How do you decide on a game purchase?
 

Generally I don't use reviews an awful lot. I might read them for various games and take them into account. But largely I'll look at the game box, I may ask to read the manual in store, and gage based on that whether I'm interested in the game or not.

For the most part, the visuals on the back of the box gives away a lot about the game. When it doesn't, I assume it's because the game just isn't special. I'm cynical about this sort of thing. There's a translation for every buzz word they chuck on there. The descriptions give you a picture of how it will probably play. I'll walk through picking up copies of whatever titles make the shortlist, and see which one seems the best.

Asking to read the manual usually breaks any ties, or tips me one way or another when I just can't decide whether it's worth trying.

I usually just rent them from a video store and try them out before shelling out the $50+ for the game. I've just been renting games for my 360, only bought Dead Rising, Madden 07 & Oblivion.

bargain bin, no more than $19.99 and that's just to pause and look at it. $10 is a buy and try. If it sucks it's no worse than having gone to the movies...

First of all I figure out if it's a genre I like. RPG and FPS are my favorites. From there I just go on what I've heard other players say about it- I've got friends who play video games and they're usually pretty good about recommending titles. Also, since I play with my husband, a good multiplayer is a must for me.

The only game I've ever paid full price for was World of Warcraft

I usually search the internet for negative reviews to read. You can learn a lot more from a negative review than a positive one.

If the negative reviews aren't enough to alarm me then I'll go ahead and get the game.

My husband and I generally look at a large range of reviews of a game before we buy it... and we usually wait until all our friends have it and see what they say about it.

i read reviews check out any forums they may have try to find online videos of the gameplay not just the company made crap they use as a teaser that normaly looks alot better then the real game. then i look at other games the same company has made to see what people have thought of them. One thing though.... dont trust the companys game play demo videos... i made that mistake with oblivion. what they advertised and what was released are two diffrent things. if they would of shown a video of what the game play was when released and not what it was in the beta i wouldnt of been so eager to buy it. What a disapointment that was.

I subscribe to a gaming magazine for my company of choice (nintendo), which gives me all the hot gossip and whatnot.

But, as mentioned above, can't go wrong with the bargain bucket.

I really only like certain kinds of games--RTS being my favorite. I don't purchase many games outside of that sphere, the exception being World of Warcraft. Generally, though, I listen to what my friends have to say, and if they think it's something I'll like, I'll look into it, because they know my taste and preference.

Um, I download it and if it's worth playing for more time than it took to download it, I'll buy. So far this year I've bought FEAR, Oblivion, CIV4, Ghost Recon AW, and a couple bargain games either used or on sale.

If I don't buy a game in the first few days, I usually end up skipping it entirely. Since I usually buy in the first few days all I have to go by are previews and gameplay footage. Previews are OK but being able to see the game in action really sells the game to me. I don't stick to one genre so if the gameplay looks good, I'll try to buy/rent it.

Step 1. Don't listen to friends, because they're usually wrong.

Step 2. Don't listen to previews, because they're paid to make the game look good.

Step 3. Go to www.metacritic.com, check the score

Step 4. Check Electronic Gaming Monthly's review

Step 5. Check www.ign.com review

If all of those are in perfect alignment then I will buy the game. :)

similar to Lasereth, i never listen to friends. and i stay clear of unfinished game previews(E3 is a good example).

I never saw this meta critic website. i'll have to keep that in mind next time. but it does look very similar to http://www.gamerankings.com
and i always check for IGN reviews since they seem to know their stuff. i'll check ign for video and screenshots also. and if it REALLY interests me, then i'll go to the store and see the price.

I always rent a game I'm interested in. I usually beat them within the alotted time, and only end up buying the one's that have great replay value. StarWars Battle Front 1 is one of my personal favorites.

I usually check the forums of the game in question and ign reviews. Mostly though I just know myself well enough to know what I like. Any extra details I might need I get from the aforementioned places.

recommendations from friends
demos
gamerankings.com
previous titles from same developer
PCGamer

Not necessarily in that order.

Personally, I read Electronic Gaming Monthly and get the reviews I'm looking. With 3 people reviewing each game, I get three opinions at once from guys(and gals) that can say more than, "This is AWSOME" or "It F***ing Sucks!!!"

And Lindalove, you make a good point about looking at the pictures and tranlating the buzz words. Stuff I usually ignore, since it's mostly marketing.

Also, I try games that don't fit there genres very well. Ico and Shadow of Colossus are artful. Call of Cthulhu and Metroid Prime are more than just FPS games. Harvest Moon is a change of pace. I'll play anything by Lionhead Studios and Bioware. And I love RTS games, too bad I suck at them :) .

I'm with Coppertop, I generally find that PCGamer is spot-on with their reviews. Well, maybe not spot-on, but for my money, it's good! ;)

I will go with the gaming designers as well, just like Triple 7 said. Lionhead and Bioware are great choices.

A subscription from PSM tells me what to look into, from there I rent from Gamefly, and if I really think it's worth rewarding the game developers, I go out and spend. Other than that, I go to BestBuy, black out, find myself in the Greatest Hits isle, black out again, and wake up in my car with a receipt that says i just spent $100 on whatever the hell I could get my grubby little mitts on.

I have no self control :(

I play and play and play. If I like, I buy. I only own maybe 6 or 7 games. I am choosy. Now I'm snoozy.

Why does that remind me of Dr. Seuss?

I have a few friends where if they hate the game, I must pick it up then. And I also have friends where if they love the game, I pick it up. I subscribe to GameInformer and I agree with their reviews about 75% of the time, I've found through various mags that there isn't just one magazine that fits my odd and yet varied taste.

But if it's on my own judgement, bargain bin is the way to go. $19.99 or under, for the most part, except for the super glaring deal (Donkey Konga + bongos for $20, Taiko Drum Master $12, Tekken 5 Ultimate $29... you get the idea :) )

I read reviews, from several sources, and then compare notes.

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moestly by reading about them on the internet, i never by a game unless I'm very well informed up front, otherwise the risc is too big of being dissapointed