How Do I Review Games At Strategy and Wargaming?

Why Do I Review Games?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been pondering over my approach to game reviews. With Firaxis gaining significant popularity in the last year, and many people expressing their decisions to purchase (or avoid) games based on my opinions, I’ve begun to recognize a sense of responsibility that I hadn’t felt before with this level of exposure. To ensure you make informed choices, I thought it would be beneficial to share the thought process behind my game reviewing methods.

It’s significantly more crucial to note that only a small number of websites focus on the type of games I enjoy, as it could be possible, or unlikely, that our gaming preferences align—either way, it’s worth considering.

I enjoy critiquing video games primarily because it brings me joy. I’ve been analyzing games, even before starting this pastime, simply due to my liking of understanding why I prefer certain things. This practice extends to books, films, and music as well. The process of sorting out my thoughts on something that is largely subjective for each individual can be fascinating. Over time, I’ve cultivated a distinct approach to game analysis that seems to resonate with some of you. Consequently, I will discuss the key aspects I consider when assessing a promising new game.

Only Review Fun Games

On this site, I follow a policy: I only write reviews for games that I genuinely find enjoyable and worthy of highlighting. As a result, you’ll notice fewer reviews here compared to some other sites. The primary reason is that I believe games are meant to be entertaining, so if I’m not enjoying it, I won’t play it. This doesn’t mean I shy away from offering constructive criticism; for instance, Age of Darkness was quite enjoyable, yet it falls squarely in the average category with numerous issues. But it had a unique charm. Life is too short to spend time playing games just to write an article. Another reason is my commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere on this site, and I find no joy in criticizing a game harshly. I hope other reviewers will step up to fill that role, as I don’t foresee myself doing it. If you don’t see major strategy games featured here often, it might be because I didn’t enjoy them. Civilization VII and Company of Heroes 3 are two notable exceptions where I could have garnered a significant number of views, but my priority is the fun I derive from playing these games.

Dissecting Themes and Mechanics

Reflecting deeply on the qualities that elevate a game above others, taking into account aspects such as controls, graphics, interfaces, multiplayer functionality, I came to understand that at their core, games are essentially a blend of two fundamental elements: their underlying themes and the mechanics that breathe life into these themes.

I’ve often wondered about the relationship between mechanics and themes in games; does the gameplay align with the theme it aims to depict? For instance, consider Company of Heroes, which presents a Hollywood-style portrayal of World War II tactical combat. What made this type of combat distinctive? Well, the concept of the 4Fs (Find, Fix, Flank, and Finish) was crucial, making the gameplay revolve around scouting, suppressing enemies, and gaining an advantageous position to win. Company of Heroes effectively translates these real-life tactics into functional game mechanics, offering features like a dynamic cover system, the fog of war, suppression bonuses, flanking bonuses, and more. When all these elements are combined, they create a harmonious whole that accurately represents the theme.

My second question is: “Is it possible for a game’s theme or mechanics to function independently, and if so, how?” Let me illustrate this idea using the game Company of Heroes as an example, but instead of World War 2, imagine it’s set in Ancient Roman warfare. Although the mechanics remain strong, they no longer align with the theme, resulting in a mismatch or dissonance between the two elements. This concept can be applied to any game. When games are well-designed, you can see how all the components harmonize; conversely, when games are poorly designed, the parts seem disconnected.

For instance, consider Total War. Since Rome II was released, every Total War title has essentially been the same. However, the most successful entries have been those that blend their mechanics with the theme they aim to represent: Three Kingdoms and Warhammer being prime examples from the series at present. Would the Total War engine work for a World War 1 or World War 2 setting? It’s unlikely without significant modifications.

A prime example of a strong theme let down by subpar gameplay is Dawn of War 3. This game maintains the captivating characters, engaging storylines, and rich lore from the Warhammer 40,000 universe. However, its mechanics fell short in effectively conveying the setting, despite having two highly successful (and distinct) real-time strategy games leading up to it.

In wrapping up this phase, it’s crucial that theme and mechanics complement each other effectively to create a harmonious gaming experience. While it may seem straightforward, achieving this balance is intricate and not many game creators manage it flawlessly. There isn’t a set recipe for success in this regard, and I won’t be the one to try explaining it.

Graphics, Sound, and User Interface

As a gamer, if the core elements of the game – its themes and mechanics – are delivering an enjoyable gaming experience for me, then I often find myself examining other aspects that contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal. These include the graphics, user interface, background music, and sound effects, as well as the general flow of my gameplay.

Though there may be some level of objectivity when considering how themes and mechanics work together, these aspects are primarily subjective – what looks good, sounds good, or feels good to one player might not resonate the same way with another.

