Review Policy
Ever wondered how we rate the games in the way we do?
Here’s how we do it – from the exceptional releases to the not so good.
Expert, independent and honest reviews since 2003
Here at Cubed3, video game reviews are a big part of what we do!
We’re a super passionate team who love going hands-on with the latest games and uncovering retro gems from the past.
From retro video games to diving into the latest AAA+ hits, indie games, and even comfy gaming chairs, Cubed3 will help you find the best video games and gear.
What we review
We review retail copies of current games, previously released classic games and console hardware/accessories.
Platforms include Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and a selection of retro consoles.
From time to time, we also dip into music reviews and film reviews, too.
Titles reviewed are in their current state at time of review, and if possible, with any day one updates applied.
We always strive to publish reviews that are definitive, comprehensive and as fully detailed as possible. We aim to keep you well-informed on what we liked… or didn’t!
Image credit: Ivan Rudoy
Transparent, honest reviews
Cubed3 strives for transparency and authenticity when it comes to our reviews – built into our guidelines from day one!
The final score for a review may not be altered after publication. However, we welcome additional follow-up or second-opinion reviews to offer as many perspectives as possible, or if there have been significant updates post-release.
Some titles, hardware or accessories may be provided by a publisher or marketing agency for the purpose of review. These could be digital download codes or physical, boxed products.
A complimentary review copy or relationship with a publisher has zero influence on the reviewer’s opinion or the outcome of the final score. The contents of a review are never disclosed with a publisher or agency before we hit the publish button!
The reviewer
Cubed3 takes great pride in our review team – the experience and wealth of video game knowledge they bring, both past and present, are key to our review guidelines.
The team aims to provide as much detail, analysis and unbiased opinion as possible, together with any specialist knowledge of a series or genre.
Reviews are discussed with the editing team prior to publication but remain the judgement and opinion of the reviewer. Editors may propose minor amendments to the text or final score, but only in agreement with the reviewer to ensure the review meets our high rating benchmarks.
Image credit: Bartek Mazurek
The Ratings
Now onto the final scores themselves, the seal of approval (or not) for a game.
Our reviews are subjective and based on the opinion of a reviewer who has spent enough time with a product to make an informed, detailed review and a final score.
Opinions between reviewers of course do vary, but we aim to ensure that only the best titles are deserving of the highest accolades, using the full 10-point scale to distinguish between the best and worst titles.
Only a small number of games will receive the coveted 10/10 score for being at the top of their respective genres!
10/10 - Masterpiece
The truly best of the best, a title we can wholeheartedly recommend! Exceptional and as close to perfect as you can get! A title that has that special something to push the medium forward.
However, a 10 score does not mean it’s without its flaws and room to improve.
This score is only rarely issued – only 1% of reviews have received a masterpiece score to date!
Examples include:
9/10 - Exceptional
Titles that are truly excellent. An experience that we would highly recommend trying, one that very much leaves a lasting impression. The title pushes the boundaries and is amongst the best in class.
Much like the 10/10 score, a 9 is one issued sparingly!
Around 12% of reviews have received an exceptional rating.
Examples include:
8/10 - Great
A great title that would have a strong place in the collection. A title that does things very well – a well-rounded, noteworthy experience that’s certainly worth playing and worth the hard-earned cash.
An 8/10 title is great in many aspects, coming together in a comprehensive package.
Examples include:
7/10 – Very Good
A very good title that has plenty of merit, positive aspects and strong elements to talk about! Ticks many of the boxes and is highly worth playing – could it be better? Of course! But a 7/10 experience in our book is well worth looking into for a fun ride.
Examples include:
6/10 - Good
A title that is certainly not without its flaws or room for improvement, but there is a lot of good to be said here. There would be issues to accommodate when playing, but there is some promise in what the developer was trying to do.
Examples include:
5/10 - Average
A title that’s middle-of-the-road, and the score reflects this. A game that’s neither here, nor there. Passable, but distinctively average. There could well be some good ideas in places, but it’s not an experience that’s in any way memorable.
Examples include:
4/10 - Subpar
A 4/10 is a title that just did not hit the mark. It’s full of issues, an incomplete experience, and something we would not recommend trying. It could well pass the time but is certainly not an experience you’ll remember any time soon.
Examples include:
3/10 - Bad
Poorly executed ideas and bad concepts are reserved for this score. Consistently difficult to play and lacking much to enjoy or remember once the credits roll. If players could even get that far, that is!
Examples include:
2/10 - Very Bad
Challenging – but not in a good way. This score is reserved for some of the most infuriating, often broken or incomplete experiences. Not enjoyable, nor something that we would recommend trying!
Examples include:
1/10 - Awful
A title perhaps not even worthy of the bargain bin. A project that is riddled with issues and problems that severely impact the experience. Often, these are titles that have been released too soon – barely cooked and not ready for public consumption
Examples include:
Submit a game
Have a game, accessory or project for us to review?
While we are unable to respond to all requests, we are always open to hearing from you!