HOW WE REVIEW
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 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.
DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT
DLC might be new missions for a game, or it might be a single new item. If we think you want to know about it, we’ll review it.
EARLY ACCESS
Any released alpha, beta, or otherwise unfinished game that you can currently pay for. For these games, we won’t assign a score, but we will tell you whether they’re worth your time.
THEY’RE BACK
Whenever there’s a bargain or re-release of a significant game, our expert will revisit it and tell you whether it holds up today. With jokes.
OUR SCORING SYSTEM EXPLAINED
00%-09% Broken or offensively bad; absolutely no value.
Example
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
10%-19% We might be able to find one nice thing to say about it, but still not worth anyone’s time or money.
Example
Gettysburg: Armored Warfare
20%-29% Completely falls short of its goals. Very few redeeming qualities.
Examples
Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse
30%-39% An entirely clumsy or derivative effort. There’s little reason to play this game over a similar, better one.
Examples
Trials of the Blood Dragon
40%-49% Flawed and disappointing.
Examples
Aliens: Colonial Marines
50%-59% Mediocre. Other games probably do it better, or its unique qualities aren’t executed well.
Examples
Primordia, Homefront: The Revolution
60%-69% There’s something to like here, but it can only be recommended with major caveats.
Examples
No Man’s Sky, Ghost Recon: Wildlands
70%-79% A good game that’s worth playing. We like it.
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
95%-96% Far and away one of the best games we’ve ever 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.
The Editor’s Choice award is granted in addition to the score, at the discretion of the PC Gamer staff. It represents exceptional quality or innovation.
Find out more
www.bit.ly/pcgreviews