Just finished reading an article on Destructoid that decries user feedback on video game reviews. While the article makes some strong points, I think the author may have taken his faux seriousness too far, descending dangerously close to the level that the folks he's criticizing reside on, which in turn runs the risk of alienating his more moderate fanbase. A little civility and dignity would have gone much further to prove his points than vicious verbal attacks and petty generalizations about the video game community; well, at least in my mind.
 
So here's the question(s), Giant Bombers: do you think professional reviews are more than "just opinion"? If so, how? Do you think user reviews are more trustworthy than professional ones? If so, why?

that article was written by the same guy who gave bad reviews to very good games in the past so im sure he had a bunch of people criticize him.  and when i say bad, i dont just mean the score.  his reasons for the bad score were pretty far-fetched.

If a review was more than an opinion, it would be fact. And reviews are not facts, because if I had have took a lot reviews for games I love as fact, I never would have played them. Therefore, I would have missed out.

 @End_Boss said:

"do you think professional reviews are more than "just opinion"? If so, how? Do you think user reviews are more trustworthy than professional ones? If so, why?"

"Videogame reviews are important, able to topple societies and slay kings" 
 
Which is why I'm a reviewer: so this never happens to me.
 
Hey, we got a shout out! Hooray us!

I don't find destructoid funny anymore, reviews are opinions, end of story

Every article that douchebag writes contains some unnecessary and unwanted rude sarcasm.

Who actually takes any of Jim Sterlings reviews or articles seriously?

well that was written by  Jim Sterling a man that is functionally retarded.........that's all 

" Every article that douchebag writes contains some unnecessary and unwanted rude sarcasm. "

" Who actually takes any of Jim Sterlings reviews or articles seriously? "

Why is it that people think it just has to be either opinions or facts?  Where did we all of a sudden assume things are either dismissible personal comments or absolute scientific law?  Guess what, opinions do matter and you'd be an ignorant fool to assume "agreeing to disagree" should be the answer to all disagreements.
 
I completely agree that game reviews are supposed to be regarded as different from "just opinions".  An anonymous comment on a forum or blog I would hazard is safer to assume to be "just an opinion".  However, pro game reviewers get paid to have those opinions, on top of having an entire industrial infrastructure that they write from and influence.  As a result those opinions do affect the way games are perceived, received, sold, and remembered.  Is it absolute?  No, as any one reviewer can only have an indirect influence in the end.  The degree with which that review is meaningful objectively and subjectively is directly related to the quality and characteristics of the reviewer.  The better and more aware the reviewer, the more meaningful the opinions.
 
What I don't agree with is the whole pseudo-sarcastic internet snob approach.  I didn't find this funny or effective, at all.  I was actually insulted because I was expecting a legitimate article regarding game reviews.

" Why is it that people think it just has to be either opinions or facts?  Where did we all of a sudden assume things are either dismissible personal comments or absolute scientific law?

If a site, or an individual reviewer, doesn't speak to you agreeably, find another source.  That's the only approach that's ever made sense to me. "

For a given value of professional, considering most videogame reviewers are just kids who like playing games, not actual talented journalists. I think this article demonstrates that fact perfectly.

looks like it was taken down.
 
i do love Jim's "My Atheist Day" article though.

I don't take D'toid reviews very seriously, I go elsewhere for that, but D'toid is a fun site overall. 
Jim's a bit of a drama queen sure, everything bothers him lol.
 
Edit: For GiantBomb, I don't trust all reviewers here as well, I'll out and say I just don't trust Brad for his Wii game reviews, because I don't think he likes the Wii, reviewer slant is too high for me to accept.

It's Jim Sterling...
 
You don't take him seriously.

" It's Jim Sterling...  You don't take him seriously. "

If a review is an opinion it ceases to be a review.
 
Reviews are a tool to inform consumers of the odds they wont waste their money. Thats why i like GB's reviews in particular, while personal opinion is often expressed, they also say "hey if you like this this and this, you will probably like it."
 
It's information from someone who has enough experience with the medium that they can give mostly unbiased information to educate you about making a purchase.

I like Jim's articles, but they always start off so much funnier than they end.  Need to use the sarcasm a little more sparingly.  Also, I don't necessarily agree with everything he says in this article. 

As from what I''ve heard from a podcast way back (Jeff talking no less) in the Hotspot years, reviews definitely have aspects of the reviewers opinions in it but professional reviewers need to take into consideration the technical side of things eg, graphics, story, controls, etc. As such they need to describe what kind of audience the game will appeal to, not just themselves. On the other hand, honest opinions of their respective experience of the game is an integral part of a review and so must be taken into consideration. So a fine line must be tread between technical and personal opinion in reviews in order to give the readers an idea of whether the game will suit you and inform you if you should buy this game. I think Giantbomb does this really well, giving their honest opinions on the game while still considering who the audience the game is suited to, rather than just dismissing it as a terrible or fantastic game.

I'm not too familiar with the Destructoid guys, so I'm not sure how I should take their articles. Judging by the comments on this thread they don't seem popular around here.
 
@Ramyun:
^What he said. There are certain games that don't appeal to me, but I could see that there will be an audience for it.