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Score
guidelines...
We understand
that people have different opinions about scoring
games. Some believe they're meaningless, and it's the
text that matters. To a certain extent, we'd agree,
though we know it's often nice to be able to get some sort
of numerical specificity as well.
With that in mind, we've decided to utilise a marking system
that satisfies a wide range of views. Like aggregator
site Metacritic, we employ a 'traffic light' system, which
should give you a general idea of how good a game is.
Green means you'll probably like it; amber means you might
enjoy it, but you should be careful; and red means it's
probably best left alone.
Overlayed on top of this is a percentage score, where marks
out of a hundred are awarded at the reviewer's discretion,
based on a consideration of how enjoyable the game is to
play. If you aren't bothered about this precision, you
can just look at the colour, and be done with it.
We mark games from the heart, and are careful not to
needlessly detract points for flaws that don't significantly
hamper our experience with the game. Having an
outdated graphics engine isn't always to the detriment of
the title; likewise, having an incredible one doesn't always
help a bad game become good. The score is a reflection
of the quality of the product as a whole, not of any
individual aspect that comprises the game.
Below is a rough guide of what fits where in our mark
scheme.
1% - 19%
Truly
awful titles that shouldn't have even warranted a release.
These games offer virtually no entertainment value
and should be avoided at all costs.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Nothing yet, thank goodness.
20% - 39%
These
games are well below average and offer little in the way of
entertainment value. If
you look hard enough, you may find something to like, but
for the most part you'll want to avoid them like the plague.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Sonic
Unleashed (Issue 2, 39%)
40% - 59%
Distinctly
average titles that contribute little to the genre.
They may be severely troubled, or simply bland.
Some players will enjoy these games, but most won't
be too bothered.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Professor Heinz Wolff's Gravity (Issue 2, 42%)
60% - 69%
These
games are above average but there will be far better titles
out there. There
are some serious things wrong with these games, though they
manage to provide some decent entertainment value in places.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Tomb
Raider Underworld (Issue 3, 69%)
70% - 79%
Good
games that don't quite stand up against the true greats.
These games have their problems, and there will be
better options available, but they're likely to be enjoyable
for most players.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: FIFA
2009 (Issue 1, 75%)
80% - 89%
Thoroughly
enjoyable games that provide immense entertainment from
start to finish. They
may have some minor problems, but overall they don't
significantly detract from the high quality of the game.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Crayon Physics Deluxe
(Issue 3, 85%)
90% +
Real,
true works of genius. These
are the absolute cream of the crop in today's gaming market.
Only a handful of these are likely to arrive each
year.
RECENT
EXAMPLE: Fallout 3 (Issue 1,
93%)
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