PC Gamer (1-year) Reviews

• Very Good Magazine for Gamers

  
  By A3OH101U0CPUC7 on 2007-08-16
  Once upon a time, PC Gamer was in a real dogfight with Computer Gaming World for the title of best gaming magazine. This battle ended when CGW basically self-destructed thanks to some massively poor decision-making by their editorial staff. CGW has since re-launched as Games for Windows: The Official Magazine but has not reclaimed their old glory.
  
  PC Gamer provides both reviews and previews of games. They also have a small section covering hardware. One regular feature that is nice is that they give sample builds for three PCs each month, entry level, mid level, and high end. Most magazines just focus on the most expensive parts for their sex appeal but most gamers can't afford that gear. It's nice to see this magazine buck that trend.
  
  Most computer magazines employ humor to keep things from getting too dry and this one is no exception. They do a very professional job of providing coverage but throw in just enough sarcasm to give you a grin or two in every article. They also do a good job of calling out games that have real issues and even in their previews I've seen them point out shortcomings. Overall, this is a very good magazine and well worth the subscription price.
  
  

• It is what it is...

  
  By AWC8CTW8N2XVE on 2007-06-01
  PC Gamer reviews games and hardware that is currently available for the PC. The reviews are the most impressive in terms of the games. They are pretty accurate with their rating system which is setup much like a grading scale on a report card with 90% or higher being considered excellent and so on...Once in a while they will drop a really low rating on a halfway decent game, but 99% o the time they are accurate in my opinion. The hardware reviews seem to be fair, but they only seem to review the utmost PC gaming computers ranging in price from $4000 to nearly $10,000...so theres no surprise when its rated the "fastest machine ever". Overall, it's a quality PC gaming magazine, and for the price I definetly suggest it.
  
  

• Caters directly to the PC gamers out there

  
  By AKMJJES6FE2M5 on 2007-11-11
  I really like this magazine and have subscribed for the past 3 years. PC GAMER caters directly to PC gamers, each month reviewing several games and previewing several others. Although you can get demos and such online, this magazine also bundles a dvd that contains demos and other things to preview. The articles are generally well written, and most of the ratings are reasonable, with one big exception (see below).
  
  My only problem with PC GAMER is its "world exclusive reviews," where a company will allow the editors to be the first to review some highly anticipated game. The problem is whatever game is reviewed in this matter invariably gets a high score (85%+), almost regardless of quality. In its latest world exclusive, Hellgate: London received a score of 89%--a full 15 percentage points higher than the game's average review rating at Gamerankings[dot]com. I know that this arrangement is supposed to please everyone: PC GAMER gets the early scoop, readers buy the mazagine to read the early scoop, and the game developer sells more copies of the game thanks to PC GAMER's early endorsement. But in my opinion, this scheme compromises the integrity of an otherwise very good magazine.
  
  Anyhow, I recommend PC GAMER to anyone who has at least a casual interest in PC gaming.
  
  

• PC Gamer - Best Choice for Gaming News and Reviews

  
  By A3HJHVYNWW3D94 on 2007-05-18
  I have been a subscriber to PC Gamer for at least 5 years now. It is the one magazine I look forward to every month. I also have gotten Computer Gaming World (now Games for Windows Mag) and in my opinion, it doesn't compare.
  
  Bottom line.... If you are a PC gaming enthusiast, this is a must have!
  
  

• Decent, but not great

  
  By A3AK60HTYFPO2N on 2007-03-21
  After recieving a recent copy of PC Gamer as a gift, I read it and I enjoyed most of the articles. A lot of the reviews are short, especially for games they give very high reviews. For these games they should be able to write more than they do and create more feature articles. Kinda skinny on the Hardware reviews, but its a game magazine. If you're looking for that, I like maximum PC
  
  
• How the Mighty have fallen...
  By A1492DGS6G0ULO on 2008-03-07
  This magazine is nowhere near as good as it once was. The quality took a drastic hit a couple of years ago and has gotten worse ever since. They are more concerned with selling ads and pleasing sponsors or benefactor companies than with bringing actual gaming information to consumbers. My favorite is when they change the mag format in a really bizarre, pointless manner, tell you how awesome it is, then change it back after the backlash and still write an article saying how great this change was. Don't bother with this, internet websites are leaps and bounds better.
  
  
• My Favorite Magazine For Several Years Running
  By AGPND6ZTC1RL on 2008-05-05
  I agree with the reviews that say the quality of the publication has diminished over time, but this magazine still puts out a quality product every month. Here are a few genuine PROS and CONS:
  
  PROS
  * I am consistently impressed with game and hardware reviews. In the six years I've been reading PC Gamer, they have only steered me wrong once with a review (that game was "Black & White")
  * Depending on the subscription you choose, there is a game demo disk each week. Although this a hit or miss feature depending on the game demo.
  * The magazine is put together by a very laid back, down-to-earth group of people that are often very funny and in general a pleasure to read
  * The publication puts out a top-notch podcast every week that is a necessary compliment to the magazine.
  * You're not just a reader, you feel like you're a part of community. PC Gamer regularly publishes letters to the editor and plays audio questions on their podcast. They always have some sort of giveaway or contest going on.
  * You get the feeling these guys (and gals) really "get" the community for which they serve.
  
  
  CONS
  * Regularly features typos and misprints (one issue accidently printed the same page twice instead of the first page of its cover story. How does that happen?). I'm not perfect with typos either, but from a professionally published magazine, that's unacceptable.
  * The issue itself has slimmed down to a dangerously skimpy thickness. The issues with any reasonable girth are only thick due to multi-page advertising spreads (i.e. its "Cell Play" section)
  * There is an increasly shorter turnover rate for its editors. This hasn't affected the magazine too directly, but it is a future concern in terms of providing consistent, quality content.
  
  
  
• Great buy but....
  By A1JBJICR4YXINY on 2007-10-25
  I have purchased this magazine numerous times ala carte, so i really overpaid by spending $9 on 1 issue. the magazine is a comprehensive reveiw of all the top new games and lets you know what to expect with out spoiling the experience.
  
  The only true problem with the magazine is that half of it is advertising in the pages. The only other thing is that it takes a LONG time to get your first issue. Other than that, i would highly recommend this product to anyone that is even vaguely interested in computer games.
  
  
• PCONTOP
  By A3EJJYO0XL4YCK on 2007-12-18
  The reason that I got PC Gamer, this year, I am going to buy a new PC this year in 2008. I am a real big Gamer and my old PC was to slow to run the new games that are coming out today,and PC Gamer is the best magazine fot the PC.
  
  
• PC Gamer Review
  By A2F5IFXBIGA9EV on 2008-04-05
  I have been reading this mag for many years now and it never gets old. The reviews save money on game rentals and purchases. As well, the writers are well versed in gaming and gaming history for the PC.
  
  

• Maximum PC (1-year)
• Wired (1-year)
• Popular Mechanics (1-year)
• PlayStation: The Official Magazine (1-year)
• The Official Xbox Magazine [1-year]