Home Gaming Shuhei Yoshida casts doubt on game reviewers

Shuhei Yoshida casts doubt on game reviewers

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Killzone Shadow Fall

The first PlayStation 4 exclusive title reviews have started pouring in and at the moment things aren’t looking overly good for the beast from the east. But Shuhei Yoshida, Sony Computer Worldwide Studios boss, has cast some doubt over whether these scores are really fair.

The three exclusives to currently have scores on metacritic are

Knack and Killzone are obviously disappointing with high expectations being set for both of those but Resogun is looking pretty solid so far.

However Yoshida goes on to state

“Yeah, it’s disappointing to see some of the low scores. I haven’t spent enough time reading reviews, but I would characterize them as mixed”

Which is all fine and well and then he says

“And with this launch there are lots of games coming out, so the media must be very busy going through the games quickly, and especially since the online functionality wasn’t ready until in the last couple days. So we have to look at how much time they spend on what aspect of the games and how that may be contributing to some of the lower scores.”

Now the only journalists who have tried these games yet are the ones that Sony has paid for and invited to join them in New York City and a few others. So I have to say it’s surprising that he decided to question their ability and integrity with the knowledge that it was a select few that his company chose.

In reality we are more likely to see these scores dropping once the larger media are given access to the games after launch.

What do you think, does he have a valid point about the lack of online playtime negatively affecting the reviews?

Last Updated: November 15, 2013

116 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 15, 2013 at 08:07

    That depends, are they marketing them as MP-centric games? If not, no.

    Reply

    • malloriepif323

      November 16, 2013 at 10:11

      my dad’s friend recently got Volkswagen Golf just by working
      from a home pc. read here http://www.Bay35.co?

      Reply

  2. iAmWeasel

    November 15, 2013 at 08:09

    Bah who cares about a couple of average games anyway.. we all know the good stuff is coming. Uncharted 4 anyone?

    Reply

    • Tarisma

      November 15, 2013 at 08:11

      True, its launch games are generally pretty Mehish at launch.

      Reply

    • Zubayr Bhyat

      November 15, 2013 at 08:15

      GT7, ME4, DA: Inquisition. The best titles will still be coming.

      Reply

      • Ultimo_Cleric N7

        November 15, 2013 at 08:30

        Dont forget about Destiny, Watchdogs and Infamous: Second Son

        Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      November 15, 2013 at 08:40

      Uncharted 4 will likely come to the PS3 at some point.

      Reply

  3. Rockstar

    November 15, 2013 at 08:09

    It’s part of the complete package so yes.

    Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    November 15, 2013 at 08:09

    Sony should have paid the journalists more then, Polygon gave Killzone a 50/100?

    Reply

    • iAmWeasel

      November 15, 2013 at 08:11

      Dude, I am in no way defending Killzone here, but Polygon are a known MS mouthpiece.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 15, 2013 at 08:12

        MS mouthpiece in that they suxors their cockzors?

        Reply

        • iAmWeasel

          November 15, 2013 at 08:13

          $700k cash injection can have that effect.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:13

            So that was the moneyshot?

      • Jack

        November 15, 2013 at 08:14

        and your a known troll ps4 fanboy

        Reply

        • iAmWeasel

          November 15, 2013 at 08:20

          Wahaha!! “ps4 fanboy”.. dude I have never even owned a PS console. I trust you won’t believe that, which makes it even more hilarious.

          Reply

    • Zubayr Bhyat

      November 15, 2013 at 08:19

      I wonder about something, Polygon gave Last of Us a crappy score as well. Maybe it was the same reviewer?

      Reply

      • Martin du preez

        November 15, 2013 at 08:21

        Polygon is sponsored by M$. So yeah,I won’t take anything PS related from them seriously. Even other gaming websites make fun of them.

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmmhRZTRo8c

        Reply

      • iAmWeasel

        November 15, 2013 at 08:24

        Just like how they gave COD Ghosts .5 more on X1 vs all other platforms, for some nonsense reason. Gonna make a prediction here.. next week Ryse will tank in the reviews, but no doubt Polygon will score it very well.

