The Video Game Thread v3

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This will raise some hairs but I personally feel any game that's exclusive to the PS will always get a review score higher than it deserves. It's been this way for generations. I think there's an element of fanboyism in the industry that makes it hard to get truly unbiased reviews of most exclusives whether it be a PS, Xbox, or Nintendo game. Last of Us 2 was nowhere near deserving of its high review scores. Uncharted 3 and 4 were just good games not deserving of 10's or even 9's. I liked Deathloop maybe more than you but I agree it's not GOTY material as it had some pacing issues, AI was bad, and limited environments. It's a good start though and I could see a sequel being a lot better if they add more variety and clean some things up. Would it have reviewed as high if it was released on all platforms? I doubt it.

It's the extra reviews from the platform specific sites that boost up scores on exclusive games. Like every big Nintendo game gets an extra dozen or more 10/10 scores from NintendoLife, NintendoEnthusiast, NintendoEverything, etc. Same with Sony exclusives.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This will raise some hairs but I personally feel any game that's exclusive to the PS will always get a review score higher than it deserves. It's been this way for generations. I think there's an element of fanboyism in the industry that makes it hard to get truly unbiased reviews of most exclusives whether it be a PS, Xbox, or Nintendo game. Last of Us 2 was nowhere near deserving of its high review scores. Uncharted 3 and 4 were just good games not deserving of 10's or even 9's. I liked Deathloop maybe more than you but I agree it's not GOTY material as it had some pacing issues, AI was bad, and limited environments. It's a good start though and I could see a sequel being a lot better if they add more variety and clean some things up. Would it have reviewed as high if it was released on all platforms? I doubt it.

I'm not sure it's Platform specific but more developer specific.

Rockstar and Naugthy Dog tend to get 10/10 no matter if the game is good or not.

I think Deathloop benefitted from launching in what was a very dry time for games, and people were just excited for a new AAA Next Gen title.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This will raise some hairs but I personally feel any game that's exclusive to the PS will always get a review score higher than it deserves. It's been this way for generations. I think there's an element of fanboyism in the industry that makes it hard to get truly unbiased reviews of most exclusives whether it be a PS, Xbox, or Nintendo game. Last of Us 2 was nowhere near deserving of its high review scores. Uncharted 3 and 4 were just good games not deserving of 10's or even 9's. I liked Deathloop maybe more than you but I agree it's not GOTY material as it had some pacing issues, AI was bad, and limited environments. It's a good start though and I could see a sequel being a lot better if they add more variety and clean some things up. Would it have reviewed as high if it was released on all platforms? I doubt it.

I think you are right for the most part. So many exclusive games get hyped up for years. So much so that some reviewers end up convincing themselves the game lives up to it.

With that being said games are such a unique medium of storytelling and interactivity that they are extremely objective. I’ve played games that are universally loved that I didn’t like at all and vice versa. It’s interesting that you mention The Last of Us 2 as I actually loved it and it’s the only recent game in memory that I thought was worthy of a 10/10 score.

On a random note I actually enjoyed the “dumb” AI in Deathloop and thought that was an intentional choice. I think the devs wanted the gameplay to be fast and make you feel like a superhero chaining together kills and combos in a unique way.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by bax

I think you are right for the most part. So many exclusive games get hyped up for years. So much so that some reviewers end up convincing themselves the game lives up to it.

With that being said games are such a unique medium of storytelling and interactivity that they are extremely objective. I’ve played games that are universally loved that I didn’t like at all and vice versa. It’s interesting that you mention The Last of Us 2 as I actually loved it and it’s the only recently game in memory that I thought was worthy of a 10/10 score.

On a random note I actually enjoyed the “dumb” AI in Deathloop and thought that was an intentional choice. I think the devs wanted the gameplay to be fast and make you feel like a superhero chaining together kills and combos in a unique way.

