Zero Punctuation: Dead Space
- Thread starter Yahtzee Croshaw
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QFT.NewClassic said:
People not reading at least SOME of the previous posts really negate the term 'forum'.
It loses the discussion element and becomes a list of statements.
Furthermore, I actually prefer a main character who shuts up. When the character you're playing (The way you want to play them!!) suddenly decides to speak, more often than not, what he says is absolute crap, and a direct contrary to what you would have wanted them to say.
Besides Lo Wang, of course. Me and him think alike.
I also liked the above comparison to Gordon Freeman, as they are completely alike. And don't give me any bullshit about the scriptwriting. It can't be better if there's nothing there. Freeman's mindset isn't touched upon one itty bit. The only thing that's set is his education at MIT. So is Isaac's duty/position on the ship. The rest is up to the player.
(SLIGHT SPOILER) In fact, I'd prefer Isaac didn't remove his helmet at all, even though the obvious reason for it is to make him appear finally relaxed and vulnerable.
I would like to know how long Yahtzee was playing the game.
Did he get to the part with the monster-worm-thing that comes out of the wall?
I think that wasnt new, but very entertaining.
Question: Is there an other game in which ripping of body parts is that much important to kill an enemy? Isn´t that something new?
IMO this game is awesome.
This game fulfils all his functions. It entertains you.
Just like a lot of movies out there.
Not a pioneering, groundbreaking concept, but very good in his function. To entertain.
another nice review though.
Did he get to the part with the monster-worm-thing that comes out of the wall?
I think that wasnt new, but very entertaining.
Question: Is there an other game in which ripping of body parts is that much important to kill an enemy? Isn´t that something new?
IMO this game is awesome.
This game fulfils all his functions. It entertains you.
Just like a lot of movies out there.
Not a pioneering, groundbreaking concept, but very good in his function. To entertain.
another nice review though.
Yahtzee raises some interesting points, but what it all really boils down to is that you can cut enemies limbs off. That's sells it for me!
I'm honestly disappointed by all the people in this thread who mock the game then end with "I haven't actually played it but I've watched videos (or something similar)." Seriously? Just because Yahtzee tells you something is "meh" you automatically believe him? Go read other reviews. Gamespy gave it a 5/5 and compared it to HL2 and Bioshock in terms of quality. That's not to say that they're right and YAhtzee is wrong but merely that opinions differ and if you only listen to one person how will you be sure you're truly experiencing the best games for you?
Speaking as someone who's recently played the game through on hard, I have to agree with him.
The game is fun and interesting, sure (any developer who doesn't copy DS' HUD mechanic needs to be beaten with a blunt instrument), with the combat (QTE melee is wonderfully visceral and so much better to watch due to Isaac being clumsy and straight forward with his technique) being rather engaging. Beyond that though...eh.
People keep telling me it's all about survival, an all-encompassing fear that swallows you and forces you to use tactics to conserve every last scrap of ammo you get. Unfortunately, despite having a fully upgraded RIG suit and plasma cutter, I still had enough plasma on me to single-handedly slaughter several planets worth of Necromorphs. Once there was no worry about losing cash or ammo (which came pretty early on for me), the game lost huge amounts of tension.
Good, yes, but as he says...could have gone so much further.
The game is fun and interesting, sure (any developer who doesn't copy DS' HUD mechanic needs to be beaten with a blunt instrument), with the combat (QTE melee is wonderfully visceral and so much better to watch due to Isaac being clumsy and straight forward with his technique) being rather engaging. Beyond that though...eh.
People keep telling me it's all about survival, an all-encompassing fear that swallows you and forces you to use tactics to conserve every last scrap of ammo you get. Unfortunately, despite having a fully upgraded RIG suit and plasma cutter, I still had enough plasma on me to single-handedly slaughter several planets worth of Necromorphs. Once there was no worry about losing cash or ammo (which came pretty early on for me), the game lost huge amounts of tension.
Good, yes, but as he says...could have gone so much further.
...Your joking right? Because the Gravity Gun was useful in half life 2, the weapons were great, there were no annoying swarms of stupid bugs, I don't think you've played HL2.mspencer82 said:
Thank you. ZP still makes me smile once every so often, but I'm getting utterly sick of the "Well, Yahtzee says it's bad, might as well not even try the game out for myself" mentality that seems to pervade these forums.Concealed101 said:
Am i the only person who notice 'Bleep Bloop'? i think it's an 'obscure internet referance, and if it is Yhatzee has just put an even bigger gap between himself and my other favorate (non-fictonal) people!! love the reviews anyway - even if i dont always agree.
PS am i the only person who really likes his opening theme? i donno, my friends do, but maybe it's a british thing ... or maybe he's just as mad as us!
PS am i the only person who really likes his opening theme? i donno, my friends do, but maybe it's a british thing ... or maybe he's just as mad as us!
Except I wasn't going to try the game in the first place because I'm boycotting all things EA until they grow the fuck up and stop treating their paying customers like criminals.Indrid Cold said:
Also the thing to remember about reviewers for review sites and magazines is that if they don't give good reviews then companies get their panties in a bunch and threaten to pull advertising.
