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[Vire]

Watch that IGN or Gamespot Video Review and tell me that doesn't look incredible.

Wow, just wow.

 

[Arksy]

Can any of these reviews be considered to be unbiased? I'm now very suspicious given what's happened in the last week or two.

 

[Goldmund]

Watch that IGN or Gamespot Video Review and tell me that doesn't look incredible.

Wow, just wow.

Read that IGN review and tell me that you don't feel intellectually violated.

 

[normalmode]

oops

Notably harder. Arthur Polygon, Francesca OXM and I were discussing it at the tail end of the first day of the review event. We all agreed that Heroic was harder, which we all eventually beat solo.

 

[Dennis]

Can anyone who played the game tell me if the Heroic difficulty is at about the same level as always?

Or has is it become easier or harder than before?

 

[ekim]

Although I never played a Halo game nor was I ever tempted to do so, I'm curious about the game.

 

[Vire]

Read that IGN review and tell me that you don't feel intellectually violated.

I didn't bother reading it yet (too busy updating the OP!), but even if you watch the Video Review on mute, it's clear this campaign is pretty special.

As a Halo campaign fan, I'm grinning ear to ear.

 

[Baconsammy]

Are there people complaining in the thread that it's not getting high enough reviews? It has a 91/100 average across 33 reviews on Metacritic (which, if you read some of those 4/5 reviews, is not actually indicative of a 80/100 and is probably dragging the score down in reality but the Metacritic scale is too analog to tell the difference)..wut?

One person I think did. Most of the complaints are coming from people that have never played it claiming the reviews are too high, or that the reviewers seemed to enjoy their time with the game too much, and were too lavish with the praise.

 

[Dennis]

I didn't bother reading it, but even if you watch the Video Review on mute, it's clear this campaign is pretty special.

Aren't you supposed to be in bed?

 

[Overdoziz]

Can anyone who played the game tell me if the Heroic difficulty is at about the same level as always?

Or has is it become easier or harder than before?

Legendary or bust.

 

[KillerTravis]

Can any of these reviews be considered to be unbiased? I'm now very suspicious given what's happened in the last week or two.

Well the game certainly looks impressive from all the previews and the apparent budget. So if anything we should give it the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Dennis]

Legendary or bust.

Nah, too hard and frustrating.

Heroic was always the sweet spot for me.

 

[Lime]

Here's my review of the reviewers' review of Halo 4

Critical thinking:

Analytical skills:

Willingness to bend over for a publisher:

All in all, I give this review of the reviewers' review of Halo 4: Five Pizza-Huts out of Fifteen DoritoDews.

Official seal of quality:

Credit to alr1ght and grimshawish for the "art"

 

[Goldmund]

I didn't bother reading it yet (too busy updating the OP!), but even if you watch the Video Review on mute, it's clear this campaign is pretty special.

As a Halo campaign fan, I'm grinning ear to ear.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to the game, that review, however, has led to heaps of vicarious embarrassment.

 

[fabricated backlash]

Prediction. The game is going to be the highest rated game of the year. It's just looks and plays so much more polished the what we've been used to the last few years. At least on consoles.

From what I played the evolution in Focus and Gameplay is similar to what Mario Kart 7 did.
It trimmed the fat, focused on the core parts, while enhancing and adding certain aspects.

The controls feel fine tuned to perfection. Hopefully the game still has an enjoyable coop campaign, as that's where I and my buddies will spend most of our time in.

Read that IGN review and tell me that you don't feel intellectually violated.

Reading IGN in general tends to have that effect.

 

[Baconsammy]

Can any of these reviews be considered to be unbiased? I'm now very suspicious given what's happened in the last week or two.

We're not all on the witch hunt train. I just read/watch the reviews to see if there's a universal complaint that would make me not want the game. Like bad framerate issues. So far, no major complaints.

 

[HiiiLife]

All dem 10's doe.

 

[normalmode]

As someone in the comments section points out, it's hard to take this reviewer seriously when he says it's about time that Halo got a run button. Ummmm Reach.

Was it a "standard feature" like I noted in the script? Or was it just an armor ability in Reach?

 

[AHappyPanda]

The Escapist - 8/10

Between the GB, IGN, Destructoid, 1up reviews I've read, I find myself disagreeing the most by far with the Escapists' (the video portion at least, will read the article after this post)

One line that really bothered me was about MP:

"It's less about who shoots first and more about landing several shots accurately. This pushes the gameplay towards learning the weapons so you know exactly how many shots are needed or combo-ing with melees or grenades to quickly take someone down. In the end, it's going to feel a little off with a new studio taking over the franchise"

Wut?

I'm not sure if I'm just taking what he's saying out of context outside of everything he said before and after but...IDK, there seem to be defined pauses before and after leading me to believe he's going from one thought to the next.

