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North Depths

An unnerving experience!

This is a well made incremental management game where you dig down in search for different types of ore. Upgrade your tools, build an extensive mining complex and become an expert miner.

7/10 concept

The idea of mining for ore may not be so novel, but it remains a classic type of game and game engagement.

8/10 aesthetics and ambience

The atmosphere created with the audio and video aspects are suitable and effective.

8/10 gameplay and game mechanics

The game layout and interaction is intuitive and well designed.

7/10 enchantment

The game has the potential of holding a player's attention for many hours on end and it is therefore placed at an enchantment level of 7 which represents a game experience of hours of mild attention.

9/10 polish

Nothing felt underdeveloped, lacking or missing in the game.

This game scores 38 out of 50 which is 76%.

If enchantment is left out of the calculation this game scores 32 out of 40 or 80%.

MY SCORING FRAMEWORK

FOR GAMES / INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

10 POINTS - concept:

The game idea and themes of the game.

10 POINTS - aesthetics and ambience:

The audio and visual aspects of the game. The atmosphere and general look and feel of the elements in the game. Especially how appropriate and unique these elements are. Can you easily associate and connect the ambience to the story or theme?

10 POINTS - gameplay and game mechanics:

Game controls and methods of interaction. Game rules and the technical execution of gameplay.

10 POINTS - enchantment:

How satisfying, pleasurable, compelling or addictive the game is. Does it have replay-ability? How much time would you spend playing this game?

10 POINTS - polish:

How flawless or immaculate it is or appears to be.

The rating scale:

10 - unbelievable! Out of this world!

9 - excellent

8 - very good

7 - good

6 - OK

5 - not great, not terrible

4 - not good

3 - bad

2 - so bad

1 - disaster

0 - garbage

Enchantment specific scale:

10 - endless full attention

9 - endless mild attention

8 - many many many hours full attention

7 - many many many hours mild attention

6 - about an hour full attention

5 - about an hour mild attention

4 - half an hour full attention

3 - half an hour mild attention

2 - 15 minutes or less full attention

1 - 15 minutes or less mild attention

0 - does not grab any attention at all

example: playing dota2 requires endless hours at full attention (10 for enchantment) and the worst failed game does not grab any attention at all (0 for enchantment)

This scoring system is very strict on small games or mini games, but that does help when games are compared to each other and also to indicate the potential value a player will get out of playing and/or acquiring the game.

There is no rule that says a game must be long, even a short game should be able to get a perfect score. However, with this particular rating system there is a built in penalty for short games. The reason is so that the rating system can be a guidance to gaming customers about the potential value of the game for them as a player.