How to Rate a Video Game: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to the world of video games! If you’re a gamer, you know how exciting it is to try out new games and discover your favorites. But how do you decide which games are worth your time and money? That’s where rating a video game comes in. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a look at the different factors that go into rating a video game, and give you some tips on how to do it yourself. So whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just starting out, read on to find out how to rate a video game like a pro!

What is a Video Game Rating?

Why is it important?

Video game ratings serve as a useful tool for players to make informed decisions about which games to play. These ratings provide a snapshot of a game’s content, quality, and appeal, allowing players to quickly assess whether a game is suitable for their interests and preferences. Additionally, video game ratings encourage developers to improve their games by providing feedback on areas that need improvement.

Types of Video Game Ratings

Video game ratings serve as a guide for players, parents, and other stakeholders to understand the appropriateness and quality of a video game. There are several types of video game ratings, each designed to provide different types of information about a game.

Age-based ratings

Age-based ratings are the most common type of video game rating. These ratings are designed to indicate the minimum age at which a player is considered mature enough to play a particular game. The most well-known age-based rating system is the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) system, which rates games as “EC” (early childhood), “E” (everyone), “T” (teen), “M” (mature), or “AO” (adults only). The ESRB system considers factors such as violence, sexual content, and language in assigning ratings.

Content-based ratings

Content-based ratings provide information about the specific types of content found in a video game. These ratings are typically used in addition to age-based ratings and provide more detailed information about the game’s content. For example, a game might be rated for violence, language, sexual content, or gambling. Content-based ratings can help players and parents make informed decisions about which games are appropriate for a particular player.

Quality-based ratings

Quality-based ratings provide information about the overall quality of a video game. These ratings are typically based on reviews from professional game critics and can help players make informed decisions about which games are worth playing. One of the most well-known quality-based rating systems is Metacritic, which assigns a score to each game based on the average rating of professional reviews. Other quality-based rating systems include GameRankings and IGN.

Overall, video game ratings are an important tool for players, parents, and other stakeholders to make informed decisions about which games to play or allow others to play. By understanding the different types of video game ratings and what they mean, players can make more informed decisions about which games to play and enjoy.

Understanding the Criteria

Gameplay

Mechanics

The mechanics of a video game refer to the rules and controls that govern how the game operates. In order to accurately rate a game’s mechanics, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Controls: How intuitive and responsive are the controls? Are they easy to learn and use effectively?
• Combat: Is the combat system engaging and balanced? Does it offer a variety of tactical options for players to employ?
• Movement: Are the movement mechanics smooth and intuitive? Do they allow for a high degree of player agency and exploration?

Balance

Balance refers to the fairness and competitiveness of a game’s mechanics. In order to accurately rate a game’s balance, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Character progression: Is the character progression system fair and balanced? Do players have access to a variety of viable options for progression?
• Item balance: Are the items in the game balanced and useful? Do they offer a variety of options for players to customize their playstyle?
• Skill balance: Are the skills in the game balanced and useful? Do they offer a variety of options for players to customize their playstyle?

Replayability

Replayability refers to the ability of a game to be played multiple times with different outcomes. In order to accurately rate a game’s replayability, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Story: Does the game have a compelling story that can be experienced multiple times?
• Side content: Does the game have a variety of side content that can be explored and completed multiple times?
• Random elements: Does the game incorporate random elements that add replayability, such as procedurally generated content or randomized dungeons?

Story

When it comes to rating a video game, the story is an essential criterion that must be considered. The story of a video game refers to the plot, characters, and themes that are present in the game. These elements work together to create a narrative that immerses the player in the game world and makes them invested in the outcome of the game.

Plot

The plot of a video game refers to the overarching story that drives the game forward. It is the sequence of events that the player experiences as they progress through the game. A good plot should be engaging, well-paced, and have a clear beginning, middle, and end. It should also have twists and turns that keep the player guessing and invested in the story.

Characters

The characters in a video game are the individuals that the player interacts with throughout the game. They can be either non-playable characters (NPCs) or characters that the player controls. Good characters should be well-developed, with distinct personalities, motivations, and backstories. They should also have a strong presence in the game world, with their actions and dialogue contributing to the overall story.

Themes

The themes of a video game are the underlying ideas and messages that the game conveys. These themes can range from personal growth and redemption to political commentary and social critique. Good themes should be relevant to the game world and the player’s experience, and they should be presented in a way that is thought-provoking and impactful.

In conclusion, when rating a video game, the story is a crucial criterion to consider. The plot, characters, and themes all work together to create a narrative that immerses the player in the game world and makes them invested in the outcome of the game. A well-crafted story can make a game truly memorable and enjoyable, while a poorly executed story can detract from the overall experience.

