My former accomplice David Houghton has been chatting with Jens Peter Kurup, director of the notorious Kane & Lynch: Dead Men. In the interview, Kurup discusses the negative backlash that his game received from the press, and how it affected him. In particular, he mentions the controversial GameSpot review and the lasting affects it had on his game:
It’s a review that I would like to forget, but unfortunately the GameSpot review had its own wicked little life and Eidos, GameSpot and of course the game got entangled in what I guess is best described as a conspiracy theory. And if there’s anything the 'net loves, it’s a good conspiracy.
It was surreal to sit in Copenhagen and watch the game get shredded in forums for reasons and feelings that didn’t all seem entirely based on the game itself. I know this might sound like a sissy song of “Boo-hoo! This isn’t fair” and other unproductive thoughts, but you asked me how I felt and I did feel like that for a couple of weeks after the GameSpot review. Pathetic I know, but in glimpses I still feel it, because when I meet somebody who hasn’t played the game, I can be fairly sure that his or her opinion is based on the GameSpot review. It just won't go away.
In fairness, Kurup handles the criticism his game received fairly maturely and reasonably, which is refreshing to see when you consider how some other game devs act when their game is reviewed poorly. Kurup actually shows some respect for reviewers, even when voicing disagreement with some of their points. That's pretty cool to see for a change. It's just a shame Kane & Lynch did so badly critically, because it was looking really good in theory.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
6:20 AM on 09.10.2008
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I still have yet to try that game. It sounds like a frustrating play from everything I've read but hopefully its still playable with co-op. Army of Two wasn't perfect either but it was pretty damn fun with a friend. I really hope they make more two player games in the future despite a few bumps in the road.
His reply almost makes me want to try Kane & Lynch, almost.
Pretty cool to see the old Mr Houghton again.
Honestly from the demo I got the impression that it was pretty average. High hopes turned into low blows I guess.
The story is interesting, but falls flat because the characters lack any real redeeming features that can make them likeable.
The gameplay feels terribly outdated, since it looks and plays almost exactly like the Hitman games, but with less sneaky stuff and more action, wich the Hitman setup really isn't all that suited for.
The multiplayer is a lot of fun, when you don't get disconnected, and I had some fun with the single player experience, when it did not crash. And whoever thought no internet co-op was a good idea should be shot.
As for the game, Gerstmann did get it right with the 6/10 score. The story was great, but the game play suffered. However, because the story was actually good, I have hopes the Kane and Lynch movie will be better than the game.
So he can take that from me.
anyway IO needs to forget about this K&L bullshit and make Hitman 5 already!