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) | – | 69 | 15 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 95 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 80 | 9 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 2 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.4 up / 0 down · computed 5h 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.
- 75
“The Tale of Bistun's overall balance is positive. Although its combat is completely forgettable, even though it is present at several moments, the narrative sustains the experience, accompanied by an engaging soundtrack. It's not a game that will stay in your memory for the rest of your life, but as a brief experience to enjoy on a weekend afternoon, it's certainly worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Interesting as a vehicle for sharing folklore from another culture, but in terms of gameplay it remains pretty dull”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Tale of Bistun is surprising in several different ways. The story is intriguing not only because it's from a place we don't see much of but also because literature is rarely been done in games at all. The game's length is short but welcome, as a lengthier game would stretch out the repetitive combat a touch too much. For adventure gamers who want something narratively different and don't mind it being something that can be knocked out in an afternoon, The Tale of Bistun is worth a look.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Alongside simplistic combat, The Tale of Bistun tells a compelling story that offers a glimpse into Persian mythology and doesn't overstay its welcome. It keeps your attention with smooth traversal through charming landscapes backed by a solid narration.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“"A little less conversation, a little more action…"”
read full review ↗ - 40
“While starting strong, The Tale of Bistun loses interest over time, leaving the story, gameplay, and characters to try and make something out of stretched-thin mechanics.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“While The Tale of Bistun has a noble goal of bringing a Persian legend to life, its execution leaves much to be desired. The story, though rooted in an epic romance, feels predictable and shallow, failing to deliver the emotional weight it promises. The graphics, while occasionally atmospheric, are largely outdated, resembling something you’d expect from a PS3-era title rather than a modern indie game. And while the combat is serviceable, it quickly becomes repetitive and lacks the depth to sustain engagement. For those interested in Persian mythology and willing to overlook its flaws, The Tale of Bistun might be worth a short playthrough. But for everyone else, this tale is one that will likely be forgotten as quickly as it is played.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Tale of Bistun is a modest but earnest attempt to bring Persian mythology to life through interactive storytelling. Its greatest strength lies in its narrative presentation, particularly its excellent narrator who guides players through this tale of love and loss. While the gameplay mechanics are basic and the combat system lacks depth, the game's brief runtime prevents these limitations from becoming too problematic.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Tale of Bistun is an ambitious project developed by a small and rather inexperienced team, and even though the end result could have been better, it still manages to entertain by its fun but short gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The Tale of Bistun is a wonderful mythological tale. The interesting characters, booming narration, and excellent plot are thoroughly enjoyable. Moreover, the excellent aesthetics and intelligent controls compensate for the minor shortcomings. In short, it is a great title that'll capture your attention from beginning to end.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 74
“The Tale of Bistun is just a mediocre hack & slash but otherwise a strong game with many things going for it.”
read full review ↗
GameFM
Nindie Spotlight
Worth Playing
GameGrin
Games Freezer
TechRaptor
Rectify Gaming
Duuro Magazine
BaziCenter
Movies Games and Tech
PS4Blog.net
Gamer's Palace…and 4 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update note for July 19th patchJul 19, 2022