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 28 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 7 times.
Computed 5m 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.
- +28Call of Duty®: Black Ops IIIoutlet 90 · players 62 · Nov 2015
- +30Elite Dangerousoutlet 90 · players 60 · Oct 2015
- +38Call of Duty®: Infinite Warfareoutlet 90 · players 53 · Nov 2016
- +24Batman™: Arkham Knightoutlet 90 · players 66 · Jun 2015
- +40Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™outlet 90 · players 50 · Oct 2014
- +14Final Fantasy XVoutlet 90 · players 76 · Dec 2016
- +18Fallout 4outlet 90 · players 72 · Nov 2015
- -41Hyper Light Drifteroutlet 50 · players 91 · Aug 2016
- -25Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Numberoutlet 60 · players 85 · Mar 2015
- -60Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulatoroutlet 30 · players 90 · Oct 2016
Recent reviews (289 tracked)
- 80LET IT DIEDec 24, 2016 · Sophia Edwards
“Boasting some of the most compelling mechanics in a Grasshopper game to date and a terrific sense of style, 'Let it Die' is often a great time, and easily one of my favorite F2P games on consoles. The game is held back somewhat by occasionally wonky difficulty that feels particularly punishing given the game's death system, and it often feels padded with systems that drag things down in the name of length, but overall, I've been having a wonderful time with 'Let it Die', and I look forward to diving into it for weeks to come.”
read full review ↗ - 80Shantae: Half-Genie HeroDec 22, 2016 · Sophia Edwards
“While the game is light on extra content right now, the promise of free DLC that will expand the game dramatically could easily lead to this being the biggest 'Shantae' yet. It might not be the half-genie's best adventure to date, but it's an upbeat, extremely fun game that's well worth checking out for anyone who likes platformers.”
read full review ↗ - 80BeholderDec 20, 2016 · Levi van Tine
“'Beholder' is a somber, harsh experience in terms of both its theme and its gameplay. The naggy and sometimes baffling routines of the residents can get in the way of a good story at times, and it's too short overall. Still, it's an interesting addition to the growing "authoritarian state" genre, and well worth its small asking price.”
read full review ↗ - 80BeholderDec 20, 2016
“Beholder is a somber, harsh experience in terms of both its theme and its gameplay. The naggy and sometimes baffling routines of the residents can get in the way of a good story at times, and it's too short overall. Still, it's an interesting addition to the growing "authoritarian state" genre, and well worth its small asking price.”
read full review ↗ - 90I Expect You To DieDec 18, 2016
“A must-have puzzle game for PlayStation VR owners. It's one of the most polished titles available for the headset, and really shows how the medium can open up new ideas for developers. ”
read full review ↗ - 90I Expect You To DieDec 17, 2016 · Tyler Treese
“'I Expect You To Die' is a must-have puzzle game for PlayStation VR owners. It's one of the most polished titles available for the headset, and really shows how the medium can open up new ideas for developers. It takes the light-hearted interactions that made 'Job Simulator' a blast to play, but gives the player a greater purpose by having them solve brilliantly crafted puzzles. The only disappointment is that the experience ends a bit too quickly, but thankfully it looks like more is on the way (either in the form of a sequel or DLC) if the game's credits are to be believed.”
read full review ↗ - 90Stardew ValleyDec 16, 2016 · Levi van Tine
“'Stardew Valley' takes its inspirations and runs away with them into not just an amazing game, but undoubtedly one of the best of the year. There is no shortage of engrossing gameplay, and it has an adorable personality. The Xbox One version has been ported over with very few issues and I see myself emerging only grudgingly from my farm work over the holiday season.”
read full review ↗ - 80The Last GuardianDec 15, 2016
“The Last Guardian is filled with bouts of frustration, but it's also proof that gaming is the most powerful medium for creators. I got to experience a genuine bond with Trico over the course of the game, and that can't be replicated elsewhere as it's dependent on actual interaction. Ueda's third title as a director is filled with flaws and some straight-up bad design in spots, but it manages to overcome its shortcomings to be something truly special.”
read full review ↗ - 60The Little AcreDec 13, 2016 · Tyler Treese
“Playing through 'The Little Acre' will make for an enjoyable afternoon, but not much past that. The impressive production values are the star here, as the gameplay can't match the amazing amount of polish that has been put into the visuals and audio. Narratively, several ideas are left unexplored, and it rarely touches upon both of the unique settings that the game takes place within. Ultimately, it's an average adventure game that has been put in a gorgeous package.”
read full review ↗ - 60The Little AcreDec 13, 2016
“Playing through The Little Acre will make for an enjoyable afternoon, but not much past that. The impressive production values are the star here, as the gameplay can't match the amazing amount of polish that has been put into the visuals and audio. Narratively, several ideas are left unexplored, and it rarely touches upon both of the unique settings that the game takes place within. Ultimately, it's an average adventure game that has been put in a gorgeous package.”
read full review ↗ - 70ABZUDec 12, 2016 · Levi van Tine
“In this violent, bloody holiday release schedule it is nice to have games like 'ABZÛ'. It is an artistic, aesthetic game, suited for watching and observing, not playing in a strict sense of the word. Its undersea beauty is unmatched, but leaves me wanting more.”
read full review ↗ - 70Dead Rising 4Dec 11, 2016 · Levi van Tine
“'Dead Rising 4' has deviated too much from its own traditions for me to give it a wholehearted recommendation. It now resembles a typical modern day third-person sandbox game, for what that's worth. To be fair, I have a lot of fun with games like that, and I've been having a lot of fun with this game. But 'Dead Rising' has come and gone, and has been replaced with something a little tamer and more accessible.”
read full review ↗ - 80Lara Croft GODec 11, 2016 · Tyler Treese
“The successor to 'Hitman GO' manages to perfectly mesh what made that game a mobile hit and what players love about the 'Tomb Raider' series. It's due to this that 'Lara Croft GO' has its own unique identity.”
read full review ↗ - 90Final Fantasy XVDec 9, 2016
“While it occasionally buckles under its own ambition and the game falters somewhat as the plot ramps up, overall Final Fantasy XV is a beautiful, exciting game that I dearly loved. It may not be the best game I've played this year, but it is almost certainly my favorite, and Square Enix has built an incredible, extremely unique open-world.”
read full review ↗ - 70Zen Pinball 2: Bethesda PinballDec 5, 2016
“'Bethesda Pinball' is easily Zen Studios' most ambitious project yet. They really went all out making sure each table feels like the game it's based upon, but that leads to mixed results when it comes to digital pinball. 'DOOM' is the real standout addition, with the two role-playing game tables getting too overly complicated. While it may not pull off every idea it attempted, I'm glad that Zen Studios isn't afraid to take risks, and that's exactly why this is still a pinball pack that is worth checking out even if it's not the developer's best adaptation.”
read full review ↗