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 55 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 24 times.
Computed 6m 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.
- +42Battlefield™ 2042outlet 78 · players 35 · Nov 2021
- -37Killing Floor 2outlet 50 · players 87 · Sep 2017
- +37Warhammer 40,000: Darktideoutlet 85 · players 48 · Dec 2022
- -23Cities: Skylinesoutlet 60 · players 83 · Jun 2017
- +32Total War: WARHAMMER IIIoutlet 80 · players 48 · Feb 2022
- -13ARK: Survival Evolvedoutlet 60 · players 73 · Sep 2017
- +28Warhammer: Vermintide 2outlet 90 · players 62 · Mar 2018
- +29Elite Dangerousoutlet 93 · players 64 · Jul 2017
- +38Vampyroutlet 100 · players 62 · Jul 2018
- -17Human Fall Flatoutlet 70 · players 87 · Aug 2016
Recent reviews (653 tracked)
- 90Chained EchoesDec 14, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“I couldn’t have been happier with my time with Matthias Linda and Deck13’s Chained Echos. It does everything right. Taking retro inspired designs and making it an RPG worthy of today’s standards, the characters, the environments, the music, the gameplay, essentially the works, you have it here. Thank you for this early holiday present!”
read full review ↗ - 85Warhammer 40,000: DarktideDec 12, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“Overall, Fatshark’s latest four person co-op, first person shooter, and hack and slash Darktide is a blast. The modifications to the core gameplay design from Vermintide and Vermintide 2, as well as the support to fix unforeseen issues, continue to show Fatshark’s stride for creating great gameplay experiences.”
read full review ↗ - 70SAMURAI MAIDENDec 9, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“So overall, SHADE Inc. and D3Publisher’s Samurai Maiden was a fun title to go through. While the gameplay visuals may have been a bit bland over time as you’ll only ever see the same color palette swapped enemies, there’s a ton of dialog and story to make up for it as Tsumugi travels with Iyo, Hagane and Komimi to defeat the Demon Lord.”
read full review ↗ - 60Gungrave G.O.R.ENov 25, 2022 · Nick Herber
“Gungrave G.O.R.E. feels like one of those games that would have felt right at home in an arcade years ago. The action’s borderline unrelenting, and some of the cheaper, more annoying hordes of characters almost feel like they were made for eating someone’s quarters. Characters look interesting and creative early on, but like the gameplay become repetitive fairly early into things, which is a shame since there are a lot of beautifully realized if linear environments that feel more like they are meant to be ‘gotten through’ instead of enjoyed and explored. Gungrave G.O.R.E. has some rewarding moments here and there, but it’s a relatively average game that is likely only to appeal to hardcore fans of action games of the source material.”
read full review ↗ - 80McPixel 3Nov 18, 2022 · Richard York
“Overall, McPixel 3 is something nice for an in-between period. It’s short and not too complicated, but plenty enjoyable with some weird hijinks. The scenarios you encounter are all pretty unique, and the gags you can find will probably give you a few laughs per round, at least. If you’re looking for a shorter but weirder adventure that would feel right at home with its own laugh track, check out McPixel 3.”
read full review ↗ - 85This Way Madness LiesNov 16, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“So overall, Zeboyd Games’ This Way Madness Lies is a great bite sized RPG. Between the great dialog of the Stratford-Upon-Avon High Drama Society, the well designed combat system and the awesome music to wrap it all together, saving the worlds from invading nightmares was a lot of fun.”
read full review ↗ - 90Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed Ecto EditionNov 15, 2022 · Hayden Trattner
“Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed hits almost all the right notes to bring the heart of the franchise to our screens. This is the fantasy of so many kids brought to life, and in a way that really feels like it does the movies and the spirit (no pun intended, this time!) of the franchise justice. From gorgeous graphics to engaging asymmetrical gameplay and hitting those notes of nostalgia that appeal to older players who grew up with the original movies, this game does it right. In the end, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!”
read full review ↗ - 83Broken PiecesNov 10, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“Overall, Broken Pieces by Elseware Experience, Benoit Dereau, Mael Vignaux and Freedom Games was a journey that I’ll remember for some time. Well paced and not overly complicated in its puzzles, this adventure felt well balanced as it tells its mysterious tale.”
read full review ↗ - 85Yomawari: Lost in the DarkNov 9, 2022 · Richard York
“Overall, Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is a great title. While I haven’t played the previous two titles, I certainly want to now. Setting a great creepy atmosphere with the soundtrack and visuals, as well as a large number of collectibles to implore you to explore and put yourself in danger makes for a good time had all around. If you’re looking for something a little spooky yet cute, this might be the title for you.”
read full review ↗ - 85Unusual FindingsOct 27, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“Overall, Epic Llama Games’ Unusual Findings delivers a fantastic 80s based Point and Click nostalgic adventure. Between the crazy plot, the well written and even better voiced characters and a well designed interactive gameplay, whether you were there for the 80s or not, you should be there for this!”
read full review ↗ - 80Kamiwaza: Way of the ThiefOct 26, 2022 · Richard York
“Overall, Kamiwaza: Way of the Thief is a really fun game. Really niche, yes, but also really fun. The stealth aspect is pretty fun, and the stylish points earned through your actions are an interesting take. The gameplay loop is pretty easy to get, allowing you to hop right in to your thieving ways, and you will probably find yourself easily racking up mission after mission. While this may be a re-release of an old PS2 title, it has aged surprisingly well, if not in graphics then in gameplay. It’s fun and quirky, and I definitely suggest you give it at least a chance.”
read full review ↗ - 80Asterigos: Curse of the StarsOct 25, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“Acme Gamestudio and tinyBuild’s Asterigos: Curse of the Stars is a solid adventure. Not simply following the standard Soulslike formula, they’ve gone and made it their own and have given us both the mysteries of the past as well as a solid journey in the present.”
read full review ↗ - 75Medieval DynastyOct 20, 2022 · Nick Herber
“Medieval Dynasty is a fun mashup of survival, RPG and building simulation that works far more often than not. The visuals are attractive and the world is fun to explore, even if the characters discovered during the exploration could be more engaging. There is a lot to do – but the pacing of Medieval Dynasty can make for a satisfying if slow-burn experience that I enjoyed but certainly won’t be for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 70CHAOS;CHILDOct 19, 2022 · Richard York
“While Chaos;Child may suffer a bit from some poor localization and text formatting decisions, the story is rather unique and engaging, leading to a fascinating murder mystery full of twists and turns. While I would suggest going through Chaos;Head Noah (or the non remastered version even) before going through Chaos;Child for a little more backstory and context, Chaos; Child still largely works as a standalone title, and will be a good choice for anyone looking for a grittier visual novel experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90LEGO® BricktalesOct 13, 2022 · Pierre-Yves Lanthier
“ClockStone STUDIO and Thunderful Publishing’s LEGO: Bricktales was a delight to sit down to and enjoy. With a relaxing exploration system that leads into a more complex and hands-on simulation where you get to actually build LEGO as you see fit for the challenge at hand, there’s more than enough here for builders of any caliber to enjoy.”
read full review ↗