How I Will Rate Video Games: Introducing the Stadio-Score System
Introduction
- The importance of structured and fair video game reviews.
- Introducing the 5×5 Stadio-Score System (5 main categories, each with 5 subcategories).
- Every main category gets a score from 1 to 5, and the final game rating is the average of the five category scores.
1. Campaign – The Heart of the Single-Player Experience
A strong campaign can make a game unforgettable.
Subcategories for Rating the Campaign:
🎮 Duration (1-5) – Is the campaign too short, too long, or well-paced?
🎮 Quest Design (1-5) – Are missions engaging, varied, and meaningful?
🎮 Uniqueness (1-5) – Does the story offer fresh ideas or feel generic?
🎮 Bugs (1-5) – Is the game polished or filled with glitches and crashes?
🎮 Pacing (1-5) – Does the story flow smoothly without filler or rushed moments?
📊 Example Stadio-Score for Campaign: (4+5+4+3+3) / 5 = 3.8
2. Graphics – Visual Fidelity & Performance for Gamers
Graphics should enhance immersion without compromising performance.
Subcategories for Rating Graphics:
🖥️ Visual Fidelity (1-5) – Texture detail, lighting quality, ray tracing, etc.
🖥️ Art Style (1-5) – Unique design direction, color schemes, creative world-building.
🖥️ Performance (1-5) – Frame rate stability, resolution scaling, optimization.
🖥️ Animation Quality (1-5) – Character & environmental movement, realism, fluidity.
🖥️ Effects & Physics (1-5) – Particle effects, destructible environments, interactivity.
📊 Example Stadio-Score for Graphics: (5+4+4+5+4) / 5 = 4.4
3. Sound Design – The Power of Immersive Audio
Great sound enhances atmosphere, storytelling, and gameplay depth.
Subcategories for Rating Sound Design:
🔊 Music Score (1-5) – The impact, memorability, and emotional depth of the soundtrack.
🔊 Sound Effects (1-5) – Weapon sounds, environment, interactions, and immersion.
🔊 Voice Acting & Lip-Syncing (1-5) – Performance quality and realistic lip movements.
🔊 Music Library (1-5) – Variety, number of tracks, and uniqueness of music.
🔊 Balance & Mix (1-5) – Clear separation of dialogue, music, and effects.
📊 Example Stadio-Score for Sound Design: (5+4+5+4+4) / 5 = 4.4
4. Online – Multiplayer & Connectivity
Online gaming should be stable, engaging, and fair.
Subcategories for Rating Online Play:
🌐 Server Stability (1-5) – Connection reliability, ping, minimal lag.
🌐 Matchmaking & Balance (1-5) – Fair competition, skill-based matching.
🌐 Game Modes & Variety (1-5) – More than just deathmatch—co-op, battle royale, etc.
🌐 Anti-Cheat & Security (1-5) – Measures to prevent hacking & cheating.
🌐 Community & Social Features (1-5) – Voice chat, clans, in-game events.
📊 Example Stadio-Score for Online: (4+4+5+3+4) / 5 = 4.0
5. DLC, Future Content & Replayability
A game’s value is extended by updates and replay incentives.
Subcategories for Rating DLC & Replayability:
🔄 DLC Quality (1-5) – Are expansions meaningful or just filler?
🔄 Free vs. Paid Content (1-5) – Is new content fair or overly monetized?
🔄 Replay Value (1-5) – New game+, multiple endings, sandbox mechanics.
🔄 Post-Launch Support (1-5) – Patches, developer communication, and bug fixes.
🔄 Bug Fixes/Hotfixes/Updates (1-5) – How quickly does the dev team address game-breaking issues?
📊 Example Stadio-Score for DLC & Replayability: (5+3+4+4+4) / 5 = 4.0
Final Stadio-Score for This Game:
📊 (3.8 + 4.4 + 4.4 + 4.0 + 4.0) / 5 = 4.1
Final Thoughts: A Balanced & Transparent Rating System
This Stadio-Score System ensures that games are rated fairly, helping players make informed choices based on what matters most to them.
