6 March 2016
Game reviews have certainly evolved over the years. Instead of one review for one title, we now see reviews of a game by platform, and by edition (for example Game of the Year editions), and this is probably rightly so. I remember back to when Watch Dogs was released in 2014. The PS3 version took a hammering with review scores because graphically it looked terrible compared to the 'next-gen' versions and even the Xbox 360 version. But now I'm wondering if one person is enough to a review a game. Specifically, whether a male and female perspective is needed.
This thought was triggered by Alanah Pearce on IGN's Podcast Beyond episode 433. She brought up a very valid point on Firewatch - the latest 'walking simulator' as they're becoming rapidly known, following the likes of games Gone Home and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture. In Firewatch you play as Henry, a recently hired forest fire lookout, and his main point of contact is his female supervisor, Delilah, who you only communicate with via radio. The core strength of the game is the supposedly brilliant dialogue between the two.
The reviews for Firewatch have been overwhelmingly positive, primarily because of it's top class writing and voice acting. Take IGN's own review by Ryan McCaffrey for example. I distinctly remember his quote: "The writing here is simply head and shoulders above nearly every other game I've ever played". That is one bold statement.
So, back to this valid point by Alanah. She said "I feel like the female character in that game is super unnatural", and "I don't think that a women would say that". She concluded with "I'm pretty sure she was written by a man". Alanah was really the first person I'd heard that wasn't completely raving about Firewatch. I had never thought about this perspective. The dialogue is full of sarcasm and made for banter between the two main characters. As Henry is a typical American male, Delilah does seem to adopt some male traits to make this work. I do think it's unlikely for a female supervisor to behave in this way, but it's ultimately a video game and the writers have done this to maximise the comedy value for the player. A rare thing in a game, hence the well received reviews, but I can totally agree with Alanah's points too.
Therefore I raise the question should there be male and female game reviews? I definitely feel that a female review of Firewatch would not be quite as praising as the male version. This led me to think of other games in the same situation. Metal Gear Solid V was given a perfect 10 out of 10 score by many media outlets. Would female reviews knock a few points off due to the appearance of Quiet? Fighting games also seem guilty of over-exaggerating female character features, and the Grand Theft Auto games might also be hindered by female reviews due to some of the 'leisure' activities on offer.