Arduous?

[Mikey-]

The Gamespot guys always post about what they're going to be playing over the weekend. Here's what two of them wrote on Friday.

"Tim Turi: This weekend I’ll be continuing my arduous trek through the droves of undead in Dead Island. I also recently downloaded Deus Ex: Human Revolution for my PC, and I’d like to keep playing it (that is, if my computer can handle it). On top of that I’m going to a Death Cab for Cutie concert, which should be interesting because I know nothing about them and only listen to metal, '80s music, and video game soundtracks. Wish me luck.

Jeff Marchiafava: This weekend I’ll be playing more Dead Island with some of the guys from the office. To help Tim out with his review, that is. Not for my own personal enjoyment. I’ll also check out the new Ms. Splosion Man table for Pinball FX 2, if only to dash Jeff Cork’s hopes of stealing a top score from me. Beyond that, I’ll probably go to the State Fair and do a ton of yard work. Hopefully not in that order."

The first guy called the game 'arduous', which is synonymous with laborious, which is not how one would describe a good game. The second guy kind of made it clear that Dead Island wasn't something he actually wanted to play.

I've already bought this title, but this ain't looking good. Hope I'm wrong, because I've been looking forward to this.

[dellsharpie]

The Gamespot guys always post about what they're going to be playing over the weekend. Here's what two of them wrote on Friday.

"Tim Turi: This weekend I’ll be continuing my arduous trek through the droves of undead in Dead Island. I also recently downloaded Deus Ex: Human Revolution for my PC, and I’d like to keep playing it (that is, if my computer can handle it). On top of that I’m going to a Death Cab for Cutie concert, which should be interesting because I know nothing about them and only listen to metal, '80s music, and video game soundtracks. Wish me luck.

Jeff Marchiafava: This weekend I’ll be playing more Dead Island with some of the guys from the office. To help Tim out with his review, that is. Not for my own personal enjoyment. I’ll also check out the new Ms. Splosion Man table for Pinball FX 2, if only to dash Jeff Cork’s hopes of stealing a top score from me. Beyond that, I’ll probably go to the State Fair and do a ton of yard work. Hopefully not in that order."

The first guy called the game 'arduous', which is synonymous with laborious, which is not how one would describe a good game. The second guy kind of made it clear that Dead Island wasn't something he actually wanted to play.

I've already bought this title, but this ain't looking good. Hope I'm wrong, because I've been looking forward to this.

He could mean 'arduous' from the perspective of the in-game players, I imagine their trek is not an easy one.

As for the second guy, he could be sarcastic, it's hard to convey tone in a post. Or Dead Island may not be his cup of team, given the other games he named, that doesn't mean it's a bad game, it's not going to appeal to everyone after all.

Heck, I have had blasts with games people told me I was crazy for liking or the reviewers said was bad, like the Conflict series on the Xbox, mmmm good times. What matters is that you enjoy it, also finding 3 other great people to enjoy a game with improves it's playability by 99.9%.

I think this game will be fun, much like Borderlands was.

[Lothear]

arduous is not a bad thing, especially when we have soo many people complaining about lack of realism, there ya go.

also the second comment is easy to take out of context. he could be just stating that he is obligated to help test the co-op component. we'll see...

[Mackeh]

Gamespot??

[Mackeh]

Gamespot imo were bought ages ago.

[Mikey-]

Okay, but I have my doubts that if they had been playing, say, Deus Ex Human Revolution, they would have called it arduous, and added that were only playing it because they had to.

[Mikey-]

Gamespot??

Whoops!

Sorry, it was the editors at Gameinformer.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/08/26/weekend-warrior-08-26-11.aspx

You guys going to snub them too?

[flarp]

i tend to prefer smaller independent reviewers more than these "mega-reviewers" if any...

Usually i just skip the corporate reviews and see what the community is saying.

[Mikey-]

I hope I'm reading WAY too much into it. I want this game to be good. I really do.

