Gamespot and IGN compared.

[sanchan91]

I thought I had better create a thread specifically for the IGN and Gamespot review comparisons, and their past games reviewed. The low scores from these two sites are really nothing new to the hack and slash game world. Here is a compared history of their reviews versus other games similar:

Game                     IGN      Gamespot
Titan Quest              8.1      7.6       (2006)
Dungeon Siege II         8.5      7.9       (2005)
Sacred                   7.8      7.6       (2004)
Dungeon Siege            8.5      8.4       (2002)
Diablo II                8.3      8.2       (2001)
Diablo                   ??       9.6       (1996)

This is, of course, with the exception to Diablo, which was the first of the major graphical versions of the genre.

As you can see, as time progressed, the review scores were lower and lower, even as graphics and gameplay elements increased.

[Roland]

I've never really cared about reviews "that" much, and for what it's worth (nothing lol) I've never visited Gamespot at all. Sometimes a link might take me there, but they're not a site I frequent.

If a game looks interesting to me I 9/10 buy it

If I like the demo, I buy the game.

I've enjoyed several games that didn't get all that high of scores. Sacred:Gold is one, though the Gold version has fixed and improved most, if not all the areas that were problematic.

Dungeon Siege 2 is another that didn't fare so well. But I've enjoyed the game for what it is. Based on the early preview trailers that were released I think most (me included) were expecting something completely different with DS2 than what was released in the demo and the retail version. Completely different "look" than what the trailers depicted...must of had a design change at some point and didn't let anyone know LOL

My long forgotten point?

Gamespot's lame review is just a fraction of the Favorable reviews that are and will continue to come in.

And...if most people are like me, they will buy what looks interesting to them and not worry about what can be, very subjective reviews

This IMO holds true with Movies as well! heh

Regards,

[Phyrex]

Reviews mean so very little. It's just one person's opinion.
What separates a good reviewer from just anyone (like on this forum ) is being able to create a well written post with objective facts and observations.

Clearly IGN failed in that aspect since they got so many facts wrong.


As for the scores, if you like a particular game genre, even games with only a 60% score will be more fun for you than games with a 100% score of a genre you don't like. So who cares about reviews. Just tryout the demo and you'll have your answer. ^_^

[Viperace]

Thanks for the list.

I cant believe that DS2 got higher score than TQ

The moment I played DS2 demo,(which is just a week before I play TQ demo), I want to send them my resume - I can do the artwork and story opening better .

j/k

[Cironir]

And look how well D2 sold, and is even still widely played six years after release, in spite of the mediocre scores by IGN and GS.

[Lazarus]

In fairness to reviews over a period of years....
you have to base your scores based on what else is out there at the time it is released. Fact is if a game identical in every way to Diablo 1 save the name was released today it would get a pretty low score (just as Doom 2 would as a FPS based on current expectations. I'm not supporting their review... just suggesting it should be completely expected that scores drop over time in a specific genre if there are not significant increases in what the game has to offer.

That said, the review WAS poor, and any self respecting reviewer should have passed on the article if he/she knew they wouldn't enjoy the game going in.

[Farting Bob]

Gamespot seems to have a FPS fetish. If it doesnt kill your $400 graphics card they dont like it. I dont use ign at all, so i wouldnt know.

And any reviewer that gave Diablo 2 a score of less than 95% was just in denial.

[ScottyBones]

Originally Posted by Cironir

And look how well D2 sold, and is even still widely played six years after release, in spite of the mediocre scores by IGN and GS.

Yeah, that's the exact point.....take the reviews with a grain of salt.

[Spidervenom]

I actually think IGN's score is fair for TQ - it's a great game, and I really enjoy it. But it offers absolutely nothing more than endless combat grinding. That's fine, and I like that, but the fact remains there's no innovation in that area. DS2, on the other hand, did offer some rather fun puzzles to break up the endless combat.

Then again, perhaps that's better than that cursed second mirror puzzle in DS2

[Paradox]

i have never ever based a purchase on a review..