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[Moobabe]

IF only we where so lucky, but then we could also ask for

Spoiler

better

gaming journalism

Well what does that mean? Inherently there will always be some "bad" sites or people will express their views poorly, or, perhaps, have 'bad' opinions.

It's our job to celebrate the good ones and give them traffic.

No, the problem is the data that goes into Metacritic, not Metacritic itself.

I don't really read game reviews as I find them no better than reading opinions on forums, often times worse actually. But the core issue with them is that even the people writing them don't seem to know what's the point, other than generating traffic.

Well what's the correct way to review a handheld game then? What's the best way to review ANY game? What's the 'correct' score for Killzone?

Again, I'm playing devil's advocate, but I'm seeing a lot of people complaining about the scores and points made in the reviews of Killzone, but what would you do better? MAYBE, just maybe, Killzone is a 6/7 game. That, then, is not a problem with the data going into Metacritic, but a problem of the people to justify themselves and their opinions.

Games journalism needs stronger writers - also people who aren't afraid to question companies on their bullshit - but that's a different point entirely.

 

[GYNGA]

Has there ever been any word on when Terraria or Minecraft would be coming to the Vita?

Terraria is supposed to come in September, not sure about Minecraft tho.

 

[Danneee]

I'm resisting the urge to buy Vagrant Story, Grandia and the Y's games as I'll never come around to finish them. Even though I really want Grandia.
Maybe I'll just buy that one.
Damn.

 

[mauaus]

Well what does that mean? Inherently there will always be some "bad" sites or people will express their views poorly, or, perhaps, have 'bad' opinions.

It's our job to celebrate the good ones and give them traffic.



Well what's the correct way to review a handheld game then? What's the best way to review ANY game? What's the 'correct' score for Killzone?

Again, I'm playing devil's advocate, but I'm seeing a lot of people complaining about the scores and points made in the reviews of Killzone, but what would you do better? MAYBE, just maybe, Killzone is a 6/7 game. That, then, is not a problem with the data going into Metacritic, but a problem of the people to justify themselves and their opinions.

Games journalism needs stronger writers - also people who aren't afraid to question companies on their bullshit - but that's a different point entirely.

True... but then again when we see a terrible review some of us go rushing to see and give them traffic, double edged sword haha

 

[Moobabe]

True... but then again when we see a terrible review some of us go rushing to see and give them traffic, double edged sword haha

True - if people waited until they, themselves, had played it before getting too crazy then I'd have a little more sympathy.

The entire review culture is broken though - rushing out "exclusive" reviews that read like a PR fact sheet, or getting out a review early and missing key things just so your review doesn't get lost in the post-launch shuffle.

My review: Good to decent "for a game." Great "for a handheld."

 

[TheChillyAcademic]

So everyone bought Meruru?

Everyone bought Meruru.

Perfect.

Also, anyone else kinda bummed at some of the lower scores KZ is getting? =/

 

[btkadams]

the range of scores for killzone mercenary is a bit bizarre. i guess it's not for everyone. i played the beta and loved it, so i can't wait to play. it sounds like killzone on a portable, sooooo i'm sure i'll like it.

i bought rayman last night and played for about a half hour. it's definitely really easy so far but i only played a few levels. it sure looks great on the screen. the touch stuff was a bit interesting.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Might get Marvel VS Capcom 3 on PSVita, anyone here played it?

- 60fps?
- Online good?
- Dat D-Pad feel good?

It's pretty much the same exact game as its big brothers with the only exception being that the backgrounds are frozen/not animated. honestly, though, i never really noticed it because the game is so damn chaotic that you never get a chance to be bothered by it. I was more bothered by non-animated backgrounds in MK for the vita than in MVC3.

 

[eighty(one)]

So everyone bought Meruru?

Everyone bought Meruru.

Perfect.

Also, anyone else kinda bummed at some of the lower scores KZ is getting? =/

People keep saying to buy Meruru WITHOUT giving any answers to questions we've been asking....

