How do you like to approach writing about games?
I’ve noticed there are some folks writing at length here on their experiences playing games, so this felt like a good place to ask. Do you take notes as you play, and/or after each session, then write out full thoughts upon completing a game?
Or are your reflections compiled only after finishing a game, no notes?
I’ve dabbled with different approaches, and haven’t really settled on a consistent process personally.
Hey yeah, appreciate the detail in how you go about it! I’m kinda surprised by the responses saying they don’t tend to write anything until further in and/or completion, but it’s reassuring in a way, as that’s been my approach too for some time.
I also dig that you try to engage with the “soul idea” as you call it of games. It resembles what I’ve read elsewhere of a reviewer trying to evaluate in part on whether a game achieved what it set out to do or not, which I thought was interesting.
Side note: for anyone interested in taking notes, the steam overlay has a nice button for that. It’s also very helpful for games like Baldurs gate.
I’d recommend taking my advice and doing those pauses though and taking notes. My recommendation for notes when I have taken them is to evaluate the opening 30 minutes or so. Then wait until major stopping points or break points in the story. Or major shifts in your mood toward the game.
Then open up the Steam notes, jot down a thought or two, and keep going.