Questions at the gate
Something missing? Ask us.
What does the site cover?
Dark fantasy games sold on Steam: soulslikes, grim RPGs, gothic strategy and action RPGs. We cover the Steam version only, with Windows, macOS, Linux and Steam Deck notes where they apply.
How are the scores out of 100 calculated?
Five weighted criteria: combat (25%), world and lore (25%), builds and systems (20%), fair challenge (15%) and the PC port (15%). The editor may then adjust the total by up to five points, with the reason stated in the review.
What do the S, A, B and C tiers mean?
S (90+) is Sovereign: genre-defining. A (85 to 89) is Ascendant: excellent with one caveat. B (80 to 84) is Bannered: great for the right player. C (70 to 79) is Common: good, but a better choice usually exists.
What is the "trial" rating?
A separate five-step difficulty rating, from Gentle to Merciless. It describes how hard a game is, not how good it is; a Merciless game can still be in tier S.
Do publishers pay for placement or scores?
No. Nobody pays for coverage, rank or score, and we accept no review conditions. If outbound store links ever become affiliate links, they will be labelled.
Where do prices and Steam Deck ratings come from?
From the Steam store and Valve's compatibility program, checked when each page is updated. Prices are US list prices and change with sales and region.
What is cost per hour?
The list price divided by a typical playtime for the main content. It is a rough value signal shown beside the score, never part of it.
Is this site connected to gambling?
No. Dreamy Reel World is not affiliated with online casinos, betting platforms or gambling operators, and does not promote them. The "reel" in our name refers to a highlight reel of the games we love.