Zero Punctuation takes on Medal of Honor and America

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 31st 2007 at 8:15PM }

If you're an American and have absolutely no idea how the rest of the world views us, then you'll be getting a rude awakening in the Zero Punctuation review of Medal of Honor Airborne (found after the break). In the latest ZP review Yahtzee tangents quite strongly into some anti-American sentiment (a term used for people against war) before getting around to the game, which he considers to be overly patriotic (skewing Americans, as the Brits seem to be missing). As the Medal of Honor series digs for more material it seems to have gotten progressively historically inaccurate. Yahtzee wasn't too cool with the accuracy of the gas mask stormtroopers and says, "I wouldn't have been too phased if Hitler appeared riding a giant robot spider."

[Thanks Sam]

Tags: escapist, yahtzee, zeropunctuation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

milestailsprowe @ Oct 31st 2007 8:25PM

I love yahtzee but the comments about the country leaves me on the fence the country kinda agrees with him but me being patriotic leaves me annoyed

Victor @ Oct 31st 2007 8:40PM

Everything he says is true though.
I lived for 8 months in the US, and no offense, most of the people I met while I was there were extremely egocentric (in relation to other countries) and were way too patriotic for the own good. But hey, I just spent my time in Texas, so I can't really say that's the whole US.

Victor @ Oct 31st 2007 8:42PM

milestailsprowe @ Oct 31st 2007 8:46PM

ok Texas is as extremely egocentric as it gets in the country as states are concerned.
The rest of the country really does not like the war and you can never be way too patriotic

Joshua @ Oct 31st 2007 8:46PM

Yeah, that would explain it. :P

milestailsprowe @ Oct 31st 2007 8:48PM

ok Texas is has the biggest ego out of the country and most of the country dosnt like the war.
You can never be too much of a Patriot

Victor @ Oct 31st 2007 8:52PM

@milestailsprowe, you're probably right about Texas being the most egocentric, though I have to disagree when you say you can never be too patriotic.
My exchange program host brother said that innocents dying in Iraq were just collateral for a better country
(US) and world. I do think that's way too patriotic for his own good, but hey, maybe I'm wrong, who knows? (:

btw, I hate the way commenting works in this site :P

frrs @ Oct 31st 2007 8:53PM

It was rather rough. Although I agree with the overabundance of patriotism, practically everyone hates war and it's only the old folk's who don't really care by sending the young ones away that gives the awful reputation.
Yahtzee is comical though so no hard feelings.

mr nimblewick (SegaDF - Jogurt Ring) @ Oct 31st 2007 8:57PM

Yeah, next time you come to the US, stay away from Texas... and really all of the south. Stick to the west and east coasts.

Corey @ Oct 31st 2007 9:07PM

Patriotism is not blindly agreeing with everything your country/government does, as some here in America believes. Dissent is patriotism just as much (sometimes more than) having American flag bumper stickers, shirts, etc.

Joshua @ Oct 31st 2007 9:20PM

Victor, if you see anyone say that ~MILLION innocents dead as a result of this war are just "collateral damage", please punch them in the mouth for me.

Anyone who says something like that is not human.

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 31st 2007 9:24PM

Corey's got the right idea. Dissent is more patriotic than war. You're never fighting FOR your country. The public doesn't vote on our wars, or fund them. You're fighting for the president, his chronies, and sometimes Congress when they're tricked into funding it.

I had a soldier tell me that he was going to Iraq to fight for MY right to have some beers with my friends on a Saturday night. I didn't know what to say to the guy. I didn't know Iraq was threatening to invade California. But these poor saps are too often tricked into believing they're fighting for freedom.

I also met an Iraq War vet who said he got out as soon as he could when he found out his whole job was to protect the oil fields while schools, hospitals, and museums down the street were left to rot. Well, he did his job and the oil fields are still there. Not much else.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 31st 2007 11:17PM

But he's absolutely right.

America has an almost psychotic obsession with World War 2, mostly because it's the only war where:

1. Most people agreed that we needed to be there
2.We were clearly the good guys

Though it's funny that even though we say that we were there to stop the nazis and save the world (which we could have done years ago since you know, millions of jews were dying) but in reality we were mainly concern with sticking it to the Japanese.

GoldenS1104 @ Oct 31st 2007 11:27PM

I am American. I, unfortunately, agree with most of his views. It bothers me that the American government and many Americans are similar to the descriptions given in the video. I just hope that other countries understand that not all Americans share the same beliefs, so while what he was saying was true (IMO), it should be noted that he's making a generalization because he obviously can't speak for everyone.

