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 19 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 13 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 (68 tracked)

80
PERISHApr 26, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“I would hate to discourage you from buying Perish because of the online community, or obvious lack thereof. It is an enjoyable, although slightly repetitive shooter that doesn’t rely on other players, but it definitely elevates the experience.”
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90
The Outlast TrialsApr 25, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“The Outlast Trials is a prime example of how horror can work in a cooperative setting with its downright disturbing series of events, shocking endings, and horrific antagonists. It’s an easy game for me to recommend with the disclaimer that your mileage is going to vary depending on who and how many players you have available to you. My best runs were over a mic with a few beers in hand alongside friends whom I could revel in victory with and laugh at failure as we figured out the mechanics together, while the worst were with some randoms who didn’t want to participate or lacked the communication skills to truly make the best aspects of the game shine.”
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60
SaviorlessApr 5, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“Good graphics can only carry a game so far when the gameplay is overly basic and the story is so convoluted. Everything else feels like it was just a means to presenting them without adding anything new or exciting to the groundwork that Limbo, Deadlight, or Inside did years back.”
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70
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons RemakeApr 2, 2024 · Jason Bolla
“This remake still has a lot of heart and is worth playing for anyone that missed it originally. And at just a couple hours in length, it's not going to hurt the backlog all that much.”
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30
STAR WARS™: Battlefront Classic CollectionMar 19, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“As it stands, the Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection is nothing more than a shameless cash grab that will eat up your money and your hard drive space and spit out nothing but frustration and annoyance in return. While it may be patched into a somewhat playable state in the future, it's currently in a state that I couldn't recommend even at a deep discount.”
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50
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara CroftFeb 28, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“There are a lot of retro games that stand the test of time: Resident Evil, Super Mario Bros, Halo: Combat Evolved, and so many others are timeless classics that most people could revisit and still love for the same reasons they did in the original. I feel like Tomb Raider isn't one of these and as a new player, I can't recommend Tomb Raider I-III Remastered unless you are someone who holds this as a fond memory, but it may be one better left in the past.”
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80
Bahnsen KnightsFeb 13, 2024 · Chad Johnson
“I would recommend Bahnsen Knights if you enjoyed the other entries in the trilogy. It features a more mature narrative that is a little too lean for its own good, but has just enough action and suspense to keep you engaged for its relatively short trip through Hell.”
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80
Trinity FusionDec 15, 2023 · Chad Johnson
“Trinity Fusion really never had a chance of taking the place of my favorite roguelikes, but it’s a solid effort that with time could easily remain in my top three and has broken the cycle of disappointment I’ve found with similar games. If you’ve seen everything Dead Cells has to offer, it’s a worthwhile, albeit slightly flawed successor. Hopefully Angry Mob will show the same level of devotion and care for it in post-release content. Be it free or paid, I’ll use it to lift its bronze pedestal up just a little more with each new addition.”
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80
Ebenezer and the Invisible WorldNov 2, 2023 · Jason Bolla
“For players looking to enjoy a Christmas themed Metroidvania, Ebenezer and the Invisible World is tailor made for them. Aside from some evil spirits plaguing the experience and making me put the game down here and there, it was never enough to say bah humbug and not come back to it again. I’d be interested to see the team give this treatment to other stories from the past.”
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80
WORLD OF HORROROct 31, 2023 · Chad Johnson
“World of Horror is an easy recommendation if you’re looking for something new and very different than the normal run-and-gun or hide-and-seek horror game. Just be mindful of the fact that the visuals will vary in their delivery and may require you to put a little more thought into what is haunting you.”
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60
Mail TimeOct 28, 2023 · Jason Bolla
“If you're looking to relax for a couple hours and are into the Cottagecore vibe, you could definitely do worse than Mail Time. However, you may want to wait for a patch to fix the more mundane mechanics that ensure a smooth experience for all players.”
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80
Headbangers: Rhythm RoyaleOct 27, 2023 · Jason Bolla
“Fans of rhythm games can rejoice in knowing there's not only a competent game being added to the genre, but one that adds competition to keep players coming back. Headbangers isn't going to topple Fortnite as the biggest battle royale, but it's not trying to - this speaks to a completely different audience with a thirst to get that rhythm right.”
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90
The GapOct 26, 2023 · Chad Johnson
“It’s been a little over a day since I finished The Gap and I am still processing everything that I experienced within the walls of Joshua’s mind, and if you choose to enter it, it will likely draw you in akin to the way What Remains of Edith Finch or your favorite narrative based walking sim would. Despite suffering due to a lack of direction on a few of the puzzles, it’s a game that you won’t forget.”
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90
Ghostrunner 2Oct 23, 2023 · Chad Johnson
“If you like difficult games that push you to your limit without doing so for the sake of just being difficult, Ghostrunner 2 is the game for you. It’s got everything the original game offered and then some. Here’s hoping that when Ghostrunner 3 inevitably releases at the end of the current console cycle (sooner would be cool too I guess), we’ll be able to revisit the motorcycle chase with the same level of improvement and care that went into every other area of this release.”
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80
Pizza PossumOct 18, 2023 · Jason Bolla
“As a bite sized, Saturday morning cartoon experience, it’s hard to beat. It’s cute, simple, and accessible to pretty much anyone.”
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Garage Band Gamers

How this trust score was computed

Outlet vs. players

Biggest disagreements with players

Recent reviews (68 tracked)