The Thomas Brush Show The Truth About Negative Reviews On Steam
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Oct 24, 2025 The discussion dives into what qualifies as a 'bad' game on Steam, exploring mismatched expectations through examples like Mighty No.9. Insights from veteran developers highlight how misleading marketing can lead to disappointment. Pricing plays a crucial role, impacting perceived value and player satisfaction. Thomas emphasizes the need for honest marketing and setting truthful expectations to prevent negative reviews. He also addresses how production quality and teaching mechanics can significantly influence player experience and feedback.
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Expectations Drive Reviews
- Mixed reviews usually come from a mismatch between marketing promises and the actual game experience.
- Players judge a game by what was promised, not just by intrinsic quality.
Veteran Verdict: 'Bad Game'
- Jeff Vogel bluntly summarized that bad reviews stem from a 'bad game.'
- Thomas Brush probes deeper to define what 'bad' means beyond that curt assessment.
No Rest For The Wicked Genre Mismatch
- Thomas Mahler marketed No Rest for the Wicked as an ARPG but players expected Diablo-style gameplay.
- Players instead experienced Souls-like combat and gave mixed reviews due to that mismatch.