Reviewing: subjective or objective?

[Drake the Dragonheart]

I was just curious as to whether most you here at the escapist believe whether reviewing is primarily a subjective or objective process. Thing is I know that when reviewing it is good to try to be at least somewhat unbiased if not completely objective. But personal tastes are going to come through obviously. Thing is what are most reviews but the reviewer giving their opinion of whatever is in question?

On a side note and a bit of a more comical note, with my last sentence, professional reviewers are essential paid to give their opinion. Now I know it is alot more than just that, it includes alot of writing and editing, but how awesome is that? You get paid for your opinion!

 

[Good morning blues]

Reviews and criticism are an evaluation of a text by an individual and therefore subjective by definition. I don't see where else this thread can really go.

As far as I'm concerned, journalism in general (not just video game journalism) would be well served if everybody stopped pretending they were being objective. It's impossible. Even if an individual could somehow look at something objectively, the processes by which these statements are disseminated to the public always have a variety of biases built into them. If you claim that you are doing or saying anything from an objective point of view, you are lying.

 

[peduncle]

i think most reviewers try to keep their reviews objective, but as you said, theres always going to be those little comments or mind sets that slant a review subjective.

 

[Drake the Dragonheart]

ok thanks, this will definately help me with future reviews.