Die For The Lich Shows How Fragile Steam Ratings Can Be

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A recent discussion within the indie scene is highlighting just how quickly a game’s reputation can shift on Steam, especially during Early Access. The conversation was sparked because of the game Die For The Lich, a title that saw a sudden wave of negative reviews following a transparent update from its developers on Steam.

The situation was shared by publisher 2 Left Thumbs, who explained that the backlash came after the development team announced a temporary hiatus. The break was intended to allow the two brothers behind the project to rest and focus on their personal relationship, but many players interpreted the news as the game being abandoned. Despite clarifications that development would continue, the announcement coincided with a sharp increase in negative reviews, dragging down the game’s overall rating.

What makes the situation particularly notable is that the response came immediately after the developers chose to communicate openly with their community. According to the post, it raised an uncomfortable question, whether being transparent with players can sometimes backfire, especially in an environment where perception can shift so quickly.

The discussion also referenced Slay the Spire II, a highly successful roguelike deck-builder that launched to strong sales and player numbers, yet still ended up with a “Mixed” rating on Steam. Steam reviews don’t always function as long-term quality indicators, but rather as real-time feedback tools. Players often use them to react to updates, bugs, or developer decisions, which can sometimes kill the overall perception of a game regardless of its core quality.

Early Access titles, in particular, tend to face heightened scrutiny, as players who pay upfront can be more sensitive to delays, pauses, or changes in direction. Some developers pointed to patterns like review bombing, while others noted cultural differences in how certain communities use reviews to express dissatisfaction when other communication channels feel limited.