...that nobody would take them seriously.
Here's a list of recent games I've played, and what I think I'd probably rate them:
Alice: Madness Returns - 5/5
Just Cause 2 - 5/5
Mass Effect - 5/5
Bulletstorm - 5/5
Fallout: New Vegas 5/5
Portal 2 - 4/5
Batman: Arkham Asylum - 4/5
Infamous - 3/5
Mass Effect 2 - 3/5
Fallout 3 - 3/5
Can you see the problem here? As far as the collective opinion of the world goes, every single one of these opinions is flat-out wrong. If I were to write these up, they would probably be instantly rated down because I'm obviously trying to be cool by being different. In my head (because I haven't written them yet) I could justify those scores very well, but who is actually going to take the time to give a shit when they see a 3 star review on something as highly regarded as Mass Effect 2 (Goddamn Game of the Year)
Is there anyone here who agrees with any of these ratings?
I thought I should start writing reviews, but then I realized...
...that nobody would take them seriously.
Here's a list of recent games I've played, and what I think I'd probably rate them:
Alice: Madness Returns - 5/5
Just Cause 2 - 5/5
Mass Effect - 5/5
Bulletstorm - 5/5
Fallout: New Vegas 5/5
Portal 2 - 4/5
Batman: Arkham Asylum - 4/5
Infamous - 3/5
Mass Effect 2 - 3/5
Fallout 3 - 3/5
Can you see the problem here? As far as the collective opinion of the world goes, every single one of these opinions is flat-out wrong. If I were to write these up, they would probably be instantly rated down because I'm obviously trying to be cool by being different. In my head (because I haven't written them yet) I could justify those scores very well, but who is actually going to take the time to give a shit when they see a 3 star review on something as highly regarded as Mass Effect 2 (Goddamn Game of the Year)
Is there anyone here who agrees with any of these ratings?
Do I agree with your scores? No.
But just because your opinion differs from the majority of reviews doesn't mean anything. But seriously, if you want to write the reviews, go for it.
Well it's a lot like making your own RPG in the RPG maker. You'll have fun making it, but then you'll think who's gotta play it when it's done. Then you sorta get depressed and stop putting as much work into it.
It's the same with Little Big planet levels. When you see what someone can really do with those tools, you get depressed about your own crappy level.
Why does it matter whether others agree with your reviews or not? Everyone's opinion is different and those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Because everyone wants to be loved. Also no one whats to put work into something, that just going to get shit on.
Those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Read the comments on most Jim Sterling reviews and say that again. Nobody even bothers reading it, he's automatically a attention-seeking dick who hates games. He often has completely valid criticisms of games but nobody is there to care because the small number under the text isn't what they thought it was going to be.
It's cool. I usually look for devil's advocate opinions when looking to buy a game, to make sure my bases are covered. If you just go with the crowd, your review will just get washed up and ignored in the sea of every other similar review.
Having an opinion is for winner's, and if you want to express it, that's totally cool. Ignore the trolls.
And just for the record, I played InFamous, Portal 2, and Batman too (I know, I know, I have Fallout 3 and I'm going to get ME2 for the PS3 eventually), and I agree with Portal 2 and Batman. But InFamous would get a 4/5 from me.
I want to read most of your reviews. Also, I'm one of the vocal not-so-into-Portal-2 minority members and I loved what I'd played of Alice: Madness Returns.
But honestly, if you feel uncomfortable with direct criticism for your feelings, then I bet you're better suited to starting a podcast. When it comes to reviews, people want to hear their beliefs validated more than they want to hear alternate perspectives, while podcasts are more about conversation and alternate beliefs.
@Bear said:You should read his Dynasty Warriors reviews. There is not a finer review of DW games around, because actually plays them.Those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Read the comments on most Jim Sterling reviews and say that again. Nobody even bothers reading it, he's automatically a attention-seeking dick who hates games. He often has completely valid criticisms of games but nobody is there to care because the small number under the text isn't what they thought it was going to be.
I don't care about scores. You write a review for Infamous and say its good but not great and explain why you think that, I'll read it.
Your correct about the majority disregarding negative reviews of games they like, but are you (a user on giant bomb) going to attract the majority, no your not.
Are you really not going to express your opinions just because of what others may think? That's not a good way to live.
Ridiculous. We definitely need a greater variety of voices in the gaming press.
@Ventilaator said:
@Bear said:
Those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Read the comments on most Jim Sterling reviews and say that again. Nobody even bothers reading it, he's automatically a attention-seeking dick who hates games. He often has completely valid criticisms of games but nobody is there to care because the small number under the text isn't what they thought it was going to be.
Jim Sterling is an attention seeking dick because he makes videos of pounding sonic the hedgehog dolls up the ass and yells impotently in 80% of his work.
Also, who cares what people on the internet think?Even if I think the man is a raving manchild, at least I respect his ability to not give a shit about what people think of him. It sounds to me like your pretty sensitive towards criticism--
A thick skin is a very usefull thing to have, man.
