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Destructoid review view: What we've got and what we've got coming

5:14 PM on 04.07.2008, Jim Sterling 87 comments

Destructoid review view: What we've got and what we've got coming photo
     Reviews

Over the course of the next few months, we at Destructoid are aiming to steadily improve the review content of our kick-arse Web site. As purveyors of brutally honest videogame reviews and the standard bearers for a true ten point scale, we plan to make sure that Destructoid becomes a review focal point for both gamers and the games industry.

As part of the review team's efforts to keep a spotlight on this expanding department of Destructoid, I'm firing up a weekly little chat with you, the readers, to discuss all the latest happenings, our current reviews, the articles we have in the pipeline, and a number of new features we shall be installing.

I welcome you to share your views and promise we'll take them on board. Since I've taken a more hands-on role in the production of review content, I've heard a lot of people making suggestions and requests for our output. Please share any you have and use the following thread to talk about this sometimes controversial, amusingly volatile area of our work. I love videogame reviewing and want to make sure everyone loves when we do it.

After the jump, you'll get a round up of our latest reviews, plus a preview look at what we have coming in the pipeline. Also, I will vaguely hint at awesome things without you having the first clue what I am talking about.

Current Reviews:

Opoona (Wii): Johnathan Holmes gets one hand on Koei's quirky RPG.

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (DS): Nick Gaidens some Ninja as Ryu goes portable.

Warrior Orochi (PSP): How well does this hack n' slash mash up do on the PSP? Well, I'm reviewing it, so it doesn't take a genius to guess.

Wild Arms XF (PSP): We've been rocking our PSPs lately -- and why shouldn't we? It's a great system if you forget the first year or two of its life. Dale takes another portable RPG for a test drive.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (PSP): The only reason Final Fantasy VII is a subtitle instead of Crisis Core is because Square-Enix is pretentious. Colette liked the game well enough, however.

Echochrome (PSN, PSP): Told you we've been showing the PSP some love. Our man in Japan, Brad Rice, brings us this review.

Dark Sector (Xbox 360, PS3): When I said Dark Sector might be decent, Florian Whatever-his-name-is laughed at me and called my intelligence into question. Well, Nick's review says the game IS decent, so Florian can go die in a swamp. I win!

Coming Soon:  

Sega Superstars Tennis: Sega finally started sending us stuff, so we have a wad of Sega games up for review this coming week. I've given this one a quick spin already and the First Jimpressions are actually somewhat surprisingly good.

Viking: Battle for Asgard: Many of you will know I've been trying to make Sega give this to me for a while. I succeeded! Review coming soon. 

Universe at War: Rounding out our Sega reviews is this interesting looking strategy game in which humans are mere distractions. I've been looking forward to giving it a whirl, and we'll let you know how it turns out. 

Hot Shots Golf: Golf is only good when combined with heat and shooting, I hear.

World Heroes Anthology2D fighting nostalgia from SNK.

Sam and Max 205: More episodic glory from the freelance police. Take a wild guess who's writing lead on this. 

Baroque:  It came from Japan! Literally, thanks to Brad. 

Ikaruga: I am so happy for Topher right now. This game is considered just too special to have the one review on Retroforce Go. We'll have a written review up soon.

MLB 08: The Show: Samit wondered if it was too late to review this. We say NEVER!

Features: 

In the future, our reviews are going to be bolstered by some brand new features. Niero has shared some of the plans with me and there are a fair few interesting new toys that will be implemented, some of which will really help out those who might not always agree with our opinions. That's all I am going to say on that matter, but soon you'll get the skinny on some of our new plans.

That's it for this week. Thank you for your support and opinions as we continue to strengthen our Destructoid reviews.


Next page: More Reviews stories




Jordan Grim Devore's Avatar
Jordan Grim Devore at 04/07/2008 17:15
You must use that pic for your Christmas card.
Redzie's Avatar
Redzie at 04/07/2008 17:16
PIC NEEDS MONOCLE!
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 04/07/2008 17:18
Tell us not only a score, but what kind of gamer would enjoy the game most. I know I for one would love that feature :)

Also, why do I get the feeling more pics of you in that hot-tub will be showing up over the coming days?
EternalDeathSlayer's Avatar
EternalDeathSlayer at 04/07/2008 17:18
That pic is great. Anyway, sounds good. Glad to hear Sega is showing some love, although recieving most of their games, even for free, is more like showing some hate.

