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 12 games where press consensus and players sharply disagreed, this reviewer sided with players 8 times.
Computed 1h 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.
- +24Monster Hunter Wildsoutlet 85 · players 61 · Mar 2025
- -39Hollow Knight: Silksongoutlet 50 · players 89 · Dec 2025
- -42Fallout 4outlet 40 · players 82 · Sep 2024
- +22Dragon's Dogma 2outlet 80 · players 58 · Apr 2024
- -34Little Nightmaresoutlet 55 · players 89 · Oct 2024
- +14Dragon Age™: The Veilguardoutlet 80 · players 66 · Nov 2024
- +23Avowedoutlet 95 · players 72 · Mar 2025
- -23Nine Solsoutlet 65 · players 88 · Jun 2026
- +16Blue Princeoutlet 95 · players 80 · Apr 2025
- +15Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus IIoutlet 70 · players 55 · Jun 2026
Recent reviews (72 tracked)
- 80MontabiAug 15, 2026 · Jordan Wood
“Mankibo has threaded the needle to make Montabi competent in its worst moments and very nearly great in its best.”
read full review ↗ - PanCelestial ReturnJul 14, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Yet, despite the distracting irregularities, Celestial Return finds its footing when it shifts its focus to the political architecture of Netherveil. The narrative leans heavily into the weight of fascism, citizens' complicity in building it, and how the gears of those systems crush individual lives and the aspirations of its people.”
read full review ↗ - 50HYPERWIREDJul 9, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“I must admit I am a bit perplexed by the lack of excitement in Hyperwired. Twin-stick shooters can so rarely be considered boring, but this one manages to land with a dull thud. Without meaningful threats or interesting upgrade paths, the game just thoughtlessly advances, each room feeling just like the last. The plug mechanic, which should have been its saving grace, ultimately acts as the anchor weighing it down.”
read full review ↗ - 80The DrifterJun 22, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“The Drifter stands out by masterfully intertwining its narrative depth with compelling gameplay and atmosphere. The game is driven by a powerful story about grief, estrangement, and redemption, which is elevated by Adrian Vaughan’s phenomenal and expressive voice acting.”
read full review ↗ - 65Nine SolsJun 13, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Nine Sols feels at odds with itself, trying to tell a more traditionally constructed story while also trying to appease the “lore sickos” of the world.”
read full review ↗ - 55HollowbodyJun 4, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“By pushing itself into the same room as the classics and deliberately evoking them, Hollowbody does itself a disservice.”
read full review ↗ - 70Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus IIJun 2, 2026 · Jordan Wood
“Games in this vein, with these kinds of production values and this level of expressiveness in its combat mechanics, are rare.”
read full review ↗ - 10LumenTale: Memories of TreyMay 24, 2026 · Eloise Crawford
“But holistically, with my very specific experience, it’s a solid unplayable out of 10. What good is a world if it can’t be explored?”
read full review ↗ - 40DracamarApr 30, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Dracamar is an exceedingly simple platformer, with mostly straightforward platforming and level design that holds very few surprises. This simple design is an excellent starting point for children, as the mechanics are not needlessly complex or obtuse, but offers little for adult players beyond mindless time-passing.”
read full review ↗ - 55Ariana and the Elder CodexApr 27, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Ariana and the Elder Codex is noticeably small in scope, running just over a dozen or so hours long. While the combat and platforming are competent enough to keep you playing, they can’t quite distract from the technical hurdles and the fact that you’re fighting the same handful of enemies on repeat.”
read full review ↗ - 85MOUSE: P.I. For HireApr 23, 2026 · Joe 'Nid' Kaiser
“MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a stylish and surprisingly fast-paced FPS that leans hard into its rubber hose noir identity while still delivering solid, movement-driven combat. The presentation, music, and voice work carry much of the experience, even when upgrades feel underwhelming.”
read full review ↗ - 95Esoteric EbbApr 15, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Esoteric Ebb is an absolutely worthy successor to its inspirations. It effortlessly manages to be both intellectually rigorous and deeply, humanly messy, blending its philosophical questions with the overarching narrative and tea shop mystery, elevating all aspects in the process.”
read full review ↗ - 60The Rogue Prince of PersiaApr 10, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“There is artistry here, certainly. The backgrounds are gorgeous, painterly vistas that breathe life into every frame, and the character portraits are slick, stylized looks into each person’s psyche (though many such characters are decidedly one-note). On the gameplay side, that same visual artistry translates to a flowing series of actions that read more like a cartoon than a video game. But a game is more than visuals, and the team behind The Rogue Prince of Persia has no shortage of artists across the spectrum. The level design is stellar, offering alternative pathways to traverse and myriad ways to do so; walk, jump, slide, and climb to your heart’s content.”
read full review ↗ - PanEasy Delivery Co.Mar 26, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Driving down the winding mountain roads and through the massive snow drifts is fun. Good thing too — it’s just about the only thing you’ll be doing for most of the game.”
read full review ↗ - PanCrabmeatMar 10, 2026 · Taylor Rioux
“Ultimately, while the seafaring aspect of Crabmeat has its own meditative qualities, I find it fails to live up to its inspirations and aspirations. The open nature of the sea and sky takes away from any sense of claustrophobia found in similar minimalist titles like Iron Lung, and without any real pressures or threats to be found (outside of a few notable exceptions), I mostly found myself hoping for a future where interesting things might happen — a hope that was so rarely realized.”
read full review ↗