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.
Controversy record: on 1 game where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 0 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 (42 tracked)
- 95PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition DX+Dec 26, 2010
“With Pac-Man Championship Edition DX, Namco Bandai has done all this and more, crafting an utterly addictive Pac-Man experience that will thrill, challenge, and consume players of all ages, skill levels, and experience. It's the best Pac-Man game to date, and a must-play for anyone who has thumbs and likes playing video games. It's really that good.”
read full review ↗ - 85Costume QuestDec 22, 2010
“The finished game is both fun to play, and wonderfully representative of a time of innocence and adventure. Combined with Double Fine's development sensibilities, it's the perfect combination for success.”
read full review ↗ - 70VanquishDec 19, 2010
“Since there is no multiplayer, and much of what Vanquish does has been done before, I was a bit disappointed.”
read full review ↗ - 88Call of Duty®: Black OpsDec 16, 2010
“With a decent, if predictable, story, and an incredible amount of online customization, Black Ops is a can't miss shooter that fires on almost all cylinders.”
read full review ↗ - 78Fallout: New VegasOct 27, 2010
“There's a lot to do, and if you have the time to explore all there is to see, you can spend another 100+ hours in this world.”
read full review ↗ - 95Super Meat BoyOct 26, 2010
“Super Meat Boy is without a doubt the new frontrunner for downloadable game of the year. From top to bottom, the game is a near-perfect experience. There's a great deal of challenge, but it never feels unbeatable.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“When playing with friends, Left4Dead gives the best cooperative experience in gaming, hands down. Nothing compares. The game is lacking a bit in terms of content, and more weapons and locations would definitely add to the experience, but nothing can take away from the sheer enjoyment value. Valve’s newest might be one of their most masterfully crafted, and the attention to detail is impeccable.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“With five campaigns, more enemies, better weapons, and plenty of challenges, you will probably still be playing this game well into 2010. There are a few issues, but these are easy to overlook when the gameplay is so fun and satisfying. Once again, Valve has made the zombie apocalypse one of the best experiences of the year.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“This game has nearly everything you could ask for in a world conquest simulator, and if you plan to dive in it may be best if you let your loved ones know you are going to start writing a novel. Or training for a triathlon. Just pick something that takes a really long time and sounds hard. You're going to be busy for a while.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“an ordinary game on an extraordinary engine. The faults are mostly swept aside by the gameplay, which is taken straight from Call of Duty 4, and the multiplayer should be different enough to pull those stuck on its prequel away in favor of a change of location and weapons.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“The story is compelling, the multiplayer is addictive, and Special Ops mode comes out of the gate swinging, prepared to shock gamers with a feature most likely didn’t know existed. The package, on the whole, is spectacular, there’s no two ways about it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“As any addicting game goes, you can lose hours in its flashy presentation or just play a few songs before going to bed at night. Either way you will get your moneys worth.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Warhead continues this tradition, bur has a slightly more coherent and focused story, even better gameplay and even more impressive graphics.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“It's half the price of the PC version and comes with a few extra maps after the original campaign is over, adding even more value where, in all honesty, none was needed.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A dream come true for many gamers of the 1990s, this is a remake done right, with the care and attention this property deserves. In fact, if other adventure games get the same treatment, I would likely re-buy all of them just to experience the new graphics and sounds.”
read full review ↗