Methodology
Methodology
How each game was played and scored
Every game got a minimum of focused playtime, then a weighted score across five categories that totals to a whole number between 0 and 100.
Review Process
I gave each game at least 30 minutes of playtime before rendering my judgment. Some genres, including Adventure, Strategy, and RPG, required at least an hour or two of playtime, but every game was given at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted playtime. Any less, and I wouldn't feel I could give a proper evaluation; any more, and I would never finish the project.
Scoring
Each game was graded against five categories:
The number next to each category represents its weighting, acknowledging how much that category affects a game's quality. Gameplay is by far the most important factor, while the Theme of a game (story, characters, setting) is an order of magnitude less important.
Each game was graded against the five categories using a 0 to 5 scale. Only the worst offenders were given a zero while truly exceptional examples were awarded a five. These scores were then multiplied by the corresponding weight and then totaled up to arrive at a final score. It's possible for a game to earn a score that is any whole number between 0 and 100. No more, no less, and no decimals.
A worked example
Here's how Theme Park (MD CD PAL) totals to an overall score of 62:
| Category | Score (0–5) | Weight | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | 3 | ×10 | 30 |
| Level Design | 3 | ×5 | 15 |
| Theme | 5 | ×1 | 5 |
| Art Style | 4 | ×2 | 8 |
| Sound Design | 2 | ×2 | 4 |
| Overall | — | — | 62 |
An overall score of 62 lands in the E band — “Your mileage may vary.”
What the scores mean
Every 0–100 score maps to a letter grade. That grade is what you'll see on the sortable lists and review cards.
How to read the notes
The reviews are full of typos and incomplete sentences, but I don't care. The notes are simply gravy on top of the scores assigned to each game.
Comments
Post a Comment