Gaming review scores

snickothemule · October 5th, 2008

For what seems like forever, reviewers of games, movies, electronics, and other mediums have had the basic formula of writing a short review, gloss over a few main points then slap on a rating at the end, be it a percent, star rating or out of 10.

Recently after reading and listening to some reviewers in magazines or online videos they neglected to add the rating at the end (Zero Punctuations Yahtzee video reviews come to mind) and instead let their opinions of the product in review contain all the persuasive points about why we should either ignore or rush to the stores to pick up the product in question.

The scores in question have in most cases I have seen been the major talking point about the product, rather than the product itself, with people belittling the reviewer about how the review sucked because the points system was .3 points lower than the review written by the next average Jo reviewer (IGN comment boards I'm talking about you).

So my main point is, does the review score at the end hold any resemblance about a products quality to you? Or do you prefer the review content do all the talking?

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Last edited by snickothemule; October 5th, 2008 at 10:49..

gamefreak94 · October 5th, 2008

I never trust reviews. Cuz I know that everyone in this world doesn't have the same taste and liking as I do and that opinions may differ drastically from person to person.

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galson · October 5th, 2008

In 90s the reviews where based upon the real thing and the reviewers weren't as biased as nowadays. We also all know about cases where reviews where withdrawn because the review disappointed game's publisher which just so happened to be site's one of the main advertisers. It's so commercial now that it's hard to depend on reviews alone. Few years back I'd vote 'yes', but it's 'no' today.

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cowfez · October 5th, 2008

Strangely enough, I generally (with the exception of this console generation) agree with IGN's review scores regardless of the review content. I've never bought a game based on a review from a professional game site, however.

As for whether or not scores are useful? I think they are. You can often read very similar reviews from different games in the same genre, where the games basically have the same pros and cons, but it's not always easy to discern why one is preferable. A score can help in this case.

Last edited by cowfez; October 5th, 2008 at 10:42..

IamWhatIam · October 5th, 2008

score means a lot. Not all have the patience to read the whole review.

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Densetsu · October 5th, 2008

Trusting the reviewers is a part of the big conspiracy by the goverment to turn you into mindless drones!

Trust noone!

NOONE!

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**cottonvibes** · October 5th, 2008

a high review score tells me that i should look into the game.
then after watching a few gameplay videos, i determine if i want to buy it or not.

i hate that sometimes they review games lower because the game is a sequel, and the gameplay is similar.
for example, they review Dynasty Warriors games really bad because the series usually copies the same formula.
but who cares if its mostly the same, as long as its fun?

anyways, i wouldn't buy a game just cuz the reviews are high (they always rate GTA games really high, and i think they suck)
but a high-review in a game, does influence me to research the game, and see if its any good or not.

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**SCHUMI_4EVER** · October 5th, 2008

The scores at the end a summary of the paragraphs just help back them up. For instance despite lots of criticisms for gameplay for instance it may still get 8/10 as they don't detract too much from the enjoyment, or it could be 5/10 meaning the criticisms mentiond cause huge problems.
Yes, I use both the reviews and scores to make my decisions, but as a persuasive source rather than a set of facts. My final decision is still based off my own evaluation. For instance reviews for Two Worlds tend to be very bad, but I still really want to get that game as despite the reviews I think I will have fun with it.
I mainly use reviews to find out about possible problems which I can't see from Screenshots and other research on the game.

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**Cid Highwind** · October 5th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowfez

Strangely enough, I generally (with the exception of this console generation) agree with IGN's review scores regardless of the review content. I've never bought a game based on a review from a professional game site, however.

As for whether or not scores are useful? I think they are. You can often read very similar reviews from different games in the same genre, where the games basically have the same pros and cons, but it's not always easy to discern why one is preferable. A score can help in this case.

It's darn hard finding useful reviews, I usually don't look at the big websites for them. They are really nice for getting impressions about games, but you can't base an opinion of its quality on those. Too much stuff is swept under the rug as a favour to the publishers who sponsor their website.

Years ago you could visit sites like Avault which would have great reviews with also a performance analysis. Some magazines also had different setups and they would grade the performance of a game. A game like Crysis wouldn't get more than a 7 back then simply because the graphics are below the standard when compared to the performance tradeoff.

