Support NeoGAF

[industrian]

Eurogamer gave it 4/10 :lol

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=142250

This review is the equivalent of a punch to the balls to someone who just had a sex change. Hopefully it'll remind Free Radical of what they used to have.

Still....there's always TimeSplitters4. I'm sure they'll have worked the kinks out of the HAZE engine by then.

Or they'll just make it for the Wii and use their PS2 engine.

 

[CitizenCope]

I really thought the flamethrower would look worse from what I've been reading.
Maybe I have low standards for flamethrowers.
I really needed a laugh this morning too. =(

 

[Rainy Dog]

Wow, that could be the most insult-filled paragraph I have ever read from a major game review...

Imo, some of that's actually disgusting. It borders on being hate-filled and belongs on personal blogs and message boards, not 'professional' gaming media.

As crap as Haze has obviously turned out, if it truly is dreadful, weak, excruciating, technically deficient, his year's most significant gaming disappointment, a moribund excuse and tragically comic then it doesn't even deserve the just-below average 4/10 score they gave it.

 

[Vaxadrin]

So is it safe to say, now, that IGN's 4.5 is vindicated, or were they still payed off by M$ to shit on a PS3 exclusive?

Imo, some of that's actually disgusting. It borders on being hate-filled and belongs on personal blogs and message boards, not 'professional' gaming media.

As crap as Haze has obviously turned out, if it truly is dreadful, weak, excruciating, technically deficient, his year's most significant gaming disappointment, a moribund excuse and tragically comic then it doesn't even deserve the just-below average 4/10 score they gave it.

The hate & disappointment surely comes from the knowledge of what Free Radical is capable of and has done in the past. If Bungie's next game was as bad as Haze, I assure you it would be receiving just as much flak, if not more.

 

[dammitmattt]

So is it safe to say, now, that IGN's 4.5 is vindicated, or were they still payed off by M$ to shit on a PS3 exclusive?

Still paid off.

As was everyone else.

It's a vast conspiracy against the PS3.

 

[nib95]

So is it safe to say, now, that IGN's 4.5 is vindicated, or were they still payed off by M$ to shit on a PS3 exclusive?



The hate & disappointment surely comes from the knowledge of what Free Radical is capable of and has done in the past. If Bungie's next game was as bad as Haze, I assure you it would be receiving just as much flak, if not more.

Well, the average rating for Haze is certainly a little higher than IGN gave it (the average inc IGN's own rating). Plus there's that whole chain reaction steam train ethos, when one big name site drops a low grade, many other sites follow roughly suit. But the average rating for Haze is currently at around 57%. My guess is by the end of it all, it will finish off at around 60%. Which seems a little more reasonable.

I very much doubt Haze is as bad as Turning point or Soldier of Fortune Payback. It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

 

[Vaxadrin]

I very much doubt Haze is as bad as Turning point or Soldier of Fortune Payback. It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

I get what you're saying, but the scores are a matter of perception compared to their past works.

To use a movie analogy, if Indiana Jones 4 is shit, the critics are going to tear into it alot more than some mindless action movie with no-name actors, even if they're the same quality. I don't think its being on PS3 has anything to do with it.

 

[DCharlie]

It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

you know what really sticks out at this point ?

the fact that Famitsu rated this game the same as Orange Box.

Another example of Famitsu being all cosy with Sony and not slagging off their exclusives?

see? we can both play!

 

[pswii60]

you know what really sticks out at this point ?

the fact that Famitsu rated this game the same as Orange Box.

Another example of Famitsu being all cosy with Sony and not slagging off their exclusives?

see? we can both play!

DCharlie, you should know by now that nib95 is obsessed with conspiracy theories. At least when it comes to anything even slightly potentially damaging the reputation of his beloved favourite console.

 

[dammitmattt]

Well, the average rating for Haze is certainly a little higher than IGN gave it (the average inc IGN's own rating). Plus there's that whole chain reaction steam train ethos, when one big name site drops a low grade, many other sites follow roughly suit. But the average rating for Haze is currently at around 57%. My guess is by the end of it all, it will finish off at around 60%. Which seems a little more reasonable.

