Edge Issue 199 - Killzone 2 reviewed - let the games begin

Rubbish! The review should be about whats on the disk.

But it has context in the review, it would be foolish not to mention the development/expectations of the game. It should NOT factor into the score at all though.

At the end of the day they did review what was on the disk, independant from hype, and found it had an average SP and great MP, hence the decent but not amazing score.

I've changed my last post because it all read horribly wrong haha

I don't think there is a "motive" but they have pre-conceptions before they put the disc in, I don't think that is right. the average punter will know nothing about the things I mentioned, the cost of the game is not relevant to the end user in any way at all.

Yeah, fair enough

It would be difficult to review any game, especially a sequel, without any preconceptions though. One can't become a blank slate at will.

I think it's relevant to mention in the text of the review but should not factor into the score, which I don't think it has in this case.

Shodan wrote:

Rubbish! The review should be about whats on the disk.

But it has context in the review, it would be foolish not to mention the development/expectations of the game. It should NOT factor into the score at all though.

At the end of the day they did review what was on the disk, independant from hype, and found it had an average SP and great MP, hence the decent but not amazing score.

Sounds like Halo3. That got a 10.

found it had an average SP

Where do they say that?

" a quasi tactical shooter, its action rivals any in Stalker or COD4"

"cutting edge AI"

"intimate, sizzling combat"

that doesn't sound very "average".

They have specific complaints about the story, dialogue and the rigid sticking to recent FPS conventions like turrets, mechs (not mentioned in the FEAR 2 review) etc.

It did indeed but wasnt that more for the innovation shown in the forge/game recording etc? I don't have the Edge review so I can't say.

Rik vs Edge

Shodan wrote:It did indeed but wasnt that more for the innovation shown in the forge/game recording etc? I don't have the Edge review so I can't say.

Stop telling us what Edge said until you do then!

DaveDS wrote:Killzone 2 is currently at 92.3% average on Gamerankings and Fear 2 79.2%. Admittedly Fear has only had 3 reviews so far but from opinions I've gathered and the demos I'd be surprised if the gap changes much at all. The Edge KZ2 score is going to sit at the bottom of gamerankings/metacritic listings, which is becoming quite common for them recently.

I liked the FEAR 2 demo and I've ordered it, but the graphics, AI and layout didn't seem in the same league as Killzone 2 to me and I very much doubt the multiplayer will be. I'll be interested in why Eighthours thinks otherwise.

Stop telling us what Edge said until you do then!

I don't understand... I didn't mention Halo 3. I don't know why it got a 10 and Killzone 2 didn't. I merely suggested that one of the reasons may have been the degree of innovation shown in the game but made clear that I was not certain. I fail to see your problem with this.


As for the killzone 2 sp being average:

"In singleplayer, it's a testament to craft imagination, if only because one is so immaculate while the other barely exists. It fights a great battle, it's a shame about the war."

This suggests that the game is good but doesn't try anything particularly special to elevate it above the norm. Its the videogame equivalent of the clever kid at school who was happy to coast along rather than really trying to do something special.

I'm surprised they didn't score it higher based on how much GG have turned it around.

I mean, Killzone 2 is a much better game now than Killzone was then.

Shodan wrote:

Stop telling us what Edge said until you do then!

I don't understand... I didn't mention Halo 3. I don't know why it got a 10 and Killzone 2 didn't. I merely suggested that one of the reasons may have been the degree of innovation shown in the game but made clear that I was not certain. I fail to see your problem with this.


As for the killzone 2 sp being average:

"In singleplayer, it's a testament to craft imagination, if only because one is so immaculate while the other barely exists. It fights a great battle, it's a shame about the war."

This suggests that the game is good but doesn't try anything particularly special to elevate it above the norm. Its the videogame equivalent of the clever kid at school who was happy to coast along rather than really trying to do something special.

I still think this is completely unacceptable in reviews. Do all games need to be progressive? Can there not be a brilliant 'traditional' game anymore??

I must get House of the Dead. Shocked at the score really. Is it already out?

I still think this is completely unacceptable in reviews. Do all games need to be progressive? Can there not be a brilliant 'traditional' game anymore??

It does seem that way doesn't it? I'm not entirely sure. I think a good game should be a good game regardless, though I can see how some elements appearing stale may have a detrimental effect on an individual's enjoyment of the game.

