Dev responds to IGN's Haze review - "MEGAowch"
- Posted May 20th, 2008 at 07:18 EDT by
- 31,337 views
- 90 Comments
With early reviews for Haze looking good (Famitsu 34/40 and Italian PSM 9/10), it came as a bit of a shock when IGN bestowed a dreaded 4.5/10 on the game in their review this morning. In curiosity, PSU.com contacted Rob Yescombe of Free Radical to hear what he had to say.
"My thoughts are 'Owch.' No, wait - MEGAowch." wrote Yescombe.
"Haze has had mixed reviews, but even GoldenEye got a 4/10 when it first came out. With a 9/10 in the Italian PSM, and an extremely positive review in Famitsu, we're looking forward to people playing Haze and making a judgment for themselves."
According to IGN, Haze suffered from "a bland story with weak characters... [and] tons of visual issues, from texture tears and non-descript environments to pop-in and odd animation problems."
This comes as a surprise to us because back in March, PSU was given hands on with a near final build of the game and we thought the title looked fairly good. The graphics in particular looked crisp and the framerate was smooth.
With Haze releasing today in the US, and Friday in Europe, we'll see how well gamers will jump on board with the new PS3 exclusive.
Comments
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BayBud
- 2:14pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 51
I guess it all depends on your baseline for rating.
If i find an FPS i like i say to myself, is it anywhere even near Half Life 2, the FPS i mentally rate at 9.
You get where im going lol, inmy mind for Haze to receive a score like 7 or dare i say 8 then it needs to be almost as good as HL2.
Haze (from my perspective) isn't even in the same universe as Half Life 2.
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Odium_Generis_Humani
- 2:32pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 52
A bad review of Metal gear Solid 4 is next for IGN. Will everyone finally believe that that site is garbage once that happens?! I'm not a fan of the demo, but they can't justify the game not being "average". That's all Haze is, "average". It should have gotten a 7. This is just their way of saying "We already have Halo and we are fanboys". Now here's the kicker, IGN just got TONS of web hits for their advertisers, so do you think they will stop putting BS reviews up because they're losing credibility? NOPE. It's like when Howard Stern was making waves on the radio in the 80's (geez I'm old). #1 reason that Stern lovers tuned in? To see what Howard does next. #1 reason his HATERS tuned it...same reason. And it all equaled rating for his carrier. Stop going to IGN, you moronic sheep!
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pepsivscoke
- 2:38pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 53
Well honestly not to be offensive but you are falling into the same trap. Half Life 2 deserves a 10. Am I wrong? (I'm speaking of the PC version I played). How often does a game like that come around? In my opinion, a rating of 7.5 to 8.5 is a good game. Anything above that is better obviously. However anything around the 6.5 to 7.5 should be questioned. Anything below that should be in the lines with all the terrilble movie translated game. YOU (BayBud) are comparing this game to Half Life 2??!!! If thats true only a Half Life 3 will satisfy you. See where I'm going with this?
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leftie68
- 2:47pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 54
There seems to be alot of hypocritical IGN bashing being posted. Most of you haven't played the game yet, and so most of you can't say if the review is off or on mark. I for one thought the demo was boring, with some major AI flaws. However, if you want some more proof that IGN might not be too far from the general concensus, then check out http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/haze. So far three online US reviews think the game is below average. As for the Famitsu review, the culture and preferences of the Japanese are far different from the US. For instance, they gave Mass Effect, a great RPG in the vast majority of opinions an awful review. Enough of the hating and go RENT the game and check it out for yourself. I wouldn't venture a purchase with so many mixed reviews out there just yet.
Systems owned PS3, Xbox360, Wii
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TKC-Muzzer |
TKC-Muzzer- 2:54pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 55
I trust IGN, i mean they gave Halo 3 a 9.5. Oh right yeah i see the problem now.
