How we actually score a game

People ask what our ratings mean, so here's the honest version. Our scores run from 3.8 to 4.9, and yes, that's a narrow band on purpose. We don't cover games we'd rate lower — if it's not worth your time, we usually just don't write it up.

A score isn't a percentage of quality. It's more like a gut read after a decent chunk of play, weighing how well the game does the thing it set out to do. An arcade game and an RPG are judged against completely different goals.

We argue about half-points more than we'd like to admit. When Casinacho Win landed at 4.3, that came after a debate about whether its lack of long-term content should pull it down. We decided a focused game shouldn't be punished for knowing its limits.

The number is the least important part of any review. Read the paragraphs. That's where the actual opinion lives, and where you'll figure out if a game is for you specifically.

If a score ever feels off to you, tell us. We read the emails.