And you can't have that. Ever.
Now I'm not say EA is using their industry power to influence reviews, but that's entirely likely.
I am also not saying this game can't be enjoyable.
Hmm. It's half the concept of Event Horizon and hhmmm.. let's say 60% of space horror movies. true but i had a good time playin it and it's not so bad... it is just that the plot completely lackin' of ingeniosity and phony as possible.
[Out of subject] http://bizarrocomic.blogspot.com/ > Look! Yathzee got cloned...
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[Out of subject] http://bizarrocomic.blogspot.com/ > Look! Yathzee got cloned...
[/Out of subject]
Again, I think many people here are missing the point here. From his very first review, Yahtzee has been different in that he focuses on the things that deaden the game experience, or make the game less enjoyable. In some respects, Yahtzee has a theoretically much easier job with his reviews: The good aspects of a game vary for most (some would rank story, gameplay, graphics as their most important quality or some prefer a mix), but the things that make a game bad (poor programming, lazy texturing, strange dialogue, weird gameplay mechanics) are usually easy to agree upon. Yahtzee just has to then interject his trademark humor into the mix, and BLAM! instant classic.
Unfortunately, basing your choice of games on Yahtzee's approval alone means you are not a gamer at all. You would probably own The Orange Box, Call of Duty 4, Psychonauts, Painkiller, and Saints Row 2 (judging on games (that I can remember) that had positive receptions), and that's it. This brings me to my point: The best review is the one you give yourself. You will find aspects you can't stand, things you absolutely love, and decide if you really like this game. Often this happens after you've bought the game, so it's too late to make any budget constraints; but things like demos, previews, videos, and Gametap rentals help that. Instead, do what I do: laugh your ass off at Yahtzee and how funny he is when he lampoons a game.
But, hey, what do I know; I only read game reviews to give me selfish vindication that "Damn, I liked this game. I'm glad people agree with me."
Unfortunately, basing your choice of games on Yahtzee's approval alone means you are not a gamer at all. You would probably own The Orange Box, Call of Duty 4, Psychonauts, Painkiller, and Saints Row 2 (judging on games (that I can remember) that had positive receptions), and that's it. This brings me to my point: The best review is the one you give yourself. You will find aspects you can't stand, things you absolutely love, and decide if you really like this game. Often this happens after you've bought the game, so it's too late to make any budget constraints; but things like demos, previews, videos, and Gametap rentals help that. Instead, do what I do: laugh your ass off at Yahtzee and how funny he is when he lampoons a game.
But, hey, what do I know; I only read game reviews to give me selfish vindication that "Damn, I liked this game. I'm glad people agree with me."
I'm about 2/3 through the game, so; grain of salt here.
The crack about the name of the character was pretty weak, especially since the developers came right out and said that they were doing it in honor of those two authors. Making fun of that was the fish in a barrel comment.
Dead Space does wear its influences on its sleeve, and that's legit for critique; however, I don't exactly see what they problem is with the environments. They would be pretty, (the atrium level shows this off) but the ship is a wreck; that's kind of the point, you know?
I'd also agree, very strongly, with the point that the main character isn't fleshed out and so is difficult to identify with. It's the new millennium; main characters can speak now without the memory drag sound once presented. Hell, even a few lines about how fucked up this was would've been fantastic, but to make the game Isaac would've had to converse with the other characters, and that's an issue to me.
I don't think you can just rely on having the player automatically identify with your protagonist b/c s/he is playing the hero, anymore. (Not that you always could)
Finally, while the story isn't awesome, it's solid and while you do have to backtrack, they give you reasons for it, and open up new areas. I haven't found it to be a problem, and for me, going back to a place I left--where I KNEW things were fucked up-- made it more intense for me. YMMV.
Anyway, I'll save the rest for when I've finished the game and can do a little review of my own.
The crack about the name of the character was pretty weak, especially since the developers came right out and said that they were doing it in honor of those two authors. Making fun of that was the fish in a barrel comment.
Dead Space does wear its influences on its sleeve, and that's legit for critique; however, I don't exactly see what they problem is with the environments. They would be pretty, (the atrium level shows this off) but the ship is a wreck; that's kind of the point, you know?
I'd also agree, very strongly, with the point that the main character isn't fleshed out and so is difficult to identify with. It's the new millennium; main characters can speak now without the memory drag sound once presented. Hell, even a few lines about how fucked up this was would've been fantastic, but to make the game Isaac would've had to converse with the other characters, and that's an issue to me.
I don't think you can just rely on having the player automatically identify with your protagonist b/c s/he is playing the hero, anymore. (Not that you always could)
Finally, while the story isn't awesome, it's solid and while you do have to backtrack, they give you reasons for it, and open up new areas. I haven't found it to be a problem, and for me, going back to a place I left--where I KNEW things were fucked up-- made it more intense for me. YMMV.
Anyway, I'll save the rest for when I've finished the game and can do a little review of my own.