Viking failed.
Rifter01's Avatar
Rifter01 at 04/07/2008 17:18
Do you like piņa koala?! Getting caught in the rain?

No! I love the night life! I love to boogie, on the disco aaat night, oh yeah!

I may yet someday hope to attain this thing you call 'class'.. but until then, my schooling and training will continue. lol
Tamz's Avatar
Tamz at 04/07/2008 17:19
Sweet
Veck's Avatar
Veck at 04/07/2008 17:19
All sounds rather spiffy; Destructoid has news coverage nailed, so it'll be good to get some more review/feature shaped content.

Especially looking forward to the Baroque review, as ATLAS RPGs make my pants turgid with joy.
Def JM's Avatar
Def JM at 04/07/2008 17:21
If someone disagrees, maybe they can write a rebuttal blog that can be attached to the original post. Or maybe if theres enough blog reviews of the game form and average and show the users percentage.

And for the sake of saying I already like the reviews, all are well written and talk about the things I look for.
Novakaine's Avatar
Novakaine at 04/07/2008 17:24
I wish Destructoid the best of luck with their attempt to actually bring a shred of credibility to the ten-point scale. I personally prefer the five-star scale (ala Extended Play), as it's succinct and is used in its entirety from 1-5.
I'm one of those who are happy with EGM/1up's switch to the grading system, 'cause I think the ten-point scale is almost a joke of itself as it's almost the consensus that it's a 7-10 scale nowadays; superlative, big numbers used to wow readers and please egotistical third-party supporters of the outlet.

But like I said, good luck to Destructoid and hopefully your attempts will be successful.
Roryzilla's Avatar
Roryzilla at 04/07/2008 17:25
Just give every game an 8.5 so people will stop complaining.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 04/07/2008 17:26
I still don't see a real problem with the 60-100% scale. It's a scale much like one used in school grades, with a minimum percentage correct implemented features and enjoyment to pass muster and get any grade above a Fail.
Barring that, why would you bother wanting to be on Metacritic at all, considering that, in spite the coincidence of both grade scales using numbers, being entirely incompatible?
Colette Bennett's Avatar
Colette Bennett at 04/07/2008 17:26
I love you for every word of this post, Jim Sterling. <3
spas's Avatar
spas at 04/07/2008 17:28
Jim looks like a mafia crime lord in the pic I bet the tommy gun and the dead whore are underneath the bed.

A little suggestion, which may be ignored for it is for the lazy. Mini reviews, a tiny cut down version of the original review for those who don't have time to read the full.
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 04/07/2008 17:29
Def JM: I know I keep saying this, but we are working on that. We've been wanting to implement a direct way for you all to have a rebuttal blog attached to the the front page blog. So when you look at a front page blog, you'll see the c-blog about the same subject.

Same deal with the average review thing from readers. That's a little more complicated, but your exact ideas, among others, are being worked on.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 04/07/2008 17:30
I suggest setting users on fire whenever they start whining about an editor's opinion on a game.
Dexter345's Avatar
Dexter345 at 04/07/2008 17:31
You need to put a number at the end of this post. You'll never get anywhere with just links and words. I want something arbitrary to moan about!
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 17:32
I wanna see midgets fitting dolphins in a america gladiator style arena. Your thoughts?


I would love to see an instant messeage type thing implamented where you hop on and join some community members in an online chat via voice or traditional text:)
liquidninja's Avatar
liquidninja at 04/07/2008 17:33
To be honest I never cared about the reviews. But the weekly chat thing sounds great.
Teta's Avatar
Teta at 04/07/2008 17:33
This post has letters: 11 out of 10.
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 17:34
I believe what I wanted to say was fighting fighting this isn't America's Next Top Midget/Dolphin so I appologize for that.
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 04/07/2008 17:35
slee: It's called Ventrilo, IRC, Gtalk, AIM, and Stickam. We do it all time.
gotdurnrite's Avatar
gotdurnrite at 04/07/2008 17:37
SHIRT OFF NOW!!!

Let's see those tits!
tincow's Avatar
tincow at 04/07/2008 17:38
I know it's like 2-3 times as much "work"..but it's nice to have 2 people review it. Or at least one person write the "review" and others just give a quick score. (Sort of like the supreme court gives opinions)?
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 04/07/2008 17:41
2/10
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 17:42
No no I mean as a part of the site not on someone elses program like that I access directly through Dtoid.com :)
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 04/07/2008 17:42
Yeah, an "average reader score" feature could be cool. Saving that, reviews by multiple editors would be cool, but I understand that can be impossible when it comes to coordinating efforts and getting additional copies of the games.

