| AndrewWK said: Reviews are subjective opionions, not objective analyses. |
As a journalist student, I both agree and disagree with you. A review must be objective. That's the whole point of a review; however, one must acknowledge two things: one; that with a score system the objectiveness (?) is broken, and two: that is not possible to achieve a completely objective review. No matter how you put it, you'll end up falling into subjective. And you need to understand what moment this is, so that you don't go too far from objectiveness.
As an example: imagine a man who has never played a videogame before in his life (but would like to) is in charge of reviewing Dark Souls. These two things can happen:
a) It's too damn difficult, he bashes the game for it. If he can realize this fact, and say it in its review, then it is a fair, objective review. Far from perfect, but that's what it is.
b) He has never played before and he thinks this is how games are. A totally inhumane learning curve, but that leads to progression and victory. He writes a review admitting he loved it because of the challenge. That's subjective too (Difficult should not mind in a review), but again; if he admits it, it is a fair review.
Both reviews are totally different: one bashes the game; the other, praises it. But they're fair reviews, both. They understand what makes one review different from another. This review here - Carolyn's - does not understand its own subjectivity. It is either a biased thing, a bought review or a bad review. I'd like to thing its the latter. It is a subjective review. It is not fully explained, and does not understand itself. That's why we, the consumers, have to criticise this review. A reviewer must listen to feedback and improve upon these things. My complain is that Carolyn is actually a very good reviewer; yet this one here is bad. I don't mind its score as long as it is justified and you can explain your own subjectivity. This review doesn't explain these two points.
You can have an opinion, but you must back it up if needed. I respect her, but it is a flawed one, and I have the right to point it.
