This is why I dont trust reviews...

First off let me say that I love readign some reviews.. such as Kevin V's,etc... Even if I dissagree with Kevin about a game score, I still enjoy his writing and that he gives so many reasons why he gave the game the score he did.

Now..... 1Up reviewed Elemental, a game I love but I can see why people would give it a bad-average review.. BUT... its not the score that 1Up gave the game that I am shakign ym head about (C+ they gave it), its what he wrote in the review that made it seem like he didnt even play the gam one bit.

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3181116

^^ There is the link to the review...

Below are issues I have with the review

1."So, is it all a disaster? Well, the A.I. problems are fixed to some degree by the robust multiplayer (if you can find friends willing to slog through the ugliest visuals since finger-painting **** [Editor's Note: At the time of the game's release, no multiplayer options were available. However, once those features are available, the author wants to clarify that they should mitigate any problems he encountered with the game's current A.I.]." (This was cleared up.. he posted that he appoligizes for wrong words he used)

2. The screenshots are all years old and from beta.. he couldnt go out of his way to take a few screenshots while he plays? Its not hard.

#3. He also says that there is not ALERT MESSAGE telling him when structures or Units are READY.. well that once again is not true.. even in the screenshtos he posted there shows icons on the right side. There are infact Icons and messages that say when units are done training. You can see those messages in screenshots I have taken of hte game to.

Basically for the #1 up above.... he says the problems with the AI are FIXED BY THE ROBUST MULTIPLAYER.... Well guess what.. THERE IS NO MULTIPLAYER! Stardock said they are doign to add Multiplayer at a later date. Yet he seems to have played it when its not even done or available yet..

#3 reason = He says there are no Alerts for building stuff... well there is and you can see the alerts when your units and buildings are done beign made. Dont know why his versino is so differnt from everyone elses. Even the reviews that gave his game a low score didnt complain about something NOT being in the game when in fact it is in the game (and in every version).

Once again.. I dont care about the score, thats perfectly fine, I can see why people would give this game a low score.. but when you review a game and you say stuff that IS NOT IN THE GAME, that makes me shake my head.. im sorry but its irresponsible review in my eyes. Reviews are suppose to be a good thing but if reviewers dont even play the game much or at all then whats the point? How can someone talk about Multiplayer when all you can play is singleplayer in the game?

I like to watch and read some reviews, but no review will give me a clear mind on the game. If I like a game, I'll download a demo to see if it worth buying since I don't have a limitless credit cardNino_ze

Im the same way, I enjoy reading a few peoples reviews, but when it comes down to it, its really up to me if I like a game or not, I wont let reviews make my decision for me...

But with this review I just dont understand how someone can talk about an aspect of the game beign GOOD, when its not even in the game at all? Something very Fishy going on.. then he later adds that there is no multiplayer.... wierd.

Its like me saying Team Fortress2 is awesome because it has this cool campaign mode that is a rpg.. when in reality its not singleplayer.. its multiplayer only.

[QUOTE="Nino_ze"]I like to watch and read some reviews, but no review will give me a clear mind on the game. If I like a game, I'll download a demo to see if it worth buying since I don't have a limitless credit cardkozzy1234

Im the same way, I enjoy reading a few peoples reviews, but when it comes down to it, its really up to me if I like a game or not, I wont let reviews make my decision for me...

But with this review I just dont understand how someone can talk about an aspect of the game beign GOOD, when its not even in the game at all? Something very Fishy going on.. then he later adds that there is no multiplayer.... wierd.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

[QUOTE="Nino_ze"]I like to watch and read some reviews, but no review will give me a clear mind on the game. If I like a game, I'll download a demo to see if it worth buying since I don't have a limitless credit cardgamer620

Im the same way, I enjoy reading a few peoples reviews, but when it comes down to it, its really up to me if I like a game or not, I wont let reviews make my decision for me...

But with this review I just dont understand how someone can talk about an aspect of the game beign GOOD, when its not even in the game at all? Something very Fishy going on.. then he later adds that there is no multiplayer.... wierd.

He even just made a comment saying that he worded it wrong and apologized, its not just me that is thinking this.

