A review on Output Lag should answer one question: is this game worth your time and money? Here is how we get to that answer, and what the number at the top actually means.
We play the whole game
We play games to completion before we review them. Some games make that unrealistic before the embargo lifts, like a 100-hour RPG with a short review window. In those cases we play as much as we can, say how far we got in the review, and may update it once we have finished.
Review copies and independence
- We buy some games ourselves and receive review codes from publishers for others. Every review states which.
- Publishers and developers never see a review before it is published.
- We do not accept payment for reviews or coverage. Promoted slots on Output Lag are separate, clearly labeled, and never affect a review or its score.
Where AI fits
AI is used for editing and fact-checking only. The time with the game, the opinions, and the score come from the reviewer.
What we judge
- Is it fun? The most important question, and the one too many games forget.
- How well it runs. Performance, bugs, load times, and stability on the platform we played.
- Value. A game’s price and scope matter. We judge a $20 indie and a $70 blockbuster against what each is trying to be.
- Ambition and execution. A game that does something new and stumbles, and a game that does something familiar perfectly, can both be great. We weigh both.
- Accessibility and options. Difficulty settings, accessibility features, and how welcoming the game is to different players.
- Staying power. Whether you will still want to play it next month.
What the scores mean
We score on a 10-point scale. The number is shorthand for the review, not a replacement for it; the reasoning is what matters.
- 10, Masterpiece: a landmark for its genre. Rare by design.
- 9, Superb: near-flawless, with only minor complaints. An easy recommendation.
- 8, Great: polished and compelling, with limited weaknesses. A must-play for fans of the genre.
- 7, Good: solid and enjoyable, with some rough edges or familiar ideas.
- 6, Decent: competent but missing a spark. Worth playing with tempered expectations.
- 5, Average: strengths and flaws cancel out. For genre die-hards or a deep sale.
- 4, Mediocre: frequent frustrations. Only for dedicated fans.
- 3, Poor: problems outweigh the good parts.
- 2, Bad: deeply flawed across the board.
- 1, Broken: fundamentally doesn’t work.
Updates after launch
Games change after release. We do not re-review for every patch, but when a major update changes the experience significantly, we may revisit the review and note exactly what changed and when.
Disagree with a review?
Good, that is half the fun. Tell us why at steven@outputlag.com. If you think we got a fact wrong, send it to tips@outputlag.com and we will check it and correct it. More on how we work is on our Editorial Standards page.