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What Makes a Game Review a Game Review? 63
An anonymous reader writes "Kotaku asks Do Game Reviews Have to Be Puerile? in a short editorial about the state of game reviews. The article points to a recent story in The New Gamer about Silent Hill 4 as an "experiential piece of writing about the emotions and thoughts that swirl through a gamer's head as they play a game over time" The Kotaku article ends on this note: 'The problem with many reviews is that both their writers and readers expect a formula. They don't want to be challenged, instead, they want to have the ideas swirling in the writer's head synthesized and explained. But critical thought, in its truest form, should be something that inspires others to think critically, not just accept what has been handed to them.' What are your thoughts on game reviews? Do they need to have scores and a summary of what's good or bad about the game to be counted? Is experiential commentary more or less useful than a breakdown of the game's design?"
Re:Wow, a meta game review (Score:2, Insightful)
Not a problem (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Not a problem (Score:2)
Fact: "Game stutters"
Opinion: "Stuttering makes game unplayable"
Check out mags like Consumer Reports for examples of just-the-facts type reviews.
Re:Not a problem (Score:2)
Re:Not a problem (Score:2)
I would guess that the overwhelming majority of slashdot readers would disgree with Consumer Reports on the subject of personal computers, and with good reason. The couple mechanic-types I know think their car reviews are a laugh-a-minute riot. Same thing with photographers and reviews of cameras.
Basically any time I've talked to a subject matter expert about something I saw in a
Game Reviews (Score:4, Interesting)
If there are problems in the game, I'd like to see them reported. I've yet to see anything like that in anyone's reviews, unless they are another end user who's not associated with the game or a web site who sells the game. None of the magazines or on line review sites give you this kind of information. Just to illustrate, I'll name some examples.
I've purchased several games only to be severely disappointed. I purchased Morrowind III Bethesda Softworks and it took me 3 months just to get to a point where I could create a character without the game causing me to get the BSOD thanks to an illegal call to my video driver. I was not alone in this problem. How hard it is to tell people that your game isn't compatible with the NVIDIA chipset? At the time the NVIDIA chipset was the hottest card around and in order to meet their sales projections, they kept mum.
I purchased Sacred by Ascaron Entertainment and it's so full of bugs as more annoying than fun to play. The on line forums are full of people who state that they have moved on to other games because of the bugs. Their patches only seem to make matters worse and many of the bugs only affect high level characters (over lvl 100).
Guild Wars is still in beta because of issues. Worlds of War Craft recent extended its "grace" period for paying customers because of it's problems. The whole Prince of Persia series has been problematic for me and I've never been able to get even their demos to work properly for me, so I've been spared shelling out $50 for something that didn't work.
Lest everyone think I only flame, I will list some of the positives. I've purchased I of the Dragon and it's been nearly flawless even though it's written by a small team who's relatively new to game development in Russia. It's also one of the more inventive games I've played in a while. Nothing like being able to eat your enemies! I also purchased Rise of Nations and it too has been nearly flawless even though its just a nicer version of AOE. I'm also a big fan of Neverwinter Nights and the Gothic series.
2 cents,
Queen B
Re:Game Reviews (Score:1)
I purchased Morrowind III Bethesda Softworks and it took me 3 months just to get to a point where I could create a character without the game causing me to get the BSOD thanks to an illegal call to my video driver. I was not alone in this problem. How hard it is to tell people that your game isn't compatible with the NVIDIA chipset?
Apart from the fact that the game is Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, I purchased it close to release day (don't know exactly how close, but I just took one of the Collectors edi
Re:Game Reviews (Score:2)
Rob
Re:Game Reviews (Score:4, Insightful)
I've purchased several games only to be severely disappointed. I purchased Morrowind III Bethesda Softworks and it took me 3 months just to get to a point where I could create a character without the game causing me to get the BSOD thanks to an illegal call to my video driver. I was not alone in this problem. How hard it is to tell people that your game isn't compatible with the NVIDIA chipset? At the time the NVIDIA chipset was the hottest card around and in order to meet their sales projections, they kept mum.
