This week in Would You Rather we tackle the subject of game reviews. It isn't often that we review games here at X3F and when we do, we don't incorporate a number score at the end of it. All too often people focus on the number a game is given rather than the text review itself, and in the most recent case of Metal Gear Solid 4 getting an 8/10 from Edge Magazine [via Joystiq] ordinarily the number overshadows everything.
So, while kicking around the X3F office we wondered what you thought. If you could only have one or the other, which would you prefer. A review that was detailed and in depth without a final score at the end or a review that focused on the number with very few bullet points as to why a game received the score it did. Basically, we're trying to figure out if the text even matters to you or if you just check reviews for the final grade.
Last weeks WUR results can be find after the jump ... come in and check it out for free!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-11-2008 @ 6:40PM
mernmern said...
Why not list a combined option for both the score and the text?
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 6:46PM
Xav de Matos said...
Because that's not the point of this weekly feature. The point is to vote for one or the other.
Or in most cases, don't vote!
6-11-2008 @ 7:00PM
mernmern said...
I dont buy it. The point is not to make a question that is as useless as something you see on a CNN pole. Previous iterations of Would You Rather have had multiple options or something that makes sense being one or the other. Seriously, whats the point of just a score? Maybe I am just burned out after a long day, but dangit, I want both!
6-11-2008 @ 7:03PM
Xav de Matos said...
We only ever have two options. Also, the choices (which are outlined more in depth in the body of the text) a full in depth review with no final score or a review with a focus on the score with very little points as to why it got the review it did.
So, it's more of a question of quality.
You may be burnt out after a long day.
6-11-2008 @ 10:01PM
Neuromancer said...
Yeah I got yelled at last week for wanting more options, you should be lucky you get two dammit!
6-11-2008 @ 6:46PM
webster1990 said...
this is a toughy, i like a combo of the two, although i do enjoy x3f's "impressions" of games rather than a review as such. Makes me wanna try it out for myself more than a regular review. But on the other hand, i tend to only purchase the higher scoring games and borrow the others from friends.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 6:48PM
webster1990 said...
Also, it depends if im in a hurry or not.
either way i have plumped for the text option.
6-11-2008 @ 6:51PM
ManicBomber said...
Scores are worthless. Nobody can ever agree what a "good" score is. You find the same problem in education. Give someone's precious snowflake a 78% on a test and prepare for the whining from the parents. The same for game scores. Give a game that a large number of people love an 80% and prepare for a flame war.
So basically what I'm saying is stick to the written word.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 6:56PM
mirage said...
I voted for text, because that is where I find the most information about gameplay, graphics, controls, etc. These are the things that I care about and a score does not give me any information on that whatsoever. The score is important as well though because it helps me decide exactly how bad the flaws are in any given game.
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6-11-2008 @ 7:08PM
kp said...
text is definitely more important in my book. that way you can hear what the flaws of a game are compared to its strengths. a score is nice too though just because it can help set a game in a certain tier. but just having a score with no reason to back it up would be pretty stupid. i'm with Mernmern. i want both! give me liberty AND give me death!!
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6-11-2008 @ 7:10PM
Unknown said...
I prefer a score and few pro/con bullet points at the start of a review. Then, if I want to know more, I like having the option of reading a longer review.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 7:13PM
ZenGaijin said...
Score are for people that feel that reading for any amount of time longer than to check warning labels on items is a waste of time.
You can't accurately sum up a complex option with a number.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 7:13PM
ZenGaijin said...
Opinion*
Oy Vey I'm phoning it in tonight.
6-11-2008 @ 7:15PM
Jonman said...
So, I voted for text. That's how I prefer to digest a review. However, I do use Metacritic as a guide to games that I may have otherwise missed, and without a numerical value, what happens to the cherished metacritic score?
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 7:16PM
ZEBRA NINER said...
Why does Xav only put 2 options? He's such a freakin' jerk. I want a third option that includes the first 2 options... that way I don't actually have to choose. ;)
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 10:00PM
Neuromancer said...
It's because he hates America and everything we stand for.
I voted text because otherwise reviews would be very boring but if it wasn't for numbers Metacritic wouldn't be as helpful as it is. When it comes to movies or games, one man's opinion doesn't count for much, but if a game has like a 50% Metacritic rating you know it's going to be all kinds of bad.
6-11-2008 @ 7:26PM
andrew said...
Just do them both. Vote withheld.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 8:02PM
Chase said...
The text is more important as without a score, it is still a sufficient way to review games.
A score without a reason just doesn't work.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 8:08PM
Etchasketchist said...
Scores get a bad rap. There really very useful and the fact that they start arguments is a feature, not a flaw. Personally, I wish more reviewers would go with a strict, Ebert-style binary system. Either a game is good or it's not.
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 8:30PM
kyle said...
i norm wouldprefer both..but for if i could only have either one its all about the text, the score is jus a number, while the text goes in depth on why it got the score it deserved, which gives insight on whether i want to buy it or not
Reply