Reviewing Consoles Early On Is Stupid

On 12/22/2013 at 10:44 AM by gigantor21

Let me throw a hypothetical at you for a second:

Say there's a new game that's coming out. It's gotten lots of hype and buzz for several months, but you're still on the fence about buying it or not. You decide to wait until reviews come out before you take the plunge. Once the critic's impressions come rolling in, you see that the game is getting solid scores--in the high 8's and low 9's. Intrigued, you start reading the full reviews...

...only to find that all the critics are basing their ratings on the first level of the game, saying that they think the rest of it will be better based on the 30 minutes they've played it. And that they're really excited about the new levels and DLC that the publisher has promised to add--despite not even knowing when they'll be out. That's pretty much how I felt about the console reviews that were coming out around launch.

Just compare the last gen consoles now to where they were in '05/'06. Does the 360 still have the "blade" menus? Is it still centered only around playing with a controller? Can you still play PS2 games on your PS3 and use Linux? Do you have to turn your game off to use the XMB menus? Are indie titles and free-to-play still a non-factor?

With games, it makes sense to review them early on, as you can get through most games in a week or so. However, that hasn't been true of consoles since the PS2 days. Gone are the times when aesthetic changes were the biggest difference most people saw in hardware over time. Beyond that, the biggest factor that determines a consoles worth is the quality and breadth of it's game library--which will be impossible to judge until the PS5/X-Two are out.

I'm of the view that it's pretty much impossible to judge whether or not a console is worth buying the day it comes out, and that anyone who doesn't know they HAVE to have one for some reason should just wait. Seeing these reviews giving out scores and letter grades to hardware still in it's infancy does little to change my mind.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

12/22/2013 at 10:47 AM

But I want my PS5 now!!!

gigantor21

12/22/2013 at 02:16 PM

I'm waiting for the PS9. Full-sensory VR with no extra hardware or bust. XD

Super Step Contributing Writer

12/22/2013 at 01:18 PM

Everyone who is knowledgeable enough about gaming to post on this website is more than likely in agreement with you, but we all know who these reviews are really for: casual holiday shoppers who don't know any better, people taking sides in the War of Consoles, and people like me who aren't going to base their decision on any of these reviews meant to grab traffic, but will provide these websites with traffic out of curiosity, nonetheless.

Now, please rate my sentence-paragprah; which is my new term for my run-on sentences, because it sounds more like a legitimate literary device than a term used to critique bad grammar; on a scale of A through 8. I'll wait.

12/22/2013 at 02:15 PM

I've long employed the sentence-paragraph technique. Glad to know I'm not the only one.

But yeah, I find that such reviews are more for directing traffic than providing definitive reasons for buying (or not buying) a new console at launch.

jgusw

12/22/2013 at 07:39 PM

I don't really care what people say about the new consoles. I wait for games.

12/22/2013 at 11:59 PM

Always the most important aspect of any box.

Blake Turner Staff Writer

12/23/2013 at 12:08 AM

^This.

BrokenH

12/22/2013 at 09:54 PM

I agree. The first year after a console's launch is not the best time to pass a final verdict on it.

12/22/2013 at 11:55 PM

Yeah, it's the shittiest time for any console no matter how good it ends up. It has the thinnest library, highest price, and least features at that point.

KnightDriver

12/22/2013 at 11:08 PM

I need a game that really cranks my nobs and some extra money lying around. That perfect storm usually happens for me six months to a year after new consoles come out. If I could afford it, I would probably get caught up in all the hype and buy at least one of the conosoles on day-one.

12/22/2013 at 11:56 PM

I just couldn't bring myself to fork over that kind of money without the library to justify it, as glad as I am that the last gen is finally over. Maybe next year...

Alex-C25

12/23/2013 at 12:34 AM

Yeah, it's the games that are important. I can see if they review updates for the console and everything, but reviewing consoles as a whole so early is pointless once, like, for example, said reviewer thought X console on the launch was crap, but then the updates and patches come and he finds that the console got better. It's like you said, reviewing a game just based on the first level.

12/24/2013 at 09:52 PM

Seriously. Considering the night and day difference between how the consoles started and ended last gen, I don't get why anyone would put any stock in what the PS4 and Xone are like right now. Half the features they've promoted for the consoles aren't even going to be available before next year anyway.

Jamie Alston Staff Writer

12/24/2013 at 12:53 PM

Pffft...yeah. I laugh when I read console reviews (or see videos) based on 1 day of usage. What a joke.

12/24/2013 at 09:39 PM

You'd think that seeing how much the consoles changed over time last gen would've suggested it was a bad idea. But they need those clicks, man. :p

NSonic79

12/31/2013 at 01:37 PM

But, but, but..how are we going to know if it's any good RIGHT NOW so we know to drop the cash for the unit?

I only ask because I'd like to know what to expect thatn just get something figuring it'll be okay in the end. That's how I ended up with my 32X. I don't regret the decision but was mostly luck I bought it for 20 instead of the original asking price.

PixlBit