Explanation of the Rating System

This is a breakdown of the rating system that I will be using to review the games in question. Reviews will be primarily broken into three sections. The first section highlights the genre, internet requirements, and then a brief story summary. This section has little effect on rating but is instead meant to simple provide useful information. The second section is a breakdown of questionable content separated into Foul Language, Violence and Gore, and than Sexually-Related Content. Here, examples and explanations will be posted concerning amount of content in the game. The third section is a review of the overall quality of the game, broken down into Graphics and Visuals, Audio, and Dollar Value. The second two sections are rated on a five-item scale (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High). High ratings will lead to a low kid-friendly score in section 2. High ratings will lead to a high game quality score in section 3. Overall ratings are based on the statistical average of all scores. The exception to this is in concerns to Kid Friendliness in which a Very High rating on any subject will instantly result in a Low rating. Please see below for a more in-depth breakdown.

Section 1

[Insert Game Name Here] Review

Kid Safe: [Insert Overall K.S. Ranking Here]   Game Quality: [Insert Overall G.Q. Ranking

                                                                  Here]

(As noted, these two sections will be Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, or Very High)

Genre: [Insert Genre Here]

       (This section is meant to highlight the genre of the game. Much like movies or television, video

       games have specific genres based on what type of gameplay they feature. For further

       information concerning genres, click here)

Internet Requirements: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

       (This section highlights how much internet usage would be required to fully enjoy this. Many

       parents feel uncomfortable allowing their children on the internet, allowing their children to use

       the internet for extended periods of time, and some simply do not have internet. This section will

       lend importance to those parents with regulated internet usage. Once again this will be broken

       into the Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, or Very High qualifications.

Story Summary: [Insert Store Summary Here]

       (This section is meant to provide a brief summary of the storyline with a focus on story

       highlights that parents may wish to know about. This section may contain some spoilers but will 

       attempt to withhold as much information as possible for entertainment purposes. Of course, you

       are welcome to e-mail me should you want any further information than is provided.)

Section 2

Kid Safe: (This section will highlight the overall Kid Safe Ranking based on topics listed below)

     - Foul Language: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

               (This section will highlight the usage of foul language in the game. It will attempt to

               provide any useful or overbearing examples concerning the usage of foul language in the

               instance that said language is present in the title.)

     - Violence and Gore: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

              (This section highlights any depictions of violence or gore in the title. It will attempt to

              provide any useful or overbearing examples of violence or gore in the instance that said

              violence is present in the title.)

     - Sexually-Related Content: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

              (This section highlights any depictions of sexually-related content, nudity, or sexually

              explicit scenes in the title. It will attempt to provide any useful or overbearing examples of

              sexually-related content in the instance that said sexually-related content is present in the

              title.)

     - Use of Drugs and Alcohol: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)
              (This section will highlight the presence and usage of any drugs or alcohol in the title. It will

              attempt to provide any useful or overbearing examples of drug related content in the instance

              that said content is present in the title.)

 (If any content is found to be seemingly excessive or disturbing in it's presence in the title

it will be specially noted beneath the related category that it would fall under)

Section 3

Game Quality: (This section will highlight the overall Game Quality Ranking based on topics

                           listed below) 

     - Graphics / Visuals: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

             (This section is meant to highlight the visual quality of the game. It will rate the overall

             quality of the graphics based against other games on the market. It will be used to make any

             special mention concerning any unique or special gaming engines that have been developed

             for the game. It will be used to highlight any particularly well-known artists that may have

             lended to the creation of the game. Finally, It will be used to notify of any problems referring

             to the visual quality of the game.)

     - Audio: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

            (This section is meant to highlight the audio quality of the game. It will rate the overall

            quality of the audio based against other  games on the market. It will make special mention of

            any notable voice actors or musicians that helped to develop the title. Likewise, it will be used

            to highlight any problems with the audio quality in the game.

     - Gameplay / Playability: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)
           (This section is used to highlight the overall quality of how the game plays. It will focus on

           controls, ease of play, and the over immersive qualities of the title in question. It is meant to

           highlight how easily a player will be able to enjoy the title or if they will need to learn a great

           deal (and possibly become frustrated) in attempting to play the game. Likewise, it will note

           any glitches or problems with game controls)

     - Dollar-Value: (Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High)

           (This section is meant to highlight whether the game is worthwhile to purchase at full-retail

           price. It rate the overall length of the title and how much gameplay an individual will get out

           of a single play-through. It will highlight the replay-ability of the title and whether it will have

           a last appeal. It will also rate whether the title is worth owning based on how well it delivers a

           solid gameplay experience.)

Recommendations
      - (Additionally this section will be used to attempt to highlight more suitable titles in the same

         genre or design of the game in the instance that a game ranks poorly in the child friendly

         category. This is to help provide suitable alternatives for games that may not be good choices

         for your children.)

Of course, if you have any further questions concerning how reviews are conducted or broken down, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

 

LabR@