[JK_DC]

I really think Jeff is being sarcastic and arduous could mean the game is challenging not that he hates playing it.

[Mikey-]

I really think Jeff is being sarcastic and arduous could mean the game is challenging not that he hates playing it.

It's difficult to tell.

[Mikey-]

Also, there's this:

http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/47623/dead-island/articles/75145/dead-island-hands-on-campaign-preview-a-three-hour-toooourof-hell-on-earth/

The part that's truly alarming is this:

"Similarly, quests never amounted to more than “Go here, kill/get this.” I would hardly expect the variety of a Saints Row, but there are only so many times and ways I can kill zombies without it feeling repetitive."

[MrJaegerMeister]

They've done a poor job at marketing this game, much too tight lipped on all the details. You do realize that preview is for a 1 hour timed build of the *beginning* of the game?

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/942713-dead-island/60153436?page=2

Maybe that will help rest your mind at ease. (I didn't write that post)

I really do think this game is going to be solid outside of possible (completely unknown at this point) PC problems like poor controls, bad optimization, technical stuff like that.

Then again I don't see how zombie killing could ever get old. Especially with all the weapon combinations, new game +, large inventory space and stash. They could throw out the missions and story for all I care and I'd still enjoy it. That's what the survival mode DLC is, endless zombie killing. Sounds great to me.

But like I said they've been too tight lipped. 2,000 weapons including combinations sounds good (though that's probably including weapon qualities like flimsy, shoddy, homemade, etc.) Who knows.

[Mikey-]

This may be, and probably is, totally unfair, but Dead Island will be the first game I'll be playing after what I'm playing right now, which is Deus Ex Human Revolution, which is glorious - the two games are obviously not alike, but the experience of playing Deus Ex is naturally going to have an impact on the experience of whatever game I play afterwards.

I am starting to get a bad feeling about this one. But like I said, I have bought this already, so of course I hope it will be good.

That said, I think we have to wait and see here. I'm seeing people starting to defend this title, and that's the type of mistake I've made myself. When one becomes defensive of a game one hasn't even played, one is really just defending one's expectations.

[Lothear]

Also, there's this:

http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/47623/dead-island/articles/75145/dead-island-hands-on-campaign-preview-a-three-hour-toooourof-hell-on-earth/

The part that's truly alarming is this:

"Similarly, quests never amounted to more than “Go here, kill/get this.” I would hardly expect the variety of a Saints Row, but there are only so many times and ways I can kill zombies without it feeling repetitive."

how can he claim the world isn't open world when he only played 3 hours worth?

stationary NPCS?!??? he is complaining about stationary NPCS. for real!??!

his other complaints are about long load times, well to me that's a good thing, since Im playing PC and that leads me to believe they didn't sacrifice on the graphics.

aren't most quests kill and gather quests in RPGs anyway? It sure worked for WoW, what's so bad about it here? How many quests and npcs did L4D have? oh yeah... none. just say'in

I think the reviewer is trying to treat this game like a singleplayer fallout and oblivion where in reality its more intended to be played as coop with friends laughing and having a good time...

[Lothear]

This may be, and probably is, totally unfair, but Dead Island will be the first game I'll be playing after what I'm playing right now, which is Deus Ex Human Revolution, which is glorious - the two games are obviously not alike, but the experience of playing Deus Ex is naturally going to have an impact on the experience of whatever game I play afterwards.

I am starting to get a bad feeling about this one. But like I said, I have bought this already, so of course I hope it will be good.

That said, I think we have to wait and see here. I'm seeing people starting to defend this title, and that's the type of mistake I've made myself. When one becomes defensive of a game one hasn't even played, one is really just defending one's expectations.

yes I hope to be good, but I think peoples expectations are way out of sync with this title for some reason (probably bought out by the big pc game developers). L4D didn't seem to get nearly as much criticism as this title. if you want repetive play L4D where every mission is exactly the same. avoid witch, kill tank, survive end tank/infected rush.

some of the DI complaints are very strange.

