Games, Games, Games!!! (computerandvideogames.com)

Member Name: MrTink12

Product:	computerandvideogames.com
Date:	27/05/07 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Up to date, huge amount of information, looks good

Disadvantages: Ads can get in way

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It is time once again to review one of the quality video game websites that I use on a regular basis to keep me informed on all things gaming related. Future Publishing owns computerandvideogames.com (CVG), and the site manages to attract millions of unique visitors each month. CVG was launched in 1999 and contains articles for all major formats, such as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii, PSP and so and so forth.

I would not imagine that many people would struggle to navigate around CVG, as the site is very well designed. At the top of the homepage, the website shows the top five features for the day. If you scroll over one of these features, a large screenshot from the relevant game/console will be displayed. There is a search box towards the upper centre of the screen. It does successfully find numerous relevant results even if you input the spelling of the game slightly incorrectly. For example as a test I typed in ‘metl ger solid’ and I was greeted with the latest news as well as screenshots for Metal Gear Solid 4. Scrolling below the search box will reveal additional news headlines, games that are hot, previews and reviews. Generally speaking CVG successfully report the really up to date gaming stories, ensuring that the website is well worth visiting on a daily basis. To illustrate this point, within the past few days’ new information was released concerning the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV and CVG had an article on this. Each report is never overly wordy, instead opting to be concise, and well written to ensure readers read the entire article.

I do like how some previews on CVG are written as a comprehensive hands-on session of the game, after the journalist in question has been invited to play part of the product. Furthermore, the website contains a wealth of interviews that ask the right questions. Consequently each interview proves to be a good read, even if the game in question is not one that particularly interests you. The site has screenshots for many of the games it features, although they can look a tad on the small side. Reviews tend to lack real depth, despite proving to be an interesting read. Personally I would like them to at least twice as long, expanding on the positives and negatives of the game in question. One aspect of the site, which could prove an annoyance, is the many advertisements shown. For instance (at the time of writing), there was an advertisement before I could enter the site, as well as two additional ads on the homepage itself.

There is a forum that not only covers the gaming world, but also contains details on movies, TV, music, sport and much more besides. Reading the forums reveal that there are some decent topics, and people backing up their opinions in a detailed manner. Another feature of CVG are competitions that generally are to win a console plus game package, although I sadly must say I have never been a winner. One has the opportunity to check out a cheat section. There is a whole archive devoted to cheats listing hundreds of titles, but cheating defeats one of the chief purposes of playing games - to feel a sense of achievement – and thus this part of the website has no interest to myself. It should be noted that people can register with the site absolutely free of charge. On the left hand side of the homepage, one can click ‘Not a member yet?’ Simply fill out a form stating a Username, Password, Email Address, your name, and date of birth. Upon doing so you will be registered, and able to do a couple of things that non-members cannot. You will be able to comment on news stories, together with writing in the forum.


--------Final comments--------
All things considered, I would definitely recommend CVG to anyone interested in videogames. Presenting the latest news, previews, reviews, interviews, screenshots and much more besides, it is hard be too critical of the site.



--------Contact details--------
Website: http://www.computerandvideogames.com

Address:
ComputerAndVideoGames.com
c/o Future
2 Balcombe Street
London
NW1 6NA

Phone Number: 020 7042 4000



Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed.

Summary: A quality gaming website!!!