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Sunset Overdrive Review Thread
- Thread starter Killer
- Start date
ConradCervantes
Banned
Same, which is a shame because this would likely be the first game I'd get if I pick up an Xbone at some point. Looks really fun to play, but that humor would assuredly put a damper on the experience. Going so far as to reference a video game forum by name is just cringeworthy.
FUBAR McDangles
Member
I've had this game pre-loaded for a few weeks now and cannot wait to play it tomorrow. Should be a ton of fun.
jackissocool
Member
My jealousy knows no bounds. One of my favorite developers puts out an awesome new game? Xbone owners have got it good right now. Congrats, Insomniac. With the heavy marketing push and great reviews, I have a feeling this game will sell very well. That makes me really happy because they've been having a rough few years but I knew they hasn't lost their spark.
But uguuu I want to play this so bad
But uguuu I want to play this so bad
therealminime
Member
I am glad to see others are enjoying it as much as I am.
Ive played about 9 or so hours of this over the last few days, Ive only done campaign stuff thus far. I think that its pretty great. The first few hours are a fairly slow burn. It all only started clicking for me after about 4 hours of playing. The traversal is the main area that takes getting used to. You have to adjust to the controls and learn what piece of the environment can be used for movement and how to use those pieces. Once you get past about the four hour mark youve unlocked a few new movement abilities and have acclimated to getting around. By then it really starts getting fun. You are constantly getting new and crazy weapons with amazing visual effects (so many particle effects and zero dips to my eyes) and getting around the city starts feeling great. Its fast and fluid and you can really get around quickly when you are playing well. But those that dont use the traversal, and use it well, when fighting will not have fun. You can go down very fast when you are just on the ground playing it like a standard third person shooter. If you are on the move, grinding, bouncing, boosting, all the time its great.
The humor is definitely hit and miss, but for me there have been a lot more hits than misses, but when it misses it misses badly. There are some super forced, awkward pop culture and internet references that I hated, but there are also a good amount of goofy, dumb, occasionally dark jokes and gags that work. But the humor fits in with the world and overall presentation. The whole game is very consistent with its colorful visuals, style, and characters and it makes for an excellent, unique package. It reminds me of Saints Row 4 because the only thing the game is concerned with is having a good time and I like having a game thats about fun and stupidity every year.
I havent gotten to Chaos Squad yet but I suspect that it will be very good, crazy, chaotic fun once youve got a good selection of weapons and are good at the traversal. There definitely isnt a ton of variety in what you do, its mainly traverse the city and shoot enemies. But the traversal feels different and new, the weapons are splendid, and the amps you get for getting a high skill chain make things even crazier. All I want to do is keep playing it. Just my two cents.
Ive played about 9 or so hours of this over the last few days, Ive only done campaign stuff thus far. I think that its pretty great. The first few hours are a fairly slow burn. It all only started clicking for me after about 4 hours of playing. The traversal is the main area that takes getting used to. You have to adjust to the controls and learn what piece of the environment can be used for movement and how to use those pieces. Once you get past about the four hour mark youve unlocked a few new movement abilities and have acclimated to getting around. By then it really starts getting fun. You are constantly getting new and crazy weapons with amazing visual effects (so many particle effects and zero dips to my eyes) and getting around the city starts feeling great. Its fast and fluid and you can really get around quickly when you are playing well. But those that dont use the traversal, and use it well, when fighting will not have fun. You can go down very fast when you are just on the ground playing it like a standard third person shooter. If you are on the move, grinding, bouncing, boosting, all the time its great.
The humor is definitely hit and miss, but for me there have been a lot more hits than misses, but when it misses it misses badly. There are some super forced, awkward pop culture and internet references that I hated, but there are also a good amount of goofy, dumb, occasionally dark jokes and gags that work. But the humor fits in with the world and overall presentation. The whole game is very consistent with its colorful visuals, style, and characters and it makes for an excellent, unique package. It reminds me of Saints Row 4 because the only thing the game is concerned with is having a good time and I like having a game thats about fun and stupidity every year.
I havent gotten to Chaos Squad yet but I suspect that it will be very good, crazy, chaotic fun once youve got a good selection of weapons and are good at the traversal. There definitely isnt a ton of variety in what you do, its mainly traverse the city and shoot enemies. But the traversal feels different and new, the weapons are splendid, and the amps you get for getting a high skill chain make things even crazier. All I want to do is keep playing it. Just my two cents.
This is what, the third well-rated game on the system? Unless you're meaning to say you really dislike the old XBoxes.
Ol No Bones
Banned
It is now preloaded! I love you insomniac.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
lol wat
have some pride in your hometown dude
remember this forum's amazing LOST threads?
I read about 5 reviews from different outlets and watch some video reviews. If the gameplay looks appealing and find that some criticism (like in this case the humor and low difficulty) is subjective and won't apply to me, I usually get the game. It also goes the other way around.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
I wait for a 4AD reference.
Sunset Overdrive is literally the first game I will ever buy, all because of this maxim.
In Service
Member
The scores. By the time the scores come out I have normally watched 3 or 4 videos too.
If the videos look great I may pre-order before scores. If I'm on the fence the scores give me guidance as to whether I buy on day one or if I wait for the bargain bin next year.
I usually run an Amazon gift list of the games I've passed on and pick them up in quiet times.
The words in the reviews are so subjective. If the game doesn't get good scores I wait to see more of the game before making my choice. I love some games that didn't get good scores.
ttocs
Member
I usually go for the overall review, but for games that have been on my radar, I usually make my decision long in advance based on previews. The only way I'd be turned off from a game is if it's scoring very low (below 60.) But, I like good bad games from time to time.
orthodoxy1095
Banned
Just a few more games and it'll officially be time for me to purchase an X1. Glad to see there will be some quality content waiting for me!
