Gamespot, as unprofessional as ever

Socom Confrontation was recently released last week, and it was so with massive problems and road blocks permitting anyone who bought the game from enjoying a full game (myself included)...

[theKiller]

WRONG!!!!!!!
they r professional to who pay them for advertising!!!

[ELite_Ghost]

they have no exclusive videos, crappy reviews and previews, no one goes on that site anymore...

[sonarus]

Seriously, Socom should have been delayed but sony didn't delay it. These negative reviews will help prevent the release of a broken game in the future

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

I consider GameSpot a "confirmation bias" they only look that evidence that supports their perception. BioShock, Warhawk, even Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare had their fare share of launch issues. Gamespot gives them all the scores they deserve, but when it comes to a highly anticipated launch for the PlayStation 3, lol.

So yes they're professionals they are sure doing what the media does with the news, lol and you can't forget the sensationalism. Socom's problems have nothing to do with the number of people logging in at once at launch, so it must be the game.

[Raptura]

Gamespot has always been gay and sucked.

PS - Romain's gay.

[kapedkrusader]

...they had their beta. If they didn't have all these issues resolved, they shouldn't have released the game.

[The Matrix]

Ok so listen to a guy who's been around video games and video game website's for a long time. GameSpot has made some mistakes (Ratchet and Clank future was not less than an 8.5 in my opinion) but not that many. I THINK IT WAS RIGHT FOR THEM TO RATE AN SOCOM SO LOW BECAUSE, WELL IT WAS CRAP WHEN THEY REVIEWED IT. GameSpot is doing a favor for all of us and here's why:

If developers see that they can release half@$$ed games all the time and just patch them later then they will start doing it. If people like GameSpot do a crackdown and say, "Hey, you can't just give us half a game and expect us to wait until you feel like finishing it."

Let this be a lesson to all developers out there. WE WANT FULL GAMES NOT GAMES THAT HAVE SO MANY ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER FEW MONTHS JUST TO PLAY IT HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

p.s. sorry for the caps.

[marinelife9]

I played Socom in the beta and loved it when I could actually play it. They should have held it back a few weeks to get the bugs ironed out.

Paying for a game and not being able to play it is a worse than giving a good game a bad review.

[sonarus]

You guys are being too hard on gamespot. The bottom line is Socom as it is right now is unacceptable. It simply was not ready for release and sony released it anyway. Yes the game is fantastic *when you can play it* but features such as joining friends games and trophies were things we were told would be in the game. Not things to be added on as a patch. This isn't a launch title so that is just inexcusable. If sony wanted to release it on time by all means they should have assisted slant six with more resources to get it done.

Gameplay is fantastic but the game is broken. They should have held off on the reviews till it was fixed but then again sony should have held onto the game until it was fixed.

[LegendKillar]

you contradicted yourself in that statement, you say that gamespot is biased when it comes to sony games, but also say they gave warhawk the score it deserved.

Difference between the launch of warhawk and the socom launch is that warhawk was playable and socom at its current state is not, warhawks problem at launch was the stat tracking not network issues.

[plain rice]

Score is totally acceptable to me and some should know that I'm a Socom fan. As long as Gamestop and any other site re-reviews the game when the bugs are ironed out I'm ok with it. I bet when all the promised features are added and all the issues are fixed this game should score no less than 9's across the board.

If you ask me 6.5 is very generous for a very buggy game with missing featues. That goes to show you this game has the potential to be a AAA title. The gameplay is fantastic. Only thing standing in the way is the missing features and the server issues.

Slant Six may suck at coding but they sure have way way better support for the community than Zipper Int. That's a fact.

[Lucreto]

Socom is an online game and will receive patches to improve the experience but the score won't change when the game is running properly and the gliches they talk about will be gone making the review invalid.

They should have waited a few weeks but the beta was running smoothly for me and I will get it when it is released in Europe.

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

Stat tracking is network issues, lol how do you think they track you if it wasn't for the network? The game itself isn't broken it's just the servers causing problems. All most every server available is full it's almost impossible to even get in let alone play. Once you're in the game it's amazing.

With Warhawk it wasn't a long time franchise like Socom there was only one other Warhawk game the most people have forgotten. Socom is like the equivalent of Halo 3 on the XBOX 360 so by stating it doesn't live up to the hype would be a big deal.

I meant Enemy Territory: Quake Wars not BioShock and if you read or watch the review they'll comment the PlayStation 3 version is lacking. when the XBOX 360 version doesn't even have first person view for some of the vehicles. Then an actual comparision video came out and the PlayStation 3 version came out slightly better.

[DaDarkKnight]

I don't get why everyone is saying they should have not released the game until all the bugs are ironed out when the game is online only. If they held the game back it would have been going through the same thing, why because its online only. Only way they could fix the problems was by releasing the game. When they were using the game with only a few people in beta it seemed to run good but when they released it to the mass market it put a strain on their servers and that's a problem with online only games that cannot be found until it is released. This is not going to be the last, just wait until home, and mag comes out. Im just happy that they no the game have problems and that they will patch it up so give the guys a break lol

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

I'm not a fan of GameSpot, but I think it is justified to review a game when it is released. If it is patched later, then maybe just maybe should we update the review.

Why? Because releasing a game unfinished and in poor condition (many of the problems they are having was present during the Beta) is doing customers a disservice. If it isn't ready for release, then don't. I understand that online games inherently have problems that are unforseen, but this is clearly ripping customers off knowingly.

Why should the publisher take my money promising a game experience they knowingly can't deliver at the moment? Warhawk had many of the same issues. Perhaps a larger and longer Beta period is in order. This is total lack of concern for the consumer and has nothing to do with PS3 as a console.

Even if you are a PS3 fanboy, this is doing you a disservice and shouldn't be covered up!!! This is making your loving console less loved by others....

