I've always enjoyed GameFan and was excited to hear about its recent re-launch! I probably own about 19-30 issues thanks to bi-weekly allowance at age 11, old gamestores that carry strategy guides(Many of which WERE Gamefan Books) and ebay. It made the gamer I am today-with a love of anime, import games, and the important subject matter of "Graphics and 3D arent everything....Its all about the gameplay!"
I think Gamefan was what prompted me into buying my beloved Import SS with Xmen vs Streetfighter, Silhoutte Mirage and the monster known only as Samurai Sprits collection (which contained Samurai Showdown 3&4 with an 'engrish' translation! whooo-hooo!)
While many complained on how hard it was to read with all the colorful pages and amazing amounts of screenshots( why the helll would anyone complain?) -It gives you a full look at what you want to get out the game....unlike GamePro or other mags that made you suffer with only 1 lousy screenshot (those were dark times for us in the 90's).
Youthful nostalgia is always a factor, certainly. If it was your first "love", you'll certainly think of it more fondly. I know I feel that way with the first ever videogame magazine, Electronic Games (the first run, pre-crash). I don't recall anyone complaining of too many screenshots, they complained about all the color and messy layouts made it hard on the eyes, as in difficult to read. In other words, little mind was paid to being able to read the text since the layout took obvious precedence. That probably ties in with their poor editorial skills, meaning since they weren't particularly gifted writers and the publication lacked proper editing, it's not surprising that the visuals would take a priority over readability.
Lojackz wrote:
P.s. With Gramatical errors aside, remember it was Square Enix that kept GameFans review on the back of the game of "Quite possibly the best game ever made..."(or something to that effect).
Yes, they were often too effusive with the praise, especially when it wasn't necessarily warranted.
*************************** Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
I've always enjoyed GameFan and was excited to hear about its recent re-launch! I probably own about 19-30 issues thanks to bi-weekly allowance at age 11, old gamestores that carry strategy guides(Many of which WERE Gamefan Books) and ebay. It made the gamer I am today-with a love of anime, import games, and the important subject matter of "Graphics and 3D arent everything....Its all about the gameplay!"
I think Gamefan was what prompted me into buying my beloved Import SS with Xmen vs Streetfighter, Silhoutte Mirage and the monster known only as Samurai Sprits collection (which contained Samurai Showdown 3&4 with an 'engrish' translation! whooo-hooo!)
While many complained on how hard it was to read with all the colorful pages and amazing amounts of screenshots( why the helll would anyone complain?) -It gives you a full look at what you want to get out the game....unlike GamePro or other mags that made you suffer with only 1 lousy screenshot (those were dark times for us in the 90's).
Youthful nostalgia is always a factor, certainly. If it was your first "love", you'll certainly think of it more fondly. I know I feel that way with the first ever videogame magazine, Electronic Games (the first run, pre-crash). I don't recall anyone complaining of too many screenshots, they complained about all the color and messy layouts made it hard on the eyes, as in difficult to read. In other words, little mind was paid to being able to read the text since the layout took obvious precedence. That probably ties in with their poor editorial skills, meaning since they weren't particularly gifted writers and the publication lacked proper editing, it's not surprising that the visuals would take a priority over readability.
P.s. With Gramatical errors aside, remember it was Square Enix that kept GameFans review on the back of the game of "Quite possibly the best game ever made..."(or something to that effect).
Yes, they were often too effusive with the praise, especially when it wasn't necessarily warranted.
***************************
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.