How we actually score a game

People sometimes ask why our scores sit in a fairly narrow band. The short answer: we only bother reviewing games we think are worth trying, so a truly awful game usually just doesn't get written up.

When we do score something, we weigh how it feels to control, how it treats your time, and whether it stays fun past the first hour. Presentation matters, but a pretty game that plays badly won't climb far.

We deliberately avoid the trap of handing out perfect marks. A game can be excellent and still have rough edges. A 4.5 from us is high praise, and a 4.0 still means we recommend it.

Above all, ratings are one opinion from people who played it. Read the actual review — that's where the useful stuff lives. The number is just a summary.