EDIT: Mmm...a quote from the Escapist written review "Thankfully, much of the gameplay has remained the same. Enemies are more than just waves of mooks to gun down, and defeating them almost always requires some kind of trick or tactic. Halo 4 introduces a whole new set of enemies, the Prometheans, and they all have their own quirks and weaknesses that you'll need to learn."

Seems awful contradictory to what he says in the video.

SECOND EDIT: Got it...he reads his entire review through the video and that quote I supplied earlier is from his "Bottom Line"

Move along, nothing to see here.

 

[ant1532]

just watched the ign review. is that considered a review really? it is like a fucking 12 fucking ad. it sounds like an 8 year old is telling you why it is so amazing. so fucking terrible. smh. game looks good though

 

[Baconsammy]

Was it a "standard feature" like I noted in the script? Or was it just an armor ability in Reach?

It's a standard ability in the single player campaign. In multi it's an ability.

 

[watership]

Can any of these reviews be considered to be unbiased? I'm now very suspicious given what's happened in the last week or two.

How did you feel about reviews for the past 2 decades? How do you feel now? They are the same.

 

[FyreWulff]

As someone in the comments section points out, it's hard to take this reviewer seriously when he says it's about time that Halo got a run button. Ummmm Reach.

Or you know, tilting the control stick forward all the way in previous games

But I guess analog input is pointless when people don't feel like it's running unless they press a button in addition to the stick

 

[TheOddOne]

Mmm...a quote from the Escapist written review "Thankfully, much of the gameplay has remained the same. Enemies are more than just waves of mooks to gun down, and defeating them almost always requires some kind of trick or tactic. Halo 4 introduces a whole new set of enemies, the Prometheans, and they all have their own quirks and weaknesses that you'll need to learn."

Seems awful contradictory to what he says in the video.

Yeah, I thought that was strange too.

 

[DonMigs85]

Can't believe just how ugly Halo 3 was. Hard to believe they're on the same console.

 

[Arksy]

How did you feel about reviews for the past 2 decades? How do you feel now? They are the same.

We're not all on the witch hunt train. I just read/watch the reviews to see if there's a universal complaint that would make me not want the game. Like bad framerate issues. So far, no major complaints.

Well the game certainly looks impressive from all the previews and the apparent budget. So if anything we should give it the benefit of the doubt.

Thanks. It’d be great if someone who’s read a bunch could post a bunch of common praises and complaints from these reviews. I’d love to spend the time reading them but I’m knee deep in exam mode. I suppose I shouldn’t be too cynical.

 

[AHappyPanda]

Or you know, tilting the control stick forward all the way in previous games

But I guess analog input is pointless when people don't feel like it's running unless they press a button in addition to the stick

So I read by default that the Sprinting is done by clicking in the left stick...how do you crouch then?

LT - Nade
LB - Nade switch I assume
RB - Reload
RT - Fire
B - Melee
A- Jump
X - AA
Y - Weapon switch
R3 - Zoom

 

[Dennis]

Just watched the IGN video review. It increased my hype yes.

But goddamn, it might as well have been a paid advertisement for the game.

What is the market value of an ad of that length?

 

[Overdoziz]

It's a standard ability in the single player campaign. In multi it's an ability.

It's an armor ability in campaign too.
Also, sprint is awful for games where you have a lot of health. It is known.

 

[normalmode]

It's a standard ability in the single player campaign. In multi it's an ability.

Well I appreciate the correction. I should've had the line moved to the multiplayer portion of the script. I'll have to ask the team to note this in the video description.

 

[XtremeXpider]

Then... Is the game garbage? xD

 

[Surface of Me]

Can't believe just how ugly Halo 3 was. Hard to believe they're on the same console.

Honestly, this. Halo 3 to Halo 4 jump seems bigger than Halo 2 to Halo 3, which is crazy.

 

[watership]

Thanks. It’d be great if someone who’s read a bunch could post a bunch of common praises and complaints from these reviews. I’d love to spend the time reading them but I’m knee deep in exam mode. I suppose I shouldn’t be too cynical.

Nah, you should be cynical. The review/PR/publisher pressure is real. But it's not different than it has always been in gaming. I just think the levels of 'Doritos' is constant.

 

[Arksy]

Independent Gamers Network must be the most ironically named gaming website in history. That review was atrocious. I could feel the Doritos and Mountain dew from Australia.

 

[chriskun]

Or you know, tilting the control stick forward all the way in previous games

But I guess analog input is pointless when people don't feel like it's running unless they press a button in addition to the stick

yeah when you ran at 1 mile per hour.

 

[Ryan_IGN]

Just watched the IGN video review. It increased my hype yes.

But goddamn, it might as well have been a paid advertisement for the game.

What is the market value for an ad of that length?

So critics aren't allowed to REALLY REALLY like video games anymore? Isn't that what this whole hobby is all about?

 

[KillerTravis]

Just watched the IGN video review. It increased my hype yes.

But goddamn, it might as well have been a paid advertisement for the game.

What is the market value for an ad of that length?

