The Outerhaven’s Review Guidelines and Scoring System

At The Outerhaven, we strive to publish our reviews promptly, considering factors such as when we receive the product, the game’s length, and our personal schedules. We are committed to ensuring that our reviews are thorough and accurate, only publishing them when we are confident in their validity and completeness. While we don’t adhere to a specific word count, we make every effort to cover all aspects of the game or product to provide a comprehensive assessment.

The Outerhaven utilizes a FIVE-STAR scoring system for our games/products.

1.0 – The game is broken and unplayable. These games are best avoided.
1.5 – While the game is technically playable, it has significant issues that make it not worth your time.
2.0 – The game is lacking in many areas but has some redeeming qualities that might appeal to specific audiences.
2.5 – A middle-of-the-road experience. It’s neither bad nor exceptional, but some players may still find it enjoyable.
3.0 – Despite notable flaws, the game is largely enjoyable and may appeal to a broad audience.
3.5 – The game has minor issues and lacks a special spark but offers a very fun experience for many players.
4.0 – A great game with room for improvement in some areas, but still an excellent experience overall.
4.5 – An amazing game that is nearly top-tier. While it falls just short of being the best in class, it offers an outstanding experience.
5.0 – A masterpiece and a standout within its genre. While no game is perfect, this one comes close with a clear vision and near-flawless execution.

Our reviews are guided by five key criteria: Story, Presentation, Gameplay, Replay Value, and Final Thoughts. However, not all criteria will apply to every review, as this depends on the genre of the game or item being evaluated.

Story: Not every game features a story. In such cases, we may discuss aspects like the game’s background, development process, or narrative framework instead. If the game lacks a story element altogether (e.g., sports games), this section will typically be omitted or left unscored.

Presentation: This criterion focuses on the game’s visual and technical aspects. While visuals take center stage, we also evaluate performance on the review platform, the presence of bugs, sound design, and the overall atmosphere or ambiance of the game.

Gameplay: This section delves into the game mechanics, highlighting both the enjoyable and frustrating moments. We also discuss potential improvements and any aspects that fall outside the scope of the Story and Presentation categories. This is often the most comprehensive section of the review.

Replay Value: Here, we address whether the game is worth replaying and why.

Final Thoughts: This section identifies the target audience for the game and offers a recommendation on whether to buy it. It serves as a summary that ties into the final score for the item being reviewed.

All reviews published on The Outerhaven reflect the personal opinions of the individual reviewer.

Should you have any questions for us regarding our scoring system, please feel free to contact us below: