When it comes to grading, we have a fairly simple philosophy: would we want to experience this art (and yes, everything, even the games we cover, are art) or would we want to wish a slow march towards death? It becomes harder to separate things out simply by "would watch" or "would not watch," though, because there's a ton of stuff that we would watch, but which we would never recommend to others. Maybe because you have to have a certain appreciation for a creator, or because it ties too closely to something else that we wouldn't have recommended, or any number of other reasons. So while the Duck it or Experience It Like a Fox are the binary thumbs down/thumbs up rating, the number grades equalize things, in general. The bullet point reasons to enjoy/avoid are the most important when it comes to determining if you'll like a certain work. That said, here's a general feeling for each "point" on the grading scale. Things rated a 1.0 will have NO "watch it like a fox" points and things rated 10.0 will have NO "duck it" points, aside from humorous ones. That's how extreme and rarely utilized these ratings will be.
1.0
Always duck it. No redeeming qualities.2.0
Always duck it. Probably no redeeming qualities for most people, but we probably liked the concept enough to keep it above a 1.3.0
Always duck it. It does something at least a little bit good.4.0
We're getting better! But still always a duck it. Very close to mediocre, but ultimately can't quite make it.5.0
Ah, finally we're in splittsville. Generally this will be a duck it, because it's just as bad as it is good, but if it's something we really like for some reason it'll get an "experience it like a fox."6.0
Leans "like a fox", but technically below average. Major caveats are present in the "duck it."7.0
Average; generally "like a fox," but with some caveats.8.0
Always "like a fox," with a few disagreeable points.9.0
Always "like a fox," with only minor nitpicks keeping it from greatness. Seriously, experience this work of art.10.0
No real issues. A perfect 10 is rarely granted and is appropriate for anyone (unless the work has nudity or gratuitous amounts of violence or something, then take it up with your parents, kids).The ".5s