If you want more of us to purchase and support said game, give impressions and answers about said game. It looks like a game I might like, even though I've never played anything from that series.

How are the textures/effects/graphics? Is it native resolution? Aliasing? Frame rate?

How is the sound design? Basic story premise?

If Meruru supporters would talk about the game, there might be more customers ^_^

 

[RalchAC]

Well what does that mean? Inherently there will always be some "bad" sites or people will express their views poorly, or, perhaps, have 'bad' opinions.

It's our job to celebrate the good ones and give them traffic.

Well what's the correct way to review a handheld game then? What's the best way to review ANY game? What's the 'correct' score for Killzone?

Again, I'm playing devil's advocate, but I'm seeing a lot of people complaining about the scores and points made in the reviews of Killzone, but what would you do better? MAYBE, just maybe, Killzone is a 6/7 game. That, then, is not a problem with the data going into Metacritic, but a problem of the people to justify themselves and their opinions.

Games journalism needs stronger writers - also people who aren't afraid to question companies on their bullshit - but that's a different point entirely.

The main problem (i think is)

A) Metacritic,
B) Every game needs an 8 to be "good".

Writters have two options:

A) Assume 8 is good. More than good should be above. Stay in the silly ratign system we have today.
B) Score it with a 0-10 score in mind, not the 5-10 most game sites use. Give it the score you think is right and explain why you would've put that note good.

And do some research before reviewing the fucking game. I don't want a reviewer saying me Soul Sacrifice is a repetitive hack and slash game because it doesn't have puzzles and platforming. A hunting game DOESN'T have puzzles neither platforming. And hunting games are repetitive by definition. He must have known what a hunting game is, and explain that to potential customers, with pros and cons, because it's not a popular genre in the West.

I didn't enter in Eurogamer, but i may give it a try if you say it's good.

 

[Moobabe]

The main problem (i think is)

A) Metacritic,
B) Every game needs an 8 to be "good".

Writters have two options:

A) Assume 8 is good. More than good should be above. Stay in the silly ratign system we have today.
B) Score it with a 0-10 score in mind, not the 5-10 most game sites use. Give it the score you think is right and explain why you would've put that note good.

And do some research before reviewing the fucking game. I don't want a reviewer saying me Soul Sacrifice is a repetitive hack and slash game because it doesn't have puzzles and platforming. A hunting game DOESN'T have puzzles neither platforming. And hunting games are repetitive by definition. He must have known what a hunting game is, and explain that to potential customers, with pros and cons, because it's not a popular genre in the West.

I didn't enter in Eurogamer, but i may give it a try if you say it's good.

I see the 1-10 review thing brought up a lot - but I honestly don't believe there are many games that fall into the 1-3/4 range. There are some 'weak' games, certainly, but I don't see too much utter shit.

I'd be happy to see reviewers use a 4-10 scale IF they can justify themselves for doing so. Edge does that pretty well, even if people to tend to get a little upset with their scores sometimes, but they can back up their scores with the text in the review.

 

[2+2=5]

As i always say don't blame metacritic, it just use a cold algorithm on the data(=reviews) it has, it's not "evil" or "incompetent" or "dishonest", it could have the best algorithm ever conceived, but if the data are flawed the average will never be good.
Blame the incompetent/dishonest reviewers.

 

[JStein0222]

I think I'm gonna go down on Stealth Inc today.
I've been playing the "wait one more week for a sale" game for awhile now

 

[Moobabe]

As i always say don't blame metacritic, it just use a cold algorithm on the data(=reviews) it has, it's not "evil" or "incompetent" or "dishonest", it could have the best algorithm ever conceived, but if the data are flawed the average will never be good.
Blame the incompetent/dishonest reviewers.

I'm not blaming the maths - I'm saying the importance both publishers and consumers place on it is worrying.

 

[nampad]

Which 3DS games disappointed you? And in what way?

Mario 3D Land, NSMB 2, Luigis Mansion 2, Resident Evil: Revelations and Castlevania: LoS Mirrors of Fate.

