Best console gaming magazine?

[Gunslinger08]

Anyone?

 

[DanTMWTMP]

EGM

/thread.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
EGM

/thread.

:thumbsup:

by far the best one IMO.

 

[Thraxen]

The best part is you can usually find magazine subscriptions for free. I haven't paid for EGM in years. I recently got another free year... through a link someone provided in this forum IIRC. I also currently get Games for Windows free via an offer Joystiq did a while back.

 

[abaez]

I really like edge, but it's quite expensive to get here in the U.S.

 

[Anubis]

Play > *

 

[hans030390]

Game Informer. I have a lot of respect for them. They're one of the few reviews that gave Lair around a 7-8/10. That's generally what the consumer thought of it, even people on Anandtech. Every other reviewer was too harsh and bashed everything. After reading that, I've really come to appreciate their honesty and reviews. They also cover a lot of new games that I hear of first from them.

Other reviewers generally come off as fanboys. They're pretty biased towards most everything, and they aren't afraid to slap Halo game with a 10/10 when they surely don't deserve that.

EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: Thraxen
The best part is you can usually find magazine subscriptions for free. I haven't paid for EGM in years. I recently got another free year... through a link someone provided in this forum IIRC. I also currently get Games for Windows free via an offer Joystiq did a while back.

Any idea where I can find that link for free EGM?

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: hans030390
EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

/sigh

Yet another person that somehow can't fathom that 10/10 doesn't mean PERFECTION. The magazines have stated it time and time again. No game is perfect for obvious reasons. It simply means "one of the best games of this generation; an instant classic." Halo 3 is obviously that, even with the flaws. If you can't agree with that, when w/e. You're an anti-fanboy.

Besides, if you want to rip on a mag for throwing out 10s you need to waste your energy whining about Play, who gives a 9/10 or a 10/10 to like 80% of the crap it reviews (including Lair).

 

[bucwylde23]

I just got my first copy of EGM today. I forget, but I *think* a link was posted here for a free sub to EGM.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: hans030390
EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

/sigh

Yet another person that somehow can't fathom that 10/10 doesn't mean PERFECTION. The magazines have stated it time and time again. No game is perfect for obvious reasons. It simply means "one of the best games of this generation; an instant classic." Halo 3 is obviously that, even with the flaws. If you can't agree with that, when w/e. You're an anti-fanboy.

Besides, if you want to rip on a mag for throwing out 10s you need to waste your energy whining about Play, who gives a 9/10 or a 10/10 to like 80% of the crap it reviews (including Lair).

yes, lawlz to hans030390 and his posts. he's the definition of a fanboy.

i just find it funny that he likes game informer the most because it is one of the only magazines that gave it a score of 7-8 and he doesn't like EGM because they like Halo 3.

basically he only likes magazines he agrees with.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: hans030390
Game Informer. I have a lot of respect for them. They're one of the few reviews that gave Lair around a 7-8/10. That's generally what the consumer thought of it, even people on Anandtech. Every other reviewer was too harsh and bashed everything. After reading that, I've really come to appreciate their honesty and reviews. They also cover a lot of new games that I hear of first from them.

Haha, you trust Game Informer for reviews? It reminds me of what one of the managers said when he was looking through the new issue with the Lair review in it at work one time. He opened it to that page, and said something to the effect, "Damn, Lair got a 7.5? It must suck hard."

GI gives almost EVERY game atleast a 7. Then, there are a few anomalies that get a 2 or 3. There's hardly anything in between. GI is probably THE worst magazine to get reviews from, especially since they are owned and published by Gamestop/EB. If you think they aren't getting pay-offs for good scores, you're just naive.

EGM is by far the best magazine for honest, truthful info out there. Plus, they have 3 different people score the game, so you can make an honest assessment with what they give you. My only gripe is they don't have nearly enough space to give a more thorough review. And to whomever said they talked bad about Halo 3, then gave it a 10....most all review publications/websites do this. Although, it is kind of stupid for anyone to talk about bad things for the entire length of a review, then give it a 10.

