IO: Some reviewers didn’t ‘get’ Kane & Lynch 2

Recommended Videos

It would appear that “you didn’t get it” has officially become the popular way of developers to escape acknowledging criticism of their games. While talking about Kane & Lynch 2, IO Interactive has joined the ranks of Silicon Knight, Factor 5 and Dark Energy Digital in transferring the blame of a poor review entirely to the reviewer.

“I think it’s a game that you either love or hate,” says general manager Niels Jørgensen. “It’s interesting that we have scores ranging from 1/10 to 9/10, so we have critics that really loved it and those that didn’t really get it.”

A fairly innocuous comment at first glance, and I must voice my respect at IO for being cool and accepting of the fact that negative reviews happened without going completely insane like some people.

However, this implication of not “getting” games is starting to really disturb me, as it screams of a developer completely ignoring any and all complaints about a game, regardless of their validity. It’s not a comment I think we should let slide. I am one of the few people who could claim to be a “fan” of the original Kane & Lynch. You can’t argue I don’t “get” IO’s work.

My complaints — that IO did nothing to build upon its narrative groundwork and refused to improve fundamental gameplay/technical issues — isn’t a case of “getting” it. It’s a case of shit that needed fixing, and how can we expect IO to fix anything if it’s going to shrug off valid problems with casual indifference? Not only does it insult the intelligence of the critic, it insults the very medium of videogames, that you are so arrogant as to refuse to acknowledge your own failings.

Developers need to stop this passing of the buck if they have any respect for their own work.


Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy
Related Content
Read Article Helldivers 2 players receive Quasar Cannon and Heavy Machine Gun Stratagems to support Automaton obliteration
helldivers 2 heavy machine gun HMG quasar cannon stratagems unlocked
Read Article The Witcher 4 development is forging ahead at CD Projekt Red
The Witcher 4 update
Read Article Bungie reveals Into the Light weapons are time-gated and Destiny 2 players aren’t happy