Scaff
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I've been reviewing titles on my youtube channel for a while now (link in my signature), however following a discussion over in the Project Cars 3 sub-forum I've put a more structured approach in place, and thought I would gather them all in a central location.
The following video explains why I've taken this route and how the scores/ranking is made up, however, I've also covered these in text for those who don't want to listen to me.
Review Policy
A Note on Scores
These are my own view based on my own experience with the titles in question and should be taken as just that, you may well disagree in some or even all of the areas and that's perfectly understandable, these scores are also representative of how a title stands at the point in time it's being reviewed.
A Note on a 'Total' Ranking
I don’t intend to provide a total score or ranking as the actual needs of someone looking to pick up a title will vary, for example, if a large amount of accuracy to a particular Motorsport discipline simply isn't high for you, the score it that area is largely irrelevant. What I would suggest is that you take the areas that are important to you, and use those to get your own final score for a title.
Scoring Areas
Driving Simulation
Dominated by the physics side of how vehicle dynamics and tyre models are recreated. It would also include the implementation of Force Feedback to communicate what is happening within the physics engine and Tyre model, as well as how well track and surface changes are dealt with.
Racing Simulation
Rating the quality and awareness of the AI, as well as how balanced it is across the various types of vehicles being raced. How varied the packs' ability is and how scalable it is for users.
Motorsport Simulation
This one is a made up of how well real-world motorsport disciplines are recreated, it can be very focused (such as the F1 series, WRC series or ACC) or more of a sandpit (such as PC). Are the correct vehicles, tracks/stages and regulations being used.
Accessibility
How varying needs are catered for in terms of the audience, are a good number of well implemented driver aids included is the title game-pad friendly, does the difficult scale well and (if applicable) are the structures and rules of the racing explained well.
Content
Simply how much 'stuff' does it have in it, the range of tracks and vehicles. Is it a singular focus or does it take the sandpit approach? How widely can the content be used, i.e. can you take any car up Pikes Peak (as in SLRE) or is it locked to only some of the content (as in Dirt Rally)
Value
What is the initial price, does it come with a season pass from day one, how much of the future DLC is chargeable and is it recharging content that has been recycled from previous titles.
These six areas will then be plotted on a radar graph to provide a visual representation, along with a brief explanation of the score for each are and my logic behind it.
Review Stages
Initial Look
Done a day or two after launch, this will cover the initial impressions of a title and will not look to rank any of the above, as its too early and is used for getting an initial feel and view of a title. I try and do this for all of the main or interesting titles I can manage, but as I have to fund these myself, I can't cover everything
Review
Normally a week to ten days after launch to give time for the scale and scope of the title to be experienced (I do after all have a day job and family), this will use the ranking scale to provide a more balanced view of the title. Depending on the title, this may be the first review if I wasn't able to pick the title up at launch.
DLC/Update Reviews
I will provide short reviews on Updates and DLC for as many titles as I can, for minor updates I will put these in a weekly roundup on the channel rather than dedicate a full video to minor changes.
Post DLC Review
A re-review of a title once the DLC (if applicable) and all updates are in, as in this day and age titles can change quite considerably over the first six months to a year.
The second post in the thread will be an Index, so that you can find related videos throughout the review stages easily, I will also be adding my old videos and adding in scores and explanations over time.
I hope you all find this interesting, but at the very least it helps provide me with a location to keep them all organised.
The following video explains why I've taken this route and how the scores/ranking is made up, however, I've also covered these in text for those who don't want to listen to me.
Review Policy
A Note on Scores
These are my own view based on my own experience with the titles in question and should be taken as just that, you may well disagree in some or even all of the areas and that's perfectly understandable, these scores are also representative of how a title stands at the point in time it's being reviewed.
A Note on a 'Total' Ranking
I don’t intend to provide a total score or ranking as the actual needs of someone looking to pick up a title will vary, for example, if a large amount of accuracy to a particular Motorsport discipline simply isn't high for you, the score it that area is largely irrelevant. What I would suggest is that you take the areas that are important to you, and use those to get your own final score for a title.
Scoring Areas
Driving Simulation
Dominated by the physics side of how vehicle dynamics and tyre models are recreated. It would also include the implementation of Force Feedback to communicate what is happening within the physics engine and Tyre model, as well as how well track and surface changes are dealt with.
Racing Simulation
Rating the quality and awareness of the AI, as well as how balanced it is across the various types of vehicles being raced. How varied the packs' ability is and how scalable it is for users.
Motorsport Simulation
This one is a made up of how well real-world motorsport disciplines are recreated, it can be very focused (such as the F1 series, WRC series or ACC) or more of a sandpit (such as PC). Are the correct vehicles, tracks/stages and regulations being used.
Accessibility
How varying needs are catered for in terms of the audience, are a good number of well implemented driver aids included is the title game-pad friendly, does the difficult scale well and (if applicable) are the structures and rules of the racing explained well.
Content
Simply how much 'stuff' does it have in it, the range of tracks and vehicles. Is it a singular focus or does it take the sandpit approach? How widely can the content be used, i.e. can you take any car up Pikes Peak (as in SLRE) or is it locked to only some of the content (as in Dirt Rally)
Value
What is the initial price, does it come with a season pass from day one, how much of the future DLC is chargeable and is it recharging content that has been recycled from previous titles.
These six areas will then be plotted on a radar graph to provide a visual representation, along with a brief explanation of the score for each are and my logic behind it.
Review Stages
Initial Look
Done a day or two after launch, this will cover the initial impressions of a title and will not look to rank any of the above, as its too early and is used for getting an initial feel and view of a title. I try and do this for all of the main or interesting titles I can manage, but as I have to fund these myself, I can't cover everything
Review
Normally a week to ten days after launch to give time for the scale and scope of the title to be experienced (I do after all have a day job and family), this will use the ranking scale to provide a more balanced view of the title. Depending on the title, this may be the first review if I wasn't able to pick the title up at launch.
DLC/Update Reviews
I will provide short reviews on Updates and DLC for as many titles as I can, for minor updates I will put these in a weekly roundup on the channel rather than dedicate a full video to minor changes.
Post DLC Review
A re-review of a title once the DLC (if applicable) and all updates are in, as in this day and age titles can change quite considerably over the first six months to a year.
The second post in the thread will be an Index, so that you can find related videos throughout the review stages easily, I will also be adding my old videos and adding in scores and explanations over time.
I hope you all find this interesting, but at the very least it helps provide me with a location to keep them all organised.
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