Most reliable game review source?

[driver8]

I just read the gamespot review of Jade Empire, and I was struck (again) by how gamespots reviews actually tend to review the game, analyzing strengths and weaknesses instead of concentrating on da hype. Other sites give scores, or make passing references to a games shortcomings, gamespot IMHO is the most "professional" in doing a review.

So as you can guess I tend to listen to gamespot.com. On the other end of the spectrum for me, IGN tends to overblow everything, and the writers there seem more intent in demonstrating their wit and gaming fu knowledge rather than in giving us a review.

Anyways, what source of info do you rely on to avoid bad purchases?

 

[Dark Jezter]

I usually read both Gamespot's review and IGN's review of a game, and I'll occasionally check Gamespy as well.

 

[trancejeremy]

Generally speaking, I read the user reviews at gamefaqs. At least for an older game.

Usually for new games, I read gamespot and IGN and then check out gamerankings, which links to various reviews and averages the scores. While they seem to be the most popular review sites, IMHO, Gamespot and IGN are not very good. (I also don't trust IGN because they once ripped a game in a review for being too much like it's unofficial sequel.)

Generally speaking, I don't trust this reviewer for GS - he often reviews Xbox games lower than most other sites do.


It's also interesting how most review sites seem to agree on some of the features, like the combat and inventory system, but look at them in a different ways. IGN calls it "streamlined". GS calls it "oversimplified".

Now, while the latter might be true of the reviewer's personal taste, it's not how the game should be reviewed,IMHO. Bioware was not aiming to make crunchy sort of RPG. They were aiming to make an action RPG.

Also, looking around, only Gamespot mentions that JE has very very long loading times (worse than KOTOR). I would think that other sites would mention this if it were true. (I dunno, since I don't have it. But we'll see once normal people get it...).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

IGN's various departments have wildly different personalities and levels of professionalism, IMO. The computer team is justly lambasted, but I've found the PS2 staff does an excellent job with reviews.

Unfortunately, after IGN, Gamespy and Gamespot, there's really not anyone who you can rely on to review a game in a timely and consistent manner, unless you go to PC Gamer, Computer Games or Computer Gaming World, none of which offer the timeliness of a Web site review.

 

[John Crichton]

I read Gamespot, IGN & occassionally Gamespy (just to get a different take).

IGN's reviews tend to be a bit too fanboyish for my tastes but I still like to read them since they do explain why they really like something or not.

I trust Gamespot the most because they are the most critical. trancejeremy mentioned Gamespot's review including JE's long load times and KotOR-esque slowdown and battle glitches. These are the things I want to know about as they are part of the game. One of the most frustrating things about KotOR 1&2 are the glitches and pops that interfere from time to time. The worst is the loading times. KotOR was bad, KotOR2 was worse and if Jade Empire is even slower that will drive me mad. I'll still enjoy the game but there are times that are terribly frustrating. For scoring: these things should impact the score because they do take away from the overall experience.

I'd rather have a review that was a bit over-critical than too easy. I'm typically already hyped for the game, I don't need more of that.

Oh yeah, and I do watch X-Play and really enjoy it. I'm not sure if I'd buy a game based on Adam and Morgan's reviews but they sure make them fun. Despite how silly they are I've actually grown to respect them because if a game or feature sucks, they'll usually catch it and make fun of it.

As for avoiding bad purchases, I'll squish all the reviews together, surf message boards and ask here for opinions. For example, Welverin and I have very similar tastes so if I am on the fence about the game I'll hope that he has played it to get his take. My problem is that there are actually TOO MANY good games on the market right now and not enough time to play them!

Example: I've owned MGS3, RE4 & KotOR2 for 3-4 months now and have finished none of them. Not to mention a slew of games that I've had for years (Beyond Good & Evil & FFX-2, for example) that I haven't gotten back around to playing yet.

 

[Allanon]

Mostly I surf to Gamerankings and read the various reviews before making up my mind (the scoring system is nice but reviews still tell you so much more). I agree though that Gamespot seems to have to most in depth reviews.

In the end a review is still a summary of someone else's opinion, end therefore inherently flawed. I've bought games (Black&White I'm looking at you) where every gamessite and even close friends of mine recommended it , and still got burned because everyone blindly fell for the hype.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I look at the technical support forums of the games

 

[Arnwyn]

I usually read both Gamespot's review and IGN's review of a game, and I'll occasionally check Gamespy as well.

Yeah, that.

I agree with the others that IGN's different departments vary wildly. I'll trust the PS2 guys to smack down a game if it deserves it, but the Xbox and GCN reviewers are way to fanboyish for me... pretty questionable reviews from them.

