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[Gonzo The Great]

Some would argue that it's the best 2D platformer ever made, and yet it received almost zero awards and nominations in 2014. Not even the soundtrack was nominated for anything, despite the fact that it won GAF's "Soundtrack of the Year" poll. Why did such an amazing game receive such lukewarm reception from the gaming press? Because it isn't Metroid? Because it's a 2D platformer? Because the game stars goofy looking anthropomorphic monkeys? Help me out here, GAF. I know it was a competitive year for Wii U exclusives, but personally, I liked Tropical Freeze more than both Mario Kart 8 and Smash. In fact, I hope Retro is working on a third game right now, featuring the return of the Kremlings and more Animal Buddies. I fear that they may have taken this internet "backlash" to heart, though I seem to recall Miyamoto saying in an interview that they now have the capacity to support multiple projects at once.

 

[Savantcore]

Because GAF overhypes it.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

The Order wishes it got TF's "lukewarm" 80 Metacritic reception

 

[timetokill]

For one, it was probably too hard for them. If you've seen journalists try to play platformers, it's frankly astonishing how bad many of them are at them.

Secondly, it doesn't have the "hot" key features a lot of journalists look for these days to make their gaming-art connection. It hardly has a narrative. It superficially plays in the same way that Super Mario Bros. on NES does. It doesn't have some grand artistic virtues. It's not made by an indie developer.

Basically, it's not a "sexy" pick.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Came out too early in the year.

 

[Pathfinder]

I ask myself the same question about The Lego Movie and their Oscar snub.

Sometimes life isn't fair.

 

[thatfunkysimian]

Completely agree with this, I wish I knew. Tropical freeze was my game of the year. I played it today with a mate of mine who has played the old SNES ones and he was more interested in showing me The Order on his PS4. I was so confused.

 

[Nesther]

Prolly because it's a 2D platformer. I don't think it being on the Wii U is a "snubbing reason", if you look at Bayonetta 2 and MK8 and Smash which were put on pedestals left and right.

 

[yatesl]

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, known in Japan as Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze (ドンキーコング トロピカルフリーズ Donkī Kongu Toropikaru Furīzu?), is a 2014 side-scrolling platformer video game developed by Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. Originally slated to be released in November 2013, it was delayed until December 6, then again until February 13, 2014. The game was released in Japan on February 13, 2014, in North America and Europe on February 21, 2014 and in Australia on February 22, 2014.. The fifth installment in the main Donkey Kong Country series, and the first in high-definition, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is the direct sequel to the 2010 Wii game, Donkey Kong Country Returns.

.

 

[L Thammy]

It isn't very innovative or ambitious, for one thing.

 

[Marcus]

it wasn't even that good. 10/10 music though

 

[Rogue_Ledr]

Came out too early in the year.

This is what I was going to say.

It was forgotten awards season.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Because GAF overhypes it.

I would say it's properly hyped.

It's fantastic.

 

[Isotope]

It came out in the first quarter of the year. Unless I'm mistaken, Second Son rarely got any press too, and that came out in March.

 

[JCX]

I keep trying to like it, but it made me realize that I never really liked the DKC series.

 

[TheSpoiler]

Not winning an arbitrary GOTY from a handful of websites doesn't constitute snubbing.

 

[Uncle Rupee]

Some would argue that it's the best 2D platformer ever made

That's a pretty bold claim, personally I haven't played the game but if it is anything like the older DKCs that would seem to be an exaggeration.

 

[MrBadger]

Because the Wii U didn't have much at the time of its reveal and everyone wanted Metroid or something new from Retro. It could have been the best 2D platformer ever (and it was, I might add) with the greatest soundtrack of all time (again, true) and it would still go largely ignored.

 

[Calamari41]

I don't follow gaming journalism much, but I do remember Geoff Keighley literally not allowing the Mega64 guys to talk about it during that E3. That was pretty shit.

 

[Neff]

Difficult, distinctly old-fashioned, was released at a time when gaming journalism hadn't quite made its mind up over whether it was wrong about besmirching Wii U.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Now that we've redefined 8+ scores as "lukewarm" and a "backlash", what other games can we rouse some righteous indignation over?

 

[Floridian]

Early release, Wii U exclusive, 2D platformer, Donkey Kong.

 

[Rei no Otaku]

Because GAF overhypes it.

Pretty much. I bought the game because of the hype here and was wicked disappointed.

 

[Jotamide]

That's a pretty bold claim, personally I haven't played the game but if it is anything like the older DKCs that would seem to be an exaggeration.

Yeah, after all Super Meat Boy is the current title holder.

 

[DarthWalden]

Just a guess but maybe because it was a somewhat difficult 60$ platforming game in a day and age where there is a whole bunch of great platformer that can be had for 20$ or less.

I agree though. One of the best platformer ever. But it's part of an unexciting and played out genre.

 

[SolidSnakex]

.

Resident Evil 4 was released in January.

 

[Marjar]

Because it's really not that great of a game.

It's a solid platformer but I don't get the people calling it best 2D platformer of all time and stuff. Wasn't even the best platformer of the year. I'll agree about the soundtrack though, the fact that it was absent was pretty ridiculous considering the competition.

