Worshipping Game Review Scores

[Rman]

As the final batch of triple AAA releases of this year nears, do you guys ever wonder why the hell people put so much stock on review scores?  I mean, all we need to know is if the game is crap or not.  1up for example uses a standard 10 point review scale with half point increments.  What's the difference between a 3 and 4.  Or a 2.5 and a 3.  They're all crappy scores.  Honestly, I would prefer a thumbs up or thumbs down system, or reviews based if you should buy, rent, pass on a specific game.  At least a four star system for those who need more concrete ratings.  I believe Next Generation magazine followed a 4 or 5 star format.  But, alas, the 10 point scale is here to stay. 

Also we have certain breed of fanboys who are personally insulted when an anticipated game on their platform of choice fails to score a 10+++.  When has an 8 or 9 been a terrible score in the standard 10 point models?  You would think they made the game themselves.  At least it makes for hilarious message board fodder.

[The Sceneman]

I agree, it is funny laughing at gaffots who cry when the game they have wanking over for several months gets an 8.6 'but they were really expecting at least a 9.1'. Who gives a shit? I dont even take notice of scores from gaming sites anymore, especially after that God Hand IGN score; completely unforgivable. I come here for impressions

[Smooth Groove]

I only play games that get at least 90% on gamerankings.  AAA or GTFO

[Eduardo24]

I only play games that get at least 90% on gamerankings.  AAA or GTFO

And I think thatīs the problem.  Any by-the-numbers game can get a score above 8.5 this days, and if it is main Nintendo game it will get 9s, even if it is mediocre or shallow.

[Robo]

When publications only give an 8.6 to a game that I've been praising as the GREATEST NEW INNOVATION and PARADIGM OF POPULAR CULTURE, I see it as an attack on my credibility and feel personally insulted as an individual.

Give me my rightful 9.7, fuckers, and refrain from being biased corporate whores.

[hyp]

review scores have great entertainment value to me.  otherwise, i'll try anything i'm interested in, even so-called "crap" games.  i love games too much to not even give the critically non-acclaimed ones a chance.

[Shuri]

They are good indicators, but thats it. People who get worked over by a score needs to reconsider their life.

[Van Cruncheon]

they are ammunition in the fanboy wars. a 10 or a 9.9 or whatever is like being handed a bunker buster.

[Smooth Groove]

I was just kidding about only playing games with a 90% value.  but I do think that reviews do have some value.  Most of the games that I like enough to keep around are at least 80%.  OTOH, I've rarely liked a terribly reviewed game.  PC game reviews are more dependable IMO because the reviewers don't give a shit about promoting their platform.  The standards also seem to be much higher on the PCs.  AAA console titles are often given 70 to 80 by PC reviewers, even when they are ports that are better than the console versions.   

I wish that Metacritic or Gamerankings would get rid of the fanboy sites that skew the overall score of a game.  It's a disgrace that people like Alphasnake are allowed to use their crappy sites to promote their fanboy agenda.