How do you decide what games to buy?

by Blake Snow { Mar 16th 2007 at 2:01PM }

Amazon's Game Room has an interesting post exploring all the different factors that go into making a game purchase, outside of game play that is. Items for consideration include genre format, review scores, price,
replay value, ESRB rating (for those with offspring), and loyalty (aka nostalgia or the fondness factor) to name a few. Click over to see the full description of all 12, and for the sake of discussion, which non-game play determinants influence your purchasing power? Be honest.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

AirIntake @ Mar 16th 2007 2:08PM

I check out screen shots and movies to get me interested. When the game comes out I check IGN and Gamespot reviews, and buy it if they're decent.

benjamin @ Mar 16th 2007 2:09PM

I throw all my games up into the air, and whatever God wants, he keeps.

Emotep @ Mar 16th 2007 2:09PM

If it has no educational value or does not promote literacy or higher level thinking skills, I do not buy it.

benjamin @ Mar 16th 2007 2:11PM

Link seems broken. And not the 'to the past' kind, either.

Kevout @ Mar 16th 2007 2:13PM

Simple,, games I really want I buy immediately, otherwise I get them in game lots on eBay

Tom @ Mar 16th 2007 2:14PM

I buy whatever non-FPS/Sports game my local gaming store has in their under $5 section. Last week I scored X-Men for the Genesis.

Life is good.

Jude Vincent Brown @ Mar 16th 2007 2:15PM

#1 If it has online cooperative it is sold.

#2 If it has no educational value or does not promote literacy or higher level thinking skills, I buy it.

Hunter @ Mar 16th 2007 2:16PM

Pre-Wii I was all about review scores. Now I have to rent because it seems that the reviews either split or may not reflect the experiance I have with it. I loved Sonic would have bought it had it been longer (beat it off the rental) but it was not reviewed that hot. So renting is key for me now.

shase @ Mar 16th 2007 2:17PM

For me the character design definitely have an impact. If the game has mostly steroid or huge bulky guys i tend to shy away from those. Also sicken tired of Toriyama/dragon ball look alikes in all his games... I also view the game as something that wont be "embarrasing" if someone walks in and see me playing it. Some obvious games that are embarrasing and I wont touch include DOAX2, Rumble roses, any dating sims etc. Of course many of those listed has horrible play value since its geared toward something else......

Price is usually not a problem. ESRB not a problem as long as the game "needs it". Random sex/nudity scenes in a game is lame but if it had a purpose then its OK. I do read reviews but never follow them. And I am not brand loyal but the fact that many of my games are for PS1/2 couple of my gamer friends call me a "PSFanboy" and they ignore me when i point out other non PS titles i own...

JodyAnthony @ Mar 16th 2007 2:20PM

if it looks fun, I buy it

Jameyt @ Mar 16th 2007 2:25PM

Usually, pretty simple:
Does it have multiplayer on Live?
If so, does it have private rooms?
Are there going to be a buch of other Geezers buying it?

If it's a Live Arcade game, I just pretty much buy it (Points don't feel like real money, and I don't inform the wife of those random Points purchases.)

Nate @ Mar 16th 2007 2:28PM

The number one thing that determines a purchase for me is probably replay value....if I can't justify playing through a game more than once (or it having some kind of multiplayer for infinite replay) then I just put it in my Gamefly queue if it looks like an interesting one-and-done game.

andy m @ Mar 16th 2007 2:30PM

I buy titles with the most "uncanny valley" looking females or games with a ton of gibbage.

Myke @ Mar 16th 2007 2:34PM

I dip into the mainstream whored up games like the GTA's, Halos, and the Mario franchises but then I try my best to hunt down unique experiences that nobody really talks about all that much. In fact almost half my PS/PS2/GCN collection is littered with obscure titles like Mr. Mosquito, ICO, Katamari's, Rez, Irritating stick, Chibi Robo, and the like.

Myke @ Mar 16th 2007 2:36PM

Je2037 @ Mar 16th 2007 2:36PM

Reviews/screens. Meta-review is my spot.

tetracycloide @ Mar 16th 2007 2:37PM

hi, my name is tetercycloide, and i'm a graphics whore. i flat out refused to even try playing system shock 2 for the better part of 2 years because the graphics were from '99. i think i hit rock bottom when i started my 4th play through of deus ex 2 simply because it was the best looking title i owned at the time. i needed help. now i'm doing much better, i can play older games for considerabl periods before complaining about the grainyness or the the low poly counts and it has been almost 6 months since i got my last graphics card.

