For those who have read the latest Penny Arcade comic, another blow in the Video Game Review industry has been made. Due to a bad 6.0 review of Kane and Lynch, Jeff Gerstmann, or more popularly known as the 8.8 Twilight Princess reviewer, was fired from GameSpot. Kane and Lynch ads were all over GameSpot, and pissing off their site sponsors seemed to have been the final straw.

This event was inevitable. Review websites are always in a state of conflict of interests. On the reviewer’s side, they must try as much as possible to be honest with their reviews to earn credibility with readers, which would mean more traffic = site revenue. However, on the sponsor’s side they must try as much as possible to promote their games, and get the game a good review so more people would buy their games.

The problem usually when a review site gives a sponsor’s game a bad review. The sponsor can simple remove all advertising from a review website and this means a loss of revenue. Worse, they can simple deny a review website advanced review copies of their next game. This would mean no more early previews, and it would lose its edge against other similar review websites. This is the reason why we cannot really trust a review website to give a completely honest review. The power is tilted towards the favor of the game sponsors.

What to expect in the future? GameSpot has been losing its credibility in the recent years and this event just confirms the corrupted state of GameSpot itself. GameSpot reviews being removed from Metacritic and GameRankings (although not likely since both are also hosted by CNET) are now a possibility. And yes, chaos is now ensuing in both the GameSpot and Eidos forums.

Here are some very good PROTIPS in regards to Game Reviews:

• Not all reviews are honest
• Reviews are made by people who have different taste / biases from yours.
• Reviews are just recommendations. You - the consumer will always have the final say.
• User reviews are usually more reliable than site reviews.
• A review’s credibility is inversely proportional to the number of game advertisements on the review site.

Rumors have already been circulating that Gamefreak is working on the next Pokemon title for the DS. And its no other than a remake for the Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal for the Nintendo DS.

Although I prefer that they develop a new plot and environment instead, who could blame these rumors? It already happened with Fire Red and Leaf Green, so the idea doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore. With the new mechanics established ins Diamond/Pearl, it might make a surprising twist for the old Pokes.

Here are some photoshopped box arts of the rumored remakes:

It seems that new physics engine are the rave when it comes to game design: Portal, Half-Life and Super Mario Galaxy are some of the examples on how a simple physics concept can turn a game into something new, refreshing, and most of all, enjoyable.

Let’s add another game to that list: Crayon Physics Deluxe. With the aid of you crayons, you can draw objects to solve puzzles using the game’s physics. Currently this game will be released for the PC. However, this game would also suitable for the DS, and maybe for the Wii.

See the game in action below: Read more »

It seems that someone has taken their love for the Portal game to the next level. What better way to show your love for the companion cube by making it as a permanent tattoo. Not only the companion cube but also the delicious and moist cake was asses to complete the set.

Love and Lies: sums up the game almost perfectly

For those people who said that Super Mario Galaxy was easy either has finished the game with only 60 stars or hasn’t played the game at all. The Purple coin challenge for Toy Time Galaxy is just plain insane. For those who are still playing and don’t want to be spoiled, its in your own discretion if you want to view one of the hardest challenges for this game.
Read more »