It's all about the hyyype! I remember Uncharted 3 and Skyward Sword's review being very hype inducing as well. At least for me neither game was a disappointment, so I don't mind if they sound overly excited.

Independent Gamers Network must be the most ironically named gaming website in history. That review was atrocious. I could feel the Doritos and Mountain dew from Australia.

IGN is Imagine Games Network, I think.

Edit: I fucked up.

 

[Baconsammy]

Just watched the IGN video review. It increased my hype yes.

But goddamn, it might as well have been a paid advertisement for the game.

What is the market value of an ad of that length?

Wouldn't any 9.8 review sound like an advertisement for the game. Not much bad to be said when the score is that high. It's just going to be a string of things the reviewer loved. I appreciated the fact that he was excited. Gamespot review was sort of the same.

So critics aren't allowed to REALLY REALLY like video games anymore? Isn't that what this whole hobby is all about?

Apparently not. It means you're paid off (according to the Tinfoil hat folk). I much prefer an energetic review to one from, say, Gerstmann who always sounds like he'd rather be doing anything else but play the game he's reviewing/previewing. Probably why I prefer the Brad/Vinnie Quicklooks over any that involve Jeff.

 

[AHappyPanda]

So critics aren't allowed to REALLY REALLY like video games anymore? Isn't that what this whole hobby is all about?

No, you're allowed to. The hyperbole is brain breaking however.

I eagerly await:

My monitor melting from the visuals
Get knocked on my ass during that first cut-scene
Get my testosterone levels up when listening to the audio cues

I'm going to buy another TV, a better chair, and bigger pants to fit my balls into since they'll be so huge while playing the game.

There's less sensational ways to get your opinion across, and this is coming from a stupidly dedicated Halo fan.

 

[Klocker]

Maybe it just is really that good. And gaming journalists are allowed to be excited about an achievement in gaming that they have been waiting years for just like the rest of us.

I liked the ign review

 

[Sn4ke_911]

Can i play this with mouse & keyboard?

Spoiler

 

[DonMigs85]

I have to admit I am a little bit suspicious of IGN's glowing review, but it doesn't seem quite as shady as their GTAIV review.

 

[Dennis]

So critics aren't allowed to REALLY REALLY like video games anymore? Isn't that what this whole hobby is all about?

Yes they are but the tone of the review is more like a promo than a review.

Are you critically assessing the game or just listing the bullet points of how awesome the game is?

 

[Lime]

So critics aren't allowed to REALLY REALLY like video games anymore? Isn't that what this whole hobby is all about?

lol. Grow up. Try to imagine a film or literary critic being this hyped about a big blockbuster phenomenon, yet video game reviewers, and especially IGN, do this "9-10/10 thing" every time a game with a 30+ million dollar budget is released. It's basically just fanboys/-girls trying to one-up each other in who can use the most amount of superlatives.

Try to think critically. Try to put things into perspective. Try to reflect on your bias and the overall history of games and similar media/art.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

I wonder if they will find people who actually want to play a Halo game to review it.

Yeah, should be pretty difficult, like finding dudes who like blowjobs.

 

[Klocker]

No, you're allowed to. The hyperbole is brain breaking however.

I eagerly await:

My monitor melting from the visuals
Get knocked on my ass during that first cut-scene
Get my testosterone levels up when listening to the audio cues

I'm going to buy another TV, a better chair, and bigger pants to fit my balls into since they'll be so huge while playing the game.

.

Oh I see the problem. Your brain converts praise into hyperbole.

 

[Monumental]

Sorry IGN dude, you were too gushing in your review. You sound like too much of a Halo fan and you're not unattached enough. We prefer to hear from those who wanted Halo 4 to be "something other than Halo". We don't want you to go on and on about why Halo 4 improves so many fundamental Halo elements to become one of the best Halos; we wanted to hear your disappointment about how this is just another Halo. You failed us IGN. We're taking away your critic-badge.

 

[BuggyDClown]

lol. Grow up. Try to imagine a film or literary critic being this hyped about a big blockbuster phenomenon, yet video game reviewers, and especially IGN, do this 9-10/10 every time a game with a 30+ million dollar budget is released.

Try to think critically. Try to put things into perspective. Try to reflect on your bias and the overall history of games and similar media/art.

Yeah that's exactly the same. :/

 

[Dennis]

Sorry IGN dude, you were too gushing in your review. You sound like too much of a Halo fan and you're not unattached enough. We prefer to hear from those who wanted Halo 4 to be "something other than Halo". We don't want you to go on and on about why Halo 4 improves so many fundamental Halo elements to become one of the best Halos; we wanted to hear your disappointment about how this is just another Halo. You failed us IGN. We're taking away your critic-badge.

Oh I get it. This is what they call sarcasm, right?

 

[Perkel]

Eurogamer gave it 8. So it's a 8 game ? Didn't expect more.

lol IGN gave it 9.8 looks like in 2 or 3 years they will need to go with 0.00 and then 0.000