Bioshock Infinite - Review Thread [UP: IGN exclusive split PC/Console review up]

How many of the reviews focus on the console slowdown? The IGN review mentions it but for a 9.4 score it must not be game breaking. I will probably get it for 360 first and maybe try on my 'gaming' laptop later if it really is that awesome.
 
ironcreed said:
Come on, the review was articulated very well and he covered the bases of his experience in a thought out and nuanced fashion. He does this for a living, is he not allowed to use his vocabulary to express his experience in a professional way? Should he not express praise for his experience with different themes he encountered within the game? Of course not, because the game is obviously an overrated piece of shit, just like every other game that has received a good review this gen. That about right?
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There are 5 things Derrick likes.

dylan-o.gif

Deus Ex, Deus Ex, Deus Ex Deus Ex and Deus Ex.

Actually that's disingenuous.

dylan-o.gif

Obsidian, Obsidian, Obsidian Obsidian and Obsidian.
 
Syrinx said:
See...you say this now. But the problem is that I think many of the people who say this now but end up not liking Infinite will also be the ones to scorn game reviewers for their overwhelming praise of the game.

I have no problem with what Derrick and others are doing in this thread. After incidents like every GTA IV review and Greg Miller's Uncharted 3 review, I think people have a right to be cynical about these reviews.
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Let's just hate every game that is coming out in advance. You know, just to be on the safe side.
 
Derrick01 said:
It's one more people need. We're playing games, not movies or paintings. Reviews need to stop spending 70% of their time telling me how all of that bullshit is and tell me if the gameplay works or not.
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You're fighting a losing battle. Advances in technology have naturally meant that talented creators are looking to elevate the medium. You can create better stories, better worlds, better characters. Rallying against this seems to me totally backward.

That's not to say the gameplay should be ignored. But come on, this is an action FPS. Unless the game's mechanics are broken, you know more or less what the game delivers in that sense. You've probably played about 500 games with basically the exact same gameplay. I mean if they were reviewing Pacman 65: The Quickening, would you still be only concerned with whether or not the gameplay is cool? How the ghost AI functions? People want more than just a mechanically sound FPS if they're going to buy yet another one. Well, most do. Revolutionary companion AI, artful themes and narrative, fully realised world - that's what sets the game apart. And you're treating it like a weakness. It's absurd.
 
Syrinx said:
See...you say this now. But the problem is that I think many of the people who say this now but end up not liking Infinite will also be the ones to scorn game reviewers for their overwhelming praise of the game.

I have no problem with what Derrick and others are doing in this thread. After incidents like every GTA IV review and Greg Miller's Uncharted 3 review, I think people have a right to be cynical about these reviews.
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Be a cynic then. If the game was reviewing badly you know what would happen? People would come out and say I told you so or LOL and joke about it. It works both ways so let's try and not make this political.

The game is reviewing well and that is awesome.

When I play it, I will offer my take but damn if tons of reviews aren't giving it praise. It's not an accident.

ironcreed said:
Let's just hate every game that is coming out in advance. You know, just to be on the safe side.
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Exactly lol

I mean, don't trust reviews AND be fair, don't trust cynical gaffers while you're at it. I have never decided a purchase based on what anyone here has had to say. I'm the final word when it comes to games I buy.
 
Sane_Man said:
The backlash from certain people in here against the reviews before they've even played the game is completely embarrassing. Even more so at the people whining about reviews talking about more than the bare-bones of the game. For the gaming industry to move forwards there should be some intellectual commentary on the game, rather than just "the graphics are awesome!", etc.
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You don't have to play the game to criticize writing. While I think the reaction is exaggerated, it's obvious most of these reviewers are gushing either with the way they write or the final score they give.
 
nib95 said:
Enjoyed reading this. Not as in-depth as some of the others, but it's a bit more balanced in that it delves in to some of the negatives as well as the positives. I will say though, get new hosting or something, because the site is very slow to load for me. Both the page and the screenshots.
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Thank you! I didn't see the point in delving into the world of Columbia and giving lots of vague information about the story - that's what all the big sites have done. Wanted to post my thoughts on it and share some of its flaws, its still a very enjoyable game though!
 
