Steam Rating 71: Meaning & How to Use It

Steam Rating 71 is a score on a 0–100 scale that Steam calculates for user reviews of a game. It represents the percentage of all user reviews that are positive. A rating of 71 means 71% of the reviews left for that game are positive, while 29% are negative. You enter nothing; the rating is already displayed on a game’s store page. This article explains what the number really tells you, how Steam computes it, and how to interpret it when deciding whether to buy a game.

Formula

The Steam Rating is simply the number of positive reviews divided by the total number of reviews, multiplied by 100.

Rating (%) = (Positive Reviews / Total Reviews) × 100

• Positive Reviews – the count of user reviews marked “Recommendedâ€� on the store page.
• Total Reviews – the sum of positive and negative reviews. Reviews that are removed by moderators or deleted by users are not counted.

The result is a percentage from 0 to 100. A score of 71 means 71 out of every 100 reviews are positive.

Worked Example

Using the defaults from the calculator above: 100 total reviews and 71 positive reviews.

1. Divide positive by total: 71 ÷ 100 = 0.71
2. Multiply by 100: 0.71 × 100 = 71%

The calculator returns a rating of 71% and a negative review count of 29. This matches the definition exactly.

How Steam Labels Ratings

Steam does not just show the raw percentage; it assigns a label based on the score and the number of reviews. These labels are displayed on the store page and in search results.

• Overwhelmingly Positive – 95% or more positive, with at least 500 reviews.
• Very Positive – 80–94% positive, with at least 50 reviews.
• Mostly Positive – 70–79% positive, with at least 50 reviews.
• Mixed – 40–69% positive.
• Mostly Negative – 20–39% positive.
• Overwhelmingly Negative – less than 20% positive, with at least 500 reviews.

A rating of 71 falls into the Mostly Positive category, provided the game has at least 50 reviews. If it has fewer than 50 reviews, Steam may show “No user reviews� or a simple percentage without a label.

How to Read a 71 Rating

A 71% rating is above average on Steam, where the median game sits around 70–75%. It means the majority of players enjoyed the game enough to recommend it, but a significant minority did not. That 29% negative share is not trivial—it often points to real issues.

When you see 71, look at the recent reviews separately. Steam shows both “All Reviews� and “Recent Reviews.� A game can have a lifetime 71% but a recent 90% if a major patch fixed problems, or a recent 40% if a new update broke things. Always check the recent tab first.

Also read a few negative reviews. Common reasons for negative reviews at this score include:

• Technical bugs or performance issues on certain hardware.
• Multiplayer servers that are empty or unstable.
• Single-player campaigns that are too short or lack replay value.
• Microtransactions or DLC that feel exploitative.
• Poor optimization, especially on lower-end PCs.

If the negative reviews are about bugs that have since been patched, the 71 may be outdated. If they are about design choices, the rating is likely accurate.

Common Mistakes When Interpreting the Score

One common mistake is treating 71 as a grade out of 100, like a school test. It is not a quality score; it is a percentage of positive reviews. A game with 71% positive reviews is not necessarily “71 out of 100� in quality. A niche game with a small but dedicated audience can have a higher percentage than a mainstream game with broader appeal.

Another mistake is ignoring the review count. A game with 10 reviews and 71% positive is not comparable to a game with 10,000 reviews and 71% positive. The larger sample is far more reliable. Steam’s labels require minimum review counts for this reason.

Also, don’t confuse “positive� with “good.� Some players leave positive reviews ironically, or because they enjoyed a game despite obvious flaws. Conversely, some negative reviews are from players who are angry about a developer’s political stance, not the game itself. Read the content, not just the score.

Limitations of the Rating

The Steam rating has several well-known limitations that you should keep in mind.

• Review bombing – A coordinated campaign can flood a game with negative reviews, temporarily dropping the score. Steam has attempted to filter these out, but they still affect the overall number.
• Free weekends and giveaways – Players who get a game for free may leave reviews that don’t reflect a full purchase decision.
• Early access – Reviews from early access may be based on an incomplete version. The final release could be better or worse.
• Regional differences – A game may run well on high-end PCs but poorly on common hardware in certain regions, skewing reviews.
• No weighting by playtime – A player who played 2 hours and one who played 200 hours both count equally, even though the latter has far more experience.

Because of these factors, the rating is a useful signal but not a definitive verdict. Use it alongside gameplay videos, professional reviews, and community discussions.

Alternatives to the Steam Rating

If you want a more nuanced picture, consider these alternatives:

• Recent Reviews – Already on the Steam page; shows the last 30 days of reviews separately.
• Metacritic – Aggregates professional critic scores, which often differ from user scores.
• OpenCritic – Similar to Metacritic but focuses on critic reviews and includes a “Top Criticâ€� average.
• Steam Charts – Shows concurrent player counts, which can indicate whether a multiplayer game is alive.
• Community hubs and forums – Read what players are saying right now, especially about the latest patch.

None of these are perfect, but combining a Steam rating with recent reviews and a look at the negative comments gives you a much better idea than the single number alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 71% a good Steam rating?

Yes, it is above average. Most games on Steam fall between 60% and 80%. A 71% rating means the majority of players recommend the game, but you should still check recent reviews and read the negative ones to see if the issues affect you.

How does Steam calculate the rating?

Steam divides the number of positive reviews by the total number of reviews (positive plus negative) and multiplies by 100. Reviews that are deleted or removed are not counted. The percentage is rounded to the nearest whole number.

Why does a game show 71% but also “Mostly Positive�?

Because 71% falls in the 70–79% range, which Steam labels as “Mostly Positive,� provided the game has at least 50 reviews. The label is based on the same percentage you see.

Can a game’s rating change over time?

Yes, every new review changes the percentage. If a game receives more positive reviews, the rating rises; if more negative, it falls. That’s why the “Recent Reviews� section is often different from the “All Reviews� section.

Does the rating include reviews from people who got the game for free?

Yes, all user reviews count equally, regardless of whether the reviewer purchased the game, received it as a gift, or got it during a free weekend. This is one reason the rating can be skewed.

What should I do if a game has 71% but I’m still unsure?

Read the negative reviews. Look for common complaints that would bother you. Watch a few minutes of gameplay on YouTube or Twitch. Check the recent reviews to see if the game has improved. If you’re still unsure, wait for a sale or buy from a retailer with a refund policy.

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in t | Total reviews | - | 100 | 0
in p | Positive reviews | - | 71 | 0
out rating | Steam Rating (%) | % | (p / t) * 100 | 0
out neg | Negative reviews | - | t - p | 0