Summary
GeoGuessr Steam Editionhas 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-basedGeoGuessr, 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 Ringgamers have embracedGeoGuessrand its unique formula. With tens of millions of players having tried the original version, expectations for the Steam release were high.
Since launch, over 3,000 Steam users have reviewed the game, with only 17% giving it positive feedback, makingStarfield’s initially horrendous Steam receptionseem 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
GeoGuessr Steam Editionis still in early access, which might excuse some of the snafus. The developers have also pointed to costs accrued fromGeoGuessrusing Google Street View dataas 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 forGeoGuessr 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 likelocation guessing inSkyrim. 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.
