Good to see this is being titled "Early Access Review" every sites reviews should show that if they are and they don't.
I am going back to an old theme here because I don't think there is any way to properly resolve it, how do you do an early access review? Do you make allowances for early access or have you decide early access is the new proper launch so you review as if it was a fully released game?
Now I assume reviewers are taking the first approach, how on earth do you decided what allowances to give? That will vary wildly from one reviewer to the next. I still think we need to review at early access but that problem is not going to go away and it may explain some of the above posters comments.
A "review" is to look back on something again, to re-view it and come to a conclusion. EA games shouldn't have a review, they should have a preview. A pre-view is an early look at something before it is ready.
A preview could talk about the potential of the game based on the existing and incomplete gameplay. Maybe take into account the reputation of the developer, do they always miss their targets? Usually hit their targets? Have a history of releasing good games?
If this is a review of an MMORPG how could it get 8/10 if the game doesn't even have grouping or trading with others? What kind of MMORPG is that??
It is a review of how things stand as of now and identified as such. They can be quite helpful as early access games can range anywhere from barely conceived to well into development. Kind of handy to know.
Imagine reading a "review" of a car before it is built. Imagine the car is in EA and can only turn left and doesn't have brakes installed yet. What kind of "review" could you give? It is ridiculous.
If people insist on a real review of something that isn't finished yet, then be harsh and tell it like it is as of now. The game is missing half of its content? Then the max possible review number would be 5, assuming the working parts are perfect and would get a 10 in a finished product. Under this scheme, Brighter Shores might get a 3, or 4 if you are being generous.
"Well the car turns left really well, and the brakes are supposed to be installed next week. Then we can put it through its paces and see how it works. Meanwhile, we'll give it an 8/10".
A worthless review.
People don't typically buy cars before they are built, but with early access many buy games before they are finished. As such a review of how things currently are would be helpful in deciding to do so or not. That has worth.
Good to see this is being titled "Early Access Review" every sites reviews should show that if they are and they don't.
I am going back to an old theme here because I don't think there is any way to properly resolve it, how do you do an early access review? Do you make allowances for early access or have you decide early access is the new proper launch so you review as if it was a fully released game?
Now I assume reviewers are taking the first approach, how on earth do you decided what allowances to give? That will vary wildly from one reviewer to the next. I still think we need to review at early access but that problem is not going to go away and it may explain some of the above posters comments.
A "review" is to look back on something again, to re-view it and come to a conclusion. EA games shouldn't have a review, they should have a preview. A pre-view is an early look at something before it is ready.
A preview could talk about the potential of the game based on the existing and incomplete gameplay. Maybe take into account the reputation of the developer, do they always miss their targets? Usually hit their targets? Have a history of releasing good games?
If this is a review of an MMORPG how could it get 8/10 if the game doesn't even have grouping or trading with others? What kind of MMORPG is that??
It is a review of how things stand as of now and identified as such. They can be quite helpful as early access games can range anywhere from barely conceived to well into development. Kind of handy to know.
Then the score should reflect the unfinished state it currently is at, so 8/10 just isn't appropriate, even for the intended audience.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Imagine reading a "review" of a car before it is built. Imagine the car is in EA and can only turn left and doesn't have brakes installed yet. What kind of "review" could you give? It is ridiculous.
If people insist on a real review of something that isn't finished yet, then be harsh and tell it like it is as of now. The game is missing half of its content? Then the max possible review number would be 5, assuming the working parts are perfect and would get a 10 in a finished product. Under this scheme, Brighter Shores might get a 3, or 4 if you are being generous.
"Well the car turns left really well, and the brakes are supposed to be installed next week. Then we can put it through its paces and see how it works. Meanwhile, we'll give it an 8/10".
A worthless review.
People don't typically buy cars before they are built, but with early access many buy games before they are finished. As such a review of how things currently are would be helpful in deciding to do so or not. That has worth.
Taking a better analogy. I've watched 3 episodes of the 2nd Season of Arcane: LOL.
Is it appropriate to score the series as 9/10 even though I have no idea how the rest of the story will play out?
After episode 5 of the Sandman I was ready to shut the series off and would have called it a 3/10.
My daughter convinced me to press on at least one more episode....and I ended up loving the rest of the episodes and would call it a 9/10.
So back to gaming, is it fair to rate the content viewed to date, and if so, give it high or low marks on effort delivered and reviewed to date?
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Then the score should reflect the unfinished state it currently is at, so 8/10 just isn't appropriate, even for the intended audience.
The problem is that it is not possible to have guidelines that work as well for EA as it is for a proper launch. The "being built" issue means that no matter how the review is done it has problems like these.
I note Steam has just issued some guidelines for "season passes" we need more of that for EA, that way the reviews would be based on games that were not so wildly different in where they are in development.
Imagine reading a "review" of a car before it is built. Imagine the car is in EA and can only turn left and doesn't have brakes installed yet. What kind of "review" could you give? It is ridiculous.
If people insist on a real review of something that isn't finished yet, then be harsh and tell it like it is as of now. The game is missing half of its content? Then the max possible review number would be 5, assuming the working parts are perfect and would get a 10 in a finished product. Under this scheme, Brighter Shores might get a 3, or 4 if you are being generous.
"Well the car turns left really well, and the brakes are supposed to be installed next week. Then we can put it through its paces and see how it works. Meanwhile, we'll give it an 8/10".
A worthless review.
People don't typically buy cars before they are built, but with early access many buy games before they are finished. As such a review of how things currently are would be helpful in deciding to do so or not. That has worth.
Taking a better analogy. I've watched 3 episodes of the 2nd Season of Arcane: LOL.
Is it appropriate to score the series as 9/10 even though I have no idea how the rest of the story will play out?
After episode 5 of the Sandman I was ready to shut the series off and would have called it a 3/10.
My daughter convinced me to press on at least one more episode....and I ended up loving the rest of the episodes and would call it a 9/10.
So back to gaming, is it fair to rate the content viewed to date, and if so, give it high or low marks on effort delivered and reviewed to date?
I think it's fair to rate the content "thus far." I've said this before but plays, musicals will sometimes go out for previews and then, if they are broadway bound (or off broadway) changes will be made before hitting their final destination.
Whole songs and scenes can be added, things deleted, etc. I saw Queen of Versailles in Boston and because of its long length they were trying to cut it down. So if I see it on Broadway it will be a very different version.
I can give a review of what I saw with the stipulation that it will be different later on. Same with early access.
An early access game is "x score" at this point. I don't see the problem.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Comments
It is a review of how things stand as of now and identified as such. They can be quite helpful as early access games can range anywhere from barely conceived to well into development. Kind of handy to know.
People don't typically buy cars before they are built, but with early access many buy games before they are finished. As such a review of how things currently are would be helpful in deciding to do so or not. That has worth.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Is it appropriate to score the series as 9/10 even though I have no idea how the rest of the story will play out?
After episode 5 of the Sandman I was ready to shut the series off and would have called it a 3/10.
My daughter convinced me to press on at least one more episode....and I ended up loving the rest of the episodes and would call it a 9/10.
So back to gaming, is it fair to rate the content viewed to date, and if so, give it high or low marks on effort delivered and reviewed to date?
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I note Steam has just issued some guidelines for "season passes" we need more of that for EA, that way the reviews would be based on games that were not so wildly different in where they are in development.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo