Hogwarts Legacy has been released to largely positive reviews, sitting on an 85/100 on Metacritic. The game has smashed records and done very well financially on the base release, which is brilliant news for Avalanche Software, especially for ALL of the developers who have worked tremendously hard on the game.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are reviews out there that aren’t a fan of the game and that’s completely fine. Everyone is entitled to dislike a game after giving it a go. This is an RPG-type game, after all, it isn’t going to be for everyone.
Where I draw the line is blatant poor reviews where you can tell the reviewer in particular hasn’t played the game. The WIRED article is a prime example of not playing the game but giving it 1/10 just because of their activist tirades, it’s pathetic. You can’t give a game 1/10 and then proceed to call it “mid”. That doesn’t provide me with a “mid” score, it tells me you haven’t played the game or reviewed it CORRECTLY based on the game’s actual merits. It’s sad and it’s just pointless.
Now, I get it. JK Rowling has said some things that offended a large community. It makes sense to be pissed. We’ll always stand with the LGBTQ community in everything we do, and everyone who is offended is right to aim their frustrations at JK Rowling, but these reviews are directing their hate to the completely wrong thing.
JK Rowling barely had anything to do with the game and was only there for Avalance Studios to discuss the story with to ensure it falls in line with the standards of the Wizarding World.
So when you’re review bombing the game when you haven’t even played it, you’re just hurting the developers who worked their asses off on the game. If Avalanche deems that their game has done poorly based on reviews, it could affect us getting further sequels and also affecting jobs as well.
Are you really that sad? I ask you straight up. Are you really that sad in life you’re going to negatively review a game that you haven’t played?
Reviews are trustworthy. People turn to reviews to decide if that particular product is going to be worth their hard-earned cash and precious time. So, how can reviews remain trustworthy if people aren’t reviewing a product correctly?
If you’re reviewing a game you review the game based on its gameplay, content, story, characters, entertainment value, and other aspects of the game to make an informed opinion on the game. That’s all a review is an INFORMED opinion. If you haven’t played the game or reviewed it on external means then you haven’t actually REVIEWED the game. I also know of trans people and people of the LGBTQ community who have bought and LOVED the game, and I’m glad those people did enjoy the experience.
We’ve reviewed Hogwarts and it received a 9.6/10 from us. We love the game and millions around the world are also enjoying this experience. The Wizarding World is a massive franchise now, dare I say it’s even bigger than JK Rowling at this stage. We can’t let people shit on the things we enjoy.
If you generally disliked the game, that’s fine. If you’re generally pissed at JK Rowling, that’s also fine. This particular game is made by developers who have poured their hearts and soul into it. If you’re upset, you don’t need to play it. Nobody is forcing a gun on your head. You have the right to make a decision as it’s your time and money. However, my point stands, if you’re going to review a product you have no knowledge or experience in then I pity you.
