EPT
On March 09 2009 22:54 FrozenArbiter wrote:
-_- Using Bioshock as an example of bias is kinda silly since it's a totally awesome game. And yes, I've played Deus Ex (aaaaactually now that I think of it, I think I might have forgotten to actually finish the game, since I couldn't decide which of the 3 endings I wanted lol :D).
Not sure which game I liked better (but thematically Bioshock, as well as System Shock are right up my alley so it's not surprising). Deus Ex definitely is deeper, but the atmosphere in Bioshock is really solid too - it's just not the same type of game. It's like, immersive political thriller vs atmospheric horror.
Anyway my point is, Bioshock getting 10s isn't surprising, maybe it should "only" get a 9 but meh.
-_- Using Bioshock as an example of bias is kinda silly since it's a totally awesome game. And yes, I've played Deus Ex (aaaaactually now that I think of it, I think I might have forgotten to actually finish the game, since I couldn't decide which of the 3 endings I wanted lol :D).
Not sure which game I liked better (but thematically Bioshock, as well as System Shock are right up my alley so it's not surprising). Deus Ex definitely is deeper, but the atmosphere in Bioshock is really solid too - it's just not the same type of game. It's like, immersive political thriller vs atmospheric horror.
Anyway my point is, Bioshock getting 10s isn't surprising, maybe it should "only" get a 9 but meh.
Actually, the more common comparison I think was between Bioshock and SS2, not Deus Ex, and in many ways its valid. The two are remarkably similar, despite the different setting and 8 years of graphical advancement. Bioshock was definitely a Game of the Year experience if you'd never played System Shock 2, but for someone who'd already been a fan of Kevin Levine, it could end up feeling a lot like more of the same (though, in fairness, SS2 is pretty hard to top).
On topic, I feel like this could be in some way related to why reviews are seeming a bit...inflated. A reviewer that hasn't played System Shock 2 is naturally going to think higher of Bioshock than one who has, and the same holds true of a lot of franchises or games from similar developers. Mass Effect seems a lot better than it is if you haven't played KotOR or Baldur's Gate; Oblivion seems a lot better than it is if you haven't played Morrowind or Daggerfall; Warcraft III seems a lot better than it is if you haven't played Starcraft; etc.
On March 09 2009 22:28 Nytefish wrote:
I usually just stick with free online sites who make their money off ads and stuff rather than being paid to review games. And even then I'll check other reviews and not take any of them too seriously.
Most magazine reviewers don't have the time or skill to accurately judge a game, also the wad of money dangling in front of them makes it difficult for them to use their own brain.
I usually just stick with free online sites who make their money off ads and stuff rather than being paid to review games. And even then I'll check other reviews and not take any of them too seriously.
Most magazine reviewers don't have the time or skill to accurately judge a game, also the wad of money dangling in front of them makes it difficult for them to use their own brain.
I actually have issues with some of these kinds of sites for reasons similar to the above. I've seen Kotaku reviews, for example, expounding the virtues of "brilliant game mechanics" that I've seen in games 10 years old.
Also, a related issue: is it just me, or do companies these days seem less inclined to release demos? Thats always been the best way for me to figure out whether I like a game, and they seem to be declining in number.
