No no no. Re-review Lair AFTER reading the new manual

[cthellis42]

Haha, I lied! Just wanted to address this quickly...

I am stunned that people are finding it easier to dismiss the ability of an entire industry of professionals to do their job rather than accept the faults of one game. This is especially ironic when they are accusing game reviewers of clinging to their preconceptions.

I find a you have to give a lot of reviews wide score birth, as I get "panned" games (which some people seem to think are "rated 7 or below") which I think should have been rated higher, and "universally beloved" games (in the 9's, for the most part) that I would rate much lower. Personally, I tend to ignore score and read ONLY the text. (But I will react to score discrepancies when they turn up since I know a lot MORE people eyeball the score to being with, and either go by that alone, or let it color their impression of everything else.)

In this case, what I'm seeing are quite simply scores that don't reflect their comments; or, rather, comments that take up 80% of the column complaining about something they, IMHO, are probably weighing too heavily. Now I'm certainly willing to be shown wrong (and I'm already blaming Sony/F5 for trying to FORCE immature controls or mechanics that would take 10 seconds to program in a workaround for those not as thrilled), but I get the feeling from reading review that some things are being overemphasized for the sake of overemphasizing it, and that they actually have free reign to right now. Sony's been rather a punching bag this gen (well, ever since announcing the PS3's price), and even though I see completely mediocre games score in the 7's all the time, and completely infuriating things (like a game's camera controls) knock off perhaps a point from the total score, it just doesn't seem to be the case here.

Personally, I think this might mark something ELSE that's up instead... what reviewers might want to really give some games, but in the end don't feel they can. (Due to customer pressure, boss pressure, advertiser pressure, or what have you; conscious or unconscious.) I'd just like to point out again that IGN, for instance, essentially gave Drakengard an 8. I'll let that sink in for anyone who's played more than a few levels of Drakengard.

...and on that topic, I will now shut up. I swear. (I hope...)


At any rate, I don't think their (Sony + F5's) reactions TO all this has been handled remotely well, and the review guide--if they were going to do anything with it--indeed needed to be bundled early, as opposed to being used by damage control. Essentially, F5 should have sucked it up and said "there are still some issues with X/Y/Z and we're taking care of that in an upcoming patch" and "we really DO think you'll like our controls best, but since we understand not all gamers' tastes are the same as our own, we've added analog control (which they already frickin' HAVE if you route it through the PSP or plug in a Dual Shock) options" and left it at that. In fact, if they got that out right alongside the first reviews, it would have at least TEMPERED others and gotten a quick comment by the original ones; people like to know when they've made an impact.

Honestly, they have to give away a lot of free handjobs to clean out the PR sewer they've created for themselves among gamers.

 

[D3B]

Or... a game that doesn't accurate respond to user input isn't fun to a lot of gamers and fans are getting mad and attacking the messenger?

Funny skate is the same way yet it gets a 9 in gameplay Its the exact same thing, go to do a kickfilp but you ollie intead.

 

[kyleb]

Heh, I was thinking the same thing on Skate. I've only been able to kickflip about 8 out of 10 times I try, but I don't blame that on the analog sticks.

 

[AlphaWolf]

The reviews I've read didn't just slam the controls, they slammed everything but the sound. Graphical errors, insane camera control, weak game play including timed repetitive frustrating missions. If those things are true, in no way does a game deserve to get a mediocre score.

It seems that certain people are looking for an excuse to make lair out to be better than it is in reality. While I would never just take the word of one reviewer it seems to me when a game is universally panned the conspiracy theories should be laid to rest.

 

[ihamoitc2005]

Motion controls

This is getting really ridiculous. Did some of you even bother to read the reviews or did you just glance at the score?

I only say expert gamers do not like motion controls. They all laugh at wii controls and say it's a silly gimmick and other odd comments.

Wii play is one of the best games and very popular. People love to play it. A good reviewer must look at game from perspective of target audience not his own preference. I am casual only player. For me, of the three games I list, Wii play will get much higher score than Gears of War and God of War.


Wii Play
8.0 Gameplay
Fun. Best as a multiplayer affair and in short bursts. Bowling is amazing. Baseball and tennis are good. And the others need work. All the modes lack depth.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
Despite being a shallow affair, the simple controls work well with the games and nurture return multiplayer bouts.

Gears of War
10 Gameplay
For shooter fans with Xbox Live, this is as good as it gets. Co-operative play is the new black.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
Even though the campaign isn't massive, you'll play it at least twice - once singleplayer, once co-op. Then you've got online to keep you busy for a while.

God of War
9.5 Gameplay
The platforming elements need to take hints from Sands of Time and the puzzles could do with a little more thought and a little less block pushing. Everything else is nearly perfect.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Hey other developers! See all that wacky crap that opens up after you beat GOW? See how it's all candid and fluff free? Yeah, now you suckers do that, too.

 

[liolio]

I only say expert gamers do not like motion controls. They all laugh at wii controls and say it's a silly gimmick and other odd comments.

Wii play is one of the best games and very popular. People love to play it. A good reviewer must look at game from perspective of target audience not his own preference. I am casual only player. For me, of the three games I list, Wii play will get much higher score than Gears of War and God of War.


Wii Play
8.0 Gameplay
Fun. Best as a multiplayer affair and in short bursts. Bowling is amazing. Baseball and tennis are good. And the others need work. All the modes lack depth.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
Despite being a shallow affair, the simple controls work well with the games and nurture return multiplayer bouts.

Gears of War
10 Gameplay
For shooter fans with Xbox Live, this is as good as it gets. Co-operative play is the new black.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
Even though the campaign isn't massive, you'll play it at least twice - once singleplayer, once co-op. Then you've got online to keep you busy for a while.

