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 7 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.
- +30Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™outlet 80 · players 50 · Oct 2014
- +16Borderlands: The Pre-Sequeloutlet 90 · players 74 · Oct 2014
- -18South Park™: The Stick of Truth™outlet 75 · players 93 · Mar 2014
- -17This War of Mineoutlet 75 · players 92 · Nov 2014
- -18The Evil Withinoutlet 50 · players 68 · Nov 2014
- +13Tropico 5outlet 85 · players 73 · May 2014
- +20DG2: Defense Grid 2outlet 90 · players 71 · Sep 2014
- -18The Vanishing of Ethan Carteroutlet 65 · players 83 · Oct 2014
- -19Sang-Froid - Tales of Werewolvesoutlet 70 · players 90 · Apr 2013
- -16Proteusoutlet 75 · players 91 · Feb 2013
Recent reviews (56 tracked)
- 78Elite DangerousDec 26, 2014
“Multiplayer issues aside, Elite: Dangerous is a pretty slick single-player game. If you can look past the always-online connection, this game is the next-gen remastering that space sim fans have longed for since the 1990s. Any faults it does embody are countered by impressively unique features that make it well worth breaking out your joystick once more.”
read full review ↗ - 90The Talos PrincipleDec 9, 2014
“It’s a game that aspires to be more than what we traditionally expect, and one that has an intangible quality that makes it more than the sum of its parts. It’ll stay with you after you’ve completed it and call you back to explore its hidden corners to see what else you’ll uncover there.”
read full review ↗ - 90Game of Thrones: Episode One - Iron From IceDec 2, 2014
“At least, there’s a ton of potential for the next five installments in this series, and no shortage of twists and intrigue to be found in this inaugural outing.”
read full review ↗ - 75This War of MineNov 30, 2014
“This War of Mine is a great counterpoint to the yearly influx of war games, and uses the language of video games to present a harrowing real-life experience in a way that’s often particularly engaging. It’s dark, it’s sad, it’s often crushing and difficult. It might not be fun, but it’s definitely worth experiencing.”
read full review ↗ - 50The Evil WithinNov 5, 2014
“It’s an atmospheric slog with some cool art direction, granted (although its anemic, somewhat confused mad science story doesn’t add much on that front). But it’s a slog nonetheless, constantly punishing the player for not reading its mind. Dying in a game isn’t scary — almost dying is. The Evil Within, however, never figures that out.”
read full review ↗ - 80Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth™Oct 23, 2014
“Ultimately, Beyond Earth is an exceedingly polished 4x experience, taking you and humanity through space exploration, frustrations and all.”
read full review ↗ - 80Legend of Grimrock 2Oct 15, 2014
“Grimrock’s dungeon crawling gameplay is as solid as ever.”
read full review ↗ - 90Borderlands: The Pre-SequelOct 13, 2014
“Exactly what fans of the series wanted in a new installment — more Borderlands. It keeps everything that made Borderlands 2 great, and adds a few new tricks of its own. It might not be innovative, but it’s damn fun to play. Honestly, isn’t that what really matters?”
read full review ↗ - 65The Vanishing of Ethan CarterOct 2, 2014
“For players who like story and experience to trump all else, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a low-key journey with some interesting ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90DG2: Defense Grid 2Sep 26, 2014
“Defense Grid 2 is hard. Make no mistake about it. I hit my first wall at level 8 and found an uphill climb after that. Those new to the tower defense genre will find its difficulty curve unforgiving. Yet, somehow, this challenge ends up feeling rewarding.”
read full review ↗ - 90Middle-earth™: Shadow of Mordor™Sep 25, 2014
“It’s a fun game that lets you experience The Lord of the Rings regardless of how much knowledge you have of the world coming in. Great combat and an amazing setting round out one of the best Lord of the Rings titles in years. ”
read full review ↗ - 75The Sims™ 4Sep 22, 2014
“I think it is a better foundation to build on than The Sims 3 had at launch.”
read full review ↗ - 65DestinySep 17, 2014
“Bungie has said it has come up with 10 years of content for Destiny, but I was bored at around 10 hours. The game has its moments, but it needs more. It needs adventurous thinking and risky ideas. It needs challenges that go beyond racking up headshots. It needs engagement among players to make them feel useful and important. It needs people and places within it that have more character than just pretty helmets and vistas and lens flare.”
read full review ↗ - 85Company of Heroes 2 - The Western Front ArmiesJun 30, 2014
“The Company of Heroes 2: Western Front Armies DLC is a nice addition to a strategy game that was already pretty darn good to start with. While the cost might be a bit steep for those of us who already own the game, it’s almost a no-brainer for folks who want to see what all the fuss is about without breaking the bank.”
read full review ↗ - 90Shovel KnightJun 26, 2014
“One of the best games of 2014 so far, and you’d be remiss to let it fly by under your radar. Even more so if you grew up in the NES era and have any sort of fond memories of the great games during that time.”
read full review ↗