Game Reviews, Who do You Trust?

[JaoSming]

My goto has always been gametrailers since I can see the game as they review it, and then Kotaku's round up of various reviews, but both have been lacking in terms of quality lately. I do watch Zero Punctuation, but that is rarely for more than entertainment value.

So, any tips? I know most sites do video reviews now, so replacing GT isn't difficult....

[el badman]

I don't always trust their reviews but I'm too lazy to look for anything else, so I usually only check reviews from IGN, Gamespot, and a French website called jeuxvideo.fr.

[Andrew]

To be honest, none really. I prefer to rely on word of mouth from fellow gamers.

[shadowgrin]

So Andrew how many game titles have you played in the past six months excluding FO, NBA Live/2Kx/Jam, WWE, and MK?

a French website called jeuxvideo.fr.

Well that's certainly reliable. Disgusting.

[Andrew]

I can't think of any offhand. What's your point?

[Lean]

Definitely not IGN and GameSpot. I only visit those for upcoming games news.

[shadowgrin]

What's your point?

To find out other games that you played/acquired based on word of mouth from fellow gamers that might also be of interest since my preference concerning reviews is a bit similar.

I rarely rely on reviews or blogs to determine whether a game is good or bad since the writer's experience with the game might be different with my own experience with the game when I do play it.
However I still read a bit of reviews and gamer opinions if I do stumble across them (instead of actively going to sites for reviews) for some details regarding the game that might affect whether I want a game or not, whether it's generally regarded as a good or terrible game.

[benji]

Play demo.

Watch Quick Look.

Then check worst rated reviews on MetaCritic to see if fundamental problems or if it's merely "not AAA enough."

If too indie, check outofeight.

[Andrew]

To find out other games that you played/acquired based on word of mouth from fellow gamers that might also be of interest since my preference concerning reviews is a bit similar.

Ah, fair enough. Well, thinking back, it probably was actually Fallout 3, which I also played a little at my cousin's place before I ended up getting it. Going the other way, I ended up passing on Duke Nukem Forever after playing the demo and seeing a couple of folks around these parts giving it a "meh" at best.

[Patr1ck]

Gameplay videos and developer interview/articles help influence my decision on buying a game. Mostly it's word of mouth and if it is something my friends can and will play with me, or if it is really cheap, I will buy it. I rarely read some journalists review and immediately want a game. For instance, the alpha version of the @dayz mod for Arma 2. I stumbled across a video, watched the entire 6 parts(The Dayz ahead) and was pretty much sold.

[shadowgrin]

developer interview

If the Diablo 3 dev interviews were an indicator I guess you're right Pdub. It's like the guys were about to be executed the following day with the way they conducted that dev diary on youtube.

Then check worst rated reviews on MetaCritic to see if fundamental problems or if it's merely "not AAA

That also. Only thing helpful that MetaCritic does.