I never give 10 out of 10 for a game. Why? Well, 10 out of 10 is the best possible score and denotes a game so utterly and completely perfect that nothing else can ever be better. Yet no matter how good a game is (and some of the games here are good indeed), there's always the possibility of a better game coming along. So anything rated 9 out of 10 is the best I've ever come across.

Anyone especially eagle-eyed will probably notice that some of the scores here differ slightly from those found elsewhere on my site (most noticeably in The Adventures Of Thumper: Wonder Wombat which elsewhere has a rating of 8 (!) and yet here has a rating of 3). What can I say? My opinions change from time to time. A game I liked at the time I reviewed it might not necessarily seem as good a while afterwards.

The list only contains 'full' sized games; that is, no games from mini-comps.

9 out of 10

The Big Sleaze by Fergus McNeill (ZX Spectrum)
City Of Secrets by Emily Short (Glulx)
The Hobbit by Veronika Megler & Philip Mitchell (ZX Spectrum)
Luminous Horizon by Paul O'Brian (Glulx)
The PK Girl by Hanadorobou (ADRIFT 4)
To Hell In A Hamper by Jason Guest (ADRIFT 4)
Unraveling God by Toddwat (ADRIFT 4)
Varicella by Adam Cadre (Inform 6)
Winter Wonderland by Laura A. Knauth (Inform 6)

8 out of 10

The Elysium Enigma by Eric Eve (TADS 3)
Panic by Stewart J. McAbney (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Plague: Redux by Cannibal (ADRIFT 4)
Tower Of Despair by Alan Clark & Jamie Thomson (ZX Spectrum)
The Woods Are Dark by Cannibal (ADRIFT 4)
The Wheels Must Turn by Heal Butcher (ADRIFT 3.9)

7 out of 10

The Awakening by Dennis Matheson (Inform 6)
The Backlot by A. Bomire (TADS 2)
Blue Chairs by Chris Klimas (Inform 6)
The Cave Of Morpheus by Mark Silcox (ADRIFT 3.9)
Doomed Xycanthus by Eric Mayer (ADRIFT 3.9)
Floatpoint by Emily Short (Glulx)
Gamlet by Tomasz Pudlo (Inform 6)
Ghost Justice by Purple Dragon (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Great Escape by Kevin Fenning (ADRIFT 3.9)
Goldilocks Is A Fox by Jason Guest (ADRIFT 4)
House Of The Damned by Sam McCall (ADRIFT 3.9)
Menagerie by DuoDave (ADRIFT 4)
The Potter & The Mould by Robert Street (ADRIFT 4)
The Primrose Path by Nolan Bonvouloir (Inform 7
The Screen Savers On Planet X by Josh Lawrence (ADRIFT 3.9)
Silk Noil by Heal Butcher (ADRIFT 3.9)
Sting Of The Wasp by Jason Devlin (Inform 6)
Thorn by Eric Mayer (ADRIFT 4)
Three Monkeys, One Cage by Hanadorobou (ADRIFT 4)
The Timmy Reid Adventure by Jonathan R. Reid (ADRIFT 3.9)
Tough Beans by Sara Dee (Inform 6)
Troll! by Thomas Mulkerrins (ADRIFT 3.9)
Vespers by Jason Devlin (Inform 6)
Veteran Knowledge by Robert Street (ADRIFT 4)

6 out of 10

Alias: Undercover Agent by Rainbowscape (ADRIFT 4)
Aunts & Butlers by Robin Johnson (Web)
Beyond by Mondi Confinanti, Roberto Grassi, Paolo Lucchesi and Alessandro Peretti (Inform 6)
The Birthday by Cowboy (ADRIFT 4)
Black Sheep's Gold by Driftingon (ADRIFT 4)
Bolivia By Night by Aidan Doyle (TADS 2)
Can It Be All So Simple? by TDS (ADRIFT 4)
A Crimson Spring by Robb Sherwin (Hugo)
Damnatio Memoriae by Emily Short (Inform 7)
A Day At The Iachini House by Fezzik (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Dead Man by 30otsix (ADRIFT 4)
Flat Feet by Joel Ray Holveck (Inform 6)
Frustrated Interviewee by Robert Street (ADRIFT 3.9)
Future Boy by Kent Tessman (Hugo)
Game Producer by Jason Bergman (Inform 6)
The HeBGB Horror by Eric Mayer (Alan 2)
Humbug by Campbell Wild (ADRIFT 4)
It's Easter, Peeps! by Sara Brookside (ADRIFT 4)
Jacaranda Jim by Campbell Wild (ADRIFT 4)
Lara Croft: The Sun Obelisk by Christopher Cole (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Last Resort by Jim Aikin (Inform 6)
Magocracy by Joseph A. Rheaume (TADS 2)
Moon-Shaped by Jason Ermer (Inform 6)
The Mystery Of Brackly Hall by C. Patrick (Web-based point 'n' click)
A Party To Murder by DuoDave (ADRIFT 4)
Report Espionage by Molesquesh (ADRIFT 3.9)
Selma's Will by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
The Sisters by revgiblet (ADRIFT 4)
Space Horrors by Jerry (Windows)
Square Circle by Eric Eve (TADS 3)
Tales Of The Travelling Swordsman by Mike Snyder (Hugo)
Ticket To No Where by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
Tower Of The Elephant by Tor Andersson (Inform 6)
Unauthorised Termination by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
Waldo's Pie by Marno (Alan 3)
Wax Worx by Eric Mayer (ADRIFT 4)
The X-Files: A New Beginning by Superbone Ali (ADRIFT 3.9)

