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 43 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 7 times.
Computed 25m 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.
- +61Battlefield™ 2042outlet 100 · players 39 · Nov 2021
- +31Halo 5: Guardiansoutlet 90 · players 59 · Oct 2015
- +41Call of Duty: Black Ops 4outlet 85 · players 44 · Oct 2018
- -26Final Fantasy VII Remakeoutlet 60 · players 86 · Apr 2020
- +26Pokemon Swordoutlet 80 · players 54 · Nov 2019
- +27The Outer Worldsoutlet 100 · players 73 · Oct 2019
- +28No Man's Skyoutlet 70 · players 42 · Aug 2016
- +25Pokemon Shieldoutlet 80 · players 55 · Nov 2019
- +20Gears of War 4outlet 90 · players 70 · Oct 2016
- -44Little Nightmaresoutlet 40 · players 84 · Apr 2017
Recent reviews (583 tracked)
- 100Dead SpaceJan 27, 2023
“Dead Space is one of the true legends of the survival horror genre, and EA Motive’s new remake does the original game full justice while also introducing a variety of fantastic new additions and reworkings. Other than some slight disappointment in its visuals on a technical (but certainly not artistic or atmospheric) level, this is a remake that finds a near-perfect balance between retaining the heart and soul of its predecessor and reanimating its body in some unexpected (but positive) ways.”
read full review ↗ - 60High On LifeDec 16, 2022
“High on Life continues Squanch Games’ propensity for skewering video game tropes, this time in the form of a first-person shooter. Unfortunately, a lot of the game plays like a first draft, and armor of detached irony doesn’t do enough to protect it from its many, many kinks. Roiland’s personal brand of gross-out parody and “oh, geez” improvisational humor is already starting to feel routine in video game form, but there are a few standout bits. Thankfully, there’s a pretty fun shooter underneath all the alien semen, though stiff animations and some buggy moments can make it look slightly underbaked. If you’re a fan of Rick and Morty (or, more appropriately, “Doc and Mharti”), then High on Life might just be the pickup you need—but it never fully develops any of its really good ideas into a satisfying final draft.”
read full review ↗ - 60High On LifeDec 15, 2022 · Michael Goroff
“High on Life continues Squanch Games' propensity for skewering video game tropes, this time in the form of a first-person shooter. Unfortunately, a lot of the game plays like a first draft, and armor of detached irony doesn't do enough to protect it from its many, many kinks. Roiland's personal brand of gross-out parody and "oh, geez" improvisational humor is already starting to feel routine in video game form, but there are a few standout bits. Thankfully, there's a pretty fun shooter underneath all the alien semen, though stiff animations and some buggy moments can make it look slightly underbaked. If you're a fan of Rick and Morty (or, more appropriately, "Doc and Mharti"), then High on Life might just be the pickup you need-but it never fully develops any of its really good ideas into a satisfying final draft.”
read full review ↗ - 60The Callisto Protocol™Dec 5, 2022 · Michael Goroff
“The Callisto Protocol feels like a throwback title, for better and worse. While the Dead Space comparisons are unavoidable, director Glen Schofield's return to survival horror does bring with it several new concepts, but many, like the melee combat system, suffer from poor execution. Still, if you're looking for a fun, B-movie disaster story with some famous Hollywood faces and a more straightforward, linear single-player experience, you could do worse-at least until the Dead Space remake launches next year.”
read full review ↗ - –Need for Speed™ UnboundDec 2, 2022 · Mollie L Patterson
“While I’m not sure how the more hardcore racing fans will receive the game, this is the kind of release that’s perfect for those of us who come to those genre entries that offer something that’ll capture our imaginations (and reignite that occasional need for speed). And, if nothing else, Need for Speed: Unbound is available as a 10-hour full-game trial through both EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is more than enough time to see if the game will do for you what it’s done so far for me.”
