Why Yahtzee is not a game reviewer

Yahtzee's review of Oblivion is the case in point of why he is a brilliant humorist, but he's not a real game reviewer. He ragged on Oblivion for the entire "review" and Oblivion is an execptional game. Not perfect, not by a longshot. But very good.

Is that video funny? Yes very funny. Does it pick on things Oblivion deserved to be picked on for? OHHH yes, absolutely. Does it give someone who knows nothing about Oblivion a fair overview of the games strengths and weaknesses. Absolutely not.

Yahtzee's reviews are stand up comedy for gamers. His insightful slams on games are a hoot for people who have played the games. He's no help for the virgins. He's funny, insightful, I love his videos.

But, he's not a game reviewer.

Yahtzee's review of Oblivion is the case in point of why he is a brilliant humorist, but he's not a real game reviewer. He ragged on Oblivion for the entire "review" and Oblivion is an execptional game. Not perfect, not by a longshot. But very good.

Is that video funny? Yes very funny. Does it pick on things Oblivion deserved to be picked on for? OHHH yes, absolutely. Does it give someone who knows nothing about Oblivion a fair overview of the games strengths and weaknesses. Absolutely not.

Yahtzee's reviews are stand up comedy for gamers. His insightful slams on games are a hoot for people who have played the games. He's no help for the virgins. He's funny, insightful, I love his videos.

But, he's not a game reviewer.

giantraddish

Here's where I stopped reading. Play Morrowind and say that.

Well a review is just an opinion - doesn't have to be fair, balanced or correct.

You are right though for a person who knows nothing about the game he reviews are little help.

However I played Oblivion, and while I wanted it to be all it could be, I was left largely disappointed with the lack of difference with landscape, NPC's, immersion and those bloody gates. I have to say his review is spot on.

And yes I find him funny.

He was far less harsh with Oblivion than I would have been. :|

Anyway, I'd say that he is a reviewer, in the sense that he plays games and then expresses his opinions on how good those games were. Sure, he nitpicks, and generally focuses on the bad design choices, but he also seems to be a lot more honest than most other reviewers.

I find him to be funny as well as have many valid points. Check out his Bioshock review, stating the difficulty comparisons, the stuff cut out, did gamespot mention that? Did IGN? Or His Halflife 2: Episode 2 mentioning how sequences are starting to repeat themselves, did gamespot or IGN mention that? Or how Metal Gear Solid 4 has bad controls, how it's badly written and in need of an editor did gamespot or IGN mention that? Every game gets ragged, but he does make valid points. For all the bashing Crysis was getting, he done a pretty objective review imo. gamespot, for it's unfunny reviews, has some of the worste around imo.

He is a game reviewer.

and many people agree with his Oblvion review.

Go read the RPG Codex Obliv review.

The guy has been making his own games for a long while now, I think he knows far more about good design than most reviewers.

How many reviewers of Bioshock had actually played through System Shock 2? At least he had.

Yahtzee's review of Oblivion is the case in point of why he is a brilliant humorist, but he's not a real game reviewer. He ragged on Oblivion for the entire "review" and Oblivion is an execptional game. Not perfect, not by a longshot. But very good.

Is that video funny? Yes very funny. Does it pick on things Oblivion deserved to be picked on for? OHHH yes, absolutely. Does it give someone who knows nothing about Oblivion a fair overview of the games strengths and weaknesses. Absolutely not.

Yahtzee's reviews are stand up comedy for gamers. His insightful slams on games are a hoot for people who have played the games. He's no help for the virgins. He's funny, insightful, I love his videos.

But, he's not a game reviewer.

giantraddish

hes not a game reviewer cause he dosent agree with the rest of the worlds common thoughts on the game?

and many people agree with his Oblvion review.

skrat_01

I normally entirely agree with his vids, except for his RPG reviews.

For example, I'm fairly certain that he said that Oblivion was extremely deep in one of his videos, and he didn't appear to be joking when he said it. Also, he called The Witcher a MMORPG... :(

I agree that he is not a reviewer to an extent - he does bring up many very legitimate points at times. His BioShock review is his magnum opus - he perfectly sums up the game, and the review is also hilarious.

In some other reviews, he misses vital key points with a game (like with Crysis).

I wouldn't say he's not a reviewer - i'd say he's an inconsistent and possibly bad reviewer. But he reviews, and that really makes him a reviewer by definition.

As for his Oblivion review, ehh. He misses key points, but no part of his review is wrong. I think don't buy Oblivion is a good message to be sending out. Buy Fallout, Baldur's Gate or Bloodlines instead. Hell, buy The Witcher or Mass Effect.

Personally, I think Yahtzee has already frizzled out like a wet firework - his funniest is behind him and his finest reviews are behind him, and he's been on a downward spiral for a long time. He became king of the internet and rightfully so, but he doesn't deserve to keep his crown.

