Are video game reviewers finally getting it right?

[Ciggavelli]

So, everybody on here has some opinions on metacritic and reviewers, with a lot saying they get paid off or review half finished games.

Well, look at The Division. There's only one review so far on metacritic. It looks like they're taking their time and fully immersing themselves in the online environment. Are they finally listening to gamer complaints?

Can we finally say they're doing it right now?

 

[scarlxrd]

Are they finally listening to gamer complaints?

Gamer complaints are the problem. The internet age breeds this malcontent and faux outrage from mostly players who don't even intend on making a purchase. So if they're listening to gamers on the internet, they're going to end up GameTrailer-ing themselves.

That said, traditional game reviews are going to die and rightfully so. People can find out more about a game quicker than the damn reviewers. We're not reading print anymore, we're watching Let's Plays, YouTube and Twitch has the scoop on games. GamePRO and the like are a dying breed. Game Journalism isn't coveted anymore and their reviews definitely don't hold any weight like they used to--for better or worse.

 

[be back in a bit]

nah Ubisoft just didn't give them early review copies.

Gamer complaints are the problem. The internet age breeds this malcontent and faux outrage from mostly players who don't even intend on making a purchase. So if they're listening to gamers on the internet, they're going to end up GameTrailer-ing themselves.

That said, traditional game reviews are going to die and rightfully so. People can find out more about a game quicker than the damn reviewers. We're not reading print anymore, we're watching Let's Plays, YouTube and Twitch has the scoop on games. GamePRO and the like are a dying breed. Game Journalism isn't coveted anymore and their reviews definitely don't hold any weight like they used to--for better or worse.

 

[duckbutta]

at "immersing themselves in the online environment"

They waiting for that check to clear

 

[Tunez]

All reviews say in progress

 

[Ciggavelli]

All reviews say in progress

That's my point. Previously they'd review online only games on release day or prior, using a test server. It seems with this game they're actually playing what we're playing. That's a big step, and fixes some of the complaints that have been made in the past.

It seems like video game reviewers are actually listening to complaints. I think it's a good step

 

[Cladyclad]

In a perfect world. Reviewers should get the game 1 or 2 weeks before release. So we can get a review day 1.

 

[Ciggavelli]

In a perfect world. Reviewers should get the game 1 or 2 weeks before release. So we can get a review day 1.

But for online only games, their not experiencing what we experience with servers and glitches and shyt. I think it's good to wait on these online only games, so they can get a true picture of what it's really like to play


Remember the Sim City debacle? Reviewers were giving it 9s and 10s on the test server, but had to change their scores to 5s and 6s cuz the live servers were so bad upon release.

 

[Cladyclad]

But for online only games, their not experiencing what we experience with servers and glitches and shyt. I think it's good to wait on these online only games, so they can get a true picture of what it's really like to play

My cuz review games. This on particular Dev open servers for my cuz & some other companies to play online. So while they may not be able to predict the stress. My cuz was able to tell me this particular game was "dogshyt" in terms of gameplay . So it can be done

 

[Kamikaze Revy]

I disagree with the OP. Reviewers are not "getting it right". If it were up to them they would still be releasing reviews as fast as possible. This is the same even with the music industry. With the speed and ease of access for modern consumers the traditional review really is a thing of the past las has already been mentioned here. These companies just got tired of people skimming through games and reviewing them so they got smart and started implementing more strict review embargos and stopped shipped review copies as often as they used to. How can a person play a game for a few hours and be able to offer a legitimate in depth review of an entire game. Some could have a valid point to argue that you can't objectively review a game based off of one entire play through. There's no way you picked up on every detail and nuance. Its cheapens the overall art.

Also, the division is an online only game. How would you expect them to properly review the game before the servers were functioning properly and the world was populated enough to offer an objective review of the actual experience gamers will have?

 

[MeachTheMonster]

Nah. It's just that in the division ubi didn't turn on the servers till release day.

Had they turned them on early for reviewers, we'd have the same day one reviews.

An now as we speak reviewers are feverishly running through the game, so they can be the first to post the review.

Nothing has changed as far as I can tell

With that said, I was never one to rail against reviews/reviewers. I think they generally do a good job. It's when forum warriors try to use said reviews to bolster their own or discredit others opinions that the problem comes in.

 

[KushSkywalker]

They didn't hold off on reviews by choice or honor. Ubisoft gave them digital codes same as consumers and they had to preload and wait til midnight like everyone else.

They wouldve done early reviews if they could've. It had nothing to do with waiting out of the kindness of their hearts.

 

[Methodical]

Gamer complaints are the problem. The internet age breeds this malcontent and faux outrage from mostly players who don't even intend on making a purchase. So if they're listening to gamers on the internet, they're going to end up GameTrailer-ing themselves.

That said, traditional game reviews are going to die and rightfully so. People can find out more about a game quicker than the damn reviewers. We're not reading print anymore, we're watching Let's Plays, YouTube and Twitch has the scoop on games. GamePRO and the like are a dying breed. Game Journalism isn't coveted anymore and their reviews definitely don't hold any weight like they used to--for better or worse.

Good point!