Graphics

When it comes to rating a video game, the graphics play a crucial role in the overall experience. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the graphics of a game:

Art Style

The art style of a game refers to the visual representation of the characters, environments, and objects within the game world. When evaluating the art style, consider the following:

• The overall aesthetic of the game
• The level of detail in the character and environment models
• The color palette and lighting effects used in the game

Animation

The animation of a game refers to the movement and behavior of the characters and objects within the game world. When evaluating the animation, consider the following:

• The smoothness and fluidity of character and object movement
• The expressiveness of the characters and their facial expressions
• The use of particle effects and physics-based animation

Visual Effects

Visual effects refer to the special effects used in the game, such as explosions, lighting, and weather effects. When evaluating the visual effects, consider the following:

• The impact of the effects on the overall gameplay experience
• The level of detail and realism of the effects
• The use of effects to enhance the immersion of the player in the game world

Overall, the graphics of a game are an important factor to consider when rating a video game. By evaluating the art style, animation, and visual effects, you can gain a better understanding of the overall visual experience that the game provides.

Sound

When it comes to rating a video game, the sound category is one of the most important factors to consider. The sound of a game includes its music, voice acting, and sound effects. In this section, we will delve into each of these aspects and explore how they contribute to the overall experience of the game.

Music

The music in a video game can greatly enhance the mood and atmosphere of the game. It can be used to set the tone for different scenes, create tension, or even make the player feel more immersed in the game world. When rating the music in a game, it’s important to consider the following factors:

• Originality: Is the music original and unique, or does it seem like it was taken from another source?
• Cohesion: Does the music fit well with the game’s theme and atmosphere?
• Variety: Is there enough variety in the music to keep the player engaged throughout the game?

Voice Acting

Voice acting is an essential aspect of many video games, especially those with strong narratives or character development. When rating the voice acting in a game, it’s important to consider the following factors:

• Performance: How well do the actors perform their roles? Are the voices convincing and consistent with the characters?
• Dialogue: Is the dialogue well-written and engaging? Does it add to the game’s story and characters?
• Integration: Is the voice acting integrated seamlessly into the game, or does it seem like an afterthought?

Sound Effects

Sound effects are a crucial part of a video game’s audio experience. They help to create a sense of immersion and realism, and can also be used to indicate important events or actions in the game. When rating the sound effects in a game, it’s important to consider the following factors:

• Realism: Do the sound effects sound realistic and authentic?
• Integration: Are the sound effects integrated seamlessly into the game, or do they seem out of place?
• Variety: Is there enough variety in the sound effects to keep the player engaged throughout the game?

Overall, the sound category is a crucial aspect of a video game’s overall experience. By considering the music, voice acting, and sound effects, you can gain a better understanding of how well a game integrates its audio elements into the overall experience.

Controls

When rating a video game, it is important to consider the controls as a key aspect of the overall experience. The controls should be intuitive, responsive, and well-designed to provide an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the controls of a video game:

User Interface

The user interface (UI) of a video game refers to the visual and interactive elements that allow players to interact with the game world. This includes menus, buttons, icons, and other graphical elements that provide information and enable the player to perform actions within the game. When evaluating the UI, consider the following factors:

• Clarity: Is the UI easy to understand and navigate? Are the buttons and icons clearly labeled and intuitive?
• Consistency: Is the UI consistent throughout the game? Are the controls and options presented in a logical and coherent manner?
• Customization: Are there options to customize the UI to suit the player’s preferences?

Accessibility Options

Accessibility options are essential for players with disabilities or impairments that may affect their ability to play the game. When evaluating accessibility options, consider the following factors:

• Subtitles: Are there options for subtitles and closed captions? Are they well-implemented and easy to read?
• Colorblind mode: Is there a colorblind mode or other options to adjust the color palette to suit players with color vision deficiencies?
• Controls: Are there options to customize the controls to suit players with physical impairments or different preferences?

Controller Compatibility

Controller compatibility is important for players who prefer to use a game controller instead of a keyboard and mouse. When evaluating controller compatibility, consider the following factors:

• Compatibility: Is the game compatible with a range of controllers, including popular brands and models?
• Layout: Are the controls well-mapped to the controller, with clear and intuitive button assignments?
• Dead zones: Are there options to adjust the dead zones for analog sticks, to suit players with different preferences or physical limitations?

Overall, the controls of a video game should be well-designed, intuitive, and customizable to suit the needs of different players. By evaluating these factors, you can provide a comprehensive rating of the game’s controls and ensure that players have a positive and enjoyable gaming experience.

Value

When it comes to rating a video game, value is an important factor to consider. The value of a game can be determined by looking at its price, content, and longevity.

