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 48 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 13 times.
Computed 25m 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.
- +46Call of Duty: Black Ops 4outlet 90 · players 44 · Oct 2018
- +24Halo 5: Guardiansoutlet 83 · players 59 · Oct 2015
- +32No Man's Skyoutlet 80 · players 48 · Aug 2016
- +25Animal Crossing: New Horizonsoutlet 95 · players 70 · Mar 2020
- -21Life is Strange - Episode 1outlet 72 · players 94 · Jan 2015
- +39Assassin's Creed® Unityoutlet 91 · players 52 · Nov 2014
- -12Cyberpunk 2077outlet 60 · players 72 · Dec 2020
- +24Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Timeoutlet 100 · players 76 · Oct 2020
- +30Call of Duty®: Black Ops IIIoutlet 92 · players 62 · Nov 2015
- +32Halo Infiniteoutlet 100 · players 69 · Dec 2021
Recent reviews (501 tracked)
- 100Indiana Jones and the Great CircleDec 18, 2024 · Dean Takahashi
“You come out of it with an appreciation for ancient secrets and moral quandaries. There’s a love story with an unexpected ending and a familiar character who, after 21 so-so games, finally comes out of the cold into your living room with spectacular entertainment. It’s an adventure that seemed to go on for a longer than expected time and I didn’t want it to end.”
read full review ↗ - 100Call of Duty®: Black Ops 6Oct 27, 2024 · Dean Takahashi
“Overall, I would say that multiplayer is still a good reason to play the game, and that’s what most people do for the longest time with any annual Call of Duty title. If you’re a fan of the franchise, you’ll like this game. And I feel like there are more loyal Black Ops fans out there like me who need the occasional break from Modern Warfare for something with some historical focus. And so yes, I still appreciate my annual installments of Call of Duty and I’m glad Black Ops 6 is here to play for many more hours to come.”
read full review ↗ - 90Lorelei and the Laser EyesJun 14, 2024 · Rachel Kaser
“Any gamer who’s a fan of puzzle games, brain teasers or adventure games will enjoy Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, especially if they’re not afraid to pull out a notebook and get writing while playing. It’s a fantastic story wrapped in a solid foundation of gameplay, and what few drawbacks there are don’t take away from the experience in any way that matters. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a game that’ll challenge and reward you equally, and it’s one of the best overall experiences I’ve had in 2024 so far.”
read full review ↗ - 100Braid, Anniversary EditionMay 13, 2024 · Mike Minotti
“Anniversary Edition cements Braid as a seminal gaming moment. And while the new commentary offers a lot of insight, this package is much more than a museum piece. Braid is still one of the best puzzle platformers you can ever play.”
read full review ↗ - 100FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHFeb 22, 2024 · Mike Minotti
“Rebirth doesn’t have any compromises. Or at least they’re so tiny that I didn’t notice or care. And even if I did have small gripes, an all-time great soundtrack easily washes any minor sins away.”
read full review ↗ - 100FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHFeb 22, 2024
“I loved Final Fantasy VII Remake, but Rebirth makes it look like a demo.”
read full review ↗ - 90TEKKEN 8Jan 23, 2024 · Mike Minotti
“Tekken 8 makes me angry at myself. I know that I’ve missed out on an amazing franchise. But at least I feel like I’m getting into the series at a strong point. Tekken 8 is a robust package that features some of the most satisfying digital fisticuffs I’ve ever seen.”
read full review ↗ - 90TEKKEN 8Jan 23, 2024
“Tekken 8 is a robust package that features some of the most satisfying digital fisticuffs I’ve ever seen.”
read full review ↗ - 90Prince of Persia The Lost CrownJan 11, 2024 · Mike Minotti
“The Prince of Persia series has lived a few lives. It started as a 2D cinematic platformer before evolving into movement-based 3D action games. Now, Ubisoft Montpellier has found a new direction for the franchise that could serve as the blueprint for the series going forward.”
read full review ↗ - 100Alan Wake IIJan 3, 2024
“Call it a masterpiece or a work of art. Both apply. I rate the game as five stars out of five.”
read full review ↗ - 90Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® IIIDec 5, 2023 · Dean Takahashi
“To me, the multiplayer experience we got is a Call of Duty game worthy the franchise’s 20 year anniversary.”
read full review ↗ - –JusantNov 12, 2023 · Rachel Kaser
“Overall, it’s a delightful, charming adventure game that does one thing very, very well — and that’s worth just as much, if not more to me than a game that tries to do everything with middling results.”
read full review ↗ - 70Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® IIINov 6, 2023 · Dean Takahashi
“Overall, it balanced out and the rest of the campaign was well done. As I mentioned, most players really care more about multiplayer than the single-player campaign. For me, I’ve always liked how the single-player story motivates you to play the multiplayer. And so it really does matter to me. I don’t know if my objections here mean that I don’t like the game overall. I feel like I’m a superfan who nitpicks endlessly while still pouring a lot of time into playing Call of Duty every year.”
read full review ↗ - 80Marvel's Spider-Man 2Oct 17, 2023 · Rachel Kaser
“It’s hard to see a world where I wouldn’t recommend Spider-Man 2, at least to the series’ fans. If you enjoyed the first game, you’ll almost certainly enjoy this one. The sequel would have to have a lot more flaws and shortcomings than it does to squander the goodwill of its predecessor. The story is enjoyable, with every actor bringing their A-game, and everything is so beautifully animated the sight of New York will make you weep.”
read full review ↗ - 80Marvel's Spider-Man 2Oct 17, 2023
“The story is enjoyable, with every actor bringing their A-game, and everything is so beautifully animated the sight of New York will make you weep...That being said, there are flaws and shortcomings within the game. It doesn’t improve on areas of the original game that were screaming for an upgrade. It also struggles to deliver a story where not only both Spider-Men but their supporting cast feel equally served, though this is saved somewhat by the excellent performances.”
read full review ↗