How we score games, explained

People ask us all the time what the difference between a 4.2 and a 4.6 really is. Fair question, so let me pull back the curtain.

We start with the basics: does it run well, are the controls comfortable, is it respectful of your time. A game can be charming and still lose points for being a technical mess on older phones.

From there it's about ambition and follow-through. A small game that does one thing brilliantly can score higher than a bigger one that's merely fine at everything.

Our numbers are subjective, and we'll never pretend otherwise. What we promise is consistency: a 4.5 from us this month means the same as a 4.5 last month.