How We Review Mobile Games
Every Norulte review follows a structured, repeatable process designed to surface information that helps real players make real decisions — not to generate clicks or serve developer interests.
Game Selection
We select games based on chart position, reader requests, and category coverage — not developer outreach. We do not accept review copies with conditions attached. All games are downloaded through standard consumer accounts on Google Play and the App Store, ensuring we encounter the same experience as any other player.
Games involving gambling mechanics, loot boxes, or real-money wagering are excluded from our coverage. This is a firm editorial policy, not a case-by-case decision.
Initial Play Period
Every game receives a minimum play session before scoring begins. For casual games, this typically means completing the tutorial and reaching the first natural monetisation prompt. For strategy or RPG titles, this extends to experiencing the mid-game loop where progression systems become apparent.
We document the first-run experience carefully — what the game asks for on install, what permissions it requests, and how it introduces itself to new players.
Device Testing
Performance is tested across at least three device tiers where possible: a current flagship device, a mid-range device from the past two years, and a budget device. We document frame rate consistency, load times, battery consumption over a standard session, and thermal behaviour under sustained play.
We note the minimum and recommended specifications listed by the developer and compare these against our real-world observations.
Monetisation Mapping
We document every purchase opportunity encountered during play. This includes in-app purchase menus, subscription prompts, rewarded ad offers, and any mechanics that gate progression behind payment.
We categorise purchases as cosmetic (appearance only), convenience (speed up progress), or functional (required for competitive or story access). We also note whether a free player can access the full game experience without encountering artificial difficulty spikes designed to prompt purchases.
Privacy Review
We review the permissions requested at install and during play. We cross-reference these against the game's stated functionality — a simple puzzle game requesting access to contacts or microphone raises a flag. We also review the developer's privacy policy for data collection, third-party sharing, and data retention disclosures.
We note the presence of known advertising or analytics SDKs where identifiable, and document any discrepancies between the privacy policy and the app store privacy nutrition label.
Scoring
Each of the four pillars is scored independently on a scale from 0 to 10. Scores reflect the experience of a typical player — not a speedrunner or a paying whale. The overall score is a weighted average that accounts for the relative importance of each pillar to the game type being reviewed.
Post-Publication Updates
Games are living products. Major updates that alter monetisation, add new content, or change performance characteristics may trigger a review update. When scores change, we document what changed and why. Version numbers are recorded with every review so readers can identify which build was evaluated.
Editorial Policy
Norulte is funded through display advertising and affiliate links to Google Play and the Apple App Store. When a reader clicks a store link in a review and makes a purchase, Norulte may receive a small commission. This does not affect review scores or editorial decisions — we review games we would review regardless of whether they generate affiliate revenue.
We do not accept payment for reviews, guaranteed positive coverage, or sponsored content disguised as editorial. If a review contains any affiliate links, this is disclosed within the review.
Reviewers are not permitted to maintain financial relationships with game developers whose titles they evaluate. Conflicts of interest are disclosed when they arise.