TheComfySpot has been around since 2016, and although I’ve reviewed plenty of games over the years, I’ve never had a clear review scale for people to read to better understand what my scores mean. For the better part of the blog’s existence, I basically used IGN’s review scale but never went about creating one of my own. Once I returned to the blog in earnest in 2023, I mentioned that I was considering dropping review scores altogether, but if you’ve been keeping up with things here, that hasn’t been the case. Well, I’m here to say that review scores will be staying for the foreseeable future, and as such, I figured it’s about time I provided the review scale that I’ve operated on ever since returning.
For full transparency, I’m adopting the review scale that I used when I was running Play To Win Games. When we put that one together, we really sat and thought hard about what we wanted each number and its corresponding label to mean. It took a bit of time, but I think the final result we landed on was clear, easy to understand, and respectable. So with that said, here is my review policy and review for TheComfySpot.
Review Policy
Here at TheComfySpot, I take reviewing games very seriously. No developer, publisher, or third party has access to my reviews before they go live, nor do they have any creative input or influence on my review process. Since my reviews will be coming after those of people who had early media access, I want to be clear that reviews from other outlets also do not have any influence on my reviews, as my thoughts on the games are purely my own.
When reviewing a game, I look at all aspects of it and how they come together to create the final product. Each aspect isn’t scored on its own and then averaged out to create the final score. Rather, they all contribute to what I feel is the correct score that the game deserves. Games are played to completion before being reviewed and ample time is given to the different modes that a game may have.
Games are scored on a half-point scale, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. This makes my reviews and scores as focused and clear as possible while allowing flexibility in terms of placement. Below are the score ranges and what they each equate to.
Scores
10 – Outstanding
The highest honor a game can receive at TheComfySpot, signifying that it stands above its counterparts as one of the best in class. Any game labeled Outstanding is a rare accomplishment in game design that’s as close to perfection as one can get and should not be missed. These games push the industry forward and will inspire others for years to come.
9 / 9.5 – Superb
A shining example of creativity that excels at what it sets out to do. Titles I call Superb are some of the most amazing experiences you can find in gaming, and any flaws don’t detract much from the overall experience.
8 / 8.5 – Great
Great games are a blast to play from start to finish, offering a memorable experience that’s wholly deserving of your time. They have their faults though, that, while not always major, cause them to fall just short of excellence.
7 / 7.5 – Good
A Good game is fun to play, and could have even been great, though its flaws can’t be ignored. It’s an enjoyable experience that you won’t regret your time with, but its shortcomings keep it from being any better than it is.
6 / 6.5 – Alright
These are the games that are fine for a weekend playthrough, but not much more. Games that are Alright can provide some moments of fun, but they’re flawed in ways that keep them from being more than just a way to pass the time.
5 / 5.5 – Mediocre
When a game doesn’t do anything particularly interesting to make itself stand out, and is overshadowed by the potential of what could have been, it’s simply a Mediocre game. These games are perfectly serviceable ways to keep yourself busy, but they’re largely forgettable and not that enjoyable.
4 / 4.5 – Bad
If a game is Bad, it’s because it’s just not fun to play for several reasons (i.e., technical issues, bad gameplay, poor story). It’s not the worst game out there, and it does have some glimmers of potential, but your time and money are better spent on other games.
3 / 3.5 – Terrible
Terrible games are few and far between, but they do appear every so often. They offer little to no benefit to playing them and are painful to experience. Unless you have a compelling reason to, you should look elsewhere.
2 / 2.5 – Awful
Any game labeled as Awful is one of the worst games that you could possibly play. They barely work and are a truly dismal experience that doesn’t provide any sort of enjoyment.
1 / 1.5 – Abysmal
Reserved for the fundamentally broken and unplayable, Abysmal games are the absolute worst of the worst. They aren’t worth your time or money and should be avoided at all costs.
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