Scarecrow Wrote: I don't think the DA score alone is what is causing this EGM backlash. It's the fact that they're obviously biased towards certain companies, titles, and genres. Of course, whenever anyone writes to them about it, they'll print the letter, and the proceed to just insult the author and give off a vibe that all they're doing is rolling their eyes. If critics are all about quality and are above fans, then why the hell do they still accept advertising dollars for games they think suck? They love to spin that around "if this review pisses off an advertiser, so what?" Well if you're such an honorable and unbiased gamer, why are you accepting their money in the first place? Look, I'm all for making cash, but don't bullshit me. EGM reviewers are just as big of fanboys as anyone here (just read ANYTHING written in that magazine about Halo), they just like to give off the vibe that they're above the average gamer. Some of their reviewers seem to know their stuff, especially Shoe (who is one of the biggest MK bashers, other than that, he seems cool). The bottom line is, EGM tries to put their reputation above any other mag (granted, it is a hell of a lot better than Gamepro) and look like elitist movie critics. But there are no arthouse video games. Video games aren't like movies. You have "popcorn" movies like Anchorman that aren't going to win Oscars but are just there for entertainment. Then you have your movies that are made for an Oscar that critics love because it's not what you're used to seeing and make a statement. VIDEO GAMES AREN'T LIKE THAT. Video games are either fun, or not fun, simple as that. Jonathan Dudlak from EGM is not Roger Ebert. Scary Larry from Gamepro is not Leonard Maltin. Halo is not Taxi Driver. Get my point? There's no reason for a reviewer to judge a game on anything other than fun factor. If a game is unplayable, it can't be fun. If the graphics are so horrible it burns your eyes, you can't be entertained. Entertainment is the only criteria when it comes to a video game review, it's totally different from movies or music for that matter.

You and I think a lot alike. I always enjoy reading your posts. They are normally pretty dead on when it comes to my opinion of things.

Well MK247 you did it again another sweet thread. And getting to it. I for one do not like or trust EGM or anything that comes out of there MAG. Back in the day I would read GAME FAN. I loved there reviews and loved that they bashed EGM, and EGM2. Remember when they had two mags a month. I would like to see a mag like GAMEFAN come back and subject us to fair reviews. A mag where ever single person has not sold out. And as for going to there site to write them about what a great job they are doing. NO WAY my actions speak for them selves. I don't buy there mag. Pick it up read it at the store laugh and be on my way. Most of the stuff that is put in the mags is old hat anyway. What is a mag going to tell me about the game I already played and loved at E3? Nothing I already don't know. Yeah yeah they will get to play the finished version before all of us. But I will have a hard time relying on anything EGM says. MK247 stick to what you know, read your game informers. They are fun and if you need to pick up a copy you know who to ask. It's not like I have not sent you one before. LOL laters DSB

Yeah, I wrote about this when the EGM first came out a month or so ago, when EGM had their E3 preview issue (it was basically all one picture previews with a few remarks).

EGM is one of the biggest gaming mags in the US, so it pisses me off that they give MK games so little coverage now, and instead favor the popular mainstream games. Look at the new EGM, with Lord of the Rings: The Third Age on it. Including the LotR's game, count how many game titles on the cover are made by EA. They always seem to do that. Prefer the big company games, or the popular games. MK sells alot, but it's not as mainstream as, say, Madden.

Snobby games afficianados always seem too look down on MK. Back in the day, EGM and other snobs prefered Street Fighter, always poking fun at MK's digitized characters and how corny the whole premise was. Now it's MK:D and MK:DA being inferior to Virtua Fighter and Soul Calibur because of graphics and fighting system etc.

I don't give a rats ass whether one game is better than another, and that's how they review games. As it has been said by others, I care whether the game is actually fun. They gave Final Fantasy X2 high marks, and while the graphics were cool, and the engine was deep, lots of items etc, I was bored to tears by it.

It seems like they review games from a distance. Put bluntly, they don't act like gamers. I'm not talking about fans or fanboys, I'm talking about gamers. People that like to actually ENJOY video games, not just play them as a job.

wow! he bashed mk:d..big deal...who cares...everyone has a different opinion..

gamepro......? never heard of em...sound like a buch aof dumbass that wouldnt kno a good game if smacked them on the face and said "IM a good game"..WHO cares about wat they think.

You got it all wrong HoodedGangsta GamePro are the good guys cuz they gave MK:DA a good review and EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly) are the bad guys who hate MK games

That 1 bad review out of how many?? So i could care less what that person has to say

Ok, I finally picked up the issue in question. I have to say that Shoe did not really bash the game. He said the game moved sluggish, which if he ws comparing it to VF: Evolution (and I bet he was) is probably the truth. He also said the Puzzle mode did nothing for him but he really liked the chess mode.

That's hardly bashing. As much as I do think EGM is biased when it comes to reviews and games, he didn't really bash anything. He thinks the game needs to be faster and that the cheap puzzle fighter knock off (which is exactly what it is) has been done before.

One thing I just remembered is the fact that when they reviewed DA, one of the guys. (I think it was Shoe, but I can't be certain) said, and I quote, "....let's face it--Johnny Cage's Bicycle Kick just looks stupid." So, if you want proof that the guy a.) didn't play the game or b.) didn't take the time to know enough about the game to review it properly, there you are. Cage=Shadow Kick Kang=Bicycle Kick, as ANYONE who grew up on MK and MKII could and would tell you.

GI is a great magazine but they are biased too. They always talk about how ps2 and gc is best and xbox sucks. They gave Super Mario Sunshine a 9.75 and Halo a 9.5 see my point. But I have to say they are the best magazine and they did give mk the rating it deserved.

Ahhhhh gamepro, egm, and other mags will always have a NAAAAAAYYYYY sayer in there mix. Bottom line is WE are the people out there spending money on these games. We don't get a chance to play a game before hand and then love it or bash it. We like what we like. MKD could suck big birthas ass and I would still buy it and play it all the time. The real problem is there is not that many hardcore fighting game fans left in the video game mag business. I for one consider myself a fighting game fan. I like the games for what they are good bad I could give a flip. I collect the games as they come out. Import hell yes, MK you know it. Come to my house and ask to play a game and I will tell you I have 300 plus fighting games pick one lets play. As for other games yes I play them but I don't own them very long after I beat the snot out of them. A fighting game however I will keep and play till I die. So my opinion is strong only to fighting games. How many times have you watched G4 and saw a review of a fighting game and wanted to kill the person on the screen? Me about a 100 times. I think we should start a fighting game mag like Neo Freak or something. Ask me how to beat a new game like FFX2 and I will look at you like I don't know what the hell you are saying. Ask me how to beat a fighting game and it's like the little kid in me wakes up and starts running around slapping people. MK247 don't worry about there lame ass reviews just wait 74 more days and play the game yourself and then call me up and we will play online. The whole time chanting gamepro sucks balls and licks donkey farts. DSB

Subzero-X Wrote: GI is a great magazine but they are biased too. They always talk about how ps2 and gc is best and xbox sucks. They gave Super Mario Sunshine a 9.75 and Halo a 9.5 see my point. But I have to say they are the best magazine and they did give mk the rating it deserved.

How in the hell is that biased?