Penny Arcade defends Assassin's Creed, Feels sorry for reviewers with low scores

Penny Arcade writes:
"Imagine what an open ended sandbox title must look like to a reviewer especially right now. How many games do they have piling up on their desks? A game like Assassins creed isn't meant to be played under a deadline. You shouldn't be trying to beat it as fast as you can so you can move on to Mass Effect or Mario Galaxy. As soon as I gave myself a deadline all of a sudden I understood all their complaints. It was like a fucking Escher painting. I had put myself in their shoes and suddenly the landscape flipped and I could see games from their perspective. In the end I wasn't angry at them for their bad reviews. I actually just felt bad for them."

[MK_Red]

Penny Arcade FTW! Seriously nice and good points. This game indeed shouldn't be played quickly and under a deadline and if some reviewers couldn't enjoy the game, it's their loss not game's fault.

[Jdash24]

completely agree,

great find btw

[MK_Red]

Thanks :)
But the credit for finding this superb article should go to rgun who tipsed the story.

[riqued]

The damage has been done, I don't see myself buying this game. Penny Arcade didn't actually say whether the side mission are repetitive or what.

[MK_Red]

riqued, that's not the point. As Penny Arcade said, this game is about the experience and one that should try to enjoy it simply for itself rather than to finish it ASAP and getting ready for the next game like Mario or Mass Effect.

[Gamespot-equals-EGM]

LOL.

EDIT: BTW, this guy (Gabe) is full of crap. The big difference is he didn't spend $60 of his own money to play this game so he could sit back and be very, very open minded about this game.

BUT if a person has to actually spend $60 of their own money to buy this game (instead of it being paid for by their employer) then people are usually much more critical and much less forgiving. Big difference.

[rgun]

Thanks for the kudos, MK_Red.

[SharpeNoir]

MK_Red's Assassin's Creed defence force! I'm also really really excited about this game! I like its new setting, I've always enjoyed reading about the Crusades (former History student) but haven't had a chance to live them, Assassin's Creed is giving me that chance! I must say thought I am pretty surprised with the really inconsistent reviewing of this game. The only explanation I can find is that its just going to be lost on some people who don't find the concept or the subject interesting enough to play through and appreciate, while others are simply going to fall in love with it. It's exactly the sort of game I'm going to appreciate, definitely from what I've seen so far! Therefore I will defiantly be buying it on Friday when its released here in the UK. It looks fantastic!

[MK_Red]

Thanks for superb find and tip, rgun
Specialy kudos for you :)

"MK_Red ====> the one-man Assassin Creed Defense Force
LOL."
lol, I don't agree with your comment (Because none of reviewers pay for games but they do talk about games with that in mind) but gotta agree that was a good one.

SharpeNoir, thansk for the great comment :)
We're ACDF!

[judd]

If there was such a thing as the Assassin's Creed Defense Force, I'd want to sign up. I've been telling all my friends to ignore the bad reviews. I am loving this game.

Tuesday, I played from 6pm until 3 am, then yesterday I didn't get home until 8pm, but started playing right away and played through 3am again. Both times I had to be up at 7am, but I didn't care - this game is just that good. So, I have logged 16 hours and just assassinated the 6th target. I have spent some time exploring, and I have to say the replay value should be pretty high. The only thing I wish they added was a total percentage of completion stat for the game and tracking for how many assassinations and other kills you had.

I am playing the PS3 version and one of my friends has the X360 version, and I have to say they both look great. A little bit of screen tearing here and there in both, but neither makes that big of a difference. No framerate problems on either. It's great that everybody (that doesn't listen to the idiot reviewers) can enjoy this game. All in all, I would give the game a 94 out of 100. The 6 points is for the screen tearing.

[sectionz]

6-8 hours of this game is good .. i really cannot see myself enjoying 20 hours of it since after the 6 mark its starting to be really sameish .. the only reason they are defending it is because they are personally involved .. AS USUAL WITH THEM .. they never attack something they are politically close too .. hows that for balls.

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

That is an intresting read.

[TheMART]

Interesting to say at least. That could actually be the reason why the reviews are so different

[LSDARBY]

I actually agree with this twat

[TheMART]

Well even you tard may agree

[MK_Red]

We have finally something that we can all agree. Kudos to Penny Arcade for the intersting article and kudos to you for cool comments.

