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

Orayn said:
Short of objectivity, it would be nice to see a more diversity of opinion. Where are the people like Derrick in the major review sites and magazines? I'm sure they're out there, but there's reason to believe they might be holding their tongues for fear of winding up like Jeff Gerstmann in the Kane and Lynch fiasco.
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These are the people giving their honest 3.0 to God Hand and end up being reviled by everyone, even though their opinion ought to be as valid as everybody else's. It's just different.

The gaming media by and large aims to please a large, homogeneous mass of people who are unable to digest an opinion that differs from their preconceived notions. The only steps in a different direction come from sources like RPS and they only manage to do that by shying away from scores so that the words speak for themselves.
 
Voice of Reason said:
But each game differs in what they focus and excel at, so while Bioshock Infinite might not have deep mechanics like System Shock 2, it might have the better told story and world. I don't think that should be enough to call a game bad though.
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I don't disagree with you, but if I went into Bioshock 1 expecting System Shock 2 and I knew System Shock 2 was exactly what I wanted I think I'd also be disappointed.
 
Reviews for games like this are always a paradox really. Even if the game was awful, I doubt any of the reviews would say so. There is just too much hype.

For the record I'm not saying the game is awful.
 
I'm glad it's looking like it lived passed its rocky start and early showing. Ill wait to hear some user impressions though to make sure its not a fluke like uc3.
 
Never doubted this wouldn't be amazing. Can't wait to play it (when it drops in price because poor people don't get to buy new games).
 
In the Polygon review at the end the guy says "Infinite mostly manages to blend it story with it's mechanical goals, and that's something that shouldn't be possible and Irrational games have pulled it off anyway." ...seems an oddly jaded way to look at things. Of course it should be possible; if it's done well you have a good game, and if mechanics and story aren't blended well you probably have a flawed or bad game.
 
Just watched the Rev3 video review. This game looks and sounds like it is going to knock my socks off. I was hoping for something that would end up being the best FPS since Half-Life 2 and this is looking like it just may deliver.
 
The Crusty Juggler said:
Reviews for games like this are always a paradox really. Even if the game was awful, I doubt any of the reviews would say so. There is just too much hype.

For the record I'm not saying the game is awful.
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That's my point. Even Gamekult, who are known to be harsher than average (they gave Portal 5/10) gave 8/10 to Diablo 3, Dishonored, Darksiders 2, Guild Wars 2, Max Payne 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Skyrim and Tomb Raider, like all the other review sites. We all know how mediocre those games actually were.
 
The Crusty Juggler said:
Reviews for games like this are always a paradox really. Even if the game was awful, I doubt any of the reviews would say so. There is just too much hype.

For the record I'm not saying the game is awful.
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Edge would, I'd say.

Regardless, this is the kind of release where the credentials of the developer are so well on display, and we're so clear on what kind of experience to expect that without reading any reviews, most people would have a pretty good idea of whether or not the game is worth buying.
 
Computer said:
That's my point. Even Gamekult, who are known to be harsher than average (they gave Portal 5/10) gave 8/10 to Diablo 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Skyrim and Tomb Raider.
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That's crazy. (Except Skyrim. That is a solid 8 game if you're familiar with TES and commerce.)
 
One thing i wonder as well is how many reviews are just knee jerk reactions? How many reviewers back and play a game once or twice before giving a final score? For example, people gushed over RE4 and it deserves its praise. However, the game does start to get a little long in the tooth towards the end. I feel that to really give a fair score you need to step away from the material, let it sink in, and experience it again. I believe thats why games on neogaf get so much backlash. Everyone gets all caught up in initial emotions and hype. But its not until you play something without any preconceived hype that you can see the chinks in the armor.
 
Orayn said:
Well, critics of books and films have a general consensus of what constitutes "good" cinematography, writing, acting, etc. I know that playing a game is a much more fluid, personal experience and I wouldn't argue that there have to be universal standards of what makes a good game. There's obviously a continuum of comparing something to a precise, external set of criteria and just giving your own opinion, but we're a little too far on the side of "I thought it was fun, therefore 10/10" right now.

