I suppose I should probably have read a few more reviews before I said that, haha. The only ones I've looked at called the game a bit mediocre at worst or just expected better out of a PS4 launch title.
The Player 1 Podcast Topic
- Thread starter GhaleonQ
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I suppose I should probably have read a few more reviews before I said that, haha. The only ones I've looked at called the game a bit mediocre at worst or just expected better out of a PS4 launch title.
Yeah, that was a poor choice of words. Consider my foot firmly in my mouth.
brianmcdoogle
Member
Does anybody know what episode was when they talked about the ending of Enslaved? I am listening through the BioShock Infinite spoiler cast right now and they mentioned it, and I remember how much they hated the ending, and just wanted to relive their conversation.
nckillthegrimace
Member
Having finished it, Knack is a C game being treated like an F for whatever reason.
brianmcdoogle
Member
Knack is a good game, but is it a good PS4 game??? Think about it
I actually really like it when the show, and Mike in particular, pick apart the press and reviewers, and the show tuns into the video game version of NPR's On The Media. I think this stuff needs to be called out, and I hate that no other podcast will ever address other outlets and their stupidity.
Regarding the Knack stuff, I feel like the low reviews, at least the exceedingly low reviews, are a result of three factors. First, I think people were expecting a vastly different game where you have a bunch of different moves for Knack that you use against a couple of different enemies, and not a bunch of different enemies you fight with a limited move set. Secondly, because the game isn't what it appears to be (an easy kid game), the frustration of repeatedly dying, in conjunction of playing on deadline, made the game much more of a tedious, rushed affair than how others would play the game (maybe a chapter or two a day at most). Finally, I think there was a major backlash against the previous generation's launch reviews (those ridiculously high Perfect Dark scores) that made the scores this time around swing the other way dramatically. Maybe we'll see a smaller swing this week with Xbox reviews? Who knows.
Also, for whatever reason, most people I've seen play the game, in demos and whatnot, never used the sunstone powers against harder enemies, and just instead repeatedly charged ahead and died.
I agree with the poster above that Knack is a C game treated like an F game. And, I can't wait until the eventual chapter
Killzone discussion on the podcast.
I haven't!
I actually really like it when the show, and Mike in particular, pick apart the press and reviewers, and the show tuns into the video game version of NPR's On The Media. I think this stuff needs to be called out, and I hate that no other podcast will ever address other outlets and their stupidity.
Regarding the Knack stuff, I feel like the low reviews, at least the exceedingly low reviews, are a result of three factors. First, I think people were expecting a vastly different game where you have a bunch of different moves for Knack that you use against a couple of different enemies, and not a bunch of different enemies you fight with a limited move set. Secondly, because the game isn't what it appears to be (an easy kid game), the frustration of repeatedly dying, in conjunction of playing on deadline, made the game much more of a tedious, rushed affair than how others would play the game (maybe a chapter or two a day at most). Finally, I think there was a major backlash against the previous generation's launch reviews (those ridiculously high Perfect Dark scores) that made the scores this time around swing the other way dramatically. Maybe we'll see a smaller swing this week with Xbox reviews? Who knows.
Also, for whatever reason, most people I've seen play the game, in demos and whatnot, never used the sunstone powers against harder enemies, and just instead repeatedly charged ahead and died.
I agree with the poster above that Knack is a C game treated like an F game. And, I can't wait until the eventual chapter
8
You definitely skipped that part.
I don't think this can be overstated. As I play Knack I can imagine trying to tear through it on an extremely tight deadline (what did they have, like two days) and I would get extremely frustrated, too.
The other thing I think a lot of reviewers confuse is just how challenging a kid game should be. I'd say 99% of them use the phrase "kid game" as code for "dumbed down." Would Knack frustrate some younger children? Almost definitely. But I think the fact that it's got a limited move set and a very generous sunstone power and checkpoint system makes it much more appropriate for the younger crowd than a lot of people realize.
Kid games should not all be virtual treadmills where forward momentum is guaranteed no matter what. It's surprising to me how resilient younger players can be when they decide they're going to get good at something.
I feel like that's another shortcoming of most of the enthusiast media. And I say that knowing full well that I was exactly the same way when when I was reviewing games for a living.
GillianSeed79
Member
Player One Podcast is one of my favorite podcasts. I really do love it. I just have one thing I wanted to ask though without sounding like a dick. Sometimes I like to sit on the couch after work on Monday nights and watch the Youtube version of the podcast. Are the jump cuts/transitions to the various people on the podcast something that's done automatically when they broadcast it or is someone actually manually doing all of the transitions? The reason I ask is that it's really distracting. It's like it cuts to someone else every two seconds. I wish there was way they could broadcast with less frequent cuts to everyone else.