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pepsivscoke
- 2:56pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 56
Bashing, Hating, whatever I still think its odd that this game is getting such poor reviews. If this was a 360 game would it get the same low reviews? Frontlines: Fuel of War got overall 75 on your posted Metacritic site. Didnt that game have a bunch of flaws?? AI sucked and the story was non existant? The only saving grace was the multiplayer?? Thats what I remember reading. Thats why I said earlier...Chill Out! Play the game then see what you think. Famitsu is a different culture true, they can laugh. But again they are very critical of all aspects so I think their review does have some relevance. Biggest knock about the game in my opinion so far....it has some cheesy dialogue. Multiplayer should still be a blast.
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leftie68
- 3:07pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 57
Metacritic is not a reviewing website, it a database of independent reviewers. It is as close as you can get to "unbiased". If Frontlines got a 75% that is because the entire reviewing community "on average" gave it a 75%. Again there are only three reviews up, so the sample size of the reviews for Haze is smaller, but I posted it just to show that IGN isn't the only one saying that it is a poor game. I would keep my eye on the link as more reviews become available, as it will then give a better indication of what the entire reviewing community thinks. And with Famistu, again that is one Japanese review. I respect their reviews but I tend to agree more with US reviewers that Japanese reviewers.
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Odium_Generis_Humani
- 3:26pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 58
You can chalk it all up to that "...tons of visual issues..." line. We played the demo, we know that's not true. That's a lie right there. Do you think the lies stop right there? Well, do you? They also gave GTA4 a 10 without playing through the whole game. That game was not a 10. Not only that, but most of the people in my friends list that raved about GTA4 are ALREADY back on Warhawk and Call of Duty 4 (I'm sooooooooo glad I skipped GTA4). It kept their attention for 2 weeks! 2 WEEKS!? This game lost 2.5 points for being a PS3 exclusive, period. That seems to e the going rate at IGN. HERE'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
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http://ps3.psu.com/editcomm.php?id=89766
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EDIT--OMG! This review used to be 5.5! I swear to God. It was the only PS3 exclusive for months in the beginning of 2007 and IGN slammed it! They must have changed the score and wiped out all the negative comments. You can go to the official Playstation message boards and see how we were complaining last year. This is PROOF that the site is biased, guys. I'm not making this up. Please stop hitting it, please!
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chomperbull
- 3:32pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 59
no this game is horrible its sad that they decided 2 make such a cr@py game an exclusive
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Free_Agent
- 3:56pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 60
Oh come on! IGN gave GTA4 a 10/10?? Sorry, but it isn't a perfect 10 game. I like it, but honestly San Andreas was better in many ways, graphics aside. It was more like a 7/10. I have been looking forward to Haze for quite a while, but I always knew not to expect too much. I just bought it and it's actually better than I had expected. The Demo is a year old, so maybe you guys should rent the game and see what you think before deciding for yourself. I personally don't listen to reviews as I have been dissapointed with many ratings in the past, and I don't always feel they are accurate, especially from IGN.
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ironflag55555 |
ironflag555- 5:50pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 61
i proly buy this game if i see it in the bins at gamestop, im not in a rush for it
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pepsivscoke
- 5:54pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 62
Thanks for clarifying, leftie 68, about metacritic as if I didnt know how it works. Still you're missing my point. I think people "overall" have higher expectations for the PS3. Always have always will. The expectations began before it was even released! Then again IGN gave Folklore a 90 on metacritic so who knows what anyone is thinking?
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nabokovfan87
- 6:44pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 65
either the reviewer thought the scale was out of 5, only played the first 2.5 hours of the game (as the content of the review indicated) or he is just a complete moneyhat. im 3/4 of the way through the game, coming from a PC FPS gamer, this game is AMAZING!
thank you free radical!
