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[brianmcdoogle]

I thought Alex was pretty good in the discussion (which is something I thought I would never type). All of the videos were great. I wish there was more Vinny, and that Dave had his crazy game of the year award. As for complaints, I have few. I didn't care for some of the categories this year, as some seemed too silly and designed with clear winners in mind. Also, the discussion on games themselves seemed much shorter than previous years, with a lot more "meta" talk about gaming in general. Most importantly, I felt like the GOTY top 10 discussion part was rushed. Remember in the first two years where they spent hours talking about just two games against each other? I think that they need to get rid of the "top 10" idea for GOTY, just give the award to 1 game, and have everything else just be a nominee (like previously). When they did that, the discussions seemed to yield much greater enthusiasm and detail for the respective games. Listening back on the '09 GOTY discussion, they seemed dead set on just having one winner, and two runner ups (not ranked). But, I'm glad they did the opposite of last year where each vetoed a game because that was a disaster fueled with anger. Lastly, and minorly, I don't understand how Syndicate made the list and FTL did not considering everyone else's lists; again, some parts just seemed rushed and a little disinterested. And, the final X-Com vs TWD battle (which I called months ago) had little passion to it all. But, these minor complaints shouldn't overshadow the enormous effort into the videos and the podcasts. A job well done, guys.

 

[rudds]

Brad, I respect you and your opinion, but Mass Effect 3 belonged nowhere above great games like FTL and Hotline Miami. Especially on the site's official Top 10. Your personal Top 10 exists for a reason. What if someone doesn't listen to the podcast and simply reads the awards. Are they to believe that Mass Effect 3 is both one of the three biggest disappointments of the year and one of the ten best games? It reflects poorly. I expect more from Giant Bomb. I'm not trying to hate. I'm not trying to say you're bad at your job. I'm simply saying it's nonsensical and honestly a bit unprofessional. I'm upset about it because it offends me as a fan.

It belongs on the list if we say it does. Telling us what to put on a list of our making is arrogant and presumptuous. You're free to go make your own list.

Mass Effect 3 is on the most disappointing list because many people, us included, rightfully expected and hoped it would be the best game of the generation. Clearly it wasn't, but that doesn't mean it's not still a very good game that does a lot of things right. No game is perfect, and if the top three games on our overall list of 10 each carries significant caveats, Mass Effect 3 can sure as shit slide in at number 8.

Assailing our "professionalism" (really?) because you don't agree with our choices, or EternalGamer's lack of basic decorum on the previous page, aren't good ways to start a civil discussion.

 

[Ventilaator]

Mass Effect 3 is on the most disappointing list because many people, us included, rightfully expected and hoped it would be the best game of the generation. Clearly it wasn't, but that doesn't mean it's not still a very good game that does a lot of things right.

Why was Assassin's Creed immediately disqualified then for being on the disappointing list? Disappointing doesn't mean bad, right?

 

[TriangleOfCorruption]

Why is "Bryan Davis" so funny?

This was my favourite bit of the whole thing and I have no idea why.

I know it's been said, but it is incredible (in a good way) how far removed the daily recap videos were from video games. GB really is a special website.

Also glad they made the right choice in the end, though there was less of a fight for The Walking Dead than I expected.

 

[brianmcdoogle]

Also, here's an idea for next year's theme: Persona 4 S.Links. 10 S.Links for 10 games.

 

[meltingparappa]

Also, here's an idea for next year's theme: Persona 4 S.Links. 10 S.Links for 10 games.

That'll be good, because it'll perfectly coincide with Persona 5

Spoiler

's teaser image announcing a 2014 release date

.

 

[Sheeshor]

Just a little sad about no love for Halo 4 but hey, personal opinions. Again really great Goty's altogether.

 

[jediyoshi]

come on brad. late nights and gaf do not mix.

 

[rudds]

Why was Assassin's Creed immediately disqualified then for being on the disappointing list? Disappointing doesn't mean bad, right?

I haven't played it, but it doesn't sound like the other guys save Ryan had any fun playing it at all. The two cases aren't really similar in that regard.