I think I listened to at least half of it.
Correct me if I'm wrong but they were saying that Knack is basically the same as a Lego game but then went on to say that only when talking about the combat. If that is the case then I can see why this game got a 4. I could understand a 2. Lego games have horrible combat.
There are a bunch of Lego games (Batman 2 is way better than say POTC), too so a more specific comparison would have been easier to understand.
At least with that stuff they were sort of being specific.
Not with all the jibes about score though. That just came across as believing that the low scores themselves were laughable. Isn't that sort of the same as the whole, "it's impossible to like" thing. By just referring to the scores they weren't differentiating between low scores with valid reasons and those without.
I may be misremembering though. Please let me know if I have.
I think that's a Google Hangouts thing. As soon as someone speaks they cut to them. So if there's people speaking over each other it gets a bit busy.
I don't remember the details but I'm pretty sure at one point CJ said he had issues with some of the things that were said and not the scores, then he proceeded to mention a couple things reviewers wrote which were just flat out wrong.
Lol. They quoted specific reviewers.
Based on what I've played I think a 6-ish score is pretty fair for Knack. But I hate when those scores are based on ridiculous reasons. One review I checked out complained that the game was too hard, but that the sun abilities were so effective they were like cheating. I mean...come on.
Gametrailers, right?
I've heard numerous reviews complain of the game being too difficult.
I also understand conceptually how you might consider a smart bomb attack in a Knack style game to be like cheating. Surely, slowmo, super speed or powered up attacks would fit better? No?
Neuromancer
Member
I also don't think that reviews are one way streets. If you disagree with the general consensus on a game, and you're on a gaming podcast, it seems to me that that would be a decent topic of conversation.
acheron_xl
Member
I have zero problem with P1P calling out other reviewers. It's not like any of these media outlets have ombudsmen.
state_vector_collapse
Member
I hadn't listened to this podcast in a while. And the above is why I stopped a while back. The air of superiority still hangs a little too thick over everything they say for my liking.
Sure. My basic point was that it came across, as someone else mentioned, a little defensive and superior.
I can totally see why some people are enjoying it and also why some aren't.
I won't get a chance to play it myself till February.
D
Deleted member 47027
Unconfirmed Member
CJ and Phil appearing elsewhere:
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/sitenews/35994
Gives me hope for the Mike and Greg supplemental show! I can't get enough of Generation 16, nor do I get enough Mike in general.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/sitenews/35994
Gives me hope for the Mike and Greg supplemental show! I can't get enough of Generation 16, nor do I get enough Mike in general.
So, I also think that is pretty fair. I listen to enough podcasts to know that some of the discussion in this episode (and certainly others) would come off that way to me as a listener. But I think it comes from a very specific, understandable place: not feeling at all represented by these writers/critics. It really is, for me, less about thinking I'm better than they are (even though, come on...) and more about feeling that I'm completely different. We just don't speak the same language, at all.
I've been a P1P listener since the beginning, and I, too, am noticing the air of superiority seems to be getting thicker by the week. Not a good sign.
I feel as if the original trio has lost all respect for the games media, simply because they're now mostly removed from the scene: not to say that the current games media is worthy of our respect, but CJ, Phil, and Greg (CJ has become the worst offender by far) would do well to at least remember their own heritage in order to, at a minimum, be empathetic towards the [generally good] people who are currently trying to make a living at it in these challenging times.
nckillthegrimace
Member
I do feel that lately there has been a bit too much time spent on mocking/trashing/whatever games media.
If you enjoy Knack, awesome. Tell me how much you like it on your own terms rather than telling me how wrong all those reviews are and how unqualified or whatever those people are to be critiquing games.
"I like _____ because ________"
instead of
"I like ______ but ______ said ______ and that's wrong!"
I don't care what those other people are saying. I care what you guys think though. So more of what you feel about the games and less on what other people feel about them would be nice. It's your podcast to do with as you like though. But I just wanted to comment I feel there was a shift in tone in the recent months.
If you enjoy Knack, awesome. Tell me how much you like it on your own terms rather than telling me how wrong all those reviews are and how unqualified or whatever those people are to be critiquing games.
"I like _____ because ________"
instead of
"I like ______ but ______ said ______ and that's wrong!"
I don't care what those other people are saying. I care what you guys think though. So more of what you feel about the games and less on what other people feel about them would be nice. It's your podcast to do with as you like though. But I just wanted to comment I feel there was a shift in tone in the recent months.
I think things are getting a bit blown out of proportion based solely on the Knack talk, here. I'll point out that we also called out Joystiq for doing a fantastic job on their PS4 stream in giving really good information on the console pre-launch.
