The Old Guy Rating (OGROld Guy Rating attempts to give an idea of how amenable a ga… More) is one man’s attempt to rate games’ playability for those over the age of 60. The OGROld Guy Rating attempts to give an idea of how amenable a ga… More is not a measure of a game’s quality. Elden Ring is a fantastic game, but without outstanding reflexes and desire to learn complex combat patterns, most Old Guys are going to struggle with the game. This rating might also apply to other, oftentimes more casual, younger players.
All components of an OGROld Guy Rating attempts to give an idea of how amenable a ga… More are graded in a bimodal fashion, where a score of:
- 1 (red) represents an almost impossible level of ability required
- 5 (green) represents the “sweet spot,” where a fair amount of ability is required to meet the challenge and play well
- 10 (violet) represents no challenge to that ability, a little boring
Here are the components of the OGROld Guy Rating attempts to give an idea of how amenable a ga… More:
- Dependence on reflexes-
- 1 = constantly challenging your ability to quickly mash buttons, keys, or triggers. Also includes precise timing of mashing said controls. Example: many “Souls-like” games such as Elden Ring.
- 5 = reasonable reflex timing and window of precision required for playing well. Example: Skyrim.
- 10 = reflex timing and precision not an issue to do well in the game. Example: any pure turn-based game such as Solasta: Crown of the Magistrar.
- Gameplay complexity-
- 1 = baffling puzzles or tactics that almost always require consulting an outside resource. Example: Bard’s Tale 4.
- 5 = puzzles that can be solved and/or tactics that can be learned without consulting a wiki. Example: Mass Effect.
- 10 = no puzzles or tactical knowledge required.
- Game mechanics-
- 1 = steep learning curve for the mechanics of how to play the game. Example: many “4x” games such as Galactic Civilizations.
- 5 = game mechanics that can be readily learned with tool tips or a tutorial. Example: Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition.
- 10 = can play the game without a tutorial. Example: Solitaire.
- Stimulation-
- 1 = the game is an over-stimulating mess, requiring constant attention to multiple foci.
- 5 = the game continually holds your interest. You lose track of time playing the game. Example: Slay the Spire.
- 10 = the game is mind-numbingly dull, requiring no attention.