EDIT: Forgot to add that the one thing GI is awesome for is their in-depth previews for games that are still a year out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about games like Prototype, Dead Space, and a couple others in the past couple months whose names escape me at the moment.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
Any idea where I can find that link for free EGM?

This was the thread: Link

I have no idea if that link will still work. If it doesn't, you can probably just wait a few months. It seems like I see an offer like that a couple times a year.

 

[Dacalo]

I like EGM, because there are three different opinions for each game. They are pretty brutal in their reviews which I like.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
I like EGM, because there are three different opinions for each game. They are pretty brutal in their reviews which I like.

exactly why I like them. they are the most blunt straight to the point source of reviews.

i also liked the 3 part story they had when the PS3 and Wii launched last year, and in each month they basically talked to the head hancho for each of the three companies and ripped apart each company in the interview. those were 3 great reads.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: hans030390
EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

/sigh

Yet another person that somehow can't fathom that 10/10 doesn't mean PERFECTION. The magazines have stated it time and time again. No game is perfect for obvious reasons. It simply means "one of the best games of this generation; an instant classic." Halo 3 is obviously that, even with the flaws. If you can't agree with that, when w/e. You're an anti-fanboy.

Besides, if you want to rip on a mag for throwing out 10s you need to waste your energy whining about Play, who gives a 9/10 or a 10/10 to like 80% of the crap it reviews (including Lair).

Ok, sorry, I'm actually pretty against most of the big reviewers in this time period. I've played Halo 3, and it's NOT one of the best games of this generation. It's NOT an instant classic. It's the same damn game again with some new features thrown in. In fact, I thought it was rather BORING compared to how much I enjoyed Halo 1. Halo 1 deserved amazing scores, not Halo 2 or 3. I just tend to notice that 1up/EGM are SLIGHTLY more fanboyish than the bigger gaming sites or magazines, but they're all pretty bad. They're all basically Halo fanboys.

I never said I liked Play. I've never read it, and I don't care too. They are too generous with scores.

Originally posted by: purbeast0
yes, lawlz to hans030390 and his posts. he's the definition of a fanboy.

i just find it funny that he likes game informer the most because it is one of the only magazines that gave it a score of 7-8 and he doesn't like EGM because they like Halo 3.

basically he only likes magazines he agrees with.

Sorry, am I supposed to like things I disagree with? If I think someone is plain wrong, am I going to want to read it? No! Of course not! I must be stupid if I do!

Fanboy? Because what, I don't like Halo (3) as much as the fanboys out there? Big deal. It's not that great. It's a disappointment. It does not deserve a 10. I'm tired of EVERY single website giving it over a 9.5.

Like I said in a previous post in a different thread, you scream Halo fanboy all over. Don't think so? Hm, you defend anything involving Halo 3 or MS, and you have a freaking link to stupid Halo 3 screen shots in your signature. Yet, you call me a fanboy? "lawlz" to you, then.

Originally posted by: blurredvision
GI gives almost EVERY game atleast a 7. Then, there are a few anomalies that get a 2 or 3. There's hardly anything in between. GI is probably THE worst magazine to get reviews from, especially since they are owned and published by Gamestop/EB. If you think they aren't getting pay-offs for good scores, you're just naive.

EGM is by far the best magazine for honest, truthful info out there. Plus, they have 3 different people score the game, so you can make an honest assessment with what they give you. My only gripe is they don't have nearly enough space to give a more thorough review. And to whomever said they talked bad about Halo 3, then gave it a 10....most all review publications/websites do this. Although, it is kind of stupid for anyone to talk about bad things for the entire length of a review, then give it a 10.

EDIT: Forgot to add that the one thing GI is awesome for is their in-depth previews for games that are still a year out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about games like Prototype, Dead Space, and a couple others in the past couple months whose names escape me at the moment.

Ok, so they may be a bit generous, but I really appreciated that they're not exactly like the other big reviewers in giving Lair horrible scores. It didn't deserve those, and many will back me up on that. For any games I'm interested in, I've generally found them to have pretty good reviews.

