Phil Savage, Editor-in-Chief of PC Gamer, is known for his discerning taste in video games. However, a lingering sentiment remains regarding his decision not to award a perfect score to Vanquish, the acclaimed shooter from PlatinumGames that made its way to PC in 2017. In his review, Savage rated the game at 80%, stating, “Beyond the laser-focused core loop, there isn’t much to Vanquish. You start with knee-sliding acrobatics, and end the same way—around six or so hours later.” While this assessment holds some truth, it overlooks the sheer thrill of the knee slide, arguably one of the most exhilarating moves ever programmed into a video game. This is closely followed by the iconic moment when the protagonist, Sam Gideon, removes his helmet, lights a cigarette, and flicks it away—a feat that even the Pope would struggle to surpass.
Pragmata’s Influence
Recently, Pragmata has emerged, drawing comparisons to Vanquish due to its straightforward third-person shooter mechanics and its Japanese development roots. Both games feature a protagonist clad in a white, astronaut-like suit, and while Pragmata allows for jet-powered dashes, it lacks the flamboyant knee slides that define Vanquish. Upon completing Pragmata, it became clear that the two games diverge significantly in tone, pacing, and gameplay feel. However, Pragmata evokes nostalgia for the action-packed titles of the early 2010s, reminding players of the unadulterated joy found in games like Vanquish. This recognition could potentially rectify the past underperformance of such titles, which were often overshadowed by corporate decisions rather than their inherent quality.
In the wake of Pragmata’s release, Vanquish has experienced a notable uptick in player engagement on Steam. According to data from SteamDB, the game has seen a remarkable 34.8% increase in peak players over the past month, translating to an additional 16 players reveling in the knee-sliding action. The average daily player count has surged even further, with a 52.9% rise, equating to 26 more individuals enjoying Vanquish each day. This surge suggests that, for these players, life has taken a turn for the better.
However, one must ponder whether this increase can be directly attributed to Pragmata’s launch. A reality check reveals that such spikes in player activity have occurred periodically over the years, particularly in September 2024, September 2025, and February of this year. While some of these surges could be linked to Steam sales, they do not necessarily coincide with the sales events themselves. Currently, Vanquish is available at a 70% discount, a promotion Sega has consistently offered over the past decade. The recent player activity chart does exhibit a sharper increase, suggesting that the resurgence of interest in Xbox 360-style shooters, sparked by Pragmata, may indeed have some influence.
Regardless of the reasons behind this newfound interest, players can experience Vanquish for themselves at the appealing price of . Despite its age, the game remains a clever satire of its contemporaries, featuring over-the-top American heroes battling against space Russians, crafted by Japanese developers. It incorporates quick-time events that, while once criticized, are executed with such flair that they are hard to dislike. Vanquish is a cover shooter that actively encourages players to abandon cover, creating a unique gameplay experience. While some may not revisit earlier titles like Gears of War, the desire to glide through the world of Vanquish remains strong.
Though rated at 80%, Vanquish stands as a quintessential example of an 80% game that embodies the spirit of a perfect score.
