Metacritic Puts a Delay on Game Reviews

Metacritic has implemented a 36 hour waiting period on all game reviews so users have time to actually play the game before voicing their opinion. It’s become common practice to “review bomb” a game based on outside factors. Review bombing is leaving the worst review possible followed by an airing of grievances. These complaints could be related to production problems, distrust in the developers, or simply out of the sport. Unfortunately, others who seek out these reviews for helpful advice on a future purchase are then steered away from a game by reviewers that have not played a single minute. Other review providing services have been implementing similar waiting periods or a “Verified Purchaser” next to the review. There are many useful places to make your voice heard about your angry toward a product, but the review page is not one of them.