RATED!

Components

Evaluate the quality of components such as cards, tokens, dice, miniatures, and the game board. Consider durability, material, and overall craftmanship.

• 1 – Poor: The components are of very low quality. They may be flimsy, easily damaged, or poorly designed. The materials used are subpar, and the overall presentation is unattractive.
• 2 – Fair: The components are below average. They might be functional but lack durability and aesthetic appeal. There may be some issues with the design or materials, but they are still usable.
• 3 – Average: The components are of decent quality. They are functional and reasonably durable, with acceptable design and materials, and the overall presentation is satisfactory.
• 4 – Good: The components are of high quality. They are durable, well-designed, and made from good materials. The overall presentation is impressive.
• 5 – Excellent: The components are of exceptional quality. They are extremely durable, beautifully designed, and made from premium materials. The overall presentation is outstanding.

Rules

How clear and concise are the game rules? Is the rulebook well-organised? Do you have to keep consulting other aids (internet) to figure out rules?

• 1 – Poor: The rules are confusing, poorly written, and difficult to understand. They may be incomplete, inconsistent, or lack clarity, leading to frequent misunderstandings and frustration during gameplay.
• 2 – Fair: The rules are somewhat clear but have noticeable issues. They might be overly complex, contain ambiguities, or require frequent referencing. While the game can be played, the rules detract from the overall experience.
• 3 – Average: The rules are clear and functional. They are well-organised and provide a decent level of understanding. There may be minor ambiguities or complexities, but they do not significantly impact the gameplay experience.
• 4 – Good: The rules are well-written and easy to understand. They are comprehensive, logically organized, and provide clear guidance for gameplay. Any complexities are well-explained, and the rules enhance the overall experience.
• 5 – Excellent: The rules are exceptionally clear, concise, and intuitive. They are meticulously organized and provide a seamless understanding of the game. The rules enhance the enjoyment of the game, making it easy to learn and play without any confusion.

Set-up

How easy or complex is the game setup?

• 1 – Poor: The setup is extremely complex and time-consuming, even for a highly complex game. The process is frustrating and detracts from the overall enjoyment, with numerous components to organize and arrange.
• 2 – Fair: The setup is somewhat complex and takes a considerable amount of time. While the game may be complex, the setup process is still cumbersome and not well-balanced, causing some frustration.
• 3 – Average: The setup is manageable and takes a reasonable amount of time, considering the game’s complexity. The process is functional and does not significantly impact the overall enjoyment, with a moderate number of components and steps.
• 4 – Good: The setup is straightforward and efficient, even for a complex game. The process is well-balanced, with components and steps that are easy to follow. The setup enhances the overall experience, allowing players to start the game quickly.
• 5 – Excellent: The setup is exceptionally easy and quick, even for a highly complex game. The process is seamless, with minimal preparation and well-organized components. The setup enhances the enjoyment of the game, allowing players to start playing almost immediately.

Artwork

Consider the visual appeal of the game and overall aesthetics.

• 1 – Poor: The artwork is of very low quality. The illustrations are unattractive and lack detail. The overall visual appeal is lacking, and the game does not look inviting.
• 2 – Fair: The artwork is below average. The illustrations may be functional but lack aesthetic appeal. The overall visual appeal is mediocre.
• 3 – Average: The artwork is decent. The illustrations are adequate and provide a satisfactory visual appeal, but they may not stand out.
• 4 – Good: The artwork is of high quality. The illustrations are appealing and well-detailed, enhancing the visual appeal of the game.
• 5 – Excellent: The artwork is exceptional. The illustrations are stunning, highly detailed, and visually captivating. The overall visual appeal is outstanding and significantly enhances the game experience.

Graphic design

Cards easy to read? Symbols intuitive and clear? Use of colour.