5 out of 10

ADRIFTmas Party by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
The Big Scoop by Johan Berntsson (Inform 6)
Captive Universe by Mischav Navoritch (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Colour Pink by Robert Street (Inform 6)
Crazy Old Bag Lady by Sprite (ADRIFT 4)
The Curse Of DragonShrine by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
Delightful Wallpaper by Andrew Plotkin (Inform 7)
Distress by Mike Snyder (Hugo)
The Edge Of The Abyss by Tony Ash (TAG)
Far From Home by The Mad Monk (ADRIFT 3.9)
Fire In The Blood by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
The Fire Tower by Jacqueline A. Lott (Inform 6)
The Flower Opens by BBBen (ADRIFT 3.9)
How It All Started by Kevin Treadway (ADRIFT 4)
I Must Play by Geoff Forty Two (TADS 2)
The Lost Mines by Mel S (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Lost Tomb by Thomas Mulkerrins (ADRIFT 3.9)
Madam Spider's Web by Sara Dee (Inform 6)
Melbourne Beach by DuoDave (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Merry Murders by Mel S (ADRIFT 3.9)
Mix Tape by Brett Witty (TADS 3)
Monsters by Tech (ADRIFT 4)
Must Escape! by Robert Street (ADRIFT 4)
The Night That Dripped Blood by Cannibal (ADRIFT 3.9)
Order by John Evans (Inform 6)
Pantomime by Robb Sherwin (Hugo)
Pestilence by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
Professor Von Witt's Fabulous Flying Machine by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
Redeye by John Pitchers (TADS 2)
Sex Artist by A. Ninny (Inform 6)
Shadrick's Travels by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
Shadrick's Underground Adventure by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
Snatches by Gregory Weir (Inform 6)
Splashdown by Paul J. Furio (Inform 6)
Storm Tossed by David Grigg (ADRIFT 3.9)
Threnody by John Schiff (Inform 6)
Trading Punches by Mike Snyder (Hugo)
A Walk At Dusk by Eric Mayer (ADRIFT 4)
When Beer Isn’t Enough by Matt (Dark Baron) (ADRIFT 3.9)
Who Created The Monster? by N. B. Horvath (TADS 2)
The Wonders Of Science by TDS (ADRIFT 4)
Wrecked by Campbell Wild (ADRIFT 3.9)
Xen: The Contest by Xentor (TADS 2)

4 out of 10

ADRIFT Maze by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
ADRIFT Project by Mystery (ADRIFT 4)
Albridge Manor by Woody Ross (ADRIFT 3.9)
Asylum by Mel S (ADRIFT 3.9)
Carmen Devine: Supernatural Troubleshooter by Rob Myall (Inform 6)
The Case Of Samuel Gregor by Stephen Hilderbrand (Inform 6)
Diary Of A Stripper by Christopher Coler (ADRIFT 3.9)
Dream Quest 3 by Jeb (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Escape by Anonymous (Windows)
Escape From Auriga by Florin D. Tomescu (Inform 6)
Escape From St Mary's by Ryan Menezes (Windows)
Escape To New York by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
ESPER: The Secret Of Drom Bennacht by Ian McDermott (Quest 3)
Get Out Of The House by Steve Lingle (Quest 3)
Gilded: The Lily & The Cage by A. Hazard (TADS 2)
House by Owen Parish (TADS 2)
Identity by Dave Bernazzani (ADRIFT 4)
King's Quest 3 5 by Steve Lingle (Quest 3)
Kurusu City by Kevin Venzke (TADS 2)
The Last Hour by Roberto Grassi (ADRIFT 4)
The Legend Of Zelda: Legacy Of A Princess by Red Jett (ADRIFT 4)
The Magic Show by Jason MacInnes (ADRIFT 4)
Murder In Great Falls by Mel S (ADRIFT 3.9)
Notice Me by Wotan-Anubis (ADRIFT 3.9)
On Optimism by Tim Lane (Inform 6)
Sabotage On The Century Cauldron by Thomas de Graaf (Inform 6)
Sommeril by SFZapgun (ADRIFT 4)
Star City by Mark Sachs (Inform 6)
Vendetta by James Hall (ADRIFT 4)
Where Are My Keys? by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)

