AD-FREE GAMING REVIEWS & OPINIONS
REVIEW SCORING
Fun Fact:If you combined our first three names and arranged the letters alphabetically it would look like this, aaeeiijlmnrsstuwy. We know it's stupid but we're running out of fun facts!
Reviewing games is a job we love and one we don't take lightly. Being Early Access titles, it's crucial that we see the game for what it is trying to become. Our job is to see potential. These titles are under constant development which is why all of our scores are subject to change over time.
The score we give a game is not necessarily the entire picture though. Reading the full review or watching our videos will always give a clearer picture of what we had intended the score to portray. Our scores and highlights section at the bottom of each review are only there for a quick reference.
The score can rise or fall depending on if we believe the developers are maintaining high standards for perfecting their Early Access titles to be released as a Final Version. We write this as a disclaimer at the bottom of every review we write, so that you know we take seriously the job of reviewing games that are in their infancy.
It is at no time to be implied that it encompasses all of our feelings or thoughts on that title. We always encourage reading or watching our full reviews to get a better understanding of what the score was actually supposed to represent.
MORE REVIEW SCORING
Early Access titles are unique in that they are not fully developed yet and the studios that are trying to complete these games have more in store for them, than the initial playthrough that we review it at. We understand this and look past small problems that are typical for games like this, unless the problem hinders gameplay drastically.
Some but not all of these could be menus not working correctly, controller support not available, hotkeys options not available, pathing issues, graphic glitches, clipping audio, etc. While all of these by themselves are not a problem, we do weigh bug related problems as a whole.
Each game that we review is passed around between the editors to make sure that the reviews we give are as balanced as we can possibly make it. We apply a 10 integer system across all of our games with one decimal place after the number to indicate which direction we are leaning towards of that number.
It is very similar to IGN's review scoring system. Their system works very well and we are firm believers in implementing well known and accurate systems if they work properly. We use a similar integer system but mold it to be more appropriate for games in an Early Access state.
If there are just too many to make the game unplayable in its current state then we must let the public know that we couldn't look past known Early Access title issues and have to implement them into the overall score.
In the section below you will find our standards for what a game must achieve in order to be placed into that number bracket. We hope that you come away from reading this section with a better knowledge of the standards that we hold for these games.
Thank you for reading Early Access!
10 - Masterpiece
Games that you will remember for the rest of your life. They touch your soul, they breathe life into your lungs, they are refreshing and pure all to themselves. To reach this score a development team must provide the world with the ultimate gaming experience. While rare, these titles are nearly flawless if not perfect in their design and execution.
Examples Include:
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9.0-9.9 - Amazing
To reach this milestone, a game must have an element about it that makes us do a double take in our chairs. While not perfect, they stand out amongst the competition effortlessly. Being here means that they have gone above and beyond in trying to give the world a new story or experience.
8.0-8.9 - Great
Unique mechanics, clever characters or just one hell of a good story. These are all ways a game will find themselves riding in this section. Sometimes more polish is needed or more features might be on the way to move this game to a higher rating but if it is sitting here, it has a lot going for it. The developers have clearly hit their mark on delivering a fun experience but may need more time or more features before it can be considered amazing.
7.0-7.9 - Good
You won't be disapointed playing these titles as long as your expectations are kept in check. These titles deliver solid performance but lack anything that makes it stand out from the crowd. Repetitive gameplay, dull narrative or just a lack of features could put a game into this category. You won't be disapointed buying these games but with more polish and features, could be better down the road.
6.0-6.9 - Okay
This is an area where much debate arises. Games that fall into this category are not bad but could use a lot of love. The reason for the debate is because when a game falls here, most of the time the scores are balanced between a higher and lower one and this is where it lands after the final verdict. You will enjoy these titles but will be left with the feeling of wanting more from the experience.
Examples Include:
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Dezzan
5.0-5.9 - Mediocre
A game that finds itself itself here is borderline on entering our Friend Zone. While still an enjoyable title, there are too many things about it that are off putting for us to take it seriously. We only recommend these games if you have money to throw away but if you are hesitant we normally say wait on more features or bug fixes before indulging in these titles.
Examples Include:
4.0-4.9 - Bad
This it the top of the food chain for our Friend Zone articles. We have high hopes for these games because they possess the qualities of a good game but are way too rough or featureless for you to spend money on right now. Developers in this area can easily turn their game around and put it into a higher category with a little more work. There is normally one thing about these games that makes us hold out hope for them for their future.
3.0-3.9 - Awful
A game that finds itself here is not doing so hot. If we believe the game is in an awful state, there is a shimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for it to pull out a win. This is an area where the developers have one good idea but it is so hard to find or experience that it leaves a bad taste in your mouth after playing. This is an area that generally falls into much debate as to how bad a title is, meaning that it could have gone either way but fell here after much deliberation.
2.0-2.9 - Painful
With all the best intentions, we believe the developers of this area should just find other jobs. While not scams, we believe that the development team or person are just not good at making games. There is not a shred of fun or enjoyment you will find from these titles. Most of the time this area is slightly depressing because they probably hooked us in with great snapshots or a trailer but the gameplay was horrible.
1.0-1.9 - Unbearable
This area is reserved for games that technically delivered what they promised. To fall here, a game must be so bad, that it fits the loosest definition of what it said it was going to deliver without actually delivering anything at all. Saying a game is a scam is not easy which is why we hold this section for games you should steer clear of for the time being and we will keep a close eye on whether it will turn around in the future, but we have very little hope it will.
0-0.9 - Scam
Games that have this score we believe are scams. They are developed with the intention of taking your money and never delivering on any of the promises they had stated. We must truly feel cheated to give a game this rating. While not necessarily a permanent score, we have zero hope of any game that reaches this area to ever climb back out.
