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gamepro has improved over the years. still not perfect. but still a piece of dying history.subscribe today and have a piece of it.
If you want a magazine that will simply keep you up to date on the latest games, and give them what amounts to a thumbs up or thumbs down then Gamepro will suit you fine. To me, this simply showed that the magazine has resigned itself to being OK with games that fit the status quo rather than seeking to break molds or exceed expectations, relying on bandwagon reviews that can discuss a game without being a critic of it.
Gamepro was one of them, and back then it was a much thicker magazine, usually over 150 pages and chock full of strategy and level guides as well as reviews of games. When I first started playing video games in the early 90's there were two staple publications that I would look through with mouth open, imagining what it would be like to play the games within.
Frequently, before I let my subscription expire, I would find myself shaking my head at an overly glowing review of what I knew to be a distinctly mediocre game. Each of the different writers had catchy pseudonyms that resembled one or another video game mascot (Battle Toads, Resident Evil, etc) and all in all it was a fun and informative read.Now, the magazine has not just cut pages and writers though it still rolls out snappy screenshots that I'm sure would appeal to those youths just starting to get into gaming.
Sadly, it has also decided that more glossy photos and crowing triumphalism at the progress of today's video games are more important than probing for original games or encouraging honest reviews. Their rating system seems to have lost much ability to separate good games from bad, though they do a good job of hitting the rated categories such as graphics, playability etc.
If you are reading Gamepro to get a heads up on games in production, industry trends, behind the scenes making of these games, or are hoping to find a finely calibrated ratings system then you had best go with Game Informer which seems to be the only gaming magazine that covers the whole industry (though it is a weaker PC reviewer, it is still very helpful for that platform) that still gives enough space in the magazine for in depth looks at games, producers, and creators.
It almost completely changed.It's not the best gaming magazine I've ever read. on what video game is selling the best towards the end, is also a nice edition.The new ratings set up is good also.
I actually miss how they used the silly faces for the ratings. I like Gamepro.
Not very appealing when you want information on your favorite games, and you have to skip through an advertisement every two pages, sometimes every other page.I know they pay for GamePro to even "Be", but I still don't like the amount.I like how they do the yearly "Presents to Get for X-Mas", and I've liked the Questions section, as well as the section that fills you in on glitches and such, as well as the section that gives you tips on how to fix things, game-related.Also, the info. I guess it was "immature", but "F" that.
Seriously.And now, it's half way filled with advertisements, advertisements and more advertisements. I just liked the silly pictures more.And what happened to half of the GamePro staff.
That's probably EGM Electronic Gaming Monthly, but I'm not reviewing that, because GamePro broke my gaming info.ahem.cherry.XD4 stars.
But the magazine is really bad.One thing I laugh is, the retro corner. Too bad on-line reviews and websites, are taking over the subscriptions of the hardcopy magazines. I forget. year anniversary. I am utterly disappointed in the direction that Gamepro has taken over the past two years. You guys were pretty good 5 years ago, but you've gone to pot these past two years. And don't try to tell me they've lost 40 pages in advertising. I think my last issue was around 100.
Or until the quality of these types of magazines gets so low, I can't stand it anymore. I think the most recent issue, they said: 140 pages. I actually stopped my subscription for about 1 year, but came back to the 20 issues for $10 at their (10). I'll stick with hardcopy until the end of my life. They have info about issues from 5 and 10 years before, and they always announce the number of pages from 10 years ago. Huh. Or until my subscription runs out on this craptacular effort. I'm talkin' to you Watchdawg.You guys are suckin' lately.MC White said: You guys are suckin'.
Maybe it's all of those things. Maybe it's because the staff tries too hard to inject humor and their writing is absolutely shallow.
Maybe it's because the brand-new games are downright bland and shallow compared to the simplicity and charm of 8 to 32-bit eras. Maybe it's because they constantly put stupid ads in it that have nothing to do with gaming at all (Nature's Cure, I'm looking in your direction).
There is absolutely no reason to buy this horrid excuse for a gaming magazine. Maybe it's because their reviews aren't any interesting to read.
Maybe it's because their new layout looks absolutely boring and sterile compared to the excellence of the mid-'90s layout. Maybe it's because they continue to slam certain games and series like the Sonic games where they say that Sonic 2 was the last great game.
Maybe it's because they failed to realize they did so much better in the '90s. Yeah, that's the one.
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