Picked this up this morning and after having played it for about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, I've just made my way through Chapter 1. It's an excellent traditional platformer, and I think that's what turning off reviewers. It's very traditional.

So, the positives: BEAUTIFUL art direction, platforming is solid once you get used to the jumping. Combat feels like Zelda, plus it's varied with different types of weapons. The music and tone are fitting. Cool touch on main menu allows you to equip Alice with a dress/weapon of your choosing.

The negatives: There's some texture pop-in, and the textures on the whole are a bit muddy, but I've never been much of a graphics whore. Some of the animations are a bit stiff, but Alice herself looks fantastic.

This is based on the PS3 copy. The original Alice is available through the equivalent of the online pass. I'm having a blast so far and loving the game. Unless it completely falls apart after the first chapter (which was considerably lengthy), then right now it's a 4/5 for me.

No they are not being harsh, you just have to defend your purchase.

No they are not being harsh, you just have to defend your purchase.

@CL60 said:

@zombie2011 said:

No they are not being harsh, you just have to defend your purchase.

All of these "Opinions" are wrong unless they are the same as mine. It's how the internet works.

@CL60 said:

@zombie2011 said:

No they are not being harsh, you just have to defend your purchase.

What is that strange word? I googled it but it doesn't seem to exist on the internet.

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles 
 
Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles  Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles  Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

I really don't agree with you. Reviewers loved games like Psychonauts and Okami. People love Ico and Shadow of Colossus. But the shooters are games that are easy to get, so to say, so naturally they sell well.  On a side note, Mass Effect is fucking amazing.

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles  Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

@Murray said:

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles  Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

I really don't agree with you. Reviewers loved games like Psychonauts and Okami. People love Ico and Shadow of Colossus. But the shooters are games that are easy to get, so to say, so naturally they sell well.  On a side note, Mass Effect is fucking amazing.

I agree with you, but the games you cited are like 5-6 years old and not entirely relevant. 

@neozeke said:

@Murray said:

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles  Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

I really don't agree with you. Reviewers loved games like Psychonauts and Okami. People love Ico and Shadow of Colossus. But the shooters are games that are easy to get, so to say, so naturally they sell well.  On a side note, Mass Effect is fucking amazing.

I agree with you, but the games you cited are like 5-6 years old and not entirely relevant. 

Exactly. during 1995-2005, what i personally consider the golden gaming years, there was room for creativity and innovation to go along with the shooters and space games  before that, the technology was too crappy. and after that (2006 onward), gaming got too big, everyone roots for COD and ME and Uncharted and Halo, and the sincere appreciation for creativity is stuck in the past.. it's all going downhill from now

If you enjoy the game then play it, I don't see why you feel this sworn duty to defend it.

@Ahmad_Metallic: I don't mean to troll you or anything but have you ever played ME or ME2? They successfully blended the TPS genre with the RPG genre and that is pretty darn creative if you ask me.  

Been playing the 360 version for about an hour now and I'm really enjoying it, some of the platforming stuff does feel dated though, but still fun, and some framerate weirdness in menus. Its a nice looking game though, good art style. Kinda wish I could play the pc version, maybe its time to finally upgrade.

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

You're, like, the biggest fucking Battlefield 3 fanboy on this website! >:|

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

@neozeke said:

@Murray said:

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

I really don't agree with you. Reviewers loved games like Psychonauts and Okami. People love Ico and Shadow of Colossus. But the shooters are games that are easy to get, so to say, so naturally they sell well. On a side note, Mass Effect is fucking amazing.

I agree with you, but the games you cited are like 5-6 years old and not entirely relevant.

Exactly. during 1995-2005, what i personally consider the golden gaming years, there was room for creativity and innovation to go along with the shooters and space games before that, the technology was too crappy. and after that (2006 onward), gaming got too big, everyone roots for COD and ME and Uncharted and Halo, and the sincere appreciation for creativity is stuck in the past.. it's all going downhill from now

If you can only find generic games from 2005 + you aren't looking hard enough. Sure maybe they didn't make it as big as the generic ones but there are still heaps to enjoy.

Bioshock, The World Ends With You, Fallout, Amnesia, Borderlands, Portal, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Zeno Clash, Machinarium, Mirrors Edge, Brink, Hitman: Blood Money, LA Noire, Heavy Rain, Kingdom Hearts, Persona 3 + 4, Pheonix Wright series, Metro 2033, Assassin's Creed, Dead space, Little Big Planet, there are just so many unique games that come out and while not all of these are big blockbusters like Call of Duty or Halo they are still notable games that are fun, unique and recent.

I'm really enjoying the game so far. There's been some performance hick-ups (PS3) but nothing major. I'm very happy such a game exists in this day and age.

I presonally an very interested in this game and for those enjoying it, I am glad to read some positive about this game. If I had to guess something about the reviews I would put my money on the low scores because every outlet was at e3 last week and now has people burning through games from this week and last  to get reviews up. So things that might be repetitive get super highlighted and lower scores because the reviewer is having to go through the game in a day or at least in less than a 24 hour period. 
 
For those that have played it. Any crashes or anything? Planning on buying it myself but have ps3 and 360 don't know which version to get (points don't matter to me).

One man's twisted wreck of a painting is another man's Picasso.

@Ahmad_Metallic: I think blending these two genres was a good thing because it kind of refreshed both. Seriously why is it a bad thing to enhance the shooting mechanics in the sequel? Haven't we had enough rpg's with swords? 

