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 14 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 5 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.
- +31Darkest Dungeon®outlet 100 · players 69 · Mar 2018
- +37Call of Duty®: Infinite Warfareoutlet 80 · players 44 · Nov 2016
- +27Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™outlet 100 · players 73 · Oct 2017
- +21Far Cry® 5outlet 80 · players 59 · Apr 2018
- +25Dishonored 2outlet 100 · players 75 · Nov 2016
- -8CODE VEINoutlet 80 · players 88 · Oct 2019
- +30Moonlighteroutlet 100 · players 70 · Jun 2018
- +24Call of Duty®: WWIIoutlet 80 · players 56 · Nov 2017
- +28Portal Knightsoutlet 100 · players 72 · May 2017
- +31The Surgeoutlet 100 · players 69 · May 2017
Recent reviews (137 tracked)
- 80Plantera 2: Golden AcornMay 26, 2023 · Sara Boardman
“If you're looking for an idle clicker, a relaxing game, or something just plain cute to look at for a few easy achievements in your library, Plantera 2 is a perfect choice. For what it is, it's a great deal of fun for any age.”
read full review ↗ - 100Stranded: Alien DawnMay 11, 2023 · Darren Pearce
“Stranded: Alien Dawn excels at being a game like Rimworld, but charts it own course, marks its own innovations and breaks out of the mould set by the former. I’m really glad this came to the Xbox and it’s now one of my favourite games in this genre – I can’t wait to see what happens post-launch, because this feels like Stranded has a very bright future both on PC and console.”
read full review ↗ - 80Saga of SinsApr 5, 2023 · Sara Boardman
“I won't spoil the story, but will say it is well written, and even better performed. The sound design and voice acting is top notch in every sense of the word without putting that lightly at all.”
read full review ↗ - 100Assassin's Creed ValhallaNov 25, 2020 · Darren Pearce
“It's a big game, it's packed with content, and none of it is phoned in. Every aspect of this game is created to feed into the systems that are at play. I'm 160 hours in and I've still got a lot to do, none of it is filler, and all of it is stuff I want to do. From fun mini-games like Orlog (the dice game that's equal in complexity to Gwent from W3) to the drinking challenges, flyting (Viking rap battles) and more.”
read full review ↗ - PanSerious Sam 4Nov 23, 2020 · Sara Boardman
“Reader, I'm not going to lie. As a serious Serious Sam fan it's very hard for me to get on board with this installment. I know they tried with some big ideas, but it just feels like every single one of them fell miles short of the intended mark. If you're a die hard fan of the franchise like me, then no doubt you'll want this--but take my word for it and wait for a deep cut or sale. Otherwise, you'll just find yourself frustrated that you've spent upwards of £30 on what feels like a rushed, buggy mess covered in your favourite coat of Sam paint.”
read full review ↗ - 100ForegoneNov 10, 2020 · Darren Pearce
“Forgone has a great feel to it, incredibly good animations and superb graphics. The action platformer with rogue-like elements is a strong contender for one of the most accessible, yet challenging titles since Dead Cells.”
read full review ↗ - 80Watch Dogs®: LegionNov 3, 2020 · Darren Pearce
“Watch_Dogs: Legion is big, it's ambitious, and it pulls off a lot of neat things with the city sandbox. The triumph is the play as anyone system, but also a weakness in that it can create a truly obnoxiously voiced character and personality. It encourages sandbox play and offers a lot to see, and to do. A strong post launch plan could see this really take off.”
read full review ↗ - 80Crown TrickOct 31, 2020 · Jason Italic
“So where's that leave us? I mean, overall, I had a really good time with Crown Trick! It's a classic style roguelike with some solid modernizations. I love the art style, and while its permanent upgrades are all pretty standard stuff (go in with more healing elixirs! Keep some of your currency across runs!), they do a lot to make the genre feel more... achievable by mere mortal man.”
read full review ↗ - 80Pumpkin JackOct 30, 2020 · Sara Boardman
“Pumpkin Jack isn't just for Halloween despite being perfect for it. It's a fun and enjoyable adventure, full of (undead) life and personality all around. It does have a few short comings like the challenge of controlling Jack, but overall this stuff can be overlooked. The story is cute, there's unlockables, and it's pretty easy on the eyes to look at. If you're looking for something unique, or themed for the holiday Pumpkin Jack is your perfect pick!”
read full review ↗ - 100Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-ReckoningOct 15, 2020 · Darren Pearce
“I always loved my time with Amalur, and I am still loving my time with the Re-Reckoning. What with Dead Kell to dive into, and Naros, with ALL the DLC from the first run of the base game packed in with it there's a lot on offer here and the price is decent. You get a complete package, one that doesn't trick you through nostalgia. If you want to pay a bit more, you can also go for the full edition of the game and get the new expansion that's coming in 2021.”
read full review ↗ - 100Ori and the Will of the WispsOct 12, 2020 · Jason Italic
“It's clean and crisp and plays like a dream. I can't remember a single time where I actually saw a framerate drop, or a resolution fall, or any of the usual performance thieving tricks...And while I'm not the most sensitive to these things, I can usually at least see it if I'm looking for it. Does it get there by seemingly pushing the Switch to its absolute limits? Sure. Does it sometimes leave things a bit at the ragged edge, just barely keeping from having to drop performance somehow? Sure thing. Does it matter? No! The only reason not to play this game is if you want to start with the first one. Which I can't speak to the Switch port of that one, but if it's even half as well done as this one, it's gonna be a plenty good experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80The SurvivalistsOct 9, 2020
“The game is really enjoyable, especially in co-op mode, which lets you get together with 3 other people to explore and complete quests. While the game is limited in the number of resources you can gather, the items you can craft and build, as well as biomes, there is plenty of room for the developers to add extra content and continue to support the game.”
read full review ↗ - PanNecromunda: Underhive WarsOct 5, 2020 · Jason Italic
“I kept running into little things like this, where the game's interface kept fighting me and making it difficult to actually experience and enjoy the core gameplay loop. It was a layer of...Friction, is the only way I can describe it. And it meant every time I went to go roll my fun-ball down the track, it would stop way soonerthan expected. I'd quit having fun, and then I'd have to walk away for a bit so I didn't keep getting frustrated with the game and come back later.”
read full review ↗ - 80WindboundSep 29, 2020 · Jason Italic
“Though a few rough edges keep the game short of perfection, Windbound nonetheless is an excellently crafted and conceived take on the survival-exploration genre built on gorgeous aesthetic and storytelling.”
read full review ↗ - 100OthercideSep 26, 2020 · Darren Pearce
“Anyone who has played a turn-based game will know what's coming, or at least know how to control their units and battle the forces of the Suffering. There's a decent tutorial which shows you many of the game's early elements, allows you to cut loose and find your feet. Then as you progress you will be given other tutorials, mixed in and these drip-feed the management skills and knowledge you need to get to grips with the other systems of the game. The tutorials are good, solid, and explain everything you need to know.”
read full review ↗