 

[Ein Bear]

It has a Metacritic of 83, and got pretty great reviews across the board. In what possible way was the game 'snubbed'?

 

[EhoaVash]

It could be cause it came out early last year but ...but
.you had sites like GameSpot who purposly gave the game 6/10/becaus they hated the artstyle like wtf

Game is the best 2d platformed period can't believe it lost to shovel knight cause it wasnt multiplatform and don't even start on the music snubbing.

 

[GamerJM]

For one, it was probably too hard for them. If you've seen journalists try to play platformers, it's frankly astonishing how bad many of them are at them.

Secondly, it doesn't have the "hot" key features a lot of journalists look for these days to make their gaming-art connection. It hardly has a narrative. It superficially plays in the same way that Super Mario Bros. on NES does. It doesn't have some grand artistic virtues. It's not made by an indie developer.

Basically, it's not a "sexy" pick.

This, though I want to bring up the fact that as much as I like TF, I think that thinking it's too hard or that it lacks significant artistic values are perfectly valid reasons to dislike it if you're not very good at platformers (or just don't really care for difficulty in general), or if you weigh artistic values as something of extreme significant importance. The gaming media can like whatever they want, it's their opinions imo.

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

Some would argue that it's the best 2D platformer ever made

I think more would argue that it's not. SMW2:YI for life!

 

[braves01]

Early in the year, 2D platformer, relatively difficult, Wii U

 

[Oersted]

Came out too early in the year.

Yep. Timing is key. See Theory of Everything, Big Hero 6, Birdman etc etc. Sadly, mind you.

It has a Metacritic of 83, and got pretty great reviews across the board. In what possible way was the game 'snubbed'?

Snubbed is normally used in the context of "Best of the year"-awards/lists.

 

[gafneo]

Because a sequel came too soon. Who wanted a DK game this soon? Will say that the new end Boss was pretty fun. Reminded me of K.Rule. The game also looks like a Wii title. The fruit stages were the only visually appealing parts. Retro Studios didn't do much to set the game apart from Returns. Rareware blew the lid off their sequels.

 

[Spinosaurus]

I just want to know why the soundtrack got snubbed in terms of awards.

 

[LiK]

Most of them probably didn't play it

 

[TheUnsunghero26]

The GameSpot review was really weird. The guy reviewing it gave it a low score, but during their game of the year debates, the rest of the site basically said they disagree with the review.

I think a lot of people were upset that it wasn't Metroid, or a new IP and judged it before they played. It's a shame, because DKC is by far my favourite Nintendo series.

 

[TheMoon]

I just want to know why the soundtrack got snubbed in terms of awards.

Because almost nobody actually played it outside of the reviewers who barely cared and moved on to other games and thus forgot about it.

 

[Toxi]

It got almost zero awards and nominations because the people giving those awards and nominations liked other games better.

I think Tropical Freeze is the best game of 2014, but not everyone thinks that way, and those people are entitled to their opinion.

 

[Coconut]

Because it's just alright.

 

[TheJoRu]

"Retro Studios shouldn't be wasting their talents on a low-tier genre such as 2D platformers when they could be making Metroid!"

 

[maxcriden]

Because GAF overhypes it.

I'm sorry, I just have to vehemently disagree. DK: TF is one of the smoothest, tightest and most expertly crafted games I've ever played, it supports a variety of controllers and playstyles, and the music is GOAT-tier.

 

[Marjar]

I'm sorry, I just have to vehemently disagree. DK: TF is one of the smoothest, tightest and most expertly crafted games I've ever played, it supports a variety of controllers and playstyles, and the music is GOAT-tier.

You do realize you've pretty much just proven his point right here.

 

[JDSN]

There is certain bias again the genre, its instantly gives the impression that its cheap and it should be cheaper unless it does something radically different with its art style then its genius. Also, this thread.

The Order wishes it got TF's "lukewarm" 80 Metacritic reception

The Order wishes it was a game.

 

[TheCowboyPoet]

Some would argue that it's the best 2D platformer ever made, and yet it received almost zero awards and nominations in 2014.

Hey now, it's an OK game, but let's not get carried away.

 

[GenG3000]

It was a mix of the game not being Metroid Prime and not being the Wii U savior. The same happened with The Wonderful 101 or Pikmin 3.

At the end of the day, it's one of the best 2D platformers, up there with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Donkey Kong Country 2.

 

[Jaded Alyx]

Just a guess but maybe because it was a somewhat difficult 60$ platforming game in a day and age where there is a whole bunch of great platformer that can be had for 20$ or less.

I agree though. One of the best platformer ever. But it's part of an unexciting and played out genre.

I don't think it was $60.

 

[Rats Off To Ya]

Because GAF overhypes it.

Agreed. It's not that great. Retro is an amazingly talented studio, but 2D platforming is not their strong suit, IMO.

 

[Conkerkid11]

It isn't very innovative or ambitious, for one thing.

it wasn't even that good. 10/10 music though

But did you play it?

 

[Tiamant]

Started playing it yesterday. I've never been too keen on the DKC series but this game has blown me away, it's criminal how underrated this is.