This article first appeared on USgamer, a partner publication of VG247. Some content, such as this article, has been migrated to VG247 for posterity after USgamer’s closure – but it has not been edited or further vetted by the VG247 team.
As someone who finds most YouTubers obnoxious, Girlfriend Reviews has been pointedly refreshing in its approach, making enjoying games feel warmly accessible to everyone-even to those without the intimidating gaming literacy needed to wield a controller
About a month ago I was recommended a Girlfriend Reviews video through Twitter. The name of the channel made me apprehensive; I imagined the worst stereotypes of the expectations of women and games bubbling up. But when I dove into the channel’s first video on Red Dead Redemption 2, I was hooked on its insightful wit. „This isn’t a review of Red Dead Redemption 2. This is a review of the experience of living with someone who plays Red Dead Redemption 2.“
Each Girlfriend Reviews video is well-edited and punchy, usually resting between four and eight minutes, matching acute observations with a consistently sharp sense of humor. Matt, the boyfriend, edits and pens the rough script. Shelby, the girlfriend reviewing, provides the narration for the videos and improvises jokes on top of everything. Unlike the sea of dudes who yell a lot for no reason as they review games on YouTube, Girlfriend Reviews parts the polluted ocean.
As for Matt and Shelby themselves, they’re as normal of a couple as can be. They’re so struck by the sudden influx of internet fame that they’re still on the fence about revealing their full names-they’re even hesitant to reveal their day jobs as to not inspire creepy netizens to track them down. Their inclination to secrecy has even led to bonkers conspiracy theories, like how a corporation is running the channel and not a real life couple with an admiration for video games. Continue reading…