Three 9.5+ games this year. Double the amount last year.

Wow! I don't think any game really has a chance of getting a 9.5 in the upcoming months. Maybe Prince of Persia, but I don't think it'll get that high.

Anyway, this year we have had:

Super Smash Brothers Brawl (9.5)

Grand Theft Auto IV (10)

Metal Gear Solid IV: Guns of the Patriots (10)

Last year we had:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion [PlayStation 3 version] (9.5)

World in Conflict (9.5)

Halo 3 (9.5)

The Orange Box (9.5)

Super Mario Galaxy (9.5)

Crysis (9.5)

What I also find surprising is that all three 9.5+ games this year have come out in the former half of the year. Every single one of them in the first six months. Last year, five out of six came out in the latter half of the year. The last six months.

I just found this to be interesting. Do you think we'll see any more 9.5's this year? I personally don't.

Also, for the poll, I'm excluding Oblivion since it originally came out in 2006. Also, I picked Super Mario Galaxy.

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

Wow, going by this we'll never consider Gears of War 2 (9.0). I think GS's review system is inconsistent at best, I always trust IGN anyway lol.

Isn't AAA anything 9.0 and above.

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

Lionheart08

Actually I think people are complaining because of inconsistent reviews. The scores just don't match the review. GS reviews are horrible compaired to what they were in the past.

Why are we narrowing it down to 9.5+?

And anyway, there's a chance of banjo going AAA (should, but the reviewer could be gay ) and Resistance 2 has a shot at AAA

FanofGames2

Because 9.5 is significantly harder to achieve than 9.0. It's only given out to a few games each year.

[QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

Truth_Hurts_U

Actually I think people are complaining because of inconsistent reviews. The scores just don't match the review. GS reviews are horrible compaired to what they were in the past.

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

[QUOTE="Truth_Hurts_U"][QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

Lionheart08

Actually I think people are complaining because of inconsistent reviews. The scores just don't match the review. GS reviews are horrible compaired to what they were in the past.

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

Yeah, there's a chance we might not see another 9.5 until late 2009...

But I feel that they are usually aren't as harsh in the beginning of the year, which is why January 2008 got five AAA's (four being exclusives). More than October (or November will have).

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

Lionheart08

GS said they would never give another game a 10. EVER! Then they turn around give GTA 4 a 10... then not even a month later MSG 4 a 10.

They changed what 10 means. It's not longer the impossible score. It's the give to a game that has tons of hype and no reason for it score.

[QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

Truth_Hurts_U

GS said they would never give another game a 10. EVER! Then they turn around give GTA 4 a 10... then not even a month later MSG 4 a 10.

They changed what 10 means. It's not longer the impossible score. It's the give to a game that has tons of hype and no reason for it score.

Wait... Where did they say they'd never give another 10 again?

see thats why i cant take gamespots reviews too seriously

Bioshock and Call of Duty 4, two of the highest rated games last year and multiple GOTY winners only scored 9.0 here

kinda the same this year w/ Gears 2 and Fallout 3

but oh well what can you do

anyway Mario Galaxy best on that list

I haven't played SMG yet but I played the rest of the games on the 2007 list.

World in Conflict was really the only game that I thought deserved a AAA score from that list let alone getting a 9.5.

Crysis was a great game that carried several flaws.

The Orange Box was a rather weak package in which TF2 was the only gem IMO.

Halo 3 was fun, but just felt average. Maybe I was just being too critical.

Oblivion...no comment. Didn't like Morrowind nor did I Oblivion.

World in Conflict was innovative, fresh, really fun, with its only glaring flaw being the multiplayer (factions were way too identical).

Wait... Where did they say they'd never give another 10 again?

DeathScape666

It was said long ago. I forget where. But I know it was said. Since the loss of GS renown crew. The scores have gone out of control.

Plenty of games with a chance.

Mirror's Edge, Resistance 2, Left4dead, End War, COD5, WOW addon, etc etc

Ya they are really being harsh on reviews now. Almost Every big name game that has come out in the past couple months has been under-rated here on GS. (Compared to Game rankings).

It seems like 9.5 has become the new 10.

Plenty of games with a chance.

Mirror's Edge, Resistance 2, Left4dead, End War, COD5, WOW addon, etc etc

cakeorrdeath

To be honest, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King seems like the only game that has a chance at a 9.5, and hell, I wouldn't be surprised it if did get a 9.5. The only reason I didn't name it in the opening post is because I forgot all about it. However, I also wouldn't be surprised if it got lower.

Call of Duty: World at War, I think, has absolutely no chance. If Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare didn't get it, World at War definitely won't for obvious reasons. I think it'll get an 8 for being inferior to Crysis Warhard, Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead, and Resistance 2.

