There are plenty of games going up against
Resistance 2 for top honors this week (including, of course, Marcus Fenix and Co.), but if the early reviews are any indication, they might have a tough time toppling Nathan Hale's battle against the Chimera, at least from a critical point of view.
- IGN (95/100): "Resistance 2 is one of those games that manages to expand on its predecessor in every way. The single player is epic in scope and in story, which is practically worth the price of admission by itself."
- Gameplayers (90/100):"Resistance 2 is certainly good value for money. If you're online, you'll get a year's worth of gaming out of it no worries at all, while there is enough there to offer single players solid entertainment too. There's nothing particularly elegant or genius about the way the game has been developed: it is just a straight-up action shooter that hangs its hopes on a cool story idea and a wicked arsenal."
- 1UP (B+): "Overall, Resistance 2 is an extremely well-assembled FPS, with an improved campaign, fun competitive multiplayer, and a damn neat take on co-op. I wouldn't go as far as to say this is the definitive PS3 game, but it's certainly one of the best PS3 exclusives I've played.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bouille @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:04AM
You know, with all these games recently getting 90-100 ratings I wonder if reviews even influence gamers anymore.
Cubfan786 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:24AM
My thoughts exactly.
After Far Cry 2's high ratings and my subsequent test run of it, im not so sure if these people even play the games.
Cubfan786 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:25AM
I mean the reviewers
Chin-Poh @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:42AM
I was really tempted to try out Far Cry 2 with all the glowing reviews of it, its extremely mediocre to me, thank goodness I had rented it first. : (
oolz @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:44AM
I still check out the metacritic scores, because it's usually a pretty good guage of the overall experience. usually...
It's annoying for games like this (or gears, etc) to be labeled with an EPIC story.. c'mon, it's a passable action game story line, but don't bullshit me by calling it epic. Bioshock had a far more entertaining and original story line and even that would only qualify as decent to me, hardly epic. It would help if the people writing the reviews had actually read enough in their lifetimes to know a good story from a just OK one..
Muu @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:03AM
Reading through reader responses to reviews (when they're available), it really seems like the only people reading reviews are those that had already decided whether or not they'll get the game to begin with.
Personally, the only recent review that convinced me to get a game was Braid, since that went completely under my radar until all the glowing reviews poured in. Everything else seems like the usual FPS's getting a +10 modifier and big-name titles getting a +15 by default.
acefondu @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:22AM
I'm glad I got Far Cry 2 and in no way consider it mediocre. It does what Stalker Clear Sky wishes it could do, supply a sandbox quest based FPS without game breaking bugs.
Vcize @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:22AM
The reader reviews on metacritic are just a waste, since fanboys from each of the consoles just go into the big games from the other consoles and rate them all 0/10. R2 and Gears 2 both each already have thousands of 0/10 reviews even though the games aren't even out yet. Gears 2's reader review score is 3.1/10 right now...
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:53AM
Yeah, it's ridiculous. When there are people who use the NUMBER of 100s a games gets as a criteria for evaluating them (witness lower on this page), things are far far out of hand.
Alex @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:02PM
Far Cry 2 is fabulous!
Are you insane in the membrane?!
Not as good as PC original, but still 98/100 IMO.
FAT MAN @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:13PM
i really think that its not that the reviews are inflated i think its just that were are in a golden age of gaming right now (at least on 360/PS3) and no one cares to notice because of all the fanboy wars. Just think theres a reason why all of the sudden we have more games then time to play them and we have unopened Great games sitting on our shelves. I mean just look how almost every game that comes out nowadays is top quality and we dont even have summer droughts anymore.
BananaBoat @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:40PM
No matter how many times I tried, I could never see Resistance as anything other than a mediocre sub-halo-or-gears FPS. I could care less what platform it's on, but it's just so....meh.
That said, IGN would give a steaming pile of horse crap a 95/100 if it gave them a big enough money hat. Considering those ridiculously over dramatic TV spots during national football games, I'd say Sony has more than enough money for a money hat infusion.
I'm done with reviews now. I read all the glowing reviews of Fable 2, and went out and bought it. It's pretty much identical to Fable 1. It's not a free world still, there still isn't much in the way of shiny loot to get, the story is still short, there aren't that many side quests, etc. It's actually a step back in some areas, such as there not being many items to steal anymore, there is no stealth element, the combat has gotten much easier, etc. The same moral decisions you made in Fable 1 are also made in Fable 2. It's literally just more of the same, which is fine if you liked Fable 1 (I did) but it still ends up being a sub-par experience compared with something like Oblivion. A game like Fable 2 will really make you appreciate just how massive Oblivion was in scope. So yeah, reviews are about useless. I don't regret that 70 dollars I spent, but in hindsight, I might have just rented.
adolson @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:01PM
I hear ya. GTAIV got so many perfect scores, and it sits at an average of about 98% right now, and no way in hell does it deserve such high marks.