Geo @ Mar 16th 2007 2:38PM

PC gamer Magazine and Metacritic web site......

Myke @ Mar 16th 2007 2:40PM

HI tetracycloide!!!

Now everyone, lets thank tetracycloide for sharing...

dark @ Mar 16th 2007 2:45PM

Buy it?!? oh right, you can also buy games. um, if a game has SSB on it then I buy it, anything else is junk to me.

sheppy @ Mar 16th 2007 2:46PM

I look at videos and ask the GAMERS what they thought. Game critics are starting to turn into snobbish retards, so often hyping an idea before a game. Like I really hate the term "clone."

Well, tell you what, if I enjoyed Onimusha, and along comes an Onimusha CLONE, does it play decently like Onimusha? It does? Oh... blah, blah, it's a clone. Does it play well? It does? Well then who cares if it's a clone so long as it's a GOOD clone.

Matt B @ Mar 16th 2007 2:46PM

I look at pics and vids if available. For an FPS, I won't buy it unless it is out for PC. For consoles I'll buy non PC titles like NCAA football and console exclusives if I'm interested in them. I tend to not read reviews and make my own choices. Reviews are worthless to me as the reviewer does not share the same tastes as me.

Matt B @ Mar 16th 2007 2:47PM

Mike @ Mar 16th 2007 2:47PM

#1 Price

#2 Unavailability. Yes, I said UNAVAILABILITY. I wait for games to be cheap as per reason #1, but by that time most games are pushed out of retail to make more space (because apparently the videogame industry doesn't believe in preservation). So I buy games that appear close to getting banished to the pricegouged used market.

As a result of the above two factors, I play a lot of games late. But spend less money.

Matt B @ Mar 16th 2007 2:48PM

this double post crap sucks. I hit submit and it doesnt go. I type it again, it shows up twice. xZ

dark @ Mar 16th 2007 2:52PM

JOYSITQ are being biased. I only see one Gamecube game in that stack of games. BIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD.

Jackson Pritt @ Mar 16th 2007 2:52PM

1) Multiplayer Mode: The majority of my gaming is done with my girlfriend or other friends. For me, multiplayer is the best way of sustaining long-term interest in a game.

2) Price: I'm a cheap gamer. I'm willing to throw down $25 on a game I'm not sure about, but for $50-$60 it has to be something I KNOW I want to play.

3) Length: If a game doesn't have multiplayer then I'm probably only going to play through it once, and I need it to be LONG. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is a perfect example of the kind of single-player game I'm more than willing to buy.

4) Reviews: Believe it or not, reviews are still really important. I frequently check Metacritic to see if there are any games out there that might have slipped under my radar. Metacritic's page for Metal Arms: A Glitch In The System convinced me to buy it even though nobody I knew had ever played it, and that's become one of my Top 10 Xbox Games.

5) Graphics: Graphics DO matter. If a game looks awful I'm not going to buy it. And if a game can wow me with its graphics then I might consider buying it even though it doesn't interest me on some other level.

umm....hello?? @ Mar 16th 2007 2:57PM

d) developer/publisher history of good titles
c) new (and much improved) version of game series previously owned/played(Burnout3, Revenge, Halo2, Halo3)
b) replay value, including coop, splitscreen (none of this new crap like Motorstorm--online MP only)
e) online reviews, amount of hype (note: too much hype is bad!!)
g) absolutely NO movie to videogame ports (inluding KingKong: TOVGOTOM)--rental only if that!)
f) length of game (if short or easy (Condemned: Criminal Origins), its an automatic rental--if it's really really fun and has MP (MonkeyBallBananaBlitz), then I might buy it)
a) AAA titles only (90% or higher average reviews)
g) price--is it an instant "must have" (Halo3) or can it wait for the "platinum hits" collection value pricing (Burnout)? also, is it cheaper to buy than to rent (for reference point: rentals are $8 for 5 days on new game systems at Blockbuster)

(sorry--stuff was out of order as I was adding thoughts)

SaraAB87 @ Mar 16th 2007 2:59PM

I usually check a variety of factors, price, review score and reviews from various sources, videos and movies of the gameplay, the public's general opinion on the game, etc.

When checking reviews I check to see if all the reviews say the same thing or if they are entirely different. If every review of the game says the same thing, then its probably fact and should be considered when purchasing the game.

One of the big things for me is does a game have an issue with the controls that makes it impossible to play? Many games have control issues, and I tend to sway from those games for fear that they may be unplayable, games are no fun if they have control issues that make them unplayable.