[Me2nice]

arduous is not a bad thing, especially when we have soo many people complaining about lack of realism, there ya go.

also the second comment is easy to take out of context. he could be just stating that he is obligated to help test the co-op component. we'll see...

Is that why enemies have health bars? Is that way you have to PAY to craft things (no, not pay to obtain them or have someone else do it for you, pay to DO IT YOURSELF)?

yes I hope to be good, but I think peoples expectations are way out of sync with this title for some reason (probably bought out by the big pc game developers). L4D didn't seem to get nearly as much criticism as this title.



That's because it's associated with VALVe, who many (not including me) think they can do no wrong.

[Lothear]

Is that why enemies have health bars? Is that way you have to PAY to craft things.

I am part of the camp where quantified health makes it more real to me. I don't feel that system makes it any less real, the system is always there its just more readily visable due to the constraints of playing a video game. Even in "realistic" games, the system is there, you just don't see it as clearly. its still "ones" and "zeroes" folks.

For example, In real life, when mike tyson punches someone, do you think he knows generally how much damage he is inflicting? I would say yes, humans are very receptive to emotional/physical conditions from our senses. It's hard to translate that in gaming conditions so we do it artficially with health bars.

the paying for crafting I agree with you, but the end goal of limited resources (money) to me make it more real and challenging, even though act of paying itself is not. A concession that had to made I guess for the game. I mean the borderlands vendor is the same, who else is he selling to in a wasteland? The 100 billion Skag population? don't you think it would be his best interest to outfit you with his uber duper weapon and get civilization back to normal??! I mean its a GAME folks, let's be realistic. (ha no pun intended)

Would it help to think of the money as a power source (batteries) to run the workbench, would that make you feel better? I really could care less what they call it money, batteries, its a limitation we have to deal with. they don't want you to get too uber too early.

so much criticism for stuff that games have been doing successfully for eons, I don't get it.

[Cut2TheChase]

yea, Gamespot? Please, if it's not COD then it's too hard for them thumb twitcher gamepad turds.

[RojaNNatioN]

I'm seeing people starting to defend this title, and that's the type of mistake I've made myself. When one becomes defensive of a game one hasn't even played, one is really just defending one's expectations.

Then what is one attacking when they are criticizing a game that they haven't played? Other people's opinions? How is it fair to criticize a game that's been on a three hour demo? How is it fair to take that criticism and make it fact?

[Mikey-]

Then what is one attacking when they are criticizing a game that they haven't played? Other people's opinions? How is it fair to criticize a game that's been on a three hour demo? How is it fair to take that criticism and make it fact?

All I can say is that there's a certain type of gamer who will latch onto a game, and just defend it, and defend it - even though he hasn't even played it.

In such a situation, if a series of writers, who have spent time actually playing the game, are suggesting that the game is problematic, then I'm more apt to listen to the writers.

[RojaNNatioN]

All I can say is that there's a certain type of gamer who will latch onto a game, and just defend it, and defend it - even though he hasn't even played it.

In such a situation, if a series of writers, who have spent time actually playing the game, are suggesting that the game is problematic, then I'm more apt to listen to the writers.

I can understand you wanting to listen to the writers, but don't turn what they said into indisputable evidence that the game is bad (not saying that you are, just saying some people do this). I just want the game to come out so I can be the judge of my own opinions.

[Mikey-]

yea, Gamespot? Please, if it's not COD then it's too hard for them thumb twitcher gamepad turds.

It wasn't Gamespot. It was Gameinformer.

That was a mistake on my part, but it's interesting how people jumped on that. I get the feeling that no matter who said it, some people here were going to discredit them.

The vibe I'm getting from the people who have this game, and are playing it, is that Dead Island is a missed opportunity. Believe me I would love to be wrong about this.

[Mikey-]

I can understand you wanting to listen to the writers, but don't turn what they said into indisputable evidence that the game is bad (not saying that you are, just saying some people do this). I just want the game to come out so I can be the judge of my own opinions.

