Rate a game you recently played with Gamespot's old weighted scoring!

Long ago, in the golden days of Gamespot, the site used a weighted equation to score their games. In the years since personality has been injected into reviews a lot more, and if a score is given it's typically more of a feeling than a mathematical outcome. This is, by and large, a very good thing for the way reviews are put together. But! It's also really fun to score things (at least to me).

So let's all get in on some hot hot scoring. If you weren't around in those days, old Gamespot reviews scored five categories out of 10, no half-points: gameplay, graphics, sound, value and "tilt" - a factor purely for steering the score the way you'd like it. If I remember right, I used to replicate the weighting of their scale when I was younger by factoring in the gameplay and tilt numbers three times each, then dividing all numbers by 9. Like this:

(Gameplay+Gameplay+Gameplay+Graphics+Sound+Value+Tilt+Tilt+Tilt) / 9

Pick a game you played recently - doesn't have to be the last game you played, doesn't have to be a new game - and pretend you're an old boy Gamespot reviewer. I'll give a few examples.

Final Fantasy XV

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 9

Sound - 8

Value - 9

Tilt - 9

Overall - 8.6

Ape Escape 2

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 8

Sound - 7

Value - 8

Tilt - 8

Overall - 7.6

Bastion

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 9

Sound - 10

Value - 6

Tilt - 8

Overall - 7.8

Snake Pass

Gameplay - 6

Graphics - 7

Sound - 7

Value - 7

Tilt - 7

Overall - 6.7

And that's all there is to it! Looking forward to seeing everyone's scores.

That's a fun idea. For now I'll go with:

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 8

Sound - 7

Value - 9

Tilt - 9

Overall - 8.7

"Technically it's a bit of a mixed bag but friends of the genre..." (nah, I think it's pretty good)

Devil May Cry 3

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 8

Sound - 8

Value - 8

Tilt - 8

Overall - 8

Still the only hack and slash I can almost completely get behind. Bayonetta, I guess, comes second, but it's not close.

Yakuza 0

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 9

sound - 8

value - 8

tilt - 9

Overall - 8.6

(This game is actually a 9 or 9.5 cause HOLY SHIT is it incredible)

This scoring system will never not be dumb. It's trying to take something subjective and mechanize it in the pursuit of cancelling out bias. Doesn't work, and it makes the score dishonest. I know you all know that, but I wanted to point it out anyway.

Everything

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 7

Sound - 7

Value - 9

Tilt - 8

Overall - 7.6

@rongalaxy:All very true things you've said! I agree this is not how games should be reviewed/scored today, was just thinking about how much time I spent messing with this scoring system when I was a kid.

@kingbonesaw: I was surprised at the score too! Weighting a score this way is fascinating and weird to me. I loved Bastion when I originally played it (thrice) but felt like the core fighting and stage design wore on me a little more when I played it recently. If I just chose a number wholesale it would be a higher one!

Prey

Gameplay-9

Graphics-6

Sound-9

Value-8

Tilt-9

Ovrrall-8.6

----

Injustice 2

Gameplay-9

Graphics-10

Sound-9

Value-10

Tilt-9

Overall-9.2

Breath Of The Wild

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 10

Sound - 7

Value - 9

Tilt - 9

Overall - 8.5

Shovel Knight Specter of Torment

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 8

Sound - 10

Value (considering I bought shovel knight on PS4 and got this campaign plus the plague one for free) - 10

Tilt - 9

Overall - 9.1

Marvel Heroes Omega

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 6

Sound - 5

Value - 9

Tilt - 7

Overall - 6.9

Overwatch

Gameplay - 10

Graphics - 7

Sound - 8

Value - 8

Tilt - 10

Overall - 8.6

Mega Man X4

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 8

Sound - 8

Value - 6

Tilt - 8

Overall - 7.8 (Boo, X4 is awesome so this review system is broken!)