[Tarasque]

I can't believe people are still whining about Socom reviews, this is truly sad. It is broken i would be lucky to give it a 6.5, for people that doesn't understand you base your reviews of a product they ship to you to review. If it broken and plagued with problems then your review will show that. And on a side note of R&C 7.5 is a fairly good review, i wouldn't have gave it much more than that. I had a good time playing the game but it got fairly repetitive and the graphics are pretty good but nothing spectacular.

[Xelai]

Unprofessional is to give high marks to a buggy unplayable game.
By the way is tiresome to read constantly that unprofessional is giving any PS3 game a low mark, result of strange conspiracies and money from MS.

[BlackTar187]

I say almost because I ahve had no problems since saturday night but some of the people I play with get booted everynow and then and lasst night my frineds froze on him but it s almost 100% with no problems right now. all these reviews had to have been done in the first 72hrs of release becasue ive heard nothing but good stuff the last couple of days online. I play 32 player maos all day and no hiccups. but i do understand maybe im lucky but for my friends that arnt the issues are that bad. its online the internet isnt perfect. Hell WoW has problems all the time wheres there negative press?

[kwicksandz]

They can only review the code that they have and if it was buggy as hell, just as the retail copies are of course it would get a low score. The devs should have delayed the game rather than release a non working product.

In this day and age of $99 new releases a buggy unfinished game with the promise of a patch in some unspecified future date doesnt cut it.

[BattleAxe]

This article took the words right out of my mouth. I consider IGN to be the lead standard in video games reviews. I get so tired of these biased reviews, it makes me sick.

If a game is good then review it as such, and if its bad, then review it as such.

I've been playing Socom quite a bit in the past few days, and it is definately one of the best online games out there. The maps are beautiful and the gameplay is fantastic as always with tight controls.

My score for this game is 8.9/10

[Legion]

Unproffesional why??? Because they gave it an accurate rating?

If the game is plagued with bugs that bring it to it's knees then it should be rated as such.

First you got the fanboys screaming about wait to see the games... b3yond crap. And now when you get the games they are saying wait until the patch before you review it..? Rate it b3yond??? what the f*ck????!!!! When are you going to learn..?/ Really!?? When???

[The Makr]

Sony chose to put this game out before it was close to ready. You reap what you sow. If you don't want negative reviews then finish the product! It's not the reviewers job to guess when Sony is done with it. They have to move on to new games and new reviews. That's how it works.

The writer of this article has a shriveled pea for a brain.

[Pennywise]

I agree, but did we think these sites would act any different?

Should Socom get a break because /6 couldnt get it right? Dont get me wrong, I love this game... but /6 dropped the ball.

They did the same to Warhawk, which is silky smooth right now. Socom will improve, but /6 did not try to make this a smooth release. The bugs and missing features are one thing... but not having the servers up to par on the PS brands #1 online franchise for day1 is unacceptable.

The servers are solid for me now, but why set yourself up for bad reviews?? They released it like this and we can expect 1up and gamestop and whoever else to cast their score on what they have. Its a shame they wont update the scores in the coming weeks.

[WildArmed]

Quite frankly they should have waited for the servers to stablize.. a game is not ranked on how bad it started.. but on gameplay,graphics,sound,etc (which SOCOM nearly excells in)

[Pennywise]

I agree fully. But they opened a door they can not close now, which sucks.

[Mr_Bun]

I have to add, I own SOCOM too and love it, but there was a beta for exactly the problems that they are having now and these should have been addressed...On the other side, they have been quick to rectify the majority of "connection" problems so at least they are working on it.

[socomnick]

Seriously though, socom confrontation fails in every front exept 1, they offer great customization, but everything else fails, slow menus, horrible lag, horrible gameplay, horrible gun play, slant six managed to completely destroy the Socom franchise forever.

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

I'm a Socom fanatic and I'm loving Socom once you actually get into battles. Slant Six Games did an amazing job on the game it's just the number of people logging in at once caused the problems. It's a long time franchise like Metal Gear Solid it's natural to have a lot of followers.

[Nineball2112]

The franchise is destroyed FOREVER according to Socomnick.

Easy with the drama.

Ontopic: I don't have much beef with Gamespot's reviews. I think they had to go with what was available to them when they reviewed this game. Maybe they can revise or update their review when the patches are in place?

[sonarus]

@someone plays. Socomnick isn't even a socom fan don't let his name fool you. He is just a clown who hates every PS3 game. :)

Socom gameplay is fantastic and i haven't even customized my character yet:o

@pennywise i repeat once again. Socomnick is NOT a fan of socom and has NEVER been. Any real fan will tell you the gameplay in socom is fantastic

[Pennywise]

Come on SOCOMnick... dont be such a drama queen. This game rocks. My menus dont lag and I get in games just fine. And Gameplay?? LOL PEople will be playing this for years to come.

[BlackTar187]

They messed up and I agree grade on what was there at reatil on open day. But the reviews reflect nothing but scores based on a internet server issue nothing to do with the game itself you dont lower scores that bad based on hiccups not casued by code you review the game and in the reviwew should be stated that if it is fixed the score would be such and such. you guys saying its okay to ive the game this score is fine thats your opnion but there not grading the game there gading the servers and they have no problem bringing the score down based on everything but the actual game it should be noted and deducted for these issues but the reviews should not be brought down based of no gameplay issues with the code. anywasy I dont care the 100k people on right now dont care either.

[BlackTar187]

Sorry I take it abck i came at you wrong I was jsut tryign to see what part is broken and how is all. I think its all good and Ive palyed since socom 1 except the the laser thing mentioned below.

[natwitgudvib]

Funniest glitch, a guy shot me while pretending to hold a gun! I laughed my ass off.

Even though its glitchy as hell right now, Im still gonna play the
dodo out of it! The review was proper though 6.5/10 for now!

