Why we review games we don't like

Every so often someone asks why we bother writing about games we didn't enjoy. The answer is simple: knowing what to skip saves you as much time as knowing what to play.

We don't do hit pieces. If a game frustrated us, we try to work out why, and whether that frustration is universal or just a matter of taste. Sometimes a game we bounced off is perfect for a different kind of player, and we say so.

Being able to write critically is also what keeps our praise meaningful. If every review is glowing, none of them are worth reading. Our high scores mean something precisely because we're willing to hand out low ones.

So when you see a lukewarm rating here, know that it came from real play sessions and honest disagreement, not a lazy dismissal. That's the standard we hold ourselves to.