Nier Automata

Gameplay - 8 By the end, I was still having fun, but repetitive hacking/slashing took its toll a little. Hacking minigame helped quell that feeling.

Graphics - 8 Looks fine, but I was never "wowed" by any one moment on visuals alone.

Sound - 10 Music is fantastic - maybe surpassing its predecessor - and the voice acting is stellar, particularly Kyle McCarley's. "AHHHHHHHH! EYYYYYYYYYYY TUUUUUUUUUUU! I'LL KILL YOU!" Gives me shivers.

Value - 9 Perhaps this is a psychological thing, but anyone who's played knows why this game "feels" longer than it actually is, and it nails it nearly perfectly, certainly pulling it off much better than its prequel.

Tilt - 10 This game could not be more my shit if it was developed in a lab. Great voice acting, music and multiple sidequests that rival - but definitely do not surpass - the main story's lust for grief are the supporting pillars of the game. The insane, engaging story and one of the best endings in video game history complete the package.

Overall: 9

Pretty happy with that number honestly. If I was living in the GS era, I feel like the "appropriate" thing to do would be to lower my personal score (10) to suit the presence of repetitive gameplay. However, nowadays, I'd have zero problem giving it a 10/10 or five-star rating. Objective numbers simply don't capture the "feel" a game actually gives you and I believe things like great voice acting or mind-blowing story can make up for other categories, even if the former was already a 10. Besides, if I wrote that review, it would absolutely sound like a 10/10 review, I'll tell you that for free.

P.S. Edit: I think me and the OP are in sync on feelings for Bastion. Gameplay - 7? Agreed.

Persona 5

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 8

Sound - 9

Value - 10

Tilt - 8

Overall: 8.4

Using "Tilt" as a stand-in for "Story."

Watch_D0gs 2

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 6

Sound - 9

Value - 9

Tilt - 6

Overall - 7.33333333333333333

Man, it's like my top 10 is almost done.

Breath of the Wild

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 10

Sound - 8

Value - 10

Tilt - 9

Nier Automata

Gameplay - 5

Graphics - 7

Sound - 9

Value - 7

Tilt - 3 (This is mostly based on story and characters which I found to be a big step down from Nier and just not very good in general)

Overall - 6.2

Crusader Kings 2

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 4

Sound - 3

Value 10

Tilt: 10 (I have to do something bump up the score, this is stupid lol)

8,2

I really like this, so I'm gonna do some more just to see how it shakes out:

Mafia III

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 7

Sound - 10

Value - 8

Tilt - 7

Overall - 7.4

Quantum Break

Gameplay - 9

Graphics - 9

Sound - 8

Value - 8

Tilt - 9

Overall - 8.8

Homefront: The Revolution

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 5

Sound - 7

Value - 7

Tilt - 7

Overall - 6.8

I'm fairly certain the formula counts graphics and value twice, then divide by 11. I remember Jeff discussing the formula at some point, but can't remember when.

Final Fantasy X HD Remaster

Gameplay - 7 (The combat is solid, but the mini-games are terrible)

Graphics - 8 (It looks fantastic for a remastered PS2 game, even if the facial animations are a bit stiff)

Sound - 7 (Every aspect of the sound design, except for the voice acting, is superb)

Value - 10 (There's a lot to do)

Tilt - 10 (Nostalgia has its hooks in me)

Overall - 8.5

Edit: the discussion I remember didn't go into a lot of detail, it might've been one of the discussion of 10.0 or 1.0 reviews on Gamespot. They made one for each, I think.

SLEEPING DOGS 2012 Steam version

Gameplay - 9 great, fighting mechanics fun gunplay.

Graphics - 9 for a 2012 game it still impresses the way lights reflect off the ground and the rain effects still looks so good.

Sound - 9 unique radio songs, guns have a nice sound to them, great voice acting.

Value - 10 tons of stuff to do in the open world, side missions races, fight clubs, cock fights, ect..

