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 1 game where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 0 times.
Computed 5m 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 (26 tracked)
- 74FAR: Lone SailsAug 8, 2018 · Adam Grindley
“This is a very lovely game. The endearing visual style and superb sound design come together to create a unique, intoxicating atmosphere. The threatening post-apocalyptic context could have been more meaningful with a non-zero difficulty level, but it's still a thoroughly enjoyable, if short, road trip.”
read full review ↗ - 60Danger Zone 2Aug 6, 2018 · Alex Santa Maria
“There's fun to be had in Danger Zone 2's crash junctions, but the game's short length and shoddy production values make it pretty forgettable.”
read full review ↗ - 50The Spectrum RetreatJul 17, 2018 · Alex Santa Maria
“If you dig in and look, you can find a wealth of games, both old and new, trying to be the next Portal. Games like The Spectrum Retreat try for a little more, which makes it all the more devastating when they miss the mark so completely. With a by the numbers story and simplistic puzzles that frustrate rather than fascinate, there’s nothing here worth recommending. This game is competent but unremarkable, and that’s really the nicest thing you can say.”
read full review ↗ - 53Cultist SimulatorJul 4, 2018 · Matthew Hung
“There are some solid ideas that carry you fluidly through the first few hours but the more you play, the more you realize that you're being brainwashed to think that menial work is fun”
read full review ↗ - 67MoonlighterJun 26, 2018 · Nicole Hunter
“Moonlighter sells itself as a rogue-lite action RPG with shop management mechanics and some of the most beautiful pixel art around. It’s a frustrating game to review because it both succeeds and fails in many places making it difficult to prioritize what works and what fails.”
read full review ↗ - 79BATTLETECHMay 14, 2018 · Gal Pikar
“Superb combat, a lengthy single player campaign and most of the old Mechwarrior charm makes for an excellent turn-based experience. The surrounding story and meta is sludgy but adequate. Multiplayer works and is a blast but quickly loses its appeal without any progression or tracking. Could have been so much more, but what's here is a great turn-based game.”
read full review ↗ - 76FrostpunkMay 8, 2018 · Matthew Hung
“While the selling point is focused on hard choices, the unrelenting grimness of the setting and need for survival makes them more obvious than difficult. Luckily all the other components (city builder, presentation, etc.) are quite good and the game is enjoyable even if it doesn't quite hit the feels as it intends.”
read full review ↗ - 53Dead In VinlandMay 2, 2018 · Nicole Hunter
“Dead in Vinland is a great piece of storytelling but a poor effort as a game. Though it had its moments, I wouldn't recommend this one to most people.”
read full review ↗ - 89Finding ParadiseApr 23, 2018
“Beautiful, well-written and relatable, with a soundtrack that beats the emotions out of you like a tear craving monster. Ignore the RPG Maker roots, it's a superb narrative”
read full review ↗ - 50SYMMETRYApr 9, 2018 · Caleb DeLaurentis
“SYMMETRY is latest survival game to entice me with its pretty art style and allure of simulated suffering in a frozen wasteland. It has a unique charm and an alluring story. Unfortunately, it is too short and lacks content. Forget the $11.99 price tag for a moment. There is absolutely zero bang for your buck here. In terms of production quality, it’s an incredibly professional looking game. However, it feels like the tutorial level of a much larger story.”
read full review ↗ - 57Ash of Gods: RedemptionApr 5, 2018 · Gal Pikar
“The combat requires thought and is engaging if you like the puzzly vibe created by Banner Saga (which this game copies well beyond the level of homage). But the massive amounts of nonsensical text you're forced to read leech out any fun the gorgeous graphics and brilliant soundtrack create.”
read full review ↗ - 84Kingdom Come: DeliveranceMar 28, 2018 · Caleb DeLaurentis
“Novel mechanics that allow for dynamic storytelling are what make this game. That strength lies in the small choices that you make instead of an overarching plot or theme. The kinds of armor and clothes you wear around town, what skills you choose, how you interact with local merchants all changes how the world reacts to you, to an extent greater than I’ve experienced before. In many ways, how you chose to live from day to day has more impact than the dialogue choices.”
read full review ↗ - 52The Long ReachMar 26, 2018
“Brief, endearing moments become lost in a sea of infuriating dialogue, mindless wandering, and obnoxious puzzle design. Don't be fooled by the Steam page; the game fails to deliver on all of its baffling yet grandiose promises.”
read full review ↗ - 59ExorderMar 23, 2018 · Nic Reuben
“A bright, simple turn based strategy game with some interesting unit abilities, that fails to engage in any meaningful way. Unless you've played every other strategy game out there, it's honestly not worth your time.”
read full review ↗ - 85Ghost of a TaleMar 22, 2018 · Nicole Hunter
“Ghost of a Tale is a triumph of storytelling. It's complex narrative and stunning character writing bump this mechanically successful game to the category of a hidden gem.”
read full review ↗