Don’t believe everything you read in the internet, even if they came from so-called reputable game websites like GameSpot, GameSpy, IGN, or Eurogamer. The reviews they’re churning aren’t always as “spot-on” as people say they are.

Case in point: The previously-released reviews for Gears of War’s PC version.

I took the time to read all of them today. Yes, all. And you know what I observed? Aside from the fact that they’re full of crap, the reviews also had a very strong similarity to that of GameTrailers’. The reviews glossed over the important factors that turns Gears from Xbox 360 legend to PC gaming’s latest tragic port.

And indeed, Gears of War for the PC is a tragic port. Despite all my efforts to make the game work, tweak its settings, and update my drivers, nothing prevents it from crashing back into the desktop or causing the PC to reset.

At this point, I simply cannot review Gears of War until a proper patch is released. Why not? Because I can’t move any further than act two. What use is a review if the game isn’t finished or even quarter-of-the-way through?

I have a good question for these so-called reputable sites: How did you finish the game if it had so many hardware issues? It’s either:

1. You’re lying and that you didn’t finish the PC version;
2. You played Gears in Epic or Microsoft’s offices.

Either way, you can’t be trusted.

Unlike larger game sites, FPS Rantings is committed to providing unbiased reviews that are based on real-world conditions. You can be sure of that.

Post from: EveryJoe

Crap-Detector: Previously-released Gears of War PC reviews

I haven’t played Bioshock myself. Aside from the physical barrier of not being able to get a copy because it’s not out yet, my PC’s limitations (despite its still-decent ability) might force me a premature upgrade before I truly get to enjoy this new FPS.

The worst part? According to a few game journalists who got an early ticket to Rapture, the game is really as good as advertised. Maybe even better.

IGN’s Charles Onyett says there is “art [in Bioshock], despite what many would say isn’t possible with games, from Roger Ebert to game designers like Hideo Kojima.” Onyett even goes as far as proclaiming that Bioshock is a wake-up call to the industry at large because playing the game will make you realize why you should demand more from publishers and developers.

Gabe Graziani of GameSpy labels Bioshock not as the spiritual successor of System Shock 2, but as its “spiritual superior.” Pretty strong words for a new game being compared to the proven classic. Graziani adds that “it’s impossible to not recognize the brilliance flooding your senses.”

Andrew Pfister over at 1UP asks if a videogame can make you feel guilty and presents a good scenario involving the Little Sisters and Big Daddies. This after raving about how worthy the game is of your time and money.

As I’ve revealed earlier, the Little Sisters are designed to ask you the moral question of killing malnourished children. If a game is capable of raising these questions, then the developers are indeed doing something right. An emotional connection to games is something you don’t encounter every day (or year).

Let the Xbox 360 gamers cheer for having another outstanding game in their library. In addition, they don’t have to worry themselves over the question of system requirements. After all, they already have enough problems (**cough RRoD cough**).

Post from: EveryJoe

Bioshock reviews tell us there’s more to the hype