What methods do you use to decide whether you want to get a game or not especially if you are pc gamer and the developers don't release a demo. I feel that both user and professional reviews even without scores are still flawed when it comes to choosing a game especially considering that everyone has different tastes in games.
Deciding whether to buy or skip a game
- Thread starter Mundus33
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I usually ask myself two simple questions:
Was this game well received? (By the critics and the players.)
Do I have enough money?
Lately, the latter question overrides the former, since the answer has been a steady "NO" for months. At least it makes the decision to buy games really easy.
I'm more of a console gamer, but I rarely use demos to decide whether I want a game. Usually I've made up my mind far in advance before actually purchasing a game.
Was this game well received? (By the critics and the players.)
Do I have enough money?
Lately, the latter question overrides the former, since the answer has been a steady "NO" for months. At least it makes the decision to buy games really easy.
I'm more of a console gamer, but I rarely use demos to decide whether I want a game. Usually I've made up my mind far in advance before actually purchasing a game.
A couple things:
Was the game well-recieved by critics?
Was the game well-recieved by players?
(recently added due to Warhammer 40k space marine) Was one of the factor's for it being so well-recieved by players due to being part of a series? (Not a bad thing per say, but needs to be considered)
How much is it?
How long is it?
Is there a decent story?
How much money do I have that I don't need?
And, if about 4 or 5 of those are positive, I'll normally buy it. The degree isn't in that order per say though. And for games that I buy first day, I replace the first two with the following:
Have I looked at and liked gameplay trailers?
Is it by a good company?
Is it part of a series I like?
Is it part of a series I don't like?
etc.
Was the game well-recieved by critics?
Was the game well-recieved by players?
(recently added due to Warhammer 40k space marine) Was one of the factor's for it being so well-recieved by players due to being part of a series? (Not a bad thing per say, but needs to be considered)
How much is it?
How long is it?
Is there a decent story?
How much money do I have that I don't need?
And, if about 4 or 5 of those are positive, I'll normally buy it. The degree isn't in that order per say though. And for games that I buy first day, I replace the first two with the following:
Have I looked at and liked gameplay trailers?
Is it by a good company?
Is it part of a series I like?
Is it part of a series I don't like?
etc.
Fanboyism more then anything. But being part of an overarching series can make it so fans of said series are willing to forgive flaws that would otherwise make them rage. Don't get me wrong, I do the same thing, but it's just something I try to consider when I look into a game. Of course, that can also happen for new IPs as well to a degree if their in certain genres, especially if the genre has been a bit lacking in terms of new games.Mundus33 said:
As I said, it's not meant as a bad thing per say, but it's just a factor I like to consider.
I like your list, but I don't think Warhammer 40k Space Marine should necessarily be the game that makes you put in that whole "series" factor. I'm no expert on the subject by any means, but I can't imagine that hardcore tabletop/RTS fans are usually "into" third-person shooters, no matter what bulky space marines occupy it. (Granted, I have completely avoided all reviews and community response to that game, but I like it despite knowing absolutely nothing about the Warhammer 40k universe other than "Orcs is spelled with a k.")Kapol said:
EDIT: Oh, and for OT: What I meant by "I like your list" is "I use that same list to decide what I will buy."
using Space Marine as an example i'll give ya'all a basic run down
1)contend based on announcement trailers: assuming i hear about the game this early, this will dictate how much attention i pay the game, in this case, the trailer was 'fucking awesome' so i kept an ear out for more info.
2)press releases from the devteam or publisher: more details about a game are always welcome, and can sway weather i get a game or not. this is all press releases, be it in a magazine, or a video.
2.a)dev teams attitude toward the fans: i added this purely because of ninja theory's attitude toward DMC fans, if your team gose out of its way to disrespect, and BLAME for the failure of another title, i will not buy the game and interest ends here.
4)Demos: this will ether save a game i'd lost hope in but was still semi interested in, be the final nail in its coffin, or make me start working around $60 I've suddenly lost due to over exposure to awesomeness.
X factor) Good Will: has the dev team, in the past provided me a good gaming experience? how many times have they done so? this is a big one for me, and can take a lot to over ride, this is usually what i base 99.99% of my CD purchases on. (i pay less attention to music these days)
the ending result is: i pre-ordered Space Marine and since have enjoyed it a lot.
its not fool proof, but serves well enough
1)contend based on announcement trailers: assuming i hear about the game this early, this will dictate how much attention i pay the game, in this case, the trailer was 'fucking awesome' so i kept an ear out for more info.
2)press releases from the devteam or publisher: more details about a game are always welcome, and can sway weather i get a game or not. this is all press releases, be it in a magazine, or a video.
2.a)dev teams attitude toward the fans: i added this purely because of ninja theory's attitude toward DMC fans, if your team gose out of its way to disrespect, and BLAME for the failure of another title, i will not buy the game and interest ends here.
