God of War Review Thread

[Redryhno]

What makes anyone think the camera ?problems? are really problems for everyone that plays it? There are enough options to help alleviate any playability concerns for anyone familiar with modern game design, and it?s not like the old games didn?t have their share of off camera enemy attacks (firebombing harpies for example). At least now you can get the full picture with a controllable camera instead of having to run to a different part of the stage to change the camera angle or to reveal off screen enemies. Sometimes the levels weren?t even big enough to allow that at all. Even considering that, I can?t say I ever posted diatribes on the internet complaining about it. So to hear that being done over an improvement just seems like begrudged cynicism by people that want the series to stay the same. I also kinda wonder how many of the most vocal critics were diehard fans in the first place.

About the collection of comments on the previous page that Ezekiel copied from somewhere, my wording only reflects the tone they presented. Some of them literally said the game is ?shit?. Doesn?t seem all that rational as useful feedback.

What makes you think I said anything about "everyone"? I'm pretty sure I specifically said "DETRACTORS". Like c'mon, there's still people that say that 30fps is superior to 60 and that consoles are still objectively better than PC.

And sure, there were some places that had problems, never said they didn't, just that in this specific game, I feel like I'm spending more time with the camera than I am with the sponges in said game. The camera is something you have to constantly fiddle with instead of just enjoying the game and the angle and combat leaves alot to be desired. It's artificial difficulty, and I've never liked it in any game.

Also just stop with that shit "not diehard fans of the originals" after "You just don't like it 'cause it's popular". I enjoyed the originals, they were campy and silly, even if they were made seriously. I just preferred the games they were a derivative of. And this one largely feels like

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

What makes anyone think the camera ?problems? are really problems for everyone that plays it? There are enough options to help alleviate any playability concerns for anyone familiar with modern game design, and it?s not like the old games didn?t have their share of off camera enemy attacks (firebombing harpies for example). At least now you can get the full picture with a controllable camera instead of having to run to a different part of the stage to change the camera angle or to reveal off screen enemies. Sometimes the levels weren?t even big enough to allow that at all. Even considering that, I can?t say I ever posted diatribes on the internet complaining about it. So to hear that being done over an improvement just seems like begrudged cynicism by people that want the series to stay the same. I also kinda wonder how many of the most vocal critics were diehard fans in the first place.

About the collection of comments on the previous page that Ezekiel copied from somewhere, my wording only reflects the tone they presented. Some of them literally said the game is ?shit?. Doesn?t seem all that rational as useful feedback.

What makes you think I said anything about "everyone"? I'm pretty sure I specifically said "DETRACTORS". Like c'mon, there's still people that say that 30fps is superior to 60 and that consoles are still objectively better than PC.

And sure, there were some places that had problems, never said they didn't, just that in this specific game, I feel like I'm spending more time with the camera than I am with the sponges in said game. The camera is something you have to constantly fiddle with instead of just enjoying the game and the angle and combat leaves alot to be desired. It's artificial difficulty, and I've never liked it in any game.

Also just stop with that shit "not diehard fans of the originals" after "You just don't like it 'cause it's popular". I enjoyed the originals, they were campy and silly, even if they were made seriously. I just preferred the games they were a derivative of. And this one largely feels like

My bad, I read "everyone" after "camera angle" and misconstrued the phrasing. It just sounds like the "detractors" can't understand how anyone could think that style of camera can work well in a game. The perspective change to me does a far more effective job of channeling the feel of Kratos as a playable character, in terms of conveying his brutal fighting style. The camera options can help alleviate much of the fiddling, but often I end up missing the freedom of being able to pan around when needed. The only way this could really be remedied as much as possible would be to pan out so far that the feeling of the game is trivialized.

Agreed that some of the enemies can be spongy, but often there are different tactics to alleviate it. I'd also prefer if enemies showed more signs of dynamic physical damage based on weapon type, armor, flesh, etc., but perhaps that would be too great an undertaking for even today's technology. The biggest problem I've had so far is deciding what buttons I want to use sprint and stun finishers for. They seem better suited to the sticks, but I've never been thrilled with using those buttons for the possible extra wear and tear caused.

I really like the originals too, but the fact that most people didn't take them seriously is a big part of why they went in the new direction. It must have worked, with the general consensus being that Kratos seems like a more believable, fleshed out character now. That's what I meant by diehard fans. There are some who thought that more could be done with the mythos, combat, presentation, etc. and now it has.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Sure, but the thing all those games have in common beyond the same goddamn camera angle and how much everyone seems to be in love with trees and post-post-apocalyptia, is that they're mostly praised by critics, but have some pretty vocal detractors that are often saying much of the same thing: Pretty, but with glaring flaws that seem to be glossed over(if not outright ignored or even attacking said detractors like hansel is doing now) by the people that like them.

