LO2: Task 1 - Review Comparison

Task 2

Empire review 
= Format Magazine

IGN Review 

= Format Video Review (with written review underneath (slightly more in depth but pretty much the same content as the video.)

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/10/08/beyond-two-souls-review 

Task 3

After looking at the reviews for Beyond: Two Souls from both IGN and Empire it is interesting how different there reviews are when covering the content the game has to offer. Both the reviews seem to focus on the plot and the background and previous works of the developers rather than its specs (platform, genre etc). 

IGN's review when talking about the narrative is quite honest when it comes to their opinion "unfocused plot" where as Empire gives more of a general overview with the backstory of the developers. Because IGN's is a video this gives them a lot of time to say what they want as the quicker they talk the more they can say about it , also because of this the video is divided into section made clear by a graphic to show the transitions between for example "final verdict". We also have at the end the number appear as the score and a bullet pointed summary something that is used a lot in video reviews but is nearly non-existent in written.

One of the highlights of this game that both reviews talk about in depth is the actors Ellen page (who plays our main protagonist) and Willem Dafoe (who plays a scientist). who both star in the game and as IGN says "...ellen page, who proves to be beyond's saving grace". Where as Empire talks more about the experience Ellen page has while making the game.

Gameplay is one thing that Empire says little about just with the comment "isn't your average gun-obssessed pixel blaster". Where as IGN go into a bit more depth giving the overall impression that it looks graphically beautiful but gameplay wise is poor with 'inconsequential choices'.

Empire will only have a limited space to talk about the game as they are a magazine, but this doesn't excuse them from going into more detail about how the game handles etc. Whereas IGN have a whole webpage to talk in depth about and a video review also if you don't want to read a full review.

Both reviews talk in depth about the story of the game and they both follow a newspaper like format following the stylistic conventions of the media.

IGN are more informative when it comes to the game and give an overall better view of the game, whereas Empire seems to tell me lots about Ellen page and David Cage rather than the game. Overall IGN's review is more useful in giving me a view of the game, not the actors and development of the game.

Review Analysis

Task 2

This review uses second person. What effect does this have on your perception as a reader?

It makes the reader more engaged with the text. As it targets YOU, and implies that you are involved, that he is talking to YOU. It’s a lot more personal to you as the reader.

Task 3

“It’s not universally beautiful though. Small effects like tyre smoke and the puffs of dust kicked up by cars putting a wheel off-track don’t amaze, and the rudimentary pit-stops look uncharacteristically shonky.” - Forza Motorsport 5 Review

My favourite word from this paragraph is “Uncharacteristically”. This means like a manner that is not typical or usual. I think this word is an interesting way of getting that point across.

At this point in the review he is talking about the special effects used in the game like tyre smoke and dust. In this section however he is not praising the game. As he says “…kicked up by cars putting a wheel off-track don’t amaze”.

In this section he is not directly talking to the audience. In this part he sounds like he is describing the game. “It’s not universally beautiful”. “Don’t amaze”.

Task 4

Based on the review I would the buy the game (obviously if I had an Xbox One). This is because overall he likes this game, as it is “smooth as butter” and “…utterly enchanting…” It is an essential destination for the “automobile obsessed”.  There are only a few features that are lacking, such as its effects etc. But overall he is thoroughly impressed with the game and as he said in the early parts of the review the cars “handle as good as they look and sound”. Based on this review I would purchase this game.