[Update 2: The Giant Bomb user formerly known as CliffyB has changed his user name based on a request from the Giant Bomb staff. Seems this was a case of mistaken/overtaken internet identity. Joystiq regrets the error.]
[Update: It seems there's some doubt as to whether or not this review was actually written by Mr. Bleszinski or just some Giant bomb user who took his common online moniker. Either way, the review is still an interesting, alternative look at the game. We're looking into it and we'll update as warranted.]
After so much hype and so many years in development, many were surprised by the lackluster critical reception for Silicon Knights' Too Human. Count among the surprised Epic Games' Cliff "Don't call me CliffyB anymore" Bleszinski, who defended the game from its harshest critics in a recent Giant Bomb reader review.
Bleszinski says he found the game more engrossing than either BioShock or Call of Duty 4, pouring 16 straight hours into it on his first sit down and readying for a second playthrough after a 42-hour quest. While admitting that the story "isn't God's gift to writing," Bleszinski still insists it compares favorably to a lot of other video games. His main beef, though, is with critics who derided the game's combat as too simple simply because they weren't willing to delve into what Bleszinski sees as some complex strategic depth. "It will require some attention to learn," he warns, "If this is too much to ask, do not fret. There is always the Wii." Ouch!
The full review goes into an insane amount of detail on Bleszinski's experience with the game. Check it out if you're interested in a well informed, decidedly different perspective on this epic.
Reader Comments (66)
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 4:12PM warmonk said
oh cliffyb, I wish I could quit you.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 4:13PM Sora said
It's probably Dyack trying to promote his own game but failing miserably.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 4:23PM (Unverified) said
LOL, Joystiqs been had.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 4:41PM Mr Khan said
It would make sense (loudmouthed devs sticking together), but it isn't him, so its a moot point
Also: Epic Games: We never miss a chance to take a cheap shot at the Wii.
Also: Epic Games: We never miss a chance to take a cheap shot at the Wii.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 5:08PM (Unverified) said
They are just telling the truth from their perspective. Don't act as if they are the only ones doing so. The GTA IV guys came out and said the same thing.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB -- The PS3 user base has been the red headed step child and the butt of everyone's jokes since it was released.
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WELCOME TO THE CLUB -- The PS3 user base has been the red headed step child and the butt of everyone's jokes since it was released.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 5:00PM Evan Tribley said
Any one of you, including Joystiq, who actually thought this was the real Cliff Bleszinski is an idiot. It is so obviously not. The name, picture, and contributions to the website make it pretty obvious. Bleszinski is not going to sit on Giant Bomb all day defending Too Human on Labor Day.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 5:13PM (Unverified) said
Regardless of who wrote the article, they have some good points. No, Too Human is not the second coming that we all thought it would be, but its still a fine game. Glitchtastic to be sure, and I hope there is a patch soon, but the combat is surprisingly deep (every weapon acts differently while each enemy type deals and is resistant to different types of damage), character development is engrossing, and yes, the loot is fantastic.
While I wouldn't say the game is top-tier, I would say that it deserves at least above-average scores; not the below- and at-average scores that so many critics have given it.
While I wouldn't say the game is top-tier, I would say that it deserves at least above-average scores; not the below- and at-average scores that so many critics have given it.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 5:20PM Dummy00001 said
"If this is too much to ask, do not fret. There is always the Wii."
Now remind me: how much RPGs we have seen on Wii? I can't recall one which can be even compared to Too Human.
On other side, people were bitching about RPGs all the time. One can easily gets submerged into game play and any bump later in the game might provoke very negative reaction.
I haven't played Too Human (no Xbox) but generally I like RPGs because they allow you to play game way you want it - because you can develop your character into whatever you want. If you have developed it into some dumb barbarian who is capable of only smashing things - then it is your problem that game is boring. If game insists that you have to become something dumb and only smash things around you - then it is of course problem of the game.
Now remind me: how much RPGs we have seen on Wii? I can't recall one which can be even compared to Too Human.
On other side, people were bitching about RPGs all the time. One can easily gets submerged into game play and any bump later in the game might provoke very negative reaction.
I haven't played Too Human (no Xbox) but generally I like RPGs because they allow you to play game way you want it - because you can develop your character into whatever you want. If you have developed it into some dumb barbarian who is capable of only smashing things - then it is your problem that game is boring. If game insists that you have to become something dumb and only smash things around you - then it is of course problem of the game.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 5:21PM (Unverified) said
Trolly troll is a troll.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 6:37PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
ITS TOO LATE FOR POOR CLIFFY, BUT YOU DON@T HAVE TO SUFFER HIS FATE, SAVE YOURSELVES PEOPLE, SAVE YOURSELVES BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 7:21PM (Unverified) said
Too Human lost any interest I had in it when the dev's of the game came out and ripped critics and gamers because they simply 'didnt get it'.
And Epic Games shouldnt be coming to the defense of anybody. All they do is repackage Unreal when they need money, and then copy/paste Gears models into UT and vice versa. Seriously, besides the Unreal engine WTF have they done? Epic is pretty close to the action games equal to Madden/EA.
And Epic Games shouldnt be coming to the defense of anybody. All they do is repackage Unreal when they need money, and then copy/paste Gears models into UT and vice versa. Seriously, besides the Unreal engine WTF have they done? Epic is pretty close to the action games equal to Madden/EA.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 7:32PM (Unverified) said
Giantbomb you say?
Well some of the users in that site came from Gs forums and I tell you some Gs users are very crafty when it comes to make up BS.
Well some of the users in that site came from Gs forums and I tell you some Gs users are very crafty when it comes to make up BS.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 8:41PM Saucepanman said
I've seen Batman, Robin, and the Riddler post on the Giantbomb. They got some pretty famous dudes over there.
Posted: Sep 1st 2008 9:27PM (Unverified) said
CliffyB posts:
"The gig is up guys. I only took on the name because I was upset upon hearing that Clifford Bleszinski was disowning it. I never thought it would actually get me so much attention, but I'm glad it resulted in so many people reading my review. Which, in fact, after surfing so many sites, it turns out isn't too uncommon an opinion of Too Human. I was CliffyB the day this site launched and not just for this review. I surfed all over the net yesterday pasting this review where ever I could or referring readers here. I just got an email from Ryan requesting a username change. It will most likely be Dryker soon. Well, my page is unavailable right now, so I shall see. It was fun while it lasted. CliffyB's the shit and he'll always be CliffyB to me."
"The gig is up guys. I only took on the name because I was upset upon hearing that Clifford Bleszinski was disowning it. I never thought it would actually get me so much attention, but I'm glad it resulted in so many people reading my review. Which, in fact, after surfing so many sites, it turns out isn't too uncommon an opinion of Too Human. I was CliffyB the day this site launched and not just for this review. I surfed all over the net yesterday pasting this review where ever I could or referring readers here. I just got an email from Ryan requesting a username change. It will most likely be Dryker soon. Well, my page is unavailable right now, so I shall see. It was fun while it lasted. CliffyB's the shit and he'll always be CliffyB to me."
Posted: Sep 2nd 2008 4:56AM Snowblind said
This guy is trying way too hard to defend his game. But I agree with him, to a degree. The reviews were way too harsh, it certainly has its problems, but over all, it's a rather enjoyable game.
But because of the reviews, it already has a very bad reputation. Who says reviews don't mean anything?
But because of the reviews, it already has a very bad reputation. Who says reviews don't mean anything?
Posted: Sep 2nd 2008 10:52AM (Unverified) said
I'm going to sign up to GiantBomb as Peter Molyneux and trash Street Fighter IV.
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