RadarScope1 wrote:Yeah, that's a huge problem with these lists. EGM has always been centered on arcade and console games (and handheld too) so that's why their list is like that. I don't read EDGE very much but I assume it's the same with that mag.
I read Edge and they do cover PC games well. The mag is a bit up themselves but I do trust their reviews (and to them an average score is 5 not 7). But their top 100 lists are always a little bit "iffy". This latest one is the most "iffiest".
But like someone has mentioned here, its done its job of getting people talking about it!
360 Gamer Tag = Kinn, PS3 Tag = xKINNx, Wii = 3036 8283 1247 3110
Overdosed on Gaming
I'm not a huge PC gamer, but I do have respect for PC games. I've played Starcraft,Grim Fandango,Tie Fighter,Doom(who hasn't?),American McGee's Alice and probably others I can't think of right now.
I just think there are enough awesome PC games out there that they DESERVE their OWN list. That's all I'm saying.
It's true though, they didn't specify console games on this list so they can get away with it I guess
So I actually bought this the other day. Though the list itself is debatable, as we have discussed here, the supplement itself is really well done. The artwork, the design and especially the essays that accompany each entry are really good.
One thing I will say for it after reading the intro is that they wanted it to be a "for today" kind of list. FWIW here's what it says:
"The key consideration in voting was that the games must stand up to scrutiny today, not only when played with the faithful accompaniment of Nostalgia Spex. Further more, we didn't want to fill the list with multiple iterations of the same series if they were of the same template. So, for example, you'll only find one of Mario's 2D platform adventures within these pages."
Also, they had readers vote. Whenever you get the public voting, weird things will happen. The newspaper I work for has done some contests/polls like that and you'd be surprised how things can get skewed.
Anyway, I am a fan of great game writing, and the essays in here make this worth it for me.
RadarScope1 wrote:
Anyway, I am a fan of great game writing, and the essays in here make this worth it for me.
Yeah Edge normally has a high standard in writing. Makes them sound a little poncy at times though.
Really doesn't matter how well written an essay is, or how smart the writer sounds if they don't know what they're talking about(as evidenced by their list)
I'd rather read a review written by some average joe who doesn't sound like a Harvard graduate, yet actually is knowledgeable about video games. Seems to me like there are plenty of "smart" critics out there in every entertainment industry who are more concerned with showing off their vocabulary and education, than showing a real knowledge of what they're talking about
And letting the readers vote? That's just stupid. The large majority of people who are going to write in aren't going to be very knowledgeable, and of course they'll vote for some recently popular game. How else would ManHunt get on there?
It's not about being "smart" or trying to sound like a f-ing Harvard grad. It's just good writing. It doesn't take a genius to write well, but for some reason, 85 percent of game writing is shit. I like something more than straight product reviews when reading about my favorite hobby. And these guys DO know gaming. Maybe someone else here who reads their reviews will back me up on that ...
Like I said earlier, I agree with everyone here that the list itself is highly suspect overall. But it's just a nice print package for someone like me who likes having it in my hands. I work for a print publication and that kind of thing still matters to me, as does good writing.
RadarScope1 wrote:It's not about being "smart" or trying to sound like a f-ing Harvard grad. It's just good writing. It doesn't take a genius to write well, but for some reason, 85 percent of game writing is shit. I like something more than straight product reviews when reading about my favorite hobby. And these guys DO know gaming. Maybe someone else here who reads their reviews will back me up on that ...
I defo back you up on this. Trust me just read an issue or two and you will see that Edge knows gaming very well and is leagues ahead compared to other gaming mags.
360 Gamer Tag = Kinn, PS3 Tag = xKINNx, Wii = 3036 8283 1247 3110
Overdosed on Gaming
RadarScope1 wrote:It's not about being "smart" or trying to sound like a f-ing Harvard grad. It's just good writing. It doesn't take a genius to write well, but for some reason, 85 percent of game writing is shit. I like something more than straight product reviews when reading about my favorite hobby. And these guys DO know gaming. Maybe someone else here who reads their reviews will back me up on that ...
Like I said earlier, I agree with everyone here that the list itself is highly suspect overall. But it's just a nice print package for someone like me who likes having it in my hands. I work for a print publication and that kind of thing still matters to me, as does good writing.
In re-reading this I realize I sound like an ass. Apologies on that. All I'm trying to do is point out that this is worth having if you're a mag collector type. Like I said, I agree that overall the list itself is crappy.
RadarScope1 wrote:It's not about being "smart" or trying to sound like a f-ing Harvard grad. It's just good writing. It doesn't take a genius to write well, but for some reason, 85 percent of game writing is shit. I like something more than straight product reviews when reading about my favorite hobby. And these guys DO know gaming. Maybe someone else here who reads their reviews will back me up on that ...
Like I said earlier, I agree with everyone here that the list itself is highly suspect overall. But it's just a nice print package for someone like me who likes having it in my hands. I work for a print publication and that kind of thing still matters to me, as does good writing.
In re-reading this I realize I sound like an ass.
One could probably say the same thing about my last post depending on one's perspective. I don't think anyone actually thinks you're an ass. You were just speaking your mind. I've seen people on other gaming forums who are asses, and nobody on this board is like that.