No Offence But: Why have we become so obsessed with review scores?

It was during all the Uncharted 3/Battlefield 3 review hubbub that I realised what my next No Offence But column would be about. This is something that has become a horrific phenomenon in the gaming industry; I wouldn’t say it’s always been so strong, but with the huge number of great games out this year the weird obsession we have for review scores has only multiplied in ferocity. Read on for more on our fixation on a figure.

Firstly, don’t skip to the end of this page because there’s no review score waiting at the bottom. I realise this may baffle and confuse, but it’s not actually a review! Imagine it now: a video game review without a score at the bottom!

Now, before I get too patronising, I have to admit that I certainly include myself in the (very large) group of people who are centred on the review score of a game. Although to clarify, I’m not talking about making buying decisions based on reviews; I’m talking about people crying and elating over a simple number or grade. I don’t think any gamer out there has never skipped to the score to see the verdict, only to then go back and read the review, or much worse not read the review at all (obsessive Editor’s note: I never, ever skip to a score – that’s cheating, kiddies!).  

It also seems everyone always has some gripe with the score: you’ve got the classic ‘too high’ or ‘too low’, the ridiculous ‘oh, another –‘ or even the good old ‘well this place gave it a --‘ . I like to think you’re reading this realising just how common these kinds of comments are; if so, then quick thinking my equally pessimistic amigo. Now, my issue isn’t necessarily people complaining about scores (although let’s face it, it is still annoying); instead I seem to find myself getting angry at the very concept of review scores themselves.

Ok, so I am now being a massive hypocrite, seeing as I both give games review scores and obsess over them as well. Hell, I might as well go the whole hog and plug a couple of my reviews! You can read my Tropico 4 one here, I gave it an 8. Or how about Sengoku, not so great with a 7.

Regardless, I do genuinely believe that the score system that every game journo uses has created a horrible blemish on the reputation and friendliness of gaming and gamers alike, largely because of the issues aforementioned. My main point is, would the world be a better place if reviews didn’t have scores at the end? In or

Don’t get me wrong: I undoubtedly see the plus points to the score system; there is, after all, a reason it’s so widely used. It provides an easy form of comparison and it makes it easier for the reader to construct an image of the game, but why should we force ourselves to make things easier? A world without review scores would probably be horrifying and baffling for the first few months, but people would adjust, like they always do. Sure, I’m exaggerating, not having review scores wouldn’t set the world off balance like I find myself suggesting, but it would be very interesting to see the changes, be they positive or negative, to the gaming market as a result.der to get a grip on how good a game is the reader has to read the whole review and evaluate the points that the writer is making. Not only does this further engage the reader but it also forces the writer to be on best performance every time they write a review. Too many times I’ve seen a review that really doesn’t reflect the end score.

I hope this short ‘think tank’ of mine gets you thinking as well. I really believe this is an interesting topic as we have become extremely familiar with scores at the end of reviews, even contemplating removing them sounds insane, like no guns in COD. Actually that’s a good analogy to close with; removing scores from reviews would be like removing guns from COD, it would seem aimless and confusing, but in reality it could create a more interesting and more intellectual creation. Maybe you could just sit down and talk to Zakheav about his problems as opposed to trying to kill him?

Thanks for reading, and be sure to comment your thoughts below

Ryan

P.S  For those wise guys who noticed I didn't answer the original question...it was more of a topic than a direct question. At least that's my excuse. Also, if you like what you read, be sure to check out my previous No Offence But articles. 1. 2. 3.