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8-4 Play 4/17/2015: WHOSE DAMN SHOW? (Garnett Lee's Damn Show!)

This thread made me go into the podcast with very low expectations. But that Garnett guy never said anything that warranted the reactions here.

He didn't call Bloodborne a bad game and he seemed enthusiastic about finding a reason to give it a chance.

With that said I don't care to hear from him again because he is just Mark number 2 and Mark number 1 is barely tolerable as is. He is a little too narcissistic for my tastes.

Spell edit.
 
ryushe said:
They do kind of have "generic" art, though... Which is fine, because it's a great juxtaposition to how freaking weird these games can get.
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They without a doubt do. It's just clearly an intentional choice and part of what makes the game so awesome. It's not an incompetency or lack of artistry thing like he was implying.
 
The one thing that kinda threw me was saying Splatoon should be some little download game.. Its going to have a lot of modes and features. It'll probably be one of the best games this year, even without voice chat.
 
Man, I am so bewildered by the Danganronpa love I see everywhere. Listening to Garnett talk about it just reminded me of all my complaints. Story is awful, characters are awful, art style is awful, game mechanics are pointless and out of place. With a game like Ace Attorney or Zero Escape the mechanics you had made sense within the game world and story. DR has you playing a braindead rythym game to expose someone's lie.
 
sprsk said:
how bout this?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.hit_point.nekoatsume&hl=ja

Re: Demon Souls -- Basically as Tokkun said. Even though the average is high there were many more descenting opinions then. Compare the gaf thread for Demons to Dark to Bloodborne. It wasn't really a game people looked at seriously till after Gamespot gave it GOTY.
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Opinions that go down?

That would be descending opinions!

:P

Zefah said:
completely nonsensical objectively awful opinions:

1. Journalists are afraid to publicly dislike Bloodborne because it's some kind of darling.
2. A game without universal appeal should not score highly on Metacritic.
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Number 1 might be true though. Not just in the case of Bloodborne or even Souls games in general. I think that there are definitely some games that receive so much praise and have so many fans that it becomes harder to criticize them. If you praise them, no matter how clumsy or inaccurate your praise may be many will accept it because it parallels their own opinion. Try criticizing it and all of a sudden you'll have a horde of enraged defenders picking apart your every word.

It's like trying to speak negatively about a game in many an OT. Many people won't even give your knocks against a game proper consideration, they'll just jump to defend the game.
 
Vlitra said:
This thread made me go into the podcast with very low expectations. But that Garnett guy never said anything that warranted the reactions here.

He didn't call Bloodborne a bad game and he seemed enthusiastic about finding a reason to give it a chance.

With that said I don't care to hear from him again because he is just Mark number 2 and Mark number 1 is barely tolerable as is. He is a little too narcissistic for my tastes.

Spell edit.
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I kind of feel Mark is what saves the podcast from just being weeaboo hour, occasionally he'll say something dumb for comedy's sake, but it's always pretty obvious when he's just being facetious.
 
I enjoyed this episode. This Garnett guy seems like a really fun guy even though I don't agree with all of his opinions. Sure, I wouldn't want him taking over every 8-4 episode, but I thought this once was a nice change of pace.
 
Pie and Beans said:
Just got to it, almost quit out of this episode because of it. It is a NeoGAFShitPost through and through. Its just nonsense. So because the medium and people that cover it have warmed to a "tough but fair" gameplay style, this is all some hivemind shit? I'll agree, BB has its issues, but its still at the very top of GOTY contenders this year because theres nothing else out there that does what it does. Level design alone.

What makes it worse is Garnett didnt know fuck all about Bloodborne, not even the regain mechanic which has been talked about since the game was first publicly announced. He'd already formed some "oh this is THE zeitgeist game" right now opinion based on nothing. Its why I always hated when he slipped from hosting duties back on 1UP Yours and just said the most ignorant, stupid, thing and everyone just groaned.

I think I audibly heard JJ's eyes rolling at least at one point. Dreadful guest, I get that he's an old warbuddy, but just doesnt mesh with any of the show like other guests do easily.
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Clear said:
I actually quit listening (in part) because of it.

The simple fact is that the Souls franchise has consistently grown in popularity based on the fact that people genuinely enjoy the style of play that it offers. That's not a product of review hype, its word of mouth.

There is no "zeitgeist" effect, its just that plenty of people have realized that persevering through the challenges that From throws at them is extremely rewarding and fun in a way that few AAA titles are these days.
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OK, I hear what you are saying, but what he said about gamers coming through and trying it out is 100% correct, and a game that divisive shouldn't be receiving the universal praise that a fuckin 90+ metacritic score announces to the world.

I haven't bought it, so I cant comment on how good it is personally but I friend of mine has, its not something he would usually buy but, we are in a pretty big dead spot for AAA games so he picked it up and he's barely played it, a 90+ game should have some hooks and he's just gone back to GTA....actually thinking about it now I might be able to borrow it from him.

