SantaC
Member
From the latets mailbag on question what he thinks of Halo2 and GTA:SA. I know some people that wanted his opnion:
http://cube.ign.com/mail.html
http://cube.ign.com/mail.html
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Matt-IGN on Halo2 and GTA:SA
- Thread starter SantaC
- Start date
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
I am surprised Matts parents let him play these mature games!
This guy does live in his folks basement right?
This guy does live in his folks basement right?
soundwave05
Member
I do agree that if you take the element of violence out of GTA but kept the game the same more or less otherwise, the reviews would drop from 9s/10s to 8s.
i'm perplexed by the increasingly widespread opinion that halo 2's multiplayer is its strongest component. yeah, it's good fun, but it's a lot like every other online fps. i think the campaign, with its distinctive, finely-tuned mechanics and large-scale battles is a lot more impressive. there's so much strategy and variety there, and the online play, for all its thrills, can't match it. wasn't consensus on halo 1 that the singleplayer rocked while the multiplayer was ordinary? what changed?
SolidSnakex
Member
soundwave05 said:
The game is violent, if you removed that it wouldn't even be GTA anymore. How fun would Mario be if you removed all the platforming?
Do The Mario
Unconfirmed Member
SantaCruZer said:
ROFL ROFL ROFL
What a dream boat!
hahahahahahahaa
soundwave05 said:
yeah, and if you took the jumping out of mario, it'd be a 7 at best. jesus. gta without violence would be the western equivalent of tokyo bus guide. it wouldn't be an 8, it'd be a ZERO.
edit: oh shit, i was thinking the same thing as ssx. how long do i have until my avatar turns into a cloying asian moppet-girl.
Luscious LeftFoot
Member
*scratches head*
I don't understand, why would changing the rating affect the score?
JasoNsider
Member
I have to say - this is one time where I actually agree with Matt on almost all accounts. We usually have very differing tastes when it comes to game preferences, but this is one instance where his sentiments (almost) reflect mine to a tee. As a person who looks for great execution with in-game mechanics, GTA just really falls short in almost every category. I would rather take a game with a smaller scope and more refined gameplay mechanics than a melting pot of half-polished design elements.
The only thing I disagree about is Halo 2's run-and-gun gameplay structure. I'm personally not a big fan of it, to be honest. It just comes across as very "one-dimensional" in a way. I got excited when we got stuck in the game the other day because I thought maybe they were going to actually make us solve a puzzle or find a hidden doorway but it turned out they just unlocked an existing door. Then they made me sit on an elevator for what seemed like 10 minutes, mindlessly gunning down the same enemies over and over. I know it's the "in thing" right now, but as a game design enthusiast, Halo 2 just doesn't do anything for me. The only thing I really am impressed about is the balancing with multiplayer. That is both well executed and bold in its direction (slower gameplay, emphasis on having both advantages and disadvantages to every facet.)
The only thing I disagree about is Halo 2's run-and-gun gameplay structure. I'm personally not a big fan of it, to be honest. It just comes across as very "one-dimensional" in a way. I got excited when we got stuck in the game the other day because I thought maybe they were going to actually make us solve a puzzle or find a hidden doorway but it turned out they just unlocked an existing door. Then they made me sit on an elevator for what seemed like 10 minutes, mindlessly gunning down the same enemies over and over. I know it's the "in thing" right now, but as a game design enthusiast, Halo 2 just doesn't do anything for me. The only thing I really am impressed about is the balancing with multiplayer. That is both well executed and bold in its direction (slower gameplay, emphasis on having both advantages and disadvantages to every facet.)
My significant other, who is a prude when it comes to issues like violence in media, has been hogging the San Andreas time at our house.
He's in love with the Sims-like features, and while not an experienced enough gamer to complete missions on their first(and even thirtieth) try, his dedication is pretty telling of the game's drawing power and quality.
People who write off San Andreas as a mainstream "morbid curiosity", a violence fix, are too quick to judge.
He's in love with the Sims-like features, and while not an experienced enough gamer to complete missions on their first(and even thirtieth) try, his dedication is pretty telling of the game's drawing power and quality.
People who write off San Andreas as a mainstream "morbid curiosity", a violence fix, are too quick to judge.
