We factor in the amount of time it takes from start to finish. We also consider the time spent each time you play. Some games are more demanding than others, and that's not necessarily a bad thing or a good thing.
Points are given for originality when we experience the delightful and the unexpected. Does everything make sense? Is it believable? When an idea is well-thought out, it feels authentic to the person playing the game.
This refers to the quality of the aesthetics, and how well they support or define the narrative. A game doesn't need great artwork to be successful, but great art can take an enjoyable game to the next level.
This is determined by the likelihood that you will pick it back up and play it again in the future. Does the game force you to relearn the controls or does that happen instinctively? Does it have lasting appeal?
Discussion about the user experience includes discussion about the interface. Does everything work as expected? How smooth and painless is navigating between levels or worlds? Does the style of the interface complement or detract from the rest of the game? These things are important.
This is a list of games we love, organized alphabetically.