Tilt - 10 I have 218 hours in this game without DLC so yeah I love this game.

Overall - 9.5 A unique rare open world crime game a true gem where everything just feels right Hong Kong was a fantastic setting filled with great characters and those damn pork buns.

Mortal Kombat X

Gameplay- 8

Graphics - 9

Sound- 7

Value- 8

Tilt- 8

Overall- 8.0

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Gameplay- 9

Graphics- 7

Sound- 8

Value- 9

Tilt- 9

Overall- 8.6

Persona 5

Gameplay- 9

Graphics- 9

Sound- 10

Value- 10

Tilt- 9

Overall- 9.2

Prey

Gameplay - 8

Graphics - 8

Sound - 6

Value - 10

Tilt - 9

Overall- 8.3

Persona 5

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 7

Sound - 10

Value - 8

Tilt - 7

Overall: 7.4

Persona 5 is a game that will make you love it, until all its little problems make you hate it.

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Gameplay: 7

Graphics: 7

Sound: 7

Value: 7

Tilt: 5

Overall: 6.3

Mediocrity /mēdēˈäkrədē/ (noun): See, Mass Effect: Andromeda

Prey

Gameplay: 7

Graphics: 7

Sound: 7

Value: 7

Tilt: 6

Overall: 6.7

Prey attempts to mimic better games, with mixed results.

Witcher 3

Gameplay - 7

Graphics - 9

Sound - 10

Value - 10

Tilt - 10

Overall - 9.2

MKX has best in show sound design. 7 is crazy. The other categories are debatable but man, that's rough.

• The Legend of Zelda - Breath of the Wild

Gameplay: 10

Graphics: 10

Sound: 8

Value: 10

Tilt/Partner: 10*

Overall: 9,8

• PREY (PC)

Gameplay: 8

Graphics: 7

Sound: 9

Value: 8

Tilt/Partner: 9*

Overall: 8,7

• MARIO KART 8 (Switch)

Gameplay: 9

Graphics: 9

Sound: 8

Value: 10

Tilt/Partner: 9*

Overall: 9.6

• NIER: Automata (PC)

Gameplay: 7

Graphics: 5

Sound: 9

Value: 6

Tilt/Partner: 9*

Overall: 7,3

• DEAD CELLS (PC)

Gameplay: 9

Graphics: 9

Sound: 6

Value: 10

Tilt/Partner: n/a*

Overall: 9.0

• OVERWATCH (PC)

Gameplay: 9

Graphics: 9

Sound: 9

Value: 10

Tilt/Partner: 10*

Overall: 9,5

*We've been juggling a few games lately and I use my wife's overall score as the tilt since we both hate math.

@s10129107: Yeah, that might be a bit harsh. I want to say the music was a little forgettable, but there are a lot of other elements that are pretty good.

Persona 5 (PS4)

Gameplay: 9

Graphics: 9

Sound: 10

Value: 10

Tilt: 10

Overall: 9.6 (If we're talking stars, I would give it a 5/5. If I could give it any score I want out of 10, I would give it a 10/10, citing the "Dude, it's close enough" rule)

Night in the Woods (PC)

Gameplay: 8

Graphics: 8

Sound: 8

Value: 8

Tilt: 9

Overall: 8.3 (If we're talking stars, I would either give it 4/5 or 5/5. If I could give it any score I want out of 10, I might give it an 8.5 or 9.0)

VA-11 HALL-A (PC)

Gameplay: 7

Graphics: 8

Sound: 10

Value: 8

Tilt: 9

Overall: 8.2 (This feels like the first time this rating scale has failed me. VA-11 HALL-A is a visual novel with a kinda neat bartender mechanic. Besides that you're basically reading the entire game. So in terms of its gameplay, it's alright. However, it's basically a visual novel, a type of game that often times has no or limited gameplay. Basically I feel like VA-11 HALL-A is better than an 8.2 and I feel like the gameplay rating dropped it down. Anyways, I would probably give VA-11 HALL-A 5/5 stars, and maybe a 9/10)