Check out his Bioshock review, stating the difficulty comparisons, the stuff cut out, did gamespot mention that? Did IGN? Kez1984

But the Bioshock "review" just supports my point, actually more than the Oblivion one. That video is funny as hell and his slams on Bioshock are completely accurate. But he spends the whole video riffing on Bioshocks faults. Accurate? yep. Fair? sure. Does it give a complete picture of the quality or value of the game? No it does not.

He starts that video by admitting as much. He likes the game, but he's gonna riff on its issues for our entertainment. And actually thats enough reason for me to shut up. He's already pointed out himself that his videos are not about how good or bad the games are. They are about long entertaining riffs on games flaws. I have nothing to add.

But the Bioshock "review" just supports my point, actually more than the Oblivion one. That video is funny as hell and his slams on Bioshock are completely accurate. But he spends the whole video riffing on Bioshocks faults. Accurate? yep. Fair? sure. Does it give a complete picture of the quality or value of the game? No it does not.giantraddish

What are the game's key points you feel he missed?

[QUOTE="skrat_01"]

and many people agree with his Oblvion review.

Planeforger

I normally entirely agree with his vids, except for his RPG reviews.

For example, I'm fairly certain that he said that Oblivion was extremely deep in one of his videos, and he didn't appear to be joking when he said it. Also, he called The Witcher a MMORPG... :(

Yahtzee's review of Oblivion is the case in point of why he is a brilliant humorist, but he's not a real game reviewer. He ragged on Oblivion for the entire "review" and Oblivion is an execptional game. Not perfect, not by a longshot. But very good.

Is that video funny? Yes very funny. Does it pick on things Oblivion deserved to be picked on for? OHHH yes, absolutely. Does it give someone who knows nothing about Oblivion a fair overview of the games strengths and weaknesses. Absolutely not.

Yahtzee's reviews are stand up comedy for gamers. His insightful slams on games are a hoot for people who have played the games. He's no help for the virgins. He's funny, insightful, I love his videos.

But, he's not a game reviewer.

giantraddish

Other than calling it deep he hits pretty much every nail that every other person who didn't find Oblivion to be an exceptional game. Good visuals but bad dialogue and unimmersive with stupid minigames for interaction.

Hmm. Its funny how people here praise his reviews when they agree with them.

He isn't a reviewer and he has never called himself a reviewer. In fact, in a couple of his videos he says what he is. A CRITIC.

There is a difference.

I love watching his videos, and he does point out the bad things in games, what he normally forgets to do however is point out the good things as well.

And I found all his videos funny. Except the webcomic one. That was just terrible =/

He isn't a reviewer and he has never called himself a reviewer. In fact, in a couple of his videos he says what he is. A CRITIC.

kieranb2000

I would like to know difference please sir!

Well a review is just an opinion - doesn't have to be fair, balanced or correct.

Fandangle

[QUOTE="Fandangle"]

Well a review is just an opinion - doesn't have to be fair, balanced or correct.

thusaha

A good review though will still take a look at what other people might think of something such as a game, like who it would actually appeal to even if the reviewer didn't like it.

[QUOTE="thusaha"][QUOTE="Fandangle"]

Well a review is just an opinion - doesn't have to be fair, balanced or correct.

biggest_loser

A good review though will still take a look at what other people might think of something such as a game, like who it would actually appeal to even if the reviewer didn't like it.

Actually Yahtzee does take that approach. If you regularly watch his videos, you'd know that. He always points out things in a game that other people will love, but he hates. It's just that he takes it a step farther and makes fun of those people.

[QUOTE="kieranb2000"]

He isn't a reviewer and he has never called himself a reviewer. In fact, in a couple of his videos he says what he is. A CRITIC.

biggest_loser

I would like to know difference please sir!

You want to know the difference?

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE DIFFERENCE.

I find him to be funny as well as have many valid points. Check out his Bioshock review, stating the difficulty comparisons, the stuff cut out, did gamespot mention that? Did IGN? Or His Halflife 2: Episode 2 mentioning how sequences are starting to repeat themselves, did gamespot or IGN mention that? Or how Metal Gear Solid 4 has bad controls, how it's badly written and in need of an editor did gamespot or IGN mention that? Every game gets ragged, but he does make valid points. For all the bashing Crysis was getting, he done a pretty objective review imo. gamespot, for it's unfunny reviews, has some of the worste around imo.

Kez1984

MGS4 is greatly written IMO he dosen't in his opinion.

same for the countrols I think their fine.

also I never thought Halflife episode 2 ever "repeated" itself since most of the areas I thought were very diffrent and had many diffrent puzzles.