 

[rudds]

come on brad. late nights and gaf do not mix.

JUST DEPLANED A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, FEELING PUNCHY

 

[vitaminwateryum]

JUST DEPLANED A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, FEELING PUNCHY

BRAD WHICH GIANTBOMB EDITOR WOULD BE YOUR DAD?

 

[TemplaerDude]

Don't poke the tiger, guys.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Jeff sliding Syndicate through so it didn't have to contend in the "1 person likes this game" list of cuts was perplexing.

This. Syndicate being anywhere near a GOTY list is a fucking crime. Jeff really holds way too much sway in these discussions.

Really couldn't believe how some incredible near-perfect games got cut so Syndicate can hold a spot. Listening to Jeff try and justify it with "sliding with a gun!" just made me feel really bad for this entire process.

 

[XANDER CAGE]

Brad do you still have the mustache from Cop Show?

Because hell yeah

 

[Doctor Decimate]

This. Syndicate being anywhere near a GOTY list is a fucking crime. Jeff really holds way too much sway in these discussions.

Really couldn't believe how some incredible near-perfect games got cut so Syndicate can hold a spot. Listening to Jeff try and justify it with "sliding with a gun!" just made me feel really bad for this entire process.

does Patrick hold too much sway because ZombiU is on the list? do Brad and Vinny hold too much sway because Mass Effect 3 was there? does everyone hold too much sway for voting for games they really really liked?

 

[Conceited]

ZombiU and ME3 are the only two games in the top 10 that completely baffle me.

 

[Mutagenic]

Asura's Wrath showed up on my doorstep today despite it looking like the opposite of a game I'd enjoy. It's all GB's fault.

 

[GillianSeed79]

Why was Assassin's Creed immediately disqualified then for being on the disappointing list? Disappointing doesn't mean bad, right?

AC3 was the most disappointing. It's a bug-filled mess, combined with uninteresting/often frustratingly annoying story missions combined with terrain and cities that do nothing to promote the gameplay that made the AC series so great. It also has a shitty ending.

ME3 is actually a great game with interesting multiplayer marred by a shitty original ending and lore-specific DLC locked away behind space bucks. I'd say 80 to 90 percent of ME3 is amazing, it's that 10 to 20 percent that they fucked up with. Of the whole GB crew, I think my tastes most align with Brad's and Vinny's. ME3 was not as good a game as ME2, but it was probably in my personal top 10 this year. It's certainly better than DA2. I just wish we all had the same experience as Brad. I'm half tempted to download Leviathan now.

 

[Hoo-doo]

does Patrick hold too much sway because ZombiU is on the list? do Brad and Vinny hold too much sway because Mass Effect 3 was there? does everyone hold too much sway for voting for games they really really liked?

ZombiU is also one of the complete outliers on the list.
It's not the fact that Jeff and Patrick make a case for these games, that's exactly what should happen. But when the entire other crew don't even dare to object, even though you know they don't agree at all, that's where it gets weird. Jeff was putting down games left and right, like he should.

 

[TriangleOfCorruption]

Jeff sliding Syndicate through so it didn't have to contend in the "1 person likes this game" list of cuts was perplexing.

Jeff's argument for Syndicate was probably the best and most impassioned of the entire awards. Though yeah, I thought it was kind of odd that Syndicate and Zombie U got in ahead of FTL and Hotline Miami.

 

[GillianSeed79]

Jeff's argument for Syndicate was probably the best and most impassioned of the entire awards. Though yeah, I thought it was kind of odd that Syndicate and Zombie U got in ahead of FTL and Hotline Miami.

Jeff actually made a case for Syndicate. I was honestly surprised it made it to the top 10, but he made a case. Does no one remember back when Witcher 2 came out that Vinny was the only one that played it and they gave it a high spot? It was like No. 6 or something with no argument.

