[General Discussion] Best review scale?

I write reviews and I use a system which has a rating x/5 where x is a positive integer.

I've never liked percentage systems. Rating a 98% seems odd that it be 2% away from supposed perfection, but take a game call it A which scores 90%, I tend to find I in comparison to others, it's hard to put a finger on why it should score 40% more than that or 7% less than that one. Personally I can't use it. Five suits me fine.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Hindman

Right, but, like I said:

We covered that for the most part.

Sorry for repeating what you said.

I modeled my ratings from a PC games mag can't remember which:
5 - Classic, rare, near-perfect
4 - High quality, succeeds in most areas
3 - Flawed but successful development
2 - Suffering from problems
1 - All wrong

I find this seriously makes it easier for me.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Summonmaster

I really like the /10 scale, especially when decimals are involved, but the point about 7 being average makes me think about that. Any game that is less than 7, I probably would not buy, or even try. However, I don't like the /5 scale since 3/5 is average, but you can't really tell if it's slightly above average (since 4 makes me think it's a good game, and 3.5 still gives the impression of average), or on the lower end of it. Breaking down by components is definitely a great way to go and do it, but overall I think I would go with the 10 scale still. Most games should never have to deviate from 7 much, and you can really justify the bad ones, however low their score maybe. In addition. good games don't seem to need as much explanation with descriptions as bad ones do.

I can see what you mean. Games that score 5 I think I would keep and usually I would love to play it again. For 4 it's good that I would finish the game at least once. Three is where I enjoy it but maybe I get bored, consider it for trade-in, 2 is bad, 1 a disaster.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Summonmaster

Exactly my thoughts if I ever see a 5 point scale used, although for personal enjoyment, I need those excess numbers as a point of comparison. Well. not like I let exact numbers sway my thoughts. I look for key gimmicks of a game that are mentioned and how I personally picture them being used. Surprisingly enough, one of my favourite things to do is to read bad reviews and see exactly how 1/10 is justified by the reviewer.

Yeah I guess I'm not one to compare games against each other, five is enough to give me peace of mind. So far in my games log I don't think I have given a 1/5 score to any game, I haven't played too many bad games but I can't really vision how bad a game must be for it to score such a low mark.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?