- Order of the Sinking Star Metacritic has no critic score yet—the game launches October 8, 2026
- Steam Demo reception is the strongest early signal: 91% positive across 1,488 player reviews
- Expect reviews near launch: critic scores typically appear 1-3 days before or after release day
- Where to check: Metacritic, OpenCritic, and the Steam store page for verified buyer reviews
- Genre context: Thekla's puzzle pedigree (Jonathan Blow) sets high critic expectations
Order of the Sinking Star Metacritic: Current Score Status
Order of the Sinking Star Metacritic coverage is currently empty of a critic score, and for good reason: the game has not launched yet. The full release arrives on October 8, 2026 on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2, which means Metacritic has no aggregated critic rating to display for the final build at the time of writing (September 30, 2026).
That does not mean there is zero reception data. The strongest available signal comes from the free Steam demo, which currently holds a 91% positive rating from 1,488 player reviews. Player sentiment in the demo window is often a leading indicator of how launch reviews will trend, though demo ratings and Metacritic critic scores are separate systems with separate audiences.
Any website claiming to show a Metacritic score for Order of the Sinking Star before launch week is presenting fabricated or placeholder data. Until critics publish reviews of the retail build, there is no legitimate aggregate score. Treat pre-launch "scores" with heavy skepticism.
What Exists Right Now
| Signal | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic critic score | Not yet available | Awaits Oct 8, 2026 launch |
| OpenCritic rating | Not yet available | Awaits launch window |
| Steam demo player rating | 91% positive, 1,488 reviews | Steam store page |
| Full game user reviews | Not yet available | Steam / PSN / eShop post-launch |
| Influencer previews | Limited, ongoing | Official YouTube channel |
Why Critics Are Watching This Release
The developer behind Order of the Sinking Star is Thekla, Inc., the studio led by Jonathan Blow. That pedigree alone puts the game on many critics' coverage lists, because the studio's previous puzzle title is widely regarded as one of the most influential puzzle games of its generation.
The confirmed feature set also raises expectations:
| Feature | Detail | Critic Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzle volume | 1,000+ handcrafted puzzles | Depth signals review longevity |
| World count | 4 worlds, each with unique mechanics | Structural ambition |
| Heroes | Queen, Thief, Warrior, Wizard, talking boat | Character-driven puzzle variety |
| Platforms | Steam, Steam Deck, PS5, Switch 2 | Multi-platform review coverage |
| Languages | 11 supported languages | Broad international critic pool |
Scale Argument
- 1,000+ interconnected puzzles
- No filler procedural content
- Long tail for post-launch analysis
Design Pedigree
- Thekla, Inc. development
- Jonathan Blow creative lead
- High bar from prior genre-defining work
Demo Momentum
- 91% positive player sentiment
- Large sample: 1,488 reviews
- Established pre-launch word of mouth
Metacritic weighted-averages critic reviews into a 0-100 metascore per platform. A game shipping on Steam, PS5, and Switch 2 will typically have separate platform pages, so check the page matching your chosen version.
How to Track the Metacritic Score at Launch
Follow these steps to get the score the moment it matters instead of relying on secondhand summaries.
Bookmark the game pages now
Search "Order of the Sinking Star" on Metacritic and OpenCritic and save both pages. Scores populate on these existing pages rather than new URLs.
Watch the review embargo window
Embargoes for a major October 8, 2026 release typically lift 1-3 days before launch. First critic write-ups usually appear in that window.
Cross-check OpenCritic
OpenCritic averages many of the same outlets and shows a "Might/Must Play" tier. Comparing both aggregates filters out single-outlet outliers.
Read full reviews, not just numbers
Puzzle games live or die on specific criticisms: pacing, difficulty curves, hint systems. Two reviews with the same score can describe very different experiences.
Check player reviews after a few days
Steam user reviews and platform store ratings mature quickly. With 1,488 demo reviews already logged, expect a fast-growing verified-buyer sample at launch.
The 91% demo rating is a Steam player metric, not a Metacritic input. Metacritic aggregates professional critic reviews only; user scores on the site are separate and typically take weeks to accumulate meaningful volume.
Comparing Review Platforms
| Platform | What It Measures | When Data Arrives | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metacritic | Weighted critic average (0-100) | Embargo lift to launch week | Quick quality benchmark |
| OpenCritic | Unweighted critic average + tiers | Same window as Metacritic | Cross-checking aggregates |
| Steam reviews | Verified buyers, thumbs up/down | Immediately at launch | Practical buyer sentiment |
| PSN / eShop ratings | Console storefront users | Days to weeks post-launch | Console-specific issues |
| Demo page | Pre-launch trial players | Available now | Early mechanics feedback |
Use Metacritic or OpenCritic for the critic consensus, then scan Steam reviews for technical performance on your specific platform. The combination gives you both editorial judgment and real-world stability data before buying.
Pre-Purchase Review Checklist
Before You Buy on Launch Day:
- Confirm the Metacritic or OpenCritic score for your platform
- Read at least two full critic reviews covering difficulty and pacing
- Check Steam or console user reviews for performance reports
- Verify platform support: Steam, Steam Deck, PS5, or Switch 2
- Replay the free demo if you are still undecided
FAQ
Q: Does Order of the Sinking Star have a Metacritic score right now?
No. As of September 30, 2026, the game has not launched, so Metacritic shows no critic aggregate. The full release arrives October 8, 2026, with critic reviews expected around the embargo lift near launch week.
Q: What is the best early signal for how the game will be reviewed?
The free Steam demo holds a 91% positive rating across 1,488 player reviews. It is a player metric rather than a critic score, but strong demo sentiment combined with Thekla's design pedigree suggests reviewers will approach the game with high expectations.
Q: Will each platform have a separate Metacritic score?
Typically yes. Games launching simultaneously on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 usually receive separate Metacritic platform pages, each with its own critic average depending on which outlets review which version.
Q: Where else can I check reviews besides Metacritic?
OpenCritic aggregates many of the same outlets with a different weighting approach, while Steam user reviews and the PSN and eShop store ratings capture verified buyer sentiment. Comparing several sources gives a more reliable picture than any single number.