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 3 times.
Computed 44m 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.
- +22Hollow Knight: Silksongoutlet 100 · players 78 · Sep 2025
- +30REANIMALoutlet 100 · players 70 · Mar 2026
- +12WUCHANG: Fallen Feathersoutlet 80 · players 69 · Jul 2025
- +23Anno 117: Pax Romanaoutlet 90 · players 67 · Dec 2025
- +2433 Immortalsoutlet 90 · players 66 · Jun 2026
- -19Poker Night at the Inventoryoutlet 70 · players 89 · Mar 2026
- -25The Mermaid Maskoutlet 70 · players 96 · Aug 2026
- +15Hell Clockoutlet 90 · players 75 · Jul 2025
- -23Winter Burrowoutlet 60 · players 83 · Nov 2025
- +22Bye Sweet Caroleoutlet 90 · players 68 · Oct 2025
Recent reviews (155 tracked)
- 70LunariumAug 31, 2026 · Jacob Price
“Lunarium almost works to introduce Souls-inspired isometric ARPG to interested players. Combat satisfies while the story underserves its themes with a rocky narrative structure. Some will find Ave and Lune’s relationship the core of their experience, while others will enjoy the smaller, easily navigable levels. Lunarium shoots for the moon and lands among the Starfarers.”
read full review ↗ - 100Fields of MistriaAug 23, 2026 · Christopher Lannoo
“This is easily one of the best additions to the farming sims genre in a while. Even considering the number of excellent titles the genre has seen in the past few years, this one rates very highly. The charming art, the wonderful music, the great storylines – they all just come together so perfectly and will be enjoyed by anyone infatuated with farming sims or cosy games in general, as well as being a perfect entry point for anyone new to the genre. Now, to finally find that final ingredient for my engagement ring. Hold on, my beloved Juniper, I’ll be there soon!”
read full review ↗ - 80Servant of the LakeAug 22, 2026 · Elizabeth Hambleton
“Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Servant of the Lake! It’s outside my usual comfort zone for games, but I felt confident and capable with the puzzles, and I enjoyed the ride it took me on. It’s not the most amazing, awe-inspiring work of art in the world, but it knows what it’s about and it commits to the bit. It’s a genuinely excellent addition to the game library of anyone who enjoys visual novels, point-and-click games, or puzzle games.”
read full review ↗ - 70Backyard BaseballAug 21, 2026 · Dave Jackson
“Backyard Baseball hits both of its main targets, the fastball and the breaking ball, if you will. It effectively channels the memories of playing the original games for longtime fans while also being a fairly approachable game for a new generation of kids, especially on the lower end of the difficulty choices. For older players who didn’t play the original games, it’s still a pretty chill, arcadey baseball experience that promises to not get as sweaty as the more sim-style baseball games out there. It’s not going to the hall of fame, but it makes solid contact more often than not.”
read full review ↗ - 70Future KnightAug 21, 2026 · Jason Baigent
“Future Knight will leave you scratching your head for the majority of its four-hour runtime thanks to the many moments of confusion it brings, but there is a strong platform shooter in there with fun challenges, attempting to escape the absurdity surrounding it. If everything I’ve said sounds great to you, then I hope you have a good time, but for others it might all be a little too much.”
read full review ↗ - 40AkatoriAug 14, 2026 · Jesse Hazel-Greer
“With tenuous character motivations, messy dialogue, underdeveloped narrative structure, sloppy combat, haphazard checkpointing, flat skill progression, and unreliable controls, Akatori is an exploraformer to avoid. The game’s excellent visual presentation does not compensate for its many unpolished and half-finished ideas.”
read full review ↗ - 90DuskfadeAug 13, 2026 · Steven Landray
“There’s no doubting that Duskfade was made with a love for action-adventure games, but the combination of simple, enjoyable combat and platforming that challenges the way you engage with the movement abilities makes it stand out as a shining example of the genre, even if it does adopt some of its flaws along the way.”