PS this is my first SOCOM game

PSN ID: nyabynghi

[PimpHandStrong]

is ppl review the patchs that will be coming!

thats all im asking

If the sites that reviewed the game broken as it is dont follow up with news of the fix....if it works or not....then yes they where very unprofessional

[creeping judas]

well reviews are done on the delivered product, not promises of future fixes.

I mean we all know the game was delivered broken.

What would be nice is if these reviewers went back after a few more patched and did a "review revisited" article. Doing a re-review to say. And comment on the game on the "as is now" status VS the "was then" status of the game.

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

The game was delivered perfect it's just the number of players online causing the bottle necks. You can't prevent that before launch just look at BioShock's score. Now that game was delivered broken on the PC/XBOX 360 because it was completely off-line. This game's controls work so the game itself doesn't need fixing but the servers themselves need to hold more people.

[creeping judas]

to me when I see laser sights thru walls, shadows from another player one floor above me, and the developer not anticipating this huge influx of players onto their servers is kinda of delivering a broken product.

and dont get me wrong. even though i complain i am still playing and enjoying the game. but i see it for what it is.

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

The game's controls aren't broken, the customizing options aren't broken, the mics work like they should, and creating a clan works. It's the servers that aren't working therefore you can't have stat updates.

It's like trying out your new sports car and finding out there is traffic everywhere you go. So getting to the race track will take a bit longer, once there it's well worth it. The car itself doesn't have problems it's the number of people heading to the same place. The only thing the game doesn't have is trophies now that's the game's code.

[creeping judas]

Love the analogy!!!!!

cheers mate!!!

[Time_Is_On_My_Side]

lol, it's the best analogy I could come up with when dealing with an online only game.

[PimpHandStrong]

not having features is total BS

No stat tracking

No trouphies

really

Slant Six is in the dog house and if they dont fix this game within the month they will have crushed one of my fav franchies and i will put this dog down

[ultimolu]

Silogon is on a roll and he has a good point especially.
Gamespot has always hated the PS3 and the games.

[Tiberium]

they gave MGS4 a 10. and they gave gtaIV a 10. that means the ps3 has 2 tens and the 360 has one. how does that make them ps3 haters? just the opposite I think.

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

I agree with the guy but its hard to be serious about it when every other sentence makes you laugh.

[NightVyper]

Sony should not have released a broken product. I bought the game even after the beta ran like dog crap. I love the socom franchise but if it had not included the headset i would be asking for blood . the reality to it is slant 6 is no zipper and this game is broken all over not just the servers. stats do not work community tools work like crap compared to the PS2 versions... this game should be a system seller and it is not

[Silogon]

You have to understand Sony is under more pressure now than they were before and to announce another delay for this game would've pissed you and everyone else off.

You know I'm right.

The best part about all this; what if Sony made a public statement saying this was an open beta and they will continue to work on it with our feedback... What would you B*tch about then? What would/could the review sites find to tarnish it then?

Truth is all online games are basically beta's... they alays get patched and updated.

[ultimolu]

Silogon is right. If Sony delayed this game, people would be screaming right now.

[The Lazy One]

And I think "WE WANT IT NOW!" is better than "THIS GAME SUCKS MEGADUCKS"

[NightVyper]

I understand they under pressure they need everything they can get on their side right now. You are right that they cant delay the game any more especially if the rumors are true that zipper is working on socom 4 they need this game out to recoup money and so zipper doesn't drop their socom prematurely on confrontations back.

To be completely honest tho I would have preferred another delay than what we have. Yeah it would have sucked but this games work so poorly that am going to still be playing Socom CA tonight.

[DaTruth]

what's up with your bubble meter? I was gonna give you a bubble but your meter is turned off. I've never seen that before. It's black and white.

[MiloGarret]

I think that means you already either bubbled him up or down in the past. I'm sure you must have seen this before...

OT: They released a broken game, too bad, it got the reviews it deserves at the moment, period. Let me know when enough patches have been released that fix all the issues and I'll consider a purchase. The Lazy One is spot on.

PS: this is blog, a blog.

[Rich1631]

It is buggy and broken, hence the bad score. It is justified. Slant Six released an unfinished game and tried to get away with it...and they failed.

[Tacticity]

All they do is complain and give lousy reviews to the PS3. Well you cant expect allot from them, afterall there under MS payroll. And thats final thats what they are.

[bomboclaat_gamer]

N4G is a joke also. so i guess we are in the same boat here

[Why o why]

a retrospective review might help when the servers are fixed.

[PotNoodle]

Zipper should of never contracted the game out to these clowns (Slant six)

[Groo]

If Zipper did make it they would probably want to charge a monthly fee, they tried with socom 2 and sony wouldn't let them..

[Sharpshell]

Considering how long it takes Gamespot to review a game the fact that this was such a timely review reveals their true intentions: to give SOCOM a bad score, they WILL NOT change the review... unbiased VG journalism FTW!

[Fanboy Fart]

This article is just a rant of a PS fan not news.

My opinion is that Gamespot is right with the score. This gaming companies are releasing unfinished products and that cant be allowed, next time Sony should take the time to fix all the bugs before releasing.

[ultimolu]

Perhaps you should also realize that things usually get fixed in due time.

[Fanboy Fart]

Come on, ultimolu, you could say the same thing about the 360, because the RROD problem could get fix in due time. I'm sorry but there is no excuse for this companies for selling broken products.

@ edit

I'm not saying the game is bad, because i know the game is great. Im saying they should not release a product when is not ready.

BTW, U got owned is my bro and we use the same computer that why i answered you with his account, anyway we share the same perspective on this topic. We dont like to pay for broken products.

[ultimolu]

SOCOM is not broken for your information. People are still playing it and buying it. Warhawk had issues as well, if I'm not mistaken and they were fixed.

You bring up the RROD. The RROD should have been fixed a long time ago and yet it's prevalent, even until 2008.

