Variety may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to hard-hitting videogame critique, but E3 judging panelist Ben Fritz isn't pulling his punches. The Variety writer states that of E3's twelve award winners, he voted for only Spore and Pure. He then aimed some harsh words at two of the biggest games of the show.
"I wasn't offended by most of the choices either," explained Fritz. "Fallout 3, LittleBigPlanet, Dead Space and Left4Dead are all really good games with the potential, based on the limited time I got to see them, to be fantastic.
"The only winner I really disagreed with was Mirror's Edge for best original game. To me it seemed more gimmicky (A hot chick in the future who does parkour!) than substantive to me, the first person perspective really didn't work for a game where you're trying to manipulate a character through complex spatial puzzles, and the challenge often felt more about timing (can you jump off this ledge with enough speed at the very last second?) than brains."
The writer continued his brutal honesty by stating that Gears of War 2 is "so Gears of War 1.5." He was dumbfounded that a game with only "minor" improvements could stun so many judges while Resistance 2, "a much more dramatic leap forward," was passed over. Finally, Fritz concludes that the biggest injustice of all was Fable 2 failing to win anything, as he claims that the sequel "looks like it really will deliver on developer Peter Molyneux's promises."
Man, don't ever get on the wrong side of Variety. Sounds like they'll cut you to shreds.
Contest:
1:18 PM on 08.12.2008
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Anyone see those "Bioshock" gameplay vids up on Gametrailers? That game is total shit.
As for Gears 2 thats looks awesome the new enemies, the new weapons and new multiplayer options are nice not forgetting the new use of the updated unreal engine
As for this Variety writer, I honestly don't care. I'm going to look forward to what I think is cool and all of the people who thought Mirror's Edge looked cool and are now doubting it because they hear some criticism about it need to grow a little back bone.
But sure, all gimmick. Nevermind that it goes HUD-less, isn't in brown and grey, discourages gun use, or looks very pretty.
Who's Ben Fritz?
Although I can't say that I know loads about either, so I reserve the right to take that statement back. ^_^
Also, he fails to understand the point of Mirror's Edge. It isn't the next Portal. It isn't a puzzle game. It's a 3D platformer, where the whole POINT of the game is split-second timing.
can we also ban the use of the word 'parkour'. if i hear it again, i'm gonna smack someone. call it what it is. fancy walking. everyone knows the sidewalk is for regular walking, you take that fancy walking somewhere else.
And in my opinion Portal is one of the best games ever made in terms of innovation. Its not about the individual parts of the game, its about how you put it together and make it flow.
It's that kind of bullshit, simpleton thinking that prevents the field of gaming news coverage from truly growing.
As for Variety, I can't say I disagree with the man. Personally, I've always found the hype over the Gears franchise to be incredibly overdone and had almost no interest in Gears 2 from the get-go (although it is, admittedly, a technical marvel). He makes a valid point in regards to Gears 2 vs. Resistance 2, as well.
I'm on the fence with Mirror's Edge. Sure, it's a cool idea and if they pull it off I think we'll all be happy. But at the same time, from a design perspective... a lot can go wrong.
Mirror's Edge at last tries to give full first person immersion, I don't think it will be a great game, but at least it's trying.
I don't care to about Gears of Resident Evil 4 2.
Granted, I'm not about to take a bullet for Mirror's Edge. But I think there's plenty to be excited about, and I don't think Ben Fritz gets that. Considering, also, that his "A hot chick" comment is more or less irrelevant in the fact that it IS a first person game and would feel more cliche if it were in third person, I don't quite get what he's rambling about.
wait, whos Ben Fritz?
Still it must kill you that you work for one of the bigger entertainment trade publications out there and that someone that works for a game rag like Game Informer has more pull in the industry than you do.
What about mirror's edge is innovative? It's a 2d game set in 3d....WOW. I can jump and climb and run! GOTY! And please do not compare portal or braid to this. Mirror's Edge looks ok, don't get me wrong, but the hype for it should have been applied to games like Braid or possibly LBP if it turns out.
More importantly about ME... while I think the 1st person view is risky overall the game seems a ton of fun depending on how they do it.
Ask yourself how many times have you gone through a room or section of a game (MGS comes to mind for me) where you try to just nail that perfect set of jumps and movements so you can clear the whole thing in one fluid motion (rather than stopping and thinking about every jump).
That's something I find myself doing quite often and if ME's bases its gameplay on letting you do that sort of thing it should be at least entertaining enough for your $60.
The appeal, for me at least, is this clean, minimal, defensive motif that the game is going for. Considering that, I think there's good amount of original thought, in terms of the first person space, to be exicted about.
you can jump in Metal Gear Solid?
Gears 2 can't be judged on visuals alone. The original Gears is an amazingly fun game online. They've now made it bigger and badder! You can now hold players hostage. You can crawl around the floor. Blow yourself up suicide bomber style. Destructable enviroments. 10 players online. 5 player coop horde mode. Flame Thrower! That's not even half of it. They've taken the original and made it a richer and deeper experience.
Considering that Gears of War wasn't that innovative outside of using a cover system that actually worked, I would have to say that no... we're not "scared" of innovation. We welcome it.
We just want to actually see it.
Gears 2 doesn't really interest me, as I didn't think Gears 1 was all that great.
Fable II, we haven't seen or heard much about. Molyneaux knew to keep his mouth shut and now I'm legitimately excited about what I've seen so far. It's shaping up great.
I haven't played Mirror's Edge, but I will because it looks interesting, though I'd rather have the new Prince of Persia or something. But I have to say this:
"...first person perspective really didn't work for a game where you're trying to manipulate a character through complex spatial puzzles."
*COUGH*PORTAL*COUGH*
I'm interested in Mirror's Edge but I'd honestly be more excited if it were third person. I can't help but think of all the cool animations possible in that case.
So who knows, we'll just have to wait and see.
that said, i'm still looking forward to it. and i'll be buying Gears 2 even though i sort of agree that it's just 1.5. i'm a sucker ok?
(oh and don't trust anything Ron says. besides being drunk all the time, he didn't like Dark Knight)
Also, I do not understand why people like Fallout 3 so much. All they've really shown is people blowing up other people and Todd Howard saying "That never gets old." Yes it does, I'm already tired of it.... The game is visually stunning, in both complexity and content, but the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired.
Well, no matter what this guy thinks I still wanna play the majority of the games discussed for myself before I pass judgment.
I think the Virtual Boy is more gimmicky. :P
Just for the record, you can only used downed people as shields, not people you've killed. If they're alive, they can fight back.