• 1 – Poor: The graphic design is cluttered and confusing. The cards and other components are difficult to read, and the symbols are not intuitive. The use of colour is poor, making the game visually unappealing.
• 2 – Fair: The graphic design is below average. The cards and components are somewhat clear but lack aesthetic appeal. The symbols may be somewhat intuitive, but the overall design does not enhance the gameplay experience.
• 3 – Average: The graphic design is decent. The cards and components are clear and functional, with symbols that are reasonably intuitive. The use of colour is satisfactory, providing a visually acceptable experience.
• 4 – Good: The graphic design is of high quality. The cards and components are well-organized and visually pleasing, with intuitive symbols and effective use of colour. The design enhances the overall gameplay experience.
• 5 – Excellent: The graphic design is exceptional. The cards and components are clear, intuitive, and visually captivating. The symbols are easy to understand, and the use of colour is outstanding, significantly enhancing the game experience.

Theme

Assess how well the theme aligns with the gameplay. Is it immersive?

• 1 – Poor: The theme is poorly integrated into the game. It feels disconnected from the gameplay, and the elements do not align with the theme. The game lacks immersion and fails to create a cohesive experience.
• 2 – Fair: The theme is somewhat integrated but has noticeable flaws. While there are some thematic elements, they do not fully enhance the gameplay. The game may feel somewhat immersive, but the theme does not significantly contribute to the overall experience.
• 3 – Average: The theme is adequately integrated into the game. The elements align with the theme, providing a decent level of immersion. The game feels cohesive, but the theme may not stand out as a major highlight.
• 4 – Good: The theme is well-integrated into the game. The elements strongly align with the theme, creating a highly immersive experience. The game feels cohesive and engaging, with the theme enhancing the overall enjoyment.
• 5 – Excellent: The theme is exceptionally well-integrated into the game. Every element aligns perfectly with the theme, creating a deeply immersive and cohesive experience. The game feels captivating, with the theme significantly enhancing the overall enjoyment and making it a standout feature.

Gameplay

Assess the game mechanisms, flow, and overall enjoyment during gameplay. Is it engaging? Does it offer strategic depth?

• 1 – Poor: The game mechanisms are uninteresting and poorly designed. They may be overly simplistic, repetitive, or lack coherence, leading to a dull and unenjoyable experience.
• 2 – Fair: The game mechanisms are functional but have noticeable flaws. They might be somewhat engaging but lack depth or innovation. There may be issues with balance or pacing that detract from the overall enjoyment.
• 3 – Average: The game mechanisms are solid and provide a decent level of engagement. They are well-designed and coherent, offering a satisfactory balance and pacing. The game is enjoyable but may not stand out in terms of innovation or complexity.
• 4 – Good: The game mechanisms are well-crafted and highly engaging. They offer significant depth and variety, with a good balance and pacing. The mechanisms are innovative and contribute to an enjoyable and immersive experience.
• 5 – Excellent: The game mechanisms are exceptional and captivating. They are intricately designed, offering deep strategic options and a seamless flow. The mechanisms are innovative, perfectly balanced, and contribute to a highly enjoyable and memorable experience.

Complexity

Rate the game’s complexity level—easy to learn or more challenging.

• 1 – Very Easy: The game is extremely simple and easy to learn. The rules are straightforward, and the gameplay is intuitive. It requires minimal strategic thinking and is suitable for beginners or casual players.
• 2 – Easy: The game is relatively simple and easy to learn. The rules are clear, and the gameplay is engaging but not overly complex. It requires some strategic thinking and is suitable for players with a bit of experience.
• 3 – Moderate: The game has a moderate level of complexity. The rules are clear but may require some time to fully understand. The gameplay offers a good balance of strategy and accessibility, making it suitable for a wide range of players.
• 4 – Challenging: The game is complex and requires a good understanding of the rules. The gameplay involves deep strategic thinking and planning. It is suitable for experienced players who enjoy a challenging and engaging experience.
• 5 – Very Challenging: The game is highly complex and challenging. The rules are intricate, and the gameplay requires advanced strategic thinking and planning. It is suitable for expert players who enjoy a deeply immersive and demanding experience.

Player interaction

Evaluate the level of interaction among players.

