How to Write a Video Game Review

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 9, 2022

The gaming industry is booming, and is expected to have a net worth of $137.9 billion as of 2018.^{[1]
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Research source} As such, video game reviews are becoming more and more prevalent. If you’d like to write a video game review of your own, play the game for about 10 hours, take notes on what you like and dislike, and give your own opinion on the game to create a comprehensive video game review.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Playing the Game and Taking Notes

1
Play the game for 7 to 10 hours. Many video games can take upwards of 100 hours to complete. However, most publications expect a review within 1 week of the game being released. Try to play the video game that you are reviewing for at least 7 hours to get a feel for it. Explore as much of the game as you can in this timeframe.^{[2]
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- If the game has different levels, try to level up as many times as possible. If the game is an open world, explore as much of it as you can.
2
Take notes on what you appreciate about the game. Your notes will translate directly into what you put in your review. Use a computer or a notebook to write down what you like about the game. Pay attention to playability, sound, graphics, and in-game purchases. Jot down anything that sticks out to you, even if it is small.^{[3]
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- Details as small as the trees waving in the wind or a character’s headband can help a reader envision the in-game world when they read your review.
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3
Write down what could be improved about the game. Not every game is perfect, and your review should focus on the improvements that you think could be made as well as the positives. Take note of what you didn’t love about the game. Maybe the graphics are clunky, or the load times are too long. If anything annoys you even slightly, be sure to write it down.^{[4]
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Tip: Try to be specific. Instead of writing “The main character sucks!” try, “The main character didn’t have as many weapon options as I would have liked.” This will be helpful when you start writing.
4
Note how the game compares to other games like it. You’ve probably played a lot of video games that could be comparable to the one you are reviewing. Think about games that are in the same genre as the one you are playing. Is it an action-based game? A horror game? A racing one? Then, think about which ones you liked better or worse. Would you play this one more or less than other games?^{[5]
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- For example, you could say, “This racing game has more car model options, but less customizable pieces than their last release.”

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Compiling Your Notes into a Review

1
Aim to write about 1,000 words in your review. If you are submitting your review to a gaming site, they will most likely want between 800 and 1,000 words in your review. Indie games or mobile apps can be on the lower end, while popular games should be more in-depth and closer to 1,000 words.^{[6]
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Tip: If you are publishing a video game review on your own website or blog, you can choose your word count. However, your readers will probably appreciate a comprehensive review.
2
Start with a 2 to 3 sentence introduction. Your readers may have heard about the game you are playing, or it could be brand new to them. Introduce the game that you are reviewing without giving away too much about the story itself. Open with a hook to grab your readers’ attention and make them want to read the rest of your review.^{[7]
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- For example, say something like, “After the success of Injustice, the newest game from the NetherRealm Studios is Mortal Kombat X. With this installment in the MK series, Nether Realm has mended all the shortcomings that Injustice had and added so much more. MK X is by far the best MK game we have seen in the series.”
3
Discuss the quality of the sound and graphics. Refer back to your notes to identify what you liked or disliked about the sound and the graphics of the game. Go into detail about what system you were using and how well the game translated through that. Note if you were wearing headphones or using speakers and if the game was displayed on a TV or computer.^{[8]
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- For example, “The movements of the characters and flair with which the executions and bonus moves are performed are one of the best we’ve ever seen. The blood and gore of MK coupled with the next generation graphics truly delivers an experience like no other.”
4
Write about the story and the characters. If the video game you are writing about is a series, it may continue old characters or introduce new ones. Be sure to talk about the characters that you can play as and who you interact with the most throughout the game. Describe the different actions and weapons options that each character provides.^{[9]
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- For example, “This game breathes fresh air into the market by offering characters who each have a different playing style, offering you the opportunity to learn the combo moves of each character.”
5
Note your personal opinion on the game. Make sure to inject your own opinion on the game into your review. Let your readers know if you’d recommend the game or not and what you’d tell the developers if you could. You can give it a numerical rating if you’d like to make it easy to understand.^{[10]
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- For example, “I certainly advise you to go pick yourself up a copy of this game. It might just be the best fighting game to come out in 2016. I rate it 8.8/10.”
6
Proofread your review for any errors before you submit it. If you are submitting your review to a video game magazine or publication, take a few minutes to look over your work and check for errors. Your review will most likely get edited before it is published, but it will be taken more seriously if it does not have many glaring errors. Check for spelling, grammar, and flow of your words.^{[11]
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- Your review may get sent back to you by an editor if it needs to be changed.

Community Q&A

Question

What should a game review include?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Include specific details about what you liked and disliked about the game. Be honest, since this will be more helpful to both other players and the developer. Talk about different aspects of the game, like gameplay mechanics, story, graphics, controls, and difficulty level.
Question

How do I leave a review for a game?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you bought the game from an online store, go to the game’s page and see if there’s an option to leave a review there. Alternatively, you can write a review on your own blog or website, or post one on social media.
Question

How do I start a review?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Start a review with a brief summary of your feelings about the game. For example, you might say something like, “Overall, this is a solid game with beautiful graphics and a compelling story. However, the controls could use some improvements.”