FartOfWar said:
Do what I do when it comes to the value proposition: Wait for release, listen to the people who you trust, ignore the rest, and follow your gut. I don't read reviews to inform buying decisions. I have so many more reliable filters. And to be honest, I don't think anyone else here does either. But it's fun to know that you turn to intuition, forums, informed friends with comparable taste, and then pretend that critics are the ones costing you money isn't it?
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Fuckin' A. Most of the time, I've made my decision whether or not to buy a game long, long before it gets reviewed. I keep a close eye on previews, and if a game looks interesting to me and looks like it could be good, then I'm going to pick it up and see for myself. I learned a long time ago that it's a mistake to base what I play on the opinions of others. I only needed to go through so many cases where a game I really liked got bad reviews or was widely bashed by other gamers, or a game that got excellent reviews and was widely adored but did nothing for me.
 
Balb said:
Based on watching Sessler's review I'm more interested in playing the game. I'm not sure if I'll like the story (Elizabeth's character and design seem too manipulative and contrived from the given footage) but it seems interesting at the very least and I'll probably be glad I played it for its narrative ambition.
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These are the guys that thought up the Little Sisters. Its sort of a no shit.
 
Sane_Man said:
Yep, pure anti-intellectualism from the typical contrarians shitting up the thread.
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Confusing people using big words just to use big words as being an intellectual is probably the saddest thing that has happened in this thread. And yes I'm including the actual reviews for this game in there too.
 
MiamiWesker said:
Almost no reviews have anything on Move support, WTF come on guys that is the point of you getting early copies to tell us about these things. Do your job.

I am a bit scared on the whole story story story thing. Seems like story is the reason for the rave reviews over gameplay.
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for real.
 
Muffdraul said:
Fuckin' A. Most of the time, I've made my decision whether or not to buy a game long, long before it gets reviewed. I keep a close eye on previews, and if a game looks interesting to me and looks like it could be good, then I'm going to pick it up and see for myself. I learned a long time ago that it's a mistake to base what I play on the opinions of others. I only needed to go through so many cases where a game I really liked got bad reviews or was widely bashed by other gamers, or a game that got excellent reviews and was widely adored but did nothing for me.
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Yup.

Plus if a franchise or series has designers where I dig what they think or say about games or even personal views, I'm usually going to play what they put out.

Many people on Gaf gushed about Sleeping dogs, and I thought it was average in every way.

Derrick01 said:
Confusing people using big words just to use big words as being an intellectual is probably the saddest thing that has happened in this thread. And yes I'm including the actual reviews for this game in there too.
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If I'm confused about a word I usually, you know, look up the definition. Being bitter because of varied vocabulary is sorta weird.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
I mean, don't trust reviews AND be fair and don't trust cynical gaffers while you're at it. I have never decided a purchase based on what anyone here has had to say. I'm the final word when it comes to games I buy.
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Everyone has an agenda, thats how I view things. With Bioshock Infinite, I suspect some people have been yearning for System Shock 3. And because thats not the game Irrational are making, it was never going to sit well with everyone.
 
nib95 said:
Wanting reviews to be devoid of any proficient literacy or use of the English language is anti-intellectualism.
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There is a middle ground between bland straightforward description and prose so purple you wanna perform the heimlich maneuver on it.
 
captainnapalm said:
That's not to say the gameplay should be ignored. But come on, this is an action FPS. Unless the game's mechanics are broken, you know more or less what the game delivers in that sense. You've probably played about 500 games with basically the exact same gameplay.
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So why would I want to play this game lol? The story? You can read/watch it then rather than slog through a game that you've played a hundred times before. That's what I wish these reviews would get to - if you're a fan of this genre there's nothing here for you outside of everything but the gameplay. Which is totally fine for some people, but also not for others.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
Be a cynic then. If the game was reviewing badly you know what would happen? People would come out and say I told you so or LOL and joke about it. It works both ways so let's try and not make this political.

The game is reviewing well and that is awesome.

When I play it, I will offer my take but damn if tons of reviews aren't giving it praise. It's not an accident.
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Don't get me wrong; I'm INCREDIBLY excited for this game. And it kills me that I have to wait til Thursday before I can play it.

