I was just reading the letters in Edition 12, and thoroughly approved of a comment you made when comparing CGW's reviews to yours: "Want hardware reviews? Read a PC magazine - they'll do a far superior job to any gaming mag" (or something along that line). I'm *so* glad that you've taken that stance - I subscribe to IE to get in-depth game reviews by other gamers who happen to be able to express themselves well when talking about a game. Unfortunately PC Power (a UK gaming mag) doesn't feel the same way and have started "branching out". I don't know how they expect to compete with other PC mags such as Computer Week, PC Magazine, Byte Magazine . . . Anyway, that's why they won't be getting a subs renewal but you will!
Onto other matters: Thanks for the tip on the DEMO mode - I think I'll be using that quite often in the future. I also really enjoyed the background music in the review of Iron Assault (I think it was that preview). Could you do the same on the others? Maybe play the theme tune during the review?
One thing I've never understood: Why previews? I know that in the apps I write are often vastly different (in looks if nothing else) than how they started out. Surely you're really wasting your time? I mean, you can't really tell what a game's going to be like until it's actually shelf-ware. I can understand from the publisher's point of view - they want to create a demand for their product. But to do a review of an unfinished product has never made sense to me.
Here's a really hot topic: What about ratings? I know that many people are vehemently against them, but then they just mustn't look at them! Maybe give a rating for each category and then an overall rating. Another nice touch would be to have *all* the reviewers chipping in a sentence or two about what stood out to them, and their ratings - it gives a broader "feel" for the game - if only one reviewer looks at the game, and it's an adventure and she's an ardent arcade-lover, it's a bit unfair to all the adventure game lovers out there.
Lastly whew, what about more dual-reviewer reviews? I enjoy the interaction and exchange of thoughts, one-ups and put-downs very much - one voice can get a bit monotonous and bland. Maybe have two opposing points of view, with the reviewers arguing it out and showing parts of the game to back their viewpoints.
Well, that's all from me. I've tried to be constructive in my criticism - I hope that's come through, because I'd hate you to get the idea that I'm not impressed - I am! As I said, that's why you'll be getting the subs renewal . . .
