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What My Reviews Try To Do
Now that I've got 20 reviews up, I like to think that my reviews have a distinct style to them; that they read differently than another reviewer's reviews.
It could all be wishful thinking - it's very hard to judge your own work. So if you couldn't figure out my review style (and so that I can get down on paper what I'm trying to do so I know for future reference) here's what I'm trying to do.
First off, I try to have a lead-in paragraph that is the game in a nutshell. It's even more direct than a "capsule review" found on another site.
I do this because I know for a fact that many people don't like to read the entire review. I am sometimes one of them. If I am seriously considering buying a game, I will read the entire review. But if I'm perusing thru an archive, looking for a title that might be somewhat interesting, I'll probably just read the first paragraph or so of each review.
After this, I try to give a somewhat comprehensive overview of the game. This accounts for the bulk of the review.
I'm not going to jump to too many conclusions in this section unless one of two things is present - a very good game or a very bad game. You may notice that my NES Playaction Football review is littered with bashing remarks. I'm trying to get across my point, which is that the game sucks.
Some of my reviews are much longer than others. That's due to this overview section. A game like Excitebike or Joust can't have much of an overview. What am I going to write about? On the other end of the spectrum are games like RPGs. Obviously it's going to take a good bit of writing to describe the nuances (hope I used that word correctly) of Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior. Also, a game that has mulitple modes of play (e.g. Bayou Billy) will also require a long review.
You may also have noticed that my newer reviews are, in general, longer than my older ones. I'm more experienced and realize that a longer review is better. Certain reviews (*cough*Mega Man 2*cough*) may eventually be redone, if I can get around to it.
I always try to end my review with something cool. Often times I can't find a way to do this; if I can't I just forget about it and act like it's not even supposed to be there. If I can find that cool thing, though, I make sure to emphasize it.
Next comes my favorite part - the numbers. Here's where I get to sound off.
First, I give each game a rating in four categories - Graphics, Fun Factor, Play Control, and Sound. After each rating, I give a few sentences on why I gave the grade.
My newer reviews have much better reasons for the grade than my older reviews do. What I try to do nowadays is three sentences for graphics, fun factor, and play control, and one good sentence for sound. These sentences are as opinionated as my reviews get. A review has to have an opinion, but I restrict it to this area because, unless a game is at either end of the quailty spectrum, I want you, the reader, to be able to make your own decision about whether or not a game is good.
Next, I do the best and worst features. This accomplishes one thing - tells you the best and worst things in the game, or that were left out of the game. Simple, huh? What it does is give you an overview of the review you just read.
This is followed by the final grade. The formula for this is on the reviews page (translation: I just forgot it and don't want to write down something wrong)
After that, I give a suggested price. These are based on my opinions of the game and market value. Awhile back I got an e-mail from someone saying "I would pay 50 dollars for Final Fantasy! Why would you only pay 15!" Accidentally, I deleted that e-mail, so if that person is reading, here's the response I never gave you. I would pay 50 dollars as well! But I'd be an idiot! Based on the current market, 50 dollars is a rip-off. Sure, you may be willing to shell out that much money, but the dealer would be making a killing.
Finally, I write down the little game reviewed by Double L thingy. May seem stupid - I'm the only one who writes reviews for NEStopia. But someday I may have someone else who writes reviews, and I want my name to be on my work. Also, if anyone copies the entire page and tries to show it as their own, they'll quickly be snuffed out.
So there you have it. Did I really tell you what my reviews try to accomplish? Not really. Heh. But I guess it's still a pretty good guide as to how to write your own reviews, and gives you an outline of mine. If you ever decide to become a game reviewer and want some more tips, e-mail me.
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