From one title to another, visual aesthetics and artistic approaches significantly differ, although there seems to be an implicit understanding among gamers about what constitutes good graphics. However, this appreciation is highly subjective, as some players are drawn to pixelated graphics, while others prefer cel-shaded games (like Jet Set Radio). Many of us appreciate realistic-looking games. If you know me, you’d know I’m a fan of isometric games featuring pre-rendered assets, such as Age of Empires, Commandos, Stronghold, Hades, and Sim City 4. The diversity in art styles mirrors the variety in tastes. To determine if you’ll enjoy the graphics, examine the screenshots or observe the gameplay itself. When it comes to sounds and music, they share similarities, but I stand out as an exception since I usually mute the music in every game.

In 2025, it’s inexcusable for a User Interface (UI) to be subpar, as a poorly designed UI can significantly detract from an otherwise fantastic game. Issues like confusing or hard-to-find information, overwhelming amounts of data, nested menus, excessive clicking for simple tasks, identical options with no discernible differences, lack of tooltips, and just plain ugliness are some of the most egregious UI mistakes. While there are undeniably great games with terrible UIs (like Hearts of Iron III), it’s easy to imagine how much more enjoyable they could be if they were easier to navigate.

To construct the entire presentation, focus on enhancing the player’s experience by making it more enjoyable, intuitive, and engaging. Seek inspiration from captivating games such as Dead Space, Hearthstone, and Mirror’s Edge for their exceptional presentations, user interfaces, and gameplay experiences.

Innovation and Novelties

One captivating aspect of video games lies in their capacity for groundbreaking creativity. Innovation and fresh concepts are traits I greatly appreciate, sparking my curiosity as I look forward to delving into unexplored systems and ideas. If a game promises a unique experience in any way, it’s sure to pique my interest. A notable example that stands out is the upcoming title Burden of Command, which seems to be the first game endeavoring to create a role-playing experience set during World War II, with a focus on the thought-provoking theme of leadership.

In a nutshell, innovative ideas are great in theory, but they should align with the game’s overall vision, rather than pushing for change just for the sake of it. It’s not essential for every game to revolutionize the industry; refining and enhancing existing features can sometimes be equally effective. However, I do appreciate games that dare to challenge the status quo.

Tutorials

A well-crafted tutorial can greatly empower a player by guiding them effectively without being too intrusive. It’s all about imparting the vital fundamentals while hinting at the game’s rich hidden mechanisms. Encourage exploration and self-discovery instead of overwhelming the player with endless instructions or complex manuals. Games like Dark Souls, Pokemon, and Half-Life 2 are great examples of tutorials done right – they teach you what you need to know while allowing you to uncover the depths of their systems on your own terms. I’m not saying that manuals aren’t valuable, but spending hours poring over hundreds of pages filled with modifiers can be daunting and overwhelming for many players.

Keep It Simple, Studip

Following my exploration of the mentioned subjects, I typically check my reviews to ensure they are straightforward for both genre enthusiasts and those unfamiliar with strategy games. A common flaw I notice on similar sites is authors attempting to appear overly intellectual without the necessary expertise and skill. While I won’t call out specific individuals, they do exist. My aim is for my reviews to be quick-to-read, accurate, engaging, and useful in decision-making, which is their sole purpose.

Personal Tastes

As a gamer, I’ve come to realize that my gaming preferences are quite unique, much like a library of diverse books for an avid reader. When perusing reviews, it’s essential to consider whether the reviewer’s tastes align with mine. Questions like, “Is this person’s experience similar to what I seek? Is their perspective biased in some way?” can help me make informed decisions about which games to explore further.

While my writing here at Firaxis primarily focuses on strategy games, I have a wide-ranging appetite for various titles across multiple genres. One day you might find me battling it out in Marvel Rivals, the next engaged in a Counter-Strike match, and then immersed in Stronghold’s medieval world. The following days could see me engaging in intense sessions of Hell Let Loose, Brothers in Arms, or even grappling with the challenges of Dark Souls. My gaming library is as eclectic as any bookworm’s reading list!

As a gamer, I’m all about strategy – turn-based, real-time, or the classic wargames. I also dabble in business simulations, but history is where my heart lies, particularly games set in Medieval and World War II eras. Genres like JRPGs, sports games, and survival titles just don’t do it for me. I’m always on the lookout for new games with fresh concepts to try out. If you want to know more about my favorites, feel free to check out my lists! That’s about it.

The Thing That Matters The Most: Have Fun!

It’s possible you’ve observed throughout this piece I’ve discussed numerous types of games, not just strategy ones, and the reason for this diversity is my passion for playing a variety of games, although my gaming persona may only appear to focus on strategy titles. To put it simply, I evaluate games that I find engaging in some manner, which can take various shapes: from offering a challenge, presenting an interesting narrative, exploring unique themes, providing replay value, showcasing effective systems and mechanics, or being fresh and innovative. It’s essential to keep in mind that the main purpose of video games is enjoyment. Always bear this in mind, as it’s what unites us all in the gaming world.

2025-03-22 21:44