Game Review Ratings: The Trouble with Numbers

     A brand new title has just been launched. It's something you haven't heard of, so you have virtually no expectations for it. However, you have bought and played an unsatisfactory game in the past, so you look at a review online. You take a glance at Metacritic and they have reviews in the 9 to 10 range. Seems like an awesome game! You buy it and play it, yet somehow feel like it wasn't as amazing as Metacritic said it was. Why is this?

      Because first of all, numbers in the review sense are highly subjective. I am not a fan of racing games, so naturally, I would rate them lower. Meanwhile, another person can love racing games and think they are all outstanding. In other words, there is some bias on certain games. Trouble is, these games don't deserve these numbers or star ratings slapped on them based solely on genre or hype.

 

      Numbers are not objective, yet we see them as just that. As soon as we see that number 8, 9, or even 9.5, we immediately think “That is a good rating. Must be worth my time and money.” If you actually bother to read through the entire review, you will see the positive and negative points written by the author of the article. It's especially suspicious when the game has a rating of a 9, yet not a single negative point is mentioned. If it's so perfect, why give a less than perfect rating?

      The second reason to be careful with what you read about games is that some websites are paid to write fake reviews that praise the game and ignore all of the downsides. Most sites will even post the rating at the top of the page so it is the first thing you see. Don't just look at the review and be satisfied that the game you wanted turned out good. Actually read through it and see what the game has to offer. It also helps to look at more than one source. I have written reviews myself for over a year and have described the games as an experience. If the experience was good, then I end it on a good note. Otherwise, I advise readers to avoid the game entirely. No ratings involved.

      Have reviews helped any of you make a good decision for buying a game? Have any of them let you down? Do you know of any sites with trustworthy reviewers? Say something in the comments below.