Game Reviews Fixed?

[Jeremy]

Mzo, many did, and since it's an enjoyable game in spite of its flaws, I'd say it's a valid score. Speaking for just myself, I can go back to the game nearly two years after release and still enjoy it as much as I did when I first bought it, in spite of the flaws. Sounds like a "10"-worthy game to me.

At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion about a game. So if one person gives a game 10, and another gives it a 5, while others give it every other score in the rainbow, they can all be justified. As long as credible reasons are given, I don't have a problem with how they're scored. I pay more attention to the core text of a review than anything else anyway, as I find that to be the absolute best way to convey a game's quality or value to the reader.

I would also like to add that, going by things I've seen reported by fansite owners and editors, that the practice of publishers threatening to cut off review copies unless a certain score is given does happen, sadly. I've been fortunate enough to never be put in the position of inflating a score at the request of the publisher, I was asked to change scores for an EIC who gets stuff from the publisher, a situation I resolved by simply not putting a score on it. Beyond having to reach an extremely tight deadline, I've never had any pressure put on me for a review on behalf of the publisher.

[Joust Williams]

No game should be rewarded for being rushed out the door. And I'm tired of hearing the "oh, it's sooo ambitious" garbage. You only get points for that if you do it well.