OMG Final Fantasy XIII isn't perfect?!

Final Fantasy XIII is one of the biggest releases of next year. Many people (myself included) are extremely excited for this game. The famous Japanese magazine Famitsu recently published the very first review of the game, and to many people's surprise, was not perfect. The actual score was a 39/40, which is not bad at all. Now for the past few days now, I have seen this story published on every site. People have even stated that their trust in Famitsu has wavered because of this review. I am frankly tired of people whining over a not perfect score for this famous game.

First lets point out the score, a 39/40. Now in percentages, 97.5%, which is an A+ (which is a GOOD review score). Why freak out over this awesome review score? This does mean the game is quite good and very playable. There is no reason the internet should be in an uproar over this solid of a review score. This review score shows that the game is in awesome shape, but is not the most spitting image of perfection (and really what is?)
Now this whole problem has stemmed out of people being overhyped on this game. Yes, I am very excited for this game but I at least realize that the game may not be the best game ever. There are still plenty of pluses about this game that don't recquire this game to be perfect. People need to learn that not every game they are excited for will turn out perfect. There will be flaws in the game and what makes it good or great is the amount of these flaws and the amount of annoyances they cause. An A score demonstrates this game has a minor amount of bugs and fanboys should be happy by this score. And for those fanboys out there, I don't think your game not getting a perfect score will prevent you from buying the game.
My final piece of advice is not to lose faith in a magazine over a review score. Just because they didn't review your game favorably, doesn't mean they are a bad publication. One iffy review score does not give you the right to shit over their reputation. If this was a trend in most of their reviews, then that is a different case. Anyways, in a few months when it actually comes out here and people begin to play, review scores begin to become irrelevant. This is just a text book case of fanboys freaking out because their game isn't god's likeness incarnate.

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Suriel Vazquez

December 09, 2009

I personally don't place any stock in Famitsu's reviews.

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William Figueroa

I really like Famitsu's review system. The four reviewers added as one keeps games from getting scores they don't deserve, which happened a lot early 2008.

Alex Gagne

You mean like how EGM did it, except they had (mostly) good writers and opinions that spoke from experience?

I like the system -- you're right about the scoring -- it's just that their personal opinions mean nothing to me. I kind of wish game sites would adopt this sort of format. I think Giant Bomb specifically would benefit from this. I like all of their reviewers, and having 2-4 people give their scores would make for something unique.

Brenton Pyle

ya the only thing is giantbomb really only has like 4 ppl reviewing games, if it expanded yes that would be awesome

Jason Wilson

Why does the score matter? Shouldn't the way the game affects you matter more than a score? Shouldn't what the game has to say matter more than a score? Shouldn't the game's fun factor mean more than a score? Also: No such thing as a perfect score exists. Nothing is perfect. It may get a full 40/40, but it's not a perfect 40/40. Even Bo Derek isn't really a "perfect 10." If any of you want to write reviews, here's a piece of advice: Don't use "perfect" in relation to score values.

David Matos

The overall standard of review scores has become so bloated it doesn't mean anything. A game that would get a 5-6/10 (which isn't BAD, it is just mediocre which is NOT equal to bad) about 5 years ago now gets around 7-7.5/10.

Gerren LaQuint Fisher

I just find it amusing that 1. Even with this article, we're giving reviews scores and their fallout headlines now and 2. Fans have so much of their selves invested in something they haven't even played and experienced that they rail against reviewers having no legitimate basis to base their own objections upon. Though I must express some degree of pride that humanity has apparently finally found someway to prove and disprove opinions as if they had the qualities of facts. @Jason - How often do reviewers or outlets really call a game perfect? Even taking precaution as a reviewer not to claim perfection in a score or review, if you use any sort of scale people will impose that meaning on onto whatever is at the top.

Game standards are not set. Especially with the new audience coming in.

Lucas Goudie

"perfect" scores should be given to games that, while they have flaws, the flaws are completely overshadowed by how good/great/whateveradjectiveyouwant the game is.

Juan Letona

I always equate a perfect review score as an instant classic. Again, there will be more magazines and online sites itching for the opportunity to give FFXiii a perfect.