It's time for my bi-annual gripe about commentary on reviews. If you don't want to hear it, stop reading now.

I'm seeing a lot of people reading our reviews, but so very few comments about them. Really, folks, even if it's just an "attaboy" ("attagirl"), it is appreciated. Some of you may not be aware, but we are volunteers. True, we (sometimes) receive free products in exchange for a review, but a typical review takes (for me, at least) three to five days to prepare (I have to read the product, then read it again, looking for errors or things that need clarification, pick out good and bad points, write a draft review, proof it, write a second draft, then finally write the final review). Oh, but it's all fun and games, right? We are writing about role-playing products, after all.

Bzzzt. Try again. Sometimes you are asked to review a product that you wouldn't normally be interested in, or for a game that you don't play or a new game. And it isn't that we can say, "Wow, neat, I can't wait to use that in my next game," and then shelve the product. We have to get nitpicky, tear it apart and be brutal. Sometimes, a publisher takes the criticism as it is intended and thanks us for helping them improve, but sometimes, they take offense and we get nasty letters (rather, Ghostwind gets nasty letters). It's not all fun and games.

Comments let us know that you appreciate and are finding these reviews useful. Contructive criticism helps us improve the state of our reviews. I can't speak for the other reviewers, but if there's something about my style that you like or don't like, I want to hear it! I want my reviews to be both useful and entertaining. Help me do that!

Comments are useful to the publishers, too, and they [b]do[/b] read this site! When you leave a comment stating your agreement or disagreement with an assessment, it's like a hotline to the publisher of the product. That lets them know that they're hitting or missing the mark. And that results in more quality products.

As reviewers, we are expected (and to an extent, do) critique one another's work and leave commentary. But that's only half the story. We also want to hear from you. One the one hand, I love it when I log on each day and see that the reads on my latest review are up to (insert number), but my heart falls when I see that no one thought enough to leave a comment.

In summary, whether you agree with us or disagree, whether you like our style or hate it, whether you think a product roxxor or suxxor, we want to know! Take a few moments, click that comment button, and tell the world what [b]you[/b] think!

And hey, we do take guest reviews! If you think you can do a better job, submit one yourself!