Wii is here, and with a new console comes an electric air of change. As part of the site's continual effort to meet new challenges and satisfy the wants and needs of its readers, The Wiire staff is proud to announce a few changes of our own: a revamped games section and a unique take on game reviews.
First, the games pages have been entirely reorganized to make the system more friendly to users. Each game contains a navigation bar linking to a game's profile, as well as related news, previews, media, features, reviews and even more to come in the not-so-distant future.
Where applicable, the profile section may include box art, the ESRB rating, number of players supported, screenshots, as well as information on required and optional accessories. Depending on the game, readers will find information related to the developer, publisher, genre and release dates across the world. Readers will also find a "User Score" feature that allows everyone to rate a given game by selecting a number of stars, up to five. Each vote will figure into the average rating for the game in accordance with other user scores.
Readers are encouraged to explore the game pages and offer suggestions on our boards for quality improvement and/or additions to make the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
Following Nintendo's efforts to revolutionize the industry, The Wiire is also proud to present a completely redefined review strategy entirely focused around Wii games. The staff strongly encourages readers to analyze the structure and philosophy of the reviews before diving into the game analysis. The review philosophy details all the mechanics of the system, the underlying framework, how it will benefit a broader audience of gamers and how the site will continue to expand around the new system of gameplay.
Stage 1: First impressions
While most review systems are forced to rush a premature score on a game without enjoying it, The Wiire acknowledges that gamers want a more fair look at a game while still pumping out information on the game by its release. Stage 1 contains basic impressions for the players nearly certain they want the game, or the player looking to get a general feel of how things work. The staff also realizes that parents and non-casual gamers may feel overwhelmed with many game review mechanics, so Stage 1 takes away the technical lingo and lays the facts out for everyone.
Stage 1 is ideal for people of all walks of life seeking a first-hand look at how the final version of game is controlled and presented. From kids to adults, a general impression maintains easy-to-understand language for all players without rushing a hasty review grade. Stage 1 will explain the intended audience for the game, and how quickly a player will have to adjust to the controls. Reviewers may choose to include other details, ranging from personal likes/dislikes, to learning curve, to potential awards like ease of use or multiplayer mayhem.
Stage 2: Analysis
This stage is similar to Stage 1 in terms of what is discussed, though readers can expect more sophisticated and in-depth analysis on presentation, controls and the implementation of Wii features (Wii Message Board, Wiiconnect24, Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, etc.
Stage 2 may appear the day after Stage 1, though longer games such as RPGs may take a few extra days so that a reviewer can fairly assess each software accordingly.
Stage 3: Evaluation & Grade
The final stage will be more objective in delivery than Stages 1 and 2 and will appear after a considerable length of playtime. This section will feature discussion of the game's more technical aspects (frame rate, visuals), how satisfyingly all the elements have molded together, impact the game has on Wii's library or industry as a whole and ultimately if the title is worth purchasing, renting or forgetting. A final graded score, along with any awards the game has won (decided by the reviewer), will be posted at the end of Stage 3.
The addition of reviews and revamping of the games pages represents a significant step forward for The Wiire, but these aren't the only changes in our future. New additions will be announced as they are released.
To commemorate this structure, we have already released Stage 1 of both Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Rayman Raving Rabbids, three days before the system's launch. The remaining reviews will follow suit on launch day. Stay on The Wiire for more stages and a fresh approach to reviews.
Welcome to The Wiire, the first site dedicated to Nintendo’s next console, the Nintendo Wii.
The Wiire Release: Reviews, Game Pages