EGM is generally only thruthful about things until it involves Halo or some sort of competition....that's what I've noticed. I was pretty pissed off when they, and every other reviewer, handed Halo 3 a 9.5-10/10 as if it were candy. I thought it was disappointing, and so did many others I talk to. They scream "fanboy" when it comes to Halo, like most of the universe. Big deal if they have 3 reviewers...they all think the same way, so it's like reading the same stupid thing.

Other than that, EGM is pretty good about everything else. I enjoy reading anything from them so long as Halo or any competitors aren't subjects in their articles.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: hans030390
Game Informer. I have a lot of respect for them. They're one of the few reviews that gave Lair around a 7-8/10. That's generally what the consumer thought of it, even people on Anandtech. Every other reviewer was too harsh and bashed everything. After reading that, I've really come to appreciate their honesty and reviews. They also cover a lot of new games that I hear of first from them.

Haha, you trust Game Informer for reviews? It reminds me of what one of the managers said when he was looking through the new issue with the Lair review in it at work one time. He opened it to that page, and said something to the effect, "Damn, Lair got a 7.5? It must suck hard."

GI gives almost EVERY game atleast a 7. Then, there are a few anomalies that get a 2 or 3. There's hardly anything in between. GI is probably THE worst magazine to get reviews from, especially since they are owned and published by Gamestop/EB. If you think they aren't getting pay-offs for good scores, you're just naive.

EGM is by far the best magazine for honest, truthful info out there. Plus, they have 3 different people score the game, so you can make an honest assessment with what they give you. My only gripe is they don't have nearly enough space to give a more thorough review. And to whomever said they talked bad about Halo 3, then gave it a 10....most all review publications/websites do this. Although, it is kind of stupid for anyone to talk about bad things for the entire length of a review, then give it a 10.

EDIT: Forgot to add that the one thing GI is awesome for is their in-depth previews for games that are still a year out. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about games like Prototype, Dead Space, and a couple others in the past couple months whose names escape me at the moment.

Yea I really don't trust Game Informer since they are owned by Gamestop.

 

[davidsi]

my favorite ones are online...i dunno if it counts as a magazine though. kotaku, joystiq and then destructoid in that order.

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Yea I really don't trust Game Informer since they are owned by Gamestop.

That's the general thought I used to have, but I've gained a lot of respect for some of the things they cover (like their great previews for games WAY off). Perhaps they may seem generous with some scores, but I feel in some cases they're more accurate and reasonable than some of the bigger magazines or websites out there.

If Gamestop is the one supplying them with the editors, however, I may have to rethink that. I would never trust a Gamestop employee.

 

[Ackmed]

I like EGM pretty well. Next Gen was my favorite back in the day though.

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: hans030390
EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

/sigh

Yet another person that somehow can't fathom that 10/10 doesn't mean PERFECTION. The magazines have stated it time and time again. No game is perfect for obvious reasons. It simply means "one of the best games of this generation; an instant classic." Halo 3 is obviously that, even with the flaws. If you can't agree with that, when w/e. You're an anti-fanboy.

Besides, if you want to rip on a mag for throwing out 10s you need to waste your energy whining about Play, who gives a 9/10 or a 10/10 to like 80% of the crap it reviews (including Lair).

Sure 10/10 means perfection, thus the perfect score. If they dont want to claim a game is perfect, then they dont need to give it a perfect score. Care to show me where they've claimed a perfect score, isnt perfect?

Oh, and Lair has gotten good user reviews as well. Too bad most the media cant seem to control it well, most gamers dont seem to have that problem.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Care to show me where they've claimed a perfect score, isnt perfect?

I'll direct you to the May 2007 issue of EGM (Future of Videogames on the cover), page 74, lower-right of the page. In the box, it shows how they rate, and what awards they give out. The last paragraph in the little snippet about the awards, states:

Keep in mind that a 10 does not mean a game is perfect, but rather it's the best score we can give. Also, 5.0 is average

I will gladly scan it for you if you want to question the validity of this at all. I cannot speak for other publications, but EGM changed their policy a couple of years ago about awarding 10's to games, because they felt it was nigh impossible for a game to earn a perfect score. From what I remember, their logic was basically why have a score if they were never going to use it. Up to that point, they had only gave maybe one or two games a perfect 10 in the past 10-15 years.