*Takes Out Precautionary Flame Shield and Peaks Over it w/ Nervousness*

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 31st 2007 11:42PM

And sadly that's not the case. Just like we do to them, other countries tend to group us all in the same lot. They think of us as Patriotic pigs who think we're better than everyone else. Well that's not true (though we are defiantly better than Canada. Fuck Canada). If you're an American try going to any foreign place and speak English. The people there will automatically assume that you're a stupid American (no matter how smart you are) and either talk down to you, or ignore you completely. And this isn't happening because of bush. This attitude has been apparent in foreign countries long before any of the Bush presidents set foot in the white house.

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Nov 1st 2007 12:36AM

Ska Oreo, you're totally right, but you forget one country. Japan. They absolutely loved my English there, and even told me they'd rather have me teach English than anybody with an Australian or British accent. They all love American English 'cuz it's what they use in the Hollywoodz and the MTVz. It's hilarious.

jorojoserojas @ Nov 1st 2007 9:01AM

Hey, not all of us Texans feel the same way about this war (or the country in general). In fact, in recent times, it seems like Texas a swinging just a little bit more over to the left.

Still a bunch of nutjobs here though. =P

Somebody get me out of here!

Micheal82 @ Nov 1st 2007 9:41AM

America is not Texas. To most Americans Texas is a flyover state where we send our broken xbox360s. If you would have spen your time in Chicago, New York, or LA you would have had a differnt opinion of us Americans. So don't let some redneck hick from butt-fuc Texas ruin your opinion on all of us Americans. New Yorkers are against the war in Iraq even though the President our Comander in Thief says it because of the attacks in New York. His 90% of his 30% approval rating comes from Texas. So don't blame us for Texas.

Vandell @ Nov 8th 2007 3:15PM

There's nothing wrong with loving ones country, but there is just something inherently bad about being ignorant of adaptation, change, and the rest of the world. Standing idly by while ones government stomps all over freedom.

Seriously now, the government is starting to tolerate TORTURE? I know I just mentioned about embracing change... but, there has to be limits, and these limits are being constantly extended further and further as time goes on and people just idly meander about.

Also, the grossest act of freedom stomping that I've seen is that women are not able to walk about barechested without getting arrest - yet men can.

Gluh. I went off on a couple of small tangents, but yeah.

manguy @ Oct 31st 2007 8:26PM

that accent sounds bias

Dan @ Oct 31st 2007 8:27PM

Interesting fact: Stop the video at 1:22, and you get a little behind-the-scenes bonus which tells you that this guy reads all of his narration from a fat text editor file (I didn't realize this for a while).

Nonetheless, I always look forward to zero punctuation reviews. Kudos.

Luka M. @ Nov 1st 2007 2:41PM

There's no way in hell that someone would speak out like that so well and fluid in the course of 4 to 5 minutes. I can't believe that someone would even think it's all improvised.

Asspigeon @ Oct 31st 2007 8:29PM

Yahtzee you charismatic stallion you've done it again!

Asspigeon @ Oct 31st 2007 8:30PM

Yahtzee you charismatic stallion you've done it again!

hvnlysoldr @ Oct 31st 2007 8:47PM

Asspigeon you double posted again

Ethan @ Oct 31st 2007 8:36PM

I concur, Patriotism is for twats. Like your home? Everybody should. Your town? Sure, your stuff is in it, and everybody you like and care about. Think your nation is intrinsically better than any other and warp it with a vision that is neither good or nearby anything remotely like reality? Naughty human.

It's about as justified as the ninjas on facebook starting an actual war on the pirates. I love my country, but I love every country, because people are in them (!Lovely people!).

My thoughts are with the vast majority of Americans with a brain. But anyway. A WW2 game with Brits and Frenchies. Fairly ridiculous? Yes, yes. Sorry for the rant, gents.

Joshua @ Oct 31st 2007 8:41PM

I AGREE, SIR

But we need a new government. :(

Psaakyrn @ Oct 31st 2007 8:44PM

Real patriotism is not about being for your country, but being for the good of your country. Just because the government says something doesn't mean it must be right. There's a reason why the Bill of Rights was enacted..

spoo @ Oct 31st 2007 9:14PM

I would agree but I'm not so sure about any lovely people in France. Otherwise I would agree. XD

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 31st 2007 9:18PM

Methinks people who hate France have forgotten how France helped us win our independence. Seems like that's more important than helping us invade Iraq. VIVA LA FRANCE!

