Summary
- GeoGuessr Steam Edition has received thousands of negative reviews on Steam in its first week, with only 17% positive feedback.
- Players are disappointed in its pricing and missing features compared to the original browser version of the game.
- Many are hoping that the developers will listen to player feedback.
GeoGuessr Steam Edition has quickly become one of the lowest-rated games in Steam history, receiving thousands of negative reviews less than a week after its May 8 release. The game was the long-awaited adaptation of the popular browser-based GeoGuessr, in which players challenge themselves and others in a pursuit to guess real-world locations based on Google Street View coverage.
The game, developed by Swedish GeoGuessr AB, has gained traction in recent years among the streaming and content creation community. Thanks to gamers, celebs, and the prestigious World Championships, the title's impact has been felt far beyond its own niche. Among others, Elder Ring gamers have embraced GeoGuessr and its unique formula. With tens of millions of players having tried the original version, expectations for the Steam release were high.
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Since launch, over 3,000 Steam users have reviewed the game, with only 17% giving it positive feedback, making Starfield's initially horrendous Steam reception seem decent. The barrage of complaints focuses mostly on pricing and missing features that are standard in the browser version. With the original version offering better options for solo play, map variety, and rule customization, many have been left unimpressed. Although the original version doesn't offer much free content either, players haven't been happy with the monetization model of the Steam Edition.
Monetization and Feature Gaps Fuel Backlash
While the game is free to download, the free-to-play content is exhausted nearly immediately, which makes a subscription a must for anyone who enjoys the game. For those who were already paying for the browser version, things aren't exactly roses and rainbows either. Players who subscribe to the browser version have found that their paid features do not carry over to the Steam version, unless they're paying for the highest available tier.
GeoGuessr Steam Edition is still in early access, which might excuse some of the snafus. The developers have also pointed to costs accrued from GeoGuessr using Google Street View data as justification for the pricing. However, players aren't only unhappy about the amount but also the confusing model. Lower tiers offer seemingly arbitrary time limitations that make playing frustrating, instead of limiting the available modes.
Even with a rather bleak first week for GeoGuessr Steam Edition, there's still hope. The game is loved by millions, and a few simple changes could turn the tide. Most gamers are likely willing to pay a fair price as long as the feature list and monetization model are fixed, perhaps bringing custom maps like location guessing in Skyrim. Some users have even offered counterpoints that are unfortunately lost in much of the negativity. The native app seems to offer a smoother experience than the browser versions, which could be a great selling point for the Steam Edition.
- Released
- May 9, 2013
- Developer(s)
- Anton Wallén
- Publisher(s)
- Anton Wallén
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes, via account
- Cross Save
- Yes, via account
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- May 9, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle, Exploration, Trivia, Casual