Horizon's camera is decently pulled back, most of the time you can see Aloy in her entirety, even her feet. It's basically as pulled back as a Souls game. And Aloy is basically centered on screen as well instead of offset. I don't see the big deal with several games having a similar camera angle really. I was much more adamant about Uncharted 1-3 and TLOU not having a camera sensitivity option than the camera angles themselves and even then, the slow camera sensitivity of those games was really only felt online against human opponents, but Naughty Dog can't balance a competitive multiplayer to save their lives anyway.

Like c'mon, there's still people that say that 30fps is superior to 60 and that consoles are still objectively better than PC.

I feel like I'm spending more time with the camera than I am with the sponges in said game. The camera is something you have to constantly fiddle with instead of just enjoying the game and the angle and combat leaves alot to be desired. It's artificial difficulty, and I've never liked it in any game.

Consoles and PCs both have pros and cons that's why neither hasn't wiped out the other. Some really basic features of PC gaming has literally just came about this gen like say the basic ability to return/refund a game and much improved controller support. Plus, the average person needs an actual PC less and less these days than ever before.

Unless you only like games with fixed cameras (which have downsides too), you're always adjusting the camera in basically any type of game, most of all any 1st-person game. Even an isometric game like Shadow Tactics has a camera you're constantly adjusting, and its camera ain't that good IMO. Camera adjustment is like second nature at this point.

I really like the originals too, but the fact that most people didn't take them seriously is a big part of why they went in the new direction. It must have worked, with the general consensus being that Kratos seems like a more believable, fleshed out character now. That's what I meant by diehard fans. There are some who thought that more could be done with the mythos, combat, presentation, etc. and now it has.

I loved the original GOW but the sequels just sucked from a story perspective along with Kratos' characterization. Extra Credits has a decent video on the sequels' failure at storytelling. And, the gameplay just can't carry the old GOWs alone, everything has to be firing on all cylinders basically. Sorta like Uncharted, you don't come just for the shooting because if you did, they are OK games at best then; you came for the adventure, setpieces, story, characters as well.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Double post, please delete.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

The only review I've watched. I think you'll like it, Redryhno, since you posted his earlier video. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera. They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones. And yeah, removing the jump was a numbskull decision. And yeah, this isn't Kratos.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago. Like I said, I have eyes.

I?m not watching the review because I?ve already seen too much before playing through it myself.

You seem to be wanting confirmation of your own bias for some reason. I could also say Max Payne 3 was ruined by making him slow and oafish, littering the game with obnoxious, flashy cutscenes after every doorway, gimping shoot dodge because you?re limited to mostly corridors (FTR I?ve had less trouble with GoW?s camera than MP3?s cramped quarters causing its own camera issues), and turning Max himself into a pathetic self loathing pity party (ie ?this isn?t Max?), but you?d probably find ways to refute most if not all of that because you?ve actually played - and enjoyed - the game. I also played it and enjoyed it well enough, but wouldn?t have rushed to those conclusions beforehand either, even though there is at least some truth to them. Same with Resident Evil 4, Zelda, Mario, Castlevania, Final Fantasy, for other examples of series that have undergone several changes. Tomb Raider is another, but GoW blows away that reboot effort.

The jumping thing, I?d rather be able to sprint since it?s more useful moment to moment, considering you?re still able to jump when needed for traversal as well as during a few special moves. You just aren?t hopping around like a numbskull anymore. Speaking of numbskulls, Kratos seems to have finally moved past being one himself, which most people have considered a good thing.

IIRC you?ve talked about wanting worthwhile stories in games. Well, here?s one with a character who most people would?ve written off based on previous experiences with him, where he was mostly a one note, unhinged killer. He still has those moments now, but quite a few other new, far more meaningful ones as well.

 

[Casual Shinji]

The only review I've watched. I think you'll like it, Redryhno, since you posted his earlier video. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera. They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones. And yeah, removing the jump was a numbskull decision. And yeah, this isn't Kratos.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago. Like I said, I have eyes.

So this guy who played the game didn't like it, therefor your bias against it, eventhough you haven't played it, isn't bias at all? Yeah, that makes total sense. You sure proved your point.

Also, this video you posted is by the same guy who made a video praising Resident Evil 6 as a misunderstood masterpiece.

 

[BrawlMan]

The only review I've watched. I think you'll like it, Redryhno, since you posted his earlier video. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera. They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones. And yeah, removing the jump was a numbskull decision. And yeah, this isn't Kratos.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago. Like I said, I have eyes.

So this guy who played the game didn't like it, therefor your bias against it, eventhough you haven't played it, isn't bias at all? Yeah, that makes total sense. You sure proved your point.

Also, this video you posted is by the same guy who made a video praising Resident Evil 6 as a misunderstood masterpiece.

