The Sacrificial Lamb

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I don't understand where the 9/10 is coming from. Doesn't the Escapist use 5 stars to rate games?

I suppose these kinds of things are meant to be shorthand at-a-glance accounts of the games "worth"but I feel they are somewhat antiquated. Can't really convey much with just a fraction.

That is the system they use and I wish they wouldn't. In fact, I wish everyone would drop numerical ratings for pretty much all criticism. I don't see how that system is particularly useful when what an individual values in a game may or may not have anything at all to do with why the game received the score it did. You can two games get a 3.5/5 and both have vastly different aspects of the game that informed that score. I think I recall Jim Sterling saying that he liked using numerical ratings for criticism, I just don't think it tells the audience much, if anything, about whetehr they will actually enjoy the game.

You know the weird thing? If I'm remembering correctly, this site didn't use a numerical score when I first joined. I'm almost positive that's the case, because I remember it being a big part of why I was impressed enough to join.

The content on this site has really gone to the dogs in the last few years. I'm mainly sticking around for the forums and a couple of the columns at this point.

[sub][sub][sub]Someone /please/ bring back the weekly issues [/sub][/sub][/sub]

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

The game did not feed my pet jaguar Sprinkles; in addition, I have not played the game and am in fact a rotifer. 3/10.

Basically what happens is people make up an idea in their mind of what score a their favourite toy deserves, then put on their fanboy armour and head out to do battle with anyone who rates it outside that range.

Exactly this. "Either you agree with me or you are not only wrong, but obviously out to destroy what I like."

 

[Gilhelmi]

I seem to recall a similar situation presenting itself before that might offer a possible solution. Give me a minute...http://cdn.escapistmagazine.com/media/global/images/articles/article/8189/quoteme-08-10-10.jpg

HAHAHA, that is horrible. I feel bad for laughing at that comic. I forgot about it, I may have to reread the archives again.

OT: I watch Yahtzee reviews. I can only think of 2 games he has ever praised, maybe 3. But he is honest and will not coat the flaws.

 

[Quantum Glass]

Why do we even care about the X/10 rating system anyways? Seriously, it's good for getting a feel of the general opinion of a game, but that's about it.

 

[Madara XIII]

Snooty message board fucks.

Man, I hate those guys.

Sell outs.

That's what angry 12 year-olds sound like! It's as if you want a repeat of last time's I Hate Daystar show.

OT edit: Not quite as baiting and therefore not quite as funny as the last couple, still good.

Ffffffffuck Daystar, I hate that guy.

What with his handsome features and witty sense of humour.


Screw that guy.

Yeah! What a Heterosexual Sex Magnet... wait...

 

[Something Amyss]

Why do we even care about the X/10 rating system anyways? Seriously, it's good for getting a feel of the general opinion of a game, but that's about it.

Because people don't like complicated things. A full review means people have to read, interpret, and draw their own opinions. Even then, they might have to compare rival opinions. Numbers are easier because they obviously fairly assess all points and sum them up in a digit or two. Then we can objectively know which magazine is more accurate by which ones have numbers in keeping with my own personal opinion, which makes them right.

And if they don't agree, they are TEH BIAS and everyone should ignore them.

 

[Something Amyss]

Exactly this. "Either you agree with me or you are not only wrong, but obviously out to destroy what I like."

I wonder if this persecution fetish always existed in similar numbers and only shows up now because of the prevalence of modern technology, or if it's new.

 

[Vareoth]

Why doesn't she tuck in her shirt.

It's actually starting to bug me a little.

Now this is a real question! Not like all that review score poppycock and other shenanigans that follow.

 

[Overquoted]

I'd say there's a certain 'type' of fan that GTA games attract. I mean, it attracts all kinds, but this specific type basically has the same fervency as Bieber fangirls. Speak no evil...and you won't have your balls ripped off and shoved down your throat (verbally).

 

[krazykidd]

Literally throwing him to the wolves would be a lot kinder than throwing him to the angry internet mobs.

Especially given the new definition of the world literally.

I'd take the wolves over the internet mob any day of the week .

OT: i thought Erin was braver than that . She hung out with kratos for chrono's sake!

 

[Something Amyss]

Everyone working for the escapist defending this review and attacking the fanbase but you think the "persecution complex" or "fetish" is on the fans?

It's just too cute how desperately you people try to defend this stuff.

I think you might be exaggerating slightly, but I also think that demonstrates the exact points I was making.

 

[martyrdrebel27]

Odd, because I couldn't countenance giving a game with a control scheme that archaic anything more than an eight.

Eight out of ten?! Dude, control schemes don't matter in a GTA game! You are obviously biased and don't know how to make an objective review. You make me sick!!

sarcasm noted, but what you should be unapologetically pissed about is the fact that the GTA control scheme is intuitive and perfect. The first person shooter mechanic of left trigger sum, right trigger shoot is archaeic and still used.

furthermore, if something works, why try to hangs tbdor the sake of change? Especially something as fundamental as how the player interacts with the world.

 

[Overquoted]

Everyone working for the escapist defending this review and attacking the fanbase but you think the "persecution complex" or "fetish" is on the fans?

It's just too cute how desperately you people try to defend this stuff.

