The Best. Full stop. (Edge)

Name: pooky

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Product:	Edge
Date:	26/07/01 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliantly written, Informative, Entertaining

Disadvantages: None

There is absolutely no doubt that Edge is the best gaming magazine on the market. Edge respects videogames and the people who create them. It respects the reader, giving accurate no nonsense reviews and interviews that ask questions we want asked. It doesn't pull its' punches and it isn't afraid to stand up to advertising. In a time when gaming magazines flitter in and out of publication, Edge has stood firm and its' refreshingly simple approach has served it well.

Its' quality is apparent from appearance alone. A slightly squatter shape than many publications, its' matt cover, usually emblazoned with a topical picture and succinct tagline, is minimalist without looking empty. It just looks cool. So cool, in fact, that a good deal of magazines in other areas could be looking to emulate some of its' features.

The front page editorial is short and to the point, entertainingly discussing movements in the videogame world. Anything from advertising surrounding a new console system, to the thinking behind the creation of a groundbreaking release. It's content usually pertains to a subject covered in far more depth later within its' pages. From there on in the hits keep on rolling in what must be the most consistent magazine around at the moment.

Frontend is Edge's news and views section with content ranging from gaming exhibitions, press releases and technology to movement of key players within the industry and the economy of the gaming world. This may all sound a bit 'hardcore' and it's certainly not for the ten year old with a pokemon fascination. But for those who love games and care about what they might be playing in the future, this section is indispensable and not only unmatched in other gaming guides but completely unchallenged. This is just one instance where Edge goes against the grain and treats its' audience with the intelligence they deserve.

Red eye, trigger happy a
nd av out, three individual page long articles follow. Red eye, written by a 'veteran videogame journalist' is an often amusingly cynical barrage of insults and injury towards some facet of the industry. Trigger happy usually argues the strengths and weaknesses of general game designs and dynamics. Immersive storylines, linear gameplay, control systems fraught with overcomplicated button presses and illogical movements. Whilst av out, written by a former head of a Sega subsidiary, discusses games from an R&D perspective. Whether these columns really interest you will probably depend on how 'into' games you are but the writing is top notch and only a fool would bypass the nuggets of wisdom they often contain.

Prescreen is, as the name implies, the preview section, with each title garnering between half a page and a double page spread and including one or more screenshots from the game in action. The articles give as much depth as is possible given the stage of production and will explicitly describe the good points and bad of the current code. If a highly anticipated game looks to be running off the rails don't expect Edge to hide behind the hype. Respect is due for repeatedly telling it like it is.

Three to five in depth articles, spread over several pages each, follow. Any and all subjects are covered with interviews from major codeshops, previews going behind the scenes in production of particularly worthy games, pieces on new hardware etc. If it's big in the gaming world then it'll be dealt with in the manner it deserves, with no stone left unturned, giving the full, factual, inside stories.

Testscreen, the reviews section, also gives between a half and two pages per game covered in what are the most to the point and informative game reviews available. Along with information such as format, publisher, price and release date, games are given a score out of ten with an average game scoring five. Unlike many ot
her magazines where average games gain 75%, nothing gets below 60% and only those scoring high eighties and nineties need be bought, an Edge review of seven means the game has done well and this structure ensures the whole range of ratings are utilised. There are several screenshots of each game but they aren't used to pad out reviews as in some magazines. The writing is clearly laid out rather than being split into separate chunks, leaving the pages looking full yet uncluttered and a joy to read. As Edge is a multiformat magazine there is no bias towards any particular system and it is evident that pre release advertising has no influence on score. If a huge release is going to come unstuck then this is where it's going to happen. For this reason alone, consulting Edge is essential before shelling out forty quid on the next big thing. Conversely, little known games will get their even chance against the big boys. Even if you've never heard of it, a game scoring highly within these pages is worth checking out.

After a lengthy section of adverts for the latest employment opportunities within the industry, dull for many but indicative of the type of reader Edge attracts, there follows several articles centred around the developmental process. Coding tools, graphical showpieces, inside the making of historic games such as Mario and Tetris, advances in artificial intelligence and this list only scratches the surface.

The magazine ends with the letters section, the chance for readers to get involved. It's always interesting to read peoples conflicting opinions and often letters will be accompanied by short replies from Edge staff. It's a fitting end to a fantastic magazine.

If you love games then you'll love Edge, simple as that. In depth and packed to the brim with valuable information, yet never dull or conceited. Its' journalists obviously love games and this shines from page to page. The gamers bible in easy t
o digest, monthly instalments and at only £3.80 it's worth every little penny and more. Even with the host of other gaming publications out there, it's always been a one horse race. Everyone else has a lot of catching up to do,

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