Also he says there is no Alerts when you make stuff, that is false.. alerts come up all the time when stuff is finished...

Once again, I dont mind the review score at all, but this was a horrible written review.

Unless he got a pirated version then there IS ALERTS when things done being made. Every version of the game so far has had these Alerts... 1.0, 1.01, 1.05 and 1.06.

He made a mistake with his words for the multiplayer comment, ok I can understand that.. a fair mistake.. But what about the stuff he wrote about NO ALERTS when things are done beign made? There are alerts...

Saying there is not something in a game when there is... I dont think that is good reviewing, sorry.

Its like me saying Mafia2 sucks because there is no MAP.. when in fact there is a map if you press M.

I almost didn't buy this game because of the reviews; I'm glad I didn't listen to them. I have not had a single problem with this game and it's actually quite a bit of fun. I think perhaps the price tag is a bit high for what it is but other than that I'm having fun with it, which says a lot -- I normally only play any game for an hour or two then never come back.

Thing is that only big companies can get good reviews (even with mediocer games) , but smaller company even with most fantastic game wont get good reviews . simple as that . Imo its just better to read user made reviews (just watch out from fanboyism and hater) or just ask friends :P

Heck , whatever reviews say , after talking about this game with kozzy , i will get it 100% some day :)

I try to avoid reviews..

But if a game scores low EVERYWHERE then am slightly aware.

What about this review? It still trashes the game but doesn't make any mistakes.

Btw, I HAVE to mention Brad Wardell's Elemental book. It features extraordinary writing like He yanked the sword out of the first one's throat and swung it at a second, the nearest one to him, gouging it in the shoulder, and the thing screamed, and slashed at Calis's blade ineffectually, and Calis slashed again, and caught the creature in the face, and blood gushed, and it screamed a second time, and stumbled, but that was all Calis saw.

What about this review? It still trashes the game but doesn't make any mistakes.

Btw, I HAVE to mention Brad Wardell's Elemental book. It features extraordinary writing like He yanked the sword out of the first one's throat and swung it at a second, the nearest one to him, gouging it in the shoulder, and the thing screamed, and slashed at Calis's blade ineffectually, and Calis slashed again, and caught the creature in the face, and blood gushed, and it screamed a second time, and stumbled, but that was all Calis saw.

Baranga

That review is fine, he doesnt resort to saying things are NOT in the game when the clearly are in the game.. in every version. His biggest issue seems to be the AI and UI, thats understandable..

I dont mind if people give this game a F or D-.... as long as they review it proper and not LIE about things in the game.

There is Alerts/Notices in Elemental when things are made, very easy to see them aswell, one of hte first things I noticed actually, 5mins into the game.

Saying there are no Alerts in the game when there are is shoddy review writting to me.

In the 1up review it honestly seems like he never played the game.. how he could miss the Alerts is beyond me.

[QUOTE="gamer620"][QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

Im the same way, I enjoy reading a few peoples reviews, but when it comes down to it, its really up to me if I like a game or not, I wont let reviews make my decision for me...

But with this review I just dont understand how someone can talk about an aspect of the game beign GOOD, when its not even in the game at all? Something very Fishy going on.. then he later adds that there is no multiplayer.... wierd.

kozzy1234

He even just made a comment saying that he worded it wrong and apologized, its not just me that is thinking this.

Also he says there is no Alerts when you make stuff, that is false.. alerts come up all the time when stuff is finished...

Once again, I dont mind the review score at all, but this was a horrible written review.

Unless he got a pirated version then there IS ALERTS when things done being made. Every version of the game so far has had these Alerts... 1.0, 1.01, 1.05 and 1.06.

He made a mistake with his words for the multiplayer comment, ok I can understand that.. a fair mistake.. But what about the stuff he wrote about NO ALERTS when things are done beign made? There are alerts...

Saying there is not something in a game when there is... I dont think that is good reviewing, sorry.

Its like me saying Mafia2 sucks because there is no MAP.. when in fact there is a map if you press M.

Why would a pirated version be different from a non-pirated version?