        Reply

        • Zubayr Bhyat

          November 15, 2013 at 08:26

          Yet, having played Ryse – I can safely say that it isn’t the amazing game that it’s made out to be.

          Reply

  5. Admiral Chief Duke

    November 15, 2013 at 08:11

    Proof that prettiness quickly gets old with a stale game?

    Reply

    • DarthofZA

      November 15, 2013 at 08:13

      You beat me to this. I was also going to add the this is normal for a new generation of games. They focus too much on graphics and not enough on what matters the most.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 15, 2013 at 08:14

        Too slow old man 😉

        But yeah, look at Thomas was alone, BAAAASIC graphics, but superior experience

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          November 15, 2013 at 08:32

          I’ve been loving some indie games lately. Fun as it gets, and like a quarter of the price at most. So much better. Also, some of of these indies have some really unique and charming visuals, while not being Direct X v1921241 with 12 billions polys rendered per second.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:40

            You said it

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:42

            Trine 2! Not only is it indie it’s prettier than 99% of the AAA games out there. And I read earlier this morning it’s coming to the PS4.

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:45

            Trine 2 is the shiz. Hell, both Trines are the shiz. Even fun co-op, but that doesn’t apply to #foreverSP I assume

    • Hammersteyn

      November 15, 2013 at 08:14

      Stale?

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 15, 2013 at 08:21

        Stale : no longer fresh and pleasant to eat; hard, musty, or dry
        😉

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

          November 15, 2013 at 08:23

          Though ale would be nicer.

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:24

            In fact, being on leave today, IMA HAVE ONE NOW!!!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:25

            HATE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:28

            What you said!!

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

            Can’t see cloudfront posts 😛

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:35

            Dammit, if I had time today (cuz leave and beer) I would have liked to take a crack at your firewall, grant some new TREVOOOOR rules)

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:36

            No I understand that your day is full 😀

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:37

            Good man 😉

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:34

            BTW – have a look at the latest Humble Bundle weekly sale. JAGGED ALLIANCE, BABY!

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:34

            Already got it! Boom!

          • SaintsRowNigri

            November 15, 2013 at 08:27

            Ain’t it a bit early?

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:29

            Never too early for beer, especially when it’s hot. Breakfast for champions

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:30

            *burps*

            ROUND TWO!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

            It’s always too early for hot beer 😉

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

            Dammit!

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:34

            Amen brother, have a weird gif as a reward:

            http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aWZjvK3_460sa.gif

          • Unavengedavo(aka. IceCreamMan)

            November 15, 2013 at 08:56

          • SpookyMossel

            November 15, 2013 at 08:43

            O_O beer!

    • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

      November 15, 2013 at 08:22

      Duke? No man.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 15, 2013 at 08:24

        Hail to the king baby!

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

          November 15, 2013 at 08:28

          Hail to the king pre-Duke Nukem Forever

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 15, 2013 at 08:30

            Indeed, jamming Megaton edition

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

            Respect yo

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        November 15, 2013 at 08:25

        Someone has to save our chicks from the alien invaders. Wait a minute :/

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

          November 15, 2013 at 08:28

          Best you stay away from the Admiral during this time.

          Reply

  6. Kromas

    November 15, 2013 at 08:13

    Call my game a steaming pile of crap and I’ll call your reviewing practices the same. It is always the same thing.

    Reply

  7. Brian Murphy

    November 15, 2013 at 08:15

    To be honest, the fact that you see such a disparity between scores renders them mostly irrelevant. Sorry, but it’s hard to take the concept of rating games seriously when you see one reviewer give a 90, and another give a 50. That goes for all games, and not just Sony, or Microsoft, or Activision etc…

    Ultimately, I think the scores themselves are meaningless, but hearing what they say during the review, and watching the gameplay, developer diaries etc… are vastly more important to me than the number they decide to brand it with.

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      November 15, 2013 at 08:30

      This is pretty much what I do. I’ve loved some games that don’t score very high, and I’ve hated some highly rated ones. It all depends on what you do or don’t like.

      Reply

      • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

        November 15, 2013 at 08:33

        I’m just never buying a game again from an early access review.

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          November 15, 2013 at 08:35

          Community reviews ftw yo.

