Replaced after April 15, 2015
The Scale And How We Scored before April 15, 2015:
The scoring scale was designed in 2008 with much careful consideration, and is intended to take the thought out of the numbers. While it is impossible to not have a number in one’s head when writing a review, this system helps make the number a little more “natural” by lining up the tone of the written review with the scoring summary. If a writer said in the review that the game was good, but short, then he can look at the scale and see that a number in the 7.0 range is suitable.
Every number is important! Here’s the full scale:
10 — Flawless Victory (10s aren’t perfect, since nothing is, but they come as close as you could get in a given genre. The new game to beat in its sector, we’re talking pure videogame ecstasy here.)
9 — Superb (9s are a hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won’t cause massive damage to what is a supreme title.)
8 — Great (8s are impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won’t astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.)
7 — Good (7s are solid games that definitely have an audience. Might lack replay value, could be too short or there are some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.)
6 — Alright (6s may be slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.)5 — Mediocre (5s are an exercise in apathy, neither Solid nor Liquid. Not exactly bad, but not very good either. Just a bit “meh,” really.)
4 — Below Average (4s have some high points, but they soon give way to glaring faults. Not the worst games, but are difficult to recommend.)
3 — Poor (3s went wrong somewhere along the line. The original idea might have promise, but in practice the game has failed. Threatens to be interesting sometimes, but rarely.)
2 — Bad (2s are a disaster. Any good they might have had are quickly swallowed up by glitches, poor design choices or a plethora of other issues. The desperate or the gullible may find a glimmer of fun hidden somewhere in the pit.)
1 — Complete Failure (1s are the lowest of the low. There is no potential, no skill, no depth and no talent. These games have nothing to offer the world, and will die lonely and forgotten.)
