How to Critically Analyze Video Games
Over 730,000 video game applications are available for download on Google Play and the App Store. Every year, more than 10,000 video games are released on Steam and other platforms.
With so many video games on the market, it can be hard for an avid gamer to choose just one. You could try trial and error—download or buy several options—but that wastes time and money.
Critical analysis of video games helps gamers pick the best options based on their interests and preferences. That way, they don’t have to try multiple games to find the best one or spend money on something they might not enjoy.
Game analysis is very important for the industry. But how do you conduct one?
What Is Game Analysis?
Game analysis is an unbiased evaluation of a video game that gives viewers critical insight into its content.
It is useful for all types of gamers, especially beginners, as it helps them understand the player’s role, the goal, and the story of the game.
Many people play video games because they are fun. They serve as a means to escape the real world. Video games allow them to explore a virtual world where they can do things that are impossible in real life.
A thoughtful, thorough game analysis makes this virtual world more accessible and understandable for people who want to dive into video games.
What Is Critical Analysis of Any Game?
Critical analysis of a video game is an in-depth examination of all its elements. Some might think the word “critical” implies negativity, but that’s not the case.
Critical analysis is an impartial deep dive into any type of media, including video games. It goes beyond surface-level interpretations or commentary—it explains how the game plays and what elements make it worth investing in.
And this type of deep analysis isn’t just for gamers. It’s also needed by designers who want to know whether they successfully implemented the game’s goals.
If a critic understands the game as the designer intended, that will be reflected in the critical analysis. If not, designers learn which parts of the digital product need improvement.
Analysis helps developers improve story and gameplay elements in future games. They can enhance certain features to make the game even more engaging and attract a wider audience.
How to Conduct a Critical Analysis of a Video Game
It’s important to note that critical analysis of a video game is not just a review of a video game. Video game reviews focus on the quality of the game, which can be quite subjective.
Reviewers may talk about entertainment value and how enjoyable the game is to play.
In contrast, critical analysis examines individual parts of the game and impartially explains why each is good or bad. Arguments should be supported by clear evidence.
Here are the main steps for creating a video game analysis:
Define Your Goal
Why are you writing a critical analysis of a video game? Only you can answer that, and it will determine how you write the critique. Some do it because it’s their job, while others have to do it for a class project.
Professional critics do it to help their audience decide whether to buy or download the game.
Such analysis also helps video game designers understand what they got right or wrong in their game. A third-party perspective is always useful for improvement.
Knowing your goal means knowing your audience. That will help you find the right voice when writing the analysis.
Play the Game Multiple Times
No one can critique a video game without firsthand experience playing it—ideally many times, to get a full understanding of all its elements. Take notes while playing.
Be thorough and notice everything related to the game—from characters to dialogue, overall storyline, design decisions, levels, difficulty, music, and even the color palette.
Don’t start writing the analysis until you’re sure you truly understand and have mastered the game.
Write a Draft of the Game Analysis
Now that you have all the necessary information, you can start writing the video game analysis.
First, describe the basics of the game: characters, storyline, and developers.
Second, you should establish the following:
- Audience – Who is the game intended for? It may be helpful to mention the age range and interests of the target market.
- Goal – What does the player want to achieve in the game? Explain the purpose of the game and why the developers worked so hard on this project.
- Resources – List the player’s abilities in the game. These are resources over which players have control.
- Decisions – Explain what decisions players must make during the game. Be as detailed as possible.
Third, delve into the relationship between the player and the game. Explain the rules and sequence of events in the video game. It’s also important to address what advantages the player can use and what pitfalls to avoid.
Finally, describe the overall impression of the game. This assessment should be as impartial as possible and provide deep insight into the video game. Examine how video games affect critical thinking when players solve complex situations in the virtual world.
This can help draw parallels to the real world. Most often, video games reflect modern society with fantasy or sci-fi elements to be more immersive and adventurous.
Revise and Finalize the Critical Analysis
Reread your draft, edit, and polish it. The final result should be useful to gamers and designers to improve the video game industry as a whole.
You can download a template for critical analysis of video games here.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why people play video games. They want to temporarily escape real life, and video games are incredibly immersive and enjoyable. Critical analysis of video games can help improve the industry and ensure that more and better video games are created in the future to entertain as many people as possible.