>>>Gamesradar.com: My thoughts!!!!<<< (gamesradar.com)

Member Name: MrTink12

Product:	gamesradar.com
Date:	18/01/07 (208 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It is free; find out the latest gaming news; wealth of game information

Disadvantages: Reviews a tiny bit too short

You may have noticed that many of my reviews are on one of my favourite hobbies, computer games. I like to be kept up to date about the gaming world, and one way to do this is by visiting websites devoted to the subject. One such site is gamesradar.com, which I have been visiting for a little while now. The website is published by Future Publishing, attracting millions of unique visitors each month. Thankfully there is no subscription fee needed to use GamesRadar; it is 100 per cent free to read.


--------My opinions--------
Firstly I would like to point out that the site has a reasonably simple and effective layout. For example, at the top left hand side of the homepage there is the GamesRadar logo in bold letters. To the right of this is a large search box where you can ‘find a game’. The results of the search are successful in finding what you are looking for. Lets say I enter ‘Halo 3’ into the box; the first search result can be clicked on leading to several articles/previews on this much anticipated Xbox 360 game. Towards the bottom left hand side of the homepage, there are the breaking news stories. Anybody finding it difficult to navigate around the site (a problem I do not envisage) can click on ‘Site Map’ at the bottom of the web page in small font, opening a page with the full contents of GamesRadar listed.

This is a fantastic website that focuses on all the main gaming platforms: namely PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, PSP, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360 and Wii. As such there is no bias in favour of one console/handheld over another. News articles are very well written, contain humour, and highlight a tremendous enthusiasm towards gaming by the commentator(s). GamesRadar do seem to successfully report the most recent gaming stories. Generally, they are approximately 150 to 300 words in length, which is in my view is more than adequate. The website does include reviews, which are succinct, and deal with the key aspects of a game you would expect: the graphics, multiplayer action, criticisms and such like. Reviews conclude in a slick way, with two boxes; one listing what you’ll love about the game, the other what you’ll hate, and a final out of ten score.

Gamesradar also features loads of recent trailers and screen grabs. It’s always nice to check out some stills from a game you are eagerly anticipating. To properly watch the trailers broadband will be required because the movies are high quality and in some cases can be several minutes long. There is the opportunity to sign up for two types of newsletters every week by joining ‘radar.nation’. The first contains news, whilst the other is full of cheats. To join radar.nation you will need to provide a username, email address, name, postal address, date of birth, and choose which formats you would like to receive newsletters for. Some will be pleased to know that the site has cheats and guides (for radar.nation members). Personally, I like to steer clear of these areas of the site (I prefer completing games without resorting to a walkthrough/cheating) but its good to know they exist. Furthermore the website boasts a forum, which is divided into various sub-sections including retro gaming, challenges and reader reviews. The standard of the forum is at best decent, since I get to read some really good posts, some indifferent posts, and some waste of time posts. Registering for the forum is exceptionally easy: requiring an email address, password, and activating your account when they send an email.

In terms of criticisms of the site I would have to mention that the reviews could include a little more depth. Moreover, it could be said that perhaps GamesRadar does not do anything innovative to stand out from the competition. Basically one can see news, reviews, previews, cheats, trailers, screenshots, and FAQs; but I can do this on numerous other game sites as well. Even so I enjoy visiting the website weekdays, reading the short articles, and would certainly recommend GamesRadar (in conjunction with other gaming sites) to avid gamers.


Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed


--------Contact details--------
Website: http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/index.jsp

Address:
GamesRadar Future plc
30 Monmouth Street
Bath
BA1 2BW
United Kingdom

Email: webmaster@gamesradar.com

Summary: If you like games, then it might just be worth taking a look at!!!