 

[Welverin]

I mostly stick to Gamespot and EGM, if I want more opinions I'll check out Gamefaqs.com or Gamerankings.com, but typically I know what I'll be interested in well before it's release so it's really just a matter of make sure it doesn't suck and I don't need to many reviews to figure that out.

For example, Welverin and I have very similar tastes so if I am on the fence about the game I'll hope that he has played it to get his take.

Only the best!

I trust Gamespot the most because they are the most critical. trancejeremy mentioned Gamespot's review including JE's long load times and KotOR-esque slowdown and battle glitches. These are the things I want to know about as they are part of the game. One of the most frustrating things about KotOR 1&2 are the glitches and pops that interfere from time to time. The worst is the loading times. KotOR was bad, KotOR2 was worse and if Jade Empire is even slower that will drive me mad. I'll still enjoy the game but there are times that are terribly frustrating. For scoring: these things should impact the score because they do take away from the overall experience.

I wouldn't say they're all that bad, but I'm an old PC gamer so my tolerance is high (I remember having to switch disks!). I didn't do too much, I was a bit fried when I got home and Veronica Mars was going to be on soon, but it may not come up too often.

This is one nice thing about God of War, so long as you're going forward and not backtracking there are no load times.

As for Gamespot pointing such things out, I think that's a mark of a good review, telling you what's there so you can decide for yourself whehter or not it meets your standards. It's what I like about Psion's reviews. It's also why people need to read reviews and not just look at the numerical score.

Example: I've owned MGS3, RE4 & KotOR2 for 3-4 months now and have finished none of them.

After finishing MGS3 I'd have to say while it was entertaining while I played it, looking back it's not a great game, solid, but that's about all. I really don't think it deserved the high scores it got, Gamespot probably came the closest.

I'm really beginning to believe games in popular series get higher scores simply for be a sequel to popular and successful series.

Not to mention a slew of games that I've had for years (Beyond Good & Evil & FFX-2, for example) that I haven't gotten back around to playing yet.

Speaking of BG&E, you really need to finish it. Of course that just may make you long for more, in which case maybe you shouldn't because at least that way you'll have something to look forward to.

I've bought games (Black&White I'm looking at you) where every gamessite and even close friends of mine recommended it , and still got burned because everyone blindly fell for the hype.

To be fair, everyone seems to have been fooled by that one. From what I gathered early on the game seemed to be really good, but once they got farther into it just didn't live up to the promise, much less the hype. Which makes it a good example of why it's best to finish a game before reviewing it.

 

[John Crichton]

I mostly stick to Gamespot and EGM, if I want more opinions I'll check out Gamefaqs.com or Gamerankings.com, but typically I know what I'll be interested in well before it's release so it's really just a matter of make sure it doesn't suck and I don't need to many reviews to figure that out.

That's a good point and something that I do as well. There are certain games that are just no-brainers so the review is affirmation of just how good it is.

Only the best!

Damn straight. I have no time to try out potential crap.

I wouldn't say they're all that bad, but I'm an old PC gamer so my tolerance is high (I remember having to switch disks!).

Yeah, that was never fun. Perhaps it's that I'm getting really impatient and just want more. But then again, I was able to get up, fix myself a drink and sit down again during one load screen. Probably took about a minute which is way too long. Or it's just that the game is so good that I don't want to stop playing it...

As for Gamespot pointing such things out, I think that's a mark of a good review, telling you what's there so you can decide for yourself whehter or not it meets your standards. It's what I like about Psion's reviews. It's also why people need to read reviews and not just look at the numerical score.

Good call. While I'm glad scores are given out, I'll look more for phrases like, "if you liked game X" or "enjoy big frickin' robots that blow things up." Also, a good reviewer/writer can let you know how much he enjoyed the game without actually saying it straight out. The tone of the review makes a difference as well.

After finishing MGS3 I'd have to say while it was entertaining while I played it, looking back it's not a great game, solid, but that's about all. I really don't think it deserved the high scores it got, Gamespot probably came the closest.

Ah. Well, it's still waiting for me. *sigh*

I'm really beginning to believe games in popular series get higher scores simply for be a sequel to popular and successful series.

In some cases this may be true, for certain. I wouldn't say that the scores are significantly higher but there is always some good-feeling carried over from the original.

Speaking of BG&E, you really need to finish it. Of course that just may make you long for more, in which case maybe you shouldn't because at least that way you'll have something to look forward to.

I'm entertained and damned either way it seems like.