This review of Deus Ex: Human Revolution

GLORIOUSLeader

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/deus_ex_human__revolution/b/pc/archive/2011/08/22/a-long-dormant-series-returns-to-mixed-results.aspx

The reviewer complains that the facial expressions are not that good, says that the recharging mechanic is ridiculous and often ruins the experience, meaning that, in essence, one of the extremely hyped playstyle choices (combat) is all but useless, says that the AI is iffy, says that the boss battles are horrible, notes that the firefights are brainless, complains that the soundtrack is too similar to Mass Effect's and that the main character's voice is boring and indifferent, and says that "large portions of the gameplay feature questionable design decisions."

And gives the game an 8.5.

What

ClockworkUniverse

In A-list videogame reviews, 8.5 is pretty bad.

Wicked223

ITT: Why modern game journalism is a bad joke.

snowbull

Isn't 8.5 something like 3 out of 10 on a normal scale?

MillerCross

And that's the problem, see.

We know what it means because we know about this stuff, but any typical person who isn't a geek and is say, researching to buy somebody else's gift will probably just see the number and think "Fuck yeah great game. Little timmy will love the ever loving fuck out of it"

GLORIOUSLeader

^^ No, a 3/10 would probably equate to something like a 6.5. See: complete shit games like Sonic 2006 getting 6 scores.

ninjaclown

It's only gotten an 89 on metacritic, truly this means it's an awful game.

MillerCross

My point is not that the game is awful. My point is simply that the grade does not convey what the reviewer wants to convey. 

GLORIOUSLeader

^ Yeah, this. For a review that spends so much time bitching (and actually contains the phrase "large portions of the gameplay feature questionable design decisions"), the game should get, at the very least, a 6.5 or 7.

Vivi

Also, people tend to not look at the actual review and just look at the number.

GLORIOUSLeader

That, too. I don't, but many do, which is why reviewers often get away with having reviews that clash greatly with the score given.

Forzare

I tend to not even look at the number, and just read the review.

ninjaclown

From what I've seen of the gameplay, I'm quite impressed. I would say this is Square Enix's comeback if not for the fact it's really Eidos' game.

RocketDude

And I will determine personally whether or not I like a game.

^Speaking of SE, there's a dig at them with a poster for a future theoretical FF game.

Wish I could find that image...

Forzare

And I will determine personally whether or not I like a game.

Well yeah, but reading reviews can be a good way of determining if a game is something worth trying in the first place.

RocketDude

Good point there, but the stuff mentioned above is a bit of a problem with it.

Mind you, if it talks about stuff like DRM, I will pay attention, but since I get most of my games through Steam anyways and Steam also lists any DRM used in a game...

The_Edge

I say we do away with review scores and just force the fuckers to actually read the review.

nohaynicklibre

I liked NGamer's way of reviewing. They could give a game a 65 and still recommend it

The_Edge

I wish my editor would quit putting a review score at the end of my own reviewers. Sure the score (out of 5) is agreeable with my actual review, but I never agreed with the principle of review scores.

Codename_M308

^^^ That seems good in theory. In practice people who'll want to buy good games but want to read only reviews with good scores will have problems with sites that have hundreds of reviews. Of course, if you have few reviews in your website, then removing review scores is not that horrible an idea.

GLORIOUSLeader

I may be wrong, but I think PC Magazine, for a little while, ditched review scores and just had text for their reviews, but reverted back when people started complaining because they're lazy assholes.

inkblot

I know I take issue with many aspects of this game, but these
flaws don’t hold Human Revolution back from being an entertaining
adventure through a riveting story and world. It rewards those who fight
through it with a fantastic plot payoff and a great sense of character
progression. The problematic gunplay and annoying stealth takedown
mechanics keep the game from greatness, but if played a certain way,
Human Revolution captures the spirit of its predecessors and can be a
blast. Even if it’s not a masterpiece, this entry lays the groundwork
for a promising future for the series.

GLORIOUSLeader

Here's another one that is most certainly negative:

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/madden_nfl_12/b/ps3/archive/2011/08/26/fumble.aspx

Go on, guess the score he gives the game that he uses the title "Fumble!" for.

Codename_M308

Ah, 'professional' game journalists. No wonder I stopped my subscriptions and never looked back.

Vorpy

I get paid to tell you what I think of video games, and other people can debate it all I want. Because my opinion is pedigree.