I very much doubt Haze is as bad as Turning point or Soldier of Fortune Payback. It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

These reviews were all worked on independently and released about the same time. It's ridiculous to insinuate that there is a "chain reaction" going on here. That might happen with the lower tier sites that release reviews later on, but not the big names.

Plus, what's the difference between a 4 and a 6 anyway. Neither one is worth your money when there are so many other good games out there that you probably haven't played enough.

 

[Nemesis_]

So to get things straight, the best score for HAZE has come from a region where FPS aren't really all that popular? :lol

I've still got mine pre-ordered and waiting to ship. I generally like games everyone hates (Killer7, P.N.03, Lost Odyssey etc. =P)

 

[pswii60]

These reviews were all worked on independently and released about the same time. It's ridiculous to insinuate that there is a "chain reaction" going on here. That might happen with the lower tier sites that release reviews later on, but not the big names.

Plus, what's the difference between a 4 and a 6 anyway. Neither one is worth your money when there are so many other good games out there that you probably haven't played enough.

No, he's right. Sites like Eurogamer obviously re-wrote their entire review following IGN's score.

Spoiler

lol

So to get things straight, the best score for HAZE has come from a region where FPS aren't really all that popular? :lol

I've still got mine pre-ordered and waiting to ship. I generally like games everyone hates (Killer7, P.N.03, Lost Odyssey etc. =P)

Killer7 was hated?

 

[dammitmattt]

So to get things straight, the best score for HAZE has come from a region where FPS aren't really all that popular? :lol

I've still got mine pre-ordered and waiting to ship. I generally like games everyone hates (Killer7, P.N.03, Lost Odyssey etc. =P)

The best score came from a source where they maybe press start on the title screen before writing the review.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Well, the average rating for Haze is certainly a little higher than IGN gave it (the average inc IGN's own rating)....
But the average rating for Haze is currently at around 57%. My guess is by the end of it all, it will finish off at around 60%. Which seems a little more reasonable.

IGN's 45% is well within the expected distribution of scores when the average is currently 56% (and that doesn't include Eurogamer's 40%).
So why are you criticizing IGN's score instead of Famitsu's 34/40 or PSM Italy's totally ridiculous 9/10, which is completley out of line with every other review score so far?

Plus there's that whole chain reaction steam train ethos, when one big name site drops a low grade, many other sites follow roughly suit.

So do you think Eurogamer wrote a 9/10 review and a 4/10 review, and then decided to go with the 4/10 review because IGN gave it a 45?

It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

The current game review system has plenty of problems, but the fact that you continue to play the "anti-PS3 bias" card, despite the mounting evidence that this game is in fact lousy (unlike well-reviewed PS3 games like Uncharted), says a lot more about you than it does about the state of game reviews.

 

[nib95]

Dammitmattt and pswii60 have far too many posts in this thread trying to downplay or ridicule the game. You'd think they were being paid to trash it.

And yes, Famitsu's score was definitely shady. I very rarely take exclusive reviews seriously anyway.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Dammitmattt and pswii60 have far too many posts in this thread trying to downplay or ridicule the game. You'd think they were being paid to trash it.

Are you being paid to defend it?

 

[Aeon712]

Piicked Haze up last night and played last night and this morning. I'm actually having fun chaining nectar kills and driving the buggy. The only stupid thing I've seen the AI do is try to flame thrower me from across the room. Could be due to playing on Normal though.

 

[nib95]

Are you being paid to defend it?

No, but I do plan to actually get the game and have some interest in the title, I very much doubt they will or do (based on their posts in this thread).

 

[PhatSaqs]

The reviews and the amount of times the TV commercials have been show do not compute....

 

[GhaleonEB]

No, but I do plan to actually get the game and have some vested interest in the title, I very much doubt they will or do (based on their posts in this thread).

Do you know what that means?