EDIT: You have two accounts, nice.
I agree the game should have been fixed before it was launched but you're making it sound as if it's unplayable or something.

And if Sony had delayed this game, you know for a fact that they would have been attacked for it, as usual.

[u got owned]

You're not understanding his point, his not saying the gameplay is broken, the game as a product is broken because Sony didn't take the time to fix the bugs before releasing it, I'm sorry but if you like to pay for buggy products that's your problem, but if im paying 60-70 dollars for a game i'm expecting it to at lease work.

[tatotiburon]

a blog site calling an oficial game site unprofesional...fanboys are amazing

[Lord Shuhei Yoshida]

I guess you didn't read the article.When you learn how to read and find the truth,let the other xbots know how its done especially pp and zerodin

[Aquanox]

Excuse my language but what an idiotic Blog.

SOCOM has already been released, and gaming publication don't have to wait until the game gets patched down the road. Even if so, the amount of faults they've found in the game are way too massive to be repaired with patches.

In addition, Gamespot wasn't the only one:

1up: 58/100
Gamedaily: 50/100
Game REvolution: 38/100

And the highest rating:

CheatCodeCentral: 74/100

And this was going to be solved down the road?

Give me a royal break please. It seems that some fanboys with blogs will never forgive Gamespot for being drastic in some reviews. They have also been with Fable II and nobody is writing stupidities about it.

[ReBurn]

N4G sure is the land of broken feelings these days. I feel bad for all of the tender little snowflakes that are getting their feelings hurt because their most-hyped games don't get the best reviews ever.

[GiantEnemyLobster]

Gamespot for giving it the rating it deserved, or SONY for releasing a bug induced game?

I'll let you be the judge.

[Alcohog]

This is one game that you just have to play and ignore the reviews. Its easily my favorite multiplayer game out this generation. If you are a fan of tactical shooters that require actual skill to succeed, the this is for you. This game owns, end of story.

[Pennywise]

Bubbles. This game rocks.

[happyface]

blame sony for rushing this turd out before it was done

the devs maybe could have done a good game if they had more time?

[Groo]

Try playing it and then say that, I know you haven't played it or are even a Socom fan, get out of here PETA. Past 2 night I haven't had any problems and the problems I did have are not life threatening.. if you love Socom, this game is Kick azz

[DiabloRising]

My opinion...

1) Everyone is raving about the gameplay, which is what matters. The game itself is solid, and the issues wont last forever.

2)That doesn't justify releasing a game that isn't stable online, or fully feature-implemented. Sony should have waited until things were far more stable.

3) Review SCORES mean d1ck. Stop putting so much emphasis on them. Scoring the game a 6, 7, 8 whatever doesnt change what is in the box, how great the gameplay is, or how iffy the servers are right now.

It's a tough situation, which is why I long have throught that review scores should be done away with. They are so utterly arbitrary, since every game has both pros and cons. While I dislike Kotaku's bias, their method of reviewing (like/dislike listing) is the best way to go. Sadly, peons and people who are afraid to form their own opinions and conform need a number for their fanboy pissing matches.

[Sharpshell]

I agree philosophically about score numbers, the fact is that numbers are the strongest catalyst in either building hype or hindering it and games that depend on multiplier depend on momentum built on hype.

[DiabloRising]

Then we need some things, like a set standard/universal scale for reviews, something we will NEVER have.

That's the problem, you cannot quantify fun, its subjective, 100%. Reviews are opinions, nothing more. People need to stop factualizing them.

[Dawn_Of_Ashes]

Rules #1 - Never sell an unfinished game.
Rules #2 - Gamespot got 0 credibility since the kayne and lynch event.
Rules #3 - 1 and 2

[Raptura]

LOL @ Rule 3 - were you going to write an actual 3rd rule but then decided not to?

Also, is your username based off the band?

[Dawn_Of_Ashes]

yep its from the band and i didnt know what to wrote as a 3rd rules :P

[Drealmcc0y]

People who think GS are biased against PS3 are idiot PS3 fanboys looking for excuses.
GS gave MGS4 a 10/10. Thats the only 10/10 they have given to ANY exclusive this gen. How are they bias again? Plz... do tell me

[user858621]

check out gamecollisions review of socom!! best review of the game so far

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

That was a really good review.

Also, I hadn't noticed how good the sound in that game is. Wow! Can anyone that has it tell me if it rivals Warhawk or not?

[LevDog]

Its better than WarHawk... different style.. but better.. Warhawk is good to just run around and do anything anytime.. Fly, Drive, Tanks.. things like that.. Socom is more on the strategy, teamwork side.. Takes more skills to play.. No auto aim.. So aiming and killing someone is more gratifying.. I relate the feeling to socom to Madden.. If you have ever played madden and your down by 7 with 45 secs to go in the 4rth quarter.. Your nervous as hell, heart pounding.. If you like that feeling in madden.. Then socom is for you.. That feeling happens alot in socom..

[Darkseider]

Someone that actually reviewed THE GAME and not the server issues. Imagine that and based on THE GAME and not the server issues it received a respectable score.

[killalot100]

gametrailers, ign, and this site is better then those sale outs.

[mariusmal]

even tough i dont like (hate) gamespot and love the socom franchise (been a player since socom 2), i think that the reviews should reflect the launched product and not a soon to be patched product.

but anyway.. i'm gonna get socom when it comes out in europe

[ceedubya9]

Meaning that it is supposed to be a finished product. Online only or not, when you release something to the masses, you are basically saying that it is finished. At that point, all bets are off.

You can only judge what's in front of you. Some sites could have waited for everything to get patched, but we don't even know when all of the problems will be ironed out as there is no set date for the fixes. It could be days, or weeks for all we know. The game is out there now, and people want to know what to expect from the game RIGHT NOW.

If anything, 1ups review took the right approach. Give a review now, and then when things are finally cleared up, update the review and score. That seems fair to me.