I also consider my personal enjoyment factor when purchasing the game, because there is no point in buying a game if it is not one you yourself will like to play and enjoy playing. Just because everyone is playing latest game x does not mean that I should buy it just because everyone else has it, personal enjoyment factor is a much bigger factor in deciding whether or not I should buy a game rather than how many other people have bought the game. I base it on if I enjoyed games that had similar gameplay to the game in question in the past. For example if I really enjoyed playing Pokemon Emerald for the game boy advance and spent hours on it, then I will probably really enjoy the upcoming Pokemon D/P. If I didn't enjoy Pokemon Emerald or any of the Pokemon Game Boy Advance games, then I probably shouldn't buy Pokemon D/P because I won't enjoy it. If I liked pokemon then I should look into other RPG games with the same style of gameplay, if I didn't like pokemon then I should avoid similar RPG style games.

The opinion of the general public comes into play somewhat. If the vast majority of people say that Superman 64 is a bad game, Super Smash Brothers is a great game, etc., then I should take these opinions into consideration as they are most likely valid statements. Sure you will get a few people that contradict those statements however if the vast majority thinks something about a game there must be some truth to it. It also helps when trying to avoid spending 50$ on games that are generally considered bad games.

Karen @ Mar 16th 2007 3:01PM

I'll check out the reviews on IGN and a few magazines. I'll completly read the review not just read what number it recieved. I'll watch some video's to see how the game looks and what game play elements are involved. I'll read the message boards and listen to podcasts to gather more opinions on the game's.

The next major hurtle is Price. I'm very paient and willing to wait a year to play a game, even if it is really good. I'll usually buy a DS game for $30 on release, if it's a console game I'll wait till it hits at least the $30 or less amount. The only game I bought for full price this year was Zeda: Twilight Princess. I use Cheapassgamer.com and Redflagdeals.com (Canadian site) to find the best gaming deals.

Jack of No Trades @ Mar 16th 2007 3:03PM

Graphics, Length, Multiplay, AI

ThrustinJ @ Mar 16th 2007 3:03PM

In the reviews, I look for those few special tidbits of info that make me feel that the game is different and brings new gameplay to the table.

Whether it's features of the game, storyline, setting...it has to be something new and different.

That's mostly why I don't play sports games. In the end, your still playing football or baseball. You can never improve the game, just hope to make it closer to the real thing. That's what was so good about NBA Jam and Blitz.

Did I just get off topic?

pete @ Mar 16th 2007 3:05PM

I usually will read the reviews in IGN, PSM, 1-UP, Gameinformer. And if it has online. online is huge. if im iffy i'll rent it first.

victor @ Mar 16th 2007 3:05PM

sniff test.
totally.

Rob Holiday @ Mar 16th 2007 3:08PM

I buy them all... for the 360 that is. I have almost every game published in North America for the 360 (80+ Games). I collect them. I even have Cabela's Alaskan Adventure (WOW, does that game suck!). I'm holding off buying all of the XBLA games until I can get a larger hard drive.

I've only bought 3 of them new. GRAW, Gears and Crackdown. All of the rest I bought new/used from eBay for lees than used price at EBGames.

Hammer @ Mar 16th 2007 3:09PM

There are a number of IPs which I'll buy no matter how bad the reviews are.

There are a number of FPSs I've bought because I enjoy shooting things in online worlds.

I buy MMOs because I like the social aspect.

I buy strategy games and RPGs because I like the lack of a social aspect (outside of multiplayer modes of course).

I buy some games because I think my girlfriend will enjoy them as well.

So, long story short, there are a lot of different reasons I buy particular video games. Review scores, hype, previews and friend recommendations also play quite a big part in my purchasing decisions.

Neebs @ Mar 16th 2007 3:14PM

Pirate it. If it's worth my $50, I buy it.

juv3nal @ Mar 16th 2007 3:16PM

To find out games that I'm interested in, I look at screenshots/vids/track record of the developers if its a new IP (or an IP unfamiliar to me). Genre plays a part in this, I'm not a huge fan of FPS or sports outside of arcady racing/soccer/hockey. I am also a bit of a sequel whore (got all of the Winning Elevens from WE7 on even though they are all pretty much the same).

Of the ones I'm interested in, to determine whether I will buy, I go look at gamerankings & gamefaqs and check out the reviews with the lowest scores and read the reviews, ignoring the score. If the faults described sound like things I could live with then it goes on my to-buy list.

