About PlayTested
PlayTested is a no-nonsense gaming review platform and tech blog. Objective, comprehensive reviews that cut through the noise.
PlayTested started as a personal passion project, born from my love of sharing honest game reviews. What started as a simple hobby soon grew into a real, paying role where I reviewed games almost daily, blending critique with insight into the industry. When that chapter eventually ended, I was determined not to let years of work fade away. In the spirit of preserving everything I’d created — and with a drive to learn more about web design and AI — PlayTested evolved into the site you see today.
How We Review
Story First
Main Story experience is our priority. Optional content is explored when it feels natural and enhances the game, not because a checklist or an achievement says so. We avoid grind for grind’s sake, but embrace side content that genuinely adds to the journey.
Patience Gamer... mostly
We sometimes review after patches, DLC context, and player meta settle — No rush reviews; no FOMO scoring. but if something truly excites us, we’ll jump in early.
What We Judge
- Gameplay systems and level design
- Narrative, characters, and worldbuilding
- Art direction, graphics, and audio
- Performance Notes (real-world use, not lab benchmarks)
- Time-to-fun and overall value
The fact that we're playing it in the first place means the idea already hooked us; We will still judge it objectively and say when it doesn’t land.
Reviews are written with honesty, a player-first mindset, and the aim to help you decide if it’s worth your time.
Scoring Guide
A Masterclass. Recommended to almost everyone. A must buy for those who like the genre.
Great. Strong buy for fans, easy recommend with minor caveats.
Good. Fun but flawed or niche. Wait for sale or subscription service if unsure.
Mixed. Specific audiences only. Consider heavy discounts or getting it as a freebie.
Skip unless you love the IP or a very specific mechanic. or the specific niche hits the right spot.
Scores appear as a badge on post thumbnails and at the top of review articles.
AI Features
AI Recommend
Pick up to five games you love and get smart suggestions with reasons you’ll likely vibe with them. We fetch covers and basics via RAWG, then run an explanation step so you see why each pick fits.
Try AI RecommendAI Compare
Put two or more games side by side and get a clean breakdown of gameplay, story, and overall vibe to help you choose.
Try AI CompareDisclosures & Ethics
- Review copies may be provided by publishers or purchased
- No paid positive reviews — opinions are independent
- Affiliate links, if present, will be clearly marked
- AI is used for assistive tasks like grammar checking and outline drafting; final reviews are human‑edited.
Contact
For review codes, corrections, or collaboration, send a note to lyndonr025@gmail.com. I'm still working on getting an official email soon.
Based in Southeast Asia. Reviews are time‑zoned to UTC+08:00.