How to Write a Video Game Review

Writing a video game review isn’t just about saying if a game is “good” or “bad.” It’s about helping someone decide if it’s worth their time, money, or effort. Maybe they’re curious about the story, or want to know how smooth the gameplay is, or whether the graphics are worth the hype.

I’ll take you through how to write a video game review in a way that’s clear, honest, and useful. You’ll learn what to look for, how to structure your review, how to hook your reader, and how to avoid common mistakes. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions at the end so you don’t get stuck.

How to Write a Video Game Review

Understand Who You’re Writing For

Begin with your audience in mind. Are they hardcore gamers, casual gamers, parents deciding for kids, or new to gaming, Are they interested in technical detail or story and emotion, If you write with your reader in mind, you’ll know what to explain, what to skip, and what tone to use.

Also figure out the expectations is this for a blog, magazine, YouTube video, class, What’s the word-count or time constraint. What style is acceptable (funny, serious, conversational).

Play the Game Well Enough

You can’t review what you haven’t really experienced. This means:

• Play enough to see the core gameplay loop: the parts that repeat often or define the game.
• Try several areas or levels, not just the early ones. Early levels are often tutorials or easier.
• If multiplayer or DLC or expansions matter, try them too.
• Sometimes revisit parts if you notice issues: maybe the tutorial misled you, maybe a late game mechanic matters a lot.

Take Good Notes While Playing

Notes are your memory support. Without them many reviews fall back on vague impressions. Good notes include:

• What excited you, what bored you.
• Details: the way controls feel, glitches, frame rate drops, load times.
• Story spoilers Avoid them but note if there is a twist or reveal so you can warn the reader.
• Art style, music, sound effects, how they change (if they get better or worse) over time.
• Comparisons: games you remember that are similar. This helps give context.

Also, capture screenshots or short video clips if possible you may want to use them or refer to them.

Research Context and Background

This is where your review can go beyond many competitor posts. Context gives depth.

• What engine, platform, or hardware is needed For example, frame rate or graphics might suffer on weaker hardware important if many readers use lower-spec machines.
• The game’s development story (if known), or how big its budget is. Is it indie, AAA, early access, That often comes with trade-offs.

This helps the reader understand what constraints the developers might have, and whether criticisms are fair.

Be Honest, But Fair

Readers trust honest reviews more than praise-only ones. If something sucks, say it, but explain why and whether it matters. If something is missing for example, an option for colorblind players say so, even if it doesn’t ruin the game for you.

Also acknowledge subjectivity: “I didn’t like it because, but many players might enjoy ” That nuance is often what separates a good review from a generic one.

Use Simple, Engaging Language

To make readers stick around:

• Use active voice (“the game challenges you” rather than “you are challenged by the game”).
• Use contractions (“don’t,” “can’t,” “isn’t”).
• Avoid jargon unless you explain it. (“Frame rate” is okay, but if you say “V-sync” or “ray tracing,” explain briefly).
• Add small touches of personality: one anecdote (“I nearly rage-quit at the castle boss because”) or humor when it fits. These make your review feel real and human.

Visuals and Multimedia

If your platform allows, use:

• Screenshots or video clips to illustrate problems or good moments.
• Highlight at least one strong visual moment and one weak visual moment (if any).
• Maybe sound clips, if possible, especially to show issues (echo, bad voice acting) or how music supports mood.

Edit, Proofread, and Revise

Do not skip this. Even small mistakes distract readers. Tips:

• Take a break and revisit your review with fresh eyes.
• Read aloud; sometimes your ear will catch weird phrasing before your eye.
• Ask a friend to read it; they may point out unclear sections.

FAQs

What is a good length for a video game review?

Most good reviews are around 900-1500 words for a full review. If the game is small or mobile, maybe 600-800 suffice. If it’s a big, complex AAA game, you may need more. But always aim for substance over length.

Should I include spoilers?

Minimize spoilers. If you must mention plot twists, use spoiler warnings. Indicate where spoilers start. Many readers will appreciate being able to skip that part.

Do I need a rating or score?

No, but many readers expect one. If you use a score, explain what it means (e.g. 8/10 means “very good but with some flaws”). Also consider giving a recommendation rather than a numeric score (“worth buying if you enjoy stealth games,” etc.).

How quickly after release should I write the review?

Soon enough that people will find it useful but only after you’ve played enough. Rushing too fast often lets you miss bugs, story payoffs, or performance issues that emerge after extended play.

What if the game has promise but lots of bugs?

Be honest. You can say “this game has fantastic ideas, but right now they aren’t fully realized because of bugs/performance.” If the developer has promised patches, you can mention that, but also set expectations: promise ≠ guarantee.

Conclusion

Writing a great video game review comes down to experience, honesty, context, and clarity. Play the game enough, take good notes, think about who you’re writing for, give plenty of detail not just “good graphics” but why they are good, and don’t ignore the negatives. Add your own voice. Show the reader what you saw, felt, or stumbled over.