• 24Nov 11

  A game by any other score would play just as sweet

  It's been bugging me for some time that modern video game reviews are becoming increasingly inane. It's easy to take a glance at the big number next to a review and move on, safe in the knowledge you have just attained all the information necessary for an informed opinion.

  10 = Great

  9 = Good

  The rest = below average.

  To me this seems needlessly limiting and due to the subjective nature of reviews, renders scoring largely pointless.

  I believe that a numeric scoring system when used correctly can be a valuable tool to a reviewer and to simply omit it diminishes the effectiveness and purpose of a review. Why not use the rest of the numbers to give a more accurate opinion?

  Scoring a game should be a harsh consideration which takes scaling (the increasing quality of games over time) into account. To do this I dissect the fundamental elements of a game and compare them with the best the genre has to offer.

  My aim is to provide quick but informative reviews and provide a fitting numerical score that considers exactly what a game offers, taking into account: Design, Technical achievement, aesthetic and audio quality, concept and overall experience.

  See 'Scoring system breakdown' for details.

  http://uk.gamespot.com/users/bailer4life/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=m-100-25961771

  • Posted Nov 24, 2011 4:06 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 24Nov 11

  Scoring system breakdown

  10 = Excellent and well crafted design that provides the highest standards in the genre.

  And it's less simple from there. The rational for a score has a number of considerations, a game of overall lesser quality may merit a higher score if a superior experience is offered or vice versa.

  For example, compare the sparse yet beautiful, Shadow of the Colossus with the superb overall quality of Batman Arkham Asylum.

  While one game offers a unique and unmatched experience with highs seldom reached in gaming the other offers an overall quality with touches of genius that elevate it to the highest possible standards in its class.

  While one doesn't particularly bring anything new to the table in terms of what we've seen before, the other suffers from repetitiveness and limited design.

  Both games deserve the same score for totally different reasons. Conversely there are games that deserve a lower score despite the touches of greatness or solid design they bring.

  Oblivion is a good example of this as it offers a huge, engrossing and unique experience and truly is a very good game but when looked at objectively has too many technical and design limitations to warrant a higher score.

  And lastly the biggest impact of enjoyment is personal preference. I have significantly enjoyed games that don't score much above average because of what they offer me as a player, while cast aside technical marvels that objectively scoring way more.

  When writing a review we have a responsibility to give as accurate and objective a description as possible. As independent reviewers we're not bound to any conformity and are able to provide an honest and better considered scoring system.

  • Posted Nov 24, 2011 3:51 am GMT
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