How this trust score was computed
This reviewer publishes verdicts, not numbers, so trust comes from their recommend/pan calls: call accuracy (50%): when they say buy, do players end up satisfied, and when they say skip, do players agree; alignment (25%): do their recommendations sort games the way players do; and player-side (25%): on games where press and players sharply disagreed, whose side were they on. The blend is shrunk toward a neutral prior (60) so small histories can't peg the scale, and recent verdicts weigh more (2-year half-life).
Controversy record: on 1 game where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 1 time.
Computed 1h 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.
Recent reviews (134 tracked)
- –Against the StormDec 8, 2023 · Kevin Purdy
“"Cozy" doesn't quite describe Against the Storm, but there's a reason I'm thinking it. It's a real feat, honing a game to offer layers of depth, infinite strategic options, and replay value while not making it intimidatingly sharp. There's a good chance you'll find respite from the interlocking systems that run your life inside those of this complex, calming builder.”
read full review ↗ - –Marvel's Spider-Man 2Oct 17, 2023 · Kyle Orland
“More of the same is just fine when it's more of this compelling superhero formula. Buy it.”
read full review ↗ - –Street Fighter™ 6May 30, 2023 · Aurich Lawson
“Dynamic mode provides the true button-mashing experience. I like to think of it as a "kid brother" mode. There are only three buttons, and they perform different attacks depending on which one you press and the range from which you press it. With a single button, you can throw a fireball from across the screen, punch someone when closer to them, or execute a throw while up in their face. A combo button makes you jump in for an attack from a distance or execute several moves in a row from up close. It's so easy that it feels like cheating, but with a little practice, I was able to feel in control of my actions.”
read full review ↗ - –Diablo® IVMay 30, 2023 · Aaron Zimmerman
“Each class has a gimmick-or "specialization"-that unlocks as you progress through the game. The Barbarian, for instance, can lug around a huge arsenal of weapons and gains "expertise" with each as you use them, granting buffs and special effects. The Necromancer can choose between different types of minions or sacrifice them to extract their power. The Rogue has three specialization options, one of which is a WoW-like combo-points system. Every class has its own personality and quirks, and they're all a blast to play.”
read full review ↗ - –STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™Apr 26, 2023 · Alessandro Fillari
“While I enjoyed exploring these different worlds, I sometimes struggled to figure out where to go and how to make my trek there. Though the game features a helpful 3D holo map that shows paths and layouts for areas-along with generous fast travel and ridable mounts to cover great distances-the game does struggle with conveying which parts of the environment you can truly interact with. This led to many moments where I was faced with solving a puzzle or making a jump to a hard-to-reach area without knowing whether or not I was simply there too early to solve it.”
read full review ↗ - –The Callisto Protocol™Dec 2, 2022 · Alessandro Fillari
“This breakout horror game stumbles occasionally, but it still stands tall as a thrilling survival-horror experience.”
read full review ↗ - –God of War RagnarökNov 3, 2022 · Kyle Orland
“Doesn't quite hit the heights of its predecessor, but it's still a worthy sequel with some strong moments. Buy it.”
read full review ↗ - –Return to Monkey IslandSep 19, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“I love Return to Monkey Island, and I'm excited for you to learn its secrets, too.”
read full review ↗ - –The Last of Us™ Part IAug 31, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“Graphical upgrades and smarter enemies make this version of TLOU the best one yet, but those updates fail to address an issue at this game's core: TLOU was originally designed for the PlayStation 3, and at its worst, TLOU Pt 1 still feels like a PlayStation 3 game.”
read full review ↗ - –Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga CollectionAug 29, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“If Digital Eclipse addresses even half of my nitpicks in a future patch, that would take this collection past its current state of "good enough" to "easily recommended" territory. In the meantime, weigh your own particular nostalgic appetite before reaching in for a slice of the Cowabunga Collection-or order a tastier pie from the competition with Shredder's Revenge.”
read full review ↗ - –Saints RowAug 22, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“When I got the wingsuit working, I could fly decent distances while diving to maintain speed, then pull up on my joystick to catch more air and keep going. But the wingsuit is just a wingsuit, and in a series like Saints Row, that feels like a missed opportunity. Why not let wingsuit flyers shoot a gun, fly higher with a jetpack, or grab onto power lines and fling themselves around? After I experimented with flight a few times, I found the system too unwieldy for consistently convenient travel and leaned on fast travel or cars.”
read full review ↗ - 80StrayJul 18, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“One early moment appears to block players' progress with a gate, but with no other direction to go, players will likely walk toward the gate, only to realize its bars are wide enough to let a cat easily pass through. It's one of the many examples of the game reminding players that they are tiny and can get through small paths, and I really appreciated when Stray's puzzles rewarded proper "just walk right through" thinking.”
read full review ↗ - –Rogue Legacy 2May 6, 2022 · Aaron Zimmerman
“There is a story, told mostly through notes left strewn around the environments, but I’d be lying if I said I paid any attention to it. The draw here is the gameplay loop, and if what I’ve described above sounds tedious to you, the game is absolutely not for you. Rogue Legacy 2 is a game about repeated failure, and only slow, incremental progress will lead to your success.”
read full review ↗ - –TUNICMar 16, 2022 · Sam Machkovech
“Don't wait for Tunic to land on our year-end list. Buy.”
read full review ↗ - –ELDEN RINGFeb 23, 2022 · Kyle Orland
“I can appreciate that Elden Ring doesn't want to hold a player's hand and gently guide them to the next point of interest, as so many other games do. But that lack of guidance often seems to slip into a willingness to let a player wander aimlessly if they're not careful. Players who use guides or rely on the in-game hints from other players may not feel this issue so acutely, but aimlessness has been a major feature of my time with the game so far.”
read full review ↗