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 14 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 9 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 (62 tracked)
- 90TitanfallMar 10, 2014
“What matters is what Titanfall is. And that is an expertly formed shooter. It lacks many built-in charms gamers might expect, like obvious eSports functions and game modes that really promote how this experience is truly different. But it’s also clear that this is stage one of an ongoing process.”
read full review ↗ - 85Donkey Kong Country: Tropical FreezeFeb 26, 2014
“The game’s difficulty will likely turn off a lot of casual gamers thinking they’re in for a routine Nintendo platformer, but the dedicated gamers who persevere through the toughest the game has to offer will find a satisfying game with loads of replay value that’s a blast to play.”
read full review ↗ - 75Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2Feb 25, 2014
“As MercurySteam deserves credit for keeping much of the combat consistent with the first Lords of Shadow, they’ve also earned recognition for being consistent with the series’ detailed and visually robust art direction.”
read full review ↗ - 75Forza Motorsport 5Nov 20, 2013
“If you thrive on variety, your patience with Forza 5 will wear thin in ten hours or so… and the idea that DLC may fill out the experience sometime in the future isn’t very comforting. That’s tragic, because Forza 5 is one of the most gorgeous and best-feeling racers I’ve ever played.”
read full review ↗ - 85Shadow WarriorNov 7, 2013
“There’s a gritty, punk spirit here that I haven’t seen since No More Heroes. As such, Shadow Warrior is more than a victory for fans of the original, but a spiritual rebirth of what made games of that era so fun in the first place.”
read full review ↗ - 95Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's CutOct 25, 2013
“The director’s commentary is completely worth it, especially if you’re a big fan of the original, but you can get that on other platforms for a cheaper price. At the end of the day, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an amazing game that Director’s Cut only makes better. You should absolutely play it, but weigh your available platforms first.”
read full review ↗ - 85NBA 2K14Oct 2, 2013
“While not a revolutionary advancement over last year, smart gameplay tweaks and the return of a couple favorite game modes make it once again a must buy for hardcore NBA fans.”
read full review ↗ - 75Brothers - A Tale of Two SonsSep 1, 2013
“Brothers is a touching story that strays from the cookie cutter formulas we’ve come to expect from the industry. The brothers’ journey is full of raw emotion, even if it borders on the line of pretentious at times.”
read full review ↗ - 90Gone HomeAug 26, 2013
“If you enjoyed The Stanley Parable or Dear Ester, or you’re a fan of narrative-driven games, you owe it to yourself to play Gone Home. For $20 it can seem quite steep so you have to be willing to pardon the linear gameplay and short length in favor of the journey. But the few tears I shed confirm that I feel the experience is worth it.”
read full review ↗ - 85Dragon's CrownAug 6, 2013
“Dragon’s Crown is going to be the next great multiplayer action RPG. It has all the ingredients to be a fantastic game: in-depth gameplay, tons of customization, superb multiplayer integration, and countless hours of replayability. That’s not even mentioning the game’s stunning one of a kind art style.”
read full review ↗ - 80NeverwinterJul 16, 2013
“Even though Neverwinter doesn’t challenge MMO norms in terms of content structure, it delivers retail-quality gameplay, endless expandability with user-generated content, and a fantastic twist on crafting that had me obsessively checking my crafting queue for hours. With a pricetag of free, all you have to lose is your time, and I can imagine about a hundred worse ways to spend your evening than playing Neverwinter.”
read full review ↗ - 85Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of MystaraJun 26, 2013
“A great package. The replay value is extremely high thanks to a diverse cast of characters, unlockable content, and online multiplayer. Visually the game is impressive, with various levels to explore and enemies to fight.”
read full review ↗ - 85Company of Heroes 2Jun 25, 2013
“It’s hard to ask for more from a game in terms of content. Company of Heroes 2 provides a robust campaign, substantive side challenges, and a deep multiplayer that has the potential to foster a thriving community. It’s unfortunate, then, that control issues and obtuse game systems cloud the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80Call of Juarez: GunslingerJun 19, 2013
“Although short, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is a fun, exciting, and story-driven game. The way in which Silas recants his tales, the rewarding leveling system, the variety of locations and situations you play through, and the superb voice acting make the game memorable and worthwhile.”
read full review ↗ - 75Anomaly 2May 28, 2013
“If there was ever any question about “tower offense” being a viable sub-genre of tower defense, let Anomaly 2 stand as a definitive game to prove its worth.”
read full review ↗