I simply love reading about games though, especially when looking forward to a game I'd buy anyway, I don't mind getting dragged into the hype. But in all other cases I simply don't trust them, and prefer to base my opinion on demoes and personal references.

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redlofredlof · October 5th, 2008

I don't read the review, mostly I ask people (who have same interest in games as me) who have played the game. And I like to see the gameplay video instead of the review.

Densetsu · October 5th, 2008

You people really look only into games that get 7+ scores?

Gah, you're at fault that God Hand sold sh1t poor and the awesome that is Clover disbanded. I bet most of you saw IGN's retarded 3 score and said "fu.ck it!".

I hate you all! *runs away crying*

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Noja87 · October 5th, 2008

Meh, i think its fun reading reviews and seeing what others think about the game but when it comes to buying a game i really dont care. I just read the review, watch a couple of gameplay videos and if the game interest me ill buy it. God Hand and PN03 are examples of games i really enjoyed and beat multiple times but sold poorly and got bad/mediocre reviews.

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redlofredlof · October 5th, 2008

Some times I read the reviews of people who have given bad scores to the game, just to see how angry they got from playing that game.

ozzgx4 · October 5th, 2008

I always look at game reviews, sometimes I will still buy the game even if the reviews were **** :P

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Vanit · October 5th, 2008

I don't trust game reviews to the extent that I'd only read one and make my decision off that. Usually I read 10 or more reviews from google searches and then look for gameplay videos on youtube to see if its something that'll appeal to me.

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ozzgx4 · October 5th, 2008

Yeah, that what I do, but only if I have never played the game before. with sequel games I don't normally read the reviews unless I think otherwise

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Quote:

Originally Posted by snickothemule

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gamefreak94 · October 5th, 2008

Come on people who don't like reviews, vote already

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ozzgx4 · October 5th, 2008

I doubt that there are many people that will pick the second option

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Quote:

Originally Posted by snickothemule

Q:What is the meaning of life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

Exodus · October 6th, 2008

I pay attention to them since...

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowfez

Strangely enough, I generally (with the exception of this console generation) agree with IGN's review scores regardless of the review content. I've never bought a game based on a review from a professional game site, however.

(Just sub 'IGN' with 'Gamerankings')

However, if the game under question is something I'm interested in, I'll get it anyways.

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skoreanime · October 6th, 2008

Read the reviews. Read several reviews on the same game and try the game, whether through a demo or a borrowed copy. Play it then sort through your head all the good and bad points each reviewer pointed out and emphasized on. Now, I only trust the reviews of 4-5 reviewers, because I know they share some very similar criteria to me.

View Poll Results: Do review scores mean anything to you?
Yes, they help with my decision making	15	55.56%
No, they mean nothing to me	12	44.44%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

October 5th, 2008	#1 (permalink)
snickothemule Shennanigans since 1987 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Coffs Harbour, Australia Posts: 2,053	Gaming review scores For what seems like forever, reviewers of games, movies, electronics, and other mediums have had the basic formula of writing a short review, gloss over a few main points then slap on a rating at the end, be it a percent, star rating or out of 10. Recently after reading and listening to some reviewers in magazines or online videos they neglected to add the rating at the end (Zero Punctuations Yahtzee video reviews come to mind) and instead let their opinions of the product in review contain all the persuasive points about why we should either ignore or rush to the stores to pick up the product in question. The scores in question have in most cases I have seen been the major talking point about the product, rather than the product itself, with people belittling the reviewer about how the review sucked because the points system was .3 points lower than the review written by the next average Jo reviewer (IGN comment boards I'm talking about you). So my main point is, does the review score at the end hold any resemblance about a products quality to you? Or do you prefer the review content do all the talking? __________________ The ngemu Ghetto Art competition 2009 - now with real prizes! Last edited by snickothemule; October 5th, 2008 at 10:49..

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October 5th, 2008	#2 (permalink)
gamefreak94 Die anime!! Die!! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: پاكستان <--- Urdu Posts: 6,282	I never trust reviews. Cuz I know that everyone in this world doesn't have the same taste and liking as I do and that opinions may differ drastically from person to person. __________________ How to configure uTorrent for maximum upload and download speed?

