Writing a Game Review the Right Way
With so many types of games being introduced to the world today, it can be hard to figure out how to review certain types of games the right way.
Fortunately, there are professionals in the field who can help us get a general idea of what we need to be on the lookout for. A prime example of a company that has been known for writing some of the best gaming reviews of all time is none other than TechRaptor — a revered American website that publishes news, reviews, guides, and videos about tabletop games and video games.
Founded in 2013 as a passion project by Rutledge Daugette, TechRaptor has published many interviews and articles with developers and personalities in the gaming industry such as Erich Schaefer, J.B. Blanc, Akira Yamaoka, and John Romero. Their discussions and articles have been quoted by publications like Kotaku, PCGamesN, Polygon and PCGamer. This type of content is usually derived from interviews and features that are typically based on game releases, current events, social issues, anniversaries, and gaming representation discussions.
The platform uses a 10-point rating system for reviews, where some of them include game reviews that incorporate no scores — the usual of their review system — and instead works on focusing on the pros and cons of the game. Games that have a significant update may get a note added to the comment on the changes.
By looking at some of the ways TechRaptor does its game interviews, here are some of the ways you can learn to do your own game reviews:
Playing the Game For Several Hours
One of the most common mistakes that many amateur reviewers make is that they only play the game for a short amount of time and then start developing their reviews. If you really want to be authentic about your work, invest your time, pull some long hours to play a game to really get a real feel of it.
Many reviewer veterans tend to play the game for almost a month before reviewing it, but playing for a few days can also be more than enough. Play for around 7–10 hours to see how well the functions of the game are. Does it bring good features? Is the development smoother than its predecessor? And what are the goods and downsides you have noticed about the game?
Noting Down Everything
Even the slightest of things you feel about the game should be written down in a notebook because the minor things can make a huge difference whether someone wants to invest in the game or not.
Write down things about the game that you like, what left a big impression on you, what you did not like, etc. Pointing things out in detail can help readers understand all the aspects behind the game.
Comparing Game With Previous Releases
If the game has previous releases, make sure you compare it with the new release. It will be a way for you to talk about the new updates, additional features, and any customization options that have been upgraded in their new games, as this can serve as an attractive feature for those who are loyal to the company that made these games.