The alerts sometimes come collapsed...so if you don't know where they are or are looking for them someone could miss them. And they only recently added the exclamation points on the map for things needing your attention.

Bottom line is most of the stuff the review is pretty much true and the same things get said accross multiple reviews (including player reviews).

I like the game, I like Stardock, and I think the game is going to eventually be really great. But the game was half baked on release and even today major issues persist.

The alerts sometimes come collapsed...so if you don't know where they are or are looking for them someone could miss them. And they only recently added the exclamation points on the map for things needing your attention.

Bottom line is most of the stuff the review is pretty much true and the same things get said accross multiple reviews (including player reviews).

I like the game, I like Stardock, and I think the game is going to eventually be really great. But the game was half baked on release and even today major issues persist.

Renevent42

Still, if you are a revewer you should play the game enough to notice the alerts.. I noticed them right away, as did many others. I am nto talkign about the big Exclamation Mark !! On things that need your attention, but the Alerts about UNITS and BUILDINGS, right there on the right side. If you make a unit and a building.. then when they are done they show up on the right side. Im sorry but complaining about something not being in the game WHEN IT IS IN THE GAME is wrong to me.

Once again, I dont mind the low scores, but this review is just horribly written. He has issues with selecting and moving a character, which is exactly the same as a game like starcraft or other strategy games.. you left click to select and then right click to move.. its not rocket science. Youd think a reviewer would play enough to see that there are Alerst when things are made.

Only issue I have is the late game slowdown is pretty bad, other then that this is agreat game for people who like these kind of games.

Its not all bad reviews for this game either.. latest review gave the game 9/10

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Games/Reviews/elemental_war_of_magic/2.html

"Elemental: War of Magic is an essential purchase, one easy to recommend because it's relevant to so many different types of gamers: strategy fans, RPG nuts, newbies, veterans -- it doesn't matter. Pardon the pun, but it's got all the elements of the ****cs you know and love -- fans of Master of Magic, Ogre Battle, Heroes of Might & Magic, Shining Force, and so on should find lots to love here, and find that Elemental earns itself a top spot on their game shelf. And with Stardock's commitment to the game (they're dedicating a year exclusively to updates and new content for it), you can be assured it will become a ****c of its own."

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

[QUOTE="gamer620"] It is common sense that when you play online you won't have to deal with the pitfalls of programmed AI... Not sure how that really represents something fishy... He is giving the game (which he deems poor at its current state) a positive outlook... if anything that benefits those people on the fence who want the game for its online capabilities only True_Sounds

He even just made a comment saying that he worded it wrong and apologized, its not just me that is thinking this.

Also he says there is no Alerts when you make stuff, that is false.. alerts come up all the time when stuff is finished...

Once again, I dont mind the review score at all, but this was a horrible written review.

Unless he got a pirated version then there IS ALERTS when things done being made. Every version of the game so far has had these Alerts... 1.0, 1.01, 1.05 and 1.06.

He made a mistake with his words for the multiplayer comment, ok I can understand that.. a fair mistake.. But what about the stuff he wrote about NO ALERTS when things are done beign made? There are alerts...

Saying there is not something in a game when there is... I dont think that is good reviewing, sorry.

Its like me saying Mafia2 sucks because there is no MAP.. when in fact there is a map if you press M.

Why would a pirated version be different from a non-pirated version?

I dont know, I am jsut tryign to guess here as to why this one reviewer didnt see the ALERTS when you make a building or a Unit. I noticed it in the first 5mins.

Even the other reviews that give the game low marks dont talk about the lack of ALERTS.. why? Because they played the game enough to notice the alerts (should only take 5min to see the alerts).

Just wondering why this dudes version of the game didnt have Alerts supposedly... when everyone elses did... every version showed me the alerts.. 1.0, 1.05 and 1.06,etc...

Its hard to take a review seriously when he complains about things not being in the game when they clearly are.. even in his screenshots.

i heard PC gamer also gave the game a bad review for very odd reasons.lawlessx

They have not reviewed it yet, just a preview.

