For some time now, I’ve been toying with the idea of ditching my “formal” game reviews for lower key, casual observations. Take this post where I discuss my thoughts on Dead Rising and Saints Row after spending some time with the demos of each game. Now compare it to each game’s review. Another good example of a casual, open-ended post is my take on Splinter Cell: Double Agent after playing the first few missions. I never did get around to reviewing that game.
Now, why would I want to do such a thing? First off – the whole “review” thing has really taken its toll on my gaming habits. I realized tonight I’ve played no more than 3 online games of Gears of War (excluding co-op) in the 3 months I’ve owned it. And sadly enough, that’s probably the most multiplayer action I’ve seen in recent months. For the most part, I feel that I have to whip through the single player campaign of games before I can review them and usually go a few rounds of online as well. But I rarely have the opportunity to get back to games once I’ve reviewed them. In short, it seems like I’m no longer playing games to have fun, but to gain experience so I can write about them. Which in all honesty, is kind of silly. It’s not like I’m being paid to write reviews. In fact, the reviews on my site are some of the lowest hit pages and have very few comments when compared to some of the other casual posts.
So my question to you – is what kind of game related content would you rather seem me churning out? Do you prefer the criteria and play-by-play as I go through my checklist for reviews. Or would you rather shoot the shit about the latest demo to hit the Xbox Live Marketplace?
I feel that reviews don’t really invoke conversation too much either, as it’s more just me putting my opinion out there. I actually prefer being at the same level (being a casual gamer) and receiving more feedback in the way of comments and seeing actual conversations develop.
But anyway, enough out of me. What do you think?
Lastly, just a note that I’ll be some what out of commission for a day or two at the beginning of this week. Having my wisdom teeth (all 4!) yanked and will be sleeping off the pain, or so I hope. So if you’re a new-comer, please be patient while your comment is in moderation. I’ll get to it ASAP.