Starcraft in 1998 only got a 9.1. Warcraft III in 2003 only got a 9.2. I find it hard to believe that End War will be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition and get a 9.5. I'm just going by what I've heard from Hermits. I really don't know much about the game.

Resistance 2... Well, out of all the games you listed, I know most about this game, and I have to say... absolutely not. I fully expect it to get an 8.5. Resistance 2 has tons of quanity, but that doesn't mean much. 8 player co-op, 60 person multiplayer battles, 2 campaigns, 300 foot bosses... These are all "numbers," and I'm sure it won't be fleshed out well enough to get the same score as Halo 3. Halo 3 just had so many more useful features.

Left 4 Dead... If they didn't get Half Life 2 a 9.5, then I doubt this one will, either. The emphasis on four player co-op is neat, but the gunplay isn't anything special, in my opinion.

Mirror's Edge I think has a chance, but I can see it going as low as an 8. It'll probably get higher, though.

But hell, if two more games this year gets a 9.5, then I'll stand defeated.

2007 was a good year for games, first-person shooters in particular. This year feels middling in comparison, despite the fact that in reality it's very much the opposite, because many of the best games of 2008 aren't huge, big-budget releases.

The Orange Box was a rather weak package in which TF2 was the only gem IMO.

mo0ksi

all of you saying that people used to say that GS gave out too many 10s and that now people are saying there are not many high scores, are further proving that gamespot is inconsistent. GS should not change their ways of reviewing, regardless of what people say, because if they do, they make the reviews useless. they should just stick to the same standards alll the time. even if those standards are high or low, at least we will be able to make a relative comparison between the games. If the lack of high scores recently is infact due to the complaints of the members of GS, then all the reviews made are pretty much worthless. For all we know, gears of war 2 could be a 10 on their old standards, no?

all of you saying that people used to say that GS gave out too many 10s and that now people are saying there are not many high scores, are further proving that gamespot is inconsistent. GS should not change their ways of reviewing, regardless of what people say, because if they do, they make the reviews useless. they should just stick to the same standards alll the time. even if those standards are high or low, at least we will be able to make a relative comparison between the games. If the lack of high scores recently is infact due to the complaints of the members of GS, then all the reviews made are pretty much worthless. For all we know, gears of war 2 could be a 10 on their old standards, no?

amigo767

Or maybe, just maybe, they really thought Grand Theft Auto IV and Metal Gear Solid IV deserved a 10. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks. That's irrelevant to how much GameSpot enjoyed the game.

Halo 3 and not SMG

SMG is overrated

Halo 3 and not SMG

SMG is overrated

naruto7777

Halo 3 is overrated.

*Waits to be called a fanboy.*

[QUOTE="amigo767"]

all of you saying that people used to say that GS gave out too many 10s and that now people are saying there are not many high scores, are further proving that gamespot is inconsistent. GS should not change their ways of reviewing, regardless of what people say, because if they do, they make the reviews useless. they should just stick to the same standards alll the time. even if those standards are high or low, at least we will be able to make a relative comparison between the games. If the lack of high scores recently is infact due to the complaints of the members of GS, then all the reviews made are pretty much worthless. For all we know, gears of war 2 could be a 10 on their old standards, no?

DeathScape666

Or maybe, just maybe, they really thought Grand Theft Auto IV and Metal Gear Solid IV deserved a 10. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks. That's irrelevant to how much GameSpot enjoyed the game.

I hope you are right, but like the topic creators pattern shows, theres a chance that they are responding to complaints. Even so, even top notch games of the past such as starcraft, the diablos, many final fantasys, etc did not even get close to 10, this is all my speculation though

[QUOTE="naruto7777"]

Halo 3 and not SMG

SMG is overrated

DeathScape666

Halo 3 is overrated.

*Waits to be called a fanboy.*

You asked for it :P

That is an LH08 original. :D

[QUOTE="DeathScape666"][QUOTE="amigo767"]

all of you saying that people used to say that GS gave out too many 10s and that now people are saying there are not many high scores, are further proving that gamespot is inconsistent. GS should not change their ways of reviewing, regardless of what people say, because if they do, they make the reviews useless. they should just stick to the same standards alll the time. even if those standards are high or low, at least we will be able to make a relative comparison between the games. If the lack of high scores recently is infact due to the complaints of the members of GS, then all the reviews made are pretty much worthless. For all we know, gears of war 2 could be a 10 on their old standards, no?

amigo767

Or maybe, just maybe, they really thought Grand Theft Auto IV and Metal Gear Solid IV deserved a 10. It doesn't matter what you or anyone else thinks. That's irrelevant to how much GameSpot enjoyed the game.

