Originally on the comments, I posted that I lost a little respect for Cliff Bleszinski. For a while, I was thinking that he really was being kind of immature about the 8/10 scores he received from this website and Eurogamer. But for a while, I've been thinking it's... kind of wrong. I kind of opened my mind on this subject, a little.

I've been thinking about this for a while today now, and to be honest... Now that I have, I have to respectfully disagree with Jim Sterling's reaction. Cliffy B really doesn't strike me as the type of person who would think that he's owed a good score. Without wishing to seem aggressive, I think Sterling is trying way too hard to exercise his opinion.

A lot of people exaggerate things, and I'm sure he didn't actually mean Jim Sterling or Eurogamer hated the game. Plus, Cliff himself thinks that Gears 3 is a better game than Gears 2, much like how Jim Sterling thinks that Two Worlds II is better than The Witcher 2, or I think that Portal 2 is better than the original Portal.

He also said he didn't mean to come off as defensive. So, I'm sorry if you actually did read the comments by some long shot, Cliff. No disrespect. I have to be honest, this is kind of a point where I feel Jim - bless his heart - is looking too hard to get his opinion out.

Yeah yeah, flame me all you want Sterling followers and defenders, but just think about what I'm saying before you attack me. I'm respectfully disagreeing with Jim. If he wants to think Cliff is attacking him, that's his prerogative, not mine. I'm not the one getting paid to write reviews (although I wish I was). I have nothing but respect for Jim Sterling. This is why I feel worried when he's exercising his opinion so strongly.

Sure, it may be a part of his charm - if you will - but keep in mind that there are times that a harsh opinion will be taken the wrong way, internet or not. If you want to run a business, you can't always expect to have some divine right given to you by Lady Liberty to stab a guy in the throat because he farted in the same room as you. I just feel that this is a prime example of overreacting. Sterling is allowed to disagree with me. Hell, I disagree with his review scores all the time, but that doesn't mean I think he's biased or anything.

This (for lack of better words) attitude was acceptable with the developers of Hydrophobia and Denis Dyack on Too Human, because they were blatantly being immature. Cliff could be exaggerating for all we know. I do it, and Cliff and I aren't the only two people who exaggerate things. Sure, calling people "haters" wasn't in his best interest, but then, I feel Jim's response isn't exactly called for, either. Jim was offended, I accept this. He has a right to feel offended, but as much as anyone might try to argue, this article isn't exactly making Cliff look like a saint. I'm not saying he should be called out, but... well, looking at how many people like to agree with Jim, I have to be brutally honest: he's making Cliff look bad.

Did Cliff demand your phone number, Jim? Did he say that you didn't understand the "innovation" that was Gears of War 3? I don't think he did. There's a fine line that can be crossed, but Cliff stayed just shy of the opposite side. This really feels like an unwarranted attack.

Am I defending Cliff Bleszinski? Hell yes I am. But I also (and I feel I'm repeating this as much as Peter Moly-not-so-neux points out that his game is not on rails) respect Jim's opinion. He's one of the reasons I've become a reviewer for a smaller, non-profit website, in fact. Yahtzee and the folks at Extra Credits are a few others.

Jim, if you do read this - and I actually sincerely hope you do - please don't take Cliff's opinion the wrong way. He has an opinion just as much as you do. I'm pretty sure that if someone said on your review that Kirby's Mass Attack sucks, then that person would get flamed out the ass (not that I've played the game or have an opinion about it). However, when you point out Sonic CD is terrible, it's perfectly acceptable? Brutal honesty time: I feel you're enforcing a double standard.

So next time, Jim, just... don't worry too much about a small comment. Maybe Cliff isn't exaggerating, but it's not like he did something excessively stupid like send you angry e-mails. I'm not up-to-date with what's gone on since you posted this article (other than some of the comments), but if the worst Cliff has to say is a petty comment, then it's not really anything to take offense to.

Call me a hypocrite all you want for at first having berated Cliff (though I feel it wasn't much), and now I'm defending him, but people change their minds and I changed mine.

One last thing I'd like to point out about Jim - if only to enforce my opinion that he's too opinionated (lol) - is an article he wrote called "Solving The Sixty Dollar Situation." I know he says he respects Todd Howard of Bethesda and David Jaffe of Eat Sleep Play (director of Twisted Metal). But then it seems he takes a nose-dive at the end with "Keep. Your. F**king. Mouth. Shut." With that in mind, what exactly are these two expected to do? No matter how respected Todd Howard and David Jaffe might be, I'm not expecting them to walk into Sony offices and ask politely for a lower price on their games. There's really only so much two people - no matter how much influence in the industry - can do without being CEOs. If anyone has an opinion on this matter, let me know what you think.

Jim is a great guy, but let's be honest, he's pretty quick to form an opinion. I am too, but then, I don't have hundreds of followers and I'm not getting paid to write reviews or articles. People should have opinions, but there's a fine line between having an opinion and smacking it in someone's face. I'm not saying Jim is being extreme or anything like that. But honestly, keep it up and that line might start to blur.

That's my thoughts. Hope you read this Jim, and I hope I make some sort of impact, even if it's just an angry response from a fanboy (see, that's an exaggeration).

- Nick Jones