experience here. Summer Catchers is perfect for the experienced binge-gamer, or the casual player looking for something to chip away at over time.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nindie Spotlight
Killa Penguin
LadiesGamers.com
The Game Crater
Pardis Game
Thumbsticks
Rectify Gaming
peppage
Use a Potion
Rapid Reviews UK
GotGame…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 1.5.0 - New Content and Japanese LocalizationFeb 11, 2021
- 1.2.1 - small localization updateSep 20, 2019
- Major Update 1.2.0 and DEMO releaseSep 3, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.1.0 is liveJul 23, 2019