How we actually decide a score

People ask what a 4.2 means versus a 4.6, so here's the honest version. Our scores aren't a formula. They come from the team playing a game and comparing notes against everything else we've reviewed.

We weigh a few things heavily: does it respect your time, do the controls work on a touchscreen, and does it stay fun past the first session. A game can be gorgeous and still score low if it falls apart after an hour.

We also account for genre. A casual game and a deep RPG aren't held to the same standard, because they're trying to do different things. A great casual title can outscore a mediocre strategy game easily.

The number is a shortcut. The real review is the text. If you only glance at the rating, you'll miss the part where we explain who the game is actually for, which matters far more than a decimal.

When we disagree internally, we talk it out and settle on a number we can all defend. No single person's taste decides it.