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 22 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 5 times.
Computed 26m 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.
- +25Far Cry® 5outlet 88 · players 63 · Mar 2018
- +21Warhammer: Vermintide 2outlet 91 · players 70 · Mar 2018
- +31Gears 5outlet 92 · players 61 · Sep 2019
- +20Overcooked! 2outlet 90 · players 70 · Aug 2018
- +15DOOM Eternaloutlet 90 · players 76 · Mar 2020
- +29Wolfenstein: Youngbloodoutlet 72 · players 43 · Jul 2019
- +37FINAL FANTASY VIII - REMASTEREDoutlet 90 · players 53 · Sep 2019
- +15The Crew™ 2outlet 68 · players 53 · Jul 2018
- +11Resident Evil 3outlet 80 · players 69 · Apr 2020
- +10Insurgency: Sandstormoutlet 82 · players 72 · Dec 2018
Recent reviews (247 tracked)
- 65Kao the KangarooMay 27, 2022
“Kao the Kangaroo is in a werid place. The story, voice acting and dialogue all suggest it's meant for kids, but the design and various elements feel dated. In the older days these experiences were the norm, but today it might not be what players expect or even want. This, along with some annoying glitches and underwhelming combat leaves Kao the Kangaroo in a rough place. It still has some good moments, they're just lost in a sea of basically making a modern Dreamcast title.”
read full review ↗ - 65BPM: BULLETS PER MINUTEOct 6, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“Simply put, BPM: Bullets Per Minute does a good job of being more than the sum of its parts, though not enough where it transcends things. It's absolutely a game that will either hook you or break your controller before giving up. I'd suggest trying it out or possibly study a video, as it's fun but also an investment.”
read full review ↗ - 85Orcs Must Die! 3Sep 1, 2021 · Oliver East
“Returning the franchise to the original style seems to have paid off. With brilliant, fast paced, tower defence gameplay on offer it will keep two cooping players thoroughly entertained and wanting to play just that one more level. There's a huge range of levels to play through, different modes to unlock, traps both big and small to upgrade, and so much more. The inclusion of the war scenario mode adds that wow factor of scale, without losing what makes Orcs Must Die 3 fun. There is always another wave of orcs, trolls, elementals and more ready to fight, and you'll want to defend against them time and time again!”
read full review ↗ - 60Greak: Memories of AzurAug 17, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“Greak: Memories of Azur is a great example of nice art and ideas failing due to implementation. I don't know if there is a great way to accomplish exactly what Greak: Memories of Azur was going for but this is absolutely not it. The extra characters add nothing to the core experience could be improved so many ways that it's easy to focus on what it did wrong over the positives. It makes for a rough suggestion and one many will just find lacking.”
read full review ↗ - 60Trigger WitchJul 30, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“The hard thing about Trigger Witch is that it proves you can be worse than the sum of its parts. Instead of creating an experience that feels like a lot of thought and effort went into it, like Enter the Gungeon, it feels like someone had a neat idea and they just wanted to build that as far as they could go. This isn't to say you can't have fun with Trigger Witch or even that it's bad, there are just better efforts out there.”
read full review ↗ - 70BlightboundJul 30, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“Overall, Blightbound has a good base, it just needs to expand on it more and a faster way to get there. Playing as a class you don't like until the version you do appears sucks and then leveling it can be a bit long. Certain enemies could also further the need to master each classes unique offering, so it isn't three damage dealers with one of them being responsible for healing. Given the roadmap suggests good things are coming, along with the progress we've seen thus far, but in its current state it needs a little more time to bake.”
read full review ↗ - 60Cris TalesJul 24, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“Add this in with an opening that is brutal, even more mechanics that get thrown away or ignored long term (why have the tent that heals your party cost 10,000 marbles, what Cris Tales uses for currency, when by the time you can afford it, you'd have no use for it?), spending most of your time talking to people in towns that are obvious padding and so much more. It's a shame Cris Tales simply can't live up to the charm of its art but there is no consistency on what it wants to be. Even the bosses go from a joke to making me feel like I am woefully under-leveled, back to Neptunia level in the span of 20 minutes and one level. For some the art might be enough, but if you want a good RPG, this isn't it.”
read full review ↗ - 90GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-Jun 7, 2021 · Grant E. Gaines
“Guilty Gear Strive brings out some of the best elements of Guilty Gear Xrd and combines them with what Arc System Works learned from Dragon Ball FighterZ.”
read full review ↗ - 60BIOMUTANTMay 24, 2021 · Grant E. Gaines
“Another common debate in the gaming community, especially after some games going to $70, is quality versus quantity. For the longer time I’ve always favored quantity, though believe in a healthy mix of both, but Biomutant makes a compelling case for why quantity is bad.”
read full review ↗ - 75RustMay 21, 2021 · Grant E. Gaines
“The main thing to remember with Rust Console Edition is that you need to come in with a desire to build a life and invest the time to see that life through. This makes it hard to suggest to everyone, especially those who will want to fight a bear the second they spawn, a choice you’ll likely immediately regret but it does what it wants to quite well. The meta-game alone can feel hours, days, weeks or even months, provided you come in with an open mind.”
read full review ↗ - 80Resident Evil VillageMay 11, 2021 · Grant E. Gaines
“Success really depends on what you're looking for. Traditional fans will likely love the experience. Puzzles are fun, combat is intense, enemies feel unrelenting and there is a need to explore if you want to stay alive. Anyone hoping for a more intense run and gun adventure will likely be disappointed. There are absolutely some great moments, just questionable design choices and a rough opening prevent it from being perfect.”
read full review ↗ - 75ScourgeBringerApr 27, 2021 · Grant E. Gaines
“ScourgeBringer is in a weird place where it's a novel concept, it's just a question of how it all comes together. There have been efforts to bridge the gap in difficulty, like making it more accessible, though it's a fast-paced game that requires good timing. This will resonate with some, maybe even to the point where they chase after all the challenge stars, with most doing two or three runs and finishing. Given the price, it's still a good value, though it hinges on how much value that provides.”
read full review ↗ - 70OUTRIDERSApr 8, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“On paper, Outriders does a lot of things right. The crafting system is extremely rewarding and allows for diverse builds, even if right now the meta isn't there. It is a fun experience, complete with thrilling battles and engaging fights, though it can be a little rough on less-skilled players. It all comes together in an exhilarating post-game, though server issues make it frustrating to deal with. As a result, Outriders is good, but the issues simply prevent it from being great.”
read full review ↗ - 90Disco Elysium - The Final CutApr 2, 2021 · Mark Fajardo
“It goes without saying, Disco Elysium – The Final Cut is going to be a divisive experience. Some people are going to love all the dialogue, options, and role-playing elements. Even returning fans will flip at the voiceovers that really make the experience immersive. This just won't appeal to everyone. Some players will want to do more or possibly get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of dialogue, which totals over 1 million words, though for those this appeals to, it will really appeal to.”
read full review ↗ - 60BALAN WONDERWORLDMar 30, 2021 · Dominic Weakland
“In so many ways Balan Wonderworld feels like a weird game that hopes the concept will make up for execution. With extremely little to see, a minimal story to explore, and visuals that honestly do little more than remind me of simpler times, it's hard to suggest what value Balan Wonderworld adds. It certainly isn't engaging, interesting and so many of the elements are painfully basic. Throw in needless costume-changing animations (I don't need a three-second animation every time I swap), extremely small worlds, and minimal… well, everything and it's hard to be optimistic.”
read full review ↗