Amazing Reviews

Madtown asked me to read his review before he sent it in. I replied back with something along the lines of, "That's one of the best reviews I've ever read. I bet it'll be used as an example after you send it in". I was actually going to use it as an example to support the new 3000 words or more rule. However, it looks like I was beaten too it.

Extraordinarily well done, Madtown. Unfortunately for you, now that you've entered something this good, you're going to have trouble writing more reviews without getting the response, "Why isn't this as good as that other one?"

Either way, I look forward to reading more.

madtown, you've done a wonderful job! Your review is not too long, nor is it too short. This guarantees people won't get bored while reading it. I like how you used videos and pictures in it, this is definitely the best way to write a review.

Yes, great job Josh! I'd also like to link everyone to his new Ninja Gaiden Black review, which is just as good as his last.

One problem I noticed with some of the older reviews, and something I did when I started, is the lack of realisation of what the point is. Some people wrote reviews just to state their opinion, which isn't always helpful. This may sound really obvious, but hear me out.

Part of writing reviews is to give your opinion, but you're also describing the product to people who know nothing about it, and I think a lot of people miss that when they first start writing reviews. You are giving your opinion, but remember that you are not trying to convince someone to buy or not to buy. You are giving them the facts to make an informed decision. These are somewhat subjective, but good descriptions of whatever features the product has are very important, and that's what will get you the character count.

quote Deis

One problem I noticed with some of the older reviews, and something I did when I started, is the lack of realisation of what the point is. Some people wrote reviews just to state their opinion, which isn't always helpful. This may sound really obvious, but hear me out.

Part of writing reviews is to give your opinion, but you're also describing the product to people who know nothing about it

no it is you who is missing the point. a user review does not need to have a summary of the story, or a detailed explanation of each button and what it does, or anything like that.

some games recieve an asinine amount of user reviews and you do not need to hear that same information over and over and over again. it is just stupid.

for someone who knows nothing of the game, the main profile description is there for that very purpose. user reviews are there as a complimentary resource that are simply others opinions.

spending half of your review summarizing the story, like you do, is a redundant waste of time and completely missing the point.

I agree with Deis, if all the reviews were personal opinion and the reviewers were that the game was completely good or bad and the review didn't include very many facts about the product, how is the person going to decide which person to listen to?

Laying down the facts would help the person know whether or not they would truly be interested in the product. Now don't get me wrong I like personal opinion of a game but it's a good to have it mixed with some keys facts of the game or movie.

A few user reviews are turned away because that is all the person does, he goes to the profile or the information thread and recites the information within, using the exciting buzzwords and the descriptions there.

A short plot summary for books is needed. Same for movies, but it shouldn't take up the entire review. Games are the same. I might be into FPS, but if it's some recreation of the Gulf War then I'm not interested. People's opinions play a big part. You tell people about the game, then you give your opinion on it. For example:

This game involved a good bit of sniping, so if you don't like precision targeting like me, you are going to find the task of playing many of the levels boring, difficult and slow.

The person managed three things:

• He gave us a short overview about what gameplay was like.
• He gave his opinion on it, and warned people who like heartpounding gameplay that it wasn't for them.
• He did it in one sentence ceaselessly.

Madtown was one of the first people on the site to use images, and the first to include a video. He took the extra time and gave both his opinion and some facts, and it all depends on the reader as to whether or not it was a good review. Different people look for different things. I look for facts about RTS' all the time, but I also want to see whether or not they think it's a good aspect of the game as well.

In short, if you give a fact, give your opinion on it. If you have an opinion, make sure you give a fact and why you liked it or disliked it.