How we actually test a game before reviewing it

People sometimes ask how long we play before writing. The honest answer is at least a week, and longer if the game has real progression to explore.

We keep a shared notes doc for each title. First impressions on day one, then control notes, pacing notes, and any moment where we got bored or frustrated. The frustration lines usually end up being the most useful part of the review.

We test on more than one phone, including an older mid-range handset. A game that only feels good on a flagship isn't really a good mobile game — it's a tech demo.

Only after all that do we settle on a score, and we argue about it. If two of us disagree, we replay the sticking point until we understand why.