Perhaps he is just writing this because it's what the Nintendo fanboys want to hear? Perhaps he's just a normal guy when he finishes work, and goes home to get down to some serious smack-talking on Halo 2 Live. You have to give these professionals a break - they're only trying to entertain us. Did people think Charlie Chaplin was mute just because he didn't speak in his movies? Wait for Matt to come out and start editing IGN-PS2 
SolidSnakex
Member
Speevy said:
That's a very good point.Jonnyram said:Perhaps he is just writing this because it's what the Nintendo fanboys want to hear? Perhaps he's just a normal guy when he finishes work, and goes home to get down to some serious smack-talking on Halo 2 Live. You have to give these professionals a break - they're only trying to entertain us. Did people think Charlie Chaplin was mute just because he didn't speak in his movies? Wait for Matt to come out and start editing IGN-PS2
Guns N' Poops
Banned
Yay, the credible guy number 1 speaks. Halo 2 is the same, but MP2, duuuuuude, now that's a whole new deal.
soundwave05
Member
That's true, its not like Nintendo is breaking any records for originality this year, that's fer darn sure.
Metroid Prime 2, Pikmin 2, Paper Mario 2, Mario Tennis 2.
The most original game is probably Donkey Konga and that's made by Namco.
2004 = year of the sequels.
Metroid Prime 2, Pikmin 2, Paper Mario 2, Mario Tennis 2.
The most original game is probably Donkey Konga and that's made by Namco.
2004 = year of the sequels.
bobbyconover
Member
I can't believe it, but I completely agree with everything he said. And I don't consider myself biased towards one company or another at all.
It's common GAF practice to accuse everyone with an opinion of having some hidden agenda ("trying to please the fanboys," "he's just a nerd who lives at home," "needs to get laid," "too quick to judge," etc). Why can't anyone's opinion ever be taken at face value?
It's common GAF practice to accuse everyone with an opinion of having some hidden agenda ("trying to please the fanboys," "he's just a nerd who lives at home," "needs to get laid," "too quick to judge," etc). Why can't anyone's opinion ever be taken at face value?
bobbyconover
Member
Guns N' Poops said:
Metroid Prime 2 Echoes, in every way an extension of that winning formula, does not. As a result, anybody who played through the original game will already have a very clear picture of what waits in this anticipated sequel: more of the same. Yes, that means an identical control scheme and similar level structure, pacing, weapon and upgrade advancements, and Morphball-based puzzles. And despite an updated graphics engine, even the visuals look closely related to those in the title's predecessor.
Took about 20 seconds to find that in his review.
Guns N' Poops
Banned
bobbyconover said:
I don't give a damn on the review, because besides this sentences his general thoughts about Nintendo's games is damn biased. "MP2 is not that new, but Halo 2 isn't that fresh as well. It doesn't deserve hype"
ZombieSupaStar
Member
cant he just go back to imagining if nintendo did this or that, how theyd rock...you know, and make it front page material :rolleyes
JasoNsider
Member
bobbyconover said:
Also, why is it that some people think that a differing opinion is just plain crazy. I can't remember the quote, but there was that IGN editor who said if you don't like Halo 2's gameplay that you're just plain crazy or something. This is quite ignorant to me. Even though I don't personally think the campaign mode in either of the Halo games are anything special, I wouldn't think people were crazy for thinking such a thing.
Another Take
Body Harvest, in development since Nintendo 64's beginning, has been absolutely cursed with delays and development problems. So, to be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much of the title, despite the fact that it's from top-notch game-maker DMA Design. Luckily, the Scottish developer surprised me, once again delivering an addictive 64-bit action-adventure that screams old-school fun.
Admittedly, Body Harvest's graphics leave a lot to be desired. They're blurry, sometimes generic and, at times, downright ugly. Even the main character looks plain and lacks detail. But this happens to be one of those games that is so fun that one can easily overlook its graphic shortcomings. And given how long this game has been undergoing and re-undergoing development, I think DMA made the best of a bad situation.
Loads of fun. But if you're expecting to be blown away by its graphics you're in for a disappointment.
-- Matt Casamassina
Body Harvest, in development since Nintendo 64's beginning, has been absolutely cursed with delays and development problems. So, to be quite honest, I wasn't expecting much of the title, despite the fact that it's from top-notch game-maker DMA Design. Luckily, the Scottish developer surprised me, once again delivering an addictive 64-bit action-adventure that screams old-school fun.
Admittedly, Body Harvest's graphics leave a lot to be desired. They're blurry, sometimes generic and, at times, downright ugly. Even the main character looks plain and lacks detail. But this happens to be one of those games that is so fun that one can easily overlook its graphic shortcomings. And given how long this game has been undergoing and re-undergoing development, I think DMA made the best of a bad situation.
Loads of fun. But if you're expecting to be blown away by its graphics you're in for a disappointment.
-- Matt Casamassina
SolidSnakex
Member
8bit said:
Now that's good.
Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
Guns N' Poops said:
I was thinking the same thing, but more of either of those titles is a great thing either way.