Short of objectivity, it would be nice to see a more diversity of opinion. Where are the people like Derrick in the major review sites and magazines? I'm sure they're out there, but there's reason to believe they might be holding their tongues for fear of winding up like Jeff Gerstmann in the Kane and Lynch fiasco.
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I don't think that's true.

That said, the difference between genres in games is pretty big. If you don't like a particular genre/style of game, you won't like the game in it even if it's great.


DragonKnight said:
One thing i wonder as well is how many reviews are just knee jerk reactions? How many reviewers back and play a game once or twice before giving a final score? For example, people gushed over RE4 and it deserves its praise. However, the game does start to get a little long in the tooth towards the end. I feel that to really give a fair score you need to step away from the material, let it sink in, and experience it again. I believe thats why games on neogaf get so much backlash. Everyone gets all caught up in initial emotions and hype. But its not until you play something without any preconceived hype that you can see the chinks in the armor.
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More often than not reviewers don't have the time to play through a game multiple times, especially not if it's a longer game.
 
That's some high praise but then again Bioshock got the same thing and was in hindsight a pretty mediocre game with an interesting setting. My interest is higher after reading some reviews but I need some salt with these. This is total Steam sale fodder in any case.
 
Computer said:
That's my point. Even Gamekult, who are known to be harsher than average (they gave Portal 5/10) gave 8/10 to Diablo 3, Dishonored, Darksiders 2, Guild Wars 2, Max Payne 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Skyrim and Tomb Raider, like all the other review sites. We all know how mediocre those games actually were.
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Ive played portal many times and i am hard pressed to agree with that assessment or see how they came to that conclusion. If portal is an average game with all of its charm and inventiveness then i dont know what to say. And that game has no spectacle at all.
 
Orayn said:
I mean that there are certain standards that critics of film and literature share. Proper criticism in those mediums isn't just about saying "I liked it, so it was good," it involves comparing the work in question to standards that developed over a long time out of academic study of film and literary theory. Opinion is still involved, of course, but the overall assessment is supposed to be informed by the history and inner workings of the medium. My issue is that game reviewers can be very myopic and often rely too heavily on gut impressions, as opposed to a more academic understanding of how video games work.
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Just because there's a conversation of opinions that we call "theory" doesn't mean that there's any consensus. There's still debates over what parts of books and movies meant or could mean. It's all interpretation.

There's a language in games, just like every other manner of expression, and I agree that game reviewers often fail to see any of it, but there really isn't any objectivity here. You can use a common framework but at the end of the day that's still you assuming a perspective you don't have to process an experience. I'd rather reviewers be honest rather than pander to any given "objective perspective," whether it be game design theory or mass market gamer.
 
Sessler all over this one, damn.
I like that the game seems to have kind of a silver age Disney quality to it, though i can't take some of his wording as anything more than hyperbole.
 
Computer said:
That's my point. Even Gamekult, who are known to be harsher than average (they gave Portal 5/10) gave 8/10 to Diablo 3, Dishonored, Darksiders 2, Guild Wars 2, Max Payne 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Skyrim and Tomb Raider, like all the other review sites. We all know how mediocre those games actually were.
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Well obviously that is false.
 
I was on the fence about this, but honestly didn't expect so many good reviews so looks like ill be buying this on release! I have GoW: Ascension to trade in so shouldn't set me back too much.
 
I think it's hilarious how such a highly anticipated game getting universal praise automatically means it is a steaming pile to some. Like, there is just no way it could actually be a good game. It has to suck no matter what.

To each their own of course, but just maybe a lot went into making this one and the reviews simply reflect as much. They have been slaving away on this game for years now and I am inclined to believe that this is one of the cases where they simply were not going to stop until they had something great. That is usually how landmark games are made.
 
Aside from a few reviewers I typically don't pay attention to reviews, but Sessler's praise makes me think this will be something special.

