Next-generation consoles exist to deliver game experiences the previous generation could never deliver. That's their sole purpose in this life. So when a game comes along offering a strange mix of cutting-edge visuals but also tired gameplay, one can't help but feel a little cheated. Such is the case with Genji: Days of the Blade, the first PS3 entry in the series that started on the PS2 in 2005.
8.0 Presentation
Everything from character animation and environments to the menu system benefits from a high degree of polish.
8.5 Graphics
Highly detailed character models and slick animation blends with spectacular locales and overall design.
8.0 Sound
While it sounds very good, the score is somewhat limited. Also, the voicework could use a tad of refinement.
6.0 Gameplay
The awesome presentation can't hide dying gameplay mechanics.
7.0 Lasting Appeal
It's a lengthy game, though gameplay gets repetetive after a while.
6.0 Passable OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)
From Perfect Dark Zero to Fighter Within - we take a look back at the games that were terrible alongside their console launches.
I highly doubt Perfect Dark Zero is one of the worst launch games ever. The game held a good sized player base during the early years of the 360 and got good reviews. PDZ is disappointing game, not a terrible one, I don't see how it's worse than Game Party Champions (24% on metacritic).
I guess its subjective. For me PDZ wasn't a great launch game. I was one of the idiots that ran out and bought it for £50 here in the UK and it just never made me think "That was worth".
I guess I can see what you're seeing - but for me that personal experience just soured the well for me in regards to PDZ. I encourage discussion over that because I appreciate that its always going to be subjective.
PDZ had a huge legacy to live up to, being a prequel to what is often listed as greatest 5th gen console shooter, Perfect Dark (alongside Goldeneye) . Also, PDZ came out a year after Halo 2, and didn't have on-par production quality with it. PDZ singleplayer had the same major flaws as the original, bad voice acting, and poor writing, which hampered the singleplayer. The aiming could of also been smoother and player movement more comparable to the original. The mp unlike the singleplayer (which isn't terrible ) was well received at the time for it's content.
I'm sorry but perfect dark zero and kameo were both great launch games. The 12 vs 12 online multiplayer with split screen had my wife and me playing it from launch till ghost recon came out in March and then some and Kameo was a great platformer that still has people asking for a sequel. The majority of the list is pretty good, but definitely those two shouldn't be there
I didn't put Kameo in the list. I felt Fifa was a bigger abomination on the 360's launch lineup (As well as King Kong). I don't get the hate Kameo gets sometimes.
"Rare also delivered two titles for the consoles launch; neither of which were particularly any good. Kameo was deeply flawed but retained a level of charm for next-gen gamers and managed to disappear under the radar. Instead the focus of hate fell squarely on Perfect Dark Zero."
Pretty much did, definitely dragged it through the mud for sure
I think i agree with Kribwalker. I never played Pdz until Rare replay but going by reviews there've been worse launch titles out there and your article ridiculed Kameo and yet that game was one of the best 360 titles. It was fun, charming and it scored quite well,fans have also been clamoring for a sequel. I think you based your article entirely off your personal opinions and tastes and it's ok and may be Pdz deserves to be on your list but Kameo imo should never have been dragged in there.
@krib
Thanks for the videogamer link. I was just searching for it online.
(In response to the second comment)
I was more alluding to the cold response it got. I never got around Kameo but I remember it getting a fairly shaky response from everyone at the time.
As said, there were several other much more worthy names which were worse.
But it didn't have a bad rap. It actually sold quite well (for a platformer on a MS system) and has a 79 metacritic which is typically quite high for a launch game and still is widely requested for a sequel
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That illustrious Sony press event on February 20th is just one week away, and with the PS4 reveal entirely possible (in a huge venue nonetheless), we wanted to end our three weeks of PS4 questions on the games. So, the PlayStation LifeStyle staff was asked:
Which Launch Title Would Make You Buy a PS4?
-PSLS
Uncharted 4 (Got Vita day 1 because of Golden Abyss)
Gran Turismo 6
Killzone 4
The Getaway... would be epic, think Sony cancelled that because the PS3 couldn't handle a fully mapped City of London with HD visuals.
Idk uncharted 4 will be like a bonus..
for me it will be more like the PS4! And the new technology ..
good games will come out eventually ..
But if it launch with
Killzone or a new GG IP, or MS4, TLOU I will make lines a day before!! Or will find a way to get it earlier from the "black market"
it doesn't matter to me because it is a day one purchase regardless of the games...This is the same with the new Xbox also...