I agree that in the end, the only person whose opinion matters is my own - but the reviewers are often correct.

Deus Ex HR has turned out to be the great game we were told it was going to be. Six months ago, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, was high on my list... not anymore... the writers trashed it completely... yes, I might like it... probably not.

I still have hopes for Dead Island, but I'm a little more leery now.

[Undying Zombie]

Funny thing is I used to write reviews for games. However I tend to ignore what others say about a game till I get my hands on it myself.

I would never have played, and enjoyed games like Land of the Dead Road to Fiddlers Green, Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines, or even STALKER if I listened to people who made reviews about the game. ( I remember STALKER getting some really bad reviews from some sites, though it did not get as much bad reviews as the other two I mentioned on or close to release. )

My point is, try the game for yourself. However I do admit sometimes some of these reviews are spot on. Majority of the time however the review tends to be slanted.

[Cut2TheChase]

It wasn't Gamespot. It was Gameinformer.

That was a mistake on my part, but it's interesting how people jumped on that. I get the feeling that no matter who said it, some people here were going to discredit them.
.

Ok no worries!
Same thing in my eyes mostly, one quick look at thier site reveals how console heavy it is and therefore in my eyes promotes console gaming which I hate with a passion, and anything to do with xbots or gamepads. Hey I could try to be more politically correct but no, I hate console gaming completely. Any mention of the word xbox or console sends a hateful shiver down my spine. And anyone who plays and/or reviews a game using a console gives me the same feelings.
Hey live and let live right? I dont really have a choice.
We'll see about the game but let me loose in a big sandbox, give me granular control over my inventory and stats and I'm happy.
..Goes back to ARMA 2 and ACE

[Mikey-]

Ultimately, we all want the game to be good, so let's just keep our fingers crossed. I'm an atmosphere guy myself. If a game feels atmospheric to me, then that goes a long way. This was the reason I was drawn to this title in the first place. Zombies? On a tropical island paradise? I just thought that that was terribly unique.

[Taineract]

i tend to prefer smaller independent reviewers more than these "mega-reviewers" if any...

Usually i just skip the corporate reviews and see what the community is saying.

On the contrary, I find many of the evil "corporate" reviewers (lol as if games journalists are part of some corporation) to be much more impartial and cover a lot more bases than the community. The community tends to be either extremely for, or extremely against, with realistic reviews being short and few.

Anyways, I'm really skeptical of Dead Island. There's very little information about it even now, 6 days before release. That is usually a very bad sign. Something about what I HAVE seen of the gameplay so far looks kind of wonky. Kind of the same feeling I got when watching trailers of Dragon Age 2's combat.

[JK_DC]

It will be worth the $29 I paid for it. Even if you solo for awhile then coop it to the end once you more than got your moneys worth. It's supposed to be a 20 hour game. Unless it totally turns you off in the first few hours, but that isn't real likely. Some people compain about hitting boundaries in the water but that also happened in FarCry and Crysis.

We should probably get a coop group together come to think of it.

[RojaNNatioN]

Some people compain about hitting boundaries in the water but that also happened in FarCry and Crysis.


Honestly, the way I look at the nitpicking is like this; the game is either too overall well prepared to make any huge complaints, or the reviewer is too oblivious to find any huge complaints. When I read a review I don't want it to be about some random tiny trivial thing such as that unless the game is spot on perfect in the areas of game play, AI, and storyline and a few other things.

[Raziel123]

Jeff Marchiafava: This weekend I’ll be playing more Dead Island with some of the guys from the office. To help Tim out with his review, that is. Not for my own personal enjoyment.

I think that was trying to jokingly sound professional.

[carlh267]

Or zombie games just might not be that second reviewer's kind of game. Maybe he doesn't like open world games. Maybe he doesn't like playing co-op games.

Just because one guy may (we can't even tell if what he typed is sarcasm) not enjoy his time with the game doesn't necessarily mean it sucks.