I was going to pick it up regardless though!
 
sikkinixx said:
I'm rather pleased Elizabeth is with you most of the game, my favorite part of the Half Life 2 episodes was when you had Alyx with you
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I already love Elizabeth design so much more than Alyx already , thankfully the game should be awesome as well now that with so many reviews coming out .
 
ironcreed said:
I think it's hilarious how such a highly anticipated game getting universal praise automatically means it is a steaming pile to some. Like, there is just no way it could actually be a good game. It has to suck no matter what.

To each their own of course, but just maybe a lot went into making this one and the reviews simply reflect as much. They have been slaving away on this game for years now and I am inclined to believe that this is one of the cases where they simply were not going to stop until they had something great. That is usually how landmark games are made.
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Cynicism involves less emotional investment than anticipation.
 
Computer said:
Here's the review.

And here's a translation in case you need one.

tl;dr: Portal is not worth 15 € for two hours, get The Orange Box instead.
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Sorry but that review is shit. The text is extremely positive presenting only one flaw. I mean the game is fresh, inventive, and positively humorous and that equates to a five? Its average because its a short game which was it purpose in the first place? Im curious. Wasnt portal 1 first released as part of the orange box and then as a stand alone for people who didnt want the other four games?

Edit: and how does the game only become fresh once integrated into the orange box. Makes zero sense.
 
ironcreed said:
I think it's hilarious how such a highly anticipated game getting universal praise automatically means it is a steaming pile to some. Like, there is just no way it could actually be a good game. It has to suck no matter what.

To each their own of course, but just maybe a lot went into making this one and the reviews simply reflect as much. They have been slaving away on this game for years now and I am inclined to believe that this is one of the cases where they simply were not going to stop until they had something great. That is usually how landmark games are made.
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I think part of it is some of us got fooled the first 2 times with Bioshock 1 and 2 which both had universal praise which was later decided to be off the mark as they had big issues ranging from overpromising, to DRM, to flawed gameplay. I would expect the intelligent gamer to approach this with cautious optimism as much credibility has been tarnished, not just with the series but of reviewers of the series.
 
DragonKnight said:
Sorry but that review is shit. The text is extremely positive presenting only one flaw. I mean the game is fresh, inventive, and positively humorous and that equates to a five? Its average because its a short game which was it purpose in the first place? Im curious. Wasnt portal 1 first released as part of the orange box and then as a stand alone for people who didnt want the other four games?
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Well, they gave The Orange Box an 8...
 
ironcreed said:
I think it's hilarious how such a highly anticipated game getting universal praise automatically means it is a steaming pile to some. Like, there is just no way it could actually be a good game. It has to suck no matter what.

To each their own of course, but just maybe a lot went into making this one and the reviews simply reflect as much. They have been slaving away on this game for years now and I am inclined to believe that this is one of the cases where they simply were not going to stop until they had something great. That is usually how landmark games are made.
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Then again, you could also consider those of us in the OT who have been playing the game since Friday. Some love it, some are sorely unimpressed after the spectacular introduction.

They are all valid. Positive or negative. You haven't played it, so your inclination is unfounded.
 
ironcreed said:
I think it's hilarious how such a highly anticipated game getting universal praise automatically means it is a steaming pile to some. Like, there is just no way it could actually be a good game. It has to suck no matter what.

To each their own of course, but just maybe a lot went into making this one and the reviews simply reflect as much. They have been slaving away on this game for years now and I am inclined to believe that this is one of the cases where they simply were not going to stop until they had something great. That is usually how landmark games are made.
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Adam Sessler's review of Infinite and what he wants out of a game is basically my own preferences or desires for videogames. Seeing how a minority bathroom is actually different than a whites only bathroom sealed the deal for me, there hasn't been a mature narrative for bigotry or racism in a mainstream game.

The fact that Infinite has real and not glamorized portrayals of America's past and how America still is allures me beyond belief, there have been enough games where the USA is the savior of the world, where the military is glamorized and shown to be a spectacle.

Infinite might be one of a few games where the player is treated like an adult, and that possibility alone excites me.
 
Wow, I was not expecting such great reviews. But I was burned on Bioshock 1 so I'm not sure what to think. Though my interest has been piqued. If I hadn't already spent close to $200 on video games this month then I would strongly be considering a purchase now. It's a rental for now though.
 
