I never really thought about the difference between reviewing a game and critiquing a game. I think that there should be more critical analysis of video games and less of a review of them. I may not be the best person to critique a game, but even I can find flaws in any of my favorite games. But, a game obviously can't be flawed too badly if I can consider it to be one of my favorites. Games shouldn't be just about the art and graphics, look at the number of people who love Final Fantasy VII, while the graphics aren't amazing, the story makes up for it. Look at its prequel, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII that was released for the PSP in 2008. The graphics for the game are a great improvement from the blocky armed/handed characters that you run around as in FFVII, but Crisis Core is nothing compared to the original. A criticism would go deeper into way I feel that way.
Anyway, back to what I was saying. I think that people need more informed reasons as to why a game gets a 3 out of 5. Was it the graphics, the story, the voice acting, etc.? There are a lot things that would get a game a low review, but would not necessarily make it a bad game. I am sure a lot of people would say that "Braid" is a bad game, but I have seen it played and it is really neat, weird and different, but really neat. Personally, I don't think that I could ever play the game, but watching it was amazing. The fact that the player has complete control over rewinding time and undoing mistakes, I mean how many times have YOU wanted to push the rewind button and undo something you did without having to go back to your last save spot, I mean you don't even have to die, you just rewind. I am sure a lot of people would give up or say whatever, but its new and takes an interesting approach for gameplay.
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Actually, your piece brings to the forefront the problem I have with game reviews, in general. I truly do feel that they are worthless, and if you want to get my blood roiling, put a number on it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that number mean? In what ways does this numerical digit represent fun, creativity, experience? You cannot quantify personal experience. It cannot be done, and to do so is mere sophistry.
It's fine to review a game, but to tout it's greatness because GamePro gave it a 9.5 (woo, a decimal point, watch out) is ludicrous.
There's a balance in reviews that, I think, is not often executed very well. And, if not balance, then at least some greater acknowledgment of how graphics can't (or at least shouldn't) be of ultimate focus in a review anymore. Then again, perhaps such a statement should only apply to the less graphics-intensive methods of gaming, such as handhelds and Flash games.
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