That being said, I have the game, and I have enjoyed it with the limited time I have played so far. I haven't had too many problems, and accept the fact that the game is still trying to get its stuff together. In the meantime though, I'm pleased, and am certain things will get better soon.

[Groo]

All the problems Socom is having and yet I see 85% of the servers full every night... hmmm. I didn't have any problems last night so I say its getting better. More SoCrack for me plz

[ceedubya9]

Since the temporary update went up, I've been able to get in matches without problem. I've mostly been playing practice games for now though, just to get used to the game and such. I haven't tried to do anything too serious with it yet. If I had, I'd probably be more frustrated about stats and such. But I have at least been able to play the game.

[Timesplitter14]

Well I agree with the author, except for that part :

''Socom games are some of the highest rated games of all time''

I think he's exaggerating a LITTLE bit

[Darkseider]

Gamespot is a bunch of hypocritical ass kissers. Proof you say? HERE!

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/...

Editor's Choice: 9.5

The Bad:

* Some stability issues immediately following launch
* Player-versus-player elements not complete.

So because it is Blizzard and their we can do NO wrong Warcraft franchise a 9.5 is deserved even though it had VERY similar if not worse problems than SOCOM on the PS3. Both games are online only as well. Regardless that one is a MMO and the other is a 3rd person tactical shooter. LOL, gamespot is a bunch of freakin clowns.

[LevDog]

Socom is amazing.. COD4, WarHawk both had server issues but that didnt stop people from scoring those games good. Socoms detail is pretty amazing.. from rumble falling from broken buildings, to bushes moving while people run through em.. Once the servers are better.. Everyone should do a new review.. This game is addicting as hell

[NeoBasch]

I'm not entirely aware of the events surrounding this debacle, but, normally, the current state of Confrontation's performance would be unacceptable. Then again, this is a server side issue. That's kind of hard to prepare for. There will always be unexpected problems. Issues are destined to arise with this type of game.

Now, if this had been primarily an offline game, being platform based, all of said features should be accounted for. Online shooters typically don't start as incredibly smooth experiences. You could say that is what Betas are for, but none are able to replicate such a massive scale as a wide release. On top of that, how long did the public beta (if you can call it that; fairly limited) for SOCOM last? Two weeks? I would hardly call that a test drive. ;)

Aside from that, everything else is fair game.

[gamerdude11]

Gamespot sucks and I will never waste my time reading their reviews. That being said, I was in the Socom beta and these issues were reported many many times. This product was not ready to be released and the game deserves a 6.5 because of it. The saddest part is that beneath the lag, network issues, missing features, and glitches is a great online shooter. The beta was a blast when you could get on. Sony and /6 should have delayed this another 3 - 6 months and release a proper product.

[Groo]

You are not a Socom addict, all problems aside, its not stopping the die hard Socom Community for playing.

[jay2]

No, SOCOM should need to keep being patched, fully agree with the score

[REPLOID24]

got a 7.5 I quickly knew these guys were full of rancid bile, yo. It deserved a solid 8.5. It is fun, vibrant, and a technical showpiece. Had it been on 360 those 'lil biotches would have been all over it.

[va_bank]

You are absolutely right about R&C:ToD. Gamespot has done this to many other games as well. But if you haven't played SOCOM, please take our word for it - this review is fair.

Maybe in 3-6 months when the game is fixed they should review it again, but since no game site ever does that, I wouldn't expect it.

[NegativeCreepWA]

How does this crap get passed?

And since when are reviewers supposed to hold back reviews because a developer releases a game that's not ready. Did something change from a week ago when Lion Head asked reviewers to wait for co-op before reviewing Fable 2. Every one was saying it should be reviewed, so why should Socom get special treatment when other games don't.

I think Socom's a great game, but its getting the reviews it deserves for releasing in its condition.

[creeping judas]

good point!!!!

[Bengoshi-San]

this is what happens when you throw a half-cooked product into the wilderness

i bought it... and within days, i wish i hadn't

[ThaGeNeCySt]

I hope MAG doesn't go through all this

[va_bank]

and I would have to say that GameSpot is being too kind (for once). They don't list half the problems that SOCOM community has found:

http://boardsus.playstation...

Personally, I played for 3 days, then gave up, as some of these issues are enough to drive you insane. And I don't mean server problems - those are bound to happen in an online game. I mean character glitches, having to jump over a 6 inch curb, weapon select system developed by a 6 year old kid, etc.,

[Socomer 1979]

give slant 6 hell but the actual game is incredible.
just fix the servers lag & scopes and its done & ready for more!

I just don't trust slant 6, thier beta patch made things worse if it happens again
socom will just sit as the greatest game that never was. It hurts me to say it yet
slant 6 brought this upon themselves. I give them another week & its mission aborted.

[Darkseider]

is strong here. Why is it when an online only game for the PS3 is released and needs some patches it's the end of the world and the game sucks? Yet when an online only game for a PC, read MMO, like WoW, EVE, Everquest, etc... is released and has stability issues and needs patches it's ok and gets great reviews? This is hypocrisy at its' finest and for anyone to deny it they would be lying to themselves and everyone else.

Face it folks SOCOM, the game not the servers, is an excellent game and very entertaining. The backend needs some love and when it happens all the better. To knock the game for issues unrelated to the actual client piece of software is irresponsible and ridiculous. It wasn't done with WoW, EVE Online, Anarachy Online, CoH/CoV, Everquest, etc... All got great reviews even though the short comings of the backend (read servers) existed when released.

[va_bank]

(I'm only listing the ones I experienced myself)

*Scopes are still messed up. The camera still raises when you are in prone, or crouch throwing off your alignment drastically.

