How To Review Game Builds Like a Pro?

After reviewing more than 1,000 game builds I have prepared a framework for a Producer \ Creative Director \ Lead GD to review a build.

Here are the aspects to evaluate and questions to ask yourself while playing:

1. General Game Feel 😊

• Fun: Is the game enjoyable? Why or why not?
• Engagement: Does the game make you want to play more?
• Paying Motivation: What would make you spend money in the game?
• Memorable Moments: What stands out about the game?
• Confusion: What aspects were confusing and how can they be improved?

2. Core Gameplay 🎮

• Basic Actions: Are the mechanics like shooting satisfying?
• Complexity & Depth: How deep are the game mechanics?
• Clarity: Are the game goals and rules easy to understand?
• Variability: Does the game offer various playstyles?
• Evolution: Do the game mechanics evolve?

3. Art & UI 🎨

• Visual Appeal: Does the game have a unique art style?
• Consistency: Is the visual style consistent throughout?
• UI Clarity: Is the user interface intuitive?
• Quality: How polished are the visual elements?
• Visibility: Are important elements easy to see?

4. Game Flow & Balance ⚖

• Tutorial: Is the tutorial concise and dynamic?
• Guidance: Does the game effectively guide the player?
• Balance: Is the game balanced fairly?
• Difficulty Curve: Does the game scale with the player’s skill?
• Pacing: Is the pacing well-adjusted to keep engagement?

5. Player Progression 📈

• Reward System: Are the rewards satisfying?
• Goal Setting: Are there clear short and long-term goals?
• Progression: Can players see their growth?
• Content: Does the game have enough content to keep players engaged?
• Meta: What non-gameplay elements add depth?

6. Miscellaneous 🔍

• Competitors: How does it stack up against similar games?
• Technical Stability: Are there bugs or performance issues?
• Social Interaction: Are multiplayer elements fun and secure?
• Copyrights: Does the game infringe on any copyrights?
• Age Restrictions: Are age restrictions appropriately applied?

7. Pro Tips for Feedback 💡

• Play at least 2-3 times. First, get an overall impression; second, note details; third, compare with competitors.
• Rule of 100: Gather at least 100 comments for a backlog.
• Summarize: Highlight key feedback first, then detail specific comments.
• Prioritize Feedback: Rank issues by severity.
• Document for the Future: Note even what can’t currently be changed.