Remember - you cannot review an MMO until 6 months after it's launch - which is today

[Rhianu]

This just makes me think of revising my 1 year estimate to something slightly different. 6 months after you start paying for the game is probably a better point at which to review it.

I say an MMO should be reviewable on launch day. It's fine to change things and add new content and systems over time, but the game's underlying mechanics should be complete right from the start.

The fact that FFXI had a rough start does not mean having a rough start is permissible for other MMOs. The start should be smooth.

[AngryNixon]

I say an MMO should be reviewable on launch day. It's fine to change things and add new content and systems over time, but the game's underlying mechanics should be complete right from the start.

The fact that FFXI had a rough start does not mean having a rough start is permissible for other MMOs. The start should be smooth.

I agree in principle.

But the reality of this particular launch is that this was not the case. Given the particulars of this situation it is perhaps illogical to impose the general standard of review-ability at launch. Reviewing this game by that measure is simply reviewing it to come to your (general your) conclusion that it isn't up to par and therefore deserves a low mark. If you are seeking to give the game a bad review despite it's obviously incomplete state then you've achieved your goal and need go no further in the analysis.

A more accommodating time frame for review then should be adopted allowing them to present you with what they truly deem is a complete product (loosely determined by their willingness to charge the monthly fee for it). At the very least then you can come to a realistic rating of the game instead of one that is "doomed" to an inevitably negative conclusion from the start.

One might equate this to giving them a pass but slamming them from the word go doesn't accomplish much either.

A mitigating factor though about the unavoidably negative review from launch for this game is that it sets a benchmark from which to move forward from for future reviews.