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The Punished Backlog
79

The Punished Backlog

Press164 reviews on recordTrust score from 102 scored reviews vs. playerswebsite ↗

matches players
Bias
within ~6 pts
Vs player sentiment
0.48
Ranks like players
102
Games compared

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.

74
Alignment (40%)
83
Decoded accuracy (30%)
59
Player-side (30%)

Controversy record: on 10 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 5 times.

Computed 4m 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 (135 tracked)

  • 85
    Sovereign TowerAug 5, 2026 · Amanda Tien

    If you like games that put you in the king's seat, you'll love Sovereign Tower. It's a lot of fun to hear requests from the populace, make decisions, and maximize knights' load-outs for their quests. However, if you don't like details or making decisions or reading, you probably won't enjoy it. The game is more than a bog-standard visual novel game due to its knight min-max puzzling, but it does heavily rely on the written word and relatively still character frames. That being said, the narrative of Sovereign Tower is as rich as the kingdom you'll end up leading. I had a blast wearing the crown.

    read full review ↗
  • 73
    The Incident at Galley HouseJul 28, 2026 · David Silbert

    As it is, The Incident at Galley House is a confident mystery, but an underwhelming puzzler. Had it taken more risks with the original script (if only to make for smoother voice acting, much less take advantage of the new visuals) and incorporated some of the non-linear puzzle design I’ve come to love from Evil Trout, it could have been a transcendent detective video game. Instead, it’s a safe play that feels like a massive missed opportunity.

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  • 90
    The Mermaid MaskJul 27, 2026 · Amanda Tien

    There are a few times in The Mermaid Mask where characters, such as a tormented author, will make comments about how hard it is to make a sequel or that "this is a lot of work; I don't know if I'll do it again." And I can't disagree; it seems incredibly difficult. I've been editing my own novel for a few years now and it is... quite painful. But what keeps me going is the idea that some day, my mom might get to read my book and really love it, and maybe other people will, too. So, I say to SFB Games and brothers Vian, if you have finished your journey with these games, I would understand, but I'd be sad — The Mermaid Mask is an excellent game, and I can only imagine how brilliant the next one would be.

    read full review ↗
  • 63
    Backyard BaseballJul 23, 2026 · Amanda Tien

    I could recommend Backyard Baseball to nostalgic super-fans of the franchise or sport, but I'd struggle to suggest it for new players, especially given the price point and the fact that the 1997 remaster is available for $9.99. I myself am going to put Backyard Baseball (2026) down and come back later if/when there have been some patches. Backyard Baseball (2026) still has a long way to go to be ready for the big leagues, but it's a new season for the franchise. I'm so happy it's making a return. These games taught me a lot about strategy, statistics, and teamwork; more young people deserve to get to play games like this. I wish the team all the luck in the world as they take the plate.

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  • 93
    Assassin's Creed Black Flag ResyncedJul 15, 2026 · Sam Martinelli

    Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is a great remake of an already tremendous video game, and one I imagine I’ll continue playing long after this review goes live. Despite its removal of the present-day sequences, it still maintains the heart of the original and makes its brightest spots shine as bright as ever. Resynced now stands as my favorite game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, without a shadow of a doubt.

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  • 90
    Denshattack!Jul 15, 2026 · Miles Johnson

    The latest offering from developer Undercoders is neither expected nor simple. Each time I thought I had Denshattack!’s gameplay or narrative pinned down, I was delightfully lurched in another screeching direction.  There are a few key stops that Denshattack! makes during its nine-part tale that — no spoilers — make this well worth your time, and it boasts a vibrant world and cast of characters who have something critical to say.

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  • 85
    Moss: The Forgotten Relic Jul 14, 2026 · Amanda Tien

    Moss: The Forgotten Relic is the perfect way to play Moss if you don’t have a PSVR headset and you’ve been wanting to try Moss ever since its 2018 debut. The Forgotten Relic is billed as the definitive experience, and I agree. The original 2018 Moss is great but way too short; I finished playing it in about 2.5 hours, and the story ends abruptly. Moss: Book II spends more time on plot and weaving in levels, and together, they feel like the complete game. Fans of environmental puzzles, delightful character design, and straightforward combat will love Moss: The Forgotten Relic. But if you don’t like those things, then you won’t like Moss — even though the mouse is really, really cute.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    AbyssusJul 1, 2026 · Sam Martinelli

