XPLR Gaming emerged from an idea that has been carefully developed over the past year. With a well-defined multi-stage plan, our initial venture involves one-hour video reviews, complemented by written assessments posted here. The video content will be shared across all major social media platforms, so be on the look out, with additional short-form content such as reels and shorts also being produced.

The Structure of the Review – First Hour Focus
Welcome to First Hour Focus, where we dive headfirst into video games from all generations, one hour at a time. Our unique review format offers an in-depth look at the first hour of gameplay, providing valuable insights and immediate impressions. With a timer overlay, you can follow along as we navigate through the game, discussing its mechanics, storyline, and overall appeal in real-time.
What Sets First Hour Focus Apart
While many gaming reviews often cover entire games or highlight key moments, First Hour Focus is distinct in its commitment to evaluating the critical first hour of gameplay. This approach is based on the premise that a game’s initial experience is crucial in capturing a player’s interest and setting the tone for the rest of the game. By focusing exclusively on this initial hour, we provide an honest, immediate assessment that is particularly useful for gamers who value quick engagement and immediate gratification.
Real-Time Reviews: Our real-time review format allows viewers to experience the game as we do, offering a genuine and unscripted perspective. This method not only showcases the game’s opening mechanics but also our authentic reactions and insights, fostering a more engaging and relatable viewing experience.
Interactive Engagement: With a timer overlay, viewers can watch the gameplay unfold and join the discussion in the comments section. This interactive component encourages community involvement and provides a platform for gamers to share their thoughts and experiences.
Clear and Straightforward Ratings: At the end of the hour, we transition to a concise 10 to 15-minute overview, sharing our final thoughts and rating the game using our straightforward system:
- Don’t Bother! – This rating indicates that the game fails to capture interest within the first hour, making it unsuitable for those who seek immediate engagement without waiting for the story or action to develop.
- Give It a Go! – If the game manages to spark interest within the first hour but leaves some potential unexplored, we recommend giving it another hour. XPLR Gaming may conduct a second hour-long review to verify our initial impressions.
- Buy It for the Collection, Play the Heck Out of It! – This top rating is awarded to games that immediately captivate with compelling storytelling and exceptional action or suspense. Games that receive a 3 out of 3 rating will likely undergo a full, comprehensive review by our team in the future.

Join us as we explore both timeless classics and contemporary titles, offering honest and insightful reviews that help you make informed decisions about your gaming experiences. Let’s dive into the world of gaming together on First Hour Focus!
Current Developments at XPLR Gaming
As we embark on this exciting journey, XPLR Gaming is currently in its startup phase. We are diligently designing templates for our videos and creating graphics and animations for future use. Additionally, we have ambitious plans for a variety of content, including podcasts, historical series, and in-depth video game discussions.
Our initial batch of reviews will feature a mix of timeless classics and contemporary titles. Here are a few that we are currently working on:
- Assassin’s Creed
- Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
- Beyond: Two Souls
- Medal of Honor: Frontline
- Astro Bot
- Returnal
- Condemned: Criminal Origins
- Zombi U
- Uncharted
- Resistance: Fall of Man
For game series, we will also be reviewing their sequels in due course.
Working Hard
Our commitment to quality and passion for gaming drives every aspect of our content creation process. We are dedicated to providing honest and insightful reviews that help our audience make informed decisions about their gaming experiences. Our goal is to build a community of gamers who share our enthusiasm and curiosity for exploring the vast world of video games.
Stay tuned for more exciting content, and thank you for joining us on this adventure. This is Mark, signing off for now. See you soon!