It’s truly rare to see so much controversy surrounding the release of a video game. It harkens back to the days of Mortal Kombat and Senator Lieberman, and his crusade to implement an age appropriate rating system on video games to warn parents of their content. As we all know, this movement succeeded, and the games sold today all contain an ESRB rating. But not since the inception of this rating system has there ever been a game that utilized the AO (Adults Only 18+) rating from the ESRB. Enter Hatred by developer Destructive Creations; a violent, isometric shooter that has you murdering innocent people ‘just because’ the main protagonist hates everything, including himself.
A game about killing people.
This game was just gratuitous violence. I don't know why it was rated AO. It's no worse than a GTA killing spree, Hotline Miami, or even the 'No Russian' COD mission. Reminded my of a weaker Dead Nation except no zombies.
I'm surprised Switch is getting this and PlayStation/Xbox isn't. The game was basically Postal with better graphics and more realism.
A look at five games that gamers loved but most critics hated.
Advent Rising is another good example. It got panned by critics but it has a good story and I enjoyed playing it. The graphics are dated, the enemies all look the same, but it was made in 2005 so what do you expect? I wish they made the sequel so I could finish the story but I think the critics killed it off.
Joanna Mueller writes: "Since the 1980's, video game advocates have been arguing for the protection of games as a medium of free speech. Frankly, I consider myself in that camp, but just because a game can push against the boundaries of common decency doesn't mean it should. Especially if the developer is just hoping to ride the wave of pearl clutching controversy to the bank."
Nothing wrong with pushing for controversy, but the game still has to be worthwhile. Lots of games in the 90s showed that.
Because the novelty will eventually wear off and the audience will eventually wise up.
So what? If there's a market for something then why should anyone care if it gets filled, as long as it's not something illegal? You can dislike so-called "edge lord" games all you want (in fact, you can like or dislike whatever you want, full stop) but even if games like Hatred are just trying to take advantage of anti-SJW backlash to make a quick buck, the fact that they exist at all is important in a culture that's becoming increasingly puritan and censorship orientated. Art is supposed to push the envelope. It's supposed to make you think. And even if all a game makes you do is think about why certain people are so desperate to ban it.
I doubt very much that game is a 10/10 experience. I haven't played it, so I can't give an informed comment. But when I look at other isometric games/shooter such as - Diablo, Tomb Raider:Guardian of Light, Dead Nation Apocalyse etc etc. I just can't see this game being better than those games in any category.
Shame I have no intention to play Hatred - too busy with The Witcher 3.