GameTrailers defends their Uncharted 2 review

GameTrailers, one of the most popular video game websites, recently reviewed and gave Uncharted 2: Among Thieves a 9.3 score out of 10. Apparently, that didn't sit well with a few people. Shane Satterfield, Editor-in-Chief of GameTrailers, decided to defend his review of the Playstation 3 exclusive game in the latest Invisible Walls podcast. Here is his statement regarding the controversial review:

As far as people's criticisms of the review are concern, what I saw the most was people were upset that I dinged it so much for it not being original. And that's the comment I saw the most on message boards and our comments. And the truth of the matter is it's not original. It doesn't really do anything that hasn't been done in other games.

And people say: 'oh well, you compared it to Gears of War, why did Gears of War get a higher score?' Gears of War 2 was released a year ago. The original Gears of War was released way before that. So the expectations change over time. You can't just create a 'me too' game where you grab all the best features from all the games that are over a year old and expect to get the same score a year later for those same features.

Now, honestly, there was nothing original in Uncharted 2. To be perfectly honest with you, the 9.3 that game got is about as high a score as a game like that is ever going to get on GameTrailers and that's the bottom line.

When we review games, we put an extremely high emphasis on originality. Why do you think Super Mario Galaxy scored so high? It's because it did tons of things that no game had ever done before. It's platforming upside down in that game. I was platforming around round levels in that game. There's nothing like that in Uncharted 2.

And again, I've said it a million times, the game is freaking incredible. The last line in the review says: 'go buy the game. If you have a PS3, go freaking buy it.' What more can I say? But at the same time I cannot sleight the other games that did go above and beyond and did take a risk.

And that's what Uncharted 2 doesn't do. There are no risks associated with that game at all. They played it completely safe. They took things that they knew were accepted and people loved and build it into one game. And that's fine, there's nothing wrong with that. But you can't expect a score of a 9.8 or a 9.5 and higher if you're doing something like that.

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Boycott GameTrailers

No i did not make the petition lol....but i sure as hell signed it:P

I agree with Gametrailers here. Not even on the review itself but on the context that its applied. The logic is sound to me.

legitamate argument, honestly, people that are complaining seriously need to find other things to put their mind to that's ridiculous.

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

lol @ having to justify a 9.3

why even try to explain your thinking to a bunch of insane fanboys? what's the point? what do you hope to do? make them see reason?

i bet they wish they had just stuck it with a 7.5 just to watch the fireworks

edit: i just noticed you linked a boycott BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA oh man that's just rich

People are still talking about this? Get over it already. It's not like it didn't get amazing scores everywhere else.

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

why are people whining over this?! 9.3 is a good score...wolverine4262

Because Uncharted 2 is a gift from God himself and deserves nothing less than a 10.

...

Am I doing it right, cows?

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Revolution316

Sounds reasonable to me.

I thought the review was fine to begin with though.

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

Snagal123

This topic was already posted.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=27066461&page=9&tag=topics;lastpage

And i'll copy paste my post to the people who are hating on cows.

Everyone who thinks cows are complaining because of the 9.3 doesn't get it.

It's not the 9.3 It's that the reviewer lowered points because U2 wasn't original. However Halo 3 wasn't docked any points for not being original. Same goes for Gears 2.

If Modern Warfare 2 doesn't get docked any points then that's another one. People are mad because there's these double standards for PS3 games that don't seem to be applied to 360 games.

It doesn't help that GT has already been caught botching their video comparisons with actual proof/facts.

I agree that giving away the Spoiler in the review was dumb on their part, but it seems pretty silly that everyone is in an uproar because the game didn't get higher that a 9.3. I mean that score seems pretty remarkable, it's a very good score. And their reasoning is logical; you can't exactly call that game original. Everything in the game has been done before, but Naughty Dog just molded all of those elemets together perfectly. I think that all these people upset about this should just play the game and enjoy it rather than worry about a review one site gave it. It has amazing scores across the board, do 0.2 points really matter?

I agree with Gametrailers here. Not even on the review itself but on the context that its applied. The logic is sound to me.

ActicEdge

how is it "sound", when ODST , an expansion gets close to a 9. It really doesnt make sense, especially since it used the same engine and brought nothing new to the table.

the new mode has already been created in many games< ex GEOW. So really, gametrailers is wrong.

I guess based on their logic, CODMW2 will get less than 9.3 since it didnt change its mechanics. However it did add kill streaks. but im sure kill streaks in MP arent going to get it a 9.5.

