The Definitives

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

How would everyone feel if the next round of the Definitive Legend of Zelda Review Thread was actually the Definitive Legend of Zelda Review Threads?

I'm planning on the next round being in 2012, giving everyone a chance to explore and enjoy Skyward Sword, but I'm considering a bit of a shake up of the formula. Basically, each game gets its own thread (in a sub-forum, Mods? Pretty please?) and over the course of six months or perhaps most of the year, members old and new can post their thoughts and feelings about each game (perhaps doing a Rew/HS-style run through of the whole series but at a slightly softer pace) and score each on individual elements (story, design, sidequests, characters, etc - list in development and open to suggestions).

An average score is worked out and ranks awarded from then on.

In addition, members can post their favourite/least favourite NPCs, dungeons, etc and that can contribute to a more varied pool of entries in the Tingles and Navis.

And on top of that, a big deal could be made on the main site with guest reviews and things along those lines.

This is still pretty early-stage thinking, but I see it as an opportunity to boost discussion and membership. At least for the first year...

[Bidet to you sir]

How the hell would this work without tons of members who actually give a shit and post about zelda?

I think theres like 3 of you who actually take zelda really seriously and like 3 more who just read your threads.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

How the hell would this work without tons of members who actually give a shit and post about zelda?

Hastily added thought just after I hit "Post" and you may have missed:

And on top of that, a big deal could be made on the main site with guest reviews and things along those lines.

We had probably a dozen people take part over a six-month period last time around. And the "guests" probably wouldn't be much more than the seasoned vets of the board, but it's something. Maybe it's the shot in the arm the forum and main site need. I don't know what else DSCUBED might have planned, but I'm throwing in my little contribution.

Failing that, I'll just take the idea to ZU.

[Hyruleansoldier]

it's a GREAT idea.  But people aren't very active, and I mostly make long Zelda run experiences posts for myself and future generations/ others' amusement.   Most topics have been discussed thoroughly in the past so I don't know how many replies these things are going to see.

ZU, part of me would like to become active there but then I'll just be wasting a lot of time on a similar forum.  It's one of those things where I DO have an addictive personality   I think I'm just going to continue playing Zelda games, still got 5 games left for my run

[hisak]

I like the idea, but we won't know if there's enough people for it until after Skyward Sword releases. If there aren't enough people here, what would you think of an inter-forum arrangement between here and ZU (and maybe one or two other forums)?

[Bidet to you sir]

That is trotskyite counterrevolutionary nonsense

Like Stalin says, we should have socialismzelda definitive reviews in one countryforum.

[Ezlo's Apprentice]

Right, it's been a while but I figure I can give this a go.

Thinking of starting this Friday - new month and whatnot- so, Mr Moderator, any chance of that sub-forum?

Am thinking of kicking off with LoZ for NES and SS and working towards the middle from both ends of the release schedule with two new games to review each month, rather than going entirely chronologically. (So, AoL/ST July, ALttP/PH Aug, LA/TP Sep, OoT/TMC Oct, MM/FSA Nov, Oracles Dec, FS/TWW Jan 2013). Threads will all remain open for three months after the FS/TWW threads go up, meaning results around April 2013.

Members can post their own detailed reviews (I'll be copy-pasting from N-Core for some games, writing from scratch for others) as well as awarding marks out of 10 for the following criteria:
- Story,
- Gameplay and innovation,
- Visuals,
- Audio
- Characters,
- Inventory,
- Sidequests and collectibles,
- Overworld
- Dungeons
- Enemies and bosses

In addition, am considering Bonus Points. Up to five bonus points can be added to each score for any reason you see fit (be it nostalgia, the rendering of Zelda's breasts, they're your points) or five points taken away for any niggling issue. You can add points or take away points, but not both. So, a game can have a maximum score of 105 per review or if it's particularly bad, a lowest score of -5. (Can totally scrap this idea, but there are always points in reviews where I think of something that doesn't quite fit any of the existing categories.)

All scores will be added up and divided by the number of members who posted reviews for that game, giving the mean average score. Unless someone can think of a better mathematical system for it.

The forum can basically be a testing ground for an idea I'd like to see on the main site, but that seems to have died for now...

So, final thoughts before we get this show on the road?