How is the game "broken" as Kevin has said?
- May 30, 2012 11:20 am GMT
What do you think he means?
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- May 30, 2012 12:46 pm GMTfer-been thinking about this... Perhaps it is in the combination of an 'open world' yet clearly defined spawn points for monsters, that almost harkens back to the Dark Age of Camelot defined clusters of Mob A here and Mob B there that respawn periodically. Or perhaps that the mobs don't scale with level so they get incredibly easy as you level. The way the stats on the various armors appear to make certain sets _the_ ones to use over others? All pretty minor nitpicks I suppose...I am curious what he says is broken.
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- May 30, 2012 1:01 pm GMT"If we're foolish, it's not because we're tools, it's because we're men." - Albedo, Xenosaga
Inconsistency in the storytelling, severe pacing issues, clumsy UI, several confusing design choices (like why can't I withdraw from my supply box from every rest spot, or change vocations anywhere?), a completely forced and pedantic "love" interest that hurts the post-game if you get certain characters (like Caxton or Asalam), and a few audio and visual problems with the game.
And I can feel his pain as he prepares to post that review. Because I love Dragon's Dogma. I've got close to 70 hours into the game, working through the post-game Everfall dungeons and still enjoying every minute of it. But a review has to be accurate, and you have to acknowledge that the game also has a lot of serious flaws.
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- May 30, 2012 1:59 pm GMT
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Nintendomination
There is an achievement :as the wheel turns or the wheel keeps turning or something, anyway you get it after you've completed the game instead of doing NG+ or NG++ by wiping your save data.
Sounds ok right?
Well just remember all the DLC and Rift Packs you buy are only on your current save data, so once you wipe then poof, there gone.
Now that is poorly thought out, losing your money and dlc like that, especially when at lower levels you are more likely to buy RC to hire higher level pawns.
I love the game and it's not a big deal just one achievement but I am honest and call it how I see it, not even EA are that underhanded I don't think. Little things like that have lowered this game from the 8 or 9 it deserved and could of gotten.
Then again i'm a sucker anyway probably Capcom's eyes as I bought all the gem packs and costume packs for SFXT and barely anyone plays that anymore.
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- May 30, 2012 5:38 pm GMT
It's hard to communicate in 140 characters! Fortunately, the review will publish soon.
I point out a few things that are broken in it: a forced narrative event that breaks all semblance of coherency but for no real benefit, auto-fail quests, and so on. I don't get into specifics in this regard, but the character affection system is hilariously busted, and I would possibly use the term "broken" to describe how events you cannot foresee might lead to failure of timed quests.
Other issues are merely frustrations born of the game's general disregard for your time and enjoyment: long stretches of backtracking, odd difficulty spikes that come from enemyplacement patterns, and so forth.
Mind you, Dragon's Dogma is also one of my favorite games so far this year. I don't want to focus on these awkward issues, but I can't pretend they aren't there. This is very much a Capcom game, with all of the struggles and oddities that typify their games, from Lost Planet to Monster Hunter. But those same idiosyncracies will make Dragon's Dogma a beloved cult hit, and is bound to be defended by legions of passionate fans, simply because it is so unique.
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- May 30, 2012 6:02 pm GMT
I agree that Dragon's Dogma clearly has flaws but I believe a review score should reflect how much enjoyment one gets from a game not the Pro's to Con's ratio. If a game is one of your favourites then the score should reflect that in my opinion. I think most people would rather play a game that they really enjoy and have fun with that has flaws, than a well executed game with few flaws that forgets to be enjoyable.
I agree that Dragon's Dogma clearly has flaws but I believe a review score should reflect how much enjoyment one gets from a game not the Pro's to Con's ratio. If a game is one of your favourites then the score should reflect that in my opinion. I think most people would rather play a game that they really enjoy and have fun with that has flaws, than a well executed game with few flaws that forgets to be enjoyable. ;)
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- May 30, 2012 6:12 pm GMTwhen is the review going to be posted
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- May 30, 2012 7:50 pm GMT
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I just think thats awesome and shows how even with all its problems the game still has this magic thats hard to describe. I was pretty sure you would love this game based on your other reviews and such, but I also understand that your need to remain objective and the game does have many issues. I just watched the review and it was great as your reviews always are. I thought it was really neat that you were using one of the same Pawns (Roll) that I use. I am sure it must be even more awesome for the player that created the pawn. Weird things such as this are what makes the game so special and like you said very "unique". I can't think of any other game where I can create a character that looks like Tyrion Lannister and then give him a pawn that looks just like Bronn from ASOIAF. I created a character that looks like Jon Snow and a pawn that looks like Daenerys. This game has a very interesting idea of what it means " to role play", one of my favorite things to do is take pictures of those perfect little moments. The first time you enter the Rift there is a sense of wonder and just "I have never seen anything like this before".
Sorry for the wall of text. I just graduated and I am trying to become a writer myself so it was kind of exciting to see my favorite writer on the site actually explain what he meant to me and others. To be honest as well as very dorky. Again, thanks for taking the time and for writing intelligent, informative and objective reviews.
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- May 30, 2012 8:10 pm GMT
Well Gamespot's review seems pretty fair to me and an 8 is not a bad score. Can't wait to finish work and keep playing this game.
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- May 30, 2012 9:13 pm GMT
Was it specified as "broken"? No, I think not.
This is NOT Skyrim people.
Clearly if you are looking for an openworld-fantasy-sandbox-RPG as to Elder Scrolls, you are looking at a wrong game. This is an action-RPG as to Reckoning or Dark Souls. Surely it has it flaws but I think its not "broken", it just fails to deliver the exploration with an ineffective AI (as Skyrim was). But like I said, this is an action game so its okay, feel the action.
