Game Review Evaluation

Game Review Evaluation

Our first task was to collect a selection of reviews from different sources. These had to include 2 print adverts, websites, Forums/blogs and YouTube videos. Although it would be better if we collected one of each, we were unable to get onto gaming websites as they had been blocked on the college macs. Instead we had to revert to only annotating two print adverts, a video from YouTube and if we could, find a review from a website, I found a review on IMDB which I screen grabbed and put onto Blogger explaining what the review told us about the game.

When looking at the different types of sources reviews were written in, we found that they all gave a brief summary of what the game is about. This is important to include in a review because although the reader may be interested in games, they may be unsure of what the game is about if they have not played it before, the reader may be reading the reviews to help them decide if they want to buy the game or not. Another element that reviews include is comparisons. When the writer is talking about a certain aspect of the game such as the graphics, they will say if it has improved from the previous games, if there have been any. They will sometimes compare them to other games that are within the same genre. This could help the reader get a better idea of what playing the game could be like. Reviews will often have a rating that shows how good the writer believes the game is. A rating to the game is important to show their opinion.

Depending on the type of review an audience is reading it may differ because they may not use the same elements or the same layout of other reviews. For instance a print review from a magazine has a different layout to a review from a website. Magazine reviews are written in columns, this makes it easier for the reader to find what they are looking for. A website on the other hand may just be written in one big paragraph, however some website reviews are separated into paragraphs to make it easier to read. Print adverts also include a lot of images. Using Images are helpful to the audience, if they want to know what the game looks like or to get a better look at the graphics.

The two print reviews I analysed are written in the third person. This is useful to the reader because it gives more details about the game and doesn’t necessarily give the writers own opinion. Print reviews written in first person lets the reader make their own choice if they want to buy or try playing the game. The YouTube and website review I found were also in third person. However even though they are in third person, these reviews may be biased. This might change the readers mind about buying the game.

At the begging of all four reviews, the writer talks about the rest of the games series. It compares them and we are told of its improvements and weaknesses. Some reviews try to make their reviews unbiased by trying to add in an equal argument, however they tend to give their own opinion of what the game is like and what they think of it. Within the middle of the reviews they tend to talk about the graphics, achievements, storylines, characters and any new options available. At the end of the review the writer normally talks about the opening and ending of the game. What you then find is they give a final overview of the game. This puts everything together that they have previously spoken about but also gives a rating of the game overall.

The audience that would normally read reviews are normally older gamers who will understand the terms and language used by the person whom is writing/ giving the review. Although the game being reviewed may have a certain age rating, young people who play them are less likely to read reviews. Children and teenager are more likely to listen to what their friends think of the game, they will follow an opinion that someone their own age thinks of the game. Older people who have a career that has something to do with gaming, use reviews as a guide to what they are playing, or if they sell games, this can help because they know what they are selling if they haven’t played it. A more male audience would read a review. Although gaming is for mix genders, certain games and game magazines are just mainly based towards men. Xbox and PlayStation games/reviews are more aimed at men, however Wii and Nintendo are considered to be more feminine consoles. To keep a reader interested in the review they are reader, images and bright colours are used. This helps the review stand out but to also attract the audience.