Do you prefer game reviews from YouTube users, or corperations?

[themistermanguy]

Which is more reliable for you when deciding a game purchase? A well made review from some guy on YouTube or GameFaqs, or editors from big name corporations like IGN, GameSpot, GameTrailers, etc. I'd honestly say the former, they come from actual people who played the game, and aren't afraid to highlight points the big name reviewers miss. Whereas the latter is most likely being endorsed by the game publisher to say a bunch of crap we already knew about the game, and glorify/exagerate all its positives or negatives beyond belief, to the point where it sounds incredibly unrealistic. If it's merely played for laughs, then it's not a problem (take Zero Punctuation for example), but if you're looking for a serious and honest review, its a big problem. Now obviously, there's going to be a few legitimately biased people out there, but most of the independent YouTube reviews of games I've seen were honest, and played straight.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

I like big name reviews better than YouTubers' (they're USUALLY more professional and USUALLY more trustworthy), but at the same time I'd much rather just watch random gameplay clips than guide my decision based on a professional reviewer's.

 

[tippy2k2]

Generally, I will go with the professional reviewers over the "common man".

I will usually go to multiple professional reviewers since I suppose some of them may be "paid off" (such a stupid notion but I suppose there's always a chance) and they are going at it in as unbiased as you possibly can be. I find that users seem to think that a game is either a 10/10, holy shit this is the most perfect game in the world or 0/10, this game is such shit that it's insulting to shit to call it shit.

In general, I know what I like and I basically check reviews to make sure it's not a total suck-bomb (see Alien: Colonial Marines) before purchasing. I've been gaming most of my life; I can usually tell if I'm going to like something or not.

 

[Zontar]

I tend to prefer what I'd call mid-tier level guys. People who usually fall in the "10,000" "to "100,000" subscriber level, since usually to get there they tend to have enough quality to make good points and have a real comments to offer, without having it go to their head or, worst, turning into another PewDiePie (seriously, I understand how the algorithms for YouTube work, but that still doesn't explain how he got popular at all, let alone #1). I also tend to mix that in with professional opinions I trust, because say what you will about people who work for corporations, there are some who know what they are doing, even if it's only in regards to games and a few other things.

 

[ChorltontheDragon]

Both. I do read a lot of reviews by the gaming media and also people on Youtube, such as Angry Joe and TotalBiscuit (who I think give well balanced views).

 

[Andy Shandy]

I mix and match. On the whole there's probably more "common man" stuff that gaming website reviews, but not by much, and that can change depending on who does and doesn't cover it. For example, I'm not going to get an impressions video of Killer Instinct from TB (since his is a PC channel, obviously) whereas The Escapist would have a review, and Destructoid, and Polygon.

 

[dyre]

I don't rely on individual reviews much at all, though I sometimes watch them for fun. I usually go to Metacritic to make sure the game's not total trash (anything 70+ most of the time), then once that's confirmed, I'll make a decision based on my own interest in the game's premise and my past experiences with the developer/franchise.

 

[Elfgore]

If I ever do rely on a reviewer, it's Angry Joe. Usually I just use my own guts and watch gameplay reviews. I don't really trust any major site either.

 

[sethisjimmy]

I don't have a preference for either, but if it's an independent reviewer on say YouTube I do have some qualifiers. I like to see that they're experienced, that they have actually written a conscise and organised script, and that they can and will edit the video rather than leave it as a long cut. There's not much more annoying than trying to listen to a reviewer when it's clear they're rambling on the spot, the review is 10 minutes long with no sections or categories, and they're simply talking over random gameplay footage or worse a static image. And there are an overabundance of amateur reviewers in that style.

One of my favourite "independent" reviewers is Classic Game Room and CGRUndertow. They are small enough to allow more interesting and unique honest opinions but also have the quality writing and organisation I like.

 

[CpT_x_Killsteal]

I tend to just look for detailed gameplay, regardless of who's presenting it. If that is unavailable though, I'll look at as many different reviews that I can, barring certain groups who seem like they're full of shit (like IGN for example).

 

[Racecarlock]

I get my reviews from Yahtzee, angry joe, nerdcubed, jim sterling, gamefaqs, and the fine and wonderful people at the escapist forums.

Seriously, why don't more people use the user review section? It's a nice section.

And then I watch gameplay without commentary too to determine whether or not I will personally find it fun.

 

[SKBPinkie]

For the people here who might be concerned about a reviewer being "paid off", you should definitely check out Giant Bomb. You may not always agree with Jeff Gerstmann or the other reviewers, but you can be guaranteed that they're completely honest. Hell, the entire reason Jeff got fired from Gamespot was because he's actively against reviews being paid for.

As for me, I feel like reviews might die out sometime within the next decade.

Watching a game being played is far more useful, at least for me, to make a purchasing decision. There may be more details in a review about what happens in the game later on, but for the most part, games don't change their formula all that much.

 

[FPLOON]

Both, I guess...

I mean, I only seem to watch the reviews usually after already knowing if I'm going to buy the game or not... or if they just have a good vibe coming from them to warrant me my time in watching a review of a game I have little to no interest in in the first place...

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I like a little of both honestly. I try to get as much info as possible before I make a purchase, be it a youtube review from someone I've never heard of and an official review from here or whatever other website. Knowledge is power after all and you can never have too much information. I would rather not limit myself when it comes to product info.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I put professional game press reviews pretty much on the same level as Youtube reviews, as long as the Youtube reviews are professional as well. Then when compiling opinions on a game prior to purchase I tend to mix and match. I don't subscribe to the belief that professional press reviews are somehow "bought" or corrupt. I also don't subscribe to the belief that Youtube is nothing but unprofessional fanboys.

 

[BanicRhys]

Neither, I never buy games new (aside from Blizzard and core Pokemon games, which will never disappoint me) so by the time to game has fallen to an acceptable price, usually a year or two later, word of mouth has well and truly informed me of the game's quality.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Neither. I prefer to watch a couple gameplay videos and judge for myself.

I've been gaming most of my life; I can usually tell if I'm going to like something or not.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[vIRL Nightmare]

I prefer users on youtube such as angry joe and total biscuit. The most I use the bigger "corporate" reviewers is for some base knowledge that I later look up myself for verification.

Sorry but lets be honest, the COD review disparities, Battlefield (which I love) Should have a poor review because of it's still god awful bugs, GTA online: Still just talking about aspects of the game that will never actually come out. The list goes on and the point is they aren't particularly "bad" but broken, poor quality, and still the same as what I had 4 games ago should not get a 9/10 review. If given a high rating like that they should at least acknowledge the issues. When something is wrong I can trust people like Angry Joe or Total Biscuit to address it.

As a rule I don't preorder anymore because I can't trust anyone to put out good quality, with the exception of Destiny.