Ben-DutkaEverything seems to be working against The Order: 1886 .
All things considered, it seems unlikely that it will be a critical darling. In fact, don't be surprised to see some pretty lukewarm scores for the anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive from Ready at Dawn Studios.
There are several problems: First, there's a common trend throughout the critical world right now and it basically clamps down on anything perceived to be "generic" or "rehashed." Generic is a really bad word in the reviewing community these days and the worst part is, that word has been associated with The Order: 1886 since gameplay first appeared online. Whether it's true or not is irrelevant; the point is that such an association can and does have an impact, whether critics want to admit it or not.
Second, we're talking about a new IP on a relatively new console. As such, expectations are absolutely through the roof; many are thinking The Order could be the new stellar franchise for the PS4, as Uncharted was for PS3. Not only are expectations high, but don't forget that PS4 owners are pining for a high-profile AAA exclusive. Everyone is hoping this game will qualify and if it falls short, you're going to see a lot of bitterness and backlash.
Third, I've noticed a certain bias toward open-world games in the critic community, and a bias against some linear games. Younger critics in the field are part of this phenomenon but it's definitely there. Toss in a complete lack of multiplayer and The Order runs the risk of being called "dated" or "old-fashioned" (despite the graphical achievement).
Mark my words: No matter how good the game is, you'll see some or all of these complaints in reviews later this month.
Related Game(s): The Order: 1886
I for one am hopeful that this game will be laudable. Who knows- it may well end up surprising us all.
yea, I agree. There's also this notion that there needs to be "next-gen'ness" from a "game play" standpoint with these new games. I've already read from professional editors who slammed the E3 demo for the game looking the part but not feeling like something worthy of "next-gen" gameplay. As far as I'm concerned the next-gen of something is very arbitrary and it means different things to different people and seems to set this false precedent that new games are on this imaginary pedestal. It's like, why do all of these high scoring indie games not get slammed for being so last gen?
EDIT: I just think the next-gen'ness of a game is entirely not a valid criteria as far as objectivity goes. A great game should be taken for what it is and not on the perception of what a new era should be like in your mind. There may come a time when there's no more "next-gen" to our gaming and then what?
Last edited by Temjin001 on 2/3/2015 10:35:44 PM
Great point.
I for one am disappointed with all the BS new games are getting bashed on and meanwhile CoD and Madden get great reviews for a slight graphical bump and an added game play component, meanwhile if you make a great game with added multiplayer, people try it then rejoin the other cattle on CoD within weeks and the multiplayer you busted your ass to create languishes…until most of these CoD kids grow up this is sadly going to he a trend for a few more years.
Last edited by Iconoclasm on 2/3/2015 10:57:57 PM
This will probably get a low score like most every game that has been released since september of last year. I wont fret though. Critics are on a self entitled high horse right now and I suspect The Order will fall victim to this as well. Matters not. Also at this point I wouldnt be suprised if The Witcher 3 got a 7 or worse.
You're talking about "self-entitled high horse" and you run around stating your opinions as fact?
"Hi, Kettle, this is Pot…you're black."
I for one am looking forward to it. There is a time and a place for a good 8-10 hour linear adventure with top notch graphics and a gripping story.
I don't get the current fashion for everything to be open world. I'm looking at you Tomb Raider.
Still buying it regardless, why should my purchase decision be mandated by a critic? Hell I'm enjoying Dying Light despite what some bigger critics gave it. This whole basing your purchases on another opinion crap is getting on my nerves. Just as bad as pre-orders are. :/
"Everyone is hoping this game will qualify and if it falls short, you're going to see a lot of bitterness and backlash."
That's the problem with most reviews and those reviewing games now days. If it falls short of expectations it falls short. The backlash should only come if the game literally just isn't good. But if it's good but doesn't meet expectations it shouldn't be slammed for it.
How are consumers supposed to take that seriously? I don't and have not for awhile.
Until this stops happening, more and more people will stop reading reviews because they are becoming too narrow minded. I've almost completely stopped reading reviews. I won't lie I read some reviews from here if it's a game I might have interest in and I pop on Metacritic only to see scores because I love how more and more games are getting 10-5's, 12-6's, 8-7's, 15-8's, 8-9's, and 3-10's. I find metacritic to be a way to amuse myself with the huge difference in scores.