Price

The price of a game is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about its value. The price of a game should be fair and reasonable, and it should be worth the amount being asked for it. A game that is overpriced, even if it has great content, can be considered as having poor value. On the other hand, a game that is underpriced, even if it has average content, can be considered as having good value.

Content

The content of a game is another important factor to consider when determining its value. The content of a game refers to the quality and quantity of the game’s features, such as its storyline, graphics, sound effects, and gameplay mechanics. A game with a well-written storyline, beautiful graphics, and engaging gameplay mechanics is considered to have good content. A game with poorly written storyline, outdated graphics, and uninteresting gameplay mechanics is considered to have poor content.

Longevity

The longevity of a game refers to how long a game will keep players engaged. A game that has a lot of replay value, with new challenges and content to discover, is considered to have good longevity. A game that becomes repetitive and lacks new challenges and content to discover is considered to have poor longevity.

In conclusion, when rating a video game, the value of the game should be taken into consideration. The price, content, and longevity of the game are all important factors to consider when determining its overall value. A game that is fairly priced, has good content, and has good longevity is considered to have good value.

Reputation

When rating a video game, reputation is an important factor to consider. A game’s reputation is determined by its critical reception, user reviews, and awards and nominations.

Critics’ Reviews

Critics’ reviews are written by professional game critics and journalists. These reviews are usually published in popular gaming magazines, websites, and social media platforms. Critics’ reviews provide an unbiased opinion about the game’s quality, gameplay, graphics, sound, and overall experience.

User Reviews

User reviews are written by gamers who have played the game. These reviews are usually posted on online gaming forums, social media platforms, and gaming websites. User reviews provide an insight into the game’s popularity, replayability, and the level of enjoyment that players have experienced while playing the game.

Awards and Nominations

Awards and nominations are given by various gaming organizations, such as the Game Awards, DICE Awards, and BAFTA Games Awards. These awards recognize the best games of the year, based on their overall quality, innovation, and impact on the gaming industry. A game’s nominations and wins can be an indication of its reputation and critical acclaim.

Overall, reputation is an important factor to consider when rating a video game. It provides an indication of the game’s quality, popularity, and overall experience, based on the opinions of both critics and players.

Developing Your Own Rating System

Define your criteria

Defining your criteria is a crucial step in developing your own video game rating system. There are several factors to consider when determining how to rate a video game. Here are some criteria to keep in mind:

By considering these criteria, you can develop a comprehensive rating system that takes into account both your own personal preferences and the opinions of others. This will help you to provide a fair and accurate rating for the video game.

Assign weights

When developing your own rating system for video games, it is important to assign weights to the different criteria that you will be using to evaluate the game. This will help you to give a more comprehensive and balanced rating. Here are some steps to follow when assigning weights:

1. Prioritize criteria: Identify the criteria that are most important to you when rating a video game. These could include gameplay, graphics, sound, storyline, replayability, and value for money, among others. Prioritize these criteria based on their importance to you.
2. Allocate scores: Once you have identified the criteria that are most important to you, allocate scores to each criterion. This could be done on a scale of 1 to 10, or any other scale that you prefer. It is important to be consistent in your scoring system to ensure that your ratings are accurate and reliable.
3. Balance the criteria: It is important to ensure that the weights you assign to each criterion are balanced. For example, if you allocate a high weight to graphics, you should also allocate a high weight to gameplay, as these two criteria are equally important in most cases.
4. Adjust the weights: As you continue to rate more video games, you may find that some criteria are more important to you than others. In such cases, you may need to adjust the weights you assign to each criterion to reflect your changing priorities.

Overall, assigning weights to the different criteria is an important step in developing your own rating system for video games. By prioritizing the criteria that are most important to you, allocating scores to each criterion, balancing the weights, and adjusting them as necessary, you can develop a comprehensive and reliable rating system that reflects your personal preferences and values.

Refine your system

• Iterate and adjust
  • As you rate more games, you will likely discover areas that need improvement in your rating system. It is important to be open to change and make adjustments as needed.
  • Consider the strengths and weaknesses of different rating systems and incorporate them into your own.
• Seek feedback
  • Seek feedback from others who share your interest in video games. This can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your rating system.
  • Be open to constructive criticism and willing to make changes based on feedback.
• Apply consistently
  • To ensure that your rating system is accurate and reliable, it is important to apply it consistently.
  • This means using the same criteria for each game you rate and rating each game based on those criteria.
  • Consistency will help you avoid bias and ensure that your ratings are fair and accurate.

Sharing Your Rating

Choose a platform

When it comes to sharing your video game rating, there are several platforms available to choose from. Here are some of the most popular options:

Social media

Social media is a great way to share your thoughts on a video game with a wider audience. Popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are all great places to share your rating. To make your post more engaging, consider adding a screenshot of the game or a video of your gameplay. You can also use hashtags to make your post more discoverable by other gamers.

