Game Review Template

~~DISCUSSION~~

Note: This template is copyrighted to K.Becker and may not be used without her written permission.

Game:
Publisher:
Developer:
Release:
Genre:
Perspective:
Audience:
Subject:
Grade(s):
Platform:
Cost:

Description

Describe the game here.

Summary

Provide a summary of the review and the overall rating, out of 100.

Overall Rating: ??/100

Category	Element
Game Overview		~~=r2c3+r3c3+r4c3~~	/30
	Gameplay	/15
	Art & Audio	/15
Teacher Support			/20
	Guides	/5
	Plug'n'Play	/5
	Resources	/5
	Community	/5
Educational Content			/25
	Accuracy	/5
	Objectives	/5
	Inclusion	/5
	Integration	/5
	Assessment	/5
Magic Bullet Rating			/25
	Overall Balance	/5
	Can Learn vs. Must Learn	/5
	Operational vs. Educational Learning	/5
	Educational vs. Discretionary Learning	/5
	Containment	/5

Not Scored

What instructional strategies does it use?

There's a great list <HERE> (Kelly Jo Rowan) and <HERE> (Saskatoon Public Schools)

Not Scored

What theories, models, or principles were used in the design of this game?

I'm building a list of theories and principles here.

Each of the following elements are rated according to the scale below:

		An element that is N/A will not be counted in the score.

Most should include a brief explanation if possible.

score: ?/15 = ?% (?/5)

How is it as a game? Is it fun? Is it Interesting?

Content & Originality Well designed game, great usage of game play options and objects. Characters, vehicles, and other game elements are appropriately developed and are a good fit with the game. Shows original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive. The genre is recognizable and the game follows accepted norms. ~OR~ Has new take on known genre, displays particular insights. (IOW Shows understanding of standard gameplay and does not go against conventions. This is important because the goal of the game is educational rather than entertainment only.)

Game Mechanics. What can you do in the game? Are the controls logical and easy to use? Does each 'level' fit the overall style of the game?

Game Progression. The transitions between levels (which need not be traditional levels) go from simple to challenging and are smooth and appropriate for the game.

score: ?/15 = ?% (?/5)

How does it measure up esthetically? This includes visual and auditory components.

Artistic Design Overall Visually Attractive. Makes me want to try the game. Seems to be appropriate for the game.

Set, Settings, Characters & Costumes. Seems to be appropriate for the game. Appealing. Distinctive. Sufficient variety. Original or appropriate.

Audio seems to be appropriate for the game. Appealing. Distinctive. Sufficient variety. Original composition or appropriately credited. (Note: if Audio is unimportant in this game, then the points are to be distributed as follows: Art: 8, Set/Settings: 7)

score: ?/20 = ?% (?/5)

Is there adequate teacher support to make viable for use in a formal setting?

Teacher's guide exists and is easy to find. It is clear how to use this game. Includes: Description of game play. Content description (documentation) is well organized. I can see how the game will play. Any required special permissions/skills to install or run are clearly identified. Installation and execution processes are clearly identified and easy to read and follow.

Plug and Play includes lesson plans with thorough instructions for using it in the classroom (or other target environment). Will not require large time investment to make it “teacher-ready”.

Supplementary resources for teachers (background, how to use, where to get help) exist, and are both complete and readable.

A community exists where teachers can go for help, support, to share. It is clearly identified and easy to find.

Educational Content

score: ?/25 = ?% (?/5)

How well does it appear to deliver on its educational objectives? (This is is an analysis performed without user studies, so it is not possible to verify this here.)

Accuracy The game contains accurate information.
Objectives It appears to meet the educational objectives.
Inclusion Required learning in the game includes the educational objectives.
Integration Required learning is integrated into the game.
Assessment Scoring in the game is related to the learning content.

This section provides general assessment and review of the educational content of the game.

Accuracy Even though no game can be completely accurate, it is crucial that all of the facts associated with the learning objectives be correct, and that the needed concepts and principles are clear. There should be nothing here that is misleading.
Meets Objectives It is not possible to guarantee that any particular objective will be met in an educational object like this, but it is possible to assess whether or not it provides the necessary 'raw materials'.
Inclusion of Learning Objectives In a serious game it is essential that the desired learning outcomes be part of the required interactions of the game. It should not be possible to get through by brute force or by random chance. It should not be possible to get through the game while ignoring the learning objectives.
Integration of Learning Objectives The required learning in the game should be PART of the game and not only found in pop-up screens of text.
Assessment The scoring in the game MUST be connected to the learning objectives.

Where possible, links to studies using this game in educational settings are listed and studies cited.

score: ?/25 = ?% (?/5)

How does it fare when viewed through the lens of the Magic Bullet Model?

This section examines the game through the lens of the Magic Bullet model to see how well the various learning elements are balanced. This looks at both the overall balance and the educational components

For a more detailed explanation, see: Magic Bullet Assessment

In each of these categories the rating is determined by how well the balance of the elements fits the type of game it is, its intended use and audience.

Overall Balance Is the relationship between the 4 main categories appropriate for this game given its intended use?
Can vs. Must Is it possible to get through the game without learning anything (i.e. without meeting any of the educational objectives)?
Operational vs Educational Is the required operational learning appropriate for the game's intended purpose?
Educational vs Discretionary Is there an appropriate balance of learning and fun?
Containment Is the game (including support materials) sufficiently self-contained to justify its use in the given context?