4)Demos: this will ether save a game i'd lost hope in but was still semi interested in, be the final nail in its coffin, or make me start working around $60 I've suddenly lost due to over exposure to awesomeness.
X factor) Good Will: has the dev team, in the past provided me a good gaming experience? how many times have they done so? this is a big one for me, and can take a lot to over ride, this is usually what i base 99.99% of my CD purchases on. (i pay less attention to music these days)
the ending result is: i pre-ordered Space Marine and since have enjoyed it a lot.
its not fool proof, but serves well enough
I usually base it off a couple things...
1). Professional reviews: They are in depth and usually accurate, and provide me some sense of the strengths and flaws of a game.
2). Player reviews: I put less stock into these, but if very many people like it, I consider it a little more.
3). Gameplay vids: If it looks fun, it might actually be fun!
4). Demos and betas: If it the pre-release is fun, the full game will probably be fun too!
5). Past games: Has the developer ever released other games I like? Is it a sequel to a game I like? If so, I am more likely to buy the game.
1). Professional reviews: They are in depth and usually accurate, and provide me some sense of the strengths and flaws of a game.
2). Player reviews: I put less stock into these, but if very many people like it, I consider it a little more.
3). Gameplay vids: If it looks fun, it might actually be fun!
4). Demos and betas: If it the pre-release is fun, the full game will probably be fun too!
5). Past games: Has the developer ever released other games I like? Is it a sequel to a game I like? If so, I am more likely to buy the game.
I meant more along the lines of that being the thing that made me think about that when considering the reviews and such I'm looking at. From what I've played of it so much (admittedly not much), but it's a brown third-person shooter about bulky manly space-marines that don't show any emotion other then manly ones. To a lot of people, that would be a massive turn-off. But I think it being part of a grander universe that many people know played a bit of a forgiving factor in that reguard. It's still a good game, mind you, but I do think that people gave things like the subject a pass because it was a set subject.shrekfan246 said:
And that's all I'm going to say about that. As I said, that's not always a bad thing. It's just something to consider.
Typically, I'll start out by looking up reviews, system specs, that sort of thing. I might check out a few LP's, see if it's got gameplay I'd be interested in. Look it up on TvTropes. Agonize. Eventually, I'll come to a decision. Typically, my sources for review are here, Rock Paper Shotgun, and a smattering of bloggers.
For example, I recently saw the Magicka sale on Steam. I looked around, read some great things, and some good things. Found an LP by the Yogscast or whoever, laughed my ass off, read around some more, and picked it up. Now I'm blowing shit up with meteors. It's great.
For example, I recently saw the Magicka sale on Steam. I looked around, read some great things, and some good things. Found an LP by the Yogscast or whoever, laughed my ass off, read around some more, and picked it up. Now I'm blowing shit up with meteors. It's great.
Oh, it's definitely a good method to follow.Mundus33 said:Maybe it shouldn't be the game that causes it but it is a good method to follow regardless.
On a side note what do you guys mean by well received at what point is a game well received by either critics or players
For myself, "well received" means that people are recommending it highly and critics not necessarily bashing it as badly as other games.
Aha, I see what you mean now. That makes sense then.Kapol said:
Easy. I go by price.
I know no game is worth the $60+ price tag, so I'll wait for it to be in the $5 to $20 range. As an added bonus, I can usually get all DLC as well for a single lump sum.
I know no game is worth the $60+ price tag, so I'll wait for it to be in the $5 to $20 range. As an added bonus, I can usually get all DLC as well for a single lump sum.
My "checklist" is.
- Is it well respected Franchise, "Respected" so not CoD.
- Is it well received by the Gamers, I don't take into account most reviewers because of biased.
- What's its MetaCritic Score?
- Good Gameplay? Story? Length? All those are useful, and I don't wanna throw down $60 for a game I'll spend 3-4 Hours on.
- Do I have enough money? Most of the time, no.
Last Question usually destroys all hope for a Game. Yay Jobless!
- Is it well respected Franchise, "Respected" so not CoD.
- Is it well received by the Gamers, I don't take into account most reviewers because of biased.
- What's its MetaCritic Score?
- Good Gameplay? Story? Length? All those are useful, and I don't wanna throw down $60 for a game I'll spend 3-4 Hours on.
- Do I have enough money? Most of the time, no.
Last Question usually destroys all hope for a Game. Yay Jobless!
I usually look at all the upcoming games and rate them on how excited/interested I am in them. Based on how much money I have, I eliminate the lowest ones until I can afford all of them. If a game that I was interested in gets absolutely terrible reviews, I probably won't buy it but if it gets a decent review (but not great), I'll still buy it because if I was so interested, I'd prefer to form my own opinion of the game.