@Antwan3K: I was arguing before that it is good to play a lot of different games and it is OK to enjoy lesser games. This also gives you a better understanding on how to rate them regardless of genre as you have a good understanding of the quality that it is up against. A good reviewer can look past certain preferences and judge a game for its own merits and overall quality. Take Baldurs Gate 3.... I hate turn based combat and I don't really want to play the game because of that. However, I don't question that the game is exceptional and is deserving of the praise it gets. I have seen enough of the game to see why it is getting those high scores. Hellblade 2... not so much. LOL

LOL, the average 'professional' reviewer is a joke. They over rate shit all the time and follow the popular narrative based on hype, financial influence, business relationships, advertiser pressures, audience pressures, etc.. The majority of them can not be trusted and are under qualified as they don't have a vast enough knowledge and experience with a lot of games. That is why you have to pick and choose your reviewers and who you can trust.

Like I said, all games compete against each other regardless of genre and they are reviewed as such. How they measure up within a genre is only part of what factors into the overall score. Look at it this way... If a genre sucks, but a certain game is the best in that genre, does that game deserve a 10 even though it still sucks? Does that game deserve to be praised the same way as a much better game in another genre? Now do you see how flawed your way of thinking is? The score has to reflect the overall quality of the game.

All games are competing against each other for your time and money and have an overall quality to them. You evaluate the individual elements of each game and how they come together as a package. You compare the overall quality of a game to the overall quality of other games, regardless of genre. That is why there is an overall game of the year and not just awards for each genre.

Anybody who gives Hellblade 2 a very high score, I seriously have to question their ability to evaluate games and how easily they are impressed. Not all reviewers are equal, just like not all games are created equal. I don't trust your opinion when it comes to reviewing games. Others may feel the same way about me. It is what it is.

Yes, you should be comparing it to those games as well. If you are going to give a game high score, not only does it have to be great in its genre, but great compared to all other games. Hellblade 2 is neither. A 9/10 indicates an amazing game that delivers a package with very few flaws and very little room for improvement. Hellblade 2 does not have any strengths other than the presentation (visuals, audio, animations, performances). The story was not very good, the plot was lacking, the combat is lame, many of the environments were not that interesting, very limited interactivity and exploration, puzzles were alright at best. It is just OK as a walking sim and doesn't stack up to the best games out there.

I gave it a 6/10 and the GS review was bang on. Again, I am someone who enjoys walking simulators, played the original and knew what to expect. The game just isn't very good. That doesn't mean the game sucks. I enjoyed it, but I am going to rate it properly on a 1-10 scale. The same scale I use for the thousands of games I have played, regardless of genre.

Yeah, the reboot as it has a similar setting and is also a cinematic experience. Wow though, you would actually rate this game better than God of War when that game is significantly better in every way except for graphics. Everybody enjoys games in different ways, but damn, I can't trust your opinion if you give HB2 a 9/10.

So, if this game gets a 9/10, what does God of War get?

Really guys? 9/10? The only real strength is the presentation. Everything else is alright at best. Not even close to a 9.

I am all for it as Astro's Playroom was a solid little platformer oozing with personality and charm. It was also a fantastic tribute to the history of PlayStation. An ideal pack-in game.