Many gamers would openly admit that a review score for a particular title has no real bearing on whether or not they will make the purchase. From a gamer’s point of view, a review score is nothing more than one writer’s own simple opinion, which does not by any means create a picture for how everyone will enjoy the game. From a business side however, things are different.
Publishers and even developers’ alike takes review scores very seriously. After all, it is their long hours of hard work that is being judged and to a certain extent; scores could actually sway some of the sales numbers in their favor or against them. Many would say that 2007 was a year that belonged to both Nintendo and Microsoft with Sony sitting in the backseat.
However, with titles such as Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet and Clank Future, Folklore, Unreal Tournament III, and Motorstorm, it is hard to see how many would think 2007 was a bad year for the PS3. For review scores in that year, it paints a very optimistic picture for Sony.
In 2007, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) had an average review score of 77.9%, which placed them in the #1 position for the year in terms of review score average.
This is remarkable for Sony as it shows that the company continuous improved over 2006 where their average review score was 73.8% in the #5 spot behind Nintendo, Capcom, and LucasArts. Even 2006 itself was an improvement, as SCEA had an average review score of 73.4% in 2005.
With many titles for the PS3 this year expecting to be possible candidates for Game of the Year, 2008 could allow for Sony to grow yet again in relation to their review score, possibly breaking 80%.