The first thing you got wrong is that the game doesn't punish exploring with its time limit system, but if you expect to see everything in any one playthrough, you are getting it wrong. Multiple playthroughs with different choices on picking quests and where to go at a given time are pretty much mandotary to be able to see everything.
And about the battle system, this review sounds like the reviewer is rage quitting. The camera wasn't a problem for me to see what was happening in the field and I think any player who has played some ARPGs would be able to get used to the battle system after a bit of learning curve and enjoy it (I'm actually questioning the reviewer's playing skills TBH). In fact I was kinda expecting this kind of score from GS back when I was playing the game. I knew its time management mechanics and the difficulty of combat would be too much for the reviewers here to handle.
What I said might be bombed here by the haters, but if you are remotely interested in this game, ignore this review (especially the score), check out the demo or watch someone play on Youtube, and decide for yourself.
Every time a new expansion since Cataclysm came out, I jumped back in and leveled my mage to the level cap and then went AFK. This time will be no exception I think. The new character models look great.
Now you are trying too hard to get attention Mr. McShea. The only reason I can think of why you review a game that is reviewed half a year ago and give it a dramatically low score is you are trolling to be controversial.
Are you trying to become Jim Sterling from Destructoid? The difference is that Sterling is actually a good reviewer while you are not.
He has a point speaking for his own game developing experience since Megaman obviously took lots of inspiration directly from Mario. But honestly I don't think games like Baldur's Gate or Quake would have much to do with Mario.
Why not? Just make sure not every game plays like a movie (not likely anyway) and everything is OK. Diversity is always a good thing in this industry. It allows more people with broader talents to join the party and appeals more people with different tastes to enjoy this medium. We have games like Mario which is purely about gameplay, and we have games like Steins' Gate or Heavy Rain which play like a novel or a movie. This variety in choice is definitely a good thing for us gamers.
Why not? Just make sure not every game plays like a movie (not likely anyway) and everything is OK. Diversity is always a good thing in this industry. It allows more people with broader talents to join the party and appeals more people with different tastes to enjoy this medium. We have games like Mario which is purely about gameplay, and we have games like Steins' Gate or Heavy Rain which play like a novel or a movie. This variety in choice is definitely a good thing for us gamers.
It's funny how Valve always wants to get into the living room and get a slice of cake from consoles, yet all they can offer is something you can easily build with PC hardwares on the market.
Many PC exclusives like Total War: Rome 2 are meant to be played on a desktop system with K/M setup, that's why their pigheaded effort on bringing PC into the living room is plain laughable and stupid.
Maybe they should stop dreaming and focus on bringing out Half-Life 3 or L4D3 instead.
ChristysXmas' comments