Page 62 - PC Gamer - UK (February 2020)

REVIEW

HOWWEREVIEW

We review each game on its own merits, and try to match it
to a reviewer who’s a passionate expert in the field. The main Pixelated
aim of reviews is to help you make buying decisions. To this
end, we’re selective about what we review, and try to focus
on the notable, interesting, exciting or surprising.
DOWNLOADABLECONTENT correctness
DLCmightbenewmissionsforagame,oritmightbeasingle
newitem.Ifwethinkyouwanttoknowaboutit,we’llreviewit.
These days we’re spoiled for ports,
EARLYACCESS
Anyreleasedalpha,beta,orotherwiseunfinishedgamethat enjoying almost all of the fruits of
youcancurrentlypayfor.Forthesegames,wewon’tassigna
score,butwewilltellyouwhetherthey’reworthyourtime. the consoles’ labours – and we
THEY’REBACK generously share in return. But we
Wheneverthere’sabargainorre-releaseofasignificantgame, can’t pretend we’ve broken down
ourexpertwillrevisititandtellyouwhetheritholdsuptoday.
Withjokes. our divisions entirely. There
remains a certain smell to each
OUR SCORING game, regardless of what platform it

SYSTEM EXPLAINED finds itself on, that puts you in mind
00%-09% Broken or offensively bad; absolutely no value.
Example Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude of either mice and keyboards or
10%-19% We might be able to find one nice thing to say about strange boxes under TVs.
it, but still not worth anyone’s time or money. MechWarrior 5? That’s a PC game
Example Gettysburg: Armored Warfare
20%-29% Completely falls short of its goals. Very few down to its bones. The only thing
redeeming qualities. chunkier than its mechs is its
Examples Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse
menus. Phoenix Point? Oh yes,
30%-39% An entirely clumsy or derivative effort. There’s
little reason to play this game over a similar, better one. that’s a PC-ass PC game, elegantly
Examples Trials of the Blood Dragon
combining our two great pillars of
40%-49% Flawed and disappointing.
Examples Aliens: Colonial Marines turn-based tactics and barely-
50%-59% Mediocre. Other games probably do it better, or its contained jankiness. But Shenmue
unique qualities aren’t executed well.
Examples Primordia, Homefront: The Revolution 3? Come on son – you can take a
60%-69% There’s something to like here, but it can only be game off the Dreamcast, but you
recommended with major caveats.
Examples No Man’s Sky, Ghost Recon: Wildlands can’t take the Dreamcast out of the
70%-79% A good game that’s worth playing. We like it. game. Step carefully here.
Examples Prey, NieR: Automata
80%-89% A great game with exceptional moments or
features, and touches of brilliance. We love it.
Examples Overwatch, Night in the Woods

90%-94% A compelling recommendation for most PC
gamers. Important to PC gaming, and likely ahead of its time.
Examples Bayonetta, Dishonored 2 ROBIN VALENTINE
MANAGING EDITOR
95%-96% Far and away one of the best games we’ve ever robin.valentine@futurenet.com
played. We recommend it to the entire world.
Examples Half-Life 2, Kerbal Space Program
97%-100% Advances the human species. Boosts the
immune systems of nearby children and small animals.
LE T US K NOW
The Editor’s Choice award is WHAT YOU THINK
granted in addition to the score,
at the discretion of the PC Gamer Email us via letters@
staff. It represents exceptional pcgamer.com with your
reactions, or simply
quality or innovation.
tweet us your thoughts
Find out more @PCGamer
www.bit.ly/pcgreviews

62 FEBRUARY 2020