read full review ↗ - 100PentimentNov 14, 2022
“Pentiment is a true achievement of marrying story, style, and theme into a magical and cohesive whole. In lieu of 3D graphics that try too hard and still fail to represent an authentic-feeling world, Obsidian’s artists opted for a more illustrative aesthetic to tell their gripping story of a murder in an abbey, a choice that resonates throughout the entire game. While it might not satisfy every player, especially those expecting a more traditional RPG or adventure experience, those who can immerse themselves in Pentiment’s vision of 16th century Bavaria will find one of the best games of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 100PentimentNov 14, 2022 · Michael Goroff
“Pentiment is a true achievement of marrying story, style, and theme into a magical and cohesive whole. In lieu of 3D graphics that try too hard and still fail to represent an authentic-feeling world, Obsidian's artists opted for a more illustrative aesthetic to tell their gripping story of a murder in an abbey, a choice that resonates throughout the entire game. While it might not satisfy every player, especially those expecting a more traditional RPG or adventure experience, those who can immerse themselves in Pentiment's vision of 16th century Bavaria will find one of the best games of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 100God of War: RagnarokNov 3, 2022
“God of War Ragnarök is a worthy continuation of (and conclusion to) 2018’s God of War, building on that already strong foundation to deliver an experience deserving of a spot in gaming’s pantheon. New tools and greater enemy variety elevate combat, and the expanded environments and cast give this sequel the epic scope its story demands. But the beating heart of the game remains its characters, and Ragnarök delivers an immensely satisfying next chapter for just about everyone—Kratos and Atreus, returning friends, and new faces alike.”
read full review ↗ - 100God of War RagnarökNov 3, 2022 · Josh Harmon
“God of War Ragnarök is a worthy continuation of (and conclusion to) 2018's God of War, building on that already strong foundation to deliver an experience deserving of a spot in gaming's pantheon. New tools and greater enemy variety elevate combat, and the expanded environments and cast give this sequel the epic scope its story demands. But the beating heart of the game remains its characters, and Ragnarök delivers an immensely satisfying next chapter for just about everyone-Kratos and Atreus, returning friends, and new faces alike.”
read full review ↗ - 80Mario + Rabbids Sparks of HopeOct 20, 2022
“Even if you haven’t played the first game in the series, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a great introduction to a certain type of strategy game, iterating on a now-familiar formula with a readable, predictable approach to combat and some fun innovations in character movement. It knows where to streamline without sacrificing depth, all while starring mascots that fans know and love. Its exploration elements might slow the pace a bit too much, but you won’t mind too much thanks to the gorgeous art direction.”
read full review ↗ - 60Gotham KnightsOct 20, 2022 · Ray Carsillo
“Gotham City might never have looked better, but Gotham Knights' gameplay repetition and lack of length to the main narrative might deter all but the most hardcore Batman fans. Co-op adds a fun layer to all the crime fighting, and every character feels truly different from one another, even if the combat system takes some getting used to. Overall, there is a solid core here that hopefully can be built on in the future.”
read full review ↗ - 100A Plague Tale: RequiemOct 17, 2022 · Mollie L Patterson
“Siblings Amicia and Hugo went to hell and back in A Plague Tale: Innocence in their quest to survive an inquisition, endless hordes of rats, and the humans that looked to take advantage of the young boy's curse. And now, in A Plague Tale: Requiem, they must pay the devil his due. This is the tale of the duo wanting to control their own fate as the fragile peace they had found falls apart, and the harsh lesson that their choices have consequences. As a game, Requiem is a bigger, better, and more ambitious adventure over its predecessor, but as a story, and a look into the lives of the characters that inhabit it, it's so much more.”
read full review ↗ - 80ScornOct 14, 2022 · Michael Goroff
“Scorn is a daring aesthetic experiment in virtual, interactive science fiction. Taking inspiration from the art of H.R. Giger and Zdzislaw Beksiński, developer Ebb Software seems hellbent on giving its players a surreal, nightmarish experience, and it mostly succeeds. While combat can feel like a secondary concern, Scorn's puzzles provide just enough challenge to keep the game from feeling like a "walking simulator." Really, though, the main attraction is Scorn's compelling world, a fully realized artistic vision that will haunt you for days after experiencing it.”
read full review ↗ - –Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto EditionOct 14, 2022 · Josh Harmon
“Look, I’m not going to present this to you as a definitive judgment on the game, because I haven’t put in the time I’d usually put into a real review. But part of the reason I’m calling it quits is because I have zero compulsion to play any more than I already have, and I think that’s a kind of verdict of its own.”
read full review ↗ - –Asterigos: Curse of the StarsOct 13, 2022 · Mollie L Patterson
“Asterigos: Curse of the Stars has launched at a point in time where I have too many other things going on to give it the attention it’d need for a full review. And yet, after spending some time with it, I really wanted to at least give it some attention. This is the type of release that a lot of you could easily miss, and it’s got enough quirks and rough edges that I think some who try it might give up before getting too far. The more I’ve played Asterigos, though, the more I’ve wanted to keep playing. It doesn’t get everything right, but it does craft a game that feels genuinely unique for everything else I’ve played this year. I might have first discovered Asterigos due to expectations of it being a Soulslike, but what I found was something a little more.”
read full review ↗