I don't care about killzone 2 either way, I tried the demo and it wasn't for me. I was just commenting on what Edge had to say about the game and the apparent "bias" if anyone has anything negative to say about it.

On with the discussion, gents

Bene Version 2 wrote:I must get House of the Dead. Shocked at the score really. Is it already out?

Next week, the 13th.

jiggles wrote:I'm surprised they didn't score it higher based on how much GG have turned it around.

I mean, Killzone 2 is a much better game now than Killzone was then.

Well exactly, it doesn't make sense in that context.

I'm sure HOTD Overkill is good, I love the series but I can't see any way a rather short light gun game can be better than Killzone 2, farcical really. I don't even know where to begin with the cardboard box tapper, flabbergasted. They're probably smirking into their coffee right now as they watch gaf explode

DaveDS wrote:

Shodan wrote:

Rubbish! The review should be about whats on the disk.

But it has context in the review, it would be foolish not to mention the development/expectations of the game. It should NOT factor into the score at all though.

At the end of the day they did review what was on the disk, independant from hype, and found it had an average SP and great MP, hence the decent but not amazing score.

Sounds like Halo3. That got a 10.

So strawberry floating true, Killzone is a 10 whatever anyone says and it is possible for Sony to have a AAA FPS finally.

cooldawn wrote:

Shodan wrote:

Stop telling us what Edge said until you do then!

I don't understand... I didn't mention Halo 3. I don't know why it got a 10 and Killzone 2 didn't. I merely suggested that one of the reasons may have been the degree of innovation shown in the game but made clear that I was not certain. I fail to see your problem with this.


As for the killzone 2 sp being average:

"In singleplayer, it's a testament to craft imagination, if only because one is so immaculate while the other barely exists. It fights a great battle, it's a shame about the war."

This suggests that the game is good but doesn't try anything particularly special to elevate it above the norm. Its the videogame equivalent of the clever kid at school who was happy to coast along rather than really trying to do something special.

I still think this is completely unacceptable in reviews. Do all games need to be progressive? Can there not be a brilliant 'traditional' game anymore??

One rule for one game another rule for another, there needs to be some consistency.

It's not the end of the world if Edge gave it a 7.

I personally don't think it will harm sales in any way shape or form.

Once the Sony marketing department kicks into over drive, people will suddenly think they need to buy it regardless of what's written down in a magazine.

Rik wrote:

jiggles wrote:I'm surprised they didn't score it higher based on how much GG have turned it around.

I mean, Killzone 2 is a much better game now than Killzone was then.

Well exactly, it doesn't make sense in that context.

I'm sure HOTD Overkill is good, I love the series but I can't see any way a rather short light gun game can be better than Killzone 2, farcical really. I don't even know where to begin with the cardboard box tapper, flabbergasted. They're probably smirking into their coffee right now as they watch gaf explode

Not really as you seem to not see the games are entirely different. If you had an FPS you could finish in 5 hours it would be trounced but a light gun game is speciafically made for that arcade style therefore the clever reviewers rate it on that.

I havent touched KZ2 so don't know what its like but they are completely different genres so really HotD:OK gets an 8 but its in a different genre to what KZ2 is in plus your going to get both anyway so what difference does it make?

If they had opened the KZ2 review with the same line your complaining about and gave it a 10 you would run through him saying its the best game ever it makes no difference Edge is just another reviewer and people get way to caught up about what they say.

The edge score will be trounced by others over on metacritic due to the majority being far more positive.

Rik wrote:

jiggles wrote:I'm surprised they didn't score it higher based on how much GG have turned it around.

I mean, Killzone 2 is a much better game now than Killzone was then.

Well exactly, it doesn't make sense in that context.

I'm sure HOTD Overkill is good, I love the series but I can't see any way a rather short light gun game can be better than Killzone 2, farcical really. I don't even know where to begin with the cardboard box tapper, flabbergasted. They're probably smirking into their coffee right now as they watch gaf explode

Sorry Rik but on that basis would most downloadable and hand held games have to be marked down when compared to AAA console games?

Surely EDGE have to review a game on its own merit.

Don't let it wind you up, you enjoyed Killzone 2 before you read the review and I'm sure you will enjoy it after.