*Custom Button presets still do not load

*Players camo not loading (or not loading properly)

*Laser sights can be seen through walls

*Shadows go through floors

*Animation glitch: character has his arm up in the air over your gun instead of on it

*Quiting the game reboots the PS3

[Lex Luthor]

So wait a minute, you guys are expecting them to give 9.0 to a broken game?
Socom had its beta, and not a thing was fixed. They just released the game broken as it is and you expect GS to give it perfect score?

Sonarus is right, this will prevent companies from releasing games in a broken state in future.

[Darkseider]

No. But it does deserve better than the 6.5 it received. The game is NOT broken. The backend, read servers, are in need of some work to create a more stable online environment. This has been the case historically with all online only games. Those games got reviewed based on the game and NOT connectivity issue which is NOT the case here. Gamespot issued a biased review based solely on the shortcomings of the backend severs and not the actual game. Had they reviewed WoW or any other MMO the same way they would not be in the 8.5 - 9.5 score range they are now. That I can guarantee.

[Fux4Bux]

Gamespot is a joke. Used to be my favorite site years ago. It's been going downhill fast for the last few years.

[gololo]

bottom line...who gives a $hit...im playing every night, and the servers are nothing short of being empty...in fact all of them are almost full all the time

[kingme71]

As a consumer I would want to know that the game is broken before buying it. Why should Gamespot wait until it is fixed? It's a released game, should have been fixed or not released.

With the logic of this article, you could never review an MMO as those constantly change.

Now I do agree Gamespot should revisit when the game is fixed down the road, but should they be obligated to do that?

[Darkseider]

review MMO's on release and gave them excellent scores even with all the initial connection and lag problems. See the hypocrisy here?

[hairlessape]

Just cause it has Socom in the title doesn't mean anyone should look past it's obvious flaws.

you can't polish a terd.

[itsalive]

Days seems like punishment! Folks need to lighten up on these guys working on these games. It's not as if they set out to create the problems they are having, it's just the nature of the beast. Going from a test environment (beta) to a live or production environment will cause problems more times than not.

[jackalman]

they were right on the spot with their review. the fact that you can't jump over a street curb or a box on the ground without doing some kind of super jump is ridiculus. the controls are very stiff and clunky. throwing a grenade is a joke. if its trying to be realistic then in real life ur not gonna stand around like a jackass and take aim for 20 seconds while someone has a scope aimed at ur head. ur just gonna throw da grenade without all dat effort dat it requires u 2 in da game. then u have to be completely still just to shoot an rpg. are you kiddin me? the game is average and dont tell me those are server connections. and the damn thing needs some kind of map so i atleast know where da heck im running towards to. not some sorry ass gps where u see a blinking red dot for half a second. dat shiit dont help. in real life again they would probably have some kind of outline of the terrain cuz they have those freakin billion dollar satellites. what else are they for. then shooting from in between a gap provided by some cover or 2 boxes is a joke. ill try to shoot with my scope and all ill shoot is an invisible barrier. the game is no where as smooth as mgo or call of duty. in cod4 for example u just aim and throw the grenade and whalahh. u can even cook it. i like socom but ill admit i was pretty dissapointed cuz of all da hype. its kind of a let down.

[mario888]

LOL, You have no skills, I want you to sit down and just read what you just wrote about having a map so you can know where you are going. You love CODd4 because it's so cheap. Stick with COD4, just throw a grenade in the air and your are guaranteed to kill someone or hide in a corner until your health comes back. I heard the next COD will allow you to fly why shooting an rpg or is that Halo.

[FrankenLife]

Yes /6 dropped the ball big time, but they also made a f'ing fantastic game when you can play it.

The game itself does not deserve such a low score, but it also does not deserve an endorsement for purchase. They should just state that the game is unplayable due to server problems, and it is missing features that are to included in an update. Because of this you should not buy the game, for you will not be able to play it.

People are looking to find out if they should buy the game, so they look to reviews. Instead of damning the game with a low score they could have just told the truth and reviewed it when the game is finished and playable.

Gamespot has no integrity.

[Ravenator529]

they should have released the game when it was ready. I mean, what was the point of the beta? Beta's are used to see the pending issues and in turn "fix" the issues before the release of the full retail version.

That didn't happen here!

Yes I like playing this game but in no way does it deserve a high score. And no way do I feel that any review crew should have to "wait" to review it. It's out there, it's fair game!

In a month from now would the review be different? Possibly yes. But if you the consumer dropped $40 or $60 on this game, you should be able to know what you are purchasing "right now" not what the game could be a month from now.

[FailStation3]

some droids just can't face the fact that their games suck.

[PSWe60]

who probably loved Ninja Gaiden 2, Blue Dragon, Viva Pinata, Cameo and M$' penis

[Darkseider]

As usual some fantastic input from you!

/sarcasm off

[NegativeCreep427]

And some dilusional bots like you (with an avatar featuring the prominant character of the PS3's next major exclusive title? OK dip Sh*t) can't just accept the fact that there is a large world out there ready to explore and opportunities for a meaningful and lucrative life are abundant. But Failstation you would rather obtain personal satisfaction and meaning by talking trash about software titles that you've never even SEEN in person.

[ReBurn]

Look! Another installment of Silogon's blog.

[comm13]

I think it would be better to simply put an article up saying that the game is not reviewable and should not be baught by anyone until patches are applied.

That way the publishers and consumers would get the message, the game itself would not be harmed and future consumers would have an informed decision to make when a proper review is up (just like IGN did).

GS messed up big time as many consumers will miss out on this wonderful game because of their horrible journalism. If I am correct, they reviewed the game yesterday, if they did, their article is a bunch of lies as the major server problems were apparent for first 2 days. After that the servers were smooth for the most part (based on my and my friends experiences).

[divideby0]

all they posted was the TRUTH
all other scores are comming in just like theirs.

I was in the beta, purchased the game and play almost every nite.
The game is in shambles, everyone who has played the game knows it.
Its just some are in denial about how bad it is in its present form

[comm13]

Please enlighten me what is so bad about it, and do not compare it to other socoms. You cannot claim that connections issues are there, as they are not.