 

[Doctor Decimate]

ZombiU is also one of the complete outliers on the list.
It's not the fact that Jeff and Patrick make a case for these games, that's exactly what should happen. But when the entire other crew don't even dare to object, even though you know they don't agree at all, that's where it gets weird. Jeff was putting down games left and right, like he should.

i think at a certain point the list becomes "what did Jeff like? what did Brad like? Vinny? Ryan? Patrick?" and it's only the first few that are actually meant to definitively reflect ALL of their views.

 

[elektrixx]

I'm so glad Walking Dead didn't win. I just personally dislike that game so much.

After finding out the GOTY I bought it myself. Right now I'm lookin' around for Sleeping Dogs as well.

 

[benny_a]

I think they made it very clear that it's not the best games of the year. It's the list of games that Giant Bomb choose for their top games of the year 2012.

And if that means ZombiU and ME3 get a nod if 2 out of 5 enjoyed it a whole lot then that's great, isn't it?
ZombiU had a case being made in the GOTY discussion, the same way Hotline Miami had. But the latter only had one supporter so it was dropped.

Now if you want it real cut throat next year, ask them to get rid of their personal GOTY list. They were too content to have games in their own list to fight for them.

ZombiU is also one of the complete outliers on the list.
It's not the fact that Jeff and Patrick make a case for these games, that's exactly what should happen. But when the entire other crew don't even dare to object, even though you know they don't agree at all, that's where it gets weird. Jeff was putting down games left and right, like he should.

Someone objected to ZombiU and then a case was being made and Ryan said "I buy that" and the silence after that by the others seemed like agreement.
I have a feeling Alex also has an opinion on that game, just because he reads reviews for busted games and ZombiU certainly got those in close to launch. (Not that reading reviews trumps two people playing that game out of a group of 5.)

 

[jediyoshi]

Jeff's argument for Syndicate was probably the best and most impassioned of the entire awards. Though yeah, I thought it was kind of odd that Syndicate and Zombie U got in ahead of FTL and Hotline Miami.

I just think he had the benefit of the doubt to his advantage though. If Alex were conveying his argument for Hotline Miami with no one else having played it, it'd be way harder for anyone else to talk it down.

For the amount of love Jeff, Ryan, and Alex unilaterally had for Forza Horizon, it seemed crazy to me even that made it off.

 

[pelican]

ZombiU is also one of the complete outliers on the list.
It's not the fact that Jeff and Patrick make a case for these games, that's exactly what should happen. But when the entire other crew don't even dare to object, even though you know they don't agree at all, that's where it gets weird. Jeff was putting down games left and right, like he should.

Sorry. Did I miss something when you joined GB? It is their list. You get it? Their personal choices for the year. Not yours. Just because you don't particularly like Zombi or Syndicate doesn't mean that both games should not be on their list.

This is the problem with GOTY lists. Presumptuous gamers who can't understand or handle when people have different opinions than their own. Well guess what Hoo-doo, Zombi U is in my game of the year list. You want to tell me why I'm wrong?

 

[pelican]

Brad do you still have the mustache from Cop Show?

Because hell yeah

That was indeed a fine handlebar tash. As someone who tends to rock one of those during Movenber it is nice to see it being appreciated elsewhere;p

 

[Doctor Decimate]

Sorry. Did I miss something when you joined GB? It is their list. You get it? Their personal choices for the year. Not yours. Just because you don't particularly like Zombi or Syndicate doesn't mean that both games should not be on their list.

This is the problem with GOTY lists. Presumptuous gamers who can't understand or handle when people have different opinions than their own. Well guess what Hoo-doo, Zombi U is in my game of the year list. You want to tell me why I'm wrong?

i think what he's getting at is that nobody else at Giant Bomb put those games on their personal lists, not that they don't belong because they're bad or something

 

[Mister Negative]

i think the problem here is that waaaaaaay too much of neogaf puts a lot of stock into giantbomb

yeah it's a great site with great personalities but it's like you all hang on their every word

you care too much about their opinions and some people in here are even getting upset when gb's opinions don't match up with their own

chill out dudes it's just a website.

