I did not Wirte this, i wish i did.

After two professional stints as a video game reviewer, and now after being named an advisor on Epinions, I figure it's about time for me to write one of these Community Center thingys on what makes a good video game review, in terms of style, information, and schwerve.

First off, you've gotta include the Big 5. There are 5 main points everyone wants to know about in a good game review. Those 5 areas of the game are:

1) Gameplay
2) Graphics
3) Sound
4) Endings/Extras
5) Overall Quality/Bang for Buck.

Now, there's obviously NO way you can cover all of this in only 100 words. So if you write one of those reviews that barely makes 100 words, you're automatically not getting a HR from me. I don't care how hard it was for you to come with those 100 words, or how quality they are, you aren't going to tell me what I'd need to know, therefore, your review is not useful to me. Here's how to cover the Big 5.

Gameplay

This is that area of the game that encompasses everything about the game that doesn't have a real section. Good things to cover in this area are level design, control issues & fluidity, bugs, fun factor, playability, plot, and pretty much everything else that caught your attention that isn't in the other 4 categories.

You want to write a lot in this area because, without gameplay, you have a really bad game. Also, with really good gameplay, you can take out the other 4 categories and still have a great game. Your review may help sway someone's opinion of the game, so write it well, because his money is at stake here.

Graphics

This is pretty self-explanatory. How's the game look? Does anything in particular stand out, or grate against you? Do certain things look out of place, is the overall theme of the game reflected in the graphics?

Sound

This one too, is pretty straightforward. Is the background music good? Do you find yourself humming it after you've put the controller down, or looking to pick up the soundtrack? Do the voiceovers blow chunks? Did the game sound much cooler in Japanese?

Endings/Extras

This really only applies to a game you liked enough to finish. I've played some games for 15 minutes and known that I was going to hate it al lthe way through. Why bother playing a game for 2 hours that sucks after 15 minutes? Pan the game and be done with it. Don't look for redeeming qualities deeper into the game...I've been around this industry for a long time, and I've never had a game get better as it went on. Make sure you have played the game long enough to adequately address the Big 5, though.

If you do play a game and you finish it, tell the reader if the ending is rewarding or not. Every game I've played recently has had a fairly/very disappointing ending. Deus Ex, Vanguard Bandits, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. You just want to let the player know in advance, so if they aren't enjoying the game, maybe they won't waste their time finishing the game if it has one of those aforementioned horrid endings.

Remember, don't tell them WHAT the ending is, just rate the quality of it.

As far as extras go, you want to tell the player how to access them, so they don't go around looking for it the whole time. Also, if you've got a useful cheat, it might be a good idea to drop that into your review. It'll give you something that the other reviewers don't have.

Overall Quality/Bang for the Buck

Is this game worth buying after all is said and done? Did you feel like you got $30-$40 worth of value out of your purchase? Or is it more of a rental level enjoyment? A lot of these video game companies are trying to skate by making really bad games, like Nintendo, and I'm sick of seeing it happen. If it's not worth buying tell people so, and they can spend their money supporting a quality developer, as well as sending a message out to the slop producing companies.

Most Importantly

You are never the sole source of information someone needs to make a judgement on a purchase. I don't care if you work at a game store, or whatever, your review isn't worth paying you the $.01 for my page view if you haven't written it well. You are NOT bigger than the game. I wish I could go to all these game magazine and ram that down each and every writer's throats out there. Most of these so-called "professionals" have developed such inflated egos it's a wonder they even bother writing reviews for us lowly normal people.

More important to a potential game buyer isn't the fact that you're spectacular or sensational, rather, being HONEST about a game is the most important thing.

These "professional" reviewers would have you believe every word they say because "they are right." Well, don't listen to them. Listen to me, and others like me because "we're honest." If the game sucks, we aren't getting any advantage out of saying otherwise, so we'll tell you the truth. I try and make my reviews well written, entertaining, informative, and most importantly, hype-free, and 100% truthful.

Do the same, and you'll be an advisor here in no time flat.