Bioware is the only developer that comes to mind that gets a free pass from me. I will pick up anything they make as long as it's not some MMO and provided I have the hardware to run it. Still, the last thing of theirs I had the hardware for is KOTOR2.

lebowsky @ Mar 16th 2007 3:16PM

Price, plain and simple. I won't hesistate to buy an iffy game for $10 and a mediocre game for $20. I just recently picked up Killer 7 for $8 used at EB because it finally hit the magic pricepoint for me.

After playing through the first 2 chapters, I realize I would have paid $20 for it!

ALH @ Mar 16th 2007 3:17PM

two things draw me in:

1. unique concept
2. i fancy being a _________ today!
3. ' dood you havent played ______?!'

Stuff like katamari, okami, shadow of the colossus i bought straight away, no questions asked, i knew i would enjoy them just because they were so different. How i buy other games depends on what i feel like doing, or an interested in that week.

For example,today i decided i wanted to climb around and explore things, so i bought tomb raider legend on the cheap- not as good as the old ones but still filling the gap and boosting my gamerscore with a few easy achievements :p. The other week i'd spent so much time 3D modelling that i was sick to the back teeth of 3D in every possible way, and wanted to play some good oldfashioned 2D platforming- so i bought kirby squeak squad- something i wouldnt really have considered buying otherwise.

Final thing is recommendations. If something has became a fad, ill want to see what the fuss is about. If people are wandering round saying that _______ is a masterpiece, then ill be inclined to give it a go. If i'm round someones and we're playing something- or hell, someone else is and im watching- i'll probably end up buying it eventually too,thats how i got resi 4.

It would be interesting to see what puts people OFF buying games. Fugly boxart, sequels and movie liscences have that effect on me. Even if a game is art of a good series, having a number after its name makes me cautious, it always makes me feel like i -have- to play the original to understand the concept of the series, even if that isnt true at all.

juv3nal @ Mar 16th 2007 3:17PM

brain fart. KOTOR2 woulda been obsidian. Make that KOTOR.

nepos13 @ Mar 16th 2007 3:27PM

Game Informer,EGM,OXM for starters, then to gametrailers.com, then to game stats. Try the demo (if there is one) Then purchase. I also tend to buy from companies that I already have games from, like Bioware, or Bethesda and Lion Head Studios with a smidgeon of criterion. If it's not a roleplaying game I put it under further scrutiny.

calthaer @ Mar 16th 2007 3:36PM

Word-of-mouth from other message boards.

Then there's the company / game designer's reputation for producing quality games that I like (this precludes all EA purchases).

Then I check reviews.

Then I browse info online or in the store.

Then I buy.

Jim @ Mar 16th 2007 3:45PM

Link is broken.

Use this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/id/A10MM9OMJWEBP3/

Thrawn @ Mar 16th 2007 3:45PM

Online news and videos and perhaps a few comments from a select game forum members.

I don't ever pay attention to reviewers until after I experience the game for myself.

What I look for in a game really depends on the platform and genre, but what most boil down to is whether or not the game brings something new to the table while being fun and having some sense of style to it.

Jim @ Mar 16th 2007 3:49PM

I buy games based on taste:

1. Friends/tips/posts in forums where I know the people.
2. Screenshots/demos (XBL is great for this).
3. Trailers/Video-Reviews from pro-newssites.

AND the price is important to me - if I've to wait a few months for the price to drop - no problem.

haywood jablomey @ Mar 16th 2007 3:53PM

I buy games based on taste, too.

If they're sweet and crunchy, I usually get 'em.

But if they're sour and smooth, I usually pass.

timrburnham @ Mar 16th 2007 3:57PM

I look for new experiences, artsy concepts that I haven't seen before.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (time control, storybookish "Arabian Nights" atmosphere), Half-Life 2 (immersive, "you're-in-the-world" storytelling mode) and Shadow of the Colossus (umm...wow?) are among my favorite games. Titles like Katamari Damacy, Okami, Viewtiful Joe, Space Channel 5, Psychonauts, Beyond Good and Evil, Frequency and Killer 7 also occupy well-deserved spots on my shelves.

I guess I'm easily bored, because I most enjoy games that push the limits of experience. First time I played Shadow of the Colossus, my thought was "I didn't know gaming (as a medium) could do this." I'm always looking for the next "You've gotta be kidding me" moment, and I don't give two shits about graphics or worn-out ideas. Case in point: I don't care about Gears of War because I already have Resident Evil 4. I can't play FPSs anymore because Half-Life 2 was TOO good. I can't stand Prince of Persia 2&3 because 1 was so wonderful.