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

The only review I've watched. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago.

So the ONLY review you watched was of a guy that went in hating the game prior to playing, much like yourself, and came out still hating the game? The confirmation bias is very strong in both of you. His original video that I fully watched was so full of logic holes that I'm not even going to bother with the review. For example, in his previous video he said God of War should be about good gameplay yet claimed in the very 1st seconds of the video that classic GOW games were nothing but mashing square and they allowed casuals into the genre while the new game has BETTER gameplay. New GOW is more about good gameplay than old GOW. Also, God Hand exists with the same camera and a great combat system (which is even shown in the video). Thus, camera alone can't dictate a bad or good combat system. Much like saying some upcoming 1st-person platformer will suck because 1st-person platforming can't work while Mirror's Edge exists.

No game element is inherently bad; game elements are only bad when improperly used.

They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones.

Which you can turn off if you have good situational awareness (which you really aren't good at). It's like complaining that Bioshock has an arrow at the top of the screen that you can turn off.

 

[Casual Shinji]

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

 

[BrawlMan]

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

You have no need to apologize, I completely understand. How you feel is how I feel about people like moviebob, Anita what's her face,and most of Channel awesome. And there are several videos that I'm aware of where he act smug about it, even if he did a point. Do not let his attitude ruin your enjoyment And you are right, he was acting like a smug jackass in that video.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

You have no need to apologize, I completely understand. How you feel is how I feel about people like moviebob, Anita what's her face,and most of Channel awesome. And there are several videos that I'm aware of where he act smug about it, even if he did a point. Do not let his attitude ruin your enjoyment And you are right, he was acting like a smug jackass in that video.

I didn't watch his review of God of War but his initial reaction video, and his logic made no sense. I really don't care about smugness much, I care about argument strength and there was none. Hell, hbomberguy is extremely smug but he makes good points from time-to-time. I like MovieBob, still watch his stuff because his internal logic makes sense to me and he usually does give a different take or at least different reasons for liking/disliking something vs most critics. The worst I can say about MovieBob was his Game Overthinker stuff got weird.

 

[Kitsune Hunter]

The only review I've watched. I think you'll like it, Redryhno, since you posted his earlier video. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera. They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones. And yeah, removing the jump was a numbskull decision. And yeah, this isn't Kratos.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago. Like I said, I have eyes.

After having watched it, all I can say is, the word 'contrarian' is tossed about quite a bit nowadays, but with this "review", between saying DmC was better and that everyone who praises the game got duped just like with TLoU, the guy comes across as a text book contrarian and an obnoxious one at that. It really takes away from what legitimate criticism he does make when he just comes across as being a smug git about it.

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

Not to mention he complaints about the length of the cut scenes and how it tries to be a film and how much it takes away from the game play and yet he made a separate video that defends MGS4, a game that's notorious for the length of its cut scenes and sparse game play. It's a bit of a contradiction.

 

[BrawlMan]

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

You have no need to apologize, I completely understand. How you feel is how I feel about people like moviebob, Anita what's her face,and most of Channel awesome. And there are several videos that I'm aware of where he act smug about it, even if he did a point. Do not let his attitude ruin your enjoyment And you are right, he was acting like a smug jackass in that video.

I didn't watch his review of God of War but his initial reaction video, and his logic made no sense. I really don't care about smugness much, I care about argument strength and there was none. Hell, hbomberguy is extremely smug but he makes good points from time-to-time. I like MovieBob, still watch his stuff because his internal logic makes sense to me and he usually does give a different take or at least different reasons for liking/disliking something vs most critics. The worst I can say about MovieBob was his Game Overthinker stuff got weird.

My problem with MovieBob is that he acts like most of his opinions are facts, and anybody that says or acts different is either lying, "blind to the truth", or stupid. And there were many times where Bob did not back up his arguments while acting like a smug ***** in a box stand..I used to like him, but that changed around 2013/14. His attitude on Twitter was not helping (which got him fired on the The Escapists; the ************ did not quit). I'm surprised he was able to find another job, because of his unprofessionalism. If I need a movie critic that badly, I can think two infinitely better ones: Double Toasted and Vern. Bob's GameOver stuff was always self indulgent, it just got worse as the years went on.

The only review I've watched. I think you'll like it, Redryhno, since you posted his earlier video. He basically exposes everything I feared about this bad camera. They have this really inorganic fix, traffic cones. And yeah, removing the jump was a numbskull decision. And yeah, this isn't Kratos.

Also, I like how some of you (Not Hansel.) in this thread and the other acted like my opinion didn't matter because I haven't played the game. Playing it sure changed this guy's opinion. He repeated in this video a lot of his rants from a few years ago. Like I said, I have eyes.

