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 10 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 3 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.
- +28Fallout 4outlet 100 · players 72 · Nov 2015
- +34Batman™: Arkham Knightoutlet 100 · players 66 · Jul 2015
- +50Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™outlet 100 · players 50 · Oct 2014
- -18Dying Lightoutlet 70 · players 88 · Feb 2015
- -25Little Nightmaresoutlet 60 · players 85 · May 2017
- +35Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedoutlet 100 · players 65 · Sep 2016
- +22DARK SOULS™ IIIoutlet 100 · players 79 · Apr 2016
- +32Far Cry® Primaloutlet 100 · players 68 · Feb 2016
- +27Call of Duty®: Infinite Warfareoutlet 70 · players 44 · Nov 2016
- +27Far Cry® 4outlet 100 · players 73 · Dec 2014
Recent reviews (99 tracked)
- 100Red Dead Redemption 2Nov 19, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“Red Dead Redemption 2 is going to stand for a long time, I think, as the height of achievement in building huge virtual spaces for gamers to explore. The level of detail at this scale is staggering, even as I find myself unable to ignore how much required overtime went into making things happen, and how many of these details – like horse testicles ascending in colder weather – took real human work hours while actually doing little to flesh out the game world. But it’s impossible to deny what a beautiful, sad, huge, and remarkable thing Rockstar and its many employees, past and present, have put together.”
read full review ↗ - 80Mega Man 11Oct 14, 2018 · Ron Duwell
“Like most Mega Man games (the ones not called Mega Man 2 or Mega Man 9), Mega Man 11 is not perfect by any means and has plenty of flaws to nitpick. But, considering how extinct the franchise was and how Capcom took a huge leap of faith on the fans greenlight this in the first place, I'm grateful that it exists and that it feels like a fresh, natural fit for a whole new generation.”
read full review ↗ - 70Assassin's Creed® OdysseyOct 5, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“Assassin's Creed Odyssey is worth checking out just for the vistas, but maybe set it to easy. Turn off "Exploration" mode. Skip the procedurally-generated quests. Don't play for too long at once. And if you try to dive deep, expect to hit bottom real fast.”
read full review ↗ - 90Hollow KnightSep 23, 2018 · Ron Duwell
“Hollow Knight is a testament to the everlasting enjoyment of the Metroidvania genre. Its spot on controls, exciting boss fights, and sense of progression pull those willing into a surreal, dark world loaded with secrets. Addiction and obsession start to settle in until every last one is found, a sign of the best that the genre has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 70The Swords of Ditto: Mormo's CurseJun 2, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“The art alone is worth checking Swords of Ditto out.”
read full review ↗ - 60Detroit: Become HumanMay 27, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“Like an un-awoken android, Detroit: Become Human is a pretty exterior without anything remotely human inside.”
read full review ↗ - 90God of WarApr 11, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“Instead of a tired, bored tale of vengeance, Sony has revived a god.”
read full review ↗ - 90Monster Hunter: WorldFeb 20, 2018 · Eric Frederiksen
“I can't honestly say it's the best Monster Hunter, as I haven't played the others, but it's the best way to get into Monster Hunter, for sure, and it stands on its own as one of the best games so far this year and likely one of my favorites going forward.”
read full review ↗ - 90Assassin's Creed® OriginsNov 15, 2017 · Eric Frederiksen
“Even if you've been away from the series for years, Assassin's Creed Origins is a great jumping-on point.”
read full review ↗ - 100Sonic ManiaSep 3, 2017 · Ron Duwell
“Sonic Mania is for everyone, and everyone should buy it. It succeeds at being a love letter to SEGA's classic days just as much as it succeeds at being a smartly designed video game with all of the reasons in the world to return to it over and over again. Older fans will love it, newer fans will love it, parents can play it with their kids.”
read full review ↗ - 60TacomaAug 13, 2017 · Eric Frederiksen
“Tacoma is worth the time I spent with it, even if it isn't the same holy-crap-what-did-I-just-play experience provided by Gone Home.”
read full review ↗ - 70Cosmic Star HeroineMay 25, 2017 · Ron Duwell
“Cosmic Star Heroine is a winner, even if you're too young to have experienced the games it references. Check it out.”
read full review ↗ - 80PreyMay 18, 2017 · Eric Frederiksen
“Prey is one of my favorite games of 2017 so far.”
read full review ↗ - 60Little NightmaresMay 14, 2017 · Eric Frederiksen
“The art, in itself, makes Little Nightmares worth checking out. The story, the gameplay, and the length that come with it make it a bit harder to justify the price. As polished as the art and animation are, the other parts of the game feel like unfinished ideas. Little Nightmares deserves a look, but waiting for a sale might make more sense for many gamers.”
read full review ↗ - 80Wonder Boy: The Dragon's TrapApr 18, 2017 · Ron Duwell
“Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap is a really solid retro release, and if you are new to the series, it could provide a decent starting point for your new retro adventures. If you're more into the HD graphics, it's a solid platformer that gets by on teasing your intuition and challenging players to find the best path forward.”
read full review ↗