Maybe. I kind of felt they made up for bad AI by having you vastly outnumbered and this is a game where you can't take many hits before you die. I still feel it's a very good game as it's a fresh take that has a lot of potential to be better with a sequel.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Raekwon

I grabbed one, I'm not sure why especially with all of the attachments being extra. also if I don't get assigned Group A I will just cancel mine lol

Group A: Q1 2022
Group B: Q4 2022
Group C: 2023

Just got the email. I'm Q4 2022. I'm on the fence about cancelling. Anyone get the Q1 date?

[photon]

Nope, Q4 as well, will probably cancel. May have anyway, my desire to play retro games is a lot less the past few years.

[photon]

Played some BF2042 for the free weekend, and I'm still a bit on the fence of buying it now, but will probably get it at some point, it was still pretty fun.

The fact that I could play single player games against bots to level up and get weapon and vehicle unlocks was nice too (not sure if this has always been an option). I can't get 200 kills in a game against humans, but farming bots to get a good sight or whatever sure helps...

Being able to unlock the basics before going up against real people is nice.

[chemgear]

Happy holidays! May you have a great time playing games alone or with your friends and family (kids too).

[OutOfTheCube]

I got Guardians of the Galaxy for Christmas.

5 hours in so far and it is excellent. Kind of refreshing to play a more linear style action/adventure game focused on it's characters instead of open world bloat. Really fun and lightning fast pace, great music, great art and graphics. Really recommend it!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

In case someone missed it, the Epic Games Store has a $14 coupon you can stack with their boxing week deals.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I got Guardians of the Galaxy for Christmas.

5 hours in so far and it is excellent. Kind of refreshing to play a more linear style action/adventure game focused on it's characters instead of open world bloat. Really fun and lightning fast pace, great music, great art and graphics. Really recommend it!

Honestly think it might be my favourite game of the year

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I got Guardians of the Galaxy for Christmas.

5 hours in so far and it is excellent. Kind of refreshing to play a more linear style action/adventure game focused on it's characters instead of open world bloat. Really fun and lightning fast pace, great music, great art and graphics. Really recommend it!

As much as I love open world games, sometimes you need a nice action game on a rail to take you where you need to go and just enjoy the ride. Can't wait to try this game out.

[ComixZone]

Yeah, I'll also throw in my praise for Guardians of the Galaxy. A well told story that kept me engaged through the entire game.

My only complaint would be that Drax felt like a Kmart version of MCU Drax. Just something with his character model and voice acting felt off.

[codynw]

Yea it's been a pretty terrible year for games, but Guardians of the Galaxy was fantastic. The only other 2021 games I played might be Ratchet & Clank and Back 4 Blood honestly? I'll play Halo, Forza, Far Cry and possibly Deathloop eventually, but as far as must play games there's been almost nothing for me.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by codynw

Yea it's been a pretty terrible year for games, but Guardians of the Galaxy was fantastic. The only other 2021 games I played might be Ratchet & Clank and Back 4 Blood honestly? I'll play Halo, Forza, Far Cry and possibly Deathloop eventually, but as far as must play games there's been almost nothing for me.

How was Back 4 Blood?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

How was Back 4 Blood?

It's alright so far. Modernized Left 4 Dead essentially, I haven't played it a lot yet though.

[TorqueDog]

No couch co-op on Back 4 Blood is a huge miss. L4D and L4D2 were amazing couch co-op games.

[Vinny01]

I really enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy as well. My only issue with it is the game was far too short and there is not a ton of reason to replay and no DLC on the horizon.

Glad I waited until Black Friday and got it for $40 because it is great value at that price. $80 will leave the gamer wanting more.

The Batman Arkham Series and Spider-Man are still the class of the superhero games but GoG was a ton a fun though really enjoyable game and story. Just wish it was longer

[Badgers Nose]

Just finished Disco Elysium yesterday. Gotta say, that's probably the best $22 I've ever spent.

[btimbit]

Usually, we have our game of the year thread by now but I don't know about you guys, this year I just can't be bothered. There were definitely games I liked but nothing I played screamed GOTY quality to me.

I guess Halo? Never got into the series myself but people that did seem to really like this iteration