read full review ↗ - 80Agent 64: Spies Never DieAug 12, 2026 · Christopher Lannoo
“Agent 64: Spies Never Die wears its influences on its immaculately dressed sleeve, and it works wonderfully well. Its action is punchy, playing with the challenges we faced due to the limits of the Nintendo 64 in a fun way. Whether you have nostalgia for that specific time in videogame history will probably influence your enjoyment of this game in a big way, but even if you’re new to this era of shooters, there’s plenty to enjoy here. The story mode is a fun romp, and the game’s multiplayer could be one that keeps people entertained for years to come.”
read full review ↗ - 70The Mermaid MaskAug 6, 2026 · Steven Landray
“As far as narrative puzzle games go, The Mermaid Mask definitely doesn’t disappoint: the world, the people inhabiting it, and the dialogue in between will always be a treat, though it is let down by some pacing issues in its grand finale, as well as a few puzzles that are needlessly obtuse. Regardless, it proves itself a worthy addition to the Detective Grimoire series and hopefully not the last we will see. Sadly, a lack of meaningful accessibility options also means the game loses half a star.”
read full review ↗ - 70MontabiAug 6, 2026
“Now comes the big question: do I recommend Montabi? While it offers plenty of interesting strategies and synergies, it doesn’t do all that much to bring anything new to the genre of roguelike deckbuilders. But what’s there is so solidly made that it’s hard to ignore and hard to put down once you’ve spent some time with it. My suggestion would be to stick with it until you do find yourself breaking the game. And then you come back here and tell me how to do it. Deal? Deal.”
read full review ↗ - 90Big WalkAug 4, 2026 · Elizabeth Hambleton
“Big Walk is a game about walking and talking with your friends through a gorgeous visual and sonic environment modeled on the Australian bush. Escape-room-style puzzles offer just the right amount of challenge. It’s a game that encourages trust, bonding, and communication. Walking the island, our momentum picks up as the vistas, free public transportation, and smartly designed puzzles inspire us to focus on enjoying our time together. The game principally cultivates affinity, and it shines bright in the epiphanies sown throughout the friendscape, shared warmly and excitedly between players.”
read full review ↗ - 80Desktop ExplorerJul 24, 2026 · Jason Baigent
“For Recurring Dream, Desktop Explorer is their debut game, and with its incredible detail, intricate and clever puzzles, strong script and narrative, it’s one they should be proud of and hold their heads up high for. With some adjustments to its accessibility, this would be an easy recommendation, but as it stands, I’d suggest bringing a guide and a notepad if you want to fully experience this tale for yourself.”
read full review ↗ - 80Helix: Descent N AscentJul 23, 2026 · Jesse Hazel-Greer
“Helix: Descent N Ascent is an elegant and striking puzzle game set in a world of black n white sketches of passageways and ruins with a postgame that’s brought down by bugs. The hand-drawn art and animation are immediately captivating, and the soundscape is equal parts disquieting and sensorially satisfying. The toolset builds ingeniously. In those intervening moments between the bottleneck and the breakthrough, no matter how long it takes, I am purely mindful and at peace: studying, probing, imagining, experimenting. I know the answer is in front of me, waiting there, ready for the spark.”
read full review ↗ - 80LIFTEDJul 22, 2026 · Elizabeth Hambleton
“I want to keep this review short and sweet, just like the game. This isn’t the deepest game of all time. There’s nothing groundbreaking here. But it ran smoothly even on my potato laptop, and I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time, which doesn’t happen much. If you like platformers and a good, silly time, you’ll love this one for sure. The only thing holding me back from a perfect score is that it does play oh so very safely within the boundaries of the genre, so it’s hard to call it a “must play.” That said, this is a very, very fun game, and you are guaranteed a fun time!”
read full review ↗ - 80to a TJul 17, 2026 · Elizabeth Hambleton
“Despite the handful of technical issues and my grievances with the camera angles, I thoroughly enjoyed this game. It’s a brilliantly fresh idea that is executed fully with nothing held back. The visuals are cohesive and interesting and beautifully done, and the music is incredibly delightful. As long as you enter with an open mind, you will not be disappointed in this game!”
read full review ↗