The last time GameSpot handed out a 10 was for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time last 1998. To give you an idea how hard it is to make just one terrific game, it took a decade before the next perfect score was awarded (which was GTA IV). Now, barely two months later, another game is deemed “perfect.”

Could it just be dumb luck that two games released in a span of several weeks earned perfect scores? Admittedly, I’m a fan of the Metal Gear and GTA series. However, I wholeheartedly disagree that both deserve a 10. If GameSpot is set on earning back its credibility, its staff would have to do a better job in making reviews and handing out numerical ratings.

Update: A friend of mine corrected me about the history of perfect scores given in GameSpot. Ocarina of Time was given the first 10, followed by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, then GTA IV and MGS4. This however doesn’t change the fact that there’s something dubious about handing over a couple of perfect scores in a span of several weeks. Even Famitsu took more time to churn out “perfect” scores.

Do you hear that sound? Thought I heard a loud ka-ching all the way from San Francisco.

Post from: EveryJoe

Crap-Detector: GameSpot gives two perfect scores in a span of seven weeks

Don’t believe everything you read in the internet, even if they came from so-called reputable game websites like GameSpot, GameSpy, IGN, or Eurogamer. The reviews they’re churning aren’t always as “spot-on” as people say they are.

Case in point: The previously-released reviews for Gears of War’s PC version.

I took the time to read all of them today. Yes, all. And you know what I observed? Aside from the fact that they’re full of crap, the reviews also had a very strong similarity to that of GameTrailers’. The reviews glossed over the important factors that turns Gears from Xbox 360 legend to PC gaming’s latest tragic port.

And indeed, Gears of War for the PC is a tragic port. Despite all my efforts to make the game work, tweak its settings, and update my drivers, nothing prevents it from crashing back into the desktop or causing the PC to reset.

At this point, I simply cannot review Gears of War until a proper patch is released. Why not? Because I can’t move any further than act two. What use is a review if the game isn’t finished or even quarter-of-the-way through?

I have a good question for these so-called reputable sites: How did you finish the game if it had so many hardware issues? It’s either:

1. You’re lying and that you didn’t finish the PC version;
2. You played Gears in Epic or Microsoft’s offices.

Either way, you can’t be trusted.

Unlike larger game sites, FPS Rantings is committed to providing unbiased reviews that are based on real-world conditions. You can be sure of that.

Post from: EveryJoe

Crap-Detector: Previously-released Gears of War PC reviews

There’s been a lot of focus on how good the game is, and there’s no question about that. Why do you suppose we’re giving it so much coverage in the first place? However, like the other earlier reviews, GameTrailers has glossed over Gears‘ PC version.

To be fair, the review did mention issues like constant crashing, but that’s the hitch. The review merely mentioned the issues but didn’t say up to what extent the concerns were. That said—the crashing issue alone is a game breaker that could totally suck out the enjoyment of playing Gears.

Post from: EveryJoe

GameTrailers’ Gears of War review glosses over issues

If there’s one thing that’s terrible about Jericho, it’s the design. The review has pointed that out very clearly. Yahtzee, the voice behind the motor mouth, heaped even more beef on top of the smoldering pile of complaints.

Chief among these is the supposedly drab color scheme, which reminded Yahtzee of Quake. Different shades of brown seem to drive him into a fit. I wonder what he thinks of Gears of War. Don’t get me wrong, I love Yahtzee’s reviews. I think they’re generally on the spot. Especially his bit about Halo 3. In fact, he does have a point about the color scheme. I just don’t think it’s as terrible.

However, the rest of the game is as bad as he suggests. Don’t believe me? Read my review.

Post from: EveryJoe

More Jericho bashings your way—this time, a video

It’s not clear up to what extent was Clive Barker’s involvement in making Jericho, but you can see that the story is very much in the author’s domain. You’ll be treated to pseudo-historic plots, another creation supposedly made by God, and fantastic monsters that only Barker could conjure. And yes, the story is pretty interesting if you pay any attention.

Despite the game’s moniker, Jericho is not scary like Undying. You might freak out at how the enemies are designed, but the experience isn’t particularly frightening. One example: survival horror games tend to limit your ammo reserve, and you’ll get plenty of ammo here—and there’s a good reason for it: The enemies are very durable. Because of this durability, firefights are protracted. To complicate things, the onslaught of enemies seems endless at times. You might think this would make the battles suspenseful, but as Jericho wears on, this suspense is turned into tedium.

