MeatBoy

First of all practice writing a lot and read other peoples reviews to figure out how they break games down.

Apart from that this book might be helpful: Dan Amrich: Critical Path: How to review video games for a living Specifically the chapters on writing.

Also maybe read up on som academic writing on games if your interested. That might help you understand better how games work and to develop a laguage to write down your opinions.

This one is pretty accessible: Jesper Juul: Half-Real

This one on game design is a little old but a classic: Richard Rouse III: Game Design: Theory & Practice

@supermike6 said:

If you don't want to do something, don't do it. For some reason everyone always tries to turn their play into work and ends up dreading the idea of doing anything. Do what you want for fun when you want to do it; you don't have to beat any games at all.

This.

Don't forget that games are supposed to be entertainment, so don't make them a chore.

But seriously, Portal 2. Get on that.

@mosespippy: Reality Is Broken is mostly about gamification (though McGonigal prefers the term gameful design). The book has an interesting premise, but a lot of it is a mess of misunderstood psychological theories and self help nonesense. The whole gamification movement which is about applying game like systems to non game applications, is flawed at best and damaging to games as a whole at its worst.Basically the problem is, games are first and foremost about interesting challenges, not about points and levels. That doesn't mesh well with the drudge of everyday life.

@Arjuna:

First of all look, up interviews with people like Jonathan Blow who really focus on the potential of video games. Those will probably give you some ideas for where to go next. Also check out the blog Critical Distance. They aggregate the kinds of articles you are looking for every week.

A couple of book suggestions:

The Art Of Video Games - This one is well written and interesting. (And it has Fallout 3 art on the cover. Can't go wrong with that)

Extra Lives - Haven't read it but it's suppose to be very good.

You could also try books on game design like Rules of Play, but that might not be exactly what you're looking for.(It's also 600 pages of pretty dense but well written material)

@cap123: @Chris2KLee: Thanks alot. Finally found it. I was obviously looking in the wrong place. The placement actually makes sense too so now I feel even dumber:)

Would be cool if this was a profile setting though. I use this site on a bunch of different computers and it would be nice if it carried over.

@KillyDarko said:

@TrulsS said:

I've been having the same issue, and I really can't find that "auto" button.

I feel like a moron not finding it, but can someone point me in the right direction?

Same here. I feel kinda stupid, but I really can't find it.... maybe I'm just going blind.

At least I'm not alone:)

So can anyone help us out?

I've been having the same issue, and I really can't find that "auto" button.

I feel like a moron not finding it, but can someone point me in the right direction?

Very poorly written article about something that isn't even newsworthy. Keep it in your blog.

" Leisure Suit Barry "

Super Meat Boy.  
 
Try the demo first though, and make sure the inevitable frustration doesn´t kill you (or your controller).