Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria rated the album a 4 out of 5, stating that the Playmaker showcases his growth from a rapper to a versatile artist who seamlessly blends highlife and hip-hop.

He highlighted the album's rich storytelling, emotional depth, and consistent production, asserting that it solidifies Phyno's status as a leading figure in Nigerian pop music.

[7] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs noted that the album shows his transition from hardcore rap to a more diverse musical style, blending Igbo Folk and Highlife with commercial appeal.

"[8] Jim Donnett of tooXclusive rated the Playmaker by Phyno 4 out of 5, highlighting its broad musical range and the artist's ability to blend rap with other genres, making the album appealing to a wide audience.

Donnett concluded, "[The Playmaker] is a star-spangled work that doesn’t only beam meritoriously on the rapper, it also illuminates his association in a galaxy where his producers’ efforts in defying a local boy’s template sounds are allowed to shine independently.