VideoGamesCritic | The one source of truth for gamers

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.

Alignment (40%)

Decoded accuracy (30%)

Player-side (30%)

Controversy record: on 14 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 4 times.

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 (156 tracked)

80
STAR WARS™: Battlefront Classic CollectionMar 13, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is the perfect way to revisit the series on modern platforms. The addictive gunplay, diverse units, and level variety hold up to this day, and you can easily spend hundreds of hours in each entry thanks to multiple game modes, and multiplayer. The UI is a bit dated now, and the lack of crossplay support is holding the collection back, but if you're looking for some of the best Star Wars action video games have to offer, you can't go wrong with this.”
read full review ↗
80
Berserk BoyMar 5, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Berserk Boy is a love letter to Mega Man X, and there's a lot to like here. Its fast-paced combat and movement system thanks to the Berserk Orbs keeps things fresh, and great animation work sells each dash and bash. Some uneven elements of the presentation aside, Berserk Boy is worth your time if you're a fan of 2D action platformers.”
read full review ↗
100
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHMar 4, 2024
“Final Fantasy VII Rebirth sets a new standard for JRPGs, and it's one of the best entries in the franchise yet. It's a sequel that tackles a classic with respect, and reverence to retain what made it special but delves deep into its characters, and the world to satisfy fans of the original, and the remake alike. The combat is a highlight and meaningfully iterates on the 2020 entry and the jaw-dropping presentation invites you to explore every inch of its diverse world. Some technical issues aside, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is an incredible game that's worth spending close to a hundred hours in.”
read full review ↗
70
The ThaumaturgeMar 4, 2024 · Hristijan Pavlovski
“The Thaumaturge is a story driven top-down adventure game that plays like an existentialist novel by Dostoevsky. Its rich cast of characters and expanding story draws you in and sinks its pangs into your brain. If you're looking for a story-rich game that's relatively easy to get into and has some excellent art direction, this is the one. Just be mindful of the performance issues and uneven voice acting in some parts.”
read full review ↗
90
Expeditions: A MudRunner GameFeb 29, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Expeditions: A MudRunner Game is an excellent addition to the MudRunner series that retains the core experience of trekking through hazardous terrain while adding new tools that push you to become creative with how you maneuver around all sorts of obstacles. Its scientific research backdrop lends to greater mission variety, and deeper customization allows you to make each truck your own. It's a great place for newcomers to the series, and a fantastic new adventure for veterans alike.”
read full review ↗
80
WRATH: Aeon of RuinFeb 26, 2024 · Rizwan Anwer
“WRATH: Aeon of Ruin is a fantastic entry to a genre catered to a niche audience. Its high-octane combat and design choices will take you back to the glory days of FPS gaming, and with the help of the engine that powered those days, you'll be blasting demons like it's 1996. Despite some uneven presentation and a paper-thin story, WRATH lives up to the promise and delivers where it counts.”
read full review ↗
80
Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ DimensionsFeb 25, 2024
“Captain Velvet Meteor is a relaxing tactical adventure game that doesn't take itself too seriously. The main character is lovable and has a colorful imagination and features companion characters lifted from popular anime and manga IPs that mix well with the story and art style. The combat can be a little easy but lets you focus on other elements like the story, exploration, and collectibles.”
read full review ↗
60
Skull and BonesFeb 24, 2024 · Rizwan Anwer
“Skull and Bones has some fun naval combat mechanics and a largely engaging sandbox experience that's brought down by live-service trappings and a lack of freedom outside of controlling your ship. There's a lot of room for improvement, and Skull and Bones has the potential to realize its setting by reexamining the games it's influenced by.”
read full review ↗
80
Slave Zero XFeb 19, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Slave Zero X is a fantastic character action game that's rewarding, challenging, and has clear focus. Its deep combat mechanics, paired with an excellent biopunk presentation, elevate it above many similar releases while offering a fairly replayable campaign. It's brought down by a lack of movelist section in-game or in practice, and some gameplay quirks keep it from reaching the heights of the titans in the genre.”
read full review ↗
90
PlateUp!Feb 15, 2024
“PlateUp! is an excellent cooking simulator that lets you bring friends to the kitchen. A steep learning curve might dissuade some players but it's a rewarding experience for the chefs that stick around. While it might be too much to handle solo, couch co-op friends can easily multiply the fun and divide the workload.”
read full review ↗
60
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara CroftFeb 14, 2024 · Hristijan Pavlovski
“Tomb Raider I - III Remastered is a faithful recreation of the original Tomb Raider trilogy, however, its attempts to innovate and modernize the control scheme has left it in a weird state where it feels broken even though it isn't. In its current state, the game definitely feels weird, and until those issues are resolved, the game will remain an uneven remaster at best.”
read full review ↗
70
Islands of InsightFeb 13, 2024 · Hristijan Pavlovski
“Island of Insight is a sandbox adventure game that's brimming with hundreds of unique puzzles to solve. It's not a game in the traditional sense, rather, a sandbox experience that allows you to mold it however you want. It's a solid educational tool and a perfect aid for winding down at the end of the day while keeping your mind active.”
read full review ↗
80
Banishers: Ghosts of New EdenFeb 12, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a heartfelt love story, and both Red and Antea are incredibly memorable leads. The detailed haunting cases, difficult choices, and dense atmosphere add up to one of DON'T NOD's best narrative titles in years. Banishers gracefully improves upon the foundation laid by Vampyr in more ways than one, but it's often bogged down by repetitive combat that takes too long to get going. Despite that, it's an adventure worth embarking on, that's refined and respectful of your time.”
read full review ↗
70
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice LeagueFeb 4, 2024
“Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League has the potential to be a great game, and there is already a lot to like here. Unfortunately, the short yet tedious side quests manage to drag down the overall enjoyment. Amazing animation work, voice acting, satisfying traversal, and some good jokes lift the experience, but it turns sour as soon as you have to save four NPCs for the 5th time. To make it a better game Rocksteady needs to make fundamental changes to the repetitive quests, especially to spice up the endgame.”
read full review ↗
90
Persona 3 ReloadJan 30, 2024 · Ali Hashmi
“Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic remake that cleverly integrates mechanics from subsequent entries to provide an experience that's polished, expertly paced, and full of heart. Its fast-paced combat, quality-of-life additions, and host of activities always keep you engaged no matter where you are in the story. The darker tone lends to an overall narrative that feels more consequential, and Tatsumi Port Island is a joy to explore. It's an excellent place for newcomers to the series and a must-buy for RPG fans.”
read full review ↗

WhatIfGaming

How this trust score was computed

Outlet vs. players

Biggest disagreements with players

Recent reviews (156 tracked)