When it comes to rating systems, understanding what each rung of the ladder means is important to understand how we make our decisions as critics. Below, you’ll find But Why Tho?’s review score guide. We use both a x/10 and x/5 scoring metrics for different media that we cover. Continue below for a deeper understanding.

X/10 Review Score

We rate video games, film, and television on a scale of x/10 to accommodate the nuances of discussing such large pieces of media. For film/television, we consider narrative, cinematography, animation, if applicable, and performances. We consider mechanics, tutorialization, art style, technical issues, and narrative for video games. The review score guide is adhered to by our writers and discussed with our editors during the editing process.

10 – PERFECTION

This is our highest recommendation. These are the titles that redefine or can become genre-defining. The best way to think about this, is that our critic thought of their favorite in the genre, and this surpassed it.

9 – AMAZING

This is used for media that our critics would add to everyone’s must-watch or must-play lists. This means that the media has genuinely impressed our critic and brought forward new genre, narrative, or gameplay ideas. This is a true x of the year material.

8 – GREAT

Media we give an 8/10 all have something outstanding to remember them by. It can be niche or gimmick executed extremely well, with only small bumps in the road.

7 – GOOD

A 7/10 piece of media is something that you’re happy you spent time on but could definitely be better. These titles may lack ambition, be repetitive, lose steam, or take too long to get ramped up. A 7/10 is good, but it has room for improvement.

6 – OK

A 6/10 in games, film or television means that they have potential. These titles “could be good if.” Here, it’s okay because you can see what could have been, but it’s not going to go above a 6 because of the negative critiques invovled.

5 – MEH

Neither here nor there. Just forgettable. It’s not something to hate but not something to love either. Usually, a 5/10 title is one that entertains as much as it doesn’t.

4 – BAD

One or two good ideas, but you’re ultimately in the “I want my time back” territory.

3 – AWFUL

There is nothing to save here – but maybe something you wanted to be saved.

2 – OH NO

Media that lands a 2/10 are an absolute mess and not worth your time, usually missing any saving graces.

1 – DON’T EVEN TRY

A title of this caliber puts you into the “I wish this had never come in my life, and I would like to resign from game reviewing now, please.”

X/5 Review Score

We rate comics on an x/5 scale, given the length of individual issues and the media.

5 – PERFECTION

Writing, colors, lettering, layout, everything about this issue is perfect. Give to comics that there is absolutely nothing you will change. Think of the comic you love the most and compare the one you’re reading to that.

4 – GREAT

This is for titles that damn good, but have something off about them – even if it’s just that they don’t amaze you.

3 – Just Fine

Neither here nor there. Just forgettable. Not something to hate but not something to love either.

2 – Bad

There is nothing to save here – but maybe something you wanted to be saved. The critic thinks the writing and art are excellent, but the colors and lettering are off or along those lines. Some things work but the ones that don’t outweigh the good.

1 – OH NO

Don’t buy this and there is nothing you can save.

You can find our reviews listed on Rotten Tomatoes, Open Critic, Metacritic, and CriticDB.