And to prove you have it, give me your psn so I can kick you ass online, hopefully you ll trade it in (if you still have it).

[altimako02]

you review a game and base your review on what it is when reviewed not on how it might or might not be in the future

[Absinthetic]

While i do not disagree with you on that point, (there also isnt much I disagree Gamespots review either), but what i do object to, with gamespots review specifically, is that it does not mention that the dev team is not working on a fix

while that isnt technically reviewing a product the way you see it in front of you, i do think that a review should still be correct and accurate regardless of when you read it, whether its at launch, or 6 months later. Someone buying the game at christmas may experience a complete 180 of what we are going through right now.

I think that gamespots review is as fair as it can be, but I have to add "for now," which i shouldnt have to add when im reading a review.

The simple omission of something like saying "the studio is working on a fix that should resolve theses network issues/add missing features in the future" is why i would recommend going to 1up instead if you must read a review.

[divideby0]

guess this site didnt check ALL the OTHER sites who are ALL giving the game the SAME score pretty much...
Socom is the worst launched video game of all time.
There was a beta, where Slant 6 completely ignored all those telling them NOT to release the game, because it was broken

[comm13]

Yea because it is so simple to move back the release of the game. Are you 12?

[pain777pas]

They should not release a game that is unfinished. They should have waited. You can only review a game based on the code presented to them and that's the score they gave. OH WELL!!!!!!!! P.S. I do still think they are biased to the 360 though.

[Relientk77]

my fav part is when the reference Ratchet and Clank ToD.. i was like YES

to u gamespot, um u suck i cant believe u gave this amazing game that looks like ur watching a movie while playing and has incredible weapons, gadgets, inventions, puzzles etc. a 7.5.... seriously how dare u

[Mitch_Cumstein]

PS3 fanboys at their finest. Listen, if a game releases to the public you can't cry and expect publications to hold their reviews. If they allowed that every developer would claim fixes are on the way for the problems so hold off until all the patches are done. LOL Game reviews would start coming out 3 months after the game releases, making them useless.

This would encourage developers to go ahead and release even if its completely broken. Developers then won't allow reviews enabling devs to cover up their poor unfinished work.

[Darkseider]

Apparently English comprehension is sorely lacking to many on this site. Gamespot did not review THE GAME. They based their score and the majority of their review on the backend servers. Had they done the same with any other online game like WoW, which received a 9.5, it would have been a 6.5 to 7.5. The game in itself is not broken by any stretch. Sure a bug here or there like any other game but is a very solid game nonetheless.

[djroberts]

Gamespot sucks for many reasons including their crappy reviews and bias.

It's kind of like money is their crack and MS is the dope dealer. They sell everything they're supposed to be to get that crack.

[IzKyD1331]

although I do agree that gamespot reviewed the game prematurely, I hope next time Sony will wait till a game is done to release it

[NegativeCreep427]

If Sony would have delayed Socom: Confrontation they would have just gotten the regular fanboy tantrum (from both sides of the fence; Even though it doesn't concern them, Xbots are so damn lonely).

This just goes to show you that Sony's decision to delay Home was in the best interest of the application and for us PS3 gamers. If Home were released pack this past spring, everyone would have been saying exactly what you are saying, IzKY.

So when you look at it that way, big corporations like SCE can never really appease anyone entirely: If there are problems at launch, everyone b*tches that it should have been delayed and completed to the fullest. If it where delayed, they would be complaining about having to wait.

Your damned if you do and your damned if you don't.

[IzKyD1331]

"If there are problems at launch, everyone b*tches that it should have been delayed and completed to the fullest. If it where delayed, they would be complaining about having to wait."

yeah, but the public beta was a complete mess, they should have realized that there were more than enough problems to fix, and 2-3 weeks was nowhere near enough time to do that

[Figboy]

SOCOM: Confrontation is apparently an EXCELLENT game when the servers are working, but unfortunately, they haven't ironed those kinks out yet.

but that's not why i feel bad for them.

i feel bad for them because they were put in quite a tight spot:

what comes out in two or so weeks?

Resistance 2. 60 players online. 8 player co-op. 2 campaigns (both single and co-op). split screen. class system. experience points and leveling up. the whole nine yards.

would anyone have bothered with SOCOM: Confrontation had it released AFTER Resistance 2? i know one is a 3PS, and the other an FPS, but they are both in the same space as online competitive multi-player experiences.

but hey, why not release it NEXT year?

what comes out NEXT year?

Killzone 2. 32 players online. AMAZING, near CGI visuals. not sure about co-op in the story mode, however. badge system that lets you multi-class.

oh, well, don't release it in early 2009 then, what about the fall?

what comes out in the fall of next year?

MAG: 256 players online. and,well, that's about all i know about MAG, but DAMN, 256 PLAYERS ONLINE at one time. and it's made by the people that CREATED the SOCOM series in the first place! and MAG IS a 3PS, so they'd be directly competing.

so, WHERE, exactly, was SOCOM: Confrontation going to fit in?

SOCOM fans have been waiting for a PS3 iteration. with all the hype surrounding other multi-player games like Resistance 2, Killzone 2, and MAG, Confrontation would have been lost in the crowd.

to appease SOCOM fans, and to give the game a bit of time to breathe, they HAD to release it as soon as possible, but unfortunately, the game just wasn't done when shipped.

so my question would be this?

would you guys have much rather WAIT until 2010, when Sony's release schedule is a bit clearer, and get SOCOM: Confrontation?

or would you guys rather have the game NOW, and have it get patched over the next few weeks until the server issues are worked out?

that's directed toward the die hard SOCOM fans.

i was in the beta, i had a good time, but i only played it a handful of times because of connection and server problems. it's unfortunate also that so many other good games that have my interest more released around the same time (Little Big Planet, Fable 2, Fallout 3, then Resistance in November), so i won't be able to pick up the game myself until at LEAST December. but hopefully by then, there will be some patches to get things working better.

it's a shame when a genuinely quality game is hampered by server issues.

