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 4 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 2 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.
- +27No Man's Skyoutlet 75 · players 48 · Aug 2016
- -28Hellblade: Senua's Sacrificeoutlet 60 · players 88 · Oct 2017
- +15Total War: WARHAMMERoutlet 80 · players 65 · Jun 2016
- +13Neverwinteroutlet 80 · players 67 · Jul 2016
- -32Headlanderoutlet 50 · players 82 · Aug 2016
- -25Shadwenoutlet 40 · players 65 · May 2016
Recent reviews (48 tracked)
- 60Hellblade: Senua's SacrificeOct 27, 2017 · Benjamin Tyrer
“Promising and frustrating in equal measure, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice ultimately disappoints with rote puzzling, unexciting combat, and storytelling that fails to connect emotionally with its audience.”
read full review ↗ - 70PreyMay 11, 2017 · Benjamin Tyrer
“A well-crafted yet predictable experience that invokes its inspiration with poise, Prey ultimately fails to carve out a meaningful identify of its own.”
read full review ↗ - 80Dishonored 2Nov 15, 2016 · Benjamin Tyrer
“Dishonored 2 mostly follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, and in doing so stumbles in a number of the same potholes. Yet, it doesn’t fail to deliver fun in the form of a visually arresting, moody romp that combines complex, interwoven levels with an emphasis on player choice. When it sticks to the formula set out by its fondly remembered older sibling, Dishonored 2 delights. Surprisingly, it’s where this sequel chooses to innovate that the experience loses some of its lustre.”
read full review ↗ - 80#KILLALLZOMBIESAug 16, 2016 · Zack Hage
“You can call #KILLALLZOMBIES inferior in terms of name alone, but everything else it exceeds proficiently at. If anything, it's ambitious and amazing to see this amount of concepts and ideas pressed into something that could have so easily been screwed up. It's not always perfect, but there's a lot of fun to be had.”
read full review ↗ - 75No Man's SkyAug 9, 2016 · Brandon Geo
“Overall solid game, but could use improvement.”
read full review ↗ - 50HeadlanderAug 8, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Headlander isn’t a lost cause, yet Double Fine should have done a couple more reinventions on the drawing board before they let this one loose. The main idea is intriguing and might convince some dedicated players to go all the way through, but to anyone else it will be a drag with some laughter, but mostly tedium.”
read full review ↗ - 80Quadrilateral CowboyAug 3, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Quadrilateral Cowboy is an extremely unique game that is only hampered by it’s later innovations and simple story. However, the way the game presents these aspects make up for their shortcomings. The sense of awe with every task is wonderful, and it’s mind-blowing how inserting commands over and over doesn’t feel repetitious, thanks to strong design. It might be a bit unaccesible for those who haven’t played a puzzle game in a long while, but it will definitely cater to the fanatics.”
read full review ↗ - 90ABZUAug 2, 2016 · Zack Hage
“On the surface, ABZÛ is a simple game, but there's an incredible amount of polish, detail, and artistic integrity at hand. The game is beautiful without sacrificing any of its main components, which makes the whole experience better as a whole. There are a couple technical stumbles, but the overall product is nevertheless exceeding.”
read full review ↗ - 90ChambaraAug 1, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Chambara is a multiplayer titan and courageously reinvents the wheel without fail. I could complain about the game’s lack of modes, but that goes against the entertainment you really are receiving. After all, nothing I’ve played this year matches this kinetic, effortless, and overall enticing concept.”
read full review ↗ - 80Blue RiderJul 31, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Blue Rider is a refreshing twin-stick shooter that takes influences and innovates at the same time. It’s the best blend between these ideas I’ve seen in ages, although I do wish it was expanded more and wasn’t so choppy here and there. Besides that, it’s hard not to have fun with such a well-managed shooter.”
read full review ↗ - 80Dungeon PunksJul 30, 2016 · Zack Hage
“I won’t go as far to say Dungeon Punks will likely be the best brawler released this generation, but it’s certainly up there. It’s blend of great mechanics, enemies, and a funny story show that the developers knew how to make a brawler great. There is some tedium here and there, but it was nothing that stalled me from playing, because everything else was so strong.”
read full review ↗ - 80Human Fall FlatJul 29, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Human Fall Flat has some issues, but it’s one of the few games I’ve played recently where it weaves into the gameplay in rather enjoyable ways. This works even better with other people, making me realize why the game has gotten so much online publicity. It doesn’t thrive off of one gimmick, and is successful and captivating because of that.”
read full review ↗ - 80Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of FateJul 28, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Shiren the Wanderer may have a long subtitle, but it’s the smallest nitpick I could provide of this otherwise fantastic rogue-like. It’s the proper way to reintroduce the lesser classics to a new audience, and in a way that everybody’s familiar with. There’s no hardcore pandering here, just good plain fun.”
read full review ↗ - 80NeverwinterJul 26, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Neverwinter is one of the better MMO's to release this generation, and especially on console. It's competence is far and wide, and the developers have clearly put in enough effort to give this game a long life-cycle. There will probably be a dip as usual, but with how great it is, I'm expecting much less so.”
read full review ↗ - 50ADR1FTJul 25, 2016 · Zack Hage
“Coming from someone who followed it for so long, Adr1ft is massively dis-encouraging. However, I feel it might be worth it to a couple of folks who are looking for a more minimal and ambitious gameplay experience. Just keep in mind that it's far from perfect, and that most would be suited elsewhere.”
read full review ↗