Comments on: Game Review Scores ‘Not Important’

By: hairfreax

hairfreax — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:11:44 +0000

I know someone who only buys games that have trophies. He thinks it proves he is a better gamer and a far superior ps3 owner than the rest of us

By: Radboud

Radboud — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:15:03 +0000

Totally agree with this, I love the “Pros – Cons” list at the end of the reviews here at TSA! The actual number given is of low interest to me….

By: Lorcan

Lorcan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:31:14 +0000

I don’t really think the average joe is going to think that review scores are fixed. Maybe an industry fanatic, but not your average person.

By: tjgb

tjgb — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:21:48 +0000

Yeah – I think reveiw scores are important. For example, I was reading GamesTM the other day and they gave Demon’s Soul 10/10. It’s not really a game or genre that I would normally be massively interested in, but a game that gets a perfect score has got to be worth checking out… Assuming it gets released in the UK.

By: bunimomike

bunimomike — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:05:29 +0000

I think I disagree. See what you think:
A review can be an objective dissection of a game’s components. Graphics, sound, structure, load times, etc… but when it comes down to it, that’s just a cold feature list. However, I want a reviewers opinion on the game itself. Does it gel well. Does it compare to other games. Even if it’s got crap graphics is it still great to play? I want an opinion that strikes a chord, makes me smile, warns me off a title. An opinion can rarely be anything other than subjective due to the very nature of the word. It’s an estimation or judgement as to the merit of any given title. Sure, the review can be objective which is always important but the real opinion of said reviewer is surely going to be the essence of the article.

From my perspective, what separates TSA reviews from amateur scribbles and other sites is initial objectivity but the balance of a real-world opinion and honesty which gives me a far better idea of whether something’s worth purchasing or not.

Did I end up disagreeing? Pass.

By: 3shirts

3shirts — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:58:38 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly with you. What drives my decision towards one purchase may be a low priority on another. I bought MW2 based purely on how much I enjoyed the the first one. On the other hand I bought Guitar Hero when I saw it cheap, then Rock Band based on a combination of enjoying the genre and reviews.

By: 3shirts

3shirts — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:53:16 +0000

I just spent about 10 minutes writing a reply before it dawned on me that this is sarcasm.

Fail

By: 3shirts

3shirts — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:27:17 +0000

This is EXACTLY what I think reviews should be. They are a critical/objective examination of HOW the game works with some opinion of the overall effect thrown in for a bit of flair.
It annoys me when people seem to suggest that no-one can give an objective view of something. Like when I watch quiz shows and say “thats an easy question” and people go “it’s only easy if you know it”. BS! It’s easy because I objectively estimate that it requires knowledge held by the majority of people or can be worked out with simple logic/maths etc.

By: BIGAL-1992

BIGAL-1992 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:34:31 +0000

Pretty obvious with the genres and Prices. I’m surprised with the Review scores being so low.

By: legalisemurder

legalisemurder — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:10:25 +0000

I don’t pay much attention to review scores.Some games which i love,the dynasty warriors games for example,always get slated.I used to pay attention to opm reviews they were usually pretty spot on.I do find gametrailer pretty useful.you can usually see in game footage there.As for metacritic,who takes them seriously.The public side of things anyway.Its just a place for xbots to give poor reviews to PS3 games theyve never played.I bought the original Disgaea on the strength of an advert in opm years ago and thats one of my favourite games of all time.In general i know what i like and buy accordingly.

By: cc_star

cc_star — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:53:56 +0000

Advertising & review scores are the lowest factors for me

Review content (or at the very least TSA pros & cons) carry more weight with me, If I like the idea of the game and feel the ‘cons’ won’t bother me then I’ll mentally add a point or two to the score.

If you’re a fan of a genre, then a good example of the genre is a must buy, surely

Its when you’re thinking of buying a game from a genre that you’re previously not keen on that a reviews actual content matters.

By: rht992

rht992 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:47:52 +0000

Review scores for me. Or if its been getting awards
Don’t think i trust friends opinions. I mean a few of them did buy terminator and hanna montana
and they don’t like half life 2 or fallout
Some developers or development teams get me interested; naughty dog, valve, bioware, guys who worked on games like dead space, assassins creed, bioshock.

By: Damigos

Damigos — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:01:27 +0000

I’m going to be an analyst when i grow up..Like Pachter!!! Who has managed to be out of his predictions more than anyone i’ve ever known or heard..

By: Tuffcub

Tuffcub — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:25:47 +0000

Oh bugger I thought I’d changed that!! *cough*

By: jimmy-google

jimmy-google — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:03:40 +0000

I think the order changes from game to game. Price is normally right at the top for me but developer loyalty (Naughty Dog for example) can break through that. Advertising probably impacts my choice the least as I probably know a fair bit about the game before there are any adverts about.

Genre varies as well as sometimes I’ll buy a game because its a certain genre I like but other times I won’t because I have too many games in that genre. At the moment I won’t be buying a FPS for a long time; not because I don’t like them but I have far too many of them.

A high review score that comes out of the blue (like Demon Souls) will encourage me to look at a game but I’ll check the developer and price before I take the plunge. On the whole a review score means very little to me. I still bought Haze when it came out and rented Fairytale Fights despite bad reviews and actually I’m put off a game now if their aren’t lots of reviews about before a game is released as it comes across as though the publisher/developer is trying to hide something.

By: colossalblue

colossalblue — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:28 +0000

It’s not just the people you know dude, most /people/ are total morons.
We’re not though, we’re ace.

By: XMbeaner

XMbeaner — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:57:51 +0000

Review scores are the only way to know if something is good. If there isn’t a score how do we know what value it has? I for one will never read a review that doesn’t have a score and since most of the people that I know are total morons I can’t trust word of mouth. Also I do agree with the marketing side of things. If a game is marketed well I am more likely to buy it.

By: jimmy-google

jimmy-google — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:52:18 +0000

Which is why reviews don’t effect sales so much as at the end of the day if you buy a game you want to enjoy it. Technically good isn’t enough if you don’t enjoy the game.

By: iNsAnE_gAmInG

iNsAnE_gAmInG — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:27:17 +0000

I never even look at the developers when I am deciding on what game to buy. Genre, price and review scores are just about all that interests me.

By: X201

X201 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:27:00 +0000

For me “Review score from reliable publication/website” holds a fair degree of sway as well.