• 1 – Poor: The game offers minimal player interaction. Players mostly play independently with little to no engagement with each other. The game feels solitary and lacks the social aspect that makes tabletop games enjoyable.
• 2 – Fair: The game has some player interaction, but it is limited and not very impactful. Players may occasionally engage with each other, but the interaction does not significantly influence the gameplay or outcomes.
• 3 – Average: The game provides a decent level of player interaction. Players engage with each other regularly, and the interaction has a moderate impact on the gameplay. The game offers a balance between independent play and social engagement.
• 4 – Good: The game features high levels of player interaction. Players frequently engage with each other, and the interaction significantly influences the gameplay and outcomes. The game is engaging and fosters a strong social experience.
• 5 – Excellent: The game offers exceptional player interaction. Players are constantly engaging with each other, and the interaction is a core aspect of the gameplay. The game is highly social, with cooperative or competitive elements that create a deeply immersive and enjoyable experience.

App

Is the App a necessity? Does it build theme? User friendly?

• 1 – Poor: The app is not user-friendly and feels unnecessary. It does not enhance the theme or gameplay experience and may even detract from it. Players find it frustrating to use and feel that the game would be better without it.
• 2 – Fair: The app is somewhat user-friendly but has noticeable flaws. It provides some thematic elements but does not significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Players may find it somewhat useful but not essential.
• 3 – Average: The app is reasonably user-friendly and provides a decent level of thematic integration. It enhances the gameplay experience to some extent but is not a standout feature. Players find it useful and functional.
• 4 – Good: The app is user-friendly and well-integrated into the game. It significantly enhances the theme and gameplay experience, providing valuable features and content. Players find it enjoyable and a valuable addition to the game.
• 5 – Excellent: The app is exceptionally user-friendly and seamlessly integrated into the game. It greatly enhances the theme and gameplay experience, providing innovative features and content that elevate the game to a new level. Players find it indispensable and highly enjoyable.

Solo

How does the game play solo? Are there dedicated rules? Challenge?

• 1 – Poor: The game does not play well solo. There are no dedicated rules for solo play, and the experience feels lacking and unchallenging. The game is clearly designed for multiple players and does not translate well to solo play.
• 2 – Fair: The game has some solo play options, but they are not well-developed. There may be some dedicated rules, but the experience is not very engaging or challenging. The game can be played solo, but it is not particularly enjoyable.
• 3 – Average: The game offers a decent solo play experience. There are dedicated rules for solo play, and the game provides a moderate level of challenge. The solo experience is enjoyable, but it may not be as engaging as playing with multiple players.
• 4 – Good: The game plays well solo. There are well-developed dedicated rules for solo play, and the game offers a significant level of challenge. The solo experience is engaging and enjoyable, providing a satisfying alternative to multiplayer games.
• 5 – Excellent: The game excels in solo play. There are comprehensive and well-designed dedicated rules for solo play, and the game offers a high level of challenge. The solo experience is deeply engaging and enjoyable, making it a standout feature of the game.

Challenge

As a solo/co-op game, does it offer a challenge? Does it have adjustable difficulty to match the player(s) abilities?

• 1 – Poor: The game offers very little challenge. It is too easy, even for beginners, and does not provide any sense of accomplishment. There are no adjustable difficulty levels to match different player abilities.
• 2 – Fair: The game provides some challenge, but it is generally too easy for most players. It may have limited adjustable difficulty levels, but they do not significantly enhance the challenge.
• 3 – Average: The game offers a moderate level of challenge. It is engaging and provides a sense of accomplishment for most players. There are adjustable difficulty levels that cater to different player abilities.
• 4 – Good: The game is challenging and provides a significant level of engagement. It offers adjustable difficulty levels that are well-balanced and cater to a wide range of player abilities. The challenge enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
• 5 – Excellent: The game offers an exceptional level of challenge. It is highly engaging and provides a deep sense of accomplishment. The adjustable difficulty levels are expertly designed to cater to all player abilities, making the game both accessible and challenging.

