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 2 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 1 time.
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.
Recent reviews (15 tracked)
- 809 Monkeys of ShaolinNov 4, 2020 · Carlo De Leoni
“9 Monkeys of Shaolin brings you back to the days of great arcade games like TMNT. It is a very fluid beat 'em up game.”
read full review ↗ - 90BattletoadsOct 29, 2020 · Carlo De Leoni
“When Rare chose Dlala Studios to develop Battletoads they chose the best studio. Dlala has crafted a work of art and modernized Battletoads in a family friendly fun manner. It is the perfect gem for Game Pass and just what the service needed to keep it fresh.”
read full review ↗ - 70We. The RevolutionJul 17, 2019 · Carlo De Leoni
“For strategist like myself I find the analytical nature of the game addicting and I will continue to play it until I make it to the end or my character succumbs to the blood thirst of the people. If you don’t mind reading information, getting thrown into an unfamiliar revolution and like the thrill of trying to survive through political manipulation you will enjoy this game like myself. We. The Revolution is the first game of its kind that I have played and is a great addition to many libraries because of its uniqueness.”
read full review ↗ - 98CupheadSep 30, 2017 · Carlo De Leoni
“Cuphead is the most addicting, fun, visually creative game this year!”
read full review ↗ - 85Thimbleweed Park™Apr 25, 2017 · Dan Marcucci
“Generally speaking, it’s hard to tell that this is a game that was developed in the 21st century let alone released in 2017. The Kickstarter campaign proclaims “It’s like opening a dusty old desk drawer and finding an undiscovered LucasArts adventure game you’ve never played before.” I would go a step further and say it’s as if Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick, the creators of “Thimbleweed Park” and pioneers behind masterpieces such as “Maniac Mansion” and “Monkey Island,” challenged themselves to make something they could hypothetically take on a time machine back to the late 80s and introduce with minimal disruption to the future. Players with fond memories from that time period won’t miss a beat. The style and feel are certainly on point.”
read full review ↗ - 75Death SquaredApr 20, 2017 · Michael Marcucci
““Death Squared” is a unique game that, even after 350+ “deaths,” I frequently return to, just so I can prove to myself (and those spying on Xbox/Steam leaderboards) that, even though Omnicorp wants me to fail, I will overcome hidden obstacles and complete precise maneuvers to reach the next level.”
read full review ↗ - 80Snake PassApr 10, 2017 · Michael Marcucci
“On the surface, “Snake Pass” by Sumo Digital doesn’t appear to be an engaging and substantial puzzler. But after 15 levels of tense and strategic slithering and climbing, I have come to decide that not every good indie needs a thorough lore-filled story to keep a gamer’s interest and establish itself as one of the best experiences of this console generation.”
read full review ↗ - 87Titanfall® 2Nov 1, 2016 · Carlo De Leoni
“When I first heard that Titanfall 2 was being made, I was one of the people who had doubts. I thought the first one was mediocre and only fun if I had friends online to play with. So, you can imagine I went into Titanfall 2 expecting it to be a let down. The reality is I am impressed.”
read full review ↗ - 80We Happy FewJul 28, 2016 · Carlo De Leoniread full review ↗
- 90Zombie VikingsFeb 6, 2016 · Carlo De Leoni
“Zoink! is back and they have done it once again. You may remember their hit creation Stick it to The Man!, which in my opinion was awesome. Zombie Vikings brings that lovable art style and humor back. The artwork and graphics were amazingly detailed, creative and cartoonish. The cutscenes make me feel like it’s Saturday morning cartoons and brings me to my happy childhood place. There is just a quality to Zoink!’s work that goes above and beyond.”
read full review ↗ - 80Q.U.B.E: Director's CutAug 7, 2015 · Michael Marcucci
“Other than the story being somewhat unmemorable, my main issue with the game is its length. The game can be completed in one sitting, as I have mentioned it is only seven sectors. The sectors are of varying length, however, so don’t expect the last sector to be as short as the first. I would estimate that the game took me about 5 hours at absolute most to complete. I would be happier with the price of $9.99 if it came with a couple more sectors, and the game’s length was closer to 6 hours. That said, the game as a whole is a good puzzler, and the added features represent responses by Toxic Games to the customer requests. For that, I must give the developer credit, even though I didn’t particularly care for the story’s plot. I would recommend this to gamers based on the unique gameplay, the interesting visual style, and rewarding challenges.”
read full review ↗ - 70Goat SimulatorJun 7, 2015 · Carlo De Leoni
“Goat Simulator has no true point, except to amuse you. It’s a relatively small game with bugs and simple designs. It’s got a crap ton of physics that are absolutely buggy, and well it’s a really good thing. It’s seriously just about running around two peaceful areas as a goat and causing mischief. Oh, and wait you can become the Goat Queen, all hail!”
read full review ↗ - 40Pneuma: Breath of LifeMar 4, 2015 · Thomas Morowski
“Pneuma is a first-person puzzler, with some amazing looking graphics at times due to its use of Unreal Engine 4. But thats all the game has going for it. Throughout the story you are led to believe you are like a “god,” but you internally question some things that are going on, such as the existence of certain features in your own world. During most of the puzzles the character gives you a little hint on how you should solve each one. But I quickly became annoyed by the mellow and monotonous tone of his voice, so I essentially tuned him out. As you might imagine, this can make each future puzzle more difficult since you’re virtually not getting the one provided hint. That said, if you are good at this type of game, the hints are probably not needed until you make significant progress. Most of the initial puzzles are simple, requiring that you look at an eye to open a door, create sound, or just pull a lever. However, once you get further into the game, listening to the “god’s” monologue is must. At one point it took me awhile to figure out that I just had to sit and stare at a sundial to complete the puzzle – all because the only character in the game had almost immediately lost my attention.”
read full review ↗ - 90RoundaboutMar 4, 2015 · Carlo De Leoni
“The two-man dev team at No Goblin created the most original, the most unique and the most crazy absurd thing I have seen in video game history – and it’s amazing. In the first few minutes of gameplay I was Georgio, the driver of a spinning limousine, en route to picking up customers with crazy missions. This limousine spins while you dodge traffic, hit a few pedestrians, and avoid other objects.”
read full review ↗ - 85The EscapistsFeb 2, 2015 · Carlo De Leoni
“The Escapists is a fun retro bit throwback and a challenging prison puzzle game. It takes place over 9 different prisons in a sandboxed environment. Each prison has its own unique ways of mastering an escape. You can choose to make nice with your other inmates or beat them up for mini quests to gain some money. Each day starts with a roll call, then onto daily lifestyle activities such as breakfast, workout, showers, free periods, lunch, and dinner.”
read full review ↗