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 43 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 27 times.

Computed 44m 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 (228 tracked)

80
DuskfadeAug 14, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Duskfade doesn’t get everything right, but I came away from it appreciating what Weird Beluga has attempted. It genuinely feels like a mid-2000s mascot adventure game, complete with colourful worlds, speedy movement, platforming challenges, straightforward action combat, character upgrades and a surprisingly earnest emotional story.”
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95
STEINS;GATE RE:BOOTAug 14, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Steins;Gate was already one of my favourite visual novels. After spending all these years with it, I didn’t necessarily need another reason to love it. Somehow, Re:Boot gave me one anyway.”
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80
BLUE REFLECTION QuartetAug 12, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Blue Reflection Quartet isn’t a perfect collection, but it’s a fascinating introduction to a series I completely overlooked the first time around. Its strongest moments come from its characters, atmosphere and soundtrack rather than its combat, and while the older games can show their age, seeing the series evolve makes the journey worthwhile.”
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90
Denshattack!Jul 29, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“By the time the credits rolled, I was genuinely impressed with what Denshattack had accomplished. It’s stylish, engaging, mechanically satisfying, and packed with personality from beginning to end. The combination of addictive gameplay, memorable characters, gorgeous visuals, and an outstanding soundtrack makes it incredibly easy to recommend”
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85
Halo: Campaign EvolvedJul 24, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“As someone finally getting the chance to experience one of gaming’s most iconic franchises, I’m glad I played it. The story may not have completely lived up to the legendary status it had built in my mind, but the satisfying combat, excellent weapon variety, enjoyable vehicle sections and impressive visual overhaul still make for a fun campaign.”
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90
Assassin's Creed Black Flag ResyncedJul 23, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Black Flag still reminds me why it remains my favourite Assassin’s Creed game. It captures the fantasy of being a pirate better than almost anything else, while delivering one of the franchise’s strongest stories and most memorable protagonists. Resynced doesn’t replace those memories. It enhances them, proving that this classic still has plenty of wind left in its sails.”
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80
The Mound: Omen of CthulhuJul 21, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“I went in expecting a decent co-op survival game with a Lovecraft skin, but what I found was one of the most effective portrayals of psychological horror I’ve experienced in gaming. Its madness system constantly keeps you questioning your own senses, the world is rich with intriguing lore, and the oppressive atmosphere perfectly captures the fear and uncertainty that define the Cthulhu Mythos.”
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85
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium TalesJul 11, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“I had a great time with The Adventures of Elliot, and it’s another strong showing from Square Enix. It may not completely reinvent the action RPG genre, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it focuses on delivering a polished, consistently entertaining adventure that reminded me why these kinds of games remain some of my favourites.”
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85
Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned LandJul 1, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is an impressive new chapter for the series and a confident beginning for a brand new protagonist.”
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90
Coffee Talk TokyoJun 8, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Coffee Talk: Tokyo may not be the most complex game you’ll play this year, but it is one of the most heartfelt. For around ten hours, it invites you to sit down, pour a warm drink, listen to some wonderful stories, and spend time with characters you’ll genuinely care about. Sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of experience you need.”
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90
LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of the Dark KnightJun 6, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Legacy of the Dark Knight doesn’t just feel like another Lego Batman game. It feels like the future of the Lego franchise, and it’s one I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end.”
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80
Invincible VSMay 12, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“For fans of Invincible, this is an easy recommendation. For fighting game fans, it’s absolutely worth paying attention to. It may not reach the heights of the genre’s biggest legends just yet, but it lands one hell of a first impression.”
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70
Ariana and the Elder CodexMay 9, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Ariana and the Elder Codex may not completely redefine the action RPG genre, but it doesn’t need to. What it offers is a polished, heartfelt, and genuinely engaging adventure filled with strong combat, beautiful art direction, and characters worth caring about. For Nintendo Switch players looking for a fantasy RPG that feels focused and thoughtfully made, this is an easy game to recommend. By the end of the journey, I wasn’t just satisfied with what the game accomplished. I honestly wished there was more of it.”
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90
PRAGMATAMay 3, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“Pragmata isn’t just another solid Capcom release. It’s a reminder that even a studio known for consistency can still surprise you when it decides to try something new.”
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85
MOUSE: P.I. For HireApr 26, 2026 · Joel Gralton
“In the end, it’s more than just a good looking game. It’s a creative take on the detective genre that manages to carve out its own identity. It stumbles in a few places, particularly with combat precision and pacing, but there’s a lot here to appreciate. If you’ve been drawn in by its style, there’s a good chance you’ll find something to enjoy beneath the surface too.”
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How this trust score was computed

Outlet vs. players

Biggest disagreements with players

Recent reviews (228 tracked)