470°

The Boy Who Cried White Wolf: On Polygon’s The Witcher 3 Review

Co-owner/Creative Director at The Astronauts Adrian Chmielarz eviscerates Polygon on their handling of The Witcher 3.

"I consider Polygon’s review of The Witcher 3 poisonous to the industry: to gamers, to game developers, to game journalists."

DarkOcelet3268d ago

So Polygon gives DA:Inquision a 9.5 and they give Witcher 3 an 8.

Inquision is good but gets way too repetitive. And Witcher 3 looks miles better in terms of quests and gameplay.

And i cant believe they gave it the same score as Evolve. Smh.

bunt-custardly3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

I wonder if this will get removed like the last time a publication was called out on a game review.

Either way, it's gonna get ugly.

I think he's right to call out Gies on the fact he's complaining about relative non-issues that simply have a right to be mentioned but shouldn't have any bearing on the actual review especially if you're presenting yourself as impartial. Sadly, it does look like a back-room agenda is being pushed to strike down the reforms of creativity which is a shame but perhaps expected of Polygon.

Bansai3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

pushing ones agenda in a review is a pathetic, one of many reasons I stopped visiting poylgon

Articuno763268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

I've argued that reviewers shouldn't do that as a matter of professionality, but the general consensus (amongst readers of Polygon and Kotaku) was that the reviewer can do pretty much whatever they want as there's no codified standards of professionality in the first place (it's subjective).

The problem with that is almost all standards of professionality are subjective anyway.

So we can't really make a case that reviewers shouldn't do this - it's their site and there's no actual rule being broken. But what we can do is refuse to recognise them as professional.

And I hope in time that is precisely what readers and the industry do. If they want to be bloggers they can do it without the privileges of press passes and review copies.

DragonKnight3268d ago

Why is anyone surprised? Arthur Gies removed points from Bayonetta 2 for being oversexualized. This is the same crap I've been talking about for years. The agenda pushing has come to a head and it's only getting worse. Unless more people like Adrian Chmielarz come forward and start denouncing reviews that remove points for ideological/political agendas, expect this kind of review style to continue and grow.

Reviews can absolutely be objective, and they should be. Leave the politics for Op-Eds where they belong.

-Foxtrot3268d ago

These are the same guys who complained about Weapon Sway in the Last of Us as one of their main points for giving the game 7.5.

Despite the fact Weapon Sway is a thing you need to UPGRADE in the game to reduce it

DarkOcelet3268d ago

They are just looking for clicks to their dumb reviews.

Palitera3268d ago

And this article is just helping them.

Why o why3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

flip tlou to a MS game and its an easy 10 from poly---'ms funding doesn't sway us'--- gon ;) Polagenda strikes again

HighResHero3268d ago

They would have given it an even lower score if they could get away with it.

Blacklash933268d ago

The score isn't the important bit here, especially compared to other games. It's the reasoning behind it.

JoeMcCallister3268d ago

I haven't played the witcher, and it looks great but yeah this review rubbed the wrong way, and I usually at least consider Gies' opinion, even if I don't agree with it, but this review seems like it has a pretty clear mindset from the get-go, like his mind was made up early.

When it comes down to it an 8 is still a great score for really any game, and it's fascinating to see how one person can find flaws where others find strengths (Gamespot's KVO basically loved everything about it)

What really bugs me about the polygon review though is the fact that it's marked provisional, which is their way to provide a review for a game when they can't say they tested it in real world environments, and is usually reserved for multiplayer titles that rely on a strong back end...what the hell does The Witcher need to be marked provisional for? Did he not finish the game? Also the title of the review, off the path? but it's an 8...k.

To your point DarkOcelot - by his scores alone, State of Decay is better than Wild Hunt...

DarkOcelet3268d ago

State of Decay is good but doesnt have the sheer quality of The Witcher 3.

They must have been smoking something when he was playing The Witcher 3.

annoyedgamer3268d ago

DA is made by EA who are good friends with SJW crowds. Of course it will get a higher score.

Malice-Flare3268d ago

it is due to their policy of giving scores by committee based how the review reads, even if the other people in the committee hadn't played the game...

kraenk123268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

This site is the biggest joke in gaming media. Hipster wannabes with no taste in games. Pitty anyone who takes them serious.
One simply can't expect them to have respect for polish literature or an understanding of medieval settings.

maybelovehate3268d ago

I would recommend waiting to play it before comparing it.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3268d ago
MrDead3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

...... Did this guy just try to analyse a Polygon review!?! Be careful on this course of action as it is a path that can only lead to madness.

I once knew someone who tried to make sense of what was written in a Polygon article, his remains had to be collected with a sponge.

