How we actually test the games we review

People sometimes ask how long we play before we score something. The honest answer is: it depends, but always longer than you'd expect.

For a racer, we'll run every track multiple times and mess with the control settings until we understand the feel. For an RPG, someone plays through at least the first act, usually more. We don't score a game we haven't lived with.

We test on a mix of phones, including a couple of older ones, because performance matters. A game that only runs well on flagship hardware isn't much use to most readers.

We also take notes while we play, little moments of frustration or delight, because those details are what make a review useful. Scores alone tell you almost nothing.

If a game needs more time, it waits. We'd rather publish late than publish a half-formed opinion.