I reviewer dpsen't have to list all the facts if he dosen't want to and infact he could be biased as hell and its not like anyones gonna go to his house and shoot him.

and No he isn't a game reviewer IMO their all his opinion's on the games since if yer trying to get a guy to review an RPG who dosen't like RPG's then were not going to see a fair review.

[QUOTE="biggest_loser"][QUOTE="thusaha"][QUOTE="Fandangle"]

Well a review is just an opinion - doesn't have to be fair, balanced or correct.

Qixote

A good review though will still take a look at what other people might think of something such as a game, like who it would actually appeal to even if the reviewer didn't like it.

Actually Yahtzee does take that approach. If you regularly watch his videos, you'd know that. He always points out things in a game that other people will love, but he hates. It's just that he takes it a step farther and makes fun of those people.

I don't watch his reviews: I was just saying to Fandangle that a better review does indeed have to be balanced to a degree.

Hmm. Its funny how people here praise his reviews when they agree with them.

biggest_loser

Take Jeff for instance, people hated him, and then loved him depending on his reviews. And then of course, he was fired and everyone who hated him suddenly loved him.

Calling him a reviewer is like calling Colbert or Stewart real news anchors. They're pretty much mock up of the regular jobs.

imo reviews are supposed to influence your purchase decision and I would never buy or not buy a game depending on Yahtzee's reviews.

I disagreed in that there are so many things in Oblivion he could have picked up on but didn't.

Despite some people thinking that toned down console trash is the best RPG ever; opinion is quite divided, if it was just a new game to you then you won't understand why some Morrowind players have issues with the game.

In addition to being funny, he puts out some of the most insightful and brutally honest reviews you're going to find, unlike mainstream review sites which must cater to their advertisers and will rarely come out and tell you that a game is crap (see Jeff Gerstmann for an example of what happens when mainstream reviewers decide to be honest).

I also like how he doesn't give games an arbitrary number for a review score. He simply tells you what he liked and didn't like, and whether or not they are worth playing.

Also, he called The Witcher a MMORPG... :( Planeforger

I gotta point this out: he didn't call it a MMORPG...he called it a single-player MMORPG for 3 key reasons: single click combat, random pick up y of item x and return to z quests, and "endless drudging from place to place."

As for him ragging on games, he does make a point after his Psychonauts video: people don't like it when he actually praises a game. And after his Psychonauts video, he tempers every moment of praising a game with 3-5 things he doesn't like about said game.

Oh, and how can you not find humor in those 5 little words: "Out front...20 minutes...pufferfish."

Well, if somebody does take his reviews seriously... they need help.

Well, if somebody does take his reviews seriously... they need help.

DeathHeart95

you take it with a grain of salt, but you should take it seriously. he does make some very valid points on all his reviews.

[QUOTE="DeathHeart95"]

Well, if somebody does take his reviews seriously... they need help.

fireandcloud

you take it with a grain of salt, but you should take it seriously. he does make some very valid points on all his reviews.

but every single game made in existance can be picked apart and made fun of so it's not like it's a hard thing he's doing nor is it insightful or helpful in any way... it's just funny

[QUOTE="Planeforger"]Also, he called The Witcher a MMORPG... :( Ein-7919

I gotta point this out: he didn't call it a MMORPG...he called it a single-player MMORPG for 3 key reasons: single click combat, random pick up y of item x and return to z quests, and "endless drudging from place to place."

As for him ragging on games, he does make a point after his Psychonauts video: people don't like it when he actually praises a game. And after his Psychonauts video, he tempers every moment of praising a game with 3-5 things he doesn't like about said game.

Oh, and how can you not find humor in those 5 little words: "Out front...20 minutes...pufferfish."

[QUOTE="fireandcloud"][QUOTE="DeathHeart95"]

Well, if somebody does take his reviews seriously... they need help.

smerlus

you take it with a grain of salt, but you should take it seriously. he does make some very valid points on all his reviews.

but every single game made in existance can be picked apart and made fun of so it's not like it's a hard thing he's doing nor is it insightful or helpful in any way... it's just funny

hmm... i personally think he makes some valid points in all his reviews. like i wrote, i do take it with a grain of salt, but it's often helpful to me to hear criticisms of games to know whether or not i'll like them. maybe that's just me, but i find his reviews to be some of the most helpful in understanding the games' major faults and deciding whether or not they're something i can live with.

He seemed to have all praise for the Orange Box.skrat_01

Half-Life2 Episode 2: Gameplay elements are beginning to repeat itself (gravity gun puzzles) - "Yes, you made a physics engine...well done..."

Team Fortress 2: 3 maps - "Capture the flag in a desert environment, Capture the flag in an industrial environment, and capture the flag in an industrial environment in a desert environment."

Portal: It's short..."But it doesn't overstay its welcome" (this is the only part of the Orange Box package that he doesn't rag on)