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 3 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.
- -28DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROToutlet 60 · players 88 · Jan 2020
- +25DOOM Eternaloutlet 100 · players 76 · Mar 2020
- -16STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™outlet 70 · players 86 · Nov 2019
- -15Half-Life: Alyxoutlet 80 · players 95 · Mar 2020
- +20Kingdom Come: Deliveranceoutlet 90 · players 70 · Feb 2018
- +17Far Cry® 5outlet 80 · players 63 · Mar 2018
- +31XCOM®: Chimera Squadoutlet 100 · players 69 · Apr 2020
- -25Streets of Rage 4outlet 60 · players 85 · Apr 2020
- +17Middle-earth™: Shadow of War™outlet 90 · players 73 · Oct 2017
- +14METAL GEAR SURVIVEoutlet 70 · players 56 · Feb 2018
Recent reviews (41 tracked)
- 60Streets of Rage 4Apr 29, 2020 · Dominic Preston
“Even as someone with no history on the streets (of rage) it’s clear that this is a labour of love, so I suspect franchise fans will find enough here to make it worth the purchase. The series is showing its age though, and while the aesthetic has been updated to suit the times, Streets of Rage 4 feels a little too rooted in its ‘90s heyday.”
read full review ↗ - 100XCOM®: Chimera SquadApr 28, 2020 · Jake Tucker
“XCOM Chimera Squad has come from nowhere to be one of the most compelling games of the year”
read full review ↗ - 80Gears TacticsApr 27, 2020 · Jake Tucker
“I wasn't expecting to like Gears Tactics this much, and the tactical layer is phenomenally enjoyable. If this is all you want, Gears Tactics is a must-buy. However, a lack of memorable moments and the lack of a grander strategy layer to dig your teeth into could leave some itches unscratched, despite the quality shown by Splash Damage and The Coalition.”
read full review ↗ - 80Resident Evil 3Mar 30, 2020 · Dominic Preston
“This is a different beast to the Resident Evil 2 remake - and a lesser one, in all honesty - but it's been stitched together with just as much love and attention to detail. They just decided to give it a flamethrower for good measure.”
read full review ↗ - 80Half-Life: AlyxMar 27, 2020 · Jake Tucker
“Tight gunplay and a solid, ambitious crack at AAA VR mean that Half-Life: Alyx is one of the big hits of virtual reality. While the combat could be a little too mellow for some, the ambulatory opening is dripping with atmosphere and provides a nice way for players new to VR to get familiar.”
read full review ↗ - 100DOOM EternalMar 17, 2020 · Dominic Preston
“DOOM was one of the best games of 2016. DOOM Eternal is better. Only the truly puritanical will find anything to dislike in ripping and tearing through the hordes of Hell once again.”
read full review ↗ - 60DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROTJan 21, 2020 · Dominic Preston
“Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an easy game to recommend to fans of the series. No, it's not a masterpiece, but there's a lot to love and it's absolutely packed with fan service. ”
read full review ↗ - 70STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™Nov 27, 2019
“It means Fallen Order feels functional rather than fantastic. It's a good but not great game that never really bothers even trying to be original, instead coasting by on the strength of its source material. But it treats that source material with such open love and affection that Star Wars fans will struggle not to get carried along on the ride, though those who aren't strong with the Force can probably get away with steering clear.”
read full review ↗ - 40Shenmue IIINov 26, 2019 · Jake Tucker
“For 99 percent of people, we'd recommend giving this a miss. There are better games out there and what Shenmue 3 does do well, largely the world and the process of digging into it, is ruined by the many many things it doesn't quite pull off. If you're a big fan of immersing yourself in a world or you loved the earlier Shenmue games, go wild, but your money would be spent better elsewhere.”
read full review ↗ - 60Need for Speed™ HeatNov 7, 2019 · Jake Tucker
“Aesthetic, soundtrack, car customisation… Need For Speed Heat has it all except for the most important part: the driving. A clumsy drifting mechanic, clumsy feeling cars and a lack of physicality hamper the game, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun with it. ”
read full review ↗ - 80Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®Oct 25, 2019 · Jake Tucker
“This is a stunning return to form for a franchise that many people were just about ready to write off. By being big and bold with the return of its most successful tentpole, Activision has given a new lease of life to the shooter. ”
read full review ↗ - 70Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® BreakpointOct 4, 2019 · Jake Tucker
“If you've got friends, you'll probably enjoy playing this with them, but it's a shame that despite the many areas Ghost Recon Breakpoint has improved in, it's still making so many infuriating choices. ”
read full review ↗ - 90Planet ZooSep 3, 2019 · Hannah Cowton
“The level of detail that Planet Zoo offers is extremely impressive. The different gameplay modes allow players to experience the simulation in their own preferred way, whilst the research behind the animals and zoo life make this game pretty educational. The build mode proved a little bit annoying, but that doesn't spoil what is a solid simulation title for animal lovers all around.”
read full review ↗ - 100Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY EditionMar 26, 2019 · Sean Bradley
“Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a beautifully crafted game. The combination of excellent story-telling and world-building, gorgeous visuals and sound design along with an outstanding combat system will make it one of 2019's best games. The one aspect that keeps it from being a must-play for everyone is the sheer level of difficulty that some players will find off-putting.”
read full review ↗ - 80Devil May Cry 5Mar 6, 2019 · Lewis Painter
“Devil May Cry 5 should satisfy your hack-and-slack itch in a big way. Huge, Hollywood-esque attacks are amped up by insane combos and devastating effects to create something truly satisfying, and the story has a lot to offer too.”
read full review ↗