 

[dammitmattt]

Dammitmattt and pswii60 have far too many posts in this thread trying to downplay or ridicule the game. You'd think they were being paid to trash it.

And yes, Famitsu's score was definitely shady. I very rarely take exclusive reviews seriously anyway.

It's more to downplay and ridicule you.

Do you know what that means?

It's scary either way.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Dammitmattt and pswii60 have far too many posts in this thread trying to downplay or ridicule the game. You'd think they were being paid to trash it.

No, but I do plan to actually get the game and have some vested interest in the title, I very much doubt they will or do (based on their posts in this thread).

Don't the people who downplay and ridicule EVERY game usually end up not buying it, and therefore do not have a "vested interest in the title"?

So only people who like a game, and therefore plan on buying that game, can express their opinions?

 

[nib95]

It's more to downplay and ridicule you.

It's scary either way.

Oh well that's just mighty mature of you isn't it?

Imo if that is really the reason you are in this thread, you deserve a ban.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Imo if that is really the reason you are in this thread, you deserve a ban.

Based on your totally absurd comments just on this page, you probably deserve some ridicule.

 

[nib95]

Based on your totally absurd comments just on this page, you probably deserve some ridicule.

Now you're just flaming. Especially if your post history and consoles owned are anything to go by. Seriously, you guys need to mature up. These personal digs are just downright immature.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Now you're just flaming. Especially if your post history and consoles owned are anything to go by. Seriously, you guys need to mature up. These personal digs are just downright immature.

:lol

We'll have to let the mods decide on that one, personally I'd say my interaction with you on this page has been very mature, considering the totally absurd statements you are making.

And what about my post history?

 

[dammitmattt]

Now you're just flaming. Especially if your post history and consoles owned are anything to go by. Seriously, you guys need to mature up. These personal digs are just downright immature.

This is NeoGAF. People are ALWAYS going to call out stupidity. So bring less of that to the table and you'll get ridiculed less.

 

[TheHeretic]

Eurogamers review was absolutely brutal. It is made especially sharp by just how well written the entire column is. The reviewer has clearly had enough of the generic first person shooter wave this generation, and Haze fit the bill to be made an example of.

 

[nib95]

This is NeoGAF. People are ALWAYS going to call out stupidity. So bring less of that to the table and you'll get ridiculed less.

Sorry, it's my opinion on the game, and that's what these forums and this thread are for, to discuss Haze. What the GAF is not for is to go around posting with the intent of ridiculing users and flaming them. That my friend, is bannable.

 

[Kabuki Waq]

Now you're just flaming. Especially if your post history and consoles owned are anything to go by. Seriously, you guys need to mature up. These personal digs are just downright immature.

so what is your vested interest in this game anyways?

 

[Smokey]

Well, the average rating for Haze is certainly a little higher than IGN gave it (the average inc IGN's own rating). Plus there's that whole chain reaction steam train ethos, when one big name site drops a low grade, many other sites follow roughly suit. But the average rating for Haze is currently at around 57%. My guess is by the end of it all, it will finish off at around 60%. Which seems a little more reasonable.

I very much doubt Haze is as bad as Turning point or Soldier of Fortune Payback. It just seems to have turned in to another PS3 exclusive whipping boy.

So...you think these other sites had their review written and were just waiting to see what IGN would give Haze before they handed out their score?

:lol

Lose the conspiracy theories.

Piicked Haze up last night and played last night and this morning. I'm actually having fun chaining nectar kills and driving the buggy. The only stupid thing I've seen the AI do is try to flame thrower me from across the room. Could be due to playing on Normal though.

Really? I thought the vehicle sections were BAD. Not just the sections you use them, but the controls are terrible IMO for vehicles.

 

[dammitmattt]

Sorry, it's my opinion on the game, and that's what these forums and this thread are for, to discuss Haze. What the GAF is not for is to go around posting with the intent of ridiculing users and flaming them. That my friend, is bannable.