Last week after my rant about resolutiongate we also followed up with some positive examples of the media coverage re: the next generation.
We do tend to shit on the enthusiast press once in a while (though it's usually a particular cast of characters, not the media in general), but I think it's fair to say that 95% of the time it has less to do with "we know better than them" and more to do with ridiculous statements that are either nonsensical or simply not factual. Case in point: My only real issue with the Polygon PS4 console review was the dismissal of the camera based on the fact that sony "quickly abandoned" their previous camera peripherals, which is simply not true (which I mentioned during the episode).
A lot of it comes from experience, as well. Some of us were those guys at one point, and speaking solely for myself, I made a lot of the same mistakes I see getting made nowadays, particularly when it comes to losing sight of real audience experience or a complete inability to see things from a perspective other than my own (single, 20-something white guy who gets most/all his games for free). Since I left the press I've gained new perspective based on life experience and that's something I (and I'm sure the three other hosts) try to bring to our show.
Having said that, I totally see where people are coming from in complaining about us crapping on the media a bit too much lately and how that might be irritating. I can't speak for the other guys, but I will do my best to limit that kind of stuff a bit in the future.
But like Mike, there's no way I'll lay off statements like "This is a great game, but not a great Wii U game."
Last week after my rant about resolutiongate we also followed up with some positive examples of the media coverage re: the next generation.
We do tend to shit on the enthusiast press once in a while (though it's usually a particular cast of characters, not the media in general), but I think it's fair to say that 95% of the time it has less to do with "we know better than them" and more to do with ridiculous statements that are either nonsensical or simply not factual. Case in point: My only real issue with the Polygon PS4 console review was the dismissal of the camera based on the fact that sony "quickly abandoned" their previous camera peripherals, which is simply not true (which I mentioned during the episode).
A lot of it comes from experience, as well. Some of us were those guys at one point, and speaking solely for myself, I made a lot of the same mistakes I see getting made nowadays, particularly when it comes to losing sight of real audience experience or a complete inability to see things from a perspective other than my own (single, 20-something white guy who gets most/all his games for free). Since I left the press I've gained new perspective based on life experience and that's something I (and I'm sure the three other hosts) try to bring to our show.
Having said that, I totally see where people are coming from in complaining about us crapping on the media a bit too much lately and how that might be irritating. I can't speak for the other guys, but I will do my best to limit that kind of stuff a bit in the future.
But like Mike, there's no way I'll lay off statements like "This is a great game, but not a great Wii U game."
D
Deleted member 47027
Unconfirmed Member
Give us more Greg! Preach!
Whimsical Phil
Ninja School will help you
GamePro sucks.
Neuromancer
Member
Haha holy shit, he must listen to the show.
As for you guys occasionally holding the enthusiast press's feet to the fire- please keep doing it. It makes for entertaining material. If everyone was a Pollyanna about this stuff (like a co-host of another podcast I could mention), I wouldn't have nearly as much fun listening as I do.
Oh yeah and Knack: a 56 on Metacritic is usually reserved for terminally unplayable games which is puzzling to me considering how much I'm enjoying the game. When I was streaming it the other night people in the chat were wondering why the reviews were so bad, and I couldn't figure it out either. Even my wife likes watching me play (and bless her heart she's unlocking stuff for me in the iOS game, she's really good at it).
But Gamepro TV was da bomb
Agreed. It's nice to have a podcast that doesn't pussyfoot around these issues, and even better that the hosts are able to keep it entertaining and fun instead of going down the outright vicious path.
I don't mind having some of it. Some stuff does deserve to be called out, like that "... but it's not a good Wii U game" comment.
But sometimes I feel like there is a "Weekly Gies Watch" segment. I don't care what new dumb exploits Gies is up to. I also don't care if Jeremy Parish or whoever at some random game site I've never heard of has no kids and so can't understand Knack.
I do care what new dumb exploits you guys are up to though. And your perspective of Knack with your better understanding without needing to say "this other totally not-us person doesn't get it!"
But again it's your show. If you guys care about that and want to discuss it, then it can't be helped!
But sometimes I feel like there is a "Weekly Gies Watch" segment. I don't care what new dumb exploits Gies is up to. I also don't care if Jeremy Parish or whoever at some random game site I've never heard of has no kids and so can't understand Knack.
I do care what new dumb exploits you guys are up to though. And your perspective of Knack with your better understanding without needing to say "this other totally not-us person doesn't get it!"
But again it's your show. If you guys care about that and want to discuss it, then it can't be helped!
RedNumberFive
Banned
This is my favorite part of the show. Don't change a thing. I also always look forward to Mike correcting Arthur's grammar usage on Twitter.