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

Revolution316

*facepalm* They've spoiled loads of other exclusives on other platforms before, that's one of the weaknesses with GT's reviews.

I'm not going to argue with a person who thinks a game that does nothing new deserves more than 9.3.

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

Snagal123

Forge mode and replay editor anyone?

[QUOTE="Revolution316"]

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

kaealy

*facepalm* They've spoiled loads of other exclusives on other platforms before, that's one of the weaknesses with GT's reviews.

I'm not going to argue with a person who thinks a game that does nothing new deserves more than 9.3.

I respect GT's decision and response, but calling it unoriginal/playing it safe compared to gears of war is very shady. The two are are distinct enough from each other to not have to compete. Gears of war is slower paced, and more depended on cover, if you are trying to fight out of cover you will be dead in a minute. Uncharted is more fast paced, more running around, and more vertical as well. When playing online for uncharted i try my best to never stay in one spot for more then a few seconds, ill take cover, kill someone, chuck a grenade, run away, then climb up to a balcony and pull the enemy off, just in time to take his sniper and snipe his back up. That is what makes uncharted different and unique, its not playing it safe they added so much more compared to the first game, and the playing style is unique enough to differentiate from gears of war.

To me it just sounds like the reviewer is a gears of war fan, now thats not bad, he likes the game, but uncharted will probably never be better then gears for him. Everyone is that way sometimes. For instance i respect halo as a game, its fun as hell, but i wouldnt say its unique and or that it does anything new. The truth to it is that is a lie, halo does plenty of things new to seperate it from other games. COD and Halo are both FPS games, but they are different enough to be their own games, they should never be compared. To me, that is what uncharted and gears of war are like now.

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

Revolution316

They shouldn't have to defend anything. There was nothing wrong or controversial withn this review, any arguing over this is just pathetic.

This topic was already posted.

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=27066461&page=9&tag=topics;lastpage

And i'll copy paste my post to the people who are hating on cows.

Everyone who thinks cows are complaining because of the 9.3 doesn't get it.

It's not the 9.3 It's that the reviewer lowered points because U2 wasn't original. However Halo 3 wasn't docked any points for not being original. Same goes for Gears 2.

If Modern Warfare 2 doesn't get docked any points then that's another one. People are mad because there's these double standards for PS3 games that don't seem to be applied to 360 games.

It doesn't help that GT has already been caught botching their video comparisons with actual proof/facts.

GiantMuffin

This, everyone wants to focus on the score aspect when thats not the point. Its this standard that has suddenly appeared for Uncharted 2. Suddenly originality is somehow now the biggest factor in a game.

As I said in the hype thread, this was a lame justification for a lame grading rubric that only applies to a few games.

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

Lethalhazard

Didn't they spam the EA forums before? I wonder if GameTrailers is next for the stampede.

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

Snagal123

[QUOTE="kaealy"]

[QUOTE="Revolution316"]

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

Revolution316

*facepalm* They've spoiled loads of other exclusives on other platforms before, that's one of the weaknesses with GT's reviews.

I'm not going to argue with a person who thinks a game that does nothing new deserves more than 9.3.

Awesome game like UC2, but Halo 3 had Forge mode and replay editor earning those extra points. What's the point in you arguing and using Halo 3 in your argument when you don't even know what it contains?

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

ThatGuyFromB4

Forge mode and replay editor anyone?

Maybe if you've only ever played a FPS on consoles you would call that original. Even then Farcry on Xbox had a map editor.

Regardless of that, i wouldn't use it, i bet most wouldn't use it, the gameplay had nothing original about it, but it got a 9.8. Gametrailers are a victim of the hype machine, but maybe they will change with this current statement...

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

DeadMagazines

i've seen both piles of people here and some critics call halo's forge and theater mode innovative, were they wrong?

that question is serious btw i really don't play halo mp and have never used either mode

While I agree that they shouldnt have to justify their score, I LOLed at how he called Mario Galaxy original...or ANY mario game for that matter.

[QUOTE="Revolution316"]

[QUOTE="kaealy"]

*facepalm* They've spoiled loads of other exclusives on other platforms before, that's one of the weaknesses with GT's reviews.

I'm not going to argue with a person who thinks a game that does nothing new deserves more than 9.3.

kaealy

Awesome game like UC2, but Halo 3 had Forge mode and replay editor earning those extra points. What's the point in you arguing and using Halo 3 in your argument when you don't even know what it contains?

