General Use Applications
Functionality: Does it work?
The functionality of an application is pretty simple. First off, I ask myself a question: does this app work? If yes, then I move on to how well the app works. If there are bugs and loops, then a low score is awarded. If I get what I'm looking for after a few taps on the screen, then the app is in good shape.
User-Friendliness: Ease of Use
Every wants an app that is user friendly, end of story. So I rate how easy it is to use. As long as the buttons and extra functions aren't hidden deep in some menu, the app should do pretty well. If all it contains are links to a website, the app can expect something lower.
Entertainment: How Fun is it?
Now I realize that not all apps are meant to be entertaining, so don't start yelling at me yet. Most of the time, applications are meant to add to your entertainment. And even an app that isn't meant to be "fun" necessarily should at least try not to be the opposite of fun. If a dictionary app is just a search bar with a white background and black words, it's gonna suck compared to the one that has pop-out menus and colorful text boxes with extra options.
Usefulness: The Point
Generally, I won't review any apps that are completely pointless, but I may surprise you. I rate the usefulness of applications based on two aspects: the purpose and how well it achieves said purpose. If the app has a good and useful purpose and it achieves that quite well, it will score well. If I don't really know what it is supposed to do, then it won't do so well.
Span of Use: Replay Value
Any app won't be worth buying if you are only going to use it once. The Span of Use is graded on how long it will achieve its purpose for and how well it keeps you interested. This one is pretty self explanatory. The longer someone will use the app, the higher the score.
Overall: The Summary
This is the section where I summarize what was good and what was bad. Its pretty simple, and just may be all you need to read. Also, this is where I add all of the points for an overall score. If one of the sections is excluded (for various reasons), then I will round the total to be out of fifty.
Game Applications
Yes, this is basically copied from my video game grading scale, but they are essentially the same thing. The only thing is that is different is the story aspect. Most games for mobile devices really lack stories. Instead of stories, I have put in the entertainment value.
Gameplay: Overall Experience as a Video Game
I rate the gameplay based on the overall experience. Basically, this is a fun meter. A game that I am drawn into every single second I am playing will score high. A game with high points scattered around a wasteland of boredom will score lower. A zero would pretty much have to be the worst game ever, much like Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing.
Playability: Ease of Play
The playability is essentially how easy the game is to play. Now, this grading does go beyond the essentials however, and I take into consideration how easy it would be play for both a newbie and game veteran, so I take a closer at how the game actually operates instead of how easily I play it. The easier it is to play doesn't always grant a high score however. The game must also be challenging, balanced, and not confusing.
Entertainment: How Fun is it?
A game that isn't fun is hardly a game. In fact, my thesaurus defines game as entertainment, and one synonym of it is fun, so don't argue my first sentence. Anyway, one thing that is factored into the entertainment besides the actual entertainment is the replay value. Is the game fun? Does the game stay fun? If yes for both, then a relatively higher score is rewarded.
Graphics: How it Looks
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that good graphics are everything, because they aren't. I firmly believe that the graphics must fit the game however. Minecraft wouldn't be nearly as interesting if it were in high definition with realistic effects. But if the Battlefield games were stuck as 8-Bit sidescrollers, I would be extremely disappointed. The better the effects, graphics engine, and art style fit the game, the higher the score will be.
Sound: BOOM!
In my humble opinion, this is one of the most overlooked aspects of video games. So much time and effort is put into crafting the perfect sound for each game, yet honor is rarely given. When I rate the sound, I rate it based on how much time and effort it seemed was put into making sounds and effects. If I hear the same dialogue time and time again, the score goes down. Another plus is how crisp and defined the sounds are. Also judged is how well voiceovers are done. If the character moves their mouth off key with the voice, like in the old Japanese movies, then bye-bye good score.
Overall: The Summary
This is the section where I summarize what was good and what was bad. Its pretty simple, and just may be all you need to read. Also, this is where I add all of the points for an overall score. If one of the sections is excluded (for various reasons), then I will round the total to be out of fifty.
0-10/50 = Complete crap
11-20/50 = Pretty much worthless with few high points
21-30/50 = Slightly flawed but good in concept
31-40/50 = Average with more pros than cons
41-45/50 = Good with a few general problems, but nothing to get upset about
46-50/50 = Very good with little to no problems at all
