How We Actually Review a Game

People sometimes assume review sites just skim a game and grab screenshots. That's not how we work, so here's the honest version.

Someone on the team plays first, usually for several hours minimum. For RPGs and adventures that can mean days, because a story game needs to be judged past its intro. We take notes as we go, especially about the annoying bits.

Then we talk. A game only gets a full review if at least two of us find it worth writing about. We compare impressions, argue a little, and settle on a rating that reflects the play experience, not the marketing.

We don't accept payment to review or rank anything. When something disappoints us, we say so plainly. That's the only way the good reviews stay worth reading.