I take exception to calling Halo a 'run and gun' type of game. Though I was previously against saying that the true Halo experience was on Legendary, it's just become pretty obvious. It's akin to saying that Perfect Dark and Goldeneye were just run and guns and the objectives would automatically complete themselves as you blast your way from one end of the level to the other(which is true for the most part on the lower difficulties). I wouldn't say that, and I'm sure Matt Cassamasina wouldn't either. Legendary introduces a layer of strategy not present in any of the other difficulty settings. I'll also agree with DSN2K and disagree with Drohne and say that while I have been playing PC FPS titles for years as well as the original Halo for years, Halo 2's multi feels pretty fresh to me. I hated the single player pretty much from start to finish, but the multi is what keeps it close to game of the year for me. I was almost certain that the multi was what was so lauded about for Halo 1, drohne. I will have to go back and check.
As far as GTA without the violence, it's called Simpson's Hit and Run, but S:H&R wasn't nearly as good or as absolutely packed with gameplay as GTASA is. But hey let's just ignore the incredible mass appeal of being an outlaw in a virtual world. It's a fantasy we all have but don't live out in the real world, obviously. I like racing games too, but I bet they wouldn't be as fun without the... racing.
That first statement covers his ass quite lovely though. It's alright, he didn't get enough playtime! Then just don't pass judgement on a website as widely read as IGN.
jasonsider - if you're a "game design enthusiast" rather than a nintendo enthusiast, you should stop equating "action" with "mindless." puzzles have no place in halo, but that doesn't mean it's thoughtless or one-note. it's a pure action game, but some of its design is remarkably subtle and clever. each type of enemy calls for a distinct strategy, and suggests the use of certain weapons. but your arsenal is limited, and enemies come in heterogenous packs. the way the game forces you to stretch your tools and spontaneously strategize demands appreciation. the reactive ai and the range of choice the game often allows you ensure that there are nearly as many halo strategies as halo players.
if you can only see brilliance in certain genres, or only in traditional, heavily-designed games rather than modern, freeform games, you're working with a massive blind spot.
if you can only see brilliance in certain genres, or only in traditional, heavily-designed games rather than modern, freeform games, you're working with a massive blind spot.
MightyHedgehog
Member
Heh. Drohne rocks.
evilromero
Member
No, the Charlie Chaplin analogy was quite stupid.human5892 said:
I tend to agree with him on Halo 2. I've had it since launch, and still to this day haven't enjoyed it nearly as much as the first one. The major factor is a lack of playing with a huge crowd of friends in one location over LAN. Xbox Live matches a silent, boring and just straight forward. And the online interface is fucked, I don't like it at all.
We'll see what people really think five or six years down the road, when Halo 2 and GTA: SA have had time to sit. Remember, Super Metroid wasn't hailed as one of the best games ever when it first launched; that came some years later. It was mainly Donkey Kong Country that stole the spotlight that year because of the hype surrounding it. But most would agree that game is not worth any kind of hype. EGM gave Super Metroid a high rating (somewhere around 9.5), but they didn't seem nearly as keen on it as they were when it received "Best Game Ever" in some later issues.
Wellington
BAAAALLLINNN'
evilromero said:
I'm honestly so shocked you would say something like that that I can't even type out a coherent response, but I'll give it a try.
LAN is still there, in fact I played LAN on Saturday with 15 other people.
Xbox Live supports headsets so that matches aren't silent and sterile.
Hope that is clear.
disabledHeliocentric
Member
I don't think Halo should be like Prime. But maybe a few branching paths instead of all those blocked off doors for just a subtle seasoning of a Zelda dungeon type layout that would sprout up just a couple of times might be an improvement(edit: See chronicles of Riddick for example of what I mean).
I find GTA rather bleh although I appreciate its style and the phenomenon which surrounds it. I wonder what a Halo type of vehicle system would be like in a massive infrastructure of cities and villas and missions laid out openly and accessable in non linear ways with some RPG and sims like elements thrown in.
I find GTA rather bleh although I appreciate its style and the phenomenon which surrounds it. I wonder what a Halo type of vehicle system would be like in a massive infrastructure of cities and villas and missions laid out openly and accessable in non linear ways with some RPG and sims like elements thrown in.
evilromero
Member
I don't even know anyone that cares about Halo anymore. Three years ago, Halo was still fresh, but a good deal of us got burnt out quickly on week-long LAN party on the same two fucking levels.Wellington said:
Wow. Are you actually comparing these two games? You sure you want to start something on that level? I think your head would explode. If you honestly think ANYONE is buying Metroid for its fucking multiplayer, then what the hell are you doing playing video games? You should be ashamed of yourself.