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[Father_Brain]

http://cube.ign.com/articles/685/685694p1.html

Closing Comments
If you've been reading our site for any amount of time and have come to trust my reviews it all, do me a favor and give Chibi-Robo a chance. I expect that too many people will glance at this game and conclude that it's not for them, simply because it's either too weird or too cute. Truthfully, it's both, but it's also a very enjoyable, fun, and rewarding puzzle-platformer. Skip has successfully created a very charming title complete with an off-the-wall hero and an abnormally dysfunctional family whose needs he must contend with on a daily basis. Chibi cleans and spreads happiness, but he also solves environmental puzzles and explores a house that seems bigger than some competing games' universes. And whether he's scrubbing out stains or bringing the family together, you're going to be entertained.

That noted, I've knocked some points off my score because the game is neither as pretty nor as polished as it should be in this day and age. That's not to say that it's ugly because it isn't. But it's a far stretch from beautiful and it rarely pushes the limits of GameCube's technology. I've also lowered the score because the control mechanics, while responsive, are not as tight as I would prefer, particularly since some occasional areas require old-school platforming maneuverability.

Even so, Chibi-Robo is still a great game and one that – in a perfect world – would be a sleeper hit. Pick it up, try it out, and you'll know what I mean when I state that Skip's pint-sized hero can easily hold his own against some of Nintendo's biggest mascots.
IGN's Ratings for Chibi Robo (GCN)

7.0 Presentation
Primitive menus and under-developed graphics, but the game has an irresistible thanks to smart dialogue, a fun story and surreal characters.
6.5 Graphics
Very competent, but hardly impressive. Inspired characters and varied environments. Lackluster polygonal models and up-close blurry textures.
7.5 Sound
Charming. Funny looped voice-work and whimsical music. However, there are odd quiet periods in some cinematics.
8.5 Gameplay
Very fun and very rewarding. Fairly tight control and a commendable selection of entertaining tools to use. Great level design. Occasional camera issues. Platforming mechanics often lack precision.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
A rewarding and surprisingly robust adventure that may keep some gamers busy for 15 hours or more.
8.2
Impressive OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

 

[Mejilan]

Oh man, looks like the new year drought is quickly coming to an end, and my wallet has NOT yet recovered. :/

 

[jj984jj]

Chibi Robo GET!

 

[TekunoRobby]

Girlfriend seems interested in it and it looks like a fun little game. Time to put those Christmas giftcards to use.

 

[Monorojo]

somewhat surprised sucha niche title score so high 0_o

Ill be picking this one up as well for sure.

 

[bonesquad]

Hmm, I don't know much about this game, but I get a Toy Commander vibe from it almost... and I loved Toy Commander. I may have to check this out.

 

[MrDaravon]

Already got this full paid for the girlfriend, glad to continue to hear good things. Still cannot believe it's 50 fucking bucks though. 30-40 would've been perfect for it.

 

[desa]

Already got this full paid for the girlfriend, glad to continue to hear good things. Still cannot believe it's 50 fucking bucks though. 30-40 would've been perfect for it.

Fry's for the win! It's 40 bucks there.

oh and bonus: Resident Evil 4 for the GC is 14.99

 

[Jiggy]

On the one hand, it looks creative.

On the other, it looks niche and I probably wouldn't have cared about in the slightest or even known it existed if not for GAF and a positive IGN review, and the last time I listened to GAF and a positive IGN review about a niche Gamecube game--Battalion Wars--I got burned even at $30, never mind $50.
I think I'll pass, unless this gets some insanely good feedback or something.

 

[Cheebs]

I am one of only TWO people who preordered this at my local store. Oh well the game is gonna be awesome.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

Girlfriend seems interested in it and it looks like a fun little game.

It's a good thing she has quality taste in gaming so you get to play a good game once in a while.

 

[MrDaravon]

On the one hand, it looks creative.

On the other, it looks niche and I probably wouldn't have cared about in the slightest or even known it existed if not for GAF and a positive IGN review, and the last time I listened to GAF and a positive IGN review about a niche Gamecube game--Battalion Wars--I got burned even at $30, never mind $50.
I think I'll pass, unless this gets some insanely good feedback or something.

But BW had a lot of mediocre/bad reviews, this one hasn't (I haven't played BW, just saying though). Gamefly FTW

 

[ziran]

sounds great, can't wait. i love the look, idea and style of this game.

 

[Jefklak]

Not bad the endpoints are still > 8
Let's see what gamespot says...

 

[jaundicejuice]

Bought this yesterday on impulse coming home from school, and after dumping a couple of hours into the game I can safely say it's not a purchase I regret making. You know you're playing a good game when you look up at the clock and utter "Oh shit, it's 1 in the morning?"