After having watched it, all I can say is, the word 'contrarian' is tossed about quite a bit nowadays, but with this "review", between saying DmC was better and that everyone who praises the game got duped just like with TLoU, the guy comes across as a text book contrarian and an obnoxious one at that. It really takes away from what legitimate criticism he does make when he just comes across as being a smug git about it.

I like Gaming Brit, but sometimes he can be overzealous. I had similar worries about God of War, and was on the hate this, not going to like it territory. Yet I enjoyed. It can't hold a candle to games like DMC3 or Bayonetta, but it does not need to. God of War is a low-full price, it I gave it a rating. That said, there are some problems I can agree with Gaming Brit on.

I'm sorry, but the guy is a smug moron. Notice how he mentions people were fooled into liking this game just as they were fooled into liking The Last of Us ('they fell for it again'). Ooh, but he wasn't, no he's too smart for that. How fucking up your own ass can you get.

Not to mention he complaints about the length of the cut scenes and how it tries to be a film and how much it takes away from the game play and yet he made a separate video that defends MGS4, a game that's notorious for the length of its cut scenes and sparse game play. It's a bit of a contradiction.

I know what you mean. It was one of the rare times where I said fuck you to Gaming Brit. The other time was that pointless dis he made at Legend of Korra. I did not enjoy the game, and have mixed feelings with the show, but I can't help but feel that he was trying to heavily pander to people who never liked the show to begin with, or hate anything anime inspired in general. Which is really hypocritical as the Japanese and the West have taken so many influences from each other.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I get the impression that some of these youtubers have to put out controversy-seeking videos just to retain subs and attempt to stand out if nothing else, because this GB guy's standards seem to be all over the place from the few posts I've read above.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

You people implied my opinion is invalid because I haven't played it.

More like outright told you.
Now I'm wondering. On average how many of the games you talk about for good or bad have you actually played? Do you do this with the movies you review as well? Do you apply this lucky guess school of criticism to other fields? This is interesting.

 

[BrawlMan]

I get the impression that some of these youtubers have to put out controversy-seeking videos just to retain subs and attempt to stand out if nothing else, because this GB guy's standards seem to be all over the place from the few posts I've read above.

If you watched his review to the end, you'd see he's sincere. I didn't get any impression he was doing it for clickbait. He ends it by telling people who suggest he stop playing new games that he barely plays any new games. I get where he's coming from. There's so much sameness and emphasis on artsy-fartsy movie crap.

I would never call him an attention seeker, but their are moments where he gets his panties in a bunch, because people are enjoying a game he did not like. See his original DmC 2013 video (though I 100% agreed with on that one in terms of the gameplay and story). This is rare whenever he goes on these hissy fits. I know he's passionate about games and does research better than most individual critics on YouTube and "professional" reviewers, but there are times I want to tell him to calm down to his face when he goes overboard.

 

[Casual Shinji]

You people implied my opinion is invalid because I haven't played it. He had many of my same complaints. He played it. His complaints were confirmed. You can have an informed opinion on ANY game you haven't played. Actually, I did watch one other review, now that I think about it, but it wasn't very good. It's refreshing to see a video that's 80 percent gameplay analysis.

Your opinion isn't invalid; dislike the game as much as you want, but any criticism -- baring the visuals and voice acting... without playing the game, yeah, that's pretty much invalid in any discussion about said game.

And his complaints were confirmed? By what, the court of law?

I get where he's coming from. There's so much sameness and emphasis on artsy-fartsy movie crap.

Again though, this is the same guy who defended Metal Gear Solid 4; a game that has a 90 minute-long "artsy fartsy" cutscene (ontop of the other 20 to 30 minute-long ones).

 

[Hawki]

Looks at thread...

Damn, Eris really did a Golden Apple didn't she?

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I get the impression that some of these youtubers have to put out controversy-seeking videos just to retain subs and attempt to stand out if nothing else, because this GB guy's standards seem to be all over the place from the few posts I've read above.

If you watched his review to the end, you'd see he's sincere. I didn't get any impression he was doing it for clickbait. He ends it by telling people who suggest he stop playing new games that he barely plays any new games. I get where he's coming from. There's so much sameness and emphasis on artsy-fartsy movie crap.

He may be sincere, but probably also misguided. Especially since he admits he barely plays any new games, which means he's partial to old games and the way they're made. That's fine, but different doesn't automatically mean crap.

For all the criticizing of the new direction the series took, no one really explained how they would've done it. They say what it shouldn't have been, but whether new IP or continuation of an old one, it sounds like they'd just end up making the same old game if it was up to them; in which case, why bother? It was made clear the old formula wasn't cutting it anymore.

 

[Samtemdo8_v1legacy]

You know while you guys are still arguing with Ezekiel's opinions, I still haven't gotten the answer to my own question about 50 posts ago:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.1051678-God-of-War-Review-Thread?page=2#24233795