Why Videogame Reviews End Up Being So Controversial

Thanks to GamerDad for its editorial discussing why videogame reviews are sometimes controversial, and "why fanboys have such a hard time understanding that reviews are just opinions." The author explains: "I think it's simply a product of the games being essentially mechanical constructs... The mechanics of a game are often reviewed with their own numerical scores that then produce the overall total score." He goes on: "So many folks believe the pieces that create the game, because of the technology used (good or bad), define how good it can or can't be", before concluding: "Five stars out of five doesn't mean that's the greatest game and no game could be better. It does mean that it's one of the very best your money can buy in the opinion of the writer of the review."

Comments

Re:opinions that look like facts.

[chaosmage42]

Many reviewers and critics make it look like a movie or game or book really is bad rather than they just think it's bad.

To the reviewer, the movie/book/game/etc is 'really' bad, because thats what they think, that's what their experience is. Reviewers shouldn't have to state that the review is their opinion, that should go without saying.

As the GamerDad article points out, you should read some reviews by a person to get a feel for what they like. To get 'accurate' reviews {accurate for you}, find someone who has similar opinions to you. Of course you can't always assume that you will both like and dislike the same things.

I suggest reading several reviews to get several viewpoints, and taking any review wiht a grain of salt. the bottom line is you have to experience it for yourself to determine whether or not it is good {for you, obviously}.

The problem is, hte experience costs money, etc. The point of reviews would be to give you an idea of whether or not it's worth it.