When comparing Jim Sterling vs Matthewmatosis, the Slant community recommends Matthewmatosis for most people. In the question“Who are the best game critics? ” Matthewmatosis is ranked 5th while Jim Sterling is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Matthewmatosis is:
The videos are as long as he feels they need to be to address everything - the Devil May Cry & Dark Souls entries are entire playthroughs of several hours whilst discussing the games - far more analysis than a standard Lets Play video. His critiques are also concise and straight-to-the-point, instead of extensively rambling about a single point where it's not required.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Not afraid to speak his mind
Jim Sterling is known for stepping on toes once in a while. In 2009 he gave Assassin's Creed II a 4 our of 10 when most reviewers praised the game, he heavily criticised Peter Molyneyx, a respected industry figure, for constantly overselling and under-delivering his games and manipulating the consumers, etc.
Pro Pro-consumer attitude
Jim Sterling has criticised Valve's Steam Greenlight for having a lack of quality control, multiple developers of "asset flipping" (presenting ready-made game engine assets as a game), the mainstream media for portraying games as causing violence, etc.
Pro Thank God for Him
Pro In-depth (yet concise) videos
The videos are as long as he feels they need to be to address everything - the Devil May Cry & Dark Souls entries are entire playthroughs of several hours whilst discussing the games - far more analysis than a standard Lets Play video. His critiques are also concise and straight-to-the-point, instead of extensively rambling about a single point where it's not required.
Pro Discussion of atmosphere
One aspect of game design that often gets overlooked by other critiques is atmosphere, which is something that he is excellent at dissecting (as evidenced by his Majora's Mask, Team Ico and Demon's Souls videos).
Pro Strong focus on gameplay
Several critics tend to provide long detailed (often surface-level) descriptions of games without talking too much about the merits and pitfalls of the actual gameplay. As a programmer, he understands what goes behind-the-scenes in game design, useful for starting developers. Having played an extensive array of games that goes beyond the mainstream, he can effectively compare games to highlight a specific aspect of gameplay (such as combat, puzzle-solving or level-design).
Pro Great for starting game developers
If you're going to create a game, Matthew will sometimes provide behind-the-scenes stories about how a certain game was made or game mechanics worth improving or experimenting on. These videos make it seem like games are far more complex and exciting on the inside than they first appear.
Cons
Con Can be seen as overly hostile
As Sterling has a tendency to cover (often touchy) topics in a somewhat inflammatory, unapologetic manner, he often gets perceived as being needlessly hostile.
Con Is little more than a populist rabble rouser
Whatever gamers are upset about this week, expect the Jimquisition to be following along promptly with a preachy, whiny summation of things everyone said already.
Con Some videos can be mundane and dry
If you're looking for comedy or exciting gameplay, you will not find it here. His sense of humor is subtle and sporadic, but that boils down to personal opinion. Long videos are both a blessing and a curse, providing a lot of information, but some people just can't make it through.
Con Doesnt know anything about actual game design
He edits his critiques in a way that flows like an audio book. In terms of effective critiques there arent many to be found here. He uses reductive anaylsis, throws out opinions as if they explain anything like a journalist with quality research could.