Edge 171 - scores etc

[Mayhem]

I must admit I haven't played Phoenix Wright 2 but isn't it just a lot more of the same?

Isn't each iteration of PES pretty much?

(nothing against the game cos I love it to bits in general too)

Read my review recently put up here and decide for yourself based on my words...

[EvilBoris]

Basically yes, but for a game like Phoenix Wright it's exactly what was needed. More cases, more humour, more characters, just more Phoenix Wright.

Its kinda like a reviewer giving a sequel to a book a low score because the paper it is printed on isn't made of a new and exciting material.

but then on the flipside of that they also gave Ridge Racer 7 an equally low score.

it is a tough one to judge though as I guess as you have said, the actualy games is the stories, the humour and the characters.

[Team Andromeda]

PES and Winning Eleven have scored 9/10 on every occassion (PS2 versions)

But choose to mark down the likes of VF 4 EVO , or F1 GP 3 ect for nothing offering anything new, which always pissed me off with EDGE.
Much like with thier Laughable 10 ? Must equal a revolution bull**** from a while back

[Yoshimax]

Jesus they fair went for the jugular on RR7 - Quite contrary to a lot of what people are saying on here (i.e the front-end is an overly cluttered mess whereas people here were saying it was tremendous & better than 6).

Makes me a bit suspicious that for last months fawning over PS3 issue they failed to secure any reviews but present them this month in all their average glory - bit too convenient.

[watusi]

anyone else not received there sub copy yet?

[gossi the dog]

You see I'd mark down a sequel if it's just more of the same. With sports games this is expected and hence I'd make an exception. However take something like Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer 2 on the PSP. Both games are virtually identical but for the addition of a handful of new tracks in the sequel. If I were reviewing Ridge Racer I'd give it 8 out of 10. If I were reviewing the sequel and there had been no such thing as Ridge Racer I'd also give it an 8. However seeing as Ridge Racer exists and the sequel adds very little I wouldn't give it more than 6 out of 10. I'd do the same if reviewing Phoenix Wright.

[JU!]

This dicussion is very interesting. I still think all the Ridge racer sequels get low marks in Edge was RRV really as bad as they made out? Lots of people on here disagree with that if i remember. I still don't understand what makes Ridge Racers miles better than RR7 according to Edge??

[sj33]

You see I'd mark down a sequel if it's just more of the same. With sports games this is expected and hence I'd make an exception. However take something like Ridge Racer and Ridge Racer 2 on the PSP. Both games are virtually identical but for the addition of a handful of new tracks in the sequel. If I were reviewing Ridge Racer I'd give it 8 out of 10. If I were reviewing the sequel and there had been no such thing as Ridge Racer I'd also give it an 8. However seeing as Ridge Racer exists and the sequel adds very little I wouldn't give it more than 6 out of 10. I'd do the same if reviewing Phoenix Wright.

The obvious problem there is it gives the incorrect impression that the prequal is superior because the score was higher.

[Dogg Thang]

That would be an incorrect impression though. Reviews need to be taken in context. They really should be seen as a 'how impressive this game is at this time' mark. Otherwise we should be marking far lower in case gaming gets better.

[Team Andromeda]

I think it be far better if people just reviewed what game they had in front of them (that after all is the whole point of a review) , rather than thinking of any previous version . Then at the end of the reviews just add that the game might not be worth owning if you the original , but to mark a game down because of a pervious version is rubbish imo.

It’s like reviewing a car, but marking down because of previous versions in the series . The review is for that game they have in front them, not the game they had last year or the year before.

[NekoFever]

This is why reviewers get annoyed when people fuss over the score without the text, which is obviously where far more work goes into creating a reflection of their opinion. As long as the review itself makes clear that the sequel is the superior game for those who haven't played the original, then marking the final score down on the basis that it offers nothing new over the original (that many people have played and, if not, is probably available much cheaper) is fair.

Ridge Racer 2 probably is better than Ridge Racer in that more equals better, but I'd be annoyed if I bought it on the strength of review scores and found that I'd played most of it before. You'll be wary if they play it safe and lower the score.