          Reply

  8. Craig Deubler

    November 15, 2013 at 08:17

    Nah. His games just suck.

    Reply

  9. SaintsRowNigri

    November 15, 2013 at 08:21

    “…especially since the online functionality wasn’t ready until in the last couple days…”
    So they reviewed half a game?

    Reply

    • Brian Murphy

      November 15, 2013 at 08:22

      Yeah that’s never happened before lol 🙂

      Reply

    • Gavin Mannion

      November 15, 2013 at 08:44

      How many days do you need to review Killzone MP?

      Reply

      • SaintsRowNigri

        November 15, 2013 at 08:48

        I don’t know… The last Killzone I played was on the PS2… Hey, I am still waiting for my first cup of coffee to kick in. So don’t trust my reading skills just yet!

        Reply

  10. John's (JJ's) Annihilation

    November 15, 2013 at 08:22

    I’ve often found that some of these big and “invited” reviewers give reviews that are far higher than what the people give it, which kind of begs the question whether their reviews are entirely unbiased.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Duke

      November 15, 2013 at 08:23

      They be all like “GOT YOUR NOSE!” and then everybody is super impressed
      http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aQqoA9W_460sa.gif

      Reply

    • SaintsRowNigri

      November 15, 2013 at 08:26

      The minute I know that a reviewer was flown to a review event, or some form of remuneration (Cash or in Kind) was given, I take that review with a pinch of salt, if not simply blatantly ignoring it. Personally, I think the best reviewer is the guy that handed over R700-R800 of his own cash, played the game and let us know what he thought…

      Reply

      • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

        November 15, 2013 at 08:27

        Quite so. And of course, LazyGamer.

        Reply

        • SaintsRowNigri

          November 15, 2013 at 08:29

          No offense meant, but no. Not even Lazygamer. I love all the guys, but I trust any reviewer about as far as I can throw them.

          Reply

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:32

            I don’t know LG isn’t as clean-shaven as the other reviewers (yes I used that line) and their personal touch is why I’m on this site each day and not anywhere else.
            Plus, of course, Rince, the Emperor and Admiral is here and it’s nice to hang around celebrities 😉

          • SaintsRowNigri

            November 15, 2013 at 08:39

            Meh…

          • Gavin Mannion

            November 15, 2013 at 08:44

            Hey I shaved this morning… smooth like a babies bottom and just as smelly

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:45

            You mess any shaving cream on your blouse? Hehe
            I think you should be concerned about the smell, maybe have that checked.

          • SaintsRowNigri

            November 15, 2013 at 08:47

            So you telling us you smell like shit and piss with a slight hint of baby powder? Excuse me while I go vomit a bit… 😛

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:50

            Stop it you tease.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 08:53

            Celebrities lol

          • HvR

            November 15, 2013 at 08:39

            Well Debra looks like a light weight you can probably get some distance with her with right technique and a bit of practice.

      • HvR

        November 15, 2013 at 08:47

        I’m with you, the best thing for me about reviews is the direct info (x hours gameplay, full of bugs etc.) and then comparisons to other games. But I’ve bought very few games without seeing post-release reviews, game-play videos and took a look at some forums boards. R400 to R800 is a lot of money for me and with half dozen releases each month I have to choose carefully.

        “You know what you get from pre-ordering Kyle. … do you…. a dick in the mouth” -Eric Cartmen.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          November 15, 2013 at 08:49

          lol @ quote

          Reply

        • SaintsRowNigri

          November 15, 2013 at 08:53

          You have a point. I do go check out reviews for stuff like that, but final scores or “Oh my Gosh go get this game right now” type of comments I ignore… No matter what any reviewer tells me, I do believe that personal taste does affect a review score.

          Reply

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 08:59

            I agree with you there man.

  11. Gerhard

    November 15, 2013 at 08:27

    Well I think it has more to do with the expectation created by the new generation. If the game is then as good as a current AAA game then we will still be disappointed.

    Reply

  12. TiMsTeR1033

    November 15, 2013 at 08:38

    Alot of these reviewers are too nit picky and often, say games that are really good are “okay”. They were also prob rushed some of them to get reviews out..