Game got put on shelves a day early... there was a day 1 patch that was going to download as soon as people installed the game.. btu since the street date was broken the patch didnt get out till the next day.

PC Gamer said they are going to play it on the 1.05 or 1.06 version, which was nice of them to do.

But yeah I dont agree with 90% of that pc gamer preview, but thats just me.

And with Stardock's commitment to the game (they're dedicating a year exclusively to updates and new content for it), you can be assured it will become a ****c of its own."

kozzy1234

A cIassic like Demigod!:P

Stardock claims they almost made profit from the preorders alone. A year ago I thought Demigod would receive the same support as GalCiv 2 and SOASE, but Stardock never fixed the online component. Who knows how things will go now? It's their second craptacular release in a row.

The thing with the book and the campaign unlock code it contains - now that's a major dick move.

@ Kozzy: Why dont you make a gamspot player review? I would love to hear what you think of this game, from the screens and limited youtube videos I've watched (are there any non-beta videos?) this game looks like something I'd enjoy.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

And with Stardock's commitment to the game (they're dedicating a year exclusively to updates and new content for it), you can be assured it will become a ****c of its own."

Baranga

A cIassic like Demigod!:P

Stardock claims they almost made profit from the preorders alone. A year ago I thought Demigod would receive the same support as GalCiv 2 and SOASE, but Stardock never fixed the online component. Who knows how things will go now? It's their second craptacular release in a row.

The thing with the book and the campaign unlock code it contains - now that's a major dick move.

nah, Demigod wasnt that good fo a game, but this game here to me is the best stardock game to date and one of this gens best.

Jsut my honest opinion.

Also Stardock didnt MAKE Demigod, they just published it. The onlien was fixed actually.. it was just HORRIBLE the first week. But it did get worked out and fixed, didnt help the average game it was though.

This release is not craptacular as you say it is or like the Demigod one was... To me this was a great launch.. the game worked out of hte box... we got one patch the day teh game was released and more after. Ive had one crash in 40 hours... I could name 100 great things about this game and I can only come upw ith 1 bad thing.. and thats the Framerate slowdown way to much in later game turns. Sure the AI could use some work but you could say that about all strategy games. Other then that this game here is videogame perfection for me persoanlly, its deep, its fun and the music is fantastic.

You might call me a stardock fanboy or waht ever, but I honestly have only like done of Stardocks games (Galactic Civilization2), Sins was very well made, but I just couldnt get into it, Demigod had some good ideas but failed pretty much. Elemental is just what I want in a videogame and a very nice surprise. I was explecting a crap game from all the rumblings, but what I have here is the best game of the year for me personally, its addicitng as hell.

This is not a game for everyone, it has a stiff learnign curve, but once you spent a bit of time with it you will learn in no time.

Like I said before, I dont have a problem with the game getting poor review scores.. but at least list reasons that are legit.. and dont list things that are a complete lie! There are alerts in the game.. that is a fact. If you cant see the Alerts then you have not played the game more then 10mins or you should be on a console and not a pc.

Im sure Kevin V will give the game a average score and Ill be fine with that.. why? Because he lists legit reasons.. not things like 'There is no alert when building" when there actually is.. He will give his opinion and then back it up with FACTS, like reviewers should do.

Oblivion X360 review

• Impressive artificial intelligence and hundreds of believable characters

After discovering this one, I realized how utterly ******ed some people in the gaming industry is.

I still have to play Elemental as I'm completely sucked into SC2 right now, but these points are just lol-worthy.

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

And with Stardock's commitment to the game (they're dedicating a year exclusively to updates and new content for it), you can be assured it will become a ****c of its own."

kozzy1234

A cIassic like Demigod!:P

Stardock claims they almost made profit from the preorders alone. A year ago I thought Demigod would receive the same support as GalCiv 2 and SOASE, but Stardock never fixed the online component. Who knows how things will go now? It's their second craptacular release in a row.

The thing with the book and the campaign unlock code it contains - now that's a major dick move.

nah, Demigod wasnt that good fo a game, but this game here to me is the best stardock game to date and one of this gens best.

Jsut my honest opinion.