 

[Jb]

i think the problem here is that waaaaaaay too much of neogaf puts a lot of stock into giantbomb

yeah it's a great site with great personalities but it's like you all hang on their every word

you care too much about their opinions and some people in here are even getting upset when gb's opinions don't match up with their own

chill out dudes it's just a website.

Yeah. They're fun dudes to listen to talk about vigi games, but by no means are they great game critics. Which is why all their goty stuff is always the least interesting of their content, and it shines a light on the fact that their reviews aren't much better than high school book reports.

 

[Rapstah]

All their reviews that agree with me are pretty well written.

 

[Corky]

Anywhere to see the top 10 list? Nothing was mentioned in the Day 5 recap and I can't listen to the podcasts right now. Thanks.

edit : nvm found it, bottom of the day 5 article.

 

[solarus]

I thought Alex was pretty good in the discussion (which is something I thought I would never type).

Alex is not as bad as these forums and youtube comments would make people think, I'd like him to be in more content, the vitriol towards him makes no fucking sense. I mean he plays several games none of the other cast ever does, such as all the vita games, but then I forget that this is neogaf and the internet.

 

[Gong]

Alex is not as bad as these forums and youtube comments would make people think, I'd like him to be in more content, the vitriol towards him makes no fucking sense. I mean he plays several games none of the other cast ever does, such as all the vita games, but then I forget that this is neogaf and the internet.

Couldn't agree more. He's a good writer and I enjoy reading his work over the course of a year, underrated for sure. There again I still appreciate a written review, showing my age I guess ;-)

 

[demidar]

Couldn't agree more. He's a good writer and I enjoy reading his work over the course of a year, underrated for sure. There again I still appreciate a written review, showing my age I guess ;-)

He's king snark, opposite to Vinny who's enthusiastic about all except the most indefensible games.

 

[LuchaShaq]

I think my favorite part of this is Brad's downward self abusing cycle of responding to only negative forum posts and reading youtube comments. By next year he will be the one talking about chem trails and forums being the root of all evil Crazy Dennis Dyack style.

Also Mass Effect 3 doesn't belong in the top 50 let alone top 10 but everyone could smell the patented shoemaker filibuster and wanted to avoid it. I mean a game like Forza/hotline miami is on 3 top ten lists and doesn't get a spot but ME does?

Spoiler

TAKE THE BAIT DO IT! LET THE HATE FLOW THROUGH YOU!

Super secret spoilers!

Spoiler

I disagree with Brad constantly on games but still love him in videos/podcasts so whatever. If I just wanted people to parrot back my own opinions I'd look at the mirror for game coverage.

 

[Htown]

I disagree with a lot of the giant bomb guys on a weekly basis.

The fact that they can be super wrong doesn't mean they aren't worth reading/listening to. They're all pretty good at explaining their totally fucked up opinions, so it's nice to get a different perspective sometimes.

 

[I'm an expert]

They all made concessions this year to avoid the giant argument..which sucks. Shit like ME3 and Syndicate taking the place of games they ALL liked such as FTL and Hotline is just weird. But the actual number one spot was so unenthusiastic that I'd have rather taken an ME3 for goty filibuster just for the entertaining discussion.

 

[pelican]

i think the problem here is that waaaaaaay too much of neogaf puts a lot of stock into giantbomb

yeah it's a great site with great personalities but it's like you all hang on their every word

you care too much about their opinions and some people in here are even getting upset when gb's opinions don't match up with their own

chill out dudes it's just a website.

Exactly. The cult of personality is strong with GB. I usually think that the members hanging on their every word tend to be on the lower age scale. Maybe young teenagers. Impressionable kids. I hope not adults. That would be slightly worrying.

As an adult gamer with the ability to rationalise and form an opinion of my own I enjoy viewing their content, and listening to the Bombcast. I am interested in what they have to say, but I am more invested in my own thoughts and opinions of games. A lot of the times I disagree. So what. It would be boring if we all had the identical GOTY Top 10.