It's a pretty slick (and bizarre) unconventional platformer/adventure game.

 

[PolyGone]

If only for the money situation, this game would indeed be mine.

 

[Mr_Furious]

Need more info STAT!

 

[Speevy]

So the reviews range from "Wanna play a mean joke on your kids? Buy them this game." to "Give this game a chance."

 

[tt_deeb]

I've been keeping my eye on this game for a long time. I'll wait for a price drop and pick it up. Like I do any other game nowadays.

 

[muphins]

Need more info STAT!

Hottttt

 

[jaundicejuice]

So the reviews range from "Wanna play a mean joke on your kids? Buy them this game." to "Give this game a chance."

?

I'm just curious becdause I have yet to see an overtly negative review of the game.

 

[Speevy]

?

I'm just curious becdause I have yet to see an overtly negative review of the game.

Game Informer. Last issue. Next-gen Medal of Honor cover.

I'd scan it but I think that would get me banned.

 

[jj984jj]

?

I'm just curious becdause I have yet to see an overtly negative review of the game.

Game Informer.

 

[jaundicejuice]

lol

By the admission of its own staff members, Game Informer does not review games on their own merits, they try to crystal ball their readers expectations.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

lol

By the admission of its own staff members, Game Informer does not review games on their own merits, they try to crystal ball their readers expectations.

I usually hate when people claim this, and I think their dead on about Mario Party being shitty, but GI really doesn't care for most Nintendo games, imo.

 

[Speevy]

Well, like I said before, their reviews are so short and vague that you wonder whether they've played the game at all.

It's like they jump to the general descriptions and humor without giving specific examples of why the game fails in some respect.

Their quick reviews offer so little help that textless reviews or "smiley meters" would offer the same amount of insight.

 

[Dyne]

The reviews haven't even mentioned the sound-synching, have they? I personally love how all the little robot clacks change with every texture switch, and the music generated when you scrub, and the way this rhythm starts when you run out of power, exactly in time with the music. This is the kind of synching I've dreamed of for a game (but not like Lumines which is not the same.)

 

[MrDaravon]

I usually hate when people claim this, and I think their dead on about Mario Party being shitty, but GI really doesn't care for most Nintendo games, imo.

The reviewer for Paper Mario 2 flat out said that they gave it a lower score because they didn't think "most people would like it," or something to that extent (can't remember the exact phrasing). There is no argument or claiming on that, it's FACT.

Edit: Found the exact post again:

GI-Jeremy wrote:

Lisa and I both knew that our Paper Mario scores were going to cause controversy. Yes, we know that many people out there will love it. We also know that it is a well-made game. However, it also WILL NOT appeal to many people - I would safely say that more people will dislike it than like it. Why? Like we said in the review, it's a very kiddie game - it's target audience is clearly young gamers - I would say 10 and under. For that reason, we had to score it low. Remember, we aren't scoring games strictly on our personal opinions, we're also scoring them based on how much we think THE GAMING PUBLIC will like them. We've all played games that we personally disliked and scored them well because we've known that most people will like them, and we've also scored games low that we love, because most people won't enjoy them.

FOr example, I really like the bizarre frog golf game Ribbit King, and I gave it a 7, because it's just not for everyone. Paper Mario 2 also scored low because it's just not for everyone. If you think it's a 10 in your book, it's a ten in your book, and that doesn't change if we disagree. We're here to guide you on what games to pick up, but ultimately your personal opinion is what will make you buy a game or not.

I hope this helps.

And the game is clearly for 10 and under? Is he fucking high? I actually canceled my free subscription for the mag after this.

 

[siege]

That's hilarious. Game Informer rocks.

 

[Calidor]

I've put a few hours on it, and it's fun, but not more than 30$ worth imo. Wait for a price cut if you are unsure

 

[jaundicejuice]

I usually hate when people claim this, and I think their dead on about Mario Party being shitty, but GI really doesn't care for most Nintendo games, imo.

For reference to what I'm refering to, read Sailor's post above That was posted by a Game Informer editor on Game Informer's own official forums. They do not base their reviews on their own opinions, they do not judge a game based on what they think its merits are, they try to play psychic hotline bullshit and crystal ball their readers expectations.

Game Informer is not worth the paper it's printed on.

 

[Speevy]

If I were one of the million + frothing casuals who bought 50 Cent: Bulletproof, I'd have to boycott Game Informer based on their review. These individuals should march right into Gamestop and cancel their annual trade-paid Madden preorder, since those credit dollars are how Game Informer gets its distinguished reader base anyway.


GI called it a "Just Another Wanksta."

They're gaining journalistic integrity. :lol