How we review
What the verdicts and scores mean.
Every review ends with a verdict and a score. Here’s what each one means, and what we do before we give them.
The verdict
Every review gets one of these three. It sits at the top, so you can stop reading there if that’s all you need.
Buy it
Worth full price now.
Wishlist it
Good, but wait for a sale, a patch or more content.
Skip it
Not worth your time right now, even on sale.
The score
Scores are whole numbers from 1 to 10, and we use the whole range. A 7 is a good game, not a disappointment.
- 10ExceptionalOne of the best in its genre.
- 8–9GreatEasy to recommend.
- 7GoodClear flaws, still worth playing.
- 5–6MediocreOnly for fans of the genre.
- 3–4PoorMore misses than hits.
- 1–2BrokenDoesn’t work, or barely does.
How we play
- We finish the main path before reviewing. For games without one, we play at least 15 hours.
- Every review lists the platform and hardware, hours played, whether we finished, and the game version.
- If a major patch changes a game, we add an update note or re-review it.
What every review covers
- Who the game is for, and who should skip it
- One system or design decision that makes or breaks the game
- Whether we got a review copy or bought it
More on review copies, embargoes and how we use AI: ethics and disclosure.