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- May 30, 2012 10:08 pm GMT
Regardless of the score, I have never seen a Video review so important for the simple fact of how much you can hear the love he has for this game.. in his voice.. Its evident and makes me wish I had a copy right now.
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- May 30, 2012 10:38 pm GMT
[QUOTE="BSEE10"]
Was it specified as "broken"? No, I think not.
This is NOT Skyrim people.
Clearly if you are looking for an openworld-fantasy-sandbox-RPG as to Elder Scrolls, you are looking at a wrong game. This is an action-RPG as to Reckoning or Dark Souls. Surely it has it flaws but I think its not "broken", it just fails to deliver the exploration with an ineffective AI (as Skyrim was). But like I said, this is an action game so its okay, feel the action.
[/QUOTE]
Considering this is Capcoms first real go at a open world action RPG I think it's pretty amazing. However, there are some story inconsistences, tech flaws and other small things that make it less than would it could possibly have been. The gameplay, which comes first for me personally is probably the best I have played.
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- May 31, 2012 6:52 am GMT
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Xbox gamertag: Rubber65Soul
IMO the positives far outweigh the negatives. Flawed brilliance perhaps. Imagine how amazing this game might be if they can fine tune the negatives without altering the amazing foundation they have already built upon.
Lets just hope this isnt like the Fable series and that it gets better with each sequel.
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- May 31, 2012 6:57 am GMTBSEE10 wrote:
Was it specified as "broken"? No, I think not.
This is NOT Skyrim people.
Absolutely correct there....I couldn't play skyrim after a few hours because it kept locking up after a certain patch walking in and out of doors. That is broken....this game has flaws sure, but I am not sure you can claim that flaws in dialog and interactions can be considered 'broken' in the same sense that skyrim was broken. I guess there are many subtle layers of 'broken'
fer-[QUOTE="BSEE10"]Was it specified as "broken"? No, I think not.
This is NOT Skyrim people.
[/QUOTE] Absolutely correct there....I couldn't play skyrim after a few hours because it kept locking up after a certain patch walking in and out of doors. That is broken....this game has flaws sure, but I am not sure you can claim that flaws in dialog and interactions can be considered 'broken' in the same sense that skyrim was broken. I guess there are many subtle layers of 'broken' :)- Please wait. Quick reply will be available shortly.
- May 31, 2012 7:50 am GMT
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Xbox gamertag: Rubber65Soul
^^ Agree. Broken seems harsh. But I would consider the Pawn AI to be in need of a patch for sure. However, this is where it gets tricky. As much as I love the Pawn system, if it worked too well the game would become too easy.
There's a fine line here that they must be careful with. Im level 41 now and I dont remember the last time I died. Yet when I was level 12 or so I would never venture out at night. I do wish the Pawns did more but I can live with them as they are if it keeps the balance in order. The Arisen should not become a spectator.
As for other issues they are all minor in my opinion.
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- May 31, 2012 8:51 am GMT
Ummm I was told he said something like "Its both broken and brilliant" and I think thats very fair. Who else would take the time to actually come on this forum and explain what he meant? In my mind that speaks more about how he felt about the game then any review. (although his was top quality as always) The game does alot of brilliant things but also has some somewhat broken systems. I think the quests that can be failed for no good reason are the biggest issue with the game.
Its awesome game and it was an awesome review.
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- May 31, 2012 10:20 am GMT
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Xbox gamertag: Rubber65Soul
I read the review and its good but still harsh. A number of the negatives mentioned simply dont bother me much at all. That said, 8 is a decent score regardless. Personally I rate it much higher, but we all have varying tastes and are entitled to our own opinions.
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Please remember that this game pretty much DOES deserve an 8. Which is pretty good. I believe a 9 score would mean that the game serves as an example as to what games of the genre SHOULD play like.
Dragon's Dogma is an amazing game and has plenty of amazing approaches to old problems (Quick time event boss fights will never be enough for me again.) but fails to do certain other things properly.
Pawn AI is a bit buggy. Ever have a Pawn walk off a cliff because the pathfinding algorithm is confused? Enemies do that sometimes to, like the Ogre in Everfall (early game) and his habit of diving off the edge to his death. Pawn's also tend to repeat the same phrases endlessly AND talk over each other leading to an ugly mess of phrases. Certain spots in the game trigger a single response even if it doesn't make sense at the time like the small waygate at the bottom of the canyon near Gran Soren (on the way back to Cassardis). If you come from Gran Soren you kill all the goblins. But when you approach the gate the Pawn AI has the "Master, beware of a Goblin ambush ahead."
Also, while this isn't popular opinion. There should have been a form of two-player Co-Op. Two friend and their pawns. You could balance it out easily by giving more health/armor to all monsters and dropping/raising the second player to match the hosts level. Even prompt a message like 'The endless loop ties into another time! The world feels more dangerous!" to warn the player the monsters are stronger because of Co-Op. You could even limit this Co-Op to require the person be on your friends list. Perfect.
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- May 31, 2012 12:18 pm GMT
I must congratulate Kevin for the well-thought out review. Weather we agree on the same flaws is irrelevant. What is important is that the game indeed deserves an 8, and he gave it. He acknowledges it as being good by bringing something fresh to the genre. I must say that I simply adore this game. It has issues yes, but the fact that this game makes me feel like a kid with a candy summarize my current affection towards it. Game of the year for me.
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- May 31, 2012 12:22 pm GMTultimately....if capcom can get a Dragon's Dogma 2 made starting from and improving on where they left of with this game....the future is looking very brightfer-ultimately....if capcom can get a Dragon's Dogma 2 made starting from and improving on where they left of with this game....the future is looking very bright :)
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