Comments on: Different Review Philosophies http://www.killtenrats.com/2008/10/12/different-review-philosophies/ a group of adventurers on an epic quest Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:28:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Alex Taldren http://www.killtenrats.com/2008/10/12/different-review-philosophies/comment-page-1/#comment-28096 Alex Taldren Mon, 13 Oct 2008 03:59:28 +0000 http://www.killtenrats.com/?p=2187#comment-28096 It makes sense. Video games are reviewed in a multitude of ways, and this is simply one of them. You can review them based on other games in the genre, as they are by themselves, or compared to their sequels/prequels. It really isn't a matter of right or wrong, but just preference. Personally, I think there should be defined categories of reviews. The idea being that you could go to a site like Gamespot, look up a game like Call of Duty 4, and find a 4-5 reviews, each one being from a different philosophy with its own unique score. Then you could have an average score based on the different review types. Of course, this would probably be seen as a waste of time anyway, despite it being thorough. It makes sense. Video games are reviewed in a multitude of ways, and this is simply one of them. You can review them based on other games in the genre, as they are by themselves, or compared to their sequels/prequels. It really isn’t a matter of right or wrong, but just preference.

Personally, I think there should be defined categories of reviews. The idea being that you could go to a site like Gamespot, look up a game like Call of Duty 4, and find a 4-5 reviews, each one being from a different philosophy with its own unique score. Then you could have an average score based on the different review types. Of course, this would probably be seen as a waste of time anyway, despite it being thorough.

]]> By: Rog http://www.killtenrats.com/2008/10/12/different-review-philosophies/comment-page-1/#comment-28086 Rog Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:05:05 +0000 http://www.killtenrats.com/?p=2187#comment-28086 I suppose no car should be compared to other cars in auto reviews, or no restaurant compared to other restaurants, no laptop compared to other laptops, etc. etc.. What a silly concept. Reviews are comparative by their very nature, even if you do not mention the competition by name. Sure, all of your reviews shouldn't be saying it's like X but with X, but if it's a game the reader is likely to know, it's a useful reference point. This obsession lately with games for non-gamers is now turning into game reviews for non-gamers? To which, Penny Arcade answers well: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/10/10/ I suppose no car should be compared to other cars in auto reviews, or no restaurant compared to other restaurants, no laptop compared to other laptops, etc. etc..

What a silly concept. Reviews are comparative by their very nature, even if you do not mention the competition by name.

Sure, all of your reviews shouldn’t be saying it’s like X but with X, but if it’s a game the reader is likely to know, it’s a useful reference point.

This obsession lately with games for non-gamers is now turning into game reviews for non-gamers? To which, Penny Arcade answers well: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/10/10/

]]> By: jason http://www.killtenrats.com/2008/10/12/different-review-philosophies/comment-page-1/#comment-28085 jason Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:49:14 +0000 http://www.killtenrats.com/?p=2187#comment-28085 I think what they are trying to avoid is when you read a review for a game and they say, "Its just like Max Payne, only not as good." What does that mean to you if you never played Max Payne? Or if you had never heard of Max Payne? I don't think an outright ban on comparisons is needed, but using them can be "lazy" and leave your review inscrutable to gamers with less experience. If you use a comparison, you have to be sure to follow up with what exactly that comparison means. I think what they are trying to avoid is when you read a review for a game and they say, “Its just like Max Payne, only not as good.” What does that mean to you if you never played Max Payne? Or if you had never heard of Max Payne? I don’t think an outright ban on comparisons is needed, but using them can be “lazy” and leave your review inscrutable to gamers with less experience. If you use a comparison, you have to be sure to follow up with what exactly that comparison means.

]]> By: Ravious http://www.killtenrats.com/2008/10/12/different-review-philosophies/comment-page-1/#comment-28084 Ravious Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:28:19 +0000 http://www.killtenrats.com/?p=2187#comment-28084 I personally do not see how that is possible. Playing other games will create in your mind a baseline of "fun." It is a fine philosophy to write that way so as to not assume your readership have played Game X, but I agree with your stance, Zubon. I personally do not see how that is possible. Playing other games will create in your mind a baseline of “fun.” It is a fine philosophy to write that way so as to not assume your readership have played Game X, but I agree with your stance, Zubon.

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