I’ll be brief my process is really very simple ..

Typically when I am reviewing or spotting a (console) game I try and focus on the game as it should be played IE : I don’t run back and forth across ambient zone triggers to hear the fade times. I try and enjoy it as it was meant to be played. Honestly one of the reasons I enjoy games is that I’m not very good at them (still) so there’s usually a lot of ramp up and discovery for me with any (console) game. This first pass on the game I try and experience as the (bumbling) ‘gamer’. And then I walk away .. fresh perspective is everything !!

At a later date on a second pass I’ll usually make messy paper notes about ‘stuff & whatevs’ usually weird collection of inspirations and To Do’s. Again I walk away and pickup another time.

My third pass is technical. My DAW includes accurate metering etc. I’ll play the game and do a video capture. Usually by this third pass I have specific points of interest. Sometimes if possible I’ll met the music for example. These video captures REALLY help me step away from actually controlling / playing the game. I find they work even better when you can capture someone else playing because you have no memory off doing those exact actions yourself.

Hope that helps ..

Great topic I hope we see some discussion here !!