As for Garnett, listening to this made me wonder why put up with weekend confirmed being in my regular podcast rotation. Then I remembered that shit was bigger than him, and some of the regulars were fun to listen to.
 
ninanuam said:
OK, I hear what you are saying, but what he said about gamers coming through and trying it out is 100% correct, and a game that divisive shouldn't be receiving the universal praise that a fuckin 90+ metacritic score announces to the world.

I haven't bought it, so I cant comment on how good it is personally but I friend of mine has, its not something he would usually buy but, we are in a pretty big dead spot for AAA games so he picked it up and he's barely played it, a 90+ game should have some hooks and he's just gone back to GTA....actually thinking about it now I might be able to borrow it from him.
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If your friend had actually bothered to read reviews, he would see that many of the reviews qualified what the game would be like. So instead of blaming the scores, maybe people should be a little more informed about what they're buying?

People tend to choose genres of books, music and film that they enjoy regardless of the review score; why should games be any different?
 
ninanuam said:
OK, I hear what you are saying, but what he said about gamers coming through and trying it out is 100% correct, and a game that divisive shouldn't be receiving the universal praise that a fuckin 90+ metacritic score announces to the world.

I haven't bought it, so I cant comment on how good it is personally but I friend of mine has, its not something he would usually buy but, we are in a pretty big dead spot for AAA games so he picked it up and he's barely played it, a 90+ game should have some hooks and he's just gone back to GTA....actually thinking about it now I might be able to borrow it from him.

As for Garnett, listening to this made me wonder why put up with weekend confirmed being in my regular podcast rotation. Then I remembered that shit was bigger than him, and some of the regulars were fun to listen to.
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Weekend Confirmed was one of the few podcast I listen to from cradle to grave (followed him from 1UP). Towards the end of it it was getting hard to keep listening, and some of the guest were starting to become annoying (one of them was eye rolling bad, but I will avoid names out of respect). I did try to listen to Garnett on Games, but that format just didn't work. I still like Garnett, but I can understand why he would rub people the wrong way at times.

Also add me to people who just don't like Bloodborne or that type of game play. I was planning to play it until Witcher 3 came out, but after a week I I don't think I will ever pick it up again (Axiom Verge and GTAV are what I'm going to instead). That said I know just because I don't like something, it doesn't mean it is not good. My taste are just not suited for it. I have no one to blame, but myself. I knew what it was, but I kept telling myself this experience could different (yes the reviews clouded my judgement, but again that is my fault).
 
Ugh this episode. Granted I haven't liked Garnett since he attacked Shane on 1UP Yours to "take a look at my bank account, fucker", but I'll always give him a chance.

But this, what a train wreck. All he did was spew his opinion on some games ad nauseum without any kind of solid points to back it up. I'm convinced he was just showing off in front of Sarah, his flirting was completely obvious. I deleted it halfway through.

If I were Amazon I'd have my head in my hands over its "Games Ambassador" being so embarrassingly and excessively mouthy in a public forum. But to be fair, he could have a different side professionally.

It's a stark contrast to the professional way John and Mark carry themselves week in and week out, and is why I respect 8-4 as a company moreso than a podcast.
 
SpotAnime said:
I'm convinced he was just showing off in front of Sarah, his flirting was completely obvious.
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I don't think it was specifically that, he was clearly eager to impress all the "younger generation" of cast.

What veered into areas of impossibly obvious flying close to the sun was taking the Sarah 'Barbie' nickname and Garnett using it to address her for the entire show, not using anyone elses nicknames. Being the only female member on this week, referring to as Barbie unironically for 2 hours, this past year or so of "girls in game dev" shenanigans. I was wincing each and every time. That shit is "Ambassador Disaster" fuel through and through.

Its that kind of lack of forethought and no brain to mouth filter which also resulted in the podcasts most awkward moment during the mandatory Destiny segment in which Garnett attested to not having time to level up in such games because he was a busy man unlike the free-time afforded to this lackadaisical 8-4 lot. Imaginary face-cam winces all round.
 
SpotAnime said:
Ugh this episode. Granted I haven't liked Garnett since he attacked Shane on 1UP Yours to "take a look at my bank account, fucker", but I'll always give him a chance.

But this, what a train wreck. All he did was spew his opinion on some games ad nauseum without any kind of solid points to back it up. I'm convinced he was just showing off in front of Sarah, his flirting was completely obvious. I deleted it halfway through.

If I were Amazon I'd have my head in my hands over its "Games Ambassador" being so embarrassingly and excessively mouthy in a public forum. But to be fair, he could have a different side professionally.

It's a stark contrast to the professional way John and Mark carry themselves week in and week out, and is why I respect 8-4 as a company moreso than a podcast.
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Goddamn that's harsh.
 
