Games TM No. 63

[MarioMark]

Just read the Super Mario Galaxy review in this issue. They haven't got a bad word to say about it! It gets such a good write-up that it makes me wonder why they didn't just give it a fat 10/10!

[jimmbob]

Do the reviews still contain huge spoiler screen shots?
I remember ages ago reading the Metroid Prime review only to be confronted with a screen of the last boss. Now Metroid isn't the MOST story lead game, but still, it's a bit unnecessary I think. (Spoiler screens in reviews, not Metroid!)

[MarioMark]

Do the reviews still contain huge spoiler screen shots?
I remember ages ago reading the Metroid Prime review only to be confronted with a screen of the last boss. Now Metroid isn't the MOST story lead game, but still, it's a bit unnecessary I think. (Spoiler screens in reviews, not Metroid!)

It just uses the shots that are used on the web. I want my ?4.50 back.

They said in the review that there is much more they want to share about the worlds, but Nintendo told them to keep it a secret. So if you like the look of the game now it looks like there's even more on show in the final game later on.

[C']

The Bioshock review a couple of months ago had a screenshot that was spoilerific if you looked closely.

[egparadigm]

I thought the SMG review was a little boring to be honest. It seemed like the reviewer kept saying "it's great, but I can't tell you why." The review could be summed up thus: "This game is like SM64 only better in every way."

[cavalcade]

The Bioshock review a couple of months ago had a screenshot that was spoilerific if you looked closely.

They've never topped the KOTOR screenshot though.

[ChrisF]

I thought the SMG review was a little boring to be honest. It seemed like the reviewer kept saying "it's great, but I can't tell you why." The review could be summed up thus: "This game is like SM64 only better in every way."

My thoughts exactly. I've pretty much had my head in the sand regarding Galaxy so I don't know anything about it really. Having read the review I still don't. I know it's better than SM64 and Sunshine though.

[MarioMark]

I thought the SMG review was a little boring to be honest. It seemed like the reviewer kept saying "it's great, but I can't tell you why." The review could be summed up thus: "This game is like SM64 only better in every way."

Yeah, it didn't tell us much. I was just pointing out that they marked it down a point, but never put anything bad about it. 9/10 is still a mint score, but just a slight misleading review.

[Dirty Sanchez]

I read the review too and found it lacking in detail. Great from a non spoiler point of view but it did mean the review was mostly fluff. No indication at all why the score wasn't a 10.

I'm no Nintendo fanboy (quite the opposite, I just don't 'get' Nintendo) but will be getting this as my 7 year old daughter is getting a Wii for Xmas. I like the idea that I can jump in coop and help her out.

[Dogg Thang]

Is 10 the default score?

[yesteryeargames]

only 9 for galaxy, comon guys it surly worth 10/10

[Dirty Sanchez]

Is 10 the default score?

The point was that the review gushes for the whole 3 pages then awards a 9. Doesn't seem consistent with the review that's all.

[rmoxon]

The review was almost just like it was finishing off what they told us last time they previewed the game, they might as well just have said "see last months preview... Score: 9/10" and stuck a few more pictures on there.

If you read the bit at the start of the review section that tells you what a 10 out of 10 means in the magazine, it says somthing like "a revolutionary game that everyone has to play". I dont think they consider SMG to be revolutionary as such, just the best 3D mario game that has been made. Despite the whole Planet thing maybe it wasnt original enough to get a 10?.

[PeteJ]

I actually came into this thread to mention that the review read like a ten rather than nine. They don't mention a single flaw, mention several times it is better than Mario 64 and conclude that it is a "landmark videogame". The nine felt out of place...but still, cannot wait

[Adam Stone]

I hate scores. I hate them with a passion. But they are still the first things i look at.

I read reviews often after i've actually brought the game but generally i like to read reviews to see different writer's writing styles and to, ultimately, learn about a game i would not know about otherwise. I never base a purchase on a singular review, but my intrigue may be swayed - positively or negativity - if i see a reoccurring pattern. Say, for instance, if multiple reviews state how a game is soulless or dull... I generally like my games to have depth so this piece of information would make me think maybe it wouldn't be my cup of tea...

But i don't like reviews with too much opinion. And yes reviews can have too much opinion. Of course it is generally all opinion, but there are limits. There has to be. I mean, terrorists obviously have their opinions but that doesn’t make it right does it. There has to be limits otherwise there would be chaos.

I like to read reviews to grasp the facts and to gather whether it would be a game to my tastes. Reviews should paint a picture, not always tell you what the picture means. Reviews should help the reader to make their own decisions. That is always what i aim to achieve in my reviews...

In that sense i really liked the Super Mario Galaxy review but i agree more information would have been ideal. I thought it was very well written... But i agree i was somewhat shocked at the 9 score. Considering the text it reads like a 10, pure and simple. But regardless of the score, the review increased my excitement even more so... so that, imo, is a job well done.