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Ginkasa
11-18-2004, 11:40 PM
Video game reviews seem to be in a strange state of being these days. It seems that hardly anyone ever seems to use them for their original purpose: helping them to decide on whether to buy a game or not. Nowadays, most people know way beforehand whether they're going to buy a game or not, and only read the reviews to re-enforce their own opinions.

However, occasionally a reader will start browsing around IGN or GameSpot or some other gaming website and stumble onto a review of a lesser known title. This review will praise the game and advise that the anyone who enjoys games must play the game. The reader, having read such a glowing review, will then proceed to buy the game.

Has this ever happened to you? Basically, have you ever actually been persuaded to buy a game you had never heard of or weren't interested in by a review of that game? If so, what game?

I bought Chessmaster for the XBox a week or so ago. IGN had posted a review and praised it far more than one would expect a chess game to be praised. I've always had a fair interest in chess, but never really learned how to play it. I knew how to move the pieces and such, but not how to maneuver them. Get my meaning? The reviewer of the game raved about how Chessmaster has these great tutorials that teach everything from the basics to master stragtegies in ways that even chess newbies can understand. The reviewer noted that he felt he became a much more competent chess player. Then he went on about the tournaments and games and stuff.

Basically, he liked it so much that I went and bought it. I really haven't sat down and played it, yet. I went through a couple of tutorials and thought they were interesting. Anyway, any similar experiences?


*shrugs and walks away*

Swan
11-18-2004, 11:53 PM
That sort of thing happened for me with Viewtiful Joe. I had heard about it coming out for gamecube and later being released for PS2 but was never really interested in it. Then one day about a week or so after Viewtiful Joe had been released on the PS2, I was watching a game show on TV and they reviewed the Gamecube one(rerun) and said it was refreshing to play a game like this. One that brings back the old school side scrolling feel and makes it feel 3D. After watching some video for it. I promptly went out and bought it.

It is up there with my favorite games of all time now.

DeathsHand
11-18-2004, 11:55 PM
I bought Katamari Damacy because of the reviews it was getting (and the price tag) but havn't really played it much... But that's mostly because I have like 10 other games I've purchased that I havn't even begun to play, or have barely played...

It's a fun game though, and even though I havn't played it much, it thoroughly entertains my friends, and I have enjoyed showing it to them and we all share the enjoyment that is Katamari Damacy... And it's soundtrack...

Canyarion
11-19-2004, 05:01 AM
My bro and I bought Phantasy Star Online based on reviews. We hated it. Absolutely HATED it. So after a year we sold it again.... :unsure:

Blackmane
11-19-2004, 11:14 AM
Viewtiful Joe got sold to me by reviews, and Donkey Konga is interesting me because it is getting such good reviews.

Jason1
11-21-2004, 10:49 PM
Prince of Persia did that for me, no doubt.

GameMaster
11-21-2004, 11:17 PM
Soul Calibur 2 and and Prince of Persia reviews both sold me. I never really got into Soul Calibur 2. Prince of Persia was cool but I never finished it. All my game purchases have been encouraged by reviews. Before I buy any game, I see what IGN has said about it. Nearly all of the purchases end up being worthwhile and match up with the reviewers opinions. But a few have been regrets. Can't win them all though, right? I guess the safest way to go is to rent before buying.

Canyarion
11-22-2004, 04:16 AM
Ah yes, Soul Calibur is another game that we bought because of the reviews, but like GM, we never got into it. :(