The thing is, is it a widespread problem or a single user's problem? A reviewer needs to look at the broader picture. If a big only happens on their PC and not others then should they report it? Maybe.
To use your example of Morrowind, in my house we were playing it on three different PCs (all legit, we all wanted the goodies in the collector's edition
So, the question becomes as a reviewer, does one report that Morrowind won't work with "the NVIDIA chipset" or just assume that the problem lies with one's personal PC? After all, we all buy a lemon part once in a while. It doesn't mean that entire line of parts is bad.
My preference would be for the reviewer to state they had a problem, list the hardware and software used (w/version numbers), and then continue the review with another (stock setup) PC.
My own reviews... (Score:2)
An example would be my WWE Day of Reckoning review [gamesarefun.com]. Typed out it was about 7 pages, but most of it goes into the controls, and create-a-wrestler modes, and touches on how the story works without giving it away. Or my Star W [gamesarefun.com]
Re:My own reviews... (Score:5, Insightful)
That really doesn't tell me much of anything about how the game feels. By reading that, I can only glean the following information:
- there are grapple moves
- there are strike moves
- there are strong and weak versions
- etc.
Only the real hardcore wrestling gamer will really care or even understand the button mapping stuff. Even then it tells you nothing about how it feels while playing it. You know the saying: Just because it looks good on paper...
Another thing: I've never played XIX, so comparing it to that game just goes over my head, so once again only the hardcore fan will understand this reference.
When reading a game review, I don't need a rehash of the game manual since it comes included with the game; what I really want to know is: Is the game fun? How does it make you feel while playing it? Is it worth buying?
I think this is the point this article's author was trying to make.
Re:My own reviews... (Score:3, Insightful)
I never rely on a single reviewer. When I'm dealing with a new reviewer (one I haven't read before), I try to look at how they rated various games I already own. Do their impressions match mine or are they a complete opposite? What is their bar of excellence? What kinds of games do they
Re:My own reviews... (Score:2)
Of course, this is specific to wrestling games because there are engines that are generally liked and engines that aren't. When reviewing, say, Tony Hawk Underground 2, you really don't need to know that square does flip tricks and circle does grabs.
You know... (Score:4, Insightful)
What works for me is this: tell me what games the reviewer tends to like, and let the reviewer tell me what he likes about the game.
I'll take it from there.
Re:You know... (Score:2)
I absolutely agree. When I'm reading a review for any product (or even a movie review), what I want to know is, is this worth my time and money?
I don't want to be impressed by the writing style of some guy who wishes he were a novelist. Give me the info, short and sweet. Good graphics? Good level design? Good story? Many bugs? Yes, yes, yes, no? Sounds good.
I'm even in
Re:You know... (Score:2)
Simple (Score:4, Insightful)
What are your thoughts on game reviews?
If I already own the game, then I can play it and draw my own experiences from it. No need for the review, obviously.
If I don't own the game, I need to understand why I should or should not buy/obtain it. Whether the reasons for this involve gameplay, graphics or some random gamer's personal experiences is largely irrelevant, as long as the reasons are clearly stated. Both can be good or bad.
Good:
Bad:
Re:Simple (Score:5, Funny)
It was in the heady days of my youth that I first discovered Mario. I was at a toystore with my parents when, underneath the glowing halogen lights, and above the pristine reflective floor, I saw him. It was in that austere environment that I fell in love for the first time. Although he was wrapped in plastic, that round face and bright eyes called to me. It was as if he was saving himself just for me. I decided then and there that I would not leave without my beloved. I screeched, "Mommy, mommy, I need Mario!". At first she resisted, perhaps out of a misguided notion that a boy does not need a greasy Italian video game character as a friend, but she eventually found out that there was no consoling me and politely requested the game from the pimply face teenage store clerk.