Are we sure there will be one? I mean, look at the history of Naughty Dog. Crash 1-3(PS1), Jak and Daxter 1-3(PS2), Uncharted 1-3(PS3). Those are main games sure, but they seem as if they like making new trilogies for each generation.
The Last Guardian or FF Versus XIII.
(I know they are supposed to be PS3 games)
WHAT GAME WILL MAKE YOU BUY A PS4??
any game that not a first person shooter,multiplat.
GRAN TURISMO 6, NEW RATCHET AND CLANK, SLY COOPER,JAX AN DAXTER,NEW GRADIUS, NEW NEED FOR SPEED, HD METAL SLUG,CONTRA......
Need for speed nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhh
That picture feels so inappropriate... but it's just a rocket with Kaz's face... right? Is that the first look at a first party launch game?
Not really. If I tried to be specific, I'd come up with SO MANY titles.
Legend of Dragoon
Gran Turismo
Uncharted
Killzone
.hack
Xenosaga
Valkyria Chronicles
And probably a good thirty I can't think of.
The thing I'm wondering about the next gen consoles is, for example, whether we'll see a second round of titles like Crysis 3 come out for them. You know, it'll initially launch on PS3, 360 and PC ... but then down the road will the new consoles get a version with improved graphics, etc. !!! Ya? Na?
I'm expecting this with GTA V, and wouldn't be surprised to see an upgraded version of Bioshock Infinite
The cool thing about videogames is that they can take you anywhere. They can also take you anywhen. Because you don't always have to come up with a completely original world for your game to take place. When done right, playing what-if with established history to can result in some enthralling videogame experiences. Or, you know they can be really crap.
Haha! Ye, singularity was rather average. That guided bullet was rather cool though...
I was just chuffed that Crimson Skies was on the list. I loved that game when it came out. Reminded me of Tales of the Golden Monkey. Flying, pirates, daring stunts. I was going to write "best use of my joystick ever", but then something stopped me. Oh, wait. Doh.
I'm always happy whenever and wherever the Fallout series is mentioned. Waiting for Fallout 4 or the MMOG, IF that ever is going to see the light of day after the settlement
After reading through the review I can see why it got that score. Even with great presentation, graphics, and sound, gameplay determines the final score. Granted, a bunch of haters are going to come on and say something immature about the PS3, but I guess that's just part of life.
I expect Untold Legends will meet a similar fate. Even with a new generation of hardware, there's always bad titles. It just comes with the territory.
same old same old with shiney graphics
Ok, now I am confused. I though Sony said the cell it's so powerful that it may be smarter than you.
6.0 Gameplay
7.0 Lasting Appeal
6.0 Passable OVERALL
I wonder if with these ratings And Poor A.I. if they are calling their fanbase stupid!?
Well their goes one of your vaunted launch titles, lol i'm sorry I don't want to be a total jackas* but with all the talk about how horrible the Xbox 360 launch titles were, it's just amusing that the worst score for ANY, oh yes ANY next gen game goes to a game totally developed for the PS3, it's not even a port! Please don't be mad at me, as I most likely won't be coming back to this post assuming it will start a fanboy war. I will say this tho, as it is only the first review, but if IGN hated it this much, well I don't believe others will like it much more...
Hahahaha. They forgot graphics aren't everything. But hey, who expected this game to be any good? Seriously, we all knew it was only gonna appeal to the mindless hack-and-slashers.
Other possible duds: Gundam looked weak in that Gamespot video, although I've read that they didn't know how to play it really. NBA 07 looks like it has shallow gameplay hidden by some nice graphics. And I guess Untold Legends could suffer the Genji fate: decent visuals but unimpressive gameplay. Thankfully I was never banking on any of these games to not suck, and they might surprise, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
#4 One bad review doesn't make it the worst next gen game. Off the top of my head the game that came to mind was Ninety Nine Nights. Impressive visuals, weak and shallow gameplay, first party titles, a 56 on IGN. Similarities? I'll let you decide. And just to completely crush the "worst next gen title" argument for the moment: Bomberman Act Zero, X-Men the Game, Samurai Warriors 2, Open Season, Dynasty Warriors 5(a lot of these types of games in this discussion), Fifa 06, Import Tuner Challenge. All of those games arguably worse than Genji.