Patience as a virtue is something lost on the majority of gamers. Game reviewers seem to acknowledge (see: take advantage of) this by competing to release reviews on the most recent big-title games as quickly as possible, cranking out reviews like inbreeding rabbits. This particular style of timely review is fantastic for many sales reasons, but is very difficult to keep up with for a person like me.
This got me thinking, what kind of “person” does that make me?
- I go to work every day, mostly on-time.
- I pay my bills.
- I feed my cats.
- I hang out with my friends.
- I have limited “resources.”
All of these things are qualities many gamers possess. So, how many gamers can really run out and buy brand new games - assuming they care about their credit, or groceries? I find many times, I forget about some games I had been meaning to try, because I had to wait due to time and financial restraints. Obviously there is always the ability to rent, but then we have the issue of wasted time and convenience.
I will now make an attempt to explain why I'm rambling.
In order to gain an audience, each reviewer has their own specific gimmick. Unfortunately, I don't personally have the financial resources to keep up with the mainstream “brand new games” reviews – nor do I want to be the 23049th person to review Gears of War 2, while hidden gems may be ignored.
My goal, as an infrequent and unpaid reviewer (with a life, and job unrelated to the field), is to bring around video games after the hype has died down, or the particular game misses the hype train completely. The games I will be reviewing will be at least 3 months on the market – or however long it takes for a reasonable price drop, before I give them a one over, and generally be classified as the underdogs. The titles I hope to be able to recommend will hopefully be original, affordable, and enjoyable. (If they are not, you'll know that, as well.)
Tenchu Z may qualify...
This style of review is for the “people like me”, people with responsibilities and restrictions; The responsible gamers that find it impractical to invest the hefty fee on a new game price tag. The people that may overlook a great game, or forget about something they were meaning to try, because it was blocked by the next best thing.
Why Wait?
In my opinion, seeing reviews on the same game 114 times in one week is a bit excessive. I wonder why one would risk the $60 cost because someone rated a game at a “7.0”, and another person gave it a “9.5”, or some ultra critical writer slaps a “2.3” on a title. What do these numbers mean? With few guidelines around most reviewers, these numbers are simply that – numbers.
My goal is to offer reviews on a more down-to-earth, honest level, as the price should be a much smaller factor. I can honestly take apart the important aspects of a game, lay them out in front of you, and hope to influence a decision, spark a happy reminder, or make you glad you didn't waste your time. Time is often more important than money, so would whatever game I hold in my hands be worth your precious time?
I'll grade it, so you read it?
Many popular games utilize the 3-strikes-you're-out system. Bosses will often take 3 hits to disable, such as Mario, Banjo-Kazooie, and many Zelda bosses. Many games default to 3 lives, or a health bar able to take 3 hits to start; Again Zelda makes the list, Contra (sans up-up-down-down code,) and arcade classics such as Pac-man and Asteroids gave you 3 chances to lose your quarters. Even to pick at random uses of 3; Metal Gear Solid 2 has a boss fight, where there are 3 Metal Gear Ray's surrounding, and assaulting (you)Raiden, and many J-RPG games will have a 3 party system, where only 3 active members of your party may engage in battles or missions at any time.
Point is, The power of 3. There are only 3 major things I'll look for in games, and I'll grade them with 3 points; Functionality, Content, and Fun. My goal is to break down each review in these three parts, each with a numeric value of 1-3. 1/3 being terrible, 2/3 is acceptable, and 3/3 is outstanding. Each section will be summarized then graded, and you have my review. Ta-da! Unfortunately, with this standard, reading may be required, hopefully it's manageable.
Overlord definitely fits the bill.
Lets define these terms, just to be on the same page, shall we? Fun is pretty straightforward – I ask; is the game enjoyable? Does it make one have fits of 'the giggles' on occasion? Is the challenge just enough, but not frustrating? Does the experience stay with you for hours after playing, enhancing ones mood throughout a hectic work/school day?
Functionality would be how everything works. Are the maps and menus use-able and visually appealing? Are there glitches? Are the controls user friendly? And just because it has been an issue recently, is the text readable on the screen?
Content is the icing on the cake, it's all the little extra tidbits we come to enjoy in games. Is the storyline engaging, in depth, and coherent? Are the graphics shiny enough to stand up to our standards? Is the music something write home about? Is there a character creation mode, and if so, is it in depth and truly customizable? Most of these (see: Graphics and music) I won't focus on too much, but they are somethings that we, as a generation, deem important.
Now I ask for feedback; as a general “newb” in the game, I have yet to establish my guidelines set in stone. Would this system, the 3x3 breakdown of games, be something you, as a user, would look forward to reading periodically? I may have a viable time line set up, and a writing guide for myself, as soon as I establish where I am with this, and other websites in contrast with my other life-activities.
Now imagine me, only begging for feedback to better my reviews.
3 comments:
Bring them on!
The 3x3 format in and of itself definitely has the bases covered in what anyone would really need to know quickly (with my tastes as a gamer focusing on Fun and Content perhaps equally).
The meat is in the paragraphs of text though; that's all I'm interested in!
Your system sounds good, but like Arttemis says, I'm looking forward to the writing itself and what you have to say on these games!
I'm definitely interested in your Vestige Reviews, since I absolutely have no money, but can manage infrequent trips to the game store to sift through the used games bins.
That does narrow it down quite nicely into just the important bits. Though like the others I'll be looking forward what you actually have to say on the games. The scores are normally the last thing I look for in a review.
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