Games that — for my personal tastes — are the best the genre has to offer. Combat, tone, map design, exploration are all excellent.

Games that excel in multiple areas or stand out for exceptional ideas, playstyles, or systems.

Games that are good for multiple reasons, be it their maps, exploration, combat, or a combination.

Games that I would consider competently-made, but don't stand out from the crowd. A hefty mix of positives & negatives.

Games that did a small number of things that kept me playing until the end, but often had considerable issues.

Games that I didn't finish. Some, I got distracted from by better experiences (or I'm waiting for updates); others I just didn't enjoy and uninstalled.

Games that I've played parts of in Early Access. Tier placement TBD.

Games that are out but, for one or more reasons, I haven't played. (Yet?)

Games that I'm interested in that haven't been released yet. Some I backed on Kickstarter; others I've just heard about or played a NextFest demo for.

Games which are essentially dead: no longer in production or likely never coming out.