You're not even talking about the game. You're talking about the reviews of the game. I'm not calling anyone out for liking or disliking the game. I'm just calling out your stupid conspiracy BS that you continue to spout despite the many fact checks that have been presented to you.

 

[nib95]

So...you think these other sites had their review written and were just waiting to see what IGN would give Haze before they handed out their score?

:lol

Lose the conspiracy theories.

Not that. Many reviewers are not always set on a specific score up until the point the review is finally posted. If you've ever spoken to game journalists, you will know, while it's not a good thing, there can be a certain fear about posting a review of a game ahead of any other. Especially with games like Haze and Army of two for example, where things could go either way. It's easy to over-rate or under-rate these kinds of games, and you often find you can focus down your final score a lot easier when other big name sites have got their foot through the door first with a review.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Sorry, it's my opinion on the game, and that's what these forums and this thread are for, to discuss Haze. What the GAF is not for is to go around posting with the intent of ridiculing users and flaming them. That my friend, is bannable.

So the ridiculing of completely ridiculous statements is a bannable offense?
Take some action then.

 

[Kabuki Waq]

wow i think UBI is going to boycott Eurogamer along with 1up. Probably IGN too.


soon we wont get anyword on Ubi games until they release:lol

 

[dammitmattt]

Not that. Many reviewers are not always set on a specific score up until the point the review is finally posted. If you've ever spoken to game journalists, you will know, while it's not a good thing, there can be a certain fear about posting a review of a game ahead of any other. Especially with games like Haze and Army of two for example, where things could go either way. It's easy to over-rate or under-rate these kinds of games, and you often find you can focus down your final score a lot easier when other big name sites have got their foot through the door first with a review.

Any reviewer that does this should be instantly discredited.

 

[nib95]

Any reviewer that does this should be instantly discredited.

You'd be surprised at how many would be discredited then. Especially journalists from the less major sites. While a review is just an opinion, so in theory you can place whatever score you want on the said game, your reputation is always on the line. There's always that fear you may have over-rated or under-rated a game, based on the industry average or direction.

 

[dammitmattt]

You'd be surprised at how many would be discredited then. Especially journalists from the less major sites. While a review is just an opinion, so in theory you can place whatever score you want on the said game, your reputation is always on the line. There's always that fear you may have over-rated or under-rated a game, based on the industry average or direction. With some games it's generally less risky to under-rate a game than over-rate one as well. Most 'average' games fall under this category.

I hate to be one of those guys, but things like this are why game reviews are still in the "baby steps" phase. You'd rarely see this in movie or music reviews. There's no such thing as under- or overrating games. It's your OPINION.

 

[TheHeretic]

I hate to be one of those guys, but things like this are why game reviews are still in the "baby steps" phase. You'd rarely see this in movie or music reviews. There's no such thing as under- or overrating games. It's your OPINION.

I made a comment like this a while back, but its worth repeating until everyone has it beaten into them.

A+ Post.

 

[VibratingDonkey]

I really don't think it's as bad as some critics make it out to be. I mean, likening it to Turning Point? That's just wrong, factually untrue.

 

[Busty]

The reviews and the amount of times the TV commercials have been show do not compute....

Supposedly Ubisoft gave Sony the

Spoiler

timed

exclusive of HAZE for a certain guaranteed amount of money to be spent on print and TV advertising.

Of course, that's when the game was supposed to out in September just before or after HALO3. At a time when it made no sense to release a FPS for the 360 in the face of the HALO juggernaut. However, in May 08. No so much.

Despite being a 'free' exclusive, it all seems a little redundant now. Especially given the scathing reviews.

But a friend of mine who works in a large retail store (in the UK) said that the preorders are doing very well. No doubt thanks to the game's drug angle.

 

[Aeon712]

Really? I thought the vehicle sections were BAD. Not just the sections you use them, but the controls are terrible IMO for vehicles.

The controls didn't feel bad at all, I was actually shocked at how easy it was controlling the Buggy through

Spoiler

the bomb filled cavern

. That part was a blast till I died :lol.

