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.
23 people have had something to contribute so far.
I’d say go casual, you gotta have fun #1 — however your gameplay videos are great, can you keep those /w casual posts?
p.s. good luck tommorow man
I’m game for casual gaming posts. I visit your site to find what’s popular in gaming. When you say you’re enjoying Gears of War, that’s all I need to hear. I don’t need a full review, that’s what Gamespot’s for.
Anything that takes the fun out of gaming should be removed from your life immediately. This includes work, friends, and serious reviews.
Ya, don’t worry about them. I do how ever like the game play videos.
I rather like your formal reviews, but if they don’t work for you I guess I’d live with casual reviews. Just don’t get rid of the gameplay videos, k?
I concur….if you’re not having fun anymore, then don’t do it.
keep it casual. the best parts are the rating + images…
I think you should be keeping having fun at what you do. If writing reviews is spoiling your gaming fun… don’t do em.
I got rid of al my four wisdom teeth as well, and I tell ya: It fucking hurts.
Nooo!! No way man, don’t kill the reviews; just don’t put them at the forefront of your gaming experience. I for one, absolutely love the reviews. You’re probably the biggest reason I love my 360 and keep buying games for it. Plus, the videos are killer.
I know it may seem like you’re playing for the reviews… but are you really? I’m all down for you to have fun, but I think you’re kind of like me in that you fashion up “solutions” to “problems” by claiming it’s some external entity. (for example, I got a laptop so I could be “productive” by not being tied to a desk… now I’m searching for a good monitor + external keyboard so I can be “productive” by sitting down at my desk and GTD).
I know that for me at least, I don’t finish games if I don’t have the need to review them because I just lose interest.
But, it’s all up to you man. Try it out for a while and see if you’re having fun… if so, more power to ya. Blogging shouldn’t be a chore.
Q: What was one of the primary reasons that brought you up to the list of 9rules’ members?
Q: Are the reviews one of that?
Q: Is it what keeps you and your site “approachable”?
Q: Is it what you really want to do?
I hope these questions helped you. But if you ask me, keep it!
I am happy either way. I have bought games on the back of your reviews in the past… but it was probably the casual comments that got me there.
I can empathize completely: my problem with game, or in my case anime reviews, is that if i’m doing them consistently, i’m thinking about the review as I play the game, and that takes some enjoyment out of it. I say play the game, write some casual sutff when you feel like it, and if you believe it merits an entire review and some later stage, write it then.
Whoa, thanks for the speedy feedback. It seems the general consensus is that people wouldn’t mind me going a more casual route but would like me to keep rolling out the gameplay videos. And to that, I return a question. Do the major gaming publications (GameSpot, IGN, 1UP, etc) not have enough of this sort of content already? Or perhaps it’s the way I present my videos that you all like?
To elaborate a bit on how the formal reviews are ruining my gaming experience (which should address many of your questions) – it’s not so much knowing I’m going to be reviewing something while I’m playing. But the fact that I feel I need to purchase a game as soon as it comes out and follow up with a review ASAP. A lot of times, I’ll feel like playing a game, but then remember I just purchased “X” and need to get a review online some time soon. So I won’t bother playing the game I want to play, instead continuing on through the new one I’m yet to review. Happened last night actually. I felt like playing NFS Carbon, but instead played some multiplayer Lost Planet.
@Timothy: I’m not too concerned about “what 9rules will think” if that’s what you’re getting at? When I joined the network, I only had 2 or 3 reviews online, all of which were posted within the month.
If it’s becoming a chore, absolutely go with casual writeups. The gameplay videos are great, but the reviews obviously take a lot of work. I’m sure it would be much easier to write up a quick post as a reaction to a game as opposed to an outright review, so have at it with that.
RE: the wisdom teeth: ugh. I had all four of mine out a few years ago and, well, I’m glad I did all four at once cause I wouldn’t wanna do it again. Rumor has it there is a rare breed that is out and about the following day but I have yet to see those superhumans. Good luck with it and hopefully they give you strong enough painkillers so you can play some GOW.
I love the reviews, but the “casual observations” are great too. I’m with Ronald, I just need to know that the game is worth my time (and money).
Every time i see an update from you in my rss reader i hope its xbox related, in any form. I enjoy the videos and your opinions, but in the end do what makes you content, this site should be for you at the end of the day.
I like the reviews. I bought a 360 back in November and went through your archives reading each one.
My vote: Get rid of the formal reviews.
Lately, I find that I don’t read full game reviews. I just skip to the end and see the overall score.
1) I don’t want the entire game dissected before I even have a chance to play it
2) It’s just the opinion of 1 person (find review sites like gamerankings more relevant)
3) Too long! Gamespot, IGN, etc reviews go on for pages and pages these days. Don’t have the attention span.
Although videos, images and a quick “worth buying” or “not worth buying” would be great.
Dude, don’t let the reviews cramp your style. Like some have said, you can get full formal reviews of games anywhere. They unique part of your reviews are your personal responses and gameplay videos, which seems like that could be kept with your casual reviews. I’d love to see more frequent quips and thoughts about games than fuller reviews. So, ditch the reviews, have more fun, let us know what you think.
My opinion seems to be shared by others: going casual is fine, but keep making the game play videos!
Your videos are better than gamespots or whatever because #1 they don’t have ads and #2 you film the best parts of a game and you actually are “playing” the game in your vids.
i remember there was that one starwars (battallion?) PC video I you made. Seeing you kick ass in it (like how i’d play) made me wanna play it. same with COD2.
Ditch them.
Reviews like those you can find in sites like, gamespot (exactly like those?)
I rather casual already, and im new here
I agree with the general opinion; ditch the formal, though I must say that I love seeing your ratings.
I frequently come and just glance at the stars.
If you can somehow go casual, and keep your ratings; +fav.
I think you should ditch the videos though. I know how long it takes to get a good one prepared and online. I usually just hop over to IGN for any visual preview I want to see.
/end