Im with Woody_7007 on this one..with one little addition.
Dont worry about your rank. Play the games, rate the ones you like and dislike. Look through the forums and post comments,(not spams), on the ones that you feel you can contribute to. Have FUN with the site, because thats what its all about. Your rank will improve with time. Just enjoy yourself!
getting a merit gives u 25 points so if u can make a good enough comment to get taht rather tahn getting 4 points a game u play (rating and commenting) then do it