To Anyone Who May Review MGS 4: This Is What You're Getting Yourself Into

Written by Kevin Alexander

Tuesday, 10 June 2008 12:00

I was reading through the online portion of Edge's MGS 4 review when I started reading the comments. At the time I read it, this was the first one:

8/10? The review doesn't really mention what cut 2points off of this title. I just get the impression the writer's going 'I want to be the guy that gives MGS4 a sorta-mediocre-yet-lower-than-expected score, it will make me UNBIASED and OBJECTIVE, yeah! I'll be vague and smarmy to get what I waaant'
What it does mention is... exactly what Kojima's been saying to be humble all japanese-like about his magnum opus. He's just being humble damnit, do game makers now have to say all the time 'THIS GAME IS ART' 'THIS GAME WILL MAKE YOU CRY!!' to get higher points?
Seems to be how things work now.
Posted by Andy, on 06/06/2008 at 08:00

The rest follow accordingly, many taking a lot of words to explain why the reviewer is "wrong" in his (excellent) critique of the game. One even took a jab at the "quality of the writing" in the review...in Edge, one of the most respected gaming publications.

This is why we had problems when we reviewed Smash Bros. for the Wii. You're facing a bunch of people with pre-determined expectations for games. What's the point of having a score scale when you evidently can't use anything besides a 10? When did an 8 become a "sorta-mediocre-yet-lower-than-expected score"? Why should someone reviewing the game have to list the exact reasons two points were deducted?

I know I'm not blazing new trails of thought here, but when I read this douche's comments it made me angry and since I help provide content for a gaming blog I decided to air these grievances in public. For a better read check out Multiplayer's recent series on the subject.

I'm also happy to know that most of the people who regularly visit this site and contribute in comments have some sense to them and believe me, we're thankful for that.

Comments (13) Add Comment

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, June 10, 2008

Our SSBB review is the reason you'll never see another review on this site with a number attached. You might as well not even write anything once the fanboys decide to dig in.

Trolls.

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written by Xerxes3rd, June 10, 2008

Trolls, yes, that's all they are. I completely fail to understand why these fools go reading and bashing reviews AFTER they've made up their minds on the game, except for that little thing called "BUYER'S REMORSE."

Personally, I don't usually read reviews about games I already own. If I do, it's out of curiosity to find out what someone else's take is on the game. If they hate it and I like it, fine- it doesn't change the way I feel about the game. If some reviewer came along, reviewed World of Warcraft and gave it a 0 out of 10, so be it; it won't make me stop playing WoW.

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written by Ryan, June 11, 2008

This goes both ways...

Dan's already practically made up his mind to not like the game, or at least it sounds like it. Kevin maybe you have too. Don't do that. It's the same preconceived thing as the trolls.

This one's supposed to be a massive reinvention of MGS and its control scheme (more Westernized) so even if you didn't see the brilliance of MGS3, maybe you'll come around.

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written by Kevin Alexander, June 11, 2008

It's not so much that I've made up my mind about the game, it's just that I know what to expect. I've finished the first two MGS titles and while I loved playing them I HATED having to put the controller down for 30 minutes at a time to watch some nonsense "story" play out in front of me. I have the MGS collection that was recently released for the PS2 and I wouldn't mind giving 3 a shot, my brother-in-law (my resident MGS Super Fan) said that I would probably like it better than the first two games.

As for 4, I've read that there are TWO 90-some minute cut scenes in the game. I can easily see myself skipping over these in a heartbeat if I were to ever sit down with MGS 4. That's not playing a game anymore, that's watching a movie. Games shouldn't try to be both, in my opinion.

Man, I've always said we need to do a "Storytelling In Games" edition of the BitCast...

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, June 11, 2008

I've definitely made up my mind about the game, because it's just not something I'm interested in at all. Doesn't matter if this were a niche title or the biggest release of the year.

It's just not my thing. The past few haven't been. And I bought them anyway trying to convince myself I was wrong and that I should like them. Truth is I don't need to like them, they're not my scene. MGS4 included.

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written by MC, June 11, 2008

For a long time, I've been a proponent of narrative gaming... and even I am looking at the prospect of one 90 minute cutscene as excessive.

That's friggin' insane.

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written by OPT1MUS PR1ME, June 11, 2008

I hated SSBB. I traded that shit in after a few hours of playing it. The controller response was terrible. I barely hear anyone mention anything about SSBB controls and how terrible they were.

I have always like MGS so hopefully when I pick up game + PS3 combo tomorrow I will get to see just how good the 4th installment is.

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written by Ryan, June 11, 2008

I'm totally amazed that you don't even want to LOOK at it Dan.... like, I don't even know how to approach that. Seems pretty closed-minded frankly.

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written by Dan Zuccarelli, June 11, 2008

Um, I played the last two and hated them. Seems like I've given then an open-minded chance.

There are games every week that we see and know instantly we have no interest playing them, why is this game supposed to be any different?

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written by Kevin Alexander, June 11, 2008

Because it's Metal Geeeeaaarrrrr maaaannn!

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written by Mott, June 11, 2008

I've never understood why people try to convince others that they should like something, or that they're somehow wrong for not liking something. There's many different kinds of games for many different gamers.

Seems to be acting incredulous that Dan doesn't want to play Metal Gear is the same as those people that cry about reviews of 8/10. Why isn't he allowed to not be interested?

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written by MC, June 11, 2008

I mean, was I wrong for writing off the Resident Evil series before 4 because I hated that stupid f'n control scheme from way back when? I don't think I was, so Dan is perfectly entitled to feel that way, especially since he certainly hasn't volunteered to review it either.

Sometimes you know you aren't going to like something.

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written by TheBBPS.com » From the D, June 12, 2008

[...] Dan might have given up on the franchise and Kevin might have given up on the fanboys, but that doesn’t mean anybody here actually hates Metal Gear. I’m sure if you asked [...]