At first glance, the AI might look smart enough because your teammates get out of your way when you get close to any one of them. However, you’ll realize that they’re not so clever after all. Despite the option to let your squad advance or stay put, you’ll see that teammates would actually disobey your commands and walk into disadvantageous spots, which would result in everyone’s deaths. Even when you’re in a strategically-sound area, your teammates have a nasty tendency of getting themselves killed easily.

Thanks to the atrocious level design, this tendency of comrades getting slaughtered easily actually makes sense because there’s no space between you and your numerous exploding and/or unbelievably resilient enemies. Even the idea of having a sniper on the team can at times be useless because confrontations are usually up-close.

That’s not to say that Abigail Black, the sniper, won’t be of any use to your team. In fact, each squad member will have his or her time to shine. However, some of the members’ special abilities would be of use only when faced with a particular puzzle. Beyond these contrived teasers, you’ll be playing favorites for long stretches. At least until everyone gets killed and that rarely-used member is the only one left standing.

The retail version of Jericho performs surprisingly well compared to the demo. Visuals are smooth even on a year-old rig, but that’s probably because of the confined levels. Loading was considerably quick and installation size is pretty small for a new game. However, you’ll have to load succeeding levels every so often.

One of Jericho’s pillars of strength is its audio, which contributes greatly to the game’s atmosphere and freakiness factor. The music is particularly impressive—one level gives you a cacophony of wails as background, while another is a haunting solo that’s heard whenever a certain child appears. Voice acting is a mixed bag because while performances are generally good, the script delivers some genuine clunkers that would make Ed Wood, Jr. blush.

The game’s other strength is character design that screams Clive Barker. You’ll see a huge rogues’ gallery here: a cursed bishop, an army of dead children, a morbidly obese and formerly-human creature hung on meat hooks, undead centurions that tote riot police-sized shields, and many other strange sights. When you combine the bizarre character design with smooth visuals, Jericho is indeed a feast for the eyes.

Unfortunately, there’s nothing in the game that would keep you coming back beyond the story. Finish it once, and that’s the end of it. There’s no multiplayer to keep Jericho installed, no Easter eggs for you to find. The game may have higher difficulty settings, but considering its frustrating level design, you’re better off without an encore.

Jericho had a potential for greatness, but it was squandered with bad design decisions. You’ll love it for the atmosphere and production values, but hate it for its levels. The game’s short, eight-hour journey would give you mixed feelings. On one hand, you’re glad that you won’t have to go through any more bad levels. On the other, you’re still wishing for a redeeming factor, a deus ex machina that would come and make it all up. Your bowels might be moved, but not in the art-inducing way that Clive Barker was aiming for.

Rating: 6/10

Post from: EveryJoe

Clive Barker’s Jericho review

Game reviewers are a misunderstood lot. People take them for granted because of the perception that the job is easy, and that non-game reviewers (i.e. everyone else) think they can do a better job. Hey, how hard can reviewing a game be? All one has to do is play and finish a game, then write about it, right?

Wrong.

I’m not about to get into the lengthy details of how writing isn’t for everyone, but I can tell you this: anyone can play, but not everyone can write.

Tom Chick, an independent game journalist, can indeed write. He’s shown us just that in his numerous reviews, if you’re keeping track. Yes, he’s the guy who said Deus Ex was 90% bad. Like clockwork, Tom’s latest review of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption in Variety is stirring up a hornet’s nest.

The review’s biggest beef with the latest Metroid installment isn’t how the game plays, or any other relevant issue that would likely concern consumers when deciding to purchase a game or not. It’s how the Wii is aimed at casual gamers, and that Metroid isn’t for this audience.

As for the game itself, Tom seems to resent Metroid for being difficult, and almost sounded like he was offended that a hardcore game was released on a “casual” console.

“Too much of the time, though, ‘Metroid Prime 3’ is more tedious than epic. This is particularly true of the boss battles, which are exhaustive affairs requiring dedication, patience, and most importantly, a familiarity with the vocabulary of videogames: double jumping, circle strafing, shooting weak points for massive damage, etc.”

Let me get this straight, Tom. You shoot down Metroid for being difficult, but condemn Deus Ex for having brain-dead AI? What exactly do you want in your shooters? Has your acting career made you soft in your gaming?

I say it’s about time for the Wii to have another “hardcore” AAA game (next to Zelda Twilight Princess). Apparently, “hardcore” is synonymous with “difficult” in Tom’s vocabulary. I find Diner Dash difficult—especially in the latter levels when you dare not even scratch your nose. Does that mean it’s hardcore?

A well-designed, polished, enjoyable game is always welcome in a game console, regardless of differences in target audience. But that’s just me.

Image from Wikipedia

Read

Post from: EveryJoe

Tom Chick bashes Metroid 3 for being hardcore