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:15AM
I couldn't force myself to play the regular multiplayer in the beta, but the 8 player co-op was a lot of fun and I know the single player will be at least decent so I'll buy this maybe after christmas. I'm still too busy with Fallout 3 even though I'm 57 hours in now.
baby sea tuna @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:46AM
Holy crap! 57 Hours? I knew that game was a time-sink, but wow!
PS: I don't think you're on my friend list. Gamertag?
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:49AM
Live- lmacairjordan87
PSN- tmacairjordan87
Don't ask about the live one...I fucked up a long time ago making it :(
baby sea tuna @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:55AM
Added, thx.
I think you're already on my PSN list, but I'll check it when I get home.
Maurice M @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:19AM
My feelings too. The game has generic MP, but the co-op is fantastic. Decent single player should make it worth picking up down the line. Low priority though.
ExMcCloud @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:16AM
Exactly what I expected...8-9's I dont expect 10's this game still has some glaring flaws that Insomniac needs the work out and that was on the Beta hopefully they work on the damn control scheme cuz its not perfect yet! But I'm excited!!! Me want this game
Popfrogs @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:21AM
I'm waiting to see the Eurogamer score of 6 or 7.
MattBFD @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:23AM
I prefer medeiums like the 1up show where they just talk about the game and it gives you an impression of whether or not you'd want to play it. They do this effectively on the Totally Rad Show too.
waves @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:51AM
I agree. I much prefer to hear people talk about a game on podcasts or vidcasts. In most cases you can tell a lot more about a game by hearing a group of people talk about it. It conveys so much more information than a number or even a written review or preview can.
baby sea tuna @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:57AM
Yeah, 1up Show is my favorite. Not only do you get a bunch of different opinions, you get to see the game footage speak for itself.
Replica23 @ Nov 3rd 2008 7:36PM
I agree also. However when they spoke about R2 on the last 1UP Show one or more editors gave contradicting impressions to what Joystiq and other sites have written about the AI (for example). However I find the dude who said them to exaggerate the points he brings up in most of his opinions.
xFenixKnightx @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:28AM
I'll probably buy this around late Dec when I'm not so addicted to Gears 2 and right b4 KZ2 comes out. Pretty awesome week for PS360 owners all around. Then next week is CoD:W@W which is damn SWEET!
Also Banjo was kind of a letdown at first but I've gone back to play it and its growing on me. At first I didn't think there were any platforming elements but there is.
-$160.00 out mah wallet, just like that.
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:34AM
I just wish they would have let us use our vehicles in the main world. I saw a bunch of shit laying around on high places and I really wanted to use my plane and get it all.
xFenixKnightx @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:36AM
No way! Thats where some platforming comes into play :)
ExMcCloud @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:37AM
Tmac I agree and I also think after playing the DEMO its still Banjo, and is still awesome....Gonna be this years sleeper hit for sure......And only 40bux? Im all over it!
baby sea tuna @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:48AM
Wait, when does Banjo come out? Next week? If so, does that mean the original is on XBLA this week?
tmacairjordan87 @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:54AM
Banjo comes out a week from tomorrow I think, which will be the same time the original will be available for the preorder people. I'm pretty sure the original becomes available for everyone around thanksgiving time.
Vidikron @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:54AM
Ditto on Banjo. I was disappointed the first few minutes and then had to end the demo early to do something else. But later I decided to give the game another go and absolutely loved it. Once I got into that first level and started playing with the vehicle creation I was hooked.
I made a pretty cool tank for that challenge where you have to protect clanker. I wish there were better tires in the demo though. I kept using all the engines I had available in each vehicle I created and as a result they would fishtail a lot when accelerating.
FAT MAN @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:33PM
Playing the Banjoo Kazooie demo gave me the feeling of playing the original for the fist time again, all the music and sound effects just really brought me to that happy place from my childhood/teenage years. definite buy from me. Reminds me of the what used to be in the game industry.
xFenixKnightx @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:57AM
"(including, of course, Marcus Fenix and Co.), but if the early reviews are any indication, they might have a tough time toppling Nathan Hale's battle against the Chimera"
Well that was put to an end pretty quickly. I didn't even know R2 didn't recieve not even one 100...
MetaReview Gears 2
100 Giant Bomb
The differences and enhancements in Gears of War 2 feel very calculated and intelligent. It's clear that no one set out to break things that worked before, and the most dramatic steps were taken in an effort to widen the game's appeal to players who might not be good enough to play it, otherwise. But it takes on this task without dumbing itself down and alienating the people who already liked the first game...All you really need to know is that Gears of War 2 is a terrific, kick-ass shooter with enough stuff in it to keep you busy for a pretty long time.
100 1UP
As great as the campaign is, the game will see its longest legs from multiplayer. And from the multitude of competitive match types to the addictive and strategic co-op Horde mode, what felt like a hugely entertaining afterthought in the original Gears now easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the campaign.
100 GameSpy
While it's certainly open to debate, we're going to go out on a limb and call Gears of War 2 the most visually impressive game of all-time.