I am quite happy with the state of Destructoid reviews and the direction they are heading. Also, the sepia tone you've added to that image is classy!
WDot's Avatar
WDot at 04/07/2008 17:43
I agree with the have 2 people review idea. One person who's a fan of the genre, and one who isn't. That way we will objectively see A. If it appeals to fans of the genre and B. if it can draw in people who aren't. Maybe it does one and not the other.
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 17:44
The less you have to navigate from the site or jump on other apps the better chances you grow the community by having them stick around and hang out:)
The-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 04/07/2008 17:51
"Class in a glass." That's original.

Also it looks like you forgot your top hat.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 04/07/2008 17:55
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 18:02
Jim found the Holy Grail in the whurlpool tub!!! Sweet! That is one place the Knights never looked!
slee's Avatar
slee at 04/07/2008 18:03
well maybe not haha with all those bubbles it looks like he choose poooooorly.
ajay42's Avatar
ajay42 at 04/07/2008 18:04
I can't believe you gave this editorial plan more than a 6.5. You obviously have no taste in management theory.
amalgamut00's Avatar
amalgamut00 at 04/07/2008 18:06
I bitched and moaned when I played Viking.
mix's Avatar
mix at 04/07/2008 18:06
Best picture I have seen all day, heck maybe even all week!
protoknuckles's Avatar
protoknuckles at 04/07/2008 18:10
As much as I enjoy the in-depth reviews on Destructoid, I usually find the summation tag at the end (After Buy it, Rent it, Forget it) the most useful as I usually don't want too much information on my games before I play them. All in all, I actually think the current scale of forget it, rent it, buy it, and editors choice works really well for me.
Dead Movie Star's Avatar
Dead Movie Star at 04/07/2008 18:14
Video Reviews!
brosef's Avatar
brosef at 04/07/2008 18:14
I recommend using the word "cunting" more often in reviews.
liam2015's Avatar
liam2015 at 04/07/2008 18:32
Brosef is right. Cunting, along with other awesome made up words, should be used more often.
bam2003's Avatar
bam2003 at 04/07/2008 18:36
you guys have a great site, although i would like to see more attention paid to fps, and the stuff thats happening online such as tournaments, im guessing u guys would need another writer, one that could cater to the fps/online aspect of games, as many of u seem to be very involved in your role playing games, overall i love destructoid, i find myself checkin this place out like 10 times a day, always the first place to hear about headlines in the gaming industry
ceark's Avatar
ceark at 04/07/2008 18:41
is that a hottub like 2 feet away from the bed?

...

I so regret not asking for time off to go to cancun now. not that I would of gotten time off.
lostalaska's Avatar
lostalaska at 04/07/2008 18:46
You could create the most fair and thought out reviews on the internet and there would still be some douche bags screaming bloody murder if their **insert high profile, generally overrated game** doesn't get the ranking they are convinced it deserves. So long as the content of the reviews points out the issues with the game and explains why it came to the score it did I think that's good enough.

Don't worry about it, in the end pandering to the lowest common denominator ends up the same every time, you wind up with shit no one cares about.
KMCC's Avatar
KMCC at 04/07/2008 18:50
Is not giving a numerical score worth not being on Metacritic?

I know you guys are trying expand, and accessibility and hits help, so maybe thats unrealistic, but I think it would be a better system.
mmmpek's Avatar
mmmpek at 04/07/2008 18:54
Ew, you do realise what thousands of people before you have done in that hottub right?

...Maybe that's why you're fully clothed...
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 04/07/2008 19:01
Er. Have we forgotten 29 April, Mr. Sterling?
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 04/07/2008 19:01
Oops. It's just this week. My apologies, you bubble-bathing British bastard.
Kyuzo's Avatar
Kyuzo at 04/07/2008 19:07
I'd rather not have a 10 point scale at all. A simple thumbs up or thumbs down like movie reviews would be enough. That along with the buy it, rent it, or forget it would be awesome. Also having at least two people review the game would be nice.

At least that's my feedback, I know the two person thing might not always be feasable.
Jetsetlemming's Avatar
Jetsetlemming at 04/07/2008 19:10
This reminds me, I planned on writing a cblog review or two... I was planning on perhaps reviewing a couple older games and/or Source mods when I got a chance.
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