Here's an example of what I mean. We recently had a thread about the worst game reviews people have read. And Greg Miller's review of Uncharted 3 was a staple in that thread. And rightfully so; it was the definition of a review that was basically a thousand words that said absolutely nothing.

But my point is, when that review first came out, it was a review that many people were getting themselves even more hyped over. At the time, people went nuts about it. Only in the wake of Uncharted 3 not being that great did that review come to be universally pointed and laughed at.

So...I think being skeptical and cynical about what these guys are saying isn't really a bad thing. And hell, maybe I'm only saying this because my hype has gotten to the point where I didn't really care at all about what the reviews say. Just saying that it's important to stay judicious.
 
Watching Sessler's review made me really appreciate how well they seemed to nail Columbia. It was almost jarring when he switched over to briefly talking about the shooting. I forgot for a moment this was still a FPS first and foremost, and I really wasn't a fan of the gameplay in bioshock 1/2 to boot.

Still, giving this a fair shake and in all honestly the game seems to have come together a lot better than I anticipated previously, so props to the team.
 
Syrinx said:
Don't get me wrong; I'm INCREDIBLY excited for this game. And it kills me that I have to wait til Thursday before I can play it.

Here's an example of what I mean. We recently had a thread about the worst game reviews people have read. And Greg Miller's review of Uncharted 3 was a staple in that thread. And rightfully so; it was the definition of a review that was basically a thousand words that said absolutely nothing.

But my point is, when that review first came out, it was a review that many people were getting themselves even more hyped over. At the time, people went nuts about it. Only in the wake of Uncharted 3 not being that great did that review come to be universally pointed and laughed at.

So...I think being skeptical and cynical about what these guys are saying isn't really a bad thing. And hell, maybe I'm only saying this because my hype has gotten to the point where I didn't really care at all about what the reviews say. Just saying that it's important to stay judicious.
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Believe it or not I am definitely in check but I don't like to read too many of a certain type of reply when I'm staying calm and not going OMG GOTY. Just as some are going the opposite and dismissing the great reviews. I'm tempered even if hyped.
 
The thing I don't get is that most of the reviews I've read/watched said that the gameplay is pretty awesome.

So what is the issue. They say it's story/world and stuff is great and the game is fun as well.

I get beign cynical and all but some of you must be a joy to be around. Constantly looking for the negative just so you can say you aren't biased or a sheep. Expecting perfection with everything must get tiring.

I know I know "but if you don't expect perfection...they will give you slock".

Not every reviewer is paid off here.

Maybe the game is actually good?

and if it bothers you so damn much...find something else to do. I get tired of hearing "games are so boring/bad" from the same parties in every thread....

maybe it's time for you to find another hobby?

inb4 "not everythread has to be a circlejerk" or "this is a forum bro".

I get it but sweet jesus man. Lighten up a bit.

All that pessimism is depressing as hell.

Ruins good vibes and stuff
 
BruceLeeRoy said:
I hate to ramble like a schoolgirl but allow me to embarrass myself for just a second.

I will never forget your exit from CGW where you broke down what was wrong with the current trend of games(Mentioned your Crysis review) where the majority of effort was to push more beautiful cinematic experiences but that the things that mattered - AI, and overall gameplay were being left behind and that by going to Irrational you were joining up with people that wanted to push gameplay again and evolve that first and foremost. It looks like a lot of people think you accomplished that so a early congrats man I can't wait to play the game.
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Thanks so much, man. Now I'm waiting to see people in this thread accuse me of suggesting that reviews shouldn't evaluate games as interactive ecosystems. : ) Thankfully I've said a lot of shit on record over the years.
 
HK-47 said:
There is a middle ground between bland straightforward description and prose so purple you wanna perform the heimlich maneuver on it.
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I don't really want bland straightforward descriptions from all the paid professionals. I have GAF and user reviews/impressions that do as much. Casual opinions shall we say. These journalists however are supposed to represent the best of the industry, and yes, a proper use of the language as well as a more versatile means of expressing and justifying their opinions might entail that.

None of Sesslar's review for example seems unnecessarily fluffy. It might be overly positive, but he justifies his opinion with a very well thought out explanation that highlights his love for the game and medium. If he'd been as positive without the thorough exploration in to the 'why', I would have disregarded his positivity altogether. Instead I fully appreciated and acknowledged it.
 