[comm13]

You my friend are one of the few smart posters here. KUdos and bubble up!

[Figboy]

i appreciate it!

i try to be as objective as possible, but i'm definitely a big Playstation fan. i own a 360 also, and enjoy it a lot, but i play my PS3 more.

[socalr6]

Lag is so bad. I wish you could change aim down sight to one of the triggers. When you do the view is messed up. Prone looks like kneeling and kneeling looks like standing through scope. May sell it and just keep the mic (best paert of the game)

[comm13]

The zoom in assignment is to slow down the gameplay, the scope is messed up though and I hope they do release a patch for it.

[andron]

I used to visit them often until the Gerstman-gate debacle. Then most of the interesting faces left and they haven't done much to get my trust back...

[PHiSHLoC]

that's wut i think of gamestop...they r in my opinon TUESDAY...THRASH day.

[ikaris]

My only wish is that someone links this to Gamespot.
Its quite true, this game is like any other PC game, that ships on discs with bugs and has day 1 patches, and then patch to fix the bigger things asap.

I've only gotten into about.. 10 or so socom games since I got the game the day it came out. I am being patient for the patches, and I suggest other PS3 users are as well. If you haven't bought the game yet, watch until people stop complaining about the servers, and then buy it, because the 10 games i've played with my 5.1 surround sound is the best shooter experience i've ever had.
Plain and simple, the bugs suck, but its a pc *cough sorry. ps3 game that needs a few patches, that will make it shine to at least a 9.

[mfwahwah]

I hate Gamespot, but the site reporting this is even worse imo.

[MiloGarret]

oops

[Asurastrike]

I have played SOCOM: Confrontation and I agree with it's score. It's not a terrible game, but it isn't great.

[PS360PCROCKS]

Um so the developers and Sony release a broken Socom game and Gamespot is the bad guy for reviewing it? I'm sorry but as "wrong or unprofessional" as you may think it is, it is what it is. They rated the game that they received, I think that it is fair. You may not like that they rated it but I do. This is a bunch of crap, this whole online revolution has gotten lazy developers to release games and patch everything later, I'm looking at you Fable II. Games should be released in the state they're SUPPOSED to be in. If something is patched later that was unseen, than fine. But to release a game largely buggy as Socom seems to be, is not fair to us. Kudos to Gamespot, disagree if you will.

[Trekster_Gamer]

It was given this rating because it was released before it was truly completed, the problems SHOULD have been ironed out before the games launch, not after.

This obviously was the developers fault, and not Gamespots! That article in of itself is showing bias towards the PS3 without even thinking things through! so called "objectively" pointing out bias in another site shows bias...

LAME LAME LAME

Gee this article is like saying I am mad at a bad review on a new car Ford put out, just because it only had 3 wheels and no steering wheel it's not Fords fault bwhahaha..

[Firstkn1ghT]

Gamespot unprofessional???? So how is it professional releasing a game that is riddled with bugs?

[Citizen Cook]

Your games suck, your console sucks, and so does your mom!

[xionpunk]

Maybe Gamespot should have waited, but its ridiculous that they released a game that was barely functional.

[Ravenator529]

First off, I'm a huge fan of Socom. I purchased Socom Confrontation on the day it was released all the while knowing that this game was not ready for release.

I participated in the beta for Confrontation and there was just no way that /6 was going to have all of the issues fixed by release. I mean the beta was still incredibly unstable up until a couple of days before the release of the full retail game!!

There was no way that this game should have been released when it was!

So if you are going to release a game IMO, it is fair for any review crew to review the game upon release. If there is anyone who is unprofessional here, it's Sony and /6 !

Anyone who sits here and says that "they should have waited" is out of their mind. If there is anyone who should have waited, it would again be Sony and /6.

The fair thing to do is to tell the public, "hey, this game has issues, buyer beware!"

Sure there will be patches and I'm sure many of the major issues will be ironed out in time. That is why I still own the game. And I have to say that over the last couple of nights, the servers have stabilized pretty well. But the game is still not working as it should a week after release.

All in all, if the game gets low scores, then I can't say it doesn't deserve them. I wouldn't give this game a high score and if I wasn't a fan of the series, I probably would have already given up on it.

If they review the game a month from now, it may be a different story. But Sony decided to release the game "now" and IMO, anyone should have the right to review it for what it is, not for what it "can be".

[mastiffchild]

Gamespot is a complete joke and anyone who defends it obviously hasn't fallen foul of the little Hitlers running it. IGN understood that online both Warhawk and COD4 had server issues so held off on the review this time. Not so Gamespot who should be more careful considering both Nintendo AND sony owners suspect them of a 360 bias.

I've seen people banned for questioning the lower than average scores for basically everthing that's Sony exclusive on PSN(and Wipeout HD inparticular)and also their hatred of R&C. there is no doubt in my mind that the paymasters at M$ do rule GS these days and the site isn't merely biased now it's also plain sh1t. No news, poor writing, embarrassing mods...the list goes on. You find more informed opinion in the features in the unions these days. Don't get me started on Gerstman. GS? Ignore it and it might just wither and die like the parasite it is.

[Firstkn1ghT]

somebody needs a tissue

[sleepbox]

Truth is, there's nothing unprofessional about admitting that the game launched in an unfinished state with ill-prepared servers to support the online play (which is the main component of the game).

Halo 3 didn't launch did iffy servers. If it did, it would have gotten reamed worse than this.

Quit whining.

[Variable]

The beta was very crappy too... mostly due to online problems. The fact that Sony didn't cure these problems months ago is their problem, not Gamespot's. When a game is in Beta stage for such a long time, I think you may expect a game that works fine...