    Reply

  13. FoxOneZA

    November 15, 2013 at 08:39

    Killzone has always being a boring eye-candy shooter. As much as it’s military orientated, it could do with a touch of Naughty Dog emotion.

    Knack? The press were bored with it from the start.

    This is a worrying trend where God of War Ascension and Beyond Two Souls both fell short with reviewers.

    If there’s one reason anyone would buy a PS3/4, it’s because of the exclusives.
    /2c

    Reply

  14. RinceandRepeat

    November 15, 2013 at 08:42

    It it was CoD then yes. But it soundes like a sore loser licking his wounds pointing at all the bullies taking da lunch money.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 15, 2013 at 08:46

      Shut up funny face & give me your lunch money!

      Reply

      • RinceandRepeat

        November 15, 2013 at 08:48

        You shut up you!

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          November 15, 2013 at 08:48

          Don’t oppress me!

          Reply

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:49

            *pulls box of popcorn closer*

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 08:51

            *hands you box of astros*

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:52

            I feel kind of cheated that the fight ended so abruptly. Now we’re sitting here, snacking and those two are already off commenting somewhere else.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 08:54

            I won! He realised oppression is wrong.

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 08:55

            Fair game, though it’s a bit like getting a technical knockout.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 08:57

            the war never ends between these two… reminds me of Zimbabwe does it ever get any better…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 09:00

            War, war never changes.

          • John's (JJ's) Annihilation

            November 15, 2013 at 09:00

            Upvote for Fallout reference

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 10:01

            You know what was really REALLY awesome? When I first installed Fallout 3 & “I don’t want to set the world on fire” starts playing during the intro – I called my dad over & asked him if he’d ever heard it before. He said he remembered his dad singing it in the pub when he was a kid.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 09:01

            Indeed it’s always about someone who is wrong and someone who is right.

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 08:55

            Not in YOUR case!

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 08:59

            Not a chance! I was just thinking about writing an article is all.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 09:03

            I trust your reviews..

        • ToshZA

          November 15, 2013 at 08:52

          Imma leave this here. 😛

          Reply

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 08:55

            way to offend people GO TOSH…..

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 08:59

            He man! We on tonight?!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            November 15, 2013 at 09:03

            indeed!

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 15, 2013 at 09:57

            Tim is He-Man? O_O

            I won’t tease his spelling or grammar ever again.

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 10:21

            And that is why you don’t make premier movie nights!

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 11:47

            You shut up!

          • ToshZA

            November 15, 2013 at 09:48

            No downvotes. It seems if you defend PS4 or Xbone its far more offensive to people than this.

            Also, I don’t care. 🙂

          • RinceandRepeat

            November 15, 2013 at 10:22

            Haha! See, he DOES care!

    • FoxOneZA

      November 15, 2013 at 08:53

      There’s a strong inbalance with the force this morning. You was supposed to put things right! 😛

      Reply

      • RinceandRepeat

        November 15, 2013 at 08:53

        I am here!

        Reply

  15. Pieter Kruger

    November 15, 2013 at 08:52

    Don’t sweat it Yoshi, these games might suck but so does most new next gen titles. Give it a year or so and the gems will start coming through! ????

    Reply

  16. MacDoodle

    November 15, 2013 at 09:18

    I won’t worry about these reviews as I don’t buy games based upon them, and irs amazing how many really awesome games there are that have been given poor reviews

    Reply

  17. CAE9872

    November 15, 2013 at 09:22

    Review scores don’t matter…do they? I have played countless games that according to the mighty Metacritic suck but I love them.

    Hey I am getting the PS4…when? Well that is a difficult one to answer. The head says “Wait a little”; the heart says to the head “Ummmm no!”. No doubt heart will win.

    Reply

  18. Sageville

    November 15, 2013 at 10:14

    Personally, since the Polygon – TLOU drama. I’m very disillusioned by the Reviewers these days.

    The scores are a function of “What will get us more hits”, not a measure of the games awesomeness.

    This is reflected by the variance in the scores I mean high 90s – low 50’s???? Basically the reviewers aren’t on the same page and as such these reviews are unreliable reflections of a games performance.

    Reply

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