An Analysis of Review Scales

Or: Why I Use the 5-point Review Scale

The most confusing thing in the world when it comes to reading reviews is that there are over 9000 (so to speak) different review “scales” that are used to rate movies, music, games, and many other works on an absolute scale. Some sites use a 10-point scale, while others use 6,5,4, or even 100-point scales. I have even seen some websites like 1up that use a standard academic grading system from A+ to F! This is further confused by the different reviewers’ references for scoring; for example, Final Fantasy is absolutely awful when reviewed like a linear, 3D, first-person shooter, but when reviewed like a role-playing game it’s pretty great. With so much confusion when it comes to reviewing works, what is the “correct” way to review? What is the correct way to read reviews? In this voluntary essay, I will logically analyze the various scales and styles used to review various things, as well as the right way to read these reviews:

Review: "Metroid: Other M"

For my first review here, I’m going to review a controversial game that, as far as I can tell, is one of those that you either love or hate. Yes, as the title obviously suggests, this is Metroid: Other M, released last October for the Nintendo Wii and developed by Team Ninja of “Ninja Gaiden” and “Dead or Alive” fame. I’ve been a fan of Metroid games ever since I received Zero Mission for the GBA as a Christmas gift as a kid, and I instantly loved it! I now own a copy of every single Metroid game released and have beaten them all (with the exception of Metroid II), sometimes more than once. I think that would know a good Metroid game when I see one, and Other M fits that description perfectly!

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Math Book

For my 8th grade English class, I had to write a children’s book. I wrote a book to teach kids basic math… with felt and limericks! At the post title suggests, I called it the Fuzzy Wuzzy Math Book. My teacher liked it so much that I got an A for it! The first page has a limerick asking a math question, and the right page has a felt picture illustrating the initial number of objects (cakes, bugs, etc.). The object is to take the number of objects on the right, and add or subtract an amount to find the correct answer. Simple and adorable!

You can read it here, on my Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sloshay/5382691989/in/set-72157625892751702/

Five indie games that you NEED to try before you die

I’ve played a lot of independent games over the relatively small amount of years I’ve been alive compared to most people. Some of them stank, others were totally awesome. This here list isn’t a list of my favorites; that comes another day. This list is for the five indie games that you need to play before you die, whether they were my favorite or not. These games are notable for being extremely unique, fun, or just plain… um… awesomesauce. Whatever.

Herro Worldz!

Hey! This is my first blag post on here. This here blag (err, blog, whatever) is hosted on my desktop, so this is pretty new for me. I’ll be sure to update this with things worth reading in the future!

…Oh, and my blag will only be online as long as my computer is, which is usually 9 AM to 10-11 PM Central Time (GMT-6).