100 VideoGamer
It's not as emotionally deep as other games on the market, it's not a 30 hour + epic and it's not art in video game form, but is arguably the greatest action game ever created. In a year full of incredible games, Gears of War 2 sits triumphantly at the very top.
98 Team Xbox
All of the multiplayer, both co-op and competitive, completely makes up for any that was lacking in the first game. For those that thought that Gears just wasn’t suited to multiplayer gameplay, that it was too tactical and slow and was better suited to a single player experience, prepare to eat your words. It’s fantastic, and rounds out the complete package that is Gears of War 2...Gears of War 2 is about as close as you can get to the perfect gaming package.
95 GameTrailers
The game consistently manages to put impressive, holy crap-worthy stuff on-screen. Your ears get their fair share of candy, too. Voice work is almost always right on and the music is epic, foreboding, and dangerous.
95 IGN
It has non-stop action, fresh gameplay, varied environments, an engrossing storyline, multiplayer that will have people busy for years to come, and some of the nastiest and coolest kills I’ve seen in a videogame.
Duke @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:01AM
To me when you look at R2 and Gears 2, it isn't a which will I buy thing. Any first person shooter fan with both consoles should be happy as a pig in sh*t with these games. I will grab them both in the next month or so, yet I need to finish a play through of Fable 2 first and then hit Fallout.
There are just a lot of great games to be buying right now.
jarhead906 @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:07AM
Not to start an argument with you or anything but Resistance 2's Metareview only contains three independent reviews...
And you listed seven for Gears of War2's Metareview...
You see what I did there?
straynova @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:12AM
Duke --
I agree. Definitely picking up both R2 and GOW2 this week, to add to my growing addiction to Fallout.
I wish my wallet was as happy as I am.
xFenixKnightx @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:25AM
jarhead906
No, I dont :D
/Blind Gears Fanboy
FAT MAN @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:18PM
yeah, they should have put a GOW2 Meta-Review on top of this meta review to show Pure Pownage!!!!
GOW FTW!!!!!!
ExMcCloud @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:39PM
Fenixx we already knew this game was gonna get straight 100's anyway....Its fucking Gears.....Comon be serious....GOTY all day!
Trev @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:31PM
And apparently Indiana Jones is only marginally better than Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
But really, reviews mean everything.
Vcize @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:24PM
The 4th Indiana Jones?
Saying it's better than ANYTHING is being pretty generous.
AlterEgo @ Nov 3rd 2008 6:22PM
Gears isn't a First Person Shooter :p
xGeneral DEATHx (Mr ESC Resurrection Force) @ Nov 4th 2008 10:53AM
I just came.
(late to the party, I know)
Cellien @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:22AM
I played the beta thanks to jared here on this site offered me his code.
I thought the beta was very generic. The graphics were lackluster and the gameplay was straight forward, but nothing notable in the slightest. The game was fun, but judging by the beta, I am not purchasing this game.
Flame @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:59AM
The beta had terrible graphics because they had to make it so it would take up alot of space on the HDD. I dont think the game is terrible, i actually liked it.
FAT MAN @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:22PM
That is the worst excuse for bad graphics on a game that i have ever herd. Especially on the PS3 of all systems.Even the Gamecube didnt use that excuse with its small DVDs.
Popfrogs @ Nov 3rd 2008 3:34PM
@Fat Man: Not much for comprehension are you? The BETA was a DOWNLOADABLE PACKAGE which INSTALLED to the HARD DRIVE. Since it was a big chunk of the game, which is LARGE, they used lower resolution textures to keep the download size SMALL.
IN THE BETA.
Cellien @ Nov 4th 2008 11:43AM
Is that confirmed? Is there a source that says that? I've never heard of that before...
Seph X @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:20PM
As excited as I am for this game, I'm passing on this game, Fable 2, & Gears 2 and shoving them onto my "games relatives better get me for the holidays" list (birthday falls in december as well, so double bonus).
The main reason I'm gonna wait on this game is pretty simple, I need time to beat the games I currently have (Fallout, Dead Space, play more LittleBigPlanet, etc). And I'm having far too much fun with these titles to risk putting them down for other titles.
Because lets face it, R2 and Gears 2 are great games and all but their campaign storylines are passable action titles at the very best and nothing more. R:FoM was a story about a dude who gets dropped into a bad place, gets infected, and shoots up alot of crap. Gears' story is equally barely passable; break Fenix out of prison, shoot Locust for a few hours with patheticly weak weapons, plant the tunnel mapper, rinse & repeat.
I'm gonna get these games and have an absolute blast with them. But I'm not going to fall into groupthink and say these games are the second coming.
Vidikron @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:28PM
OK, neither story is what you could call great, and Gear's story is especially sketchy because the levels leave big gaps at points (e.g. the train a the end), but you're not being fair in your summarization of the stories. You can distill almost any story down the way you did. Resistance in particular had a lot of narrative cut scenes.