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.
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.
Recent reviews (16 tracked)
- 60Airborne KingdomNov 23, 2021 · Justin Wood
“Overall, Airborne Kingdom tries to add some tight resource elements into the city management genre, and while it works in the early game, the late game gets bogged down by needing to constantly hunt down resources while trying to remain afloat. While the story is rudimentary at best, the art style and music are outstanding.”
read full review ↗ - 65Hindsight 20/20 - Wrath of the RaakshasaNov 21, 2021 · Jason Capp
“Hindsight 20/20 – Wrath of Raakshasa is honestly a strange one. On the one hand, there is a great story here with some relatively dynamic decisions to make that will alter the course of things to come. The ability to decide what weapon to use in a given moment is an awesome mechanic that really puts your enemies’ fate in your hands. On the other hand, though, the overall combat and dungeon system is a bit repetitive and drags the experience despite the well-told story.”
read full review ↗ - 71Grow: Song of the EvertreeNov 19, 2021
“For those who love a good management title, I do recommend Grow: Song of the Evertree. For those looking for an Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley replacement, I cannot say that this is an equal option, but it is still a lot of fun. For the price, this is a great experience, but it does still need some refining. If you don’t mind a resource management title that is a bit rough on the edges, then Grow: Song of the Evertree is a perfect fit for you.”
read full review ↗ - 65Anodyne 2: Return to DustNov 12, 2021 · Jason Capp
“This is a pretty hefty title as well when it comes to content, as there are plenty of worlds to discover, numerous places to go, and lots of cards and dust to collect throughout the journey. There are some bizarre design decisions, and the disappointing map in the 3D world makes traveling much harder than it should be. However, everything does work, the story is engaging, and there is a lot to chew on here, but this is one of those titles that is simply not going to please everyone, especially in every way. I do recommend Anodyne 2: Return to Dust within reason, as I do believe it is a good game overall, but this may be an easier pill to swallow when the price is discounted.”
read full review ↗ - 65R-Type Final 2Nov 6, 2021 · Jason Capp
“At the end of the day, though, R-Type Final 2 is a game for a particular crowd, and they will most likely love it. For others, this is something to avoid unless you are a masochist and want to see how long you can play before you pull your hair out.”
read full review ↗ - 85A Little Golf JourneyOct 31, 2021 · Jason Capp
“If you are looking for a proper golf title, this is absolutely not the game for you. However, if you are a gamer and simply enjoy an abstract challenge that borrows from some pretty heavy hitters, this is an excellent video game with a golf skin. This is not Tiger Woods or PGA, but it is a golf video game, one with branching paths, secret holes, collectibles, and more! It is not a little journey, either, as A Little Golf Journey will take up lots of your time in a wonderfully relaxing and fun way.”
read full review ↗ - 45ResidualOct 18, 2021 · Chris Z
“Residual is not a bad game, and if you like resource collecting survival games, this one is fine. It just lacks any sort of exceptional or original aspect that would have me recommend it over anything similar.”
read full review ↗ - 85The Caligula Effect 2Oct 15, 2021
“The Caligula Effect 2 is pretty much a game that you’ll probably know if you’re going to like or not just based on the genre and art style. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it and would recommend it for JRPG fans, even if it does have some minor flaws like character models looking like they are floating an inch off the ground during most cut scenes and some quest NPCs constantly walking around so they are impossible to find when you want to turn in their quests.”
read full review ↗ - 55Aeon Must Die!Oct 14, 2021 · Jason Capp
“It is a shame, because there is a lot of potential here. However, at the end of the day, Aeon Must Die! was kind of doomed from the start. This is a title that just cannot escape its demons, and there is enough problems here to prove that this was not a fully finished idea before putting everything together. I cannot recommend Aeon Must Die!, and it is even hard to do so even with a good deal. You will be getting a beefy game if you do buy it, but you will get bored with it rather quickly and making it to the end is a real drag.”
read full review ↗ - 87Steel AssaultOct 3, 2021 · Jason Capp
“Steel Assault is a fantastic game that is only flawed by one of its quality-of-life additions. Although the checkpoint system does make the storied experience really short, the addition of Arcade Mode is where people are going to get the great challenge. Zenovia Interactive went above and beyond the call of duty to make this game feel like it is from a different time, and this is honestly one of the best 16-bit games I have played in a long, long time.”
read full review ↗ - 81Super Monkey Ball Banana ManiaOct 1, 2021 · Jason Capp
“It is good to know that Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania did not slip on any of its peels, but it probably could have used a little more time to ripen up. At the end of the day, this is still one of the best Monkey Ball collections we have ever gotten, and SEGA delivered a significantly better experience here than they did with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD on the Switch. If you have a Monkey Ball-shaped hole in your heart and need it filled, then look no further, because Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is here to fill that hole and put you back in control of AiAi in a great way.”
read full review ↗ - 82Aeon DriveSep 30, 2021 · Jason Capp
“Aeon Drive is a solid action platformer set at a really good price. The single player, if you don’t care about collectibles, will be a quick ride, but the multiplayer adds so much more fun and replayability to the title. Ultimately, how long you enjoy the game solely depends on how you are entertained with such titles. But if you enjoy precision platforming, strong leaderboards, getting all the collectibles, and local multiplayer, this is a full package and one you could be playing for years.”
read full review ↗ - 94G-Darius HDSep 28, 2021 · Jason Capp
“G-Darius HD was one of the best looking shoot ’em ups when it released back in 1997, and I can honestly say that it is still one of the best looking in the genre in 2021. This is a title that has aged wonderfully, and it is one that you definitely need to brush off your arcade skills and jump back into on your Nintendo Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 75EmbrSep 23, 2021 · Jason Capp
“Embr really is a solid game with some minor issues. The interesting use of fire spreading as a time limit is really cool and gives more desperation to the situation, and the overall look and feel of the game is silly and fun. There is a lot to do here, actually, and it is made even larger by the inclusion of multiplayer. So even though the controls and camera can be a bit squirrelly, the overall presentation is grand, and you will be having loads of fun putting out fires, saving clients, recovering valuables, and taking out the baddies. This is a game that is packed with challenge, intrigue, comedy, and puzzles all in one. Embr may be a bit of a hard sell when compared to the plethora of titles on the Switch, but this is a fire that is worth putting out.”
read full review ↗ - 90A Monster's ExpeditionSep 22, 2021 · Chelsea Beardsmore
“A Monster’s Expedition was such a whole experience. For a game with no real story, narrative, or characters, it was strangely emotional. It was such a soothing experience that I only wish I could experience for the first time again.”
read full review ↗