Review websites

Review websites are a great place to share your rating and read reviews from other gamers. Popular review websites like Metacritic, GameSpot, and IGN are all great places to share your thoughts on a video game. When writing your review, be sure to include your overall rating, as well as your thoughts on the game’s graphics, sound, gameplay, and story.

Forums

Gaming forums are a great place to connect with other gamers and share your thoughts on a video game. Popular gaming forums like Reddit, NeoGAF, and ResetEra are all great places to share your rating. When posting your rating, be sure to include your overall thoughts on the game, as well as your thoughts on specific aspects of the game like the graphics, sound, gameplay, and story. You can also engage with other gamers by responding to their posts and discussing your opinions.

Provide context

When sharing your rating for a video game, it’s important to provide context for your score. This helps others understand your reasoning and the factors that influenced your opinion. Here are some ways to provide context:

1. Explain your reasoning:
   • Detail the aspects of the game that you believe are particularly strong or weak.
   • Discuss how these elements contribute to the overall experience.
   • Explain why you feel these aspects are important to the game’s success or failure.
2. Share your experience:
   • Describe your personal journey through the game, highlighting key moments or challenges.
   • Discuss how the game made you feel, both during gameplay and in retrospect.
   • Share any unique or memorable experiences you had while playing the game.
3. Discuss the game’s strengths and weaknesses:
   • Identify the game’s standout features and what makes them impressive.
   • Acknowledge any areas where the game could improve or falls short.
   • Analyze how these strengths and weaknesses impact the overall experience and your enjoyment of the game.

By providing context for your rating, you help others understand the thought process behind your score and give them valuable insights into the game’s strengths and weaknesses. This helps create a more informed and nuanced conversation about the game, fostering a deeper understanding of its merits and shortcomings.

Engage with the community

One of the most effective ways to share your video game rating is by engaging with the community. Here are some ways to do that:

Participate in discussions

Video game communities are vibrant and active, and there are always discussions happening online. Join in on the conversation and share your thoughts on the game you just played. This is a great way to connect with other gamers who share your interests and passions.

Respond to feedback

When you share your rating, you may receive feedback from other members of the community. Take the time to respond to their comments and engage in a dialogue. This is a great way to build relationships and connect with others who share your interests.

Share your rating with others

Finally, don’t forget to share your rating with others. Whether it’s on social media, gaming forums, or gaming websites, your rating can help others make informed decisions about which games to play. Be sure to include a brief summary of your thoughts and why you gave the game the rating you did. This will help others understand your perspective and make more informed decisions.

FAQs

1. What factors should I consider when rating a video game?

When rating a video game, consider various factors such as gameplay, graphics, sound, storyline, replayability, and overall value for money. Additionally, think about the target audience and how well the game caters to their needs.

2. How can I rate a game objectively?

To rate a game objectively, set aside personal biases and focus on the game’s technical aspects, gameplay mechanics, and overall quality. Research other reviews and ratings to compare your opinions with others. It’s also important to consider the game’s genre and audience to provide a fair evaluation.

3. Is it okay to rate a game based on personal preferences?

Yes, personal preferences are a valid factor in rating a game. However, it’s important to acknowledge that personal preferences may not align with the majority of players. It’s also helpful to explain your personal preferences in your review to provide context for your rating.

4. How do I rate a game that I haven’t finished?

If you haven’t finished a game, it’s best to avoid rating it until you’ve completed it. If you can’t finish the game, consider the parts you have played and rate them accordingly. However, keep in mind that your experience may not be representative of the entire game.

5. Can I change my rating after playing a game more?

Yes, you can change your rating after playing a game more. As you gain more experience with the game, you may discover new aspects that you didn’t initially consider. However, it’s important to be transparent about your changes and explain why you adjusted your rating.

6. How important is the rating scale when rating a game?

The rating scale is important when rating a game as it provides a standardized way to evaluate the game’s quality. A common rating scale is 1-10, where 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest. However, it’s important to define what each rating means to you and use it consistently in your reviews.

7. Can I rate a game without playing it?

No, it’s not recommended to rate a game without playing it. To provide an accurate evaluation, you need to have firsthand experience with the game. However, you can provide a preliminary opinion based on research and reviews from other sources.

8. How can I improve my game rating skills?

To improve your game rating skills, play a variety of games across different genres and platforms. Pay attention to the game’s technical aspects, gameplay mechanics, and overall quality. Read reviews and ratings from other sources and compare your opinions. Practice writing reviews and ratings to develop your critical thinking and communication skills.

The Process Of Making A Viral Video Game Review (Or Critique) – Luke Stephens