Replayability

Is the game enjoyable after multiple plays? Does it offer variety or different strategies?

• 1 – Poor: The game has very low replay value. It becomes repetitive quickly, with little to no variation in gameplay. Players are unlikely to want to play it more than once or twice.
• 2 – Fair: The game has some replay value but becomes predictable after a few plays. There may be limited variation in strategies or outcomes, leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
• 3 – Average: The game has decent replay value. It offers a moderate level of variation in strategies and outcomes, keeping players engaged for multiple plays. However, it may not have enough depth to sustain long-term interest.
• 4 – Good: The game has high replay value. It offers significant variation in strategies and outcomes, with enough depth to keep players engaged over many plays. The game remains interesting and enjoyable even after multiple sessions.
• 5 – Excellent: The game has exceptional replay value. It offers endless variation in strategies and outcomes, with deep and engaging gameplay that keeps players coming back for more. The game remains fresh and exciting even after numerous plays.

Expansions

If applicable, evaluate any expansions available. Do they enhance the base game?

• 1 – Poor: The expansions add little to no value to the game. They may introduce poorly designed or unbalanced elements that detract from the overall experience. Players may feel that the expansions are unnecessary or even detrimental to the game.
• 2 – Fair: The expansions provide some additional content, but their impact on the game is minimal. They may introduce new elements that are not well-integrated or balanced, leading to a mixed experience. Players may find the expansions somewhat enjoyable but not essential.
• 3 – Average: The expansions offer a decent amount of additional content and enhance the game to some extent. They introduce new elements that are reasonably well-integrated and balanced, providing a satisfactory experience. Players may find the expansions enjoyable and worth having, but not game-changing.
• 4 – Good: The expansions significantly enhance the game by adding well-designed and balanced content. They introduce new elements that integrate seamlessly with the base game, providing a richer and more engaging experience. Players find the expansions highly enjoyable and a valuable addition to the game.
• 5 – Excellent: The expansions greatly enhance the game by adding exceptional content that is perfectly designed and balanced. They introduce innovative elements that integrate flawlessly with the base game, providing a deeply enriching and immersive experience. Players find the expansions indispensable and feel they elevate the game to a new level.

Fun factor

Ultimately, how enjoyable is the game?

• 1 – Poor: The game is not enjoyable to play. It feels tedious, repetitive, and lacks excitement. Players do not look forward to playing it again.
• 2 – Fair: The game has some enjoyable moments but is generally not very engaging. It may have some fun elements, but they are overshadowed by flaws or repetitive gameplay.
• 3 – Average: The game is moderately enjoyable. It has a good balance of fun and engagement, but it may not stand out as particularly exciting. Players find it enjoyable but not exceptional.
• 4 – Good: The game is highly enjoyable and engaging. It offers a lot of fun and excitement, with well-designed elements that keep players entertained. Players look forward to playing it again.
• 5 – Excellent: The game is exceptionally fun and captivating. It provides a thrilling and immersive experience, with elements that keep players fully engaged and entertained. Players are eager to play it repeatedly.

Value for money

Consider the game’s price relative to its components, replayability, and overall experience.

• 1 – Poor: The game is overpriced for what it offers. The quality of the components, gameplay, and overall experience do not justify the cost. Players feel they did not get their money’s worth.
• 2 – Fair: The game is somewhat overpriced. While it may have some redeeming qualities, the overall experience and quality do not fully justify the price. Players may feel slightly disappointed with their purchase.
• 3 – Average: The game is reasonably priced for what it offers. The quality of the components, gameplay, and overall experience are in line with the cost. Players feel they got a fair deal.
• 4 – Good: The game offers good value for money. The quality of the components, gameplay, and overall experience exceed the cost. Players feel satisfied with their purchase and believe they got a good deal.
• 5 – Excellent: The game offers exceptional value for money. The quality of the components, gameplay, and overall experience far exceed the cost. Players feel they got an outstanding deal and are extremely satisfied with their purchase.