How this trust score was computed
Trust blends alignment (40%): does the outlet rank games the way players do; decoded accuracy (30%): after translating the outlet's own scale habits (a '7/10 means mediocre' scale is decoded, not punished), how well its reviews predict player sentiment; and player-side (30%): on games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, whose side it took. Recent reviews weigh more (2-year half-life), and the blend is shrunk toward a neutral prior (60) so small samples can't peg the scale. Player quality is launch-window Steam sentiment, so outlets aren't punished for reviewing a launch build that later got patched.
Controversy record: on 33 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 6 times.
Computed 26m ago · full methodology →
Outlet vs. players
Each dot is a game both this outlet and players scored. The dashed line is perfect agreement: dots above it mean the outlet was more generous than players, below it more harsh.
Biggest disagreements with players
The receipts: games where this outlet's verdict landed furthest from player sentiment.
- +30Red Dead Redemption 2outlet 100 · players 70 · Nov 2019
- +33No Man's Skyoutlet 75 · players 42 · Aug 2016
- +34Batman™: Arkham Knightoutlet 100 · players 66 · Jun 2015
- -30Fallout: New Vegasoutlet 65 · players 95 · Oct 2010
- -32Outlastoutlet 60 · players 92 · Feb 2014
- +23DARK SOULS™: REMASTEREDoutlet 85 · players 62 · Jun 2018
- +40Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™outlet 90 · players 50 · Nov 2014
- +17DARK SOULS™ IIIoutlet 95 · players 78 · Apr 2016
- -18Cyberpunk 2077outlet 50 · players 68 · Dec 2020
- +26Mortal Kombat Xoutlet 90 · players 64 · Apr 2015
Recent reviews (381 tracked)
- 50Cyberpunk 2077Dec 30, 2020 · Cade Onder
“Cyberpunk 2077 isn't just a disappointment because it misses the mark for CD Projekt Red. It's a disappointment because it misses the mark as a video game from any developer. It lacks the fundamental basics of a good RPG. The best moments in its narrative are tucked away in side quests. Night City is a boring, lifeless illusion of something greater. Perhaps that's a good analogy for Cyberpunk 2077 itself: A boring, lifeless illusion of something greater.”
read full review ↗ - 80Immortals Fenyx RisingDec 1, 2020 · Mike Splechta
“Ultimately, Immortals Fenyx Rising is a delight to play. Its focus on being a lighthearted take on Greek mythology is appreciated, especially since Ubisoft has mostly reserved its open world formula games for franchises that take themselves a bit too seriously. While the comedic tone and constant banter between all the characters won't strike a chord with everyone, it's certainly bound to make someone smile, and even chuckle at its most cringiest writing. The Breath of the Wild formula hasn't really been done to this sort of extent and despite Ubisoft certainly borrowing a slew of elements from Nintendo's flagship game, they still managed to craft a game that's undeniably their own, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
read full review ↗ - 75Call of Duty®: Black Ops Cold WarNov 20, 2020 · Cade Onder
“Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War had a rough development. From switching developers to being made during a pandemic, it was bound to be flawed. Somehow, though, Treyarch and Raven Software have still pulled it together for the most part. With a series-defining campaign, a classical return to Zombies, and a flawed but still fun multiplayer, Black Ops Cold War is yet another worthwhile entry.”
read full review ↗ - 90Spelunky 2Nov 12, 2020 · Joshua Russo
“The long year of 2020 has yet to come to a close, but if I was asked today Spelunky 2 would absolutely be my indie game of the year. There has not been a more challenging, rewarding, delightful and just plain fun game that even comes close. Everyone at Mossmouth really did a fantastic job bringing a worthy successor to an already beloved cult classic. If you love platformers or roguelikes and you have not checked out this game yet, it just may be your favorite game that you've never played.”
read full review ↗ - 90Assassin's Creed ValhallaNov 9, 2020 · Mike Splechta
“As an Assassin's Creed fan who has stuck by the series through its high points, and was certainly disappointed by many of its low points, I can confidently say that what Ubisoft has crafted here was not only crafted with an immense amount of love and respect for the series, but for its fans as well. Assassin's Creed Valhalla is one Viking adventure you certainly don't want to miss.”
