The Outerhaven’s Review Guidelines and Scoring System

**Updated September 2025**

At The Outerhaven, we strive to publish our reviews promptly, considering factors such as when we receive the product, the game’s length, and our personal schedules. We are committed to ensuring that our reviews are thorough and accurate, only publishing them when we are confident in their validity and completeness. While we don’t adhere to a specific word count, we make every effort to cover all aspects of the game or product to provide a comprehensive assessment.

How do we determine who reviews what

We assign reviews to writers who have both an interest in the genre and a track record with it, as well as the ability to provide insightful critique. We will never assign a person to a review if they are not either familiar or comfortable with the items that is being reviewed.

Each reviewer is expected to spend sufficient time with a title to form a well-rounded opinion grounded in a full understanding of the game. Because every game is different, this isn’t tied to a set number of hours or play sessions. The amount of time available before release or the terms of an embargo can also affect timing, and we may choose to hold a review until we’re confident enough playtime has been invested.

How do we get access to the stuff We review

While we review a wide range of things—video games, manga, film, TV, tech, and more—we’ve been fortunate to receive many of them directly from manufacturers or through PR companies. That said, we also cover a fair number of items out of our own pockets. In some cases, even when we receive a product from someone else, we’ll still purchase it ourselves for review.

The Outerhaven utilizes a FIVE-STAR scoring system

1.0 – The game is broken and unplayable. Best avoided.
1.25 – Technically playable, but riddled with major issues that make it not worth your time.
1.5 – Has one or two redeeming qualities, but significant technical problems and poor design prevent it from coming together.
1.75 – Missing key features and plagued by issues in most areas. Unlikely to appeal to anyone in its current state.
2.0 – Weak in many areas with some technical flaws, though it has a few redeeming qualities that might attract niche audiences.
2.25 – Functional and stable, but ultimately a forgettable experience that offers little enjoyment outside of specific modes or scenarios.
2.5 – Squarely average. Nothing stands out as great or terrible, though some players may still enjoy it.
2.75 – Flawed in major ways, yet still delivers an overall enjoyable experience that could appeal to a wider audience.
3.0 – Shows potential. Despite noticeable flaws, it’s mostly enjoyable for its core audience and a few patches away from being a good game.
3.25 – Fun and engaging with only minor issues, though it lacks a special spark to make it truly memorable.
3.5 – A solid game with most of the right ingredients, though it needs more polish or innovation to stand out. Still very enjoyable.
3.75 – A strong, well-rounded experience. For many it will be very good, and for some it may even resonate deeply despite its flaws.
4.0 – A great game with noticeable room for improvement, but still a fantastic overall experience.
4.25 – A great game with only small shortcomings. Memorable and highly enjoyable, especially for certain audiences.
4.5 – An excellent game that comes close to best in class, delivering an outstanding experience overall.
4.75 – Nearly a masterpiece. Minor flaws hold it back for a few players, but for most it stands as one of the best in its genre, even attracting players outside its usual audience.
5.0 – A masterpiece. While no game is truly perfect, this one comes close with a clear vision and near-flawless execution. A must-play, generation-defining experience.

Our reviews are guided by five key criteria: Story, Presentation, Gameplay, Replay Value, and Final Thoughts. However, not all criteria will apply to every review, as this depends on the genre of the game or item being evaluated.

Story: Not every game features a story. In such cases, we may discuss aspects like the game’s background, development process, or narrative framework instead. If the game lacks a story element altogether (e.g., sports games), this section will typically be omitted or left unscored.
Presentation: This criterion focuses on the game’s visual and technical aspects. While visuals take center stage, we also evaluate performance on the review platform, the presence of bugs, sound design, and the overall atmosphere or ambiance of the game.
Gameplay: This section delves into the game mechanics, highlighting both the enjoyable and frustrating moments. We also discuss potential improvements and any aspects that fall outside the scope of the Story and Presentation categories. This is often the most comprehensive section of the review.
Replay Value: Here, we address whether the game is worth replaying and why.
Final Thoughts: This section identifies the target audience for the game and offers a recommendation on whether to buy it. It serves as a summary that ties into the final score for the item being reviewed.

All reviews published on The Outerhaven reflect the personal opinions of the individual reviewer.

Should you have any questions for us regarding our scoring system, please feel free to contact us at “Contact At TheOuterhaven Dot Net”.