Glad to see such high scores. Ken Levine and the Irrational team deserves the praise, cant think of many any other guys or studios that put such love in their games. Any others that come to mind are Rocksteady and CD Projekt.
 
Reviews from mainstream sites are pretty much what most people predicted (11/10 GOTY ALL YEARS ART REVOLUTION SOARING MAJESTIC BUZZWORDS). RPS' review was also what I expected from that particular reviewer ("eh, it's pretty good"). So far everything sounds on track - a solid 8/10 game ludicrously overhyped by the press as the pinnacle of human civilization until the next AAA title comes around. Looking forward to tonight.
 
Somnid said:
I think part of it is some of us got fooled the first 2 times with Bioshock 1 and 2 which both had universal praise which was later decided to be off the mark as they had big issues ranging from overpromising, to DRM, to flawed gameplay. I would expect the intelligent gamer to approach this with cautious optimism as much credibility has been tarnished, not just with the series but of reviewers of the series.
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You have utterly mystifying opinions. But then that's what the internet's all about, so it's cool, I guess.
 
Wow.

Sessler's not fucking around with his review.

I believe him.

The problem with reviews these days are the sites that hand out nines and tens for Dragon Age II, Mass Effect 3 and SimCity...and then something like this game rolls out.

It kindof fucks up the whole scale.
 
brandonh83 said:
Well, I think we'll need to play the game first to decide if it has any place among classic literature.
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I don't disagree, but if anyone actually thought this game was going to be a disaster must have been high at the time of posting.

There are a couple of studios that you can bank on never putting out a bad game. Irrational is one of them. They are just on a different level than most other studios.

I cannot wait for my copy to get here tomorrow!

Edit:
LOL nm.
 
People are so silly.

If the game scored 7/10 - 8/10 range everyone be like OMG FLOP.

Game averaging a 95 on meta, a score most games never get, and people are calling it "oh it was expected blahblahbalh.. overhyped ermagherd"

Regardless of what it scores, no one is EVER happy.

At what point do we just sit down and accept game reviews for what they are?
 
Computer said:
That's my point. Even Gamekult, who are known to be harsher than average (they gave Portal 5/10) gave 8/10 to Diablo 3, Dishonored, Darksiders 2, Guild Wars 2, Max Payne 3, Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Skyrim and Tomb Raider, like all the other review sites. We all know how mediocre those games actually were.
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"We all know how mediocre those games actually are"
Ugh. Seriously?
 
Poker360 said:
People are so silly.

If the game scored 7/10 - 8/10 range everyone be like OMG FLOP.

Game averaging a 95 on meta, a score most games never get, and people are calling it "oh it was expected blahblahbalh.. overhyped ermagherd"

Regardless of what it scores, no one is EVER happy.

At what point do we just sit down and accept game reviews for what they are?
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This is NeoGAF dude.

HoJu said:
"We all know how mediocre those games actually are"
Ugh. Seriously?
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Seriously.
 
DragonKnight said:
Sorry but that review is shit. The text is extremely positive presenting only one flaw. I mean the game is fresh, inventive, and positively humorous and that equates to a five? Its average because its a short game which was it purpose in the first place? Im curious. Wasnt portal 1 first released as part of the orange box and then as a stand alone for people who didnt want the other four games?
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It's a review for the standalone game, hence the note. Be reassured, the guy who wrote it got shat on for that note. He's kind of a funny troll anyway, he hosts their weekly shows and he says "<insert overrated AAA game of the month> is a shitty game" almost once a week.

Gamekult is not that harsh, it's just that they never ever gave 10/10 (there's a cultural thing behind this, school/uni marks used to be like that in France). Consider their 8 as a 9 if you'd like.
 
Poker360 said:
People are so silly.

If the game scored 7/10 - 8/10 range everyone be like OMG FLOP.

Game averaging a 95 on meta, a score most games never get, and people are calling it "oh it was expected blahblahbalh.. overhyped ermagherd"

Regardless of what it scores, no one is EVER happy.

At what point do we just sit down and accept game reviews for what they are?
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They're probably reading the text.
 
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