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DemonOfRazgriz07 |
DemonOfRazgriz07- 6:57pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 68
idk what the f*** everyones talkin about "already got Haze and beat it". the game JUST CAME OUT TODAY, i called all my local retailers and even my Circuit City ad says "In stores Wednesday 2pm". i wont be buying this game right away because i absolutely hated the demo, pure garbage, nothing special. but seeing as it has great reviews all across the board, maybe the full version is that much different. il have to rent it first and see it for myself.
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biron_w
- 7:42pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 70
As shown in this topic in the forum www.ps3forums.com/showthread.php haze got fairly rubbish reviews all around.Shame as it showed promise.
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BayBud
- 7:43pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 71
thats EXACTLY my point pepsivscoke.
HL2 is the best game i have ever played! However will i eventually find a game i enjoy more? I don't know, because of that i would only give it a 9, if you remove y our ceiling then you will run out of latitude for rating games.
So yeah if HL2 is a 9 deus ex is probably the same (no.1 not the awful sequel) Haze (if like the demo) would be a 4.
Must play HL2 again now! :D
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Sanhlami
- 9:09pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 72
Thats strange. Any game with the basic components should recieve a 6.0 or higher (am I right) and Haze has all the basic components. It also has some interesting characteristic which I believe should be a 7.0-8.0. Man am I going to get a lot of BS from my Xbot friends.
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shero
- 9:42pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 73
Critics already spent all they would have given to Haze on GTAIV. Nepotism for an established franchise, and triggerhappy slamming of a new intellectual property. I ordered Haze because it lets you play both for the underdog and the drug-infused army out to kill the underdog. That's value.
This game will redeem itself in the coming weeks, and "critics" will get their comeuppance.
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Pablo0620 |
Pablo0620- 11:01pm BST - May 20th, 2008
- 76
If you think this game has graphics like CoD4 then you need to check your eyes. They dont come close. I played the demo and while the characters and dialogue seemed weak, not to mention the game suffers from the trying to be cool additude, but the gameplay didnt seem all that bad. And the 4 player co-op is cool. Id like to play the game for myself
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InfernoReaper |
GrimDarkling- 12:15am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 77
And who was it that gave GTA IV a perfect 10/10? I believe it was IGN (could be mistaken.) I don't trust corporate-funded websites like IGN. Too much under-the-table money.
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chomperbull
- 12:59am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 78
haze sucks what are u people talking about im a ps3 fanboy but i still admit this game is cr@p it deserves a 5 turok was cr@p but i still thought it was better than haze turok was a 6 in my book 2 evryone who thinks this game deserves a 7 rent and play it then talk. either way i agree ign is g@y 4 ms
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gameoholic |
Demented007- 1:12am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 79
Im waiting, to see how people like it, might as well use everyone else that is buying it new as guineapig, then maybe i'll buy it used.
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BlueDragoon0 |
Lionheart0- 1:16am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 80
Not interested in Haze anymore, I once was but damn thats horrible.
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BlueSteel18 |
BlueSteel18- 1:25am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 81
I agree with IGN. I was excited for this game.....then i played it and now i'm no longer hyped for it. It's just a bad game. Stop whining about IGN. They do a good job with there reviews.
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Free_Agent
- 3:05am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 82
Ok, I am starting to feel like there is no reason to own a PS3 anymore. I actually think haze is ok, but between this score, the Killzone 2 delay(and every other game released for the system being delayed,cough, HOME, cough), and constant sub par ports from the 360, I can see why so many people haven't purchased the system yet. I'll admit that 70% of the use my PS3 gets is playing blu-ray's. I bought this system for it's first party games, but how long do we have to wait for them. Honestly, by the time all these things we were supposed to have LAST YEAR come to fruition, MS will have released 720. I have come to realize that the reason the 360 is still on top is because SONY can't get their crap together, and it's just broken promise after broken promise.
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BayBud
- 7:48am BST - May 21st, 2008
- 83
Dude it ain't all bad, still plenty of good reasons to enjoy your ps3, Haze is just one game.