God of War
9.5 Gameplay
The platforming elements need to take hints from Sands of Time and the puzzles could do with a little more thought and a little less block pushing. Everything else is nearly perfect.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Hey other developers! See all that wacky crap that opens up after you beat GOW? See how it's all candid and fluff free? Yeah, now you suckers do that, too.

I see your your point but you can't break appart a game evaluation (review) from the game's category (ie fps, plateformers, racing games, party games, etc. ).

People who ate shooting games are unlikely to buy GeoW.

You can't compare the best shooting game and the best racing game no matter how well they ranked respectively for example.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

I am casual only player. For me, of the three games I list, Wii play will get much higher score than Gears of War and God of War.

Well, that's all fine, but it's completely subjective. What relevance does this have to the topic?

 

[Scott_Arm]

Well, that's all fine, but it's completely subjective. What relevance does this have to the topic?

I think he's suggesting that reviewers have a larger job than writing reviews that cater to themselves (hardcore gamers). Whether they actually do that or not already, I don't know.

 

[Laa-Yosh]

But his example doesn't mean much. We all know that Wii play is the most successful sales wise, that Gears is a close second and God of War is nowhere near these two. But what we don't know is how many people have enjoyed Wii play, Gears and GOW; the question of which is the better game is a completly subjective issue.

 

[ultragpu]

It really is kind of sad and a desperate move from Sony/Factor 5 IMO. This game has more than just controller problems, big framerate problems that makes it harder to be precise, graphics that range from bad to good etc.

sad for for the reviewers who were incapable of playing such a simple game i say. sorry need to get offensive here but it's really not that hard to control, all my friends had no problems either. so far im into 10th mission and there's no major framerate issues so bad to influence gameplay. everygame has graphics from bad to good. wats your point? in Lair most of the visuals are amazingly good, only some parts are lacking, so what? i'll find some bad graphics from crysis right now if u would require. just wondering thouhg do you own the game?

 

[AlphaWolf]

sad for for the reviewers who were incapable of playing such a simple game i say. sorry need to get offensive here but it's really not that hard to control, all my friends had no problems either. so far im into 10th mission and there's no major framerate issues so bad to influence gameplay. everygame has graphics from bad to good. wats your point? in Lair most of the visuals are amazingly good, only some parts are lacking, so what? i'll find some bad graphics from crysis right now if u would require. just wondering thouhg do you own the game?

Clearly all reviewers suck and 6 avg of Lair on gamerankings is the biggest travesty of justice since the OJ acquittal.

/sarcasm

GIVE IT UP.

 

[ultragpu]

Clearly all reviewers suck and 6 avg of Lair on gamerankings is the biggest travesty of justice since the OJ acquittal.

/sarcasm

GIVE IT UP.

i doubt 80% of them on gamerankings has even play the game. so did u play the game by any chance?

 

[AlphaWolf]

i doubt 80% of them on gamerankings has even play the game. so did u play the game by any chance?

yes clearly reviewers are just making up the scores, their editors really don't mind that they never play the game and write up some bs review, and they happily sign their paycheck while saying "good job, I can't wait for the next review you write for our e-zine of a game you haven't played".

The conspiracy theory bs needs to stop, grow up, lair is not worth it.

 

[ultragpu]

yes clearly reviewers are just making up the scores, their editors really don't mind that they never play the game and write up some bs review, and they happily sign their paycheck while saying "good job, I can't wait for the next review you write for our e-zine of a game you haven't played".

The conspiracy theory bs needs to stop, grow up, lair is not worth it.

no you need to grow up for trusting everything media has told you. make up your own mind or wait, you dont own lair or ps3? then trust wateva u wanna belive like i care.

 

[SugarCoat]

no you need to grow up for trusting everything media has told you.

not that i want to take this further but who are you exactly that anyone should use you as the moral compass over what many regard as professionals? To me you look like a random opinionated person on a forum and that doesnt go real far.

 

[ultragpu]

not that i want to take this further but who are you exactly that anyone should use you as the moral compass over what many regard as professionals? To me you look like a random opinionated person on a forum and that doesnt go real far.

look, no one has to listen to me. im sorry if i offended anyone but like you said, this is my just my opinion.

 

[AlphaWolf]

look, no one has to listen to me. im sorry if i offended anyone but like you said, this is my just my opinion.

...and you are free to have your opinion, just as are the reviewers. Their lack of agreement with you does not mean they are biased, paid off, stupid, didn't play the game or anything else. It just means they don't agree with you.

 

[ultragpu]

...and you are free to have your opinion, just as are the reviewers. Their lack of agreement with you does not mean they are biased, paid off, stupid, didn't play the game or anything else. It just means they don't agree with you.

i understand when people dont agree with me, but just because you dont agree doesnt mean i should "GIVE UP" enjoying it.

 

[Strange]

Better yet, release the game on PSN for $30 and you'll sell a good amount of copies.

Enough copies were sold at Amazon for a price lower than $30 I believe

I can see the reason behind the PR disaster.
the biggest attack most reviewers threw at Lair was motion sensing.
If most players (as most people who have played the game on this forum have noted) doesn't have a problem with it, then it seem right that Sony/Factor 5 should do something about it.

But I doubt this is the best liable solution.

 

[sevanig]

Enough copies were sold at Amazon for a price lower than $30 I believe

I can see the reason behind the PR disaster.
the biggest attack most reviewers threw at Lair was motion sensing.
If most players (as most people who have played the game on this forum have noted) doesn't have a problem with it, then it seem right that Sony/Factor 5 should do something about it.

But I doubt this is the best liable solution.

See but the main reason I want the game is because of motion sensing (I dont have a nintendo wii) just to be able to fly using the tilt controls...