What makes a good review?

[fastbilly1]

So a blanket question, what do yall look for in a review? Feel free to break it down to video review and text/pictorial review. Lets forgo the obvious: correct facts, proper pronunciation/spellcheck, etc.

For me there are really only a handful of things I look for:
- Lots of gameplay footage/screenshots, including multiplayer if it changes the game dynamic.
- Show defects - ie if there is heavy artifacting show it to me.
- Decent production quality - not using onboard mics/webcams or screenshots of screenshots.
- Enjoyable to read/Likable host.
- Witty or sarcastic works but it is hard to do often so .

Typically I only look at reviews if I am on the fence or have specific questions - ie if Legacy controls are supported in a Console FPS, and I know many of you feel the same way, but I figured I would ask just to see if I am just being super picky.

[Limewater]

I'm assuming you are referring to video reviews. Here are things I hope to get out of a review:

1. If there is one, what is the basic plot/story for the game?
2. A description and screenshots or videos of the actual gameplay.
3. How many levels/estimate how long the game is, if possible.
4. If it's an arcade or score-attack style game, is there a beatable story mode?
5. Are there unlockables/sidequests/achievements?
6. Qualitative statements regarding control, gameplay, graphics, etc...
7. Difficulty rating.
8. Continue system (this doesn't seem to really apply to more modern games. I'm referring to how many lives and/or continues are allowed in a game.)

I guess I am really interested in a review reporting on a game rather than just evaluating it.

[CRTGAMER]

I prefer a text review with screenshots and related pics over a video review.
Hate slogging through a grainy video to get to meat and potatoes of a given review.
Seen a few reviews forget to list what system a particular review was done in.

[fingersmaloy]

I'm assuming you are referring to video reviews.

Feel free to break it down to video review and text/pictorial review.

- Enjoyable to read

[skyknight]

The no.1 rule is not to spoil anything for the viewers/readers, that said, a good review should be able to find the highlights and lowlights of the game.

And what perspective is the reviewer taking from is also important, a FPS fan wouldn't always enjoy a RPG game - some reviewers do review games just to fulfill their duty.

There should be difference in text reviews and video reviews.

[Limewater]

I'm assuming you are referring to video reviews.

Feel free to break it down to video review and text/pictorial review.

- Enjoyable to read

Heh. Yeah, I read fastbilly's original post, but then didn't re-read it before I replied, like, half an hour later. Oops!

[jfrost]

When the review delves too much on the technical aspects of the game, I lose interest. I always think that most of the complaints are purely subjective.

Actually, I mostly read only 1up's reviews, because they write enjoyable stuff. For example, when they write about Dragon Quest, it's always a reflection on Japanese culture, the simplicity of the gameplay contrasted with the actual depth of the plot and so on.

Most reviews are just saying what a game is and giving a score for that. I don't think that is too productive.

When I take the time to read Destructoid's reviews, for instance, I have the feeling that it's the same crap everyone wrote about the game but with a lower score.

[J T]

When I take the time to read Destructoid's reviews, for instance, I have the feeling that it's the same crap everyone wrote about the game but with a lower score.

A good review must describe and evaluate the game, but that is not sufficient. It should also be entertaining to read and create something of a conversation piece for people to discuss the game in the comments.

I also am a big fan of discussions about how well game play serves the functions of the storyline. It's the most important part of the game for me. If it just tells a good story, then it didn't need to be a game. It would have been better as a movie or book. If it just has good game play, then it may still be an ok game to play, but it fell short of its potential. If it has good gameplay and good story, but the gameplay and story don't have anything to do with each other, then it also failed to live up to its potential. The gameplay needs to feed into the story and vice versa. I care about the two being integrally connected.

[Jrecee]

Comparisons to other games are helpful. Most games build off other games in some way, so saying "control is like mario 64" and "gameplay is like metroid" would probably give me a good idea of what to expect.

[Bodmin]

I like alot of explosions in my review, and a nice set of tits.