I hope you are right, but like the topic creators pattern shows, theres a chance that they are responding to complaints. Even so, even top notch games of the past such as starcraft, the diablos, many final fantasys, etc did not even get close to 10, this is all my speculation though

Take into consideration that GameSpot isn't one person. There are many different reviewers. Guy A gives game Game X a 9. Guy B gives Game X a 7. Guy B enjoyed Game X more than Guy A, because there isn't any universal way of knowing how everyone feels about a game just by putting it on a numbered scale.

I don't know the guy that reviewed Grand Theft Auto IV is, but I know that the reviewer of Metal Gear Solid IV (Kevin VanOrd) gives out high scores easier than others... which isn't a bad thing, but take that into consideration. Guy Cocker who gaves Gears of War 2 a 9 might not be as generous as Kevin VanOrd.

You asked for it :P

*Picture*

That is an LH08 original. :D

Lionheart08

OBJECTION!

I declare that statement to be bullcrap!

[QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

You asked for it :P

*Picture*

That is an LH08 original. :D

DeathScape666

OBJECTION!

I declare that statement to be bullcrap!

:lol:

I'm with you though, Galaxy was the best game of 07 IMO.

[QUOTE="mo0ksi"]

The Orange Box was a rather weak package in which TF2 was the only gem IMO.

Greatgone12

I was only getting it for Team Fortress 2 anyway so I'm not upset.

I love the original Half Life and Half Life 2. It's just the episodes aren't in the same magnitude but they're still great.

[QUOTE="Greatgone12"]

[QUOTE="mo0ksi"]

The Orange Box was a rather weak package in which TF2 was the only gem IMO.

mo0ksi

I was only getting it for Team Fortress 2 anyway so I'm not upset.

I love the original Half Life and Half Life 2. It's just the episodes aren't in the same magnitude but they're still great.

I totally agree with the episodes part. I felt Half Life 2 had much better variety in its locations, and was overall a more fun experience because it was fresh and new. Half Life 2: Episode Two's first two chapters unimpressed me. The ending was better than that of Half Life 2's, but it still didn't make up for what felt like a rehashed experience. I know it was supposed to feel like that, but that doesn't excuse it from doing nothing new.

I thought Portal was excellent, but I can see how you might not like it for being too basic and overly simplistic.

Team Fortress 2 was my second least favorite game in the package.

[QUOTE="DeathScape666"][QUOTE="naruto7777"]

Halo 3 and not SMG

SMG is overrated

Lionheart08

Halo 3 is overrated.

*Waits to be called a fanboy.*

You asked for it :P

That is an LH08 original. :D

that is the best fanboy pic I have seen yet.

bias mgs4 kills them all StealthKnife

Didn't know MGS4 got a 9.5. OH W8, IT GOT 10, SO THAT MEANS ITS BETTAR.

MGS4 is overrated.

[QUOTE="DeathScape666"][QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

You asked for it :P

*Picture*

That is an LH08 original. :D

Lionheart08

OBJECTION!

I declare that statement to be bullcrap!

:lol:

I'm with you though, Galaxy was the best game of 07 IMO.

[QUOTE="Lionheart08"][QUOTE="Truth_Hurts_U"][QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

DeathScape666

Actually I think people are complaining because of inconsistent reviews. The scores just don't match the review. GS reviews are horrible compaired to what they were in the past.

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

Yeah, there's a chance we might not see another 9.5 until late 2009...

But I feel that they are usually aren't as harsh in the beginning of the year, which is why January 2008 got five AAA's (four being exclusives). More than October (or November will have).

March 13th, 2009: 9.5.

[QUOTE="DeathScape666"][QUOTE="Lionheart08"][QUOTE="Truth_Hurts_U"][QUOTE="Lionheart08"]

It'll be interesting if R2 manages a 9.5.

It's ironic though, early this year, people were complaining GS went soft after giving GTAIV and MGSIV 10's. Now they're being too harsh. :P

berga52

Actually I think people are complaining because of inconsistent reviews. The scores just don't match the review. GS reviews are horrible compaired to what they were in the past.

No, I remember after MGSIV, there were definitely people complaining about how "Gamespot throws out 10's left and right." and how "They should go back to being harsh like they use too."

Yeah, there's a chance we might not see another 9.5 until late 2009...

But I feel that they are usually aren't as harsh in the beginning of the year, which is why January 2008 got five AAA's (four being exclusives). More than October (or November will have).

March 13th, 2009: 9.5.

I was thinking of Resident Evil 5, too, but there's a possibility it may not be 9.5. There's a chance, but... look what happened to Gears of War 2.

Also, the last 9.5 was March 9, 2008. Hmmm, 369 days later for a 9.5? Wow. This is excluding the two 10's, also.

orange box PC > galaxy

nothing else comes close to those two masterppieces