[power of Green]

Didn't mean to agree with you. -bubbles for you.

I don't agree about reviewers being rushed because of ME and Mario but I do agree the number of games in general is causing systematic grading thats hurting games. Would have been an spot on" opinion if it wern't for them blaming specific games rather than the amount of them.

[solar]

lmao!! i havent heard that word uttered in years. bravo! and i agree that you agree he is a twat. bubbles!

edit: lmao! i wasnt even talking to you pog. ::rolleyes::

[ElementX]

It's pretty f'ing sad when saying "twat" earns bubbles.

[power of Green]

I think he was being a sheep and did not see the minus symbol in front of the word bubbles in my post. J/K

[InMyOpinion]

I bet some reviewers will try and rush through Mass Effect as well. Would be a waste of good gaming. I've played it a bit and I found myself just walking around the spot where you first land for about 15 minutes. Looking at the amazing surroundings and searching for upgrades. A tip is to turn of the grain filter, although it gives the game a certain mood it looks better without it. I bet that when you land on the first mission it will take at least 30 seconds until you actually move your character. The beauty of the game is mesmerizing.

[OpiZA]

Interesting

[Hapimeses]

Great find, and a great read. Thanks for posting that MK_Red (and tipping it, rgun). I agree with Mart /et al/ that this may indeed be a primary contributing reason to the wildly divergent reviews for this game.

Personally, I'm quietly looking forward to it now.

:)

[Marceles]

I cant wait to play it when I get home from work so I can be even more mad at how wrong the reviewers are.

[solar]

and you will be mad. i think its hella fun so far. i just got done with my SMG playing...giving my wrist a little rest then going to stab some templars :D

[MK_Red]

I envy you solar :)
You get to enjoy all the great games. First Mario Galaxy and now Assassins. God, I have to buy a Wii asap.

[solar]

hehe, no kids...no current girlyfriend atm, so i get to go crazy buying all the good games :D (uncharted next week woot!) and the best part is my roommates 50" dlp 720p samsong TV XD

[PS3 Limps on and on]

...

[Hapimeses]

Really intelligent comment there. What's your beef? Do you just hate the game unreasoningly? Really, what's up?

[BloodySinner]

PS3 Limps on and on needs to lose a bubble.

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

While penny-arcade may be biased. If you read the article its an intelligent argument with correct statments.

[DrPirate]

The fact is, Penny Arcade started Child's Play means you need to go die for just thinking that.

They helped so many sick children, and I've seen it with my own eyes. Go screw yourself man.

[rgun]

Yeah, nobody is telling you to like Penny Arcade, but they do have a very good point about the inconsistency of the reviews around this game.

[Rasulis]

He's just upset at penny-arcade for logically calling Sony out on every single line of crap Sony gave their fan base.

By the way, penny-arcade has done more for the gaming community then you or anyone else who is calling them twats and so on will ever do. Please grow up.

[Snukadaman]

Regardless of their stance on sony ..these people donated tons of nintendo products for children that are maybe in the last days of life to enjoy....I think ps3limps has a right too his opinion but I hope some of us opened his eyes too their philanthropist ways...

[kydrice]

Agreed, When you rush through a game instead of enjoying it it'll always kill a game.

[ikkokucrisis]

You know, I remember when reviews for MMORPG's came out for games like WOW. The reviews were posted up a week after the game was officially released. Why? Because it takes time to experience everything and write a fully comprehensive review for it! So I don't pity these reviewers, they get to play these mega-blockbuster games first. My belief is they just don't set their deadlines for reviews correctly as they may have done with other games. These games get massive publicity, the type of gameplay and length are usually pre-determined way in advance before the final build arrives at their review centers. As professional reviewers that are getting paid for this, they should be able to prepare in advance for what needs to be done in order to make as thorough and unbiased review as possible for each game. As a reviewer, communication is key right? So if they communicate to thousands of people with their reviews, how hard could communicating to their boss that they need an extended time to review a certain game be?

[gw4k]

I have been playing the game now for a few hours and I am very impressed!

The graphics are amazing, the control is a real step forward with much that can be added into the sequel.

Granted that I have only been playing for a few hours I can honestly say that this is a next generation game. The good reviews are founded and I am sticking with them.

The negative reviews I am going to put aside for a while and keep on playing. I think that a lot of these reviewers have been forced to play so many games they do not know what is good and what is bad anymore.