Syrinx said:
Don't get me wrong; I'm INCREDIBLY excited for this game. And it kills me that I have to wait til Thursday before I can play it.

Here's an example of what I mean. We recently had a thread about the worst game reviews people have read. And Greg Miller's review of Uncharted 3 was a staple in that thread. And rightfully so; it was the definition of a review that was basically a thousand words that said absolutely nothing.

But my point is, when that review first came out, it was a review that many people were getting themselves even more hyped over. At the time, people went nuts about it. Only in the wake of Uncharted 3 not being that great did that review come to be universally pointed and laughed at.

So...I think being skeptical and cynical about what these guys are saying isn't really a bad thing. And hell, maybe I'm only saying this because my hype has gotten to the point where I didn't really care at all about what the reviews say. Just saying that it's important to stay judicious.
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This exactly. If every reviewer is saying the game is fantastic, it most likely is. A consensus certainly does imply that they're correct. But you still need to take everything with a grain of salt.

Honestly, the only way to really know if a game review is accurate is for you is to find a reviewer that shares your tastes. If you can find somebody out there that seems to love every game you love and hate every game you hate, you should trust that person's reviews more.
 
MormaPope said:
There are 5 things Derrick likes.

dylan-o.gif

Deus Ex, Deus Ex, Deus Ex Deus Ex and Deus Ex.

Actually that's disingenuous.

dylan-o.gif

Obsidian, Obsidian, Obsidian Obsidian and Obsidian.
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Actually, he considers World of Warcraft to be one of the best games of all time. You know, the MMO that doesn't feature any of the hand-holding, casual friendly and streamlining he just hates, which is a 'cancer to the industry'.

So, 6 things. No, 11. Wait, 3? I'm confused.
 
Papercuts said:
Watching Sessler's review made me really appreciate how well they seemed to nail Columbia. It was almost jarring when he switched over to briefly talking about the shooting. I forgot for a moment this was still a FPS first and foremost, and I really wasn't a fan of the gameplay in bioshock 1/2 to boot.

Still, giving this a fair shake and in all honestly the game seems to have come together a lot better than I anticipated previously, so props to the team.
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The pacing of the downtime, stopping to reflect and the high flying gameplay is what excites me the most. Seems like it covers the balance of that rather well, allowing for a healthy dose of it all. Would suck hard if it was nothing but shoot 'em up, bang, bang, and I am glad some of the reviews are taking the time to emphasize that it's much more than that.
 
I wish I would have not watched the video review by REV3. I feel spoiled. :(

Although it also sold me on the game (the video footage, not the review itself) so I guess it's all good.
 
spirity said:
Actually, he considers World of Warcraft to be one of the best games of all time.
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Don't speak for me. I lazily put it on a top 5 list I threw together late one night in the essential RPG thread. I put so little effort into that that I didn't even come up with a top 10 or bother describing my selections more than a sentence or two.
 
FartOfWar said:
Thanks so much, man. Now I'm waiting to see people in this thread accuse me of suggesting that reviews shouldn't evaluate games as interactive ecosystems. : ) Thankfully I've said a lot of shit on record over the years.
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Ha! See that's what's so irritating to me. That seems to me to be the crux of all the positive reviews. That what makes the game successful is that it's all of this rad stuff in the context of a working interactive ecosystem.

Like why would people want to diminish focus on that aspect?

Anyway, yeah. Can't wait to pick it up tonight, man.
 
loblaw said:
I've got an idea, let's play the game if we want to and then see if it's good!

Yeah?

Yeah!

...please?
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Here's the thoughts of someone playing it in the ot -

Looks incredible(!!), sounds incredible but it's Bioshock in the sky. Don't expect any revolutionary things. It's Bioshock. The combat is fine but nothing special, the powers are kinda the same but fun to use, even the turrets are pretty much ripped right out of Rapture. It has a very Bioshock 1 style intro too.
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- this is literally all I'd need from a review. I know everything I'm getting in the game. Great production but nothing new when it comes to.. brace yourself.. the game part.
 
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