Point is if it's good give the score that it deserves not the backlash we should expect because it falls short of some reviewers expectations.
Well put
Hopefully, it's good. I've gone back and forth on this game. My issue is that the initial teaser suggested a more supernatural adventure, yet ive seen more human adversaries than anything else. If it really is majority humans, who are easily dispatched with a bullet to the brain or a knife to the jugular, which in turn makes this game's eclectic arsenal rather moot , I'll be highly disappointed.
Perhaps they're saving the best for when it's released? Hopefully.
It looks great to me.
Same here. Looks to be real classy.
I'm having my hopes up, considering it is only one of 5 titles planned for this year as of now. One title less is a big hole… Anyway I'll wait for users gameplay/comments/reviews.
I think that this game will be great,we will see about that later when it is released.
When a lot of gamers will like the game,more important for me:when i like the game,then imo it has done a great job.
Getting tired with generic cover based shooter like this, wake me up when this all over…
Quite the contrary, I believe! The stuff we've seen so far has been so bleak that the expectations are quite modest. And what better starting point to surprise positively?
If this game turns out to just be a really good story from a 3rd person perspective I'll be surprised, cause it doesn't even look to be *that* – only eye candy.
the greyness damages people I think.
It does look very gray and… well… uninspiring, yeah.
If it ain't crap, make it so.
It's the new thing I've noticed this year. Good games get the "generic" label while some games like GoT Ep1 and 2 get labeled as stellar and fresh. I may like that game quite a bit but it doesn't change the fact its the same thing as before.
Many critics review a game based on their expectation, not based on the game.
Let's see here, this game may or may not be better than Gears but that's not the point here.
For example if it's only 2 times better than Gears, the critics score average will probably be about 6-8.
But if it's 100 times better then critics will have no complain but that's really impossible.
Not to mention Gears Judgement wasn't universally acclaimed unlike the first 3 Gears even though the game was good so yea, things aren't looking very good for 1886.
Oh, and 1886 looks very good to me so I don't thing I'm gonna give a damn about the scores, just like WKC(I enjoyed it by the way).
Last edited by Snaaaake on 2/4/2015 6:22:03 AM
The Order actually looks pretty great, from the recent vids and footage I've seen of it.
My only problem is… I've never been a fan of the Victorian era. I bought and played "Dishonored" after reading the rave reviews, but just couldn't continue after about 5hrs into it.
Something about that era that just repels me. I wish I knew what it was… =/
Already making excuses? Let's wait and see
Not open world-ish = lower score.
I'm expecting 7s and 8s. I'm really impressed with what I've seen though. I wasn't impressed with the first trailers.
Ben I think you are right. Bias I think has always been there. Heck we all are I believe to some degree. We have our preferences and sometimes they partially blind us when given opinions on things we like or dislike.
For me, this game might be made for my tastes. I love the look, the characters seem diverse and I think the story may be an interesting one.
Point for me is its probably a game made for the likes of me. As long as there are studios out there that do then I am happy. There are plenty of games out there for everyones tastes. Dying light for me, have not played it but watched it played, looks… "generic". You know, the same old same. To each there own. And lets keep it that way.
Keep playing!
For me, diversity is the thing. Liking games is like liking books. And I know loads of people who like books I hate. So what! My only hope is for an ever widening diversity of games to cater to all tastes and whims. One reason I like ps plus is because I get to try games I wouldn't otherwise give time to. Let's not all become Agent Smith, eh?
yeah totally could agree more
happy gaming
Honestly speaking, the overall score and various opinions graphics, sound, gameplay, etc. from reviewers everywhere will be ignored by me.
The only thing I will pay attention to is whether or not the game has frame rate issues and glitches. If a game is not playable, I want to know about it. These are irrefutable after all.
My reason for having this viewpoint from here on out is because of how Destiny was treated by reviewers as a whole. If I would have listened to the critical reception of that game I would have missed on one my favorite games of all time.
yeah i suspect you are right but i'm still hopefuly some one of the reivews will be a bit obective cos i have a gut feeling and a bit of bias cos i like these sort games that it should get a pritty good score, im certainly interested to see what you scored it and say about it ben
happy gaming