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What Makes a Good Video Game Review
What Makes a Good Video Game Review
A good video game review is informative, engaging, and provides a balanced perspective on the game's strengths and weaknesses. Although there is no single way of writing or structuring a video game video (there are many, many ways in which this could be done), key elements may in no particular order include the following:
Introduction: Provides a brief overview of a game, including the title, developer, genre, and any background information.
Gameplay Mechanics: Discusses core gameplay mechanics, controls, and how they contribute to the overall experience.
Story and Characters: Analyses any relevant narrative, character development, and how compelling the story is.
Graphics and Sound: Evaluates the visual and sonic aspects of a game, including art style, graphics quality, music, and sound effects.
Replayability: Assesses a game's replay value, such as additional modes, side quests, and overall content longevity.
Performance and Technical Aspects: Reviews aspects of a game's performance, including frame rates, bugs, and overall technical stability.
Personal Opinion: Provides the reviewer's personal insights and experiences, helping to humanise the review and connect with the audience.
Comparison: Compares a game to similar titles, helping to contextualise its place within the genre or franchise.
Conclusion: Summarises the main points and provides a final verdict, often including a score or rating.
Types of Game Review
Types of Game Review
Studies have identified various styles and approaches to game reviews, often highlighting the different purposes they serve. Your review may borrow elements from one or multiple approaches. Here are a few documented styles:
Critical Analysis:
Focuses on in-depth analysis of the game's elements, such as narrative, themes, and cultural significance.
Often adopts a more formal and scholarly tone.
Example: Comparing a game’s storyline to literary works or its portrayal of social issues.
Consumer-Oriented Reviews:
Aimed at potential buyers, these reviews focus on whether the game is worth purchasing.
Discusses value for money, entertainment quality, and practical aspects like game length and difficulty.
Often found in gaming magazines and websites.
Let's Play and Video Reviews:
Combines gameplay footage with commentary, providing a dynamic and engaging review format.
Offers visual and auditory evidence to support the reviewer’s opinions.
Popular on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
New Games Journalism (NGJ):
Emphasizes the personal experience of the reviewer, often using a narrative style.
Focuses on how the game made the reviewer feel, capturing the emotional and immersive aspects of gameplay.
Example: Describing the emotional impact of a game’s story or a memorable in-game event.
Objective Reviews:
Strives for impartiality and objectivity, providing factual information and minimizing personal bias.
Often includes detailed descriptions of gameplay mechanics, graphics, sound, and technical performance.
Suitable for audiences looking for a straightforward, unbiased assessment.
Meta-Review Aggregation:
Combines scores and reviews from multiple sources to provide an overall rating or consensus.
Helps to identify general trends and common criticisms or praises.
Example: Websites like Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes for games.
Game Review Prompts / Guides
Game Review Prompts / Guides
Writing your first video game review LINK
Game Review Layout Resources
Game Review Layout Resources
Game Review Examples
Game Review Examples
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