Just listened to the latest episode. Love you guys!
Don't know if anyone's notified you guys yet, but the 1 month PS+ is most definitely stackable. Hopefully throwing out the box was just a joke! The one month Music Unlimited service, however, is not stackable and cannot be used if you've already gotten a month free in the past.
Don't know if anyone's notified you guys yet, but the 1 month PS+ is most definitely stackable. Hopefully throwing out the box was just a joke! The one month Music Unlimited service, however, is not stackable and cannot be used if you've already gotten a month free in the past.
OpinionatedCyborg
Member
Feel free to continue mocking the gaming press, but I would appreciate it if you added a bit of context. When I hear the name Arthur Giese, I think of a secret unlockable Fatal Fury character, not a journalist. A short one or two sentences blurb to set up whatever it is you are about to talk about ("for those of you unaware, Arthur Giese writes for hexagon magazine and said this week...") would be nice.
OpinionatedCyborg
Member
did he get paid to write this? this garbage is why I don't read any gaming news, reviews, etc. anymore.
Neuromancer
Member
If you guys have CoD: Ghosts on PS4 you should challenge my squad of bots to a match, particularly if you're Battlefield: Bad Company fans...
PSN: hdcase
PSN: hdcase
Great show this week but please, no more disturbing pictures Mike.
Regarding the ALBW graphics, I thought they looked like shit too based off of screenshots, but I didn't realize the game ran at 60fps until I actually started playing it. It made all the difference and now I think it looks fantastic.
Regarding the ALBW graphics, I thought they looked like shit too based off of screenshots, but I didn't realize the game ran at 60fps until I actually started playing it. It made all the difference and now I think it looks fantastic.
GhaleonQ
Member
Absolutely. I love games that work in gameplay as well as taken as art pieces, but we need FAR more games to be designed to look good while playing rather than pasted on marketing materials.
Planet_JASE
Member
Episode 368: The One
This week! The Xbox One has launched! We welcome guests Rich Grisham (Press Row Podcast) to the podcast to talk Xbox One launch experiences and impressions. Plus: Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Forza 5, Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus, Knack, Tearaway and so much more. BTW our voicemail line has returned. Why not leave us a message? (234) 752-9123 tell us about your experiences with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/playerone/11_25_13-Episode368.mp3
Blog: http://www.playeronepodcast.com/368
This week! The Xbox One has launched! We welcome guests Rich Grisham (Press Row Podcast) to the podcast to talk Xbox One launch experiences and impressions. Plus: Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Forza 5, Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus, Knack, Tearaway and so much more. BTW our voicemail line has returned. Why not leave us a message? (234) 752-9123 tell us about your experiences with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/playerone/11_25_13-Episode368.mp3
Blog: http://www.playeronepodcast.com/368
Are you referring to the pic of Arthur getting his tattoo from the Polygon video? Look, changing the face of games journalism doesn't mean they're changing it to a pretty face.
randomlyrossy
Member
Haven't finished the ep yet, so not sure if it was corrected by anyone later, but RE: motion controls in Dead Rising etc. The Xbox One doesn't have any gyroscopes or whatever, it's using the Kinect for that stuff. If you had it unplugged or it isn't able to see the controller, it would put a button prompt up instead during those moments.
Planet_JASE
Member
Episode 369: The One After Next-Gen
This week! Let the next generation begin! We discuss our game-playing over the past week which includes talk of Forza Motorsport 5, Assassins Creed IV, Tearaway, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Knack, Battlefield 4, 3D Super Hang-On, 3D Space Harrier, Ys: Memories of Celceta, Bioshock Infinite Burial at Sea, Super Mario 3D World and so much more. Plus: Getting warnings on online shenanigans, stamps on Miiverse, Wii U Zelda, Games of the Year and more! BTW our voicemail line has returned. Why not leave us a message? (234) 752-9123 - tell us about your experiences with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/playerone/12_02_13-Episode369.mp3
Blog: http://www.playeronepodcast.com/369
This week! Let the next generation begin! We discuss our game-playing over the past week which includes talk of Forza Motorsport 5, Assassins Creed IV, Tearaway, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Knack, Battlefield 4, 3D Super Hang-On, 3D Space Harrier, Ys: Memories of Celceta, Bioshock Infinite Burial at Sea, Super Mario 3D World and so much more. Plus: Getting warnings on online shenanigans, stamps on Miiverse, Wii U Zelda, Games of the Year and more! BTW our voicemail line has returned. Why not leave us a message? (234) 752-9123 - tell us about your experiences with the PS4 or Xbox One.
Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/playerone/12_02_13-Episode369.mp3
Blog: http://www.playeronepodcast.com/369
Neuromancer
Member
SO MANY GAMES