Take a look at halo 3. The graphics are unimpressive and the story I feel was a flop.

Very disappointed with that game and for the most part, the reviews were amazing! Some talked about the graphics and I tell you what, by the end of the single player game, it looked worse than halo 1! Heck, I remember halo 1 looking better, but might be just me.

I suggest everyone to grab this game and have an amazing experience.

Just a few hours in and I am hooked on the story as it is not what I expected at all.

I love the gameplay and can't wait to learn more.

My only grip so far is the sound. While not terrible at all, it isn't the best. I only notice this during conversations though.

I have a very good 7.1 sound system that it shows flaws easily. A good thing and a bad thing.

So with that, go play the game, enjoy it and don't think twice about purchasing it. You have never played anything like it.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

Pretty damn sure it's just you.

[DG]

Yeah thats a case of remembering that amazing pie your grandma made when you were 4 years old and havent had it since. But when you do have it again its just not the same. I hate those moments. :( Damn I wish I wish I never ate that pie.

[Xi]

should've used cake, that way you could've worked in a "the cake is a lie" joke.

[Mwaan]

You're playing the PS3 version. If you don't insult Halo every post, you get kicked out of the Sony Fanboy Fanclub.

[DG]

No surprise most of my favorite games get average scores. To each is own. One mans hero is another mans terrorist/assassin.

Plus Im a huge fan of the Hitman series and this seems like that mixed with GTA (GTA is another fave). So this and Kane & Lynch will both get play at my house regardless of the reviews. Im just glad there are good games to play...finaly (on all systems by the way).

[rgun]

Yeah I found this to be a very interesting read for sure.

I know a few people who have picked up the game and been playing it non-stop since it came out. So, I ask them how the game is and they all say its amazing, exciting, incredible, (insert any other gushing descriptor), etc. I then see all of these negative reviews trickle in and I am wondering what the hell is going on. Not only are the reviews very different in their opinions, ranging from perfect to 70%, but the people who I had spoken to were raving about the game.

This little argument here, by Gabe, puts it all into perspective for me. I'll be picking this game up for sure.

[etownone]

i dont know what to believe anymore...even though this makes the most sense for such mixed reviews. Never seen a game get such mixed reviews with some preferring the xbox and others the ps3.

either way...the damage is done. will skip, continue with cod4 and halo3 online and wait for mass effect next week. But i'll definitely be renting this one day.

[Sean14233]

Excellent article, I agree 100%

[jdktech2010]

Don't listen to the reviewers. Now granted, this game might not be for everyone but I for one absolutely love it so far. Played for about an hour and a half and didnt even realize it. It should last a while to in that hour and a half I've only killed one guy so I definitely recommend it. Like many people have said before, don't listen to the reviewers.

Is this game of the year?? No, I doubt it...Mass Effect pretty much has that one wrapped up if everything is true about it. But, Assassins is one amazing game that deserves everyone's attention. Thanks, I'll get off my soapbox now.

[wangdiddy82]

Websites rush through them like i would rush through women in my single days of pimping.. lol

Reviewers want to be the first one to get there reviews out so they can get hits on there sites so they probably throw them together in 15 minutes.. Thats why we see so many mixed reviews these days.. I know i hate jumping from game to game it really screws your mind up and your feeling for a game.. I bet you some sites dont even finish some of the games before they post there review on there site..

[felidae]

trust me ... the game looks absolutely beautiful and there are a lot of things that i like about AC.

but in the end, i found it very very boring.

i'll get me some Ratchet ;-)

[wangdiddy82]

Reviewers are becoming more like critics and less like gamers thats why great games these days get crappy reviews...

If a game is good its good, you dont have to point out every little detail why its bad because most likely we will not even notice it and care. But when you tell people they look for it and notice it sometimes..

Its like if you have a small zit on your face you know its there but other people dont but if you tell them than they will and say I didnt even notice that until you told me..

[ActionBastard]

I've been playing AC for about 8hrs now on the PS3. It is a great game, however, it is repetitious as all hell. The enemies wait their turn to attack and you can kill a person while people are walking by and nothing happens...until they fall to the ground. I am running the game in 720p and have not seen any MAJOR framerate drops. They are there, but you won't notice unless you are looking for it. If you want this game to suck, it will suck. Likewise, if you want it to be the the end all be all, it will too. My personal score is a 7.5, simply because it is rinse, wash, repeat.

