When I first started reviewing, I was a bit hesitant to use a number system. Not only is it vague, but different reviewers will give the same number for different reasons! The problem is, is that we, as readers/viewers, never understand EXACTLY what the number means. On some sites, a 7/10 is not that great, while a 5/10 on another site might be the same level! So what I aim to do with my reviews is to provide not only a score, which will be outlined below, but also a recommendation!
The Three Elements:
In each review, I'll be talking about 3 specific parts that make a game: Gameplay, Content, and Progression. Be sure to check here for an explanation of what each element means. I'll explain each one, score each one, and then average them for the grand total. Do not fret, however! My reviews aren't solely about numbers!
More than Numbers:
Not only will I give each element a number, but I'll also be discussing them at length. I'll give my reasons for each number. In addition, at the end of the review, after I sum up my thoughts and give the final number, there will be a section labelled Recommendation. This section will talk about if I recommend the game regardless of the number, why I would/would not recommend said game, and who might enjoy this game.
The Scoring System:
0 - 10 : The Worst
Receiving a score somewhere between 0 and 10 means that this game is one of the worst games in existence. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about these games. A score of 0 will usually be games that are broken beyond playable. For example, there is a game breaking and unavoidable bug that makes it so you can't progress or even regress. A score of 10 means that the game is playable, but you have no reason to play it! It does absolutely nothing right. Everything in the following list is downright bad and needs improvement: gameplay, graphics, sound, and story.
11 - 20 : Bad
Getting a score in this range means a few things. For starters, the game isn't completely broken. It is 100% playable. However, the game is missing a few core components. Gameplay might feel awkward and uninspired, graphics may be hard to looks at, the sound may be jarring, and/or the story may be convoluted. Getting a score of 11 means that it isn't much of an improvement over The Worst category, but might have one or two sections that are relatively solid. Getting a score of 20 means that it's on the path to being a decent game, but it requires a lot of improvement. It's not awful, but it certainly isn't good.
21 - 30 : Average
A score between 21 and 30 will denote the game as Average. There is nothing particularly wrong with this game and all the four elements are present. What makes this game average is that it doesn't break the mold. It simply doesn't do anything good, great, or even downright amazing. It just...does it...decently. The game has some faults, but it definitely has some strong points to balance it out. A score of 21 means that the game has slightly more negatives than positives, but, it still holds some water and can still be an okay game. A score of 30 means that this game is ever so slightly better than the average. It's positives outweigh the negatives, but it still has a bit of work needed to stand out in the crowd.
31 - 40 : Good, Maybe Even Great
Gaining a score between 31 and 40 means that a game is good. The positives outweigh the negatives, but there is still room for improvement. These are good games that have a good chance of not only standing out in a plethora of similar genre'd games, but also standing the test of time. These are the kind of games you remember and the kind of games you're proud to say you bet. A score of 31 means that it's better than the average and stands out. This type of game is good, but you definitely can admit that there are aspects that need some more working. It has potential. A score of 40 means that this game is great. The positive aspects of this game far outweigh the negatives and is an experience you want to, and will, enjoy.
41 - 50 : The Amazing
Earning a score between 41 and 50 means that this game is excellent. It exceeded all expectations and then some. Even at this level, games can still have negatives. However, those negatives are vastly outweighed by the negatives. A score of 41 means that this game is excellent. It's well designed, the game flows exceptionally well, and it just feels right. You won't feel annoyed at any point in this game. A score of 50 means it is perfection. This game is an experience. This game has the potential to be the game people look to and say "This game is the father of the genre. This game is the definition of the genre". It's a game that goes off the chart, exceeding any and all expectations, all the while providing a memorable experience you won't soon forget.
Final Thoughts:
Obviously, the numbers are biased. Scores like a 0 will be purely used in cases where the game is literally unplayable, and will (hopefully) be amended if the game receives a fix and/or update. Everything else is pretty much my opinion. I'll try my damnedest to keep everything relevant and unbiased. But please remember, this is a review! There will be biases, there will be opinions. That's why I'm going to go into as much depth as I humanly can in order to justify the scores! In addition, some games simply don't include something like a story. I won't take away points for this, as that was the developer's direction. There is nothing wrong with not having a story, and it isn't something that should be a negative. There's a difference between not including a story and including a story that is simply awful.