read full review ↗ - 50The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little HopeNov 2, 2020 · Cade Onder
“The Dark Pictures: Little Hope is just a frustratingly dull horror game. The characters are unlikable, the story is poorly strung together, it feels dated, and much more. I have very few positive things to say about it. Little Hope isn’t a game I want to dislike because I wanted a good horror game for October but it failed to deliver.”
read full review ↗ - 60Watch Dogs®: LegionOct 28, 2020 · Cade Onder
“While it has its moments, Watch Dogs Legion doesn't have enough to feel like a fun place to escape to. The gameplay is too repetitive and too restrictive to allow for anything tremendously exciting over a long period of time. It's a game that shows all of its tricks within the first few hours and leaves you with nothing but jank for the remainder of your playthrough.”
read full review ↗ - 80STAR WARS™: SquadronsOct 21, 2020 · Matthew Dubin
“Star Wars: Squadrons is an interesting take on the aerial shooter genre with a decent story and immersive VR. While it does have some flaws in terms of the multiplayer and story I feel as if the single player gameplay and the controls make up for it and can provide a fun experience.”
read full review ↗ - 60Mafia: Definitive EditionSep 28, 2020 · Cade Onder
“Like Mafia 3, Mafia: Definitive Edition is a game that works as a good movie. It's not a game that works as a good *game*. It's buggy, it's clunky, and is often just frustrating or unsatisfying. Hopefully, Hanger 13 is able to learn more lessons from this game because I'm not sure a fourth Mafia game can survive this sort of treatment.”
read full review ↗ - 55DisintegrationJun 15, 2020
“Even though Disintegration has very enjoyable gunplay and the crew is very easy and useful to utilize, this doesn't give a pass to the inadequate graphics, the lack of unique enemies, the bugs, an unsatisfying ending, and many other elements of this game that with more time, could have been improved drastically. The game has a very cool concept of combining the first-person shooter genre with a real-time strategy game, but unfortunately lacks the necessity of an entertaining game to back the concept.”
read full review ↗ - 80ManeaterJun 1, 2020 · Cade Onder
“Playing Maneater, I personally had a lot of fun going around playing as a huge shark controlling the ocean despite being repetitive. The repetitiveness along with the lack of a worthwhile story did lessen my enjoyment with the game. In the end, though, I did enjoy the game greatly with its stunning visuals and fun game mechanics.”
read full review ↗ - 75Resident Evil 3Mar 30, 2020 · Cade Onder
“While enjoyable and filled with plenty to enjoy, Resident Evil 3 unfortunately feels like an uneven mishmash of horror and action. It wants to do two things at once and while it does them in a passable way, it doesn't always feel like it reaches its full potential especially when following in the footsteps of Resident Evil 2 Remake.”
read full review ↗ - 75DOOM EternalMar 23, 2020 · Cade Onder
“Doom Eternal's issues feel like a victim of ambition. They wanted to double down on the balls to the walls craziness and instead of saying no to some ideas, it feels like they crammed absolutely everything into the game. While Eternal manages to still be very fun and a worthy entry in this legendary franchise, it needs to realize there is such a thing as too much of a good thing sometimes.”
read full review ↗ - 90Thronebreaker: The Witcher TalesMar 3, 2020 · Mike Splechta
“It might be a little late to the party on the Switch, but given its modest asking price and lengthy campaign with a lot of replayability, this is one game that deserves to be a part of your Switch library.”
read full review ↗ - 40Ancestors: The Humankind OdysseyDec 30, 2019 · Bret Kelley
“Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is a game that wanted to be so much but in that desire ended up being so little. A repetitive cycle of slowly walking around the jungle avoiding predators while visiting landmarks that all look the same and cranking out babies that know just a little bit more than their parents. It's a game that achieved nothing but mediocracy despite its legendary pedigree.”
read full review ↗