For all my Game Reviews (Video and Tabletop) I use the following categories. Results are then tallied and averaged to come up with the final score.
Core Systems & Mechanics
- Gameplay Loop (5 stars possible): Evaluate the primary activity the player repeats. Is it satisfying, well-paced, and does it offer a rewarding sense of progression or “flow”?
- Mechanical Depth (5 stars possible): Assess the complexity and elegance of the rules or systems. Does it reward strategic thinking and mastery, or is it easily exploitable and shallow?
- Balance & Fair Play (5 stars possible): Consider how well the game functions across different playstyles or player counts. Are there “broken” strategies, or does the design ensure a competitive and fair experience?
- Accessibility & Clarity (5 stars possible): Evaluate how well the game explains itself. For video games, this is the tutorial and UI; for board games, it is rulebook clarity and iconography.
Narrative & Aesthetic
- Thematic Integration (5 stars possible): Assess how well the “flavor” of the game matches the actions you take. Do the mechanics make sense within the context of the world and story being told?
- World Building & Lore (5 stars possible): Evaluate the depth of the setting. Consider the history, atmosphere, and environmental storytelling that make the game world feel lived-in and believable.
- Art Direction & Presentation (5 stars possible): Consider the visual and tactile identity. This includes graphic design, character/component models, and the overall “look” or “table presence” of the game.
- Audio & Sensory Design (5 stars possible): For video games, evaluate the score and sound effects. For board games, consider the tactile quality of components—the “feel” of the cards, tokens, or miniatures.
Overall Experience
- Engagement (5 stars possible): Similar to the movie and book systems, consider how well the game held your attention, evoked emotions, or sparked “water cooler” moments of emergent storytelling.For all my Book Reviews I use the following categories. Results are then tallied and averaged to come up with the final score.
- Longevity & Replayability (5 stars possible): Consider the game’s “legs.” Does it offer varied experiences in subsequent playthroughs, or does it feel “solved” after a single session?