[JoshuaRAWR]

"Tim Turi: This weekend I’ll be continuing my arduous trek

He didn't say the game was "arduous" at all.

Some people need to learn to read, seriously.

[Mikey-]

He didn't say the game was "arduous" at all.

Some people need to learn to read, seriously.

Thank you. I'm a copy editor, and I work for a publishing company, so I think I know how to read. (And please don't link me to the dictionary entry for arduous. Thank you.)

[shabbyblock]

As I hate to admit it but, L4D is a good game.. Yet it gets boring very VERY fast... Little to hard on Dead Island from what I've read and heard.. Overall Dead Island has done better than L4D.. Look at l4d2.. Seriously.. They didn't hate on it.. But, all they added was new characters and maps and melee weapons.. Either way it was all the same.. Same mission same finale just a different play out.. Literally after doing that 2-4 times it starts to get boring as crap..

[JoshuaRAWR]

Thank you. I'm a copy editor, and I work for a publishing company, so I think I know how to read. (And please don't link me to the dictionary entry for arduous. Thank you.)

You're a pretty bad copy editor then, no offence, but you seemed to take everything that the quote you commented the OP in, out of context.

He didn't say anything about the game being arduous, which is what you're saying he did.

He said he was going to make an arduous trek.

Where at all does that say "DEAD ISLAND IS ARDUOUS"?

[darkpuppy]

As a game reviewer myself, I'll say this: If you let yourself be influenced by previews, trailers, and blog comments, well, good luck. I'm notoriously picky about my games myself, and I'm still, as a reviewer, willing to give Dead Island a chance, despite not liking secrecy.

Stationary NPCs is sort of worrying, when you think about immersion (anyone standing still in a zombie apocalypse is dead, dead, DEAD... unless there's a lot of them, in which case it's a bit less dicey). I've sent a mail requesting a review copy of the game, and, should they come through, we'll see how it is.

In the end, that's all you can really do... sure, you can look at reviews (Rock Paper Shotgun and PC Gamer for personal preference), and forum posts, and whatnot, to try and build a composite view, but some games have that weird quality that draws you in regardless, or shoves you away no matter how well designed. Take Hydrophobia. I did an LP on that, because, based on the first act and a half, I loved it. I got to the third act, aaaaand... spent most of it raging.

[Lothear]

Plystation magaizine Italy already has a review.

They gave it a 8.5

looks promising!

[berggren75]

yea, Gamespot? Please, if it's not COD then it's too hard for them thumb twitcher gamepad turds.

Read the thread before posting. It was later corrected to being another page than gamespot.

[Mikey-]

You're a pretty bad copy editor then, no offence, but you seemed to take everything that the quote you commented the OP in, out of context.

He didn't say anything about the game being arduous, which is what you're saying he did.

He said he was going to make an arduous trek.

Where at all does that say "DEAD ISLAND IS ARDUOUS"?

I guess we'll find out what he really meant when he publishes his review next week. But a guy who describes his experience with a game as being 'an arduous trek', and even says he would rather be playing another title (namely, Deus Ex), is sending me a pretty clear signal.

[GeneralHERO]

I think the way he said "Arduous Trek" means that he's getting into the game since he says trek rather than session or another word referring to the game rather than what he'll be doing in-game... but eh that just my 2 cents..

I wouldnt nix out the possibility that him saying it like that to mean (if they have that time limited copy esp.) that he's into the game but its arduous that he's finding it annoying that he's limited only to that section of the game...

Of course he could also be playing on the higher difficulty (which could be as arduous as DEHR's Hard can be)

edit: on his note of DEHR he said "I'd like to keep playing" instead of "which I'd rather be playing"... technically speaking I think I'd take it two ways... either he likes both and just wants to make sure to leave some time for more DEHR or he likes them both but likes DEHR more... (I wouldnt take it outright as a "Dead Island SUCKS" more a "this game is fun but I really want to play some more DEHR too")... but yeah we'll find out when it gets published