SaveFerris3268d ago

I wonder what review score Polygon will give The Vanishing of Ethan Carter? They likely have already decided it.

MrDead3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

They gave it a 9/10.... in October.... a little after the game was released.

SaveFerris3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

Well. Now I feel quite foolish.

Takwin3268d ago

This website is slick and they have a nice podcast, but they are terrible in their journalism and objectivity. I am so sick of them. This isn't even one of their usual pro-Microsoft stances, as this is multiplatform.

This is pure clickbait and they should be ashamed.

Yetter3268d ago (Edited 3268d ago )

please show me an example of 'their usual pro-ms stances'.

I see this said all the time on N4G by people who literally have never been to Polygons site. They generally rate PS exclusives very well. Driveclub got a 7.5 at the time of release and beat Forza Horizon which they gave a 6. Bloodborne was given a 9, Infamous a 8.5. I could go on and on.

So please, just provide me with one clear example of Polygon showing a clear bias towards MS over Sony

Takwin3267d ago

I would say Polygon is my 5th most visited site behind (in order): Game Informer, The Escapist, Eurogamer, and Rock Paper Shotgun.

After those 4 sites which I like a lot, I still check out Polygon and IGN just because they have slick sites and good features, but I generally do not like their reviews.

And I listen to Polygon Minimap (the podcast) before work in the morning along with other video game, sports, and tech podcasts.

It is a general feel I have toward them that they are pro-MS. I've been reading them sine the beginning and I really don't think I'm imagining it.

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110°

The 7 Best Western RPGs: Immersive Adventures

RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.

SimpleSlave20d ago

"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!

How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera

And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

DustMan20d ago

Loved Alpha Protocol in all it's glorious jank. Great game.

SimpleSlave19d ago (Edited 19d ago )

Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.

Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.

Pity.

230°

All the Essential Video Games Everyone Needs To Play At Least Once

Given the medium's wild diversity, this primer of the essential video games everyone should try is a good place to start.

Read Full Story >>
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thorstein43d ago

.... from the 2000s (mostly).

shinoff218343d ago

I can't fk with this list. They missed on alot of games probably before the writers times. Also I know people loved some portal but I was never a fan.

Cacabunga43d ago

Tomb Raider 1
Driver 1
Abe’s Odyssey
FF6
King of Fighters 94
Mortal Kombat OG
LINK 2 the past
Street Fighter 2
Resident Evil 1

Inverno43d ago

Infinite but not the first two games? Witcher 3 but not the first two games?? GTA V but not literally any of the games before it??? Portal 2 but not the first? Also if you're going to play Shadow of The Colossus play the remaster and not the remake. Can't say I disagree with the list but my man it's all over the place.

Name Last Name43d ago

I mean some sequels are objectively better and you don’t need to play the whole series.

Inverno43d ago

But most of these games have a story to follow, sure you can catch up with a YouTube vid but where's the fun in that?

LucasRuinedChildhood43d ago (Edited 43d ago )

A list like this isn't telling you not to play the previous games if you want to. It's just giving you legendary games to play.

But tbh, you don't always have to force yourself to play every entry in a franchise to get to the better ones.

- The vast majority of Witcher 3 players never played the first 2 and had a great time. The first 2 games aren't in the same league.
- The GTA games are self-contained with the odd fun reference. You can easily jump into any of them.
- The Shadow Of The Colossus remake looks and controls better than the original (plus it has a 60fps option while the remaster is just 30fps). New players will enjoy it more.
- Portal 2 is a lot better than Portal 1 and takes the concept much further gameplay-wise. Storywise, Portal 1 is fairly light too. Not that you shouldn't play it but realistically ... you'd love Portal 2 whether you play it or not (at lot of Portal 2 players have never played 1).

Bioshock 1 is the only one I agree with you on simply because it's one the best games of all time and arguably better than Infinite. No other setting like Rapture.

Looking at the list, I'd recommend playing Uncharted 1 before 2 but no doubt, 2 is the legendary one you have to play.

Inverno43d ago

I get it, but that's just my opinion on his opinion. I just think that before you play a sequel you should still play what came before it. Maybe it's just me but i find it fascinating playing through the first game in a series and seeing how it has evolved through its sequels. Like I said I don't disagree with the list, other than SoTC which I strongly believe the remaster of the original should be played above the remake.

AuraAbjure43d ago

Awesome list! Hot take on Fear (and it's hard af expansion Persaus Mandate!) Bioshock Infinite is stellar, so is the Witcher 3 and you nailed it by having Ocarina of Time. So many fantastic games! Gotta play 'em all! Next one on my list is Prey after I beat Dead Space 2 and Splinter Cell Conviction.

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80°

The Best Video Game Romances of All Time

Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.

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