Have you ever thought about game reviews in terms of time to play and their value?
Mavericks, if you’re planning on going into the gaming industry, trust us, you need to consider this and make sure you’re building games that leave customers satisfied.
When you’re planning out your In a recent study highlighting the most cost-effective games of 2023, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition emerged as the top title, while Nascar Arcade Rush and Peppa Pig: World Adventures were identified as offering the least value.
The research, conducted by social casino website McLuck, analysed more than 480 video game releases from January 2023 onwards. By comparing the price of gameplay against the hours required for total completion, the study aimed to assess and rank the titles with the most and least value. Time to get clued up …
The Best Value Video Games
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition stands out as the most cost-effective game, offering gameplay for as low as $0.13 per hour. Initially released for other consoles in 2019, it debuted on the Xbox Series X and Xbox One in January. This historical real-time strategy game boasts a minimum completion time of 158 hours. With a remarkable 9/10 score on Steam, the game has garnered praise for its extensive gameplay and enhanced graphics.
Priced at $20, Valheim carries a value of $0.14 per hour, offering at least 140 hours of gameplay. Published by Swedish developer Iron Gate Studio, the survival game’s addictiveness and popularity contribute to its notable 10/10 rating among users on Steam.
Ranking third and fourth, making their debut to newer consoles, are Persona 4 Golden and Persona 3 Portable, respectively. Initially released in 2012 and 2006, both games saw re-releases in January. Priced at $0.15 per hour of gameplay, Persona 4 Golden requires a minimum of 136 hours for completion, while Persona 3 Portable, at $0.16 per hour, needs 123 hours of gameplay. Each costing $20, both games are hailed as two of the finest Japanese RPGs to date.
In its highly anticipated debut this December, Against the Storm transitioned from early access to a full release. This dark fantasy city-building game boasts a remarkable 10/10 rating on Steam, with users praising its uniqueness and replayability. Priced at $29.99, Against the Storm costs $0.17 per hour of gameplay, with a minimum of 180 hours of content.
The Worst Value Video Games
Nascar Arcade Rush emerged as the least cost-effective, demanding $20 for every hour of gameplay. Launched across multiple consoles in October, this arcade racing game reportedly boasts a completion time of just under two and a half hours for all features. Despite earning a 58% score on Open Critic, numerous reviews have highlighted concerns over the game’s repetitive nature and limited track options.
Priced at $40, Peppa Pig: World Adventures carries a value of $20 per hour, given its completion within a brief time frame. Amid its brief escapades spanning various climates, the game’s tailored simplicity for four-year-olds contributes to its notable 8/10 rating among parents on Steam.
So Mavericks, if you’re designing your new game in 2024 or finalising one you’ve started on, what positives can you learn from this research?