The whole ride home my heart palpitated with anticipation. "It's real! It's real!" I kept on repeating as I rocked back and forth in my mother's 81 Ford station wagon, you know the kind with the wood paneling and guady interior. What innocous surroundings for my dear...dear Mario. I clutched the box covered with twilight and screen shots to my chest dearly and rocked back and forth. Come to think of it, maybe my mother was right.
Home was a split level in a planned community in pretty much any northeastern city you can think of. We lived in the back of a cul-de-sac where everyone knew what toys everyone else had. As we pulled into our driveway next to the spotlessly manicured lawn my mother opened the garage door. Finally, the last gate to pass before I could finally get to know my precious Mario. Unfortunately, much like the real gates of heaven one has to pass by Saint Peter first. In this case, my Father...
"I thought I told you to rake the fucking lawn!" he bellowed.
"But dad....Mario...this is the most important day in my young life!" I pleaded.
"I am going to pretend I didn't hear that" he replied as he threw a rusty rake into my chest, causing me to drop the treasure I had so carefully been clutching.
"Finish and you can do whatever you want." he said coldly as he went inside.
After about an hour that seemed like an eternity, I asked him to survey the job I had done. He said that it was acceptable, but that if I don't start doing a better job, I'll end up a failure in life. I tried to comprehend the statement, but there was Mario afoot. I slid open the glass door and stepped inside the kitchen. It was a cramped space with slightly dingy tile floors, a refigerator that ran too loudly, and a microwave that just flashed 12:00 over and over again. The picture of imperfection. I walked past my doting mother who was making stuffed cabbages for dinner. Not very Italian, but we are Polish. I guess some people just cannot get over their roots.
I tore open the box with the veracity of a lion ripping open the side of a gazzelle. After taking a second to marvel at my dream machine, which had not 1 but 2 different shades of grey on it, I thought, "Nintendo", that is Japanese. Imagine, a totally alien culture, a country that my nation had gone to war with not 40 years ago, was now the home of the manufacturer of dreams come true.
I was sitting there, staring at the box on top of the plain brown carpet, in the plain living room, 7 feet high, about 4 times that long and wide, with the plain floral print furniture, the plain tables, the non-descript lamps. It's comfortable, but a dangerous kind of comfortable. The neutral shade of green painted haphazardly on the walls called for one to relax, but to never leave. The throwpillows in the love seat comforted you but mocked you at the same tim
Re:Simple (Score:1)
Re:Simple (Score:1)
Re:Simple (Score:1)
no.. (Score:2)
frankly, i think more of the reviews should get to the point like my favourite review of all time that was on a finnish magazine.. "p*sk* commando klooni" - directly translated: "sh*tt* commando clone.". and that was the whole review, total classic.
you could write reviews like that and be daaaamn accurate of 50% of games coming out.
Re:no.. (Score:1)
http://pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/a/animal- collective/here-comes-the-indian.shtml
why can't game reviews be written with the same approach?
Re:no.. (Score:2)
I think we know (Score:2)
My time is limited. (Score:1)
Ironic since I'm posting on Slashdot that I would whine about time.
Anyway, I just read a few sites, figure out who I agree with most of the time, and read them - looking for scores and *brief* summary's. If I want to read the review, then I will, most of the time I have a passing interest in a game and want to know if it's thought to be "good" or "bad" by peop
Re:My time is limited. (Score:2)
Re:My time is limited. (Score:2)
Re:My time is limited. (Score:2)
Re:My time is limited. (Score:2)
I do this even without regard to genre. If I were to buy an XBox (which I don't currently have), the first thing I would do is determine what the top rated games are. Then read the reviews to see what kind of genre I want to go to.
Critique Vs. Review (Score:1, Insightful)
That's not a knock, it just reflects their objectives.