[xionpunk]

The Penny Arcade guys are awesome.

[VampHuntD]

Gabe has totally earned my respect (and possibly mt trust) with this article. I wholeheartedly agree. Well said.

[UltimaEnder]

Wow, what a tool Gabe is, like someone said...reviewers are trying to think how it would feel should you spend your hard-earned 60 dollars and get home with only a few hours of good play.....the early part of this game is awesome, it just fizzles out really bad in the end earning the low scores some sites gave it!

[Cupid_Viper_3]

what's with all the guys in here having chicks or booty avatars? That's disturbingly [email protected] talkin' bout "my booty" wtf????

[Last_Life]

For me, I trust Penny Arcade more than IGN (well, I dont trust IGN or any other review sites)

Gabe's explanatios are good, and I am buying Assasin's because it's recommended by someone who isn't an asshole.

[Marceles]

"I think the biggest complaint I saw was that the missions become repetitive and boring."

I'm kinda getting that feeling too, but the game's missions at least vary more than Heavenly Sword. The combat doesn't feel as deep as HS, but the missions and world to explore are awesome. I also can't beat this game in a day (as I did in HS), so I'm glad I kept my pre-order...I was really close to cancelling it. I turned it off after I assasinated that one guy that stabbed the hell out of his assistant that said "he can't do it", but so far I'm blown away by the graphics and detail of the game. That scientist guy is psycho btw...

[jlytle1234]

picked it up last night for ps3...nothing but positive things to tell you. the intro/setup/tutorial missions are pretty cool, but then you get your assignment and go to your first city (damascus) and you jump on a horse and ride through the kingdom to get there and then you descend some mountainous trails and the city come out from behind the mountains and its awesome. you get to the gates of the city and have to sneak in. once your in its so massive and populated and living. i was standing doing a pan of the city and a jar lady walked into me and dropped her jar and everyone on that street stops and stairs at me...it was freakin sweet. you dont get a real feel for climbing until you have to get into damascus and you are litterly looking for handholds like a climber. and combat is feels so much more realistic...you lose your counter moves as part of the game and suddenly a 3 on 1 isnt so easy...you might dodge a slash and grab the guy and throw him down but you wont have enough time to slash him because the other guys are on you. i highly recommend this game.

[desolationstorm]

Im about 3 hrs into the game will be a whole lot more after I finish my work week today. Anyway I say give the game a try if the game looked interesting to you and read the reviews but it still peaks your interest I say buy it. Well rent it atleast. I do not beleive the controls are as bad as some reviews make it out to be.

The citys are fun to explore, if your a gamerscore person I say go for it you will have a fun time exploring and finding the acheivements. The one thing that annoys me about the game you just can assassinate anyone. Soldiers and what not are all fair game but citizens just walking around you cant lock on unless your in a fight with one.

Theres fun to be had and if you spent your 60 on it I think you will enjoy it, since you spent money on it and its not a bad game so why not enjoy it. The main reason why I picked it up(besides seeing it onsale early) was I wanted something differnt then a shooter at the moment.

I can honestly say I enjoy walking around the city just trying to neck stab soldiers without anyone noticing. Thats the fun for me in the game takes me awhile to go anywhere but I make a game of exploring for flags and trying to assassinate random people in busy areas without drawing attention. Besides tell me you dont smile the first time you neck stab someone or throw them off the roof?

[bloop]

Either way, IGN is one site that I dont trust reviews from anymore. Especially after Halo 3 got such a ridiculously high score, that it in no way deserved. And even after hearing about all the negative things, Im still looking forward to AC

[stuntman_mike]

well im getting it within the next couple of days so i'll rush thru it and tell you what its all about!

lol!

[witchking]

How about we get a demo so we can try before we buy?

[poopface1]

Im constantly killing someone in he game. You dont even have to complete all of the investigations to move on with the game, so you really dont even have to put up with the repetitive parts if you dont want to. a demo wouldent do it justice cause as you go on you learn cooler moves that making fighting so much fun. Anyone who says the controls are bad just straight up sucks at videogames. This game has some of the most natural controls ive ever seen. If something looks like it can be climed, it can. Ive done alot of crazy stuff in the game that I didnt even know I could do, just by pressing what I thought was the right direction/button. Just running around is fun in this game.