Topic: Wait a second - are reviews REALLY out of 10 here (Nintendo Life)

Not saying otherwise, but the idea that someone would think this makes me go What the??? I've got Wiifit, but....

I know what you mean. I have that same feeling each time I see Earthbound get a high review score. I go WTF???

I have to agree with you on Eartbound, it is VERY overrated. I guess I'll play it some more, but it is certainly NOT the greatest RPG ever made.

Comparing scores for different games is probably not a good idea. If Mr. Driller Drill Land had local leaderboards I would definitely have scored it a 10 -- that has nothing to do with Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess or any other game, it's because I believe Mr. Driller Drill Land to be almost perfectly realised for what it is: the Taj Mahal of Mr. Driller games if you will.

I believe the goal of a review should be to judge the game on its own merits; not how it compares to someone else's estimation of what the best games are period or even other games within the genre. Legend of Zelda is definitely not at the apex of my list of great games; something scoring better than it means nothing to me. Do you really expect reviewers to check a big list of game scores on the site and then think about whether or not they enjoyed this game better than that game before scoring it? That wouldn't be fair to the game they're reviewing or other games on the list, now would it?

It's been said before (most recently by Corbie in this thread): the score is a guideline; nothing more. Focus on the text; not the number!

The problem with the TP review IS the text - the game is not reviewed by its own merits, but against a wall of various dubious 'epic game currnet gen 'standards' and 'my favorite Zelda series memories'.

This is my point - throw Dr. Jones against that guantlet - how does he fare now? How does Dr. Jones do when compared to what Ocarina was when it was released ? -

'the antidote, the antidote..........' "Was it something you ate, Dr. Jones?"

You cannot review games to different standards and have consitent reviews, that is ridiculous. I have no problem with reviewing Wii FIt and Wii Music on their own merits, that is silly for some to post here they are auto 2nd class - but why not do the same for TP?

Last point - 5 SHOULD be the average and most common grade on Nintendo Life or any review site - give you an example :

Are all MLB players above average players, compared to general society? - of course.

Compared against each other? - hell no. They fit the average mold perfect, on the bottom sub standard players, erratic rookies, aging veterans - with medium skilled journey men in the middle and superstars and players having career years on the high end. Game review should be the same way.

With TP - its like - I compare this guy to how good I remember Babe Ruth being in his day, but his teamate, Indy weellllll - I just compare him with the other 4 guys we on the team have that can play outfield - makes no sense, zero consitentcy.

Well, a reviewer is just one person and therefore the review is that one person's opinion filtered through their own experiences. In the case of a franchise title like Twilight Princess it's understandable that a reviewer might let their opinion of the game be coloured by their experience of previous entries in the series and especially given that Zelda games seem to follow a similar formula or echo the themes of previous entries comparison is inevitable; if the reviewer is a lifelong fan it's likely unavoidable. Surely if you're a lifelong fan of a franchise like Zelda wouldn't you expect reference to past games in the series or some kind of comparison?

This is why it's probably not a good idea to focus on one review alone as others have said and don't take it personally if someone doesn't necessarily like a game you think is amazing (sorry Space Harrier fans, I still think it's crap!).

You should apologize to all the Karate Phants fans too, Sean.

I am not asking for an apology or for a review score change, and am not taking anything 'personal'.

I just do not think it is understandable to have different standards when reviewing different games - it makes no sense.

Just thought I would offer some constructive criticism to the site. There is a difference between opinion and bias - you can make any game look like crap or great if you go into the review biased - Mario Kart Wii was reviewed by EGM and they wanted it to be 'more like Burnout' and the cycles should have been in a 'modern day Excitebike'. Then they had a little sidebar to 'fix' Mario Kart (use Zelda charachters! ), ('fix' the online - oh wait, it is actually quite good <I kid you not>), and etc. When I read you TP review it reminded me a lot of that.

Also my last post, but I do encourage you to lower grades of mediocre games so there is some true seperation, but whatever, I have said my piece...

You're right. Karate Phants fans, I'm ever so sorry the game you like is complete rubbish; sadly the only way I could change it is to go back in time and get on the design team so you'll just have to get over it!

With regards to your latest missive mrmicawber I hear what you're saying, but I absolutely do not think scores should be adjusted due to the nature of a game or the history of a franchise. Just because a game is from a franchise of some pedigree doesn't justify giving it special treatment any more than indie games should get some slack because "a couple of guys in their bedroom" programmed them.

@ mrmicawber - I think you need to start your own site and implement these features and review criteria. You sound like you have it all figured out. Let us all know the URL when it's up and running.

Can't you just put me on the payroll? I would like a shield - make mine plywood.

Well we do need someone to clean to toilets and mop the floor.

Thats cool - can I change the paper in Chicken Brutus' cage as well?

Don't give MrMicawber the shield, give me the shield instead!

Mr. Micawber and Chicken Brutus should start a site offering contrary viewpoints on each review. I would read that. Each would give the opposite score and contradict everything the other said. Every reader would be pleased.

We'll be like Siskel and Ebert.

He's the fat one.

I was thinking more like Bert and Ernie.

I was thinking more like Siegfried and Roy.

I was thinking more like Pong Toss and Incoming.

OUCH.