Anyone who likes the game, but isn't a rabid fan, isn't offended over this comic and other jokes. Much less the review. Any popular franchise will have rabid fans of the type CM is talking about. If you're self-identifying as one of those fans, I don't know what to tell you.

Thing is, I've read bad or so-so reviews of games I loved way more than the GTA franchise. The difference is, even if I disagreed with their conclusions, I didn't care enough to refute them. It's an opinion, albeit an informed one. But still an opinion. Doesn't change mine, though if it's a reasonable one, it might make me look at a gameplay mechanic more closely.

Maybe I get this from years of watching B movies. Troma never gets a good review from movie critics. *sighs*

 

[DataSnake]

Worst thing is, six months from now, those same whiny cunts will say that GTA V was complete shit, just like they did with IV.

Pretty sure it was more than just the passage of time that changed people's opinions on that front. As Yahtzee pointed out, even HE thought GTA4 was really good until Saints Row 2 completely upstaged it. I don't foresee that happening again because the Saints Row series has shifted into a different genre and there aren't, to my knowledge, any up-and-coming sandbox crime franchises in a position to beat Rockstar at its own game this time.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Exactly this. "Either you agree with me or you are not only wrong, but obviously out to destroy what I like."

I wonder if this persecution fetish always existed in similar numbers and only shows up now because of the prevalence of modern technology, or if it's new.

New? No, I'm pretty sure it's been around about as long as humans have been able to express opinions to each other. It's just that the Internet has allowed everyone to do it from safely beyond punch-in-the-face range.

 

[Tallim]

Everyone working for the escapist defending this review and attacking the fanbase but you think the "persecution complex" or "fetish" is on the fans?

It's just too cute how desperately you people try to defend this stuff.

Anyone who likes the game, but isn't a rabid fan, isn't offended over this comic and other jokes. Much less the review. Any popular franchise will have rabid fans of the type CM is talking about. If you're self-identifying as one of those fans, I don't know what to tell you.

Thing is, I've read bad or so-so reviews of games I loved way more than the GTA franchise. The difference is, even if I disagreed with their conclusions, I didn't care enough to refute them. It's an opinion, albeit an informed one. But still an opinion. Doesn't change mine, though if it's a reasonable one, it might make me look at a gameplay mechanic more closely.

Maybe I get this from years of watching B movies. Troma never gets a good review from movie critics. *sighs*

But Sgt Kabukiman NYPD is amazing!

Meh around about a 7 seems fine for the game. It's pretty impressive from a tech standpoint but it is pretty dull like almost every open world game tends to be.

 

[Atmos Duality]

After seeing the review comments and reading this comic I had to ask: Why is this a thing?
Nevermind that it's not the score that matters, but the reasoning.

Ah, fuck it. Let the ragers rage. I'm not going to try to reason with the unreasonable.

Exactly this. "Either you agree with me or you are not only wrong, but obviously out to destroy what I like."

I wonder if this persecution fetish always existed in similar numbers and only shows up now because of the prevalence of modern technology, or if it's new.

A bit of both, probably.

I think it might go like this:
The person fantasizes about "being in the right" so strongly that they exaggerate the tiniest perceived affronts in their head until they can't take it any more, and blow up in some ridiculous tirade of self-righteous bullshit.

 

[Overquoted]

Maybe I get this from years of watching B movies. Troma never gets a good review from movie critics. *sighs*

But Sgt Kabukiman NYPD is amazing!

Meh around about a 7 seems fine for the game. It's pretty impressive from a tech standpoint but it is pretty dull like almost every open world game tends to be.

Heh, I'm a bigger fan of Class of Nuke 'Em High.

I haven't played GTA V. I was waiting to see if it was anything as good as San Andreas (I wasn't too impressed with GTA IV), but the news about micro-transactions have pretty well scared me off. Anytime there is an economic incentive for developers to make it more difficult to earn upgrades or whatever on a game purchased at full price, I generally run the other direction. Which is weird, given that I play Dust 514. *facepalm*

 

[Carpenter]

Maybe I get this from years of watching B movies. Troma never gets a good review from movie critics. *sighs*

But Sgt Kabukiman NYPD is amazing!

Meh around about a 7 seems fine for the game. It's pretty impressive from a tech standpoint but it is pretty dull like almost every open world game tends to be.

Heh, I'm a bigger fan of Class of Nuke 'Em High.

I haven't played GTA V. I was waiting to see if it was anything as good as San Andreas (I wasn't too impressed with GTA IV), but the news about micro-transactions have pretty well scared me off. Anytime there is an economic incentive for developers to make it more difficult to earn upgrades or whatever on a game purchased at full price, I generally run the other direction. Which is weird, given that I play Dust 514. *facepalm*

So your another person that just assumes they are going to make a "pay 2 win" game even though every large company knows that's suicide?

Yup anything to make a buck, how dare they sell cosmetic changes to your multiplayer character.

Bottom line, if anyone is dumb enough to think having the thing nobody else has in a game is important, I see nothing wrong with taking their money. As long as they are willing to pay for pointless stuff.

On that note, people are jumping the gun on the micro transactions thing. People are pointing out that there's a section in the menu for the xbox store, problem is this could just be for DLC which has been in countless games already.

Yes it will probably have some micro transactions if it's going to be free to play. I think that's stupid considering I need to pay xbox to play online at all, so I won't be playing it. The single player is still the main focus so why does it matter to people?