Review Format
In order to keep things organized, I have broken down my reviews into categories. Each category has its own specific score:
- Recommended Age
The age I would consider the game appropriate for the average gamer. This can vary from console to console depending on what content is included and if the PC version has adult mods.
- Minimum Age
The age I would consider the minimum age appropriate for this game. I would consider that only 10% of young gamers would qualify to meet this minimum age.
1. Gameplay
Gameplay factors are just quick snippets of my overall impressions of the game. If there were specific factors that I loved about the game, I mention them in these sections. I also directly mention the length of the game (which should always be a factor when buying games) and the amount of frustration that I had when playing through the game.
Gameplay factors are just quick snippets of my overall impressions of the game. If there were specific factors that I loved about the game, I mention them in these sections. I also directly mention the length of the game (which should always be a factor when buying games) and the amount of frustration that I had when playing through the game.
- Overall Fun
This is a general rating that I give the game. I base it off of how entertaining it was and how much I want to go back and play the game. Certain games will earn a high rating for a great one-time-through experience while others will earn higher ratings for my desire to continue playing the game over and over again.
Score Range:
1 = Unbearably boring, would rather watch paint peel or grass grow [Terrible]
to
10 = An experience with which few other life experiences can compete [Excellent]
- Length
This rating is based on the average amount of hours I would expect to play this game for. It is not based on the total gameplay hours required to complete the game but on the amount of time I would expect to find myself devoted to this game. Certain games, such as Left 4 Dead, are overall short but because of high replay-ability will have a higher length rating.
Score Range:
1 = I played it for less than 30 minutes [Extremely Short]
to
10 = This game has a seemingly endless amount of gameplay [Extremely Long]
- Frustration Factor
Some games have problems that make my experience so frustrating I am ready to give up. This factor measures my overall frustration with parts of the game and documents why each particular part was frustrated.
Score Range:
0 = I experienced no frustration at all when playing this game [Calm]
to
10 = I turned into the Hulk. [Extremely Frustrating]
2. Parental Notices
Many video games include content that may be inappropriate for children under 18. While the ESRB does rate games based on this content, specific instances of this content (especially in context with the rest of the gameplay) is lacking. This section documents specific instances of each of the following categories within a game and gives the game a rating for each of the categories.
Many video games include content that may be inappropriate for children under 18. While the ESRB does rate games based on this content, specific instances of this content (especially in context with the rest of the gameplay) is lacking. This section documents specific instances of each of the following categories within a game and gives the game a rating for each of the categories.
- Violence
There are few video games I have played where violence has not been a factor. However, while it is important to include the amount of violence in a game, it is just as important to include the type of violence in a game. This section rates not just on how much violence is occurring in a game but also highlights whether that violence is particularly gruesome.
Score Range:
0 = This game includes no violence at all. [Non-Violent]
to
10 = Few games I have played can come close to the type of excessive violence as this game includes [Extremely Violent]
Note: An “average” shooter will earn a violence rating of 7, since violence is present / required throughout the game. Ratings higher than 7 indicate the presence of more gruesome forms of violence.
- Sexuality
Sexuality in video games comes in more forms than people realize. This category will highlight specific instances of sexuality within games and rate the game based on how much sexuality is included throughout.
Score Range:
0 = This game includes no sexuality at all. [Asexual]
To
10 = I would be ashamed to play this game if the blinds weren’t closed, doors locked, and the sound lowered to a whisper. [Extreme Sexuality]
- Substances
Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco do claim a presence in some games. Crime-based games in particular usually highlight drug trafficking or use. This section rates the games inclusion of substances in the game.
Score Range:
0 = This game doesn’t even reference any substances, even a D.A.R.E. officer would approve [Substance Free]
To
10 = This is the video game adaptation of “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle”. [Extreme Substance Use]
- Gambling
Gambling has been present in many video games and is hardly ever referenced in game ratings. However, some parents may be weary of giving their child a game that promotes gambling. This section documents specific instances of gambling within a game.
Score Range:
0 = There are no references to gambling in this game. [Gambling Free]
to
10 = This game makes Vegas look like a Baptist church convention. [Heavy Gambling]
3. Other Factors
Sometimes there are factors in the game that aren’t outright “adult”, but that parents may want to be aware of. If parents are concerned that their children will try to mimic the events portrayed in the game (even if they are obviously absurd), these categories are of particular importance.
Sometimes there are factors in the game that aren’t outright “adult”, but that parents may want to be aware of. If parents are concerned that their children will try to mimic the events portrayed in the game (even if they are obviously absurd), these categories are of particular importance.
- Mods (see "Definitions")
Many PC games have included the ability for players to modify certain aspects of the game or even create new maps and game-types from the assets the game provides. Certain “mods” include content that may be questionable for minors. Those possibilities are discussed and rated in this section (with specific examples included as necessary).
Score Range:
0 = This game does not allow for modding. [Mod Free]
to
10 = Mods for this game include an extremely high amount of explicit content. [Adult Mods]
NOTE: This section does not include things like "trainers" (see "Definitions") and other cheats. It only includes changes to how the game looks or performs.
- Religion
Some games have begun to explore the ideas and philosophies associated with organized religion. The inclusion and manipulation of the messages made by these religions might be detrimental to a parent who is trying to teach their child about religion. The inclusion of religious content is discussed in this section.
Score Range:
0 = This game does not reference religion. [Religion Free]
to
10 = This game’s entire storyline includes religion / direct references to religion. [Heavy Religion]
- Anti-Law
Many games now highlight and promote lawlessness or misuse of the law in order to forward a rebellion-based storyline. This section will discuss and rate games that promote these behaviors.
Score Range:
0 = This game makes no mention of lawlessness or consistently promotes lawful behavior. [Lawful]
to
10 = Attica! Attica! [Lawless]
- Online Community
The inclusion of online multiplayer in games has led to a different problem, that of the nature of the game’s online community. Some communities are known to have particular problems, and this section discusses those problems.
Score Range:
0 = This game has no online community. [Community Free]
to
10 = You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. [Terrible Community Experience]
- Extreme Sports
Some children mimic the actions of their heroes. In video games, some characters are able to pull-off supernatural feats of human strength and agility. Whether it’s diving 100 feet into a bail of hay and surviving or driving head-on into another car and continuing without fear, video games can teach children false truths about the laws of physics. This section discusses games that include such content.
0 = There is no content that would qualify as “extreme sports” in the game. [Extreme Sports Free]
to
10 = The gameplay centers around extreme sports and a lack of consequences for failure within said sports. [Extreme Sports Heavy]
o Magic
Some parents have been weary of exposing their children to the concept of magic. This section discusses the magical content included within the game.
0 = There is no magical content in the game. [Magic Free]
to
10 = Harry Potter. [Magic Heavy]
Some parents have been weary of exposing their children to the concept of magic. This section discusses the magical content included within the game.
0 = There is no magical content in the game. [Magic Free]
to
10 = Harry Potter. [Magic Heavy]
- Miscellaneous
The categories above don’t always include every piece of questionable content that a game may include. This category is meant to supplement the previous contents. Things that would fit into this category include (but aren't limited to) kidnapping, torture, and human disfigurement.
0 = There is no additional questionable content within the game.
to
10 = The content that was not included in the other categories is extreme.