@iAmJohn

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

You're, like, the biggest fucking Battlefield 3 fanboy on this website! >:|

What is that strange word? I googled it but it doesn't seem to exist on the internet.

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

@neozeke said:

@Murray said:

@Ahmad_Metallic said:

Well in a world where we cheer for Call of Duty and Mass Effect, the reviewers cheer for them too and shit on the creative titles Say goodbye to admiring beauty and creativity.. video games are about war and space now, and that's it.

I really don't agree with you. Reviewers loved games like Psychonauts and Okami. People love Ico and Shadow of Colossus. But the shooters are games that are easy to get, so to say, so naturally they sell well. On a side note, Mass Effect is fucking amazing.

I agree with you, but the games you cited are like 5-6 years old and not entirely relevant.

Exactly. during 1995-2005, what i personally consider the golden gaming years, there was room for creativity and innovation to go along with the shooters and space games before that, the technology was too crappy. and after that (2006 onward), gaming got too big, everyone roots for COD and ME and Uncharted and Halo, and the sincere appreciation for creativity is stuck in the past.. it's all going downhill from now

If you can only find generic games from 2005 + you aren't looking hard enough. Sure maybe they didn't make it as big as the generic ones but there are still heaps to enjoy.

Bioshock, The World Ends With You, Fallout, Amnesia, Borderlands, Portal, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Zeno Clash, Machinarium, Mirrors Edge, Brink, Hitman: Blood Money, LA Noire, Heavy Rain, Kingdom Hearts, Persona 3 + 4, Pheonix Wright series, Metro 2033, Assassin's Creed, Dead space, Little Big Planet, there are just so many unique games that come out and while not all of these are big blockbusters like Call of Duty or Halo they are still notable games that are fun, unique and recent.

Ha-vent played it so cant comment on how good or bad it is but there does seem to be a few mean reviews around the last few days (especially the Duke Nukem thing). Maybe its just some sort of post E3 PMS. When did the reviewers become as bitchy as the people who post on their sites?

Fuck the haters. The game is good and is in the style of the first one. Love the story so far too.

I'm often guilty of letting review scores dictate my purchases. Bayonetta was the last game I purchased based solely on liking the style of what I saw. Now it's Alice. I have yet to start Madness Begins, instead opting to complete the original. Despite poor character controls and some dreadful game mechanics, I'm really enjoying many aspects of the original. If MB improves upon the original in these areas I feel I will be truly satisfied with the purchase, and hopefully learn to stop leaning on near perfect review scores as a crutch.

I don't think they're being too harsh, I've been seeing 6.5s and 7s for this game. Maybe sites are actually using the full range of scores now, because above average means exactly that. Its also entirely possible that as games are expanding further and further outward, the typical review scale might not work for every game out there, some games are meant to be almost entirely based on visuals and atmosphere, others strictly for gameplay. I'd love to be in a world where these things aren't scored with numbers or grades, but are only given reviews.

I watched the entire quick look and I went into it knowing literally nothing about the game, or its original. By the time I finished I am almost positive I will be buying it. I can see it has an older feel to it, and some annoying mechanics, but the art and everything just looks so damn good and fun.

@Ahmad_Metallic: Whoah, whoah, whoah. Hold up a minute. I was content to lurk, but then you had to go and bash Uncharted, lumping it with CoD. WTF do you have against Uncharted?

Everything that I've seen about this game puts it at an average review score. Nothing overwhelmingly shocking, or wonderful. Just looks like a 'passable,' 'fun' adventure. Giantbomb prediction: 3 stars.

Look, there are poeple staunchly defending Duke Nukem Forever. Clearly, people have different tastes in games. Play whatever makes ya happy.

it's better than duke nukem forever anyway. just look at DNF review. how bad it is!  
actually, I was hesitating with two games before buying two days ago at Fry's electronic mall.  
unfortunately 9 out of 10 employees recommended damn DNF not Alice. so I jut bought it then. it is not totally garbage but fun to play even though I died many times.  
anyway, I will still consider to buy Alice. 

@MetalGearGeorge said:

@Ahmad_Metallic: I think blending these two genres was a good thing because it kind of refreshed both. Seriously why is it a bad thing to enhance the shooting mechanics in the sequel? Haven't we had enough rpg's with swords?

You best be trolling.

@Ahmad_Metallic: I think blending these two genres was a good thing because it kind of refreshed both. Seriously why is it a bad thing to enhance the shooting mechanics in the sequel? Haven't we had enough rpg's with swords? 

Getting the PC version of this tomorrow... loved the original way back when.  Reviewers are just people spouting opinion, no more important than you or I.  I wish there were more game reviewers with actual educated opinions that rise above the random forum post, but there aren't.

This game is awesome and I'm playing on PC so I have none of the technical issues. As for gameplay and level design is so smart, I went to read some of the reviews and they are saying it's bad. I just don't understand these opinions.

The biggest thing going against this game is Origin.Five star game and GotY contender in my book.

every time when new game is released, people start to complain about the shit of review score. some games got really right score, some are not (all depends on how reviewers looks at them). I am just tired of reading all bullshit what they claim as professional game journalism whatever. I don't think that they are professional. they just got hired, worked. actually, how many percentage of people are really journal professional in gaming industry? I really wonder about that. anybody easily criticize for anything what they think.  
 
anyway, Alice madness returns is beautiful game