Or wait, was that a joke about them getting owned in WW2? Those jokes are pretty old and busted too. Go eat your freedom fries with a side of dick France-haters.

spoo @ Oct 31st 2007 9:54PM

France, it was a joke, since America can only dream about hating the French as much as the English hates the French.

Now about you trolling on a subject that you know nothing about. France believed Iraq should be disarmed as much as every other country they just wanted the UN to do it. They wanted the UN to do so they wouldn't be caught in the $20 billion dollars that the French along with others were using the UN program Oil-for-food. Anyways if the UN was to disarm Iraq America would have the same amount of involvement as they have/had now but they would have to take orders from everyone else that sits on the sidelines.

Damn French not having any sense of humor. ;P

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 31st 2007 10:27PM

I'm American, not French. Do not let my moustache deceive you! I would have rather left it up to the UN as well. I think the U.S. lost what little credibility it had left among the international community when it decided to act alone.

Ethan @ Oct 31st 2007 10:55PM

I think doing the best for your country is great and sacrifice for society in particular, but I think there are examples where I would disagree. For instance, subsidies to our farmers (both in America and the E.U. where I am) actually hinder a lot of people the benifit of being able to earn a living, but it is the best for our country. I do not think anybody should be held in different regard for which political boundary they live in (except for wierd people who decide to live in international waters and maybe vatican city, I think that's all bases.)

Thomas @ Nov 1st 2007 3:53PM

I agree with what Ethan said. But what he's illustrating is the difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism just means loving your country, and it's not just for twats. But nationalism is the twisted devotion to country that's typified by the beer-toting, gun-wielding, truck-driving redneck.

Many Americans like me are both patriotic and antiwar. They love their country like they love their mothers. America, I love you... but I'm not *in* love with you.

Victor @ Oct 31st 2007 8:51PM

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 31st 2007 9:14PM

No you're not wrong. That guy was what we call a psychotic asshole.

James @ Oct 31st 2007 8:51PM

He put into well strung fast paced words what everyone outside of the US has been thinking for years!

I wonder why the games are skewed like that? But hey I'm British and value historical accuracy in games about history.

Geist @ Oct 31st 2007 10:44PM

ALL the games are skewed like that because, by george, the Americans were heroes who saved the day because it was the right thing to do!

Let's just ignore the fact that they said "Fuck you" to the British until the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. Then they were like "Oh well now you've made it our problem."

As a Canadian, I'm pissed that our country is NEVER mentioned. EVER. FUCK. And we fucking spearheaded some goddamn decisive attacks! ARRRRRGGGGGOkay I'll stop now.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 31st 2007 11:37PM

@geist

Totally agreed. America had plenty of chances to step in the war to save Europe and the Jews, yet we were more concerned with our own asses (a bit hypocritical since we're supposed to be the super police of world). And the only reason why we went into the war is not because of the holocaust or to save Britain's ass. No it was to get back at the Japanese for bombing Pearl Harbor. I mean imagine if Pearl Harbor hadn't happen. How many more innocent lives would be destroyed before the U.S. were forced to go into war?

Also to your question James. The brainwashing has been going since the start of WW2 thanks to the good old folks at Hollywood. During the war, hundreds of movies came out at the time making the War to be this macho thing where small groups of soldiers with the heart of lions taking out thousands of soldiers. It's these movies that caused many Americans to view this War as the "Good War" where millions of brave sons left their homes to fight the good fight. The sad reality is that WW2 was nowhere near as glamorized as hollywood made it out to be. Soldiers didn't die as gloriously as Tom Hanks did in Saving Private Ryan, they were blown apart, getting cut down by machine gun far. I mean you can easily say that World War 2 was just as bad as the Vietnam War, only difference is is that one war was a war we supported and one was a war we hated. So we tend to focus on the positives from World War 2 because we were there to stop the bad guys.

Oh sorry for the long rant. I just did a paper on this so it's still fresh in my mind.

Synner @ Nov 1st 2007 10:20AM

We are not supposed to be the super police of the world. We should be isolationists like we were before ww2. Too bad that every president since truman wants to be the next truman and gets us involved in wars we shouldn't have anything to do with: Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, and Iraq, again.

But the fact is, they kill them over there, so we don't fight them here, and the Al Queda leadership has even said in videos that they are in Iraq. Personally, I think we should turn all of them into parking lots until they stop giving suicide bomber's families big bonuses. This includes out "friends" in Saudi Arabia.

Oh, and since we aren't going and fighting in any other countries, we should stop giving aid too. Let's totally go the isolationist route.

