Big Download Ratings Guide - Big Download Blog

These are the ratings Big Download assigns to games in a full review, as opposed to first impressions or previews. The rating scale goes from Must Own to Avoid, with Must Own being the best possible rating and Avoid being the worst. Ratings will never have a numeric score associated with them.

These are the games that you should absolutely buy right now. They could be a fantastic deal thanks to a low price for high quality of content, or even just a game that is thoroughly impressive in just about every aspect. Either way, we think that these are the games you must own.

Worth the price
High quality
Wide appeal

Ever feel like you should get a game after it has been out a while? So do we, sometimes. Games here can be great but too expensive, lacking in content, or buggy and in desperate need of a patch. They are still good games; we just think you should hold off for a little bit before laying down some money for them.

Too expensive
Lacking in content
Buggy
Requires a very expensive hardware to play decently

Sometimes a game just isn't particularly notable. It might have decent but not spectacular graphics, functional gameplay but nothing too innovative, or just a general feel of mediocrity. These games are not bad, but not fantastic either. They sit right in the middle, and are only deserve your attention if you have nothing else to play.

Average in all respects

Not everybody likes games the same way others do. Sure, you may think the latest World War II hybrid real-time strategy/first-person shooter on the market is amazing, but chances are the rest of us might not like it all that much. These games are in a niche, and while they might be done well, only a very specific audience may like it. Others might find poor graphics, obtuse gameplay, or complex interfaces off-putting.

Medium to high quality
May have exceptionally high learning curve
Geared for niche audience

Ever play a game that is absolutely repulsive? Us too. If we think you should avoid a game, we will tell you, no ifs, ands, or buts. These games are downright terrible thanks to bad gameplay, poor graphics or art design, or a large quantity of bugs. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever, and you should steer clear of them.