Sushi Nao said:
Whoa, great guest. Garnett is that elusive podcast combination of warm voice, clear thought process, and goofy neologism
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That is the opposite of my impression of him.

Garnett Lee is eminently likeable, but coherence is not exactly his strong suit I don't think. Still, good to hear his voice. I just prefer to listen to him when he is genuinely excited about a game.

ETA: @sarahpodz was adorable though, she even took the awful "Barbie" nickname in stride. Hope she'll be back and get some more time to actually talk about stuff.
 
Love to see garnett back on a podcast. Makes me feel young again :X

He was totally unironically the "old man" this episode too!

"You kids and your dang cat mobile games!"
 
I don't really understand what Sarah adds to the podcast. She kind of annoys me, to be honest. She talks like what I as a European associate with "Valley girl",with the constant "like..."

(And no, it's not "because she's a girl", I really like Kat Bailey as a podcast member for instance.)
 
magnetic said:
I don't really understand what Sarah adds to the podcast. She kind of annoys me, to be honest. She talks like what I as a European associate with "Valley girl",with the constant "like..."

(And no, it's not "because she's a girl", I really like Kat Bailey as a podcast member for instance.)
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I dunno, it's nice to hear someone else that actually talks instead of just Mark and John, sometimes hiroko and roy stay silent for a long time. She also adds a young persons perspective which can be good. I like hearing Thomas too but he hasn't been on lately..

Edit: Neko Atsume won't download for me either
 
There are worse offenders on this very podcast when it comes to the "like"-ratio. It's one of those things you can't stop noticing once you do.
 
I don't get the hate for Garnett, I think he is an amazing guy.
Honestly speaking I downloaded this podcast just because I saw his name on it.
 
I thought Garrett was fine even though I wouldn't have agreed with all of his points.

What was more egregious was one of the other host's comparing micro transactions to the Nestlé CEO's suggestion of privatizing water.

It gives the impression that the podcast has some anti-western, lefty nut job bias.
 
Isn't one of those guys a self admitting "Whale"? I don't think they have much room to be so against micro transactions.

Also since when are fatalities difficult? You pretty much dial them in.
 
ninanuam said:
OK, I hear what you are saying, but what he said about gamers coming through and trying it out is 100% correct, and a game that divisive shouldn't be receiving the universal praise that a fuckin 90+ metacritic score announces to the world.
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I'm sorry but I just can't see the point in feeding games to reviewers who are basically disinterested in what the title is intended to be. I keep flashing back on that Football Manager title that got eviscerated by some writer who had no interest in either Soccer or strategy/management sims.

In my opinion that is neither fair nor helpful in a consumerist sense.
 
Pappasman said:
Man, I am so bewildered by the Danganronpa love I see everywhere. Listening to Garnett talk about it just reminded me of all my complaints. Story is awful, characters are awful, art style is awful.
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well see here's your problem, you don't enjoy the same thing other people enjoy!

Sarah's great be tee dubs
 
Sarah's fun. Garnett's fun. Mixing the cast up is fun.

It doesn't always work to perfection, but ya'll are treating this casual 2-hour recording by a bunch of people podcasting for kicks as if it were an episode of the Sopranos. It's still top quality and the only non-Retronauts gaming podcast I listen to.

And I do think Garnett has something in his theory regarding Bloodborne reviews, although his theory may have less to do with Bloodborne and more to do with general internet culture where dissent from the accepted opinion (on a video game, on a political issue, on whatever) is unrelentingly attacked by the masses and their arbiters of truth, with little reason for those who have even a slight disagreement with the "facts" to battle against the wave.
 
I find Garnett Lee to be self-centered, inconsiderate of others and almost totally lacking in critical insight about games. He tramples over most of the podcast conversations he's involved in. His popularity has always been a mystery to me.
 
JeTmAn81 said:
I find Garnett Lee to be self-centered, inconsiderate of others and almost totally lacking in critical insight about games. He tramples over most of the podcast conversations he's involved in. His popularity has always been a mystery to me.
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trre.gif
 
I thought Garnett was fine, I enjoyed listening to him even when disagreeing with some of what he said.

I listened to Weekend Confirmed for a while but gave up, it became quite annoying at times. He (and some of the others) were worse there.

As for Sarah, I have no strong opinion either way. It's kinda like she "just happens to be there".

I wish Hiroko would be more present but I understand she may have other stuff to do when they record, or something.
 
I think the Bloodborne review positivity stems from the fact that most reviewers try to beat the game, especially if they're going to attach a score to it. Most of the people with dissenting views, at least the ones I've heard from on podcasts, tend to stop around Father Gascoigne. This leads to them having less detailed arguments about the game as a whole, and if they were to write an actual published review they would be exposed almost instantly.
 
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