I have no problem with criticism, but what I'm worried about isn't criticism. Criticism would be pointing out how I'm wrong, what I'm worried about is being blatantly written off as an idiot.It sounds to me like your pretty sensitive towards criticism-- A thick skin is a very usefull thing to have, man.
@Bear said:Why don't you not write a number about your games? That way you give a reasoned conclusion about a game and people can take what they like from it.Those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Read the comments on most Jim Sterling reviews and say that again. Nobody even bothers reading it, he's automatically a attention-seeking dick who hates games. He often has completely valid criticisms of games but nobody is there to care because the small number under the text isn't what they thought it was going to be.
Write reviews because you enjoy it. Don't worry about whether other people will agree. I got a bunch of pats on the back for my God Hand review, then a slew of people calling me a troll for my Shadow of the Colossus review. Then I wrote a Vanquish review and nobody gave a shit. Still, I'm more or less equally satisfied with all three because my goal wasn't to get a ton of attention or praise, and that shouldn't be any critic's goal.
@mutha3 said:Again, a thick skin helps with this. I know that's what you meant in the OP, but usually, people who can't take insults from dumb internet people tend to not take criticism well either.I have no problem with criticism, but what I'm worried about isn't criticism. Criticism would be pointing out how I'm wrong, what I'm worried about is being blatantly written off as an idiot.It sounds to me like your pretty sensitive towards criticism-- A thick skin is a very usefull thing to have, man.
Your best move is to stop caring. You don't write for praise do you? Improving your skills as a writer, Letting your voice be heard, writing for fun....I hope your reason is more along those lines. Otherwise, yeah, stop writing.
@Bear said:Differing opinions do make for the most entertaining reviews. Jim Sterling cannot be taken seriously even when making valid criticisms because he is a known troll, a lot of his articles and videos he has posted are laughable.Those whose opinions differ greatly from the majority can often provide a more interesting perceptive on a game.Read the comments on most Jim Sterling reviews and say that again. Nobody even bothers reading it, he's automatically a attention-seeking dick who hates games. He often has completely valid criticisms of games but nobody is there to care because the small number under the text isn't what they thought it was going to be.
There's actually quite a lot of people who don't like Mass Effect 2.That being said, i agree with a lot of things on your list, just write the reviews dude.
The only objection I have is Alice: Madness Returns but it's cool because you are still entitled to your own opinion man. I just think that the game has a horrific amount of padding and filling to make the trip smoth and intense. A chapter/area that looks almost the same for 1,5 to 2 hours is to slow in my opinion. I dig the story (when it picks up steam) and fighting. The plattforming is most responsible for all the padding so it's not the plattforming per se that is the problem but the quanity of it that they put in. I would have sliced down the game time with mabey 2-3 hours to feel it really flow.
BUT that is my opinion. You may not have a problem with the length and therefore it's your right to be subjective and ignore that in favour of other things. We all value different things. And just to clarify, I don't hate Alice: Madness Returns I just don't think it's a 5 out of 5 game. You review in what you believe in and ignore the uncontructive critics.
Isn't the point of a review the author's expression of their feelings of a thing? I think worrying about what others think of your review defeats the purpose of the review itself.
It's not about being right or wrong. It's just about having a good argument for your position.
I would like to hear why you have put the scores to the games you have, my opinion aside, as it would be interesting to see what your opinion is.
Reviews are subjective and there may be artistic (not in terms of raw graphics, but in terms of character plot, level design, morale, what the game story is trying to actually discuss if anything at all). You will probably get some haters, but haters gonna hate no matter what.
Go for it I say, write the reviews and let us know when you have posted them. Maybe I will disagree on some parts and some parts I will agree. Each to their own, but that should not stop you writing a review if you feel you wish to communicate your opinions via a review. There are questionnable review scores out there I would say, but at the same time I would not want those reviews taken down as thats a persons opinion.
If you think you can write a fair and balanced review of a game then go for it. I would very much like to see why you didn't like Mass Effect 2 (one of my favourite games of last year) and what you think is great about Fallout: New Vegas (one of the most broken gaming experiences I've ever had).
Those scores don't look that crazy at all. If you feel like writing reviews, just do it. No one's going to think you're an idiot unless you write a single sentence review that says "lol this game has like no guns and wtf 1 star".
If you think your scores are crazy, here are the scores I would give some of the games I've recently played.
Persona 4 - 12/5
Deadly Premonition - 12/5
Shadows of the Damned - 5/5
Vanquish - 7/5
Portal 2 - 6/5
Nier - 8/5
Write reviews because you enjoy it. Don't worry about whether other people will agree. Still, I'm more or less equally satisfied with all three because my goal wasn't to get a ton of attention or praise, and that shouldn't be any critic's goal.This. Just write reviews for yourself. Why? Because you will be the only one consistently reading them. Truth is that hardly anyone will read your work at all, much less care about the opinion you've put forth.
Now, if you're pleased with the work you've done, and it inspires you to keep writing, then that will show through in your reviews. That passion is the way to build repeat readers. But if you're the kind of person who's going to keep refreshing the page all day, waiting for someone to comment or like or even acknowledge your review, you're almost certainly going to be disappointed when barely anyone notices.
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