Build a Better Review System, Templates might help -- but they just as easily hinder Options

[ZarroTsu]

Wanting to write reviews, I decided I'd use the strategy discussed by one Yatzee Croshaw here.

The problem is that, because I don't give an "overall rating", this kind of review is rejected from the forum.

What reason is there for there to be an "overall rating"? Isn't it suppose to be what I think of the game? Giving it an overall rating because that fits your format is fine. But forcing me to follow this strategy isn't asking for what I think of the game; it's asking me for what you WANT me to think of the game. And that defeats the purpose of writing in general.

Moreover, their presence from a reader perspective is solely to ignore the rest of the review and judge the game on a given number. Some here might say they don't do this, but often times even they are guilty of it. Even I do it. But if these numbers don't exist, then it compels me to actually read the review. So...


Generic forum discussion question for the reasoning impaired:
Why do "Overall Ratings" exist? Are they there to help, or are they there to defeat the purpose of writing a review when you could just write a number?



This post has been edited by ZarroTsu: Oct 4 2012, 02:51 PM

[Shaddow]

I'm glad that you posted what you truly thought about the game, this CAN help a developer. One thing I did notice is that you state you don't have enough room in a review to point out all the things you found wrong. Do not forget, if you truly feel these need to be fixed that you can pm the author or even post it on their game topic.

I know that personally, I do not always notice when I make a mistake, or something that makes sense in my mind may not make sense to others. Yes they should have gotten a beta tester to review the game, but that is not always an option. THAT is why this forum exists, so we can play and help each other grow as developers.

Personally, I appreciate that you are even doing reviews, and I wish that more of our members would contribute in that way. I also am appreciative that you realize you are being a bit harsh and are willing to tone it down some. I also understand why you dislike our format, as it can be rather restrictive, but that is why we are having this topic in the first place, so we can find a better method.

I guess the bottom line I'm trying to say is, that we do not dislike what you are trying to do, but rather how you are going about it. I'm sure if someone were to attack your reviews in a harsh manner, assuming there was cause, you would not appreciate it either. I'm not saying to sugar coat things, because sometimes you have to be blunt. There is a difference, though, between being blunt and just being mean.