I do understand your problems with the ps3 though, but i do question the last part of you post.
Why is Sony to blame for these things? Surely alot of these issues are with the game developers themselves.
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pepsivscoke
- 12:39pm BST - May 21st, 2008
- 84
Baybud... so youre saying you Do rate games in comparison to HL2? Thats EXACTLY MY point! You shouldnt! Any way I'm glad you dont rate games for your career. Everything would be rated as average. Metal Gear Solid 4....average. Killzone 2......average. Final Fantasy 13.....average. Gran Tourismo 5....average. I agree with Sanhlami. Does it have the components? Then rate from there. Maybe the game really does deserve a low score but again 4.5 is calling it garbage. And also talking about your ratings ceiling......you would rate HL2 as just a 9? Not maybe a 9.5? Haha just givin ya a hard time cause it feels right! Wow its gotta be rough if one of the best games ever created gets a 9 and everything else will be compared to that standard. Owell PS3 Rocks!!! Potential is amazing!!! (Luckily PS3 isnt compared to HL2......Product Fail !!!)
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andrewchap |
Achap- 4:39pm BST - May 21st, 2008
- 85
the press average is 5.9, and you're going to trust an italian video game reviewer? I think not. The video of the game i saw look graphically comparable to turok 2.
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BayBud
- 3:31am BST - May 22nd, 2008
- 86
You have completelty missed my pointpepsivscoke.
What I AM SAYING is that considering how computer games are still in their infancy we may not have seen a 10 yet.
Lets say video games have been out 1 year and they consist of 5 titles, lets say one of those i really enjoy and rate it a 10.
What happens in say 5 years time when there are thousands more titles, does this ones 10 ranking still mean anything?
Of course it doesn't, it was the best of a bad bunch.
If you so prematurely offer a 10 then you have no higher accolade to bestow, if that happens then all your previous rankings mean jack.
As far as comparing everything to HL2 i do, but not tecnically, basically just on the fun.
HL2 was a classic in my mind because of the interactive environment, + the levels/worlds were brilliant.
However slim though there IS a chance that there will come along a game i enjoy even more than HL2 or Deus Ex, IF that happens then we would have to reevaluate the whole 10 thing.
I just didn't want you thinking i consider HL2 a 9 when most consider it a ten, frommy perspective it is one of the highest games.
Personally the 9's i can think of are.
Hl2 of course (inc episodes 1+2)
Deus Ex 1 (very good for it's age, the interactivity with the environment was years ahead of the competition)
GTA San Andreas (the last good GTA lol)
GTA Vice City.
Sims2
quake (original)
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Fatso |
Fatso- 9:22am BST - May 22nd, 2008
- 87
first off, I never even look at IGN's reviews because over the last year they have become terribly biased against ps3. If I want a rating on a 360 game i go there, but not for ps3. I go to my local blockbuster and rent the freakin thing and rate it on my own!
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BayBud
- 11:00am BST - May 22nd, 2008
- 88
Out of curiosity, if you do believe them to be biased towards 360 why would you still read their 360 reviews?
I don't know IGN enough to say either way, but to be honest nobody is really giving any counter arguments to the IGN review, if the game is much better than they would have you believe then this will in due course be revealed, if not then i think alot of humble pie will be eaten.
Aside from the IGN review according to metacritic it has received some pretty bad reviews from other sources, surely after enough we must say OK, Perhaps these reviews are right and it really isn't all that.
On the other hand perhaps more reviews will trickle in singing the infinite praises of Haze, in which case the reverse most be true.
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Goodguyuk
- 4:01pm BST - May 23rd, 2008
- 90
Well i brought haze today and i am enjoying it!!
Its like im not playing the game that has been reviewed, i would give it 8.5/10, and i am quite a hard person to please!!
If you enjoyed Red faction, half life 2 or Halo you should enjoy this, dont be put off by all the negative views. The online gameplay is GREAT too!!
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