In all honesty if I was one of the GB guys I think I would appreciate my approach. A reader who enjoys their content, and hearing their opinion over some fanatical forum kid sending in mailbox garbage and hanging on their every word. At times I imagine it gets a bit tiring, and uncomfortable for them e.g. Brad's earlier post due to feeling that he had to justify the inclusion of ME3 in their list to some presumptuous forum member "calling" him out.

 

[solarus]

Super secret spoilers!

Spoiler

I disagree with Brad constantly on games but still love him in videos/podcasts so whatever. If I just wanted people to parrot back my own opinions I'd look at the mirror for game coverage.

This. I like the diversity of tastes offered by each bombcast member.

Spoiler

Vinny is still the best though

 

[AHA-Lambda]

Good list overall, don't agree with Syndicate being on there I'll say that, especially when Dust got passed over but on the whole a good job.

And I think we can say that XCOM was going to win as the days progressed going by the tone of the conversations.

 

[grandjedi6]

Brad do you still have the mustache from Cop Show?

Because hell yeah

Collection-SHUN Brad was clean shaven so I imagine no.

 

[Plasma]

I'm surprised that Borderlands 2 didn't even enter into the conversation, it seems like it was just forgotten.

I think Mass Effect 3 does deserve to be on that list, for me it was a big disappointment but still a good game and I would certainly rank it as one of the top ten of the year.

I still haven't played X-Com but I picked it up during the sales so I'll get around to it but I just got the feeling this year that there just wasn't a real stand out game and it kind of just won by default. Here's to hoping next year brings some better games I guess.

 

[chogidogs]

Yeah, felt that Syndicate got bullied to the top. I guess the rest of the guys were happy having their small victories (having ZombiU and Sleepy Dawgs in the top 10) to argue. And so high up the list too for something only 1 guy was clearly passionate about.

The rest of it was fine. Like they said, it was an awesome list of games and they did acknowledge how great the games they cut were despite not being in the final list.

 

[atomsk]

I enjoy listening to the process even though my top games for the year would never make the list. (Virtue's Last Reward, Trials Evo, Dragon's Dogma)

It's entertaining, and really, what more do you want from a podcast on the internet?

 

[Rapstah]

I'm surprised that Borderlands 2 didn't even enter into the conversation, it seems like it was just forgotten.

They consciously excluded it, I think Alex mentioned it and no one cared for it.

I wrote half a page here of reasons why it's dumb for people to reduce some criticism of their picks to "it's just their opinion!" because literally every pick anyone has ever put on a list has been that person's or group's opinion, but I am terrible at phrasing that type of stuff.

 

[Riposte]

Does seeing "how the sausage is made" make you guys care more or care less about the game they choose as GotY (and runners-up, why not)? I mean in terms as seeing it as a respectable piece of criticism.

 

[eot]

Exactly. The cult of personality is strong with GB. I usually think that the members hanging on their every word tend to be on the lower age scale. Maybe young teenagers. Impressionable kids. I hope not adults. That would be slightly worrying.

It's been said a thousand times but some people just want to have their opinions validated by the critics the listen to. If that's what you're after then you probably take it too personally when they disagree with you.

 

[demidar]

Does seeing "how the sausage is made" make you guys care more or care less about the game they choose as GotY (and runners-up, why not)? I mean in terms as seeing it as a respectable piece of criticism.

I think it convinces people to give a second look and that's it. If people have already decided that number one on the GotY lists is shit (personally) almost nothing will change their mind. I personally think TWD and Frog Fractions is overrated despite being great games, nothing's gonna change that (personally) but critics at the very least need to back up their picks otherwise their GotY list is shit. In that way, even though I may disagree with a list if it's backed up reasonably and rationally then it's completely valid.

 

[Curufinwe]

But it conflicts with their own awards. The personal top 10's are fair game, I understand. But at this point the overall site's judgement is conflicting with itself. It's a sign of less than thorough deliberation, and it comes off as unbecoming and unprofessional from a group of guys I really respect. I couldn't even see IGN or G4 pulling something like that.

I think they should start with a weighted average of their personal top 10s and then make adjustments if necessary.