How do I write a game review?

A good game review tells readers whether the game is worth their time and money, and why. Play enough to judge it fairly, then describe how it plays, what works and what does not, using specific examples rather than general praise. Finish with a clear verdict and who the game is for.

How to write it

1. Play enough. Finish the game if you can, or at least play several hours and try its main modes. Say how long you played.
2. Open with a summary. In two or three sentences: what the game is, the platform you played on and your overall impression.
3. Cover gameplay first. Describe the core loop, controls, difficulty and how the game changes over time.
4. Then story, visuals and sound. Mention them where they matter; for a puzzle game, story may deserve one line.
5. Report performance and bugs. Frame rate, loading, crashes and the platform or hardware you used.
6. Talk about value. Length, replayability, price and any microtransactions.
7. Use examples. "The boss in chapter 3 took 20 tries because its attack is hard to read" is more useful than "it's too hard."
8. Give a verdict. A score or a simple recommendation, and who will enjoy it.
9. Avoid spoilers, or warn readers clearly before them.

Leaving a review on a store

• Steam: open the game in your library or its store page and choose to write a review. You must own the game, and you rate it as recommended or not recommended.
• Console and mobile stores: you can usually rate games on the store page after buying or installing them.
• Roblox: experiences are rated with a like or dislike on the game page rather than written reviews.

FAQ

What should be discussed in a game review?

Gameplay, story, visuals, sound, performance, length and value, weighted by what matters for that genre.

How long should a game review be?

Store reviews can be a few sentences. Blog or magazine reviews are often 800–1,500 words.

How do people rate games?

With scores (out of 10 or 100), stars, or recommend/not recommend. Explain your scale if you use one.

How do I write a game analysis instead?

An analysis focuses on why a design choice works or fails, rather than whether to buy the game. Pick one aspect and examine it in depth.