Gaming reviews have always been a great way for players to determine whether they should drop some cash on the next hot title or look elsewhere. However, gaming journalism has been rocked in recent years. A new game is released almost every day, becoming difficult for gamers to choose, causing the gamers to seek help from online game review sites. Nevertheless, though review sites take different forms, you must be testing one to avoid delay and waste of your cash and time.
Overview of Online Gaming Review Sites
Online review portals for computer games provide some hidden unique features and relate to the diverse features of the game sexes contributing to the competition. A few of them choose deep analyses and criticisms, while the others are located on the community base with the user content. Regardless of their differences, the primary goal remains the same: to guide them through an ideal gaming experience, which can help in their choice of the right gaming path.
It seems that everything goes back to the GamerGate scandal, which saw right-wing backlash hit the industry. Since then, it appears there’s an endless parade of scandals, but good eggs still exist. Here’s a handy list of online gaming review sites you can trust in 2024:
Destructoid
Destructoid is an all-around gaming site with a little of everything. Every week, you’ll see everything from news posts and reviews to special features, including developer interviews, from some of the biggest studios in the world.
Although reviews are its focus, Destructoid is much more than that. What we love about this site is that its reviews are straightforward, and it uses a streamlined scoring system that tells you everything about a game at a glance.
Unlike other review sites, Destructoid doesn’t focus on any one area or format. It covers PC gaming, console games and mobile titles, and even has a separate section for DLC content. Add in coverage from the wider gaming industry, and you’ve got everything you need to keep yourself in the loop.
SweepstakesCasino.net
No discussion about online gaming can happen without mentioning casinos. Although they’ve taken some time to break into the mainstream gaming industry, this niche has quickly made its mark among free and real-money players.Unfortunately, finding reliable online gaming review sites is easier said than done. Many are actively affiliated with the companies they review, meaning you’re not going to get a straight answer.
SweepstakesCasino.net is one exception to the rule. They specialize in reviewing online sweepstakes casinos, such as High 5 Casino, by providing advice acquired via personalized, first-person play. In other words, their reviewers take the time to play on each platform to discover how they perform in every area. Gamers who’re looking to check out slots, poker, blackjack, keno and other classic casino-style games should make this platform their first port of call.
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+ is one of the biggest names in the online gaming industry. They’re often considered the alternative to IGN.com, which many abandoned in the wake of the GamerGate and plagiarism scandals.
Like its competitors, GamesRadar+ offers reviews, news, features, first looks at the latest games and interviews. However, one criticism is that it doesn’t have the same volume of reviews as other sites. Currently, it tends to focus more on hardware reviews, which may not be interesting for the average gamer. What stands out is the platform’s easy to skim reviews and their obvious attention to detail rather than rushing to release.
Game Informer
Veteran gamers will undoubtedly have heard of Game Informer. This long-running video game magazine also has a website, so if you like the old-school approach to video game reviews, it’s worth trying out.
Game Informer’s philosophy is to push back against the overcomplicated modern age, and many of its staff are longtime players themselves. Additionally, unlike other video game websites, it doesn’t stray into other areas, such as TV or movies. If you’re searching for a website operated by people who love video games with no politics, Game Informer is the place for you.
Metacritic
Detailed reviews aren’t for everybody. Some gamers just want a score and a basic overview to help them decide what to buy. Metacritic is the home for that audience. Similar to Rotten Tomatoes for movies, Metacritic isn’t a review website itself. Instead, it’s an aggregate review site that ranks releases from 1-100.
Metacritic features some reviews from individual critics posted in bitesize format and compares their views with those of individual users. While some disagree with summarizing a game with just a single number, others prefer this quick-fire format, so check it out. If you’re looking for a Metacritic alternative that follows a similar format, OpenCritic is one many often mention.
Nintendo Life
Nintendo Life is an online gaming review site specifically for Nintendo titles. It covers games and similar topics, including Nintendo Switch rumors and the eShop. Some of its reviews even contain original videos.
Nintendo Life covers mainstream releases and downloadable content found in the eShop. What stands out about this platform is its community. All the content contains comment sections, and there are also forums to connect with fellow players. Pure Xbox and Push Square are other recommendations if you’re looking for similar sites for other platforms.
GameSpot
GameSpot is another online gaming review site you’ve probably heard of. GameSpot is one of the biggest players in the business, with everything from daily news to insights into upcoming releases. Of course, there’s also a substantial review section.
Interestingly, GameSpot doesn’t just focus on the hottest mainstream titles. It also covers the smaller releases on every platform, including the best iOS and Android games. However, you may encounter some quirks in the way it handles its reviews. For example, in one review, the writer admitted they’d only played half of the game, which is a bizarre thing to admit on an online gaming site. However, one does have to admire that type of honesty.
Game Rant
Over the last decade, Game Rant has become one of the biggest sources of reliable gaming information. It enjoys over 250 million readers and reviews everything from AAA titles to indie disruptors.
Like any big site, it goes beyond ordinary gaming reviews. Rather than just reviewing games, they also provide news, features, interviews, opinion pieces, and everything else you might be interested in. What separates Game Rant’s reviews, though, is the brief explanation for each game. These can help you make informed decisions on every game purchase without wasting too much time.
Join the Most Reliable Online Gaming Sites
Online gaming platforms come in all shapes and sizes, but you’ll find big differences in quality. The above list consists of the platforms that have historically been leading lights within the industry and are trusted by the community. Everyone wants something different from their online gaming reviews, meaning there’s no single “best” site for online gamers. Which site is your go-to option for choosing the best games?
