PC Gamer [with CD] (1-year)

 (59 customer reviews)

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...Read more

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...Read more

I've read PC Gamer for years and years, subscribing on and off and buying them on the newsstand. I remember when they used to be almost half an inch thick, especially around the holidays, full of information on upcoming games, multi-page reviews, a large hardware section, demos and previews and custom programs on the discs, etc. These days they are very thin with very little content. The reviews are short and the previews read like a press release from the developer full of hyperbole and gushing enthusiasm even when the product may be a year away from launching. The hardware section has gotten smaller and smaller and these days you're lucky to see a couple of reviews of a mouse or new $5,000 gaming rig without anything else.

I still pick up a copy every now and then but am disappointed every time compared to what this magazine used to be. They should be writing longer articles, more in-depth with more grown-up writing. The blogs have them beat with any up-to-date info, they...Read more