Let me know what you think about this!
The Three Elements:
In each review, I'll be talking about 3 specific parts that make a game: Gameplay, Content, and Progression. Be sure to check here for an explanation of what each element means. I'll explain each one, score each one, and then average them for the grand total. Do not fret, however! My reviews aren't solely about numbers!
More than Numbers:
Not only will I give each element a number, but I'll also be discussing them at length. I'll give my reasons for each number. In addition, at the end of the review, after I sum up my thoughts and give the final number, there will be a section labelled Recommendation. This section will talk about if I recommend the game regardless of the number, why I would/would not recommend said game, and who might enjoy this game.
The Scoring System:
0 - 10 : The Worst
Receiving a score somewhere between 0 and 10 means that this game is one of the worst games in existence. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about these games. A score of 0 will usually be games that are broken beyond playable. For example, there is a game breaking and unavoidable bug that makes it so you can't progress or even regress. A score of 10 means that the game is playable, but you have no reason to play it! It does absolutely nothing right. Everything in the following list is downright bad and needs improvement: gameplay, graphics, sound, and story.
11 - 20 : Bad
Getting a score in this range means a few things. For starters, the game isn't completely broken. It is 100% playable. However, the game is missing a few core components. Gameplay might feel awkward and uninspired, graphics may be hard to looks at, the sound may be jarring, and/or the story may be convoluted. Getting a score of 11 means that it isn't much of an improvement over The Worst category, but might have one or two sections that are relatively solid. Getting a score of 20 means that it's on the path to being a decent game, but it requires a lot of improvement. It's not awful, but it certainly isn't good.
21 - 30 : Average
A score between 21 and 30 will denote the game as Average. There is nothing particularly wrong with this game and all the four elements are present. What makes this game average is that it doesn't break the mold. It simply doesn't do anything good, great, or even downright amazing. It just...does it...decently. The game has some faults, but it definitely has some strong points to balance it out. A score of 21 means that the game has slightly more negatives than positives, but, it still holds some water and can still be an okay game. A score of 30 means that this game is ever so slightly better than the average. It's positives outweigh the negatives, but it still has a bit of work needed to stand out in the crowd.
31 - 40 : Good, Maybe Even Great
Gaining a score between 31 and 40 means that a game is good. The positives outweigh the negatives, but there is still room for improvement. These are good games that have a good chance of not only standing out in a plethora of similar genre'd games, but also standing the test of time. These are the kind of games you remember and the kind of games you're proud to say you bet. A score of 31 means that it's better than the average and stands out. This type of game is good, but you definitely can admit that there are aspects that need some more working. It has potential. A score of 40 means that this game is great. The positive aspects of this game far outweigh the negatives and is an experience you want to, and will, enjoy.
41 - 50 : The Amazing
Earning a score between 41 and 50 means that this game is excellent. It exceeded all expectations and then some. Even at this level, games can still have negatives. However, those negatives are vastly outweighed by the negatives. A score of 41 means that this game is excellent. It's well designed, the game flows exceptionally well, and it just feels right. You won't feel annoyed at any point in this game. A score of 50 means it is perfection. This game is an experience. This game has the potential to be the game people look to and say "This game is the father of the genre. This game is the definition of the genre". It's a game that goes off the chart, exceeding any and all expectations, all the while providing a memorable experience you won't soon forget.
Final Thoughts:
Obviously, the numbers are biased. Scores like a 0 will be purely used in cases where the game is literally unplayable, and will (hopefully) be amended if the game receives a fix and/or update. Everything else is pretty much my opinion. I'll try my damnedest to keep everything relevant and unbiased. But please remember, this is a review! There will be biases, there will be opinions. That's why I'm going to go into as much depth as I humanly can in order to justify the scores! In addition, some games simply don't include something like a story. I won't take away points for this, as that was the developer's direction. There is nothing wrong with not having a story, and it isn't something that should be a negative. There's a difference between not including a story and including a story that is simply awful.
Let me know what you think about this!