 

[SlasherJPC]

So yeah this official Haze thread has WAYYYY to much hating going on and not enough actually impressions/gameplay talk. Seeing that this is the official thread, its kinda sickening. Yet I digress.

Now back on topic. I picked the game up last night. Why you might ask? Because I'm a fan of previous Free Radical games and enjoy the fps genre. As for all this talk of money better spent and better games played, I honestly play almost everything that has been released, I stay up to date on the latest and greatest, and money is really not an issue. So with that out of the way.

I will say the game is fun. I haven't had a chance to dig into the title for more then 40 minutes or so but it seems to be an enjoyable yet flawed game. Bugs and AI issues here and there. I will save more of my impressions for a later post. I really feel myself relying on the nectar alot so its really going to suck once thats taken away...so good job on implementing that "drug-like" fix.

 

[nib95]

Supposedly Ubisoft gave Sony the

Spoiler

timed

exclusive of HAZE for a certain guaranteed amount of money to be spent on print and TV advertising.

Of course, that's when the game was supposed to out in September just before or after HALO3. At a time when it made no sense to release a FPS for the 360 in the face of the HALO juggernaut. However, in May 08. No so much.

Despite being a 'free' exclusive, it all seems a little redundant now. Especially given the scathing reviews.

But a friend of mine who works in a large retail store (in the UK) said that the preorders are doing very well. No doubt thanks to the game's drug angle.

I have a feeling the game will still sell pretty well. Like you said, the whole tank up and get powerful drug angle, plus the "cool" swearing immature cocky factor. Along with the fact that it has 4 player co-op, vehicles etc.

To the ignorant casual gamer, it seems like a really good package. Plus the trailers and cover art look decent.

 

[Ynos Yrros]

you know what really sticks out at this point ?

the fact that Famitsu rated this game the same as Orange Box.

Another example of Famitsu being all cosy with Sony and not slagging off their exclusives?

see? we can both play!

We can play until 1up, EGM, GS and Edge give MGS4 9.0 at best.


And I'm not defending Haze here, the game is extremely bland.

 

[WrikaWrek]

I have a feeling this game will sell like shit. The word of mouth is horrible (demo), there's no hype whatsoever, and the reviews are horrible too.

So, i don't see how a badly reviewed, non sequel, non license, bad looking game could hope to sell well in a platform with better options.

 

[sneaky77]

Sorry, it's my opinion on the game, and that's what these forums and this thread are for, to discuss Haze. .

Your opinion on a game you admitted 3 posts before that you have not picked up yet? That does not compute

 

[dammitmattt]

I have a feeling the game will still sell pretty well. Like you said, the whole tank up and get powerful drug angle, plus the "cool" swearing immature cocky factor. Along with the fact that it has 4 player co-op, vehicles etc.

To the ignorant casual gamer, it seems like a really good package. Plus the trailers and cover art look decent.

I'd be surprised if it sold more than 50k this month.

 

[Aeon712]

I will say the game is fun. I haven't had a chance to dig into the title for more then 40 minutes or so but it seems to be an enjoyable yet flawed game. Bugs and AI issues here and there. I will save more of my impressions for a later post. I really feel myself relying on the nectar alot so its really going to suck once thats taken away...so good job on implementing that "drug-like" fix.

I'm actually trying to do a lot of my playing without the use of Nectar, don't ask me why since it's there to be used. Only been using it to locate enemies I can't see fast. And then chain killing them to keep my high.

 

[nib95]

Your opinion on a game you admitted 3 posts before that you have not picked up yet? That does not compute

I have a GAME voucher, and could pick up the game right now if I wanted. I'm just too lazy to go up to the nearest GAME store (Stratford) to pick a copy up. I have yet to complete GTA IV, and I'm supposed to be watching Indiana Jones later tonight.

So it's not on the list of my priorities right now. I did enjoy the demo though. My only fear is that the demo was one of the better levels in the game, and that the rest of the game is buggy. Because the demo level isn't. It runs smooth and glitch free.