09-02-2009, 09:34 AM | #1 |
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Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw reviews Tales of Monkey Island
Video review is here.
Whilst I've only played the demo and watched a few videos I would already say a number of Yahtzee points ring true. The fact that Threepwood does seem 'competant' rather than the clumsy, goofy, even ugly underdog in previous games sums up that TaleTell are too afraid to make anything remotely unlikable about him in fear the hardcore fans will retaliate. Anyway, anyone else's thoughts? |
09-02-2009, 10:14 AM | #2 |
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He's a pompous over-rated tosser.
Or did you mean about the game.
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09-02-2009, 10:39 AM | #3 |
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Guybrush is definitely not Goofy. He was reasonably competent in the first 3 games.
Anyway, I'm not sure if there is much point in listening to Yahtzee's views on adventure games anymore. At least in taking them seriously. First he spends years creating amateur, very traditional ones, also seriously analyzing the genre in his articles, then he starts saying that adventure games (even the classic ones) are not worth playing in the modern era. I wonder if it is because he is more of an entertainer than a critic now and likes to tease the audience with all sorts of his dislikes?
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A Hardy Developer's Journal - The Scientific Society's online magazine devoted to charting indie adventure games and neighboring territories Last edited by Ascovel; 09-02-2009 at 12:28 PM. |
09-02-2009, 11:00 AM | #4 | |
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09-02-2009, 12:39 PM | #5 |
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He does have some good points. Problem is he is exaggerating a lot and only focuses on the negative aspects.
I don't really think that anyone watches his videos considering them as legitimate reviews. Most people watch them just to have a laugh cause they're kinda funny (occasionally).
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09-02-2009, 03:55 PM | #6 | |
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I read a blog recently, where the author was clearly annoyed at what Yahtzee had to say about a particular game, so he said, "Personally, I prefer my video reviews with American accents."
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09-02-2009, 04:46 PM | #7 | |
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09-03-2009, 04:38 AM | #8 |
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His video review of Saints Row 2 was also pretty positive, though his review of 'Duke Nukem Forever' was just hilarious, especially considering there are still people who believe it will still come out.
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09-03-2009, 05:13 AM | #9 | |
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If that's just his style and not real opinion then, as I said, the validity of anything he says is put into question. What's the point in discussing someone's opinions when that person isn't honest about them?
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A Hardy Developer's Journal - The Scientific Society's online magazine devoted to charting indie adventure games and neighboring territories Last edited by Ascovel; 09-03-2009 at 05:35 AM. |
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09-03-2009, 05:19 AM | #10 |
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As a solid fan of both Yahtzee and the 'Tales' Monkey Island revamp, I had a good giggle at his typically pithy 'review', briefly considered a few of the points he'd made and then forgot all about it.
In my opinion, Zero Punctuation's appeal is in its scathing, caustic humour - and as Yahtzee himself has mentioned in the past, it's difficult to be sarcastically amusing whilst praising a game's good points. Most of his viewers (myself included, to be honest ) expect biting, hilarious criticism about a title's flaws, rather than a considered and subjective analysis with all the pros and cons fairly weighed out. In rare cases, he'll go off on a bizarre tangent during a review and end up barely mentioning the game in question at all! The end result is usually still worth a watch. Not to say that he doesn't make the occasional good point - even whilst ranting and raving, Yahtzee is more than able to hit the nail on the head... However, I'm guessing that these moments of accuracy are less important to most of his viewers than having a good giggle at the expense of whatever poor sod of a game is getting torn apart this week.
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09-03-2009, 04:46 PM | #11 | |
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http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/544-Thief-The-Dark-Project |
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09-04-2009, 12:01 AM | #12 |
Thats the ticket
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Thought the "review" was very funny. Anyone catch the reference to sticking a moustache up a cats bottom? Mmm wonder what game he could be alluding to...
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09-04-2009, 11:02 AM | #13 |
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Personally, I can't stand Yahtzee. It's so much easier to bash something you hate than express admiration for something you love. Apparently, the former has proven to be far more popular on the web.
I understand his take on reviews is a humorous one, but somehow I end up not laughing at all. So meaningless to me. |
09-04-2009, 11:29 AM | #14 |
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I see no reason to criticize Zero Punctuation. The reviews are really quite witty and usually do a fine job at pointing out the biggest flaws in game design. The point has been said a couple times above already, but I'll just reiterate that the reviews aren't meant to be taken too seriously. It's just entertainment, and if it's able to spark discussion about the flaws, all the better.
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09-04-2009, 05:13 PM | #15 | |
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What he said about the gameplay in adventure games (more specifically, the foundations of old LucasArts games) wasn't exactly positive, but I don't think he was being unreasonable about it. If given the chance to make a brand new, "modern day" adventure, I don't think ex-LucasArts employees would even stick to the same "rub items on objects" formula of yesteryear. Speaking of that LucasArts reunion video, I found it interesting that they mostly agreed that adventure games can't work without the comedy. In terms of the old school, 3rd person point & click adventure, I can definitely see where they're coming from. I mean, even Syberia had some funny dialogue to offset the craziness of some of the puzzles, despite the overall seriousness. Then again, I loved Still Life and I can't remember laughing much in that game.
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09-05-2009, 09:33 AM | #16 |
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Actually, they said that dialog trees and puzzles requiring you to do a lot of trial & error don't work without comedy in them. Nearly the same thing, but not quite.
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09-05-2009, 10:14 AM | #17 |
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Lol.....Didn't it occur to you that Yahtzee is just exagerating and his reviews are just for LOLs.
If you look at his reviews, he's only reviewing GOOD games that get high ratings. So he challenges himself to take these games apart. Don't take the things he say too seriously....you might end up believing him. This is what it says under his interests: "Being a professional troll, setting fire to childrens' dreams and your mum. " Being a professional troll? Says enough, I think. Last edited by Origami; 09-05-2009 at 10:21 AM. |
09-05-2009, 11:12 AM | #18 |
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Good games? Not really. He focus mostly on overhyped and overrated games.
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09-05-2009, 01:02 PM | #19 | ||
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A Hardy Developer's Journal - The Scientific Society's online magazine devoted to charting indie adventure games and neighboring territories Last edited by Ascovel; 09-05-2009 at 01:08 PM. |
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09-05-2009, 02:43 PM | #20 | |
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But 80% of the games are good(don't confuse good with masterpieces/perfect)...which I can testament out of own experience. |
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