I mean, I don't give a shit about sculpture. Constantine Brancusi? I give him a 9.4
Re:Kotaku (Score:2)
Sound, Video and More! (Score:4, Insightful)
The bottom line in my opinion is that we really need both hand fed, just give me the stinking average rating of the game, and immersive, make you think and decide for yourself movies and demos
And for my soapbox speech, reviews very rarely mention the in game music (partly because it isn't part of games like it used to be). Sound effects generally get a mention, but music rarely. When a reviewer actually reviews the music, and heaven forbid actually takes it into account when giving their stamp of approval on the game - the nostalgia runs thick and rich. Lets not forget about all the elements of gameplay, not just story and graphics!
diversity (Score:2)
duhhhhh all of the above. don't try to make it one-size-sits-all.
when i want a politicized/family-oriented opinion of a game, i'll go to a massively-public site.
when i want a fighting-game enthusiast's opinion, i'll go to a fighting-game-fansite.
when i want a game designer's opinion of how good a game is, i'll go to a game design enthusiast's site.
when i want a lot of info quick i'll go to a site that aggregates from all of the above.
ratings and reviews (Score:1, Insightful)
I think, then, that the primary goal of the review should be to help synthesize some sense of the game in the mind of the reader. Out of what? Previous experiences, that's what. The review should relate the game to other games, pop
A MUCH better review of Silent Hill 4 (Score:2)
Deja vu (Score:2)
It looks like a Kotaku [kotaku.com] dupe [kotaku.com] was posted each time through by Slashdot. So, I guess Slashdot is duping Kotaku's dupes.
Crazy.
Not a review. (Score:2)
It is possible to arrive at this point many ways, but if you remove that critical point (which does no
Good quote - One typo (Score:3, Interesting)
Identify the show-stoppers (Score:1)
For Example: Some gameboy pinball games do not save high scores. Since there isn't much to see in a pinball game I play entirely to beat my previous high scores and I love it. Not saving the high scores makes the game virtually worthless to me and therefore is a show-stopper for me.
Reviewers need to point out anything that they could imagine could be a show-stopper. Sometimes I read rev
Re:Identify the show-stoppers (Score:1)
Critical Thinking (Score:2)
It seems to me like most review sites tend to have a good summary of the good and bad points of the game, and if it's worth a purchase or maybe a rental, but it's a bit of an exercise to get to it.
Re:Critical Thinking (Score:1)
This article poses a false dichotomy, viz., "Either you can uncritically accept a stupid numerical rating system and a formula o
A Review is an Opinion. (Score:1)
Missing from reviews (Score:1)
Obviously this becomes more difficult because of the extra detail the games offer means so much more effort needs to be put into t
i hate that stream-of-consciousness crap (Score:1)
i just want a clear, concise explanation of the strengths and weaknesses of a game. i don't want to read some lit major waxing philosophical about his gaming experiences -- describing some 30 second battle in everquest 2 as if
Quit confusing games with art (Score:2)
The whole point of reading a review is to determine whether we will like a game or not if we buy it. Turner's review was useless in that regard, as it gave little basis for comparison w
Sushi-X... (Score:2)
Don't want to look like Mr. Visitmysite... (Score:1)
If a review doesn't contain facts... (Score:2)
When I read a review, I look for information: What is the game about? What genre is it? What control system and/or interface does it use? If it's a PC game, what are its specs? Anything outside of that type of information basically ge
Excuses from a poor writer (Score:1)
"They don't want to be challenged, instead, they want to have the ideas swirling in the writer's head synthesized and explained."
Which is nonsense, and only speaks to the author's lack of writing ability. The way I read it is "I can't concretely explain my opinions, so rather than improve my writing skills, I'll blame the reader for not understanding my oh-so-deep and complex ramblings."
At the core of a good writer is the ability to take those "swirling ideas", and write t
Finding reviewers you can trust (Score:2, Insightful)
When I lived on the east coast, one of the few stations we received (rural, no cable) had a movie reviewer named Tom New who I trusted implicitly, because I never found myself in disagreement with any movie I watched. If he said it wasn't worth paying for in a theatre, I'd catch it on TV eventually, and lo and behold he'd be right. His opinions obviously wouldn't be useful to everyone
What makes a good game review?... (Score:2)
Tycho [penny-arcade.com] and Gabe [penny-arcade.com]