    Abyssus takes a fairly straightforward concept and manages to do a lot with it. There’s never a dull moment, and even if certain challenges can get a little frustrating — every run presents a couple of objective-based rooms, and they’re never as fun as just killing guys — I never got tired of the experience as a whole. If anything, one of the most positive things I can say about the game is that even after writing this review, I plan on going back for even more expeditions just for the hell of it. It’s got its blemishes for sure, but it’s an undeniably great time if you’re in the mood to wreak havoc in dimly lit rooms.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    NBA THE RUNJun 25, 2026 · David Silbert

    NBA The Run is a fun game that’s hampered by stick-thin features. If you can gather some friends who don’t mind spending $30 for a single mode, you’ll have a fun time. Set up a private lobby, let the AI fill in as needed, and have yourself a ball. However, if you’re going into the experience solo, or with two other buds hoping to conquer an online bracket, I must advise against it.  The gameplay is terrific, and I have no doubt future iterations (should Play by Play Studios greenlight a sequel) will only improve on this foundation. But NBA The Run, as presently constructed, just doesn’t have the roster depth needed to go the distance.  The bright side: There’s always next year.

    read full review ↗
  • 55
    inKONBINI: One Store. Many StoriesMay 12, 2026 · Amanda Tien

    As an ASMR experience in shelving, inKONBINI works great. However, because it has the ambitions of narrative but fails its characters, it can’t hope to compete with narrative-driven shop games that weave story into the fundamental gameplay. inKONBINI is a peaceful enough game to simply be a chill vibe simulator, but it is also not interesting enough to be a shop sim. Fans of Japanese convenience shops will find something to love with inKONBINI, but for everyone else, there are many more titles (such as last year’s Tiny Bookshop or this month’s Wax Heads) that will better scratch the itch for a cozy store simulator.

    read full review ↗
  • 93
    Wax HeadsMay 5, 2026 · Scarlet Hardy

    Wax Heads is the new game for those who enjoy cozy life/job simulator games, with heartwarming stories and stunning visuals woven throughout. I can truly see this game becoming a huge part of discussions around cute, stylized, relaxing video games, as well as a big name in the cozy gaming community. Patattie Games is definitely one to watch, and I can’t wait to see what dynamic duo Somerwolff and Tome create next.

    read full review ↗
  • 88
    REPLACEDApr 24, 2026 · Gary Wilson

    Replaced fits its narrative in many ways. The story and visuals are incredible, among some of the best I have seen. The combat tries too many things, but does get credit for trying. The characters feel alive, with history baked into their every interaction. And Reach is a superb main character, a childlike AI forced to be a different type of tool in search of what their purpose is. Replaced has its flaws, especially during combat. But I don’t think those flaws stack up enough to detract from the things it does with a master’s touch. Replaced reaches for the stars, but only ends up hitting the moon. And that’s still pretty good.

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  • 81
    Aether & IronApr 15, 2026 · Gary Wilson

    If you can look past the technical struggles of Aether & Iron, you will find a gripping narrative fueled by colorful characters and an equally colorful world. Gia’s journey to find who she wants to be, and what she wants to do, gripped me from start to finish. The side characters are lovely and diverse, representing different walks of life throughout New York. The combat is fun and interactive, even if surprisingly difficult in moments.  In the end, Aether & Iron is an experience worth having. Just know that nothing and no one is flawless in New York City.

    read full review ↗
  • 98
    MOUSE: P.I. For HireApr 14, 2026 · Donovan Harrell

    Just when I thought the first-person shooter genre had gone stale on me, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire walked in, tipped its hat, and changed my mind. This game won me over with its endless charm, its witty and genuinely cheesy dialogue — the cheese puns never stop, and I didn’t want them to — and a level of aesthetic commitment that extends to every corner of Mouseburg. A few structural quirks in the case sequencing keep it from a perfect score, but MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a triumph — as close to perfect as it gets. Fumi Games has built a world that deserves to be explored, a story that earns its weight, and a combat system that keeps you coming back for one more run. At $29.99, this game is worth every cent.

    read full review ↗
  • 84
    Kena: Bridge of SpiritsApr 14, 2026 · David Silbert

    Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent game that is perfectly enjoyable on Nintendo Switch 2. Despite a lower resolution and framerate than on PS5 or Xbox Series X, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to revisit the world, characters, and battles of Kena’s debut journey.  If you’ve never played Kena before and would like to experience the magic before Scars of Kosmora drops, this is a fitting entry point. That said, if you do own any other modern platform, I highly recommend playing elsewhere — if only to enjoy Ember Lab’s work at its utmost beauty.

    read full review ↗