Persona 5

• Gameplay: 6
• Graphics: 8
• Sound: 6
• Value: 8
• Tilt: 5,000,000

Overall score: 10

The Witcher

• Gameplay - 6
• Graphics - 7
• Sound - 6
• Value - 7
• Tilt - 6

Overall: 6.2

Not especially well put together, but some decent moments. The combat's fun when you take your time and prepare and endlessly frustrating when you don't (or just when you're at the endgame because fuuuuuuuck all that). Glad I finally beat it though, both because it was always that big game I never completed and also holding me back from playing the sequels. Now I'm playing The Witcher 2 (just finished the prologue) and hoooo boy is it better in every way so far.

Looks better, plays better, I'm intrigued right off the bat, better writing, better voice acting. It even inexplicably runs better.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I know this thread's a month old, but the topic seems fun so why not post?

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (Dreamcast version):

• Gameplay - 10
• Graphics - 7
• Sound - 8
• Value - 7
• Tilt - 9

Overall: 8.8 The only real problem that I have with this game is the lack of content. In pretty much any other game, this sort of content deficit would be unacceptable, but here it's actual not bad because the core gameplay is so totally addictive. I have spent quite a bit of time going through the career mode this past year and from start to finish, the gameplay has been utterly brilliant. Definitely recommended.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Xbox version):

• Gameplay - 6
• Graphics - 3
• Sound - 7
• Value - 7
• Tilt - 5

Overall: 5.6 I don't like this game much. It's okay I guess, but I feel like I'm missing something with this one. It's strange, because I enjoy all of the other main series 3D GTA games a lot, but this one does not do it for me. For one thing, the pacing is really bad, especially after you leave Los Santos. Getting anywhere is simply a chore as the map is so damn big, but about half of the map is totally uninteresting (the forests and deserts.) Starting a mission in Las Venturas that has you drive to Los Santos, only to fail the mission because your partner AI didn't do what it was supposed to do, resulting in your death, only to force you to drive all the way back to the mission start point in another city and go to a gun store and go to a restaurant on the way to restock on weapons and replenish your health isn't fun to me, especially if the mission is particularly difficult. It also doesn't help that the visuals on the Xbox are just flat-out bad since its so bland and aliased. Also, the game may be huge and has a lot to do in it, but I didn't find a ton of it worthwhile or interesting. When the game doesn't force you to go everywhere around the world and do tedious stuff, it's fun, but there are also a lot of frustrating moments that drag the whole thing down. Ultimately, it's mediocre in my opinion, and there are tons of other open-world games that do this sort of thing way better.

Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude (PC Version):

• Gameplay - 5
• Graphics - 6
• Sound - 7
• Value - 5
• Tilt - 8

Overall:6.3 It's short with no replay value, the gameplay is repetitive with no depth, and the audiovisual presentation hasn't aged the best. But man, is this game funny. Like, really funny. It was a blast to play through just because I wanted to get to the next in-game conversation, which were all well-written and voiced. It's not for everyone, and it takes getting past some mediocre gameplay to enjoy, but if you have a sexually immature sense of humor like myself, its worth playing through.

Senran Kagura Estival Versus (PC)

Gameplay - 8
Graphics - 9
Sound - 8
Value - 8
Tilt - 10

Overall: 8.8 - Game of the year.

Mr. Driller

• Gameplay 8
• Graphics 7
• Sound 7
• Value 8
• Tilt 9
• Overall 8.1

Street Fighter Alpha 2 (PS1)

• Gameplay - 9
• Graphics 9
• Sound 8
• Value 8
• Tilt 9
• Overall 8.8

Dark Souls

• Gameplay 8
• Graphics 7
• Sound 7
• Value 10
• Tilt 10
• Overall 8.7