You call review points such as graphics, sound, game play, and replay value inane. As a gamer, those are extremely important things to know about before you buy a game. Graphics: Will this look good on my HDTV? Sound: Will the game make use of digital surround to make the game that much more enthralling? (With you being a composer I am shocked to see you miss the value of that one.) Replay value is also very important when considering a game purchase. Do I want to spend $60 on a game that I can plow through in less than 8 hours and have no interest in playing again? Knowing ahead of time that games like Mass Effect offer more than 40 hours of game play initially and other sub plots and story lines for using alternate characters as well is a major plus.

I do agree that the score system (1-10) needs to go because too many "outside stresses" can factor into the final score, hence Gertzman-gate. I for one, find nothing wrong with the pro/con list in a game review. It is actually a benefit to be able to quickly scan the reviewers points and decide if it matters to me or not.

I don't believe a single review style should be applied to all forms of media. The experience that one gets from theatre or books is not the same as what you get from games. So why should the reviews take on the same character?

In my opinion I believe you completely missed the mark on the "experience card". I fail to see where judging anything on the experience you get from it would be wrong. To use what you say should be format of the way games should be reviewed as an example: Wouldn't you judge a writer or theatre actor on the emotional experience you received from their ability to convey the essence of the story? If an actor trips and falls flat on his face on stage or forgets his lines and distracts you from the "experience", would that not be the same as a jenky control system or poorly placed save spot? Should it not be judged on these things?

In my opinion as a gamer, I greatly appreciate the review format that has been used on this site. It's quick and to the point at the same time giving me a strong overview of the general feel of the game. I got what I wanted from it. If you are looking for something else, then I am sure that Google can find you something more to your liking.

Quite frankly, I find it extremely arrogant for someone to basicaly stroll into someone's place of business and call them out for not knowing what they are doing, especially when they work in a completely unrelated field. Oh and by the way... Anybody to prefaces their rants with the phrase "I hate to be a complete douche but..." or "No insult intended, but...." might as well be saying "I AM a complete douche and I am going to illustrate exactly why as I insult you."

The bottom line here is that all reviews are nothing more than one person's opinion. Who are we to judge the way they go about expressing it?

1. A pre-order. Their stores are rated by how many per-orders they get.

2. A new gamesold. Some profit but not the reason they are there.

3. Used copies of a week old game that they can re-sell for 4 times the margin lost for taking back as a "return".

Wow...

Gamers get:

1 To pay $60 to "rent" a game and when they return it they HAVE to use that "rental fee" to purchase another title, possibly used that will make GStop even more $.

2. ....

Gamestop already has the policy in place for used games where you can play it for a week and return it for any reason for credit (with reciept), but how can they legally do this with NEW games. Last time I checked there were copyright laws in place to prevent returning NEW software and getting something else in return. You should only be able to swap it for the same title if yours is defective. They are basicaly circumventing that law by giving the full retail price back in trade credit.

Amazing... They found yet another way to line their pockets AND screw over the gaming industry at the same time. This is bad for gaming. Every copy that is traded back in and resold is taking money away from the people who poured thier lives into making it.

This is sad day.

Anyone else see the irony of someone with a Mario avatar saying that this site is "full to the brim with fanboys" .....

@Komrade_Kayce: You are a retarded waste of space. People steal something because it has value. All people who steal are assholes. No matter what it is they steal. It's the same thing for when people were getting their ass kicked for their Air Jordans. Nobody gets their ass kicked for K-Swiss!! Nothing Nintendo has enough value attached to it (in the minds of people who commit such acts) to warrant the risk involved in rolling someone up for it. Pull you empty head out if your fanboy ass and STFU!

Nobody over the age of 12 plays it here so it doesn't matter.

Are you freaking high or just plain clueless?? The U.S. market is light years ahead of the Euro market, while the Euro market is a distant third in priority to Japan when it comes to gaming.

"I'll take Gaming Industry for $300 Alex."

'This U.S. based, software conglomerate makes one of the gaming industry's dominate consoles. The Xbox 360.'

"What is Microsoft?"

'Yes!'

"I'll take Gaming Industry for $500 Alex."

'You have found the Daily Double!! The answer to the Daily Double is:'
'2 out of the 3 gaming console powerhouses come from this place.'

"Umm... What is Japan, Alex?"

"Correct!"

It couldn't be any simpler. The U.S. gaming company wants it's home market and it competitor's market as well. That is why they are desperate for a foothold over Nintendo (never happen) or Sony (could happen) in Japan. At the same time, Sony and Nintendo are looking for their peice of the U.S. market after dominating Japan for so long.

The Euro market (or any other) is simply an after thought to them. Why do you think that when a huge title is launched that the Euros get it LAST!! Do they even have Brawl over there yet?? Yeah that's right... Didn't think so....

[Skips off through teh internets holding hands with dv8]

(kidding...or am I???)

......slinks away in shame.......

Oh BTW.... I am perfectly happy with my penis, sir......

:D

@Leathersoup: Chuck Norris is not a religious fanatic... he IS a religion!!

@Android8675: That's the only way I can see myself ever watching anything by this f*cktard. I won't even waste the bandwidth or hard drive space to download it.

@Witzbold: Chuck Norris doesn't make ghost go away.....he just plain makes ghosts!

I get excited about cheese burgers......especialy with bacon......mmmmmmmmmmmm.....bbaaaacccooonnn.......

Great job Dick! As if the industry didn't already have enough negative attention. Lets just hope that it stays contained to their cute little island over there.

@NegativeGhostrider: Your goddamn right he would fail! Howard the Duck kicks ASS!!!