Also Stardock didnt MAKE Demigod, they just published it. The onlien was fixed actually.. it was just HORRIBLE the first week. But it did get worked out and fixed, didnt help the average game it was though.

This release is not craptacular as you say it is or like the Demigod one was...

Stardock made the online component, which was broken and now it's still unreliable when compared to other p2p titles.

At least Demigod was complete and it's design was rock-solid at release. It's easy to see GPG has a lead designer in charge of their strategies, while Stardock lacks a clear vision and just throws in everything they think it's cool. And that's what the man that wrote GalCiv 2's manual says too.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

[QUOTE="Baranga"]

A cIassic like Demigod!:P

Stardock claims they almost made profit from the preorders alone. A year ago I thought Demigod would receive the same support as GalCiv 2 and SOASE, but Stardock never fixed the online component. Who knows how things will go now? It's their second craptacular release in a row.

The thing with the book and the campaign unlock code it contains - now that's a major dick move.

Baranga

nah, Demigod wasnt that good fo a game, but this game here to me is the best stardock game to date and one of this gens best.

Jsut my honest opinion.

Also Stardock didnt MAKE Demigod, they just published it. The onlien was fixed actually.. it was just HORRIBLE the first week. But it did get worked out and fixed, didnt help the average game it was though.

This release is not craptacular as you say it is or like the Demigod one was...

Stardock made the online component, which was broken and now it's still unreliable when compared to other p2p titles.

At least Demigod was complete and it's design was rock-solid at release. It's easy to see GPG has a lead designer in charge of their strategies, while Stardock lacks a clear vision and just throws in everything they think it's cool. And that's what the man that wrote GalCiv 2's manual says too.

Demigod works perfectly fine online now.. go play a game and try it. The game still is not very good, but the online was fixed a week after release.

Also maybe try the game first and then we can have a conversation about the game and its issues.

The point of htis thread was that the review I listed had HUGE issues with it. I dont mind the score or opinions, but to say that certain things are NOT in the game when they are is blasphemy.

Stardock games take awhiel to learn (took me ages to learn Galactic Civ2 just like the dude in the article your posted). He wants more tutorials and documentation, thats fine, but for me I dont mind learning a game and having it take a little while to learn it all.

Bottomline is I thought this game would be crap, but it turned out to be the most fun ive had all generation on a videogame and im glad I gave it a chance.

All im askign is that reviews dont LIE... another example is ME1 review.. where dude said you could not aim your shooting in the MAKO as one of the negatives of the game... well you actaully can aim with your Mako. It just ticks me off when reviews lie and list things that you cant do.. when in reality you can do. You can aim with the Mako in ME1 on 360 and you do get Alerts in Elemental when things are being built. I dont take reviews seriously myself, btu I do enjoy reading some of them for the writting, we as peopel who look at reviews should be able to trust a reviewer that he played the game and isnt lying about aspects of the game not being in the game when they are. Another example of this is Too Human.. I loved that game, it got bad reviews.. but everything people listed as negatives where actaul negatives in the game.. not makign things up and I can understand why they listed negative things as they did.. because they things they thought the game was missing.. where actaully missing. Elemetnal isnt missing Alerts when you build stuff and Mass Effect1 for xbox wasnt missign aiming for the Mako.

Anyways, this is my last post in this thread, I have been reading every review on gamespot that Kevin V has done and I enjoy his reviews, even If I dont agree with the score.. why? because his POSITIVES and NEGATIVES are always IN THE GAME, you can see what hes talking about. This review from 1up said there was no Alerts in the game.. when its the 2nd thing I saw when I played the game, to me thats wrong.

hey kozzy when they fix the MP for element wanna give it a go? We can rule as One! :)lawlessx

yeah forsure dude, once the Mutliplayer servers go up ill def do some up with ya :)

Im completely hooked on the singleplayer though, donno how much Ill even touch the online portion :P

I have never trusted reviews.

I loved Shin Megami: Strange Journey on the DS and GS game is a 6.

They got a guy to complain about how he doesn't like old school gems all through out the review.

They also gave Legend of Dragoon a low 6 or something and I liked that game more than FF7.