It's a bit harder to gauge, but I tend to go off the "average person's" opinion. Sometimes critics can try a bit too hard to be critical with movies, so seeing the consumer reviews helps. I hold the same thing with games. I like to see what Gaffers think.
ttocs
Member
If you are in the US, Major Nelson just posted about a $50 price cut to the bundles this holiday season ($350). That's a great deal and I think one of the bundles comes with Sunset Overdrive.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
The Kotaku review is spot-on for how I feel about the game's humor and attitude. I found it smug and grating from the first trailer. "Hey guys, we know we're a video game, so we're so much cooler than all those dudebro games, look how special we are!" It's off-putting enough that it deterred me away from the game, and the Kotaku review emphasizing that the attitude to is very much a part of the game is enough to keep me away.
Which is too bad, because gameplay wise I'd like to give it a shot.
Which is too bad, because gameplay wise I'd like to give it a shot.
IGN really liked the humour. They said the writing was 'impeccable'.
Dayam
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
i think it looks like a lot of fun
¯\_(ツ
_/¯(insomniac, can you make a weekly challenge called ¯\_(ツ
_/¯ ?)NavyPharaoh
Member
One of my most anticipated games of the year delivers! Bravo!
LowerLevel
Member
You, and others, make valid points. But MS dropped one of my favorite games late last Gen with State of Decay and that seems to be an exclusive (at least publishing wise) for the long term. Only one game, but definitely a good one.
Normally I'd agree with you both but this doesn't appear to be the sort of game where you can tune out the humor. Everything I've seen so far makes it seem like the quips and jokes are a constant barrage and the reviews say as much too. It's kind of hard to ignore something when the developers are seemingly intent icon rubbing your nose in it at every opportunity. That said I know there is a an audience that enjoys the humor of this game and for those people I'm sure the game will be fantastic but as someone who doesn't enjoy that style of humor the thought of playing through just doesn't seem appealing to me at all.
Now imagine if the reviewers would actually like the humor.
Seriously though, I agree with you but that's me not really giving attention to the final score but rather the text. I don't have a problem with the humor from the videos I watched so far and the gameplay seems to be fun and motivating. That's what pushed me over the edge.
That's awesome. I'm glad it's your kind of humor and no doubt you'll have a blast with the game. Enjoy it man! It just doesn't seem like my (or most of the reviewer's from the language in the reviews) cup of tea. It's just odd that in this instance that doesn't seem to reflect in the review scores at all.
I really agree with everything you said.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Can you shed some light on the mission objectives?
Because from all the footage I've watched this was my sticking point, and the reason I cancelled my preorder. Seems like all the talk is revolving around moving around the environment and the humor, but it's the missions that would make or break the game for me.
From what I've seen they're the typical run of the mill protect this and fetch that. Is that the case?
Piston Hyundai
Member
My jealousy knows no bounds. One of my favorite developers puts out an awesome new game? Xbone owners have got it good right now. Congrats, Insomniac. With the heavy marketing push and great reviews, I have a feeling this game will sell very well. That makes me really happy because they've been having a rough few years but I knew they hasn't lost their spark.
But uguuu I want to play this so bad
I don't know, this game could go both ways, in terms of sales. It might be too close to Advanced Warfare's release to get too much mainstream attention.
Also, Xbone owners? That's too formal. We prefer to be called "Xboners." It's a nice mix of both words.
theytookourjobz
Junior Member
Words are subjective but scores aren't? A review is, by definition, someone's subjective opinion of something.
Neuromancer
Member
Good job on the reviews, Insomniac. I hope it sells well for them.
Good going Insomniac really glad you got your mojo back after dealing with EA. This and the ps4 R&C are going to be some fun times.
I understand man. XBO is a bit expensive to pick up but there are some good deals going on soon and it's got KI and quite a few other good exclusives.
My jealousy knows no bounds. One of my favorite developers puts out an awesome new game? Xbone owners have got it good right now. Congrats, Insomniac. With the heavy marketing push and great reviews, I have a feeling this game will sell very well. That makes me really happy because they've been having a rough few years but I knew they hasn't lost their spark.
But uguuu I want to play this so bad
I understand man. XBO is a bit expensive to pick up but there are some good deals going on soon and it's got KI and quite a few other good exclusives.
FaintColt388301
Member
Wooo. Glad to see its doing well. I just started getting on the hype train. I'm excited to finally become an xboner. Tuesday can't get here soon enough.
Mr. Smiley
Member
Good on Insomniac. Will pick this up eventually with a Xbox One.
Primethius
Banned
I see where you're coming from but I think Bayonetta really is the best example here. You can't tune out the character of Bayonetta either as you're playing the game but if the core game is appealing enough, you can overlook it.
As I said MOST of the reviews I have taken the time to read thus far are not favorable on the humor. Of course there are some exceptions IGN being one of them. In the many of the others their negative commentary on the invasive humor in the game doesn't seem to affect the end score at all and that just seems a bit odd to me since many of them are downright scathing with their commentary on the matter. Specifically the Kotaku review is just absolutely brutal on the humor but still recommends buying the game despite reading like an overtly negative review as a whole. It's a really bizarre dichotomy between the written reviews and the scores associated with them.
GreatestHits
Member
I don't really use reviews. If there's a game I wanna try from gameplay videos / trailers / what it tries to accomplish, I'll buy it to see how good/not good it ends up.
Even if it reviews poorly, I wanna know what went wrong and make my own opinion.
Except maybe if the metacritic number is really low (like 50 something), then I'll probably wait for a price drop because that has to mean something.
Though I am glad it reviews well because I know it's important for some people, and especially for the devs, but I would have bought it anyway.