videogamescritic
← all outlets
64

Respec

PressTrust score from 8 scored reviews vs. players · provisional

4 above players
Bias
within ~9 pts
Vs player sentiment
0.85
Ranks like players
8
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.

92
Alignment (40%)
72
Decoded accuracy (30%)
75
Player-side (30%)

Controversy record: on 3 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 2 times.

Computed 22h 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 (14 tracked)

  • 90

    Onimusha has repeated boss fights – especially if you complete all of the game’s optional objectives – and that might annoy you if you haven’t dedicated yourself to the Way of the Sword. If you aren’t entering each fight with the intention to do better than before (use fewer heals, take fewer hits), then you’re probably not playing it right. Combat in Onimusha isn’t something to be overcome, but something to savour and improve at, and there’s no way of telling how much better you’ve become without taking on familiar foes.

    read full review ↗
  • 80

    For me, this is the best Star Wars gaming experience I’ve had in years - possibly since Knights of the Old Republic, which I know is a pretty high bar. It’s also true that Zero Company can be a little ropey and a little rough around the edges. I saw some pretty manky bugs, and there’s nothing worse than mis-ordering a unit because the camera is bugging out. I hope that all gets ironed out somewhat in patches - but ultimately, it’s still a thrilling experience. I can see hundreds of hours logged on this in my future; that makes it worthy of the Star Wars name, and of the XCOM spiritual successor status.

    read full review ↗
  • 70

    The result is a game that doesn't yet appear to fully satisfy the hardcore or the newcomers, but there's absolutely potential here for it to blossom into something really special. If that doesn't come naturally through dedicated players picking apart the systems on offer, then patches can fix plenty of this. That's a cop-out, I know, but that's the modern fighting game reality. As of right now, Tōkon is simply a good fighting game, but hardly something to marvel over.

    read full review ↗
  • 80

    Servant of the Lake is unmissable stuff if you're a Rusty Lake fan already – but if that applies to you, then you probably knew that without me telling you; this series inspires a lot of loyalty among its fanbase, and enticing people back doesn't seem to be an issue for the studio. My honest recommendation for new players interested in the series is that you absolutely can start here, and if you choose to do so you're doing a good deed by supporting the developers – but if you're not sure, most of the franchise is on sale on Steam right now, and you could just as happily start with basically any of the others while they're so cheap as to be all-but-free. One thing's certain: the Lake will still be there waiting for you when you're ready to seek it out.

    read full review ↗
  • 70

    Things remain on point until the very end, including the Warthog escape finale that felt rather weak originally - although the whole thing does all feel rather brief.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Splatoon RaidersJul 21, 2026

    What initially feels like a rather simplistic shooter quickly blossoms into something with real depth. Importantly, compared to other looter shooters that Splatoon Raiders riffs on, you can hop in and out here generally without needing to commit an obscene amount of time. I had my doubts about Splatoon Raiders when I saw it was yet another looter shooter, but who’s got ink all over their face now.

    read full review ↗
  • 80

    Thanks to its seafaring adventures, thrilling naval combat, tight and varied combat encounters, thoughtful stealth, plenty to discover, a top performance from the lead, and glorious visuals, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is an easygoing joy of a game. How much it retools the original, I’m not sure, but this remake feels right at home in 2026. I never understood why Black Flag got the remake treatment first, but now I get it. This is a pirate adventure for the ages.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Forza Horizon 6Jun 26, 2026

    Forza Horizon 6 is ultimately a joy to play, hard to put down, and visually quite incredible. Make no mistake, I think Playground Games has once again delivered a game to be proud of. Six games in, though, 14 years after the original, and in an age when photo realism has essentially arrived, the believability of virtual worlds is about more than making perfect backdrops for photos. To truly move forward it might finally be time for a Horizon shake-up.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    PRAGMATAJun 26, 2026

    Capcom likely had a clear design and intention behind the decisions it made in terms of the progression and world structure, and I think we need games like this, that take a chance and run with it. Yes, the result is a game that feels like its ceiling was never going to be as high as the industry’s true greats, but what’s there has been iterated on so successfully I really didn’t mind.

    read full review ↗
  • 70

    If you take this for what it is - that is to say, a text-driven adventure with next to no voiceover work, built primarily to make fans of Voyager blush with fannish glee - you’ll enjoy it plenty. Don’t let the license fool you into thinking this is big-budget stuff - it’s very indie, and delightfully-designed likely because of that. I can forgive a bit of clunkiness in the presence of an abundance of heart - and Beyond the Unknown has that in spades.

    read full review ↗
  • 80

    But it took Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream dozens of hours to finally drain my creative spark, and some of the Switch players on my friends list are still going after more than 100. Even if the joke set up was all me, I still laughed more at Tomodachi Life than any “witty” triple-A experience from this generation. It’s a cosy game you can instil with the exact attitude you want, at the pace you want, and that’s why you shouldn’t overlook Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    SAROSJun 26, 2026

    Some minor story quibbles aside, Saros is a fine follow-up to Returnal and in many ways a better game that more players should be able to enjoy. If you’re after a thrilling, often beautiful action game that will push you to hone your skills, Saros will deliver. I’m going to have a little afternoon nap and hope I wake up with my skills sharpened enough to go for that Platinum trophy.

    read full review ↗
  • 80

    Devil May Cry 5 Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2 is a solid version of one of Capcom's best games in many years. While I am annoyed that the developer didn't bother adding Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition's modes and options here, the Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2 feels excellent and looks good enough to warrant a full portable replay even if you've already played it before.

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    Star FoxJun 26, 2026

    It’s still great; but if you know both or even all three versions, your mileage may vary depending on how much of a stick-in-the-mud you feel about changes. Aside from those of us greying and achingly old enough to remember those N64 glory days, though, this is doubtless the new best way to experience Star Fox. It’s more modern, more charming thanks to its expanded narrative, and is generally a worthy upgrade to an all-time classic. I’ll just always miss that barrel roll pinging sound effect.

    read full review ↗