Cows are still damage controlling over Halo :lol:

[QUOTE="ThatGuyFromB4"]

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

So they claim originality is needed for a 9.8 and gave Halo 3 a 9.8?

Snagal123

Forge mode and replay editor anyone?

Maybe if you've only ever played a FPS on consoles you would call that original. Even then Farcry on Xbox had a map editor.

Regardless of that, i wouldn't use it, i bet most wouldn't use it, the gameplay had nothing original about it, but it got a 9.8. Gametrailers are a victim of the hype machine, but maybe they will change with this current statement...

its obvious, and literally if anyone denies this, they are joking.

ODST got close to a 9 for brining nothing NEW*

UNCHARTED 2 gets 9.3 with a wayy better campaign, movie like scenes, NEW multiplayer addon (fast paced), climbing in MP (plat forming), arguably the best graphics this gen for consoles.

Its clear that GT does not standardize their scoring.

IF MW2 gets more than 9.3 i will be schocked, because i doubt it brings anything new to the FPS genre. Except for maybe customizable kill streaks. But even custom kill streaks wont make it go to a 9.5. Remember this is by their standards and how they view U2.

[QUOTE="kaealy"]

[QUOTE="Revolution316"]

GT is owned by MTV, which is owned by Viacom, which is owned by Microsoft

yes or no?

also filling PS3's most antisipated game with spoilers in teh review kinda shows were they are trying to get at...

Being Original =/= quality. sure you can not give it a 10 for that reason but a 9.3? please...

Revolution316

*facepalm* They've spoiled loads of other exclusives on other platforms before, that's one of the weaknesses with GT's reviews.

I'm not going to argue with a person who thinks a game that does nothing new deserves more than 9.3.

It got 9.8 beeeeeeeeeeeecccccccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuuusssssssssseeeeeeee it included things like forge mode and theather mode which had never been effectively done before.

[QUOTE="SRTtoZ"]

While I agree that they shouldnt have to justify their score, I LOLed at how he called Mario Galaxy original...or ANY mario game for that matter.

ActicEdge

What was the last platformer to have a fully orchestrated soundtrack?
What was the last platformer to have spherical worlds with gravity mechanics implemented as its core design philosophy.
What was the last platformer where you skated across blocks of lava suspended in the starry depths of space switching between positive and negative gravityracing to your next ice powerup before you lose the ability to freeze the burning hot molten liquid below you and meet your untimely end?
To call Super Mario Galaxy Unoriginal is to say you know nothing of the platforming genre or gaming in general. Hand in your gamer badge and leave, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Haha!!! Relax!!

You know I bet when they reviewed Halo they were comparing it to other FPS on consoles, thus making it original. Just a thought, maybe you should start trying to have one sometime. madmidnight

So the forge and map editor are original, fine, the gameplay, the narrative, the story? No, it was just more Halo.

I'm not saying Halo 3 is bad, but a 9.8? I don't think UC2 need more than a 9.3 either, the points the guy makes are valid.

Gametrailers reviews just don't seem right when you listen to what they say and the score they put on the end. They praise a game and barely criticize it and it gets a 8, they criticize a game quite abit and it gets a 9.

its obvious, and literally if anyone denies this, they are joking.

ODST got close to a 9 for brining nothing NEW*

UNCHARTED 2 gets 9.3 with a wayy better campaign, movie like scenes, NEW multiplayer addon (fast paced), climbing in MP (plat forming), arguably the best graphics this gen for consoles. Ribnarak

I think the score is fine and I do agree that the game doesn't really change any existing formulas. Yet it is a double standard to dock points on originality when other blockbuster games don't get critiqued on that. I'd feel better about it if they were.

[QUOTE="SRTtoZ"]

While I agree that they shouldnt have to justify their score, I LOLed at how he called Mario Galaxy original...or ANY mario game for that matter.

ActicEdge

What was the last platformer to have a fully orchestrated soundtrack?
What was the last platformer to have spherical worlds with gravity mechanics implemented as its core design philosophy.
What was the last platformer where you skated across blocks of lava suspended in the starry depths of space switching between positive and negative gravityracing to your next ice powerup before you lose the ability to freeze the burning hot molten liquid below you and meet your untimely end?
To call Super Mario Galaxy Unoriginal is to say you know nothing of the platforming genre or gaming in general. Hand in your gamer badge and leave, don't let the door hit you on the way out.