VideoGamesCritic | The one source of truth for gamers

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.

Alignment (40%)

Decoded accuracy (30%)

Player-side (30%)

Controversy record: on 46 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 17 times.

Computed 4m 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 (642 tracked)

80
Blood DungeonSep 1, 2026
“Blood Dungeon is a rewarding gameplay experience that adds a fun yet gruelling twist on a very crowded genre. By adding intense and acrobatic platforming to the mix, it demands your full attention and rewards actual skill a lot more than similar Survivor-likes do. Whilst the RNG can be a little bit unfair at times and the difficulty curve can be tough, the core loop of jumping, shooting, and upgrading is addictively fun, ensuring you’ll keep coming back for ‘one more run’ over and over again.”
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80
The Sinking City 2Aug 24, 2026
“The Sinking City 2 feels like a big step up from its predecessor, offering a gripping survival horror experience that’ll draw you in with its eerie world, haunting atmosphere and satisfying combat. When you factor in the horrific real-world conditions the Ukrainian development team had to navigate to even get this made, the fact that it’s turned out so damn well is nothing short of astounding. And sure, it has its imperfections and the shift to a more traditional modern survival horror game might not be for everyone, but if you want a tense, well-paced horror adventure with fun gameplay and an engaging narrative, The Sinking City 2 is absolutely worth diving into.”
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90
Twisted TowerAug 24, 2026
“Twisted Tower is an absolute triumph, bringing together a BioShock vibe with old-school shooting to make for an experience that’ll hook you in from start to end. Between the genuinely engaging narrative, the wonderful gunplay that excels through its wacky weaponry and varied enemies, and an unsettling world that’s a real treat to explore, it really has a lot to offer both fans of narrative-driven shooters and those who just appreciate a bit of old-school action. Sure, it has a few small issues, but they don’t stop Twisted Tower from being a wonderfully… well… twisted experience.”
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90
Mortal Shell IIAug 17, 2026
“Mortal Shell II is a fantastic leap forward that offers a Souls-like experience that’s deep, engrossing, and challenging in all of the right ways. It takes all of the clever ideas of the original game, strips away the clunkiness, and drops them into a stylishly sprawling adventure with exceptional combat and world design. It’s simply brilliant, and an easy recommendation for those looking for a rewarding Souls-like fix.”
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90
Sovereign TowerAug 16, 2026
“Sovereign Tower is a brilliant time sink that successfully merges the stress of a management sim with a deeply reactive roleplaying game… I loved it. Whether you want to be a benevolent monarch, a time-manipulating tyrant, or just wing it and hope for the best, it is an absolute blast to play. It’s unique, it’s rewarding, and it’s a ton of fun, but take my advice: try to go into it as blind as possible, because the surprising scenarios (and the many ways they can play out) make for some of the game’s most special moments.”
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80
DuskfadeAug 15, 2026
“Duskfade is a wonderful throwback that captures the pure fun of 3D platforming in the 2000s, with its excellent world design, satisfying platforming, and dazzling visuals ensuring it’ll leave a big smile on the faces of fans of the genre. Sure, it has a few missteps, particularly with the combat that can feel a little clunky, but it doesn’t stop Duskfade from standing tall amongst other top-tier releases in the 3D platforming space.”
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70
Wild Blue SkiesAug 15, 2026
“Wild Blue Skies is a fun and nostalgic trip that successfully scratches that retro rail-shooter itch, even IF there are some areas of its design that feel a little lacking. The clear Star Fox inspiration does mean it can lack originality, whilst the difficulty spike and limited lives can be a headache, but you know what? Wild Blue Skies still manages to offer a good time. It can be frustrating, but with some wonderful level design and satisfying on-rails action throughout, it’s well worth checking out.”
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95
ReStory: Chill Electronics RepairsAug 12, 2026
“If you enjoy the meditative satisfaction found in sim games but want something with a bit more charm (and a bit of Y2K nostalgia), ReStory is an absolute must-play. The balance between managing your business and the tactile joy of restoring old technology is pretty much flawless, whilst the charming narrative, engaging sense of progression, and lovely visuals and audio go a long way in making it the complete package. It’s just a wonderful game, but be warned: once you start playing, you’ll find it hard to stop!”
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95
The Mermaid MaskJul 30, 2026
“The Mermaid Mask is a clever, charming, and incredibly polished mystery that had me hooked the entire way through. Whether it’s the intriguing storytelling, the rewarding sleuthing, the vibrant visuals, or the excellent sound design, it hits an incredibly high standard throughout, all whilst delivering enough of a challenge to ensure each part of the case that you crack is rewarding… it’s just really, REALLY good, and arguably, one of the best detective games you’ll play this year.”
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80
70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-XJul 30, 2026
“With a dedication to preservation and engaging action, 70s-style Robot Anime Geppy-X definitely deserves your attention. Yes, it can be a bit clunky, and sure, it can be tough, but it also delivers a shoot ‘em up experience that’s fun, looks great, and is deceptively strategic. It’s clear that a lot of love and attention went into making this the definitive way to experience Geppy-X, so if you’re a fan of the genre or simply appreciate old-school preservation, it’s a must-play.”
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90
The Incident at Galley HouseJul 30, 2026
“The Incident at Galley House is a fantastic, head-scratching deduction experience that’ll genuinely make you feel like one of the world’s most esteemed mystery-solving sleuths when you get to the bottom of it. The way in which you investigate the case, pick up clues, and track the movements of each inhabitant of Galley House is genuinely enthralling, and whilst the slower pace won’t be for everyone, it kept me utterly absorbed from start to end.”
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85
Heave Ho 2Jul 27, 2026
“Heave Ho 2 delivers exactly what you want from a modern couch co-op experience: fun, chaos, and plenty of stupidly funny moments. While a few clunky levels hold it back from absolute perfection, the sheer volume of joy it delivers makes it a must-play for those who love co-op multiplayer fun. And hey, coming in at under a tenner, it’s an easy sell for your friends and family.”
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95
Denshattack!Jul 17, 2026
“Denshattack! is a wonderfully bizarre experience that pays off beautifully, offering a masterclass in arcade level design and high-score chasing that’ll keep you hooked in for hours on end. I love it when games are a little weird and do something remarkably distinct that I haven’t seen before, and trust me, Denshattack! ticks all of the right boxes there. But more importantly? It also delivers a gameplay experience that’s genuinely brilliant… don’t skip this one, trust me.”
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75
D-topiaJul 17, 2026
“D-Topia is a charming, low-stress adventure that brings an endearing cast of characters, some clever world-building mechanics, and a lovely presentation together to make for a thoroughly enjoyable week in a cozy future. Sure, it can be guilty of feeling a little bit easy in its puzzling and it would have been more interesting if some of the choices you made brought higher stakes, but it doesn’t stop D-Topia from standing out as a unique puzzle-adventure that’s well worth checking out.”
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85
Moonlight PeaksJul 14, 2026
“Moonlight Peaks is a highly enjoyable life sim whose charming gothic setting, wealth of content, and engaging gameplay loop make for a cute (yet monstrous) take on the genre. If you are looking for a fresh cozy obsession with a bit of a macabre twist, believe me, this spooky getaway is absolutely worth your time.”
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How this trust score was computed

Outlet vs. players

Biggest disagreements with players

Recent reviews (642 tracked)