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 15 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.
- -46CODE VEINoutlet 40 · players 86 · Oct 2019
- -50Hello Neighboroutlet 20 · players 70 · Jan 2018
- -26Hellblade: Senua's Sacrificeoutlet 60 · players 86 · Aug 2017
- +12Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Wildlandsoutlet 80 · players 68 · Apr 2017
- +19Gears 5outlet 80 · players 61 · Sep 2019
- -27Torchlight IIoutlet 60 · players 87 · Sep 2019
- +14Deus Ex: Mankind Dividedoutlet 80 · players 66 · Aug 2016
- -32Darksiders IIIoutlet 40 · players 72 · Dec 2018
- +14Ancestors Legacyoutlet 80 · players 66 · Jun 2018
- -26THE LONGINGoutlet 60 · players 86 · Mar 2020
Recent reviews (109 tracked)
- 80DOOM EternalMar 17, 2020 · Mike Cripe
“DOOM Eternal is as much of a benchmark in design for id Software and Bethesda as it is the entire genre of FPS games as a whole.”
read full review ↗ - 60THE LONGINGMar 11, 2020 · Rebecca Hills-Duty
“The design approach taken by The Longing is bold, but it is not something everyone will appreciate. We live in an era of endless distractions, with many different forms of both work and entertainment clamouring for our time. Perhaps the developers behind The Longing have a point that it’s worth it to slow down once in a while.”
read full review ↗ - 80Zombie Army 4: Dead WarFeb 22, 2020
“Zombie Army 4: Dead War delivers all the archetypal aspects of zombie, lore from its Haitian folklore origins, novels, and iconic films. The storyline and gameplay have a classic B-movie vibe, and Rebellion gives the audience what they would want:gore, humour, and satisfying kills. The studio has taken the series to the next level with tons of undead, missions, and areas to explore. Even if this game is a player’s first experience of the Zombie Army franchise, it is a great title to start with. Rebellion has perfected the zombie shooter, and the titanic zombie shark transforms the game into somewhat of a masterpiece.”
read full review ↗ - 40LUNA The Shadow DustFeb 13, 2020 · Rebecca Hills-Duty
“Luna: The Shadow Dust has a beautiful art style, and the early puzzles are fun and interesting, but it falls short of becoming a truly great game. Players who are adept at out-of-the-box thinking might find more to enjoy here, but many will be put off by the levels of frustration prompted by later puzzles.”
read full review ↗ - 60KUNAIFeb 6, 2020 · Amy Davidson
“Kunai is, for most part, a wonderfully complex Metroidvania. The colourful artwork, smooth movement, and clever level design are some of the greatest the genre has seen, but the high difficulty of the boss encounters will prevent some players from fully enjoying this vibrant world.”
read full review ↗ - 60Journey To The Savage PlanetJan 27, 2020 · Amy Campbell
“Despite some issues that create a disconnect between the lighthearted tone of the game and the intensity of the battles, Journey to the Savage Planet is exactly that: a journey across a planet that is just as silly as it is savage.”
read full review ↗ - 80The Coma 2: Vicious SistersJan 24, 2020 · Amy Davidson
“The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters is a terrifying, well-executed fusion of survival horror and adventure game sensibilities. The game is extremely tough, but also rewarding, and will forever create an association between the sound of high heels and danger.”
read full review ↗ - 80Phoenix PointDec 12, 2019 · Damien Lawardorn
“Phoenix Point may not be as good as XCOM, and it may not be as narratively intriguing as Phantom Doctrine, but it still feels like a benchmark that similar games will be gauged against for years to come.”
read full review ↗ - 60MechWarrior 5: MercenariesDec 10, 2019
“MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries delivers a fun, combat-adventure game and a worthy sequel within the franchise. The movement controls, backing action music, and combat mechanics offer a thrilling, Mech-based action game. However, the inconsistent narrative design, demanding PC specifications, and frustrating repair mechanic detract from the game’s potential. In its current state, players may find Titanfall 2 the more appealing mech-centric choice.”
read full review ↗ - 80Darksiders GenesisDec 4, 2019 · Amy Campbell
“Darksiders Genesis may be a spin-off, but it is a star in its own right. The classic looting, shooting, and stabbing style of the game feels of another era in the best way possible. Airship Syndicate has delivered a game truthful to its origins, yet fresh for a modern appetite. Players willing to forgive its minor mishaps will delight in the heavenly romp through Hell that Darksiders Genesis has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 80SparkliteNov 30, 2019
“Sparklite is a fascinating and enjoyable rogue-lite adventure title ripe with nostalgic elements for 2D Zelda fans without feeling like a rip-off. Geodia’s world maps are stunning, and the time-loop mechanism allows for almost infinite exploration without boredom setting in. Sparklite carves its own place in the rogue-lite genre and offers an almost perfect balance of gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 40Shenmue IIINov 29, 2019 · Amy Davidson
“Similar to how Ryo is eternally stuck in 1987, Shenmue III is trapped in 2001, when having an open world with many NPCs was more important than filling that world with anything interesting. The game tells a high-stakes plot at a snail’s pace, with terrible writing and acting. The clever combat system of the previous games has devolved into a button-mashing mess. The title does have moments of brightness: the actual story beats are great, the setting is fascinating, and it features the best forklift simulation on the market. However, with such incredibly dated gameplay, only the most ardent fans will enjoy Shenmue III. Even then, it is easily the weakest link in the franchise.”
read full review ↗ - 60Sniper Ghost Warrior ContractsNov 25, 2019 · Damien Lawardorn
“When Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts works, it works amazingly well. The process of spotting, planning, and sniping makes for a tense, engaging experience, especially given the expansive maps that almost always provide multiple vantage points and approaches. However, the game too often demands that players close the gap and suffers as a result. Although Seeker’s toolkit is filled with toys, too many rely on noise, and the enemies flock to the slightest sign of the player’s presence, making the game tougher than will likely be enjoyable for many. Add to that the bugs that, although not game-breaking, are annoying and a story that is not much of a story at all, and Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts falls short of its ambitions. Maybe next time, CI Games will have its scope calibrated properly.”
read full review ↗ - 80Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®Nov 20, 2019 · Chris Hepburn
“The story is meant to be controversial, pulling on the heartstrings of the player to tell a story of why war today is so much more convoluted than it used to be. In the story, many characters go through challenging moments that make the player ask whether they can handle making the hard decisions. While the story gets dark with instances of torture and terrorist attacks, the game feels like it was scared to go all the way, holding back when situations should have pushed for more. Although the story has tropes and moments of gamification, the plot is still incredibly relevant and thought-provoking. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare may be the best in the series.”
read full review ↗ - 80Planet ZooNov 15, 2019 · Amy Davidson
“Planet Zoo has some balancing issues and explains certain concepts poorly. Once the game is understood, however, it offers such loveable inhabitants and deep simulation that its shortcomings can be forgiven. The game shows how difficult running a zoo ethically can be, but also convinces the player how worthwhile that endeavour is by offering adorable animals at every turn. It is clever, complicated, and perfect for animal lovers.”
read full review ↗