3 out of 10

The Adventures Of Thumper: Wonder Wombat by Sarazar (ADRIFT 3.9)
A Broken Man by Geoff FortyTwo (TADS 3)
Darkness by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
A Day At The Seaside by Matthew Hunter (ADRIFT 4)
Dicky Noodle by Arthur Phillips (ADRIFT 3.9)
Goose, Egg, Badger by Brian Rapp (Inform 6)
The Haunted Horror House by TDS (ADRIFT 4)
History Repeating by Mark & Renee Choba (Inform 6)
Hoedown In Ho-Town by S. Welland (ADRIFT 3.9)
House Husband by C. Henshaw (ADRIFT 4)
Hungry Goblin by Dave Aldridge (Quest 3)
Invasion Of The Second-Hand Shirts by DuoDave (ADRIFT 4)
Lauren's Awakening by TotalDirt2000 (ADRIFT 3.9)
Lawn Of Love by The Santoonie Corporation (TADS 2)
Man Alive - Part 1 by Bill Powell (Inform 6)
Man Alive - Part 2 by Bill Powell (Inform 6)
Mobius by J. D. Clemens (Inform 6)
Mount Voluptuous by Christopher Cole (ADRIFT 3.9)
Murder At The Aero Club by Penny Wyatt (Inform 6)
Neon Nirvana by Tony Woods (Inform 6)
Normville by BBBen (ADRIFT 3.9)
Off The Trolley by Krisztian Kaldi (TADS 2)
Operation: Sleepover by Justin Bailey (Quest 3)
Pathfinder by Tony Woods (Inform 6)
Polendina by Christopher Lewis (Inform 6)
Rachel Has A Bad Day by Sly Dog (ADRIFT 4)
The Realm by Michael Sheldon (TADS 2)
Showtime At The Gallows by TDS (ADRIFT 4)
Star Wars: Escape From Dagboah by David Leavitt (Quest 3)
Tears Of A Tough Man by Bruce Humphrey (ADRIFT 4)
Typo by Peter Seebach, Kevin Lynn & Flavorplex (Inform 6)
Who The Telling Changed by Aaron A. Reed (Inform 6)

2 out of 10

The Adventure Of Space Boy! by David Parish (ADRIFT 4)
Authority by Eva Vikstrom (Inform 6)
Ballymun Adventure by Brendan Cribb (TADS 3)
Beam by Madrone Eddy (Quest 3)
Bedlam by Mark Whitmore (ADRIFT 3.9)
Castle Quest 3 by Andrew Cornish (ADRIFT 3.9)
Chancellor by Kevin Venzke (TADS 2)
Dreary Lands by Paul Lee (Inform 6)
Hedge by Stephen Richards (Inform 6)
The Lazy Gun Cult by Felix Roman (Quest 3)
One Robot by Michael Tritz (Quest 3)
Psyche's Lament by John & Lara Sichi (Inform 6)
S.E.R.E. (Search, Evade, Reist, Arrest) by Skypig (ADRIFT 4)
The Sword Of Malice by Anthony Panuccio (Inform 6)
Target by Richard Otter (ADRIFT 4)
The Wumpus Run by Elfindor [Cheryl Howard] (ADRIFT 4)
Zero by The Santoonie Corporation (TADS 2)

1 out of 10

The Amazing TV Caper by Bryan Peterson (ADRIFT 3.9)
The Apocalypse Clock by GlorbWare (Inform 6)
Bellclap by Tommy Herbert (Inform 6)
Cheiron by Elizabeth Polli & Sarah Clelland (Glulx)
Escape From The House by CJ592 (Quest 3)
The Former by DirkW (Quest 3)
FutureGame by The FutureGame Corporation (Inform 6)
Haunted Horror by Matt Slotnick (Quest 3)
Lands Of Unknown by Jaret Martens (Quest 3)
The Last Detective by Catalin (Quest 3)
Locked Out by Loner_Games (ADRIFT 3.9)
Nami Adventure by Matthew Jessup (Quest 4)
Ninja by Paul Allen Panks (Windows)
Ninja II by Paul Allen Panks (Windows)
Phantom: Caverns Of The Killer by Brandon Coker (Inform 6)
PTBad3 by Xorox (TADS 2)
PTBad6 by Slan Xorox (ADRIFT 4)
The Reliques Of Tolti-Aph by Graham Nelson (Inform 7)
Ruined Robots by nanag_d (TADS 2)
Shelter by EricS 1965 (ADRIFT 3.9)
Something 'Bout A Hex by Paul Flum Games (Quest 4)
Sysyphus by Theo Koutz (Inform 6)
Three Worlds by Zach Kelly (Quest 3)
Trapped With A Girl by Schoolsinger (ADRIFT 3.9)
Where's Annabel? by CJ592 (Quest 3)