Reviews You Can Trust

We Use The Full Scale

Most gaming outlets operate on a 7-10 scale where anything below 7 is considered a disaster. This compression makes scores meaningless. A 7.5 and an 8.5 become indistinguishable noise.

At Verdict, 5 means average—a game that does what it sets out to do without excelling. 7 is genuinely good, worth your time and money for most players. 9+ is reserved for masterpieces that define or transcend their genre.

A 6 from us isn't a condemnation—it's a recommendation for genre fans who know what they're getting into.

Transparent Breakdown

Every review includes a detailed score breakdown across five categories:

• Gameplay: How it feels to play. Controls, mechanics, game feel.
• Story: Narrative quality, characters, writing, world-building.
• Graphics: Visual presentation, art direction, technical performance.
• Audio: Music, sound design, voice acting.
• Value: Content quantity, replay value, price-to-quality ratio.

This lets you weight what matters to you. If you don't care about story in a fighting game, you can see the gameplay score independently.

Editorial Independence

We purchase our own review copies whenever financially possible. When we do accept review codes, there are no strings attached—no embargo pressure for positive coverage, no threats of being cut off for honest criticism.

Our advertising, when we have it, operates with a strict firewall from editorial. A company advertising with us will receive the same honest review as anyone else.

We disclose any potential conflicts of interest at the top of every review.

Context Over Numbers

A score is a summary, not a substitute for reading. Every review includes "Who Is This For?" and "Who Should Skip It?" sections because a 7/10 for one person might be a 9/10 for another.

We explain why we feel the way we do, not just what we feel. You might disagree with our conclusions, but you'll understand how we reached them.