Do Reviews Still Serve a Purpose?

Via Voodoo Extreme, a post on the Sony-sponsored ThreeSpeech blog asking if game reviews are a thing of the past. Post author 'Azz Hassan' opines that the proliferation of blogs and easy access to game trailers has made the 'biased views' of reviewers a thing of the past. Responding via the Ars Technica Opposable Thumbs blog, Frank Caron offers a rebuttal to the piece. 'The argument presented in the article seems to come with the very slant that it so viciously protests: one of a negative view towards a medium that the writer feels is inadequate. Yes, there is a ton of available media on the net that can help you get a look at a game as it develops, but the problem with videos and pictures is that often the intangible elements are impossible to understand simply from seeing the game in motion--only the written or verbal communication of a person can adequately capture these details.'

um

[mastershake_phd]

Yes, yes they do. If they didnt people wouldnt read them.

Not to me

[Xest]

Because I grew up, got a job and am now gullable enough to buy any crap the games industry throws out. I suffer from obsessive compulsive computer game purchase.

Oh how I miss the days of being dependant on pocket money where every penny had to be spent so wisely.

Re:Not to me

[MichaelSmith]

Oh how I miss the days of being dependant on pocket money where every penny had to be spent so wisely.

You should get married then.

excellent

[gEvil (beta)]

Excellent commentary. 8/10

Too lazy to try out game demos and watch videos

[wildzeke]

So reading the conclusion of a review might indicate a game is worth trying out. BTW, can someone read the article for me and give a summary.

Thanks.

Re:They do

[Tickenest]

I bet your TF mod got poor reviews. :P

Hmm...

[Anonymous Coward]

Wait are we by chance individually reviewing an article reviewing reviews?

Hmm... yes, I think so, my Ironoscope just exploded.

My review of this review about reviews

[Anonymous Coward]

3.5 Clippys out of 5.