Poll on reviews, reviewers, and you

[DaveMage]

Since I buy most everything, I use EN World reviews as a means to figure out what I will actually use in my game.

If several reviewers agree on the balance and utility of a product, I'll use it.

I think the most useful of reviewers I've seen is John Cooper, since he creates instant errata fixes, which I would never put forth the effort to figure out for myself.

As for scores, unless a product receives a 1 or a 2 rating, the opinion doesn't really matter to me. 1s and 2s usually mean there are some serious issues with a product, so I'll avoid wasting my time with them in-game, even though I may mine them for ideas on occasion.

 

[Voadam]

I don't read every review, only ones on products I might be interested in or that I am considering purchasing. I don't read ones on books I plan on reviewing myself until after I am done and my review is submitted. I stopped reading adventure reviews long ago unless I am thinking of buying that specific adventure.

When I do look for information on a specific product, I'll read all the reviews to get a) an overview of the contents, and b) an analysis of the quality of the contents.

 

[GuardianLurker]

I primarily read the staff reviewers, and a few posters (like Crothian) who's opinions I respect. Mostly I use the reviews for info, but there have been occassional times when I stopped a planned purchase.

But if it fits with my campaign, I'll probably get it.

 

[Clint]

I selected the read/salt option for the poll, but I wanted some combination of options: I read (skim) them all, taking them with a grain of salt, except for reviewers I recognize, whose reviews I give either more or less attention based on what I've seen from them in the past.

For example, there is a small group of reviewers (ENWorld staff reviewers and some reviewers who frequent other websites, mainly rpg.net) who will give each book a fair shake, and so I read their reviews thoroughly. On the other hand, some people overly love/hate certain authors/companies/games and so I don't really care about what they think.

Note that this is purely describing review utility, it is only one small part of the purchasing equation, which has many, many factors.

 

[diaglo]

Same here.

moi aussi

 

[Adlon]

I read them all, with a grain, was my choice..... But, we could have subdived this poll into many more options ....... Still the poll covers the important headers.

I read reviews. Many of them. I want to know the contents first, and foremost. Will the topic of the material fit into my game. A book about giant, mutant mushrooms will NOT appeal to me, but it may to others.

After I know the contents, I look at the breakdowns a reviewer gives. I look across 2 reviewers, to look for content continuity between two opinions.
If it's a reviewer who's opinion I trust, I continue looking at the purchase. If the book is getting slammed by the bulk of the reviewers, I still don't pass, as I've found some real gems for MY game where others saw nothing. But, I've always professed to finding worth in just about every book out there, once I decide the topic fits into my game.

So, reviewers initially guide me, but dont sway me in the end. That means that the reviewers are doing their job.

 

[Crothian]

I primarily read the staff reviewers, and a few posters (like Crothian) who's opinions I respect.

While I appriciate that, I just want to mention I am a Staff Reviewer

 

[MonsterMash]

I read the reviews of stuff I knew I was interested in (with a grain of salt). If I see something that I haven't heard of getting good reviews then I'll check out the reviews to see if I might want it.

And of course I also write reviews - though I've got a lot to finish off and post.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I love John Cooper's reviews. He does an excellent job of getting the mechanics down, much better than I do as a matter of fact.

As far as an editor, yeah, I could probably use one. That and more time to review.

As far as the high scores... on a rating of 1-5, I don't have as much leeway as I'd like to so if it's a product I've used a few times and enjoy, it's more likely to get a 4. On the other hand, if it's a product that I find is a workhorse style, but is ugly or has some serious issues (Troll Lord's Book of Names and AEG's Toolbox come to mind), them it'll probably get a three. For me, art, layout, and writing style count a lot.

 

[Psion]

I used to have a (volunteer) editor. Then White Wolf decided to hire him for about half their d20 books and he ran out of time. Sheesh!