I agree with their stance of ratings games, that's why I trust their scores the most.

 

[Ackmed]

No need to scan, I believe you. He did say magaziness however.

And they're wrong. If its not perfect, dont give it a perfect score. Seems pretty simple to me.

Like hans got annoyed with all the 10's for halo 3, I did as well for Bioshock. It got too many perfect scores to me. No game is perfect, and giving it a perfect score it silly. Especially with several issues the game (pc) has.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Ackmed
Care to show me where they've claimed a perfect score, isnt perfect?

I'll direct you to the May 2007 issue of EGM (Future of Videogames on the cover), page 74, lower-right of the page. In the box, it shows how they rate, and what awards they give out. The last paragraph in the little snippet about the awards, states:

Keep in mind that a 10 does not mean a game is perfect, but rather it's the best score we can give. Also, 5.0 is average

I will gladly scan it for you if you want to question the validity of this at all. I cannot speak for other publications, but EGM changed their policy a couple of years ago about awarding 10's to games, because they felt it was nigh impossible for a game to earn a perfect score. From what I remember, their logic was basically why have a score if they were never going to use it. Up to that point, they had only gave maybe one or two games a perfect 10 in the past 10-15 years.

I agree with their stance of ratings games, that's why I trust their scores the most.

I don't believe the bolded part for a second. EGM, like most magazines and websites, gives an average rating in the vicinity of 7/10. If 5.0 is average, it's average for the games they can imagine, not average for games that actually exist or games that they review. EGM's average review is lower than other magazines by a few percentage points, but 5.0 is not average.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Ackmed

I like EGM pretty well. Next Gen was my favorite back in the day though.

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: hans030390
EGM/1up is probably the worst magazine I've read for reviews. I like how their Halo 3 covers PLENTY of flaws, yet it's still a 10/10. Suddenly perfection is not so perfect? What a bunch of fanboys.

And those of you that disagree, you probably fall into that "I love Halo" category.

/sigh

Yet another person that somehow can't fathom that 10/10 doesn't mean PERFECTION. The magazines have stated it time and time again. No game is perfect for obvious reasons. It simply means "one of the best games of this generation; an instant classic." Halo 3 is obviously that, even with the flaws. If you can't agree with that, when w/e. You're an anti-fanboy.

Besides, if you want to rip on a mag for throwing out 10s you need to waste your energy whining about Play, who gives a 9/10 or a 10/10 to like 80% of the crap it reviews (including Lair).

Sure 10/10 means perfection, thus the perfect score. If they dont want to claim a game is perfect, then they dont need to give it a perfect score. Care to show me where they've claimed a perfect score, isnt perfect?

Oh, and Lair has gotten good user reviews as well. Too bad most the media cant seem to control it well, most gamers dont seem to have that problem.

It doesn't mean perfection, to them. Stop trying to tell gaming magazines/website what their scores should mean. At the start of each month's review section they clearly state their scoring policy.

If a teacher grades a student's paper an "A," that doesn't mean it's a "perfect" paper. It just means the teacher thinks it's of the highest tier of quality and workmanship; a benchmark to compare the other student's papers to. Yes, the paper might have SOME flaws, both objective and subjective, but not enough to detract from the overall final product.

If teachers and game reviewers would only give As/10s to true-to-the-word, "perfect" paper/games, then an A or a 10 would never be issued. Thus, what's the point? Then a "9/10" would become the best score a game could get. And so on, and so on.

 

[Thraxen]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
No need to scan, I believe you. He did say magaziness however.

And they're wrong. If its not perfect, dont give it a perfect score. Seems pretty simple to me.

Like hans got annoyed with all the 10's for halo 3, I did as well for Bioshock. It got too many perfect scores to me. No game is perfect, and giving it a perfect score it silly. Especially with several issues the game (pc) has.

How can they be wrong? It's their rating system. The same applies to movies. You'll see reviewers give 4/4 or 5/5 stars to movies, yet none are perfect. The flaw in your reasoning is thinking that 10 must mean perfect. But by EGM's own definition 10 does not mean perfect, it's just their highest score. I see no problems with it.