Herr Zrbo @ Nov 1st 2007 1:21PM

Juno beach FTW Geist!!

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Oct 31st 2007 9:13PM

Once again, I agree with every word Yahtzee says. He has become the only reviewer I trust. And patriotism is most certainly for twats. I'm into historical accuracy and not British though, so I guess Yahtzee found out I was gay before I did. But hey, if his game reviews are this good, he's gotta be right.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Oct 31st 2007 11:53PM

Really you trust him? I don't care how funny he is, I'm not about to make him my sole reviewer simply because I agree with him on a few points.

Also, no I don't agree patriotism is for twats. I love my country (even though I don't agree with my president), does that mean I'm a twat because I'm patriotic and show love for my country?

Rubang B (NDF - Heart) @ Nov 1st 2007 1:49AM

Oh no, I'm totally serious. It's not just a few points. I've agreed with every word that's come out of his mouth in every review I've seen so far. It's mind-boggling. It can always change. This really shouldn't go on forever.

I draw a huge line between patriotism and love of country. The founders had some great ideas, but their followers lost their way and big businesses took over. As we type, lobbyists are paid to kill everything I love and give more power to (insert everything evil here). In Los Angeles right now it's illegal to route rainwater from your roof into your house to use as bathwater or toilet water to save water and money, just because some bigwig water assholes want to make money pumping it into our house. They actually got laws passed that make us pay to waste water.

Currently, I hate what America's become, but I love what it could be. I think the Constitution is only amazing when the government actually reads it. We could argue the definition of patriotism (The "Patriot" Act wtf?), but you can love your country all you want as long as you're not shitting on dissenters for not swallowing the same bullshit the media/government feeds you. I hope this came out right. I'm not calling you a twat sir. Unless you support preemptive unilateral invasions and their subsequent 5 year occupations that take money that could be spend on education, healthcare, and even veterans, or hey, body armor.

Synner @ Nov 1st 2007 10:35AM

Too bad the constitution doesn't mention anything about healthcare or education being the government's job. The founders had a very Laissez-faire method of rule when it came to business, which means if we went back to strict constitutionalism, all your precious environmental legislation and your beloved taxes would go away. In addition to all those improvements, I would be able to own more types of guns.

Rubang B (BRUSH WITH FAME) @ Nov 1st 2007 2:17PM

I'm not advocating strict constitutionalism. I think it's a great document. I think it should be followed. But it's not enough. Besides, it doesn't say the government CAN'T fund education and healthcare.

Are you implying that these are bad things?

Synner @ Nov 1st 2007 3:21PM

Actually, yes i am implying that the government paying for education and health care are bad things. After working for the government for the last 7 years, I wouldn't trust them to mow my lawn properly and without wasting more money doing it than my house is worth.

I have government health care and it sucks balls. I think the free market is perfectly capable of correcting itself, with minimum regulation by the govt.

Look what is happening to sony, they came out and told people what they should want, instead of listening to the wants of the customers, and now are suffering trying to move product. Then they are deciding to try to give people what they want and hope sales improve.

Other than to break up monopolies, (and even sometimes that makes more probelms like with the phone service in the late 70's when AT&T was broken up) the govenrment shouldn't be punishing business for succeeding. Do you really think they won't pass on the costs to the consumer?

The reason health care is so expensive is because of people who sued doctors and hospitals out of business and the outrageous malpractice insurance they have to pay. Like I said I am in the navy, and government health care is awful.

I also went to a private school, who had to provide a superior educational (product) to insure that they could stay in business, when I transferred to a public school, the quality of education went way down, I was learning in 6-7th grade things my private school had taught in 4th.

Why do you think there are some colleges that are the "oh god I hope I get in" Schools and Community College is the "fallback"? You think if harvard made the same money that Community College does that they'd be too particular about what they served?

Some day you'll grow up and realize that while the liberal ideas are nice and make you feel good, the world is actually never going to work out the way you envision because people are going to fuck it up, so the best way to go is to make everyone responsible for themselves.

Liquid @ Nov 1st 2007 5:58PM

Synner,

I modded you down on your first reply. I thought you were saying you were for big government. Then you go and write that second reply and I couldn't agree more. Makes me want to save it and paste it into every political digg article I read. Well said.

Synner @ Nov 1st 2007 7:01PM

My first reply was directly to Rubang. He has stated before he believes school and healthcare should be free and that socialism is a good idea. Unfortunately in typical liberal fashion he tendds to gloss over how these wonderful programs are going to be paid for, ie out of my pockets.