October 5th, 2008	#3 (permalink)
galson The Big Red Machine Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Éire Posts: 1,454	In 90s the reviews where based upon the real thing and the reviewers weren't as biased as nowadays. We also all know about cases where reviews where withdrawn because the review disappointed game's publisher which just so happened to be site's one of the main advertisers. It's so commercial now that it's hard to depend on reviews alone. Few years back I'd vote 'yes', but it's 'no' today. __________________ My deviantART \| PS3 news \| General Emulation Forums

October 5th, 2008	#4 (permalink)
cowfez Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: . Posts: 449	Strangely enough, I generally (with the exception of this console generation) agree with IGN's review scores regardless of the review content. I've never bought a game based on a review from a professional game site, however. As for whether or not scores are useful? I think they are. You can often read very similar reviews from different games in the same genre, where the games basically have the same pros and cons, but it's not always easy to discern why one is preferable. A score can help in this case. Last edited by cowfez; October 5th, 2008 at 10:42..

October 5th, 2008	#6 (permalink)
Densetsu Demon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hell. Waiting for Diablo's call. Posts: 1,114	Trusting the reviewers is a part of the big conspiracy by the goverment to turn you into mindless drones! Trust noone! NOONE! __________________

October 5th, 2008	#8 (permalink)
SCHUMI_4EVER Hackin 'n Slashin Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Corrupt Rapist run South Africa Posts: 11,354	The scores at the end a summary of the paragraphs just help back them up. For instance despite lots of criticisms for gameplay for instance it may still get 8/10 as they don't detract too much from the enjoyment, or it could be 5/10 meaning the criticisms mentiond cause huge problems. Yes, I use both the reviews and scores to make my decisions, but as a persuasive source rather than a set of facts. My final decision is still based off my own evaluation. For instance reviews for Two Worlds tend to be very bad, but I still really want to get that game as despite the reviews I think I will have fun with it. I mainly use reviews to find out about possible problems which I can't see from Screenshots and other research on the game. __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) \| ASUS P5Q \| 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 \| ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M \| Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!! No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0 Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!! !!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

October 5th, 2008	#10 (permalink)
redlofredlof ▄A▄W▄A▄Y▄ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ Posts: 3,830	I don't read the review, mostly I ask people (who have same interest in games as me) who have played the game. And I like to see the gameplay video instead of the review.

October 5th, 2008	#11 (permalink)
Densetsu Demon Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hell. Waiting for Diablo's call. Posts: 1,114	You people really look only into games that get 7+ scores? Gah, you're at fault that God Hand sold sh1t poor and the awesome that is Clover disbanded. I bet most of you saw IGN's retarded 3 score and said "fu.ck it!". I hate you all! runs away crying __________________

October 5th, 2008	#12 (permalink)
Noja87 White Void Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The End Has Come Posts: 1,946	Meh, i think its fun reading reviews and seeing what others think about the game but when it comes to buying a game i really dont care. I just read the review, watch a couple of gameplay videos and if the game interest me ill buy it. God Hand and PN03 are examples of games i really enjoyed and beat multiple times but sold poorly and got bad/mediocre reviews. __________________

October 5th, 2008	#13 (permalink)
redlofredlof ▄A▄W▄A▄Y▄ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ Posts: 3,830	Some times I read the reviews of people who have given bad scores to the game, just to see how angry they got from playing that game.

October 5th, 2008	#15 (permalink)
Vanit Heretic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Australia! Posts: 2,761	I don't trust game reviews to the extent that I'd only read one and make my decision off that. Usually I read 10 or more reviews from google searches and then look for gameplay videos on youtube to see if its something that'll appeal to me. __________________ Click here to download my Sin and Punishment English translation.

October 5th, 2008	#17 (permalink)
gamefreak94 Die anime!! Die!! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: پاكستان <--- Urdu Posts: 6,282	Come on people who don't like reviews, vote already __________________ How to configure uTorrent for maximum upload and download speed?

October 6th, 2008	#20 (permalink)
skoreanime Your resident reaper... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 6,031	Read the reviews. Read several reviews on the same game and try the game, whether through a demo or a borrowed copy. Play it then sort through your head all the good and bad points each reviewer pointed out and emphasized on. Now, I only trust the reviews of 4-5 reviewers, because I know they share some very similar criteria to me.