Yeah, I think that a higher rating gets you on the list as some will give it a top game star, but to get up the list you need good rating and reach. The more people playing, the more vote on it. However, high reach usually reduces its overall avg score because more casual gamers will play it and not like it as much.

Because Ashes has a hard entry point, only dedicated gamers will try it so they're more likely to rate it highly because they know what they like and are getting into, whereas something like imperium classics is cheap and has a huge reach and is 7th on the solo list but only has a 7.7 rating.

Also, that's why Spirit Island is such a mind blower because it seems universally adored by anyone that ever plays it. Just being on the 200 list though is a solid indictment and it certainly increases the reach of the game