I was mainly disappointed by the graphics. I did watch the games on my Vita using the YT app. Thought the graphics of the 3DS are better. Only RE: Revelations looked good. But graphics aren't everything and I like the 3D gimmick personally.

More importantly, I also could already see myself raging about the missing or bad camera controls in the 3D games, but this was expected. My main reason for not buying the 3DS is the missing second circle pad.

Same goes for Nintendo's typical gamedesign. Bad presentation with not really voice acted dialogs and constant handholding. But I also expected this. Sure, the games still looked fun, but I wasn't blown away like the metascores would suggest. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up with Nintendo games (Amiga and PC) so I don't have any nostalgia for the characters.
Remember being hyped about playing Skyward Sword as my first Zelda, especially after the glowing reviews. After 4 hours I never touched it again.

 

[michaelius]

As i always say don't blame metacritic, it just use a cold algorithm on the data(=reviews) it has, it's not "evil" or "incompetent" or "dishonest", it could have the best algorithm ever conceived, but if the data are flawed the average will never be good.
Blame the incompetent/dishonest reviewers.

This - metacritic is very usefull - problem is with morons writing reviews.

 

[Moobabe]

Mario 3D Land, NSMB 2, Luigis Mansion 2, Resident Evil: Revelations and Castlevania: LoS Mirrors of Fate.

I was mainly disappointed by the graphics. I did watch the games on my Vita using the YT app. Thought the graphics of the 3DS are better. Only RE: Revelations looked good. But graphics aren't everything and I like the 3D gimmick personally.

More importantly, I also could already see myself raging about the missing or bad camera controls in the 3D games, but this was expected. My main reason for not buying the 3DS is the missing second circle pad.

Same goes for Nintendo's typical gamedesign. Bad presentation with not really voice acted dialogs and constant handholding. But I also expected this. Sure, the games still looked fun, but I wasn't blown away like the metascores would suggest. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up with Nintendo games (Amiga and PC) so I don't have any nostalgia for the characters.
Remember being hyped about playing Skyward Sword as my first Zelda, especially after the glowing reviews. After 4 hours I never touched it again.

Skyward Sword is regarded as one of the more middling in the series I think. Ocarina is the 'best' but I'm not sure how it holds up these days.

The 3DS isn't as powerful as the Vita - so the graphics are never going to be comparable on the bigger titles. Luigi's Mansion 2 looks fantastic though, and is a really good title.

 

[RalchAC]

As i always say don't blame metacritic, it just use a cold algorithm on the data(=reviews) it has, it's not "evil" or "incompetent" or "dishonest", it could have the best algorithm ever conceived, but if the data are flawed the average will never be good.
Blame the incompetent/dishonest reviewers.

It's a good and objective tool. But they should have a real control about the sites included. A good tool is useless when the raw materials are shit.
___

Well, let's drop that subject. I've started playing J&D 1. Framerate drops, but I think I can bear with it. I tend to note the drops, but I usually don't care too much if they are not sub 10 or so. Doing 25 players dungeons in WoW with a shitty laptop has taught me to bear almost everything.

The thing I found funny is that the camera is pretty bland. And the platforming is not that great. It's amazing how Naughty Dog has evolved over the years. They actually seem like a completely different studio right now.

 

[OmegaZero]

How does Meruru compare with Totori on Vita?

 

[Baron Von Beans]

Indeed, enough of all that. Never played Meruru, or Totori, or any of the JD's, so I'll ask something else!

Anyone still play Zen Pinball/Pinball Arcade? Since dl'ing them the other day, I find myself strangely craving some hot pinball action. I want to buy a table set or whatever, but I am unsure of which one is better -OR- most people play. Both have their plusses and minuses.

Spoiler

Though, in my eyes, Pinball Arcade's bastardization of "Pinball Wizard" is so painfull to listen to....so that knocks it down a few imaginary pegs...

 

[Moobabe]

My store manager is getting both an Xbox One, a PS4 and four first party games each for free.

Game, ladies and gentleman.

Meanwhile me? I'm in trouble for not taking someone's ID on a cash transaction 6 months ago...

 

[EsotericManiac]

Meanwhile me? I'm in trouble for not taking someone's ID on a cash transaction 6 months ago...

I wouldn't sweat either one

 

[Moobabe]

I wouldn't sweat either one

I'm not really - he's just a REAL shit manager. He never buys stuff because he gets it all free - he has a Vita, PS3 and soon a PS4 sat in his loft because "SONY SUXX"

As for the investigation - it's not ideal - but I want to leave before it's finalised anyway.

 

[corrosivefrost]

For how much everyone seems to love Velocity Ultra (and Velocity), it certainly has it's share of bugs and poor controls.

This game is downright infuriating on the speed maps.

 

[eighty(one)]

Well...

I'm going to buy Meruru and hope for the best.

ChillyAcademic, if it sucks or looks like shit, I blame you

*crossing fingers*

I'm also finally getting Guacamelee and Hotline Miami, too ^_^

 

[mejin]

I'm not flaming - I'm sat here playing the game. But 'best FPS on portable' is a pretty low bar to clear.

I respect your and each reviewer opinion I really do.

I just don't think some reviews are fair. What I mean is: the game is technically impressive, it has an excellent gameplay and a consistent multi online. Sounds simple but this package was never achieved by any other FPS on a portable, at least not in this level.

That's why we need a game to be the parameter for the genre on portable format since we don't have one. I think Mercenary could be this game but when Metacritic points a 7.7 as average it's pretty much over.

 

[Totobeni]

from KZM reviews thread

the campaign length coming in at just under four hours.

It’s a shame that the single player campaign is so short

guys do you remember this discussion?

Killzone Beta is impressive. I'm not much of a multiplayer guy, but based on how smooth it runs I'll definitely be looking to pick it up for the single player.

bad news for you then, as there are only 9 missions in the campaign mode.

Bleh, stop with this BS. It's not like console KZs have that many more, the levels should be about 45min to 1 hour long + they have incentives to replay levels playing differently. That's fairly long for a FPS campaign nowadays with plenty of replay value to boot.

The campaign has 9 chapters that are each 45-60 minutes long, and once you beat a chapter you unlock alternative objectives to do in it. The game was designed to be replayable multiple times.

huh? they are 9 missions, sorry if this hurt you somehow but that is a fact.

no one tested how long it take to beat them, so that that might be developers usual exaggerated like when they tell us a game is 12 hours but it fact it's a 5 hours game. same thing goes with its replay value.

I meant insinuating that 9 missions is somehow low, especially when they've made sure that there's plenty of replay value in them if you're not just in for a quick run through of the game but want a meatier experience. I'm sure you can run through the missions on easy faster than their estimate of 45-60 minutes, but that's not how a lot of people play these games.

Each chapter is 45min to 1hr long...so longer than the majority of FPS campaigns these days. And the poster you quoted knows that already, but he's blinded by pure ignorance.

I really don't believe this, developers always say this and it turn that the game is way way shorter than that, and for a handheld FPS with missions based like this ..yeah.

Well, you were quick to judge the game by saying it "only" had 9 missions, like that is automatically a bad thing. You don't know length or replayability of the game. We can only go by official reports, and until the contrary proves to be true, maybe you shouldn't automatically assume the worst.

Not really. They use what they know of their QA sessions as basis on what they claim. And besides, often when people are all "VANQUISH ONLY TOOK 4 HOURS!" they ignore the fact that often retries, cutscenes and stuff like that isn't counted into the completion time, so even if by the end the game clock says you "only" played 5 hours the truth might be closer to 8 or 9. And they usually say what the average completion time is for a player who doesn't just run & gun his/her way through the game on Easy, but who see some effort to explore, try some stealth etc.

You don't know and we don't know. You don't know and you think it's a bad thing, we don't know and we think it's a good thing. Sounds about right to me.

It totally is. I seriously don't get the "it only has 9 missions" sentiment.

the lesson learned here is : do not trust developers when they told you about how long it take to beat their games.
...

also I'm always right.

 

[Moobabe]

I respect your and each reviewer opinion I really do.

I just don't think some reviews are fair. What I mean is: the game is technically impressive, it has an excellent gameplay and a consistent multi online. Sounds simple but this package was never achieved by any other FPS on a portable, at least not in this level.

That's why we need a game to be the parameter for the genre on portable format since we don't have one. I think Mercenary could be this game but when Metacritic points a 7.7 as average it's pretty much over.

7.7 isn't bad though - at least it shouldn't be seen that way.

 

[Tygamr]

the lesson learned here is : do not trust developers when they told you about how long it take to beat their games.
...

also I'm always right.

But other people in the review thread said that if you did all of the objectives, levels would take a lot longer. They're only short if you do the bare minimum, play on a lower difficulty, and just run and gun. So done else said that they played for like 8 hours.

 

[eighty(one)]

Ubisoft Official Statement:

Thanks so much for you passion about this game. I'm currently playing the Vita version and loving it. That said, I know some of you have questions about the Vita version, so here's what's going on: Due to a longer development time than expected, we couldn’t initially include the Invasion Mode – essentially, a second take on existing Rayman Legends maps -- in the Vita version of the game. However, we can confirm that the Invasion Mode will be added via a free patch, at a later date. With more than 100 levels, online Coop and challenges, Kung-Foot mini-game, 5 exclusive touch challenges developed specifically for the VITA and 2 exclusive costumes, Rayman Legends already includes a lot for customers to love, and features the same outstanding graphics and gameplay design as the home console versions.

http://blog.ubi.com/rayman-legends-out-now/

From Rayman Legends Vita thread

 

[Tygamr]

OK, good. I'm glad that's finally sorted out. Will be buying this now! I really enjoyed the demo.

Shouldn't it have it's own thread, or at least lead to a thread title change for the Vita topic? The content is coming, it just didn't release with the game.

Edit: never mind, it does have it's own thread.

 

[Dragon]

from KZM reviews thread

guys do you remember this discussion?


the lesson learned here is : do not trust developers when they told you about how long it take to beat their games.
...

also I'm always right.

Disingenuousness and Totobeni are like Vodka and Red Bull.

 

[Totobeni]

But other people in the review thread said that if you did all of the objectives, levels would take a lot longer. They're only short if you do the bare minimum, play on a lower difficulty, and just run and gun. So done else said that they played for like 8 hours.

No that just wrong and just a bad defensive argument, that like saying Uncharted is 30+ hours game because you'll need that amount of time for platinum. what count is the average time needed to beat game doing the main things on the normal difficulty.

 

[Totobeni]

From Rayman Legends Vita thread

free patch...nice.

clearly Ubi rushed the game to release it with the other versions and didn't want to risk a late port (since late ports = less sales) but they should've said this earlier.

 

[Moobabe]

No that just wrong and just a bad defensive argument, that like saying Uncharted is 30+ hours game because you'll need that amount of time for platinum. what count is the average time needed to beat game doing the main things on the normal difficulty.

You're not wrong (for once)

 

[Tygamr]

No that just wrong and just a bad defensive argument, that like saying Uncharted is 30+ hours game because you'll need that amount of time for platinum. what count is the average time needed to beat game doing the main things on the normal difficulty.

But the whole 3/4 hour campaign thing is the shortest length that has been reported, definitely doesn't seem to be the average. I'd guess it's more around 5 hours.

I mean, if I do a speed run of a game and beat it in record time, (say the game normally takes most people 20 hours to beat, and it takes me 3) is it fair to say that the game is really only 3 hours long?

 

[EsotericManiac]

But the whole 3/4 hour campaign thing is the shortest length that has been reported, definitely doesn't seem to be the average. I'd guess it's more around 5 hours.

I mean, if I do a speed run of a game and beat it in record time, (say the game normally takes most people 20 hours to beat, and it takes me 3) is it fair to say that the game is really only 3 hours long?

the record for beating Spelunky and finishing 4-4 is under 5 minutes now. Do you have any idea how many runs that took or what an average completion is for completing those 16 levels are?

 

[DarkLordMalik]

I hope the patch is released along with the EU release. Anyways, they did good to announce it as a free patch. Definitely going to get the digital version now

 

[Tygamr]

the record for beating Spelunky and finishing 4-4 is under 5 minutes now. Do you have any idea how many runs that took or what an average completion is for completing those 16 levels are?

Probably quite a bit to time. I've put in several hours and only just gotten to the last level of the jungle.

Such a fun game in co-op, reminds me of Fourswords for some reason (probably because I do the Vita PS3 thing, and I like being a jerk to the people I'm playing with for laughs).

 

[Moobabe]

4 hours doesn't sound outrageous for Killzone so far. I'm on mission... 4 or 5 I think (out of 9?) and I've played 2 hours, maybe a little more.

 

[EsotericManiac]

Speaking of Spelunky, I found out how you can get 3 ghosts to spawn on the same level

 

[Tygamr]

Speaking of Spelunky, I found out how you can get 3 ghosts to spawn on the same level

What? How? I hope that never happens to me. I hate the ghost. It always appears when I'm down in one corner of the map, and I can never escape. I normally only run into the ghost when I can't find the damsel (and when I can't find the damsel, it's usually because she's encased in dirt in on of the corners of the map...)

 

[Moobabe]

Speaking of Spelunky, I found out how you can get 3 ghosts to spawn on the same level

You're like a Spelunky genius

 

[VanWinkle]

So glad that the Invasion mode stuff got sorted out, and the Vita version will go back to being the definitive version for anybody not interested in playing co-op.

 

[Apath]

Now we just need Ubisoft to patch in a platinum trophy for Lumines ES. Come on Q, do it!

 

[EsotericManiac]

You're like a Spelunky genius

lol thanks. I'm an avid fan

Everyone knows about the ghost after 2:30 I assume.

Ghost number 2 is from picking up the crystal skull from the "dead are rising" in the jungle

The 3rd is from pissing off Kali a ton, past the point of spiders. You need to get her so low that she puts a ball and chain on your foot, and then past that, a ghost that permanently follows you even at the start of a new level.

I'll try to get a picture of it. If I can get all of them posing as girls with the camera it would be brilliant

 

[RalchAC]

Disingenuousness and Totobeni are like Vodka and Red Bull.

I have a very bad experience with vodka and red bull... is toto delicious but terrible for my health?

free patch...nice.

clearly Ubi rushed the game to release it with the other versions and didn't want to risk a late port (since late ports = less sales) but they should've said this earlier.

I was kinda expecting that. And now that Ubisoft has stated it, I can buy the game without worries. I will wait until I finish Origins and buy the digital version. Even if it's a little more expensive than retail by then. Having a good 2D platformer in my mem card would be nice when i go by bus. Wipeout is nearly unplayable when you have to take a look outside once in a while lol

You buying it @corrosivefrost?

 

[EsotericManiac]

What? How? I hope that never happens to me. I hate the ghost. It always appears when I'm down in one corner of the map, and I can never escape. I normally only run into the ghost when I can't find the damsel (and when I can't find the damsel, it's usually because she's encased in dirt in on of the corners of the map...)

The ghost is absolutely a non-issue when using the jet pack. you'll learn to love the thing when ghosting gems for a high score

 

[1.21Gigawatts]

Gamespot determines whether people should buy a Vita or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cskoDIMfX08

Spoiler

Yes, if they have hands.

 

[chickdigger802]

holy fuck shit. how did walking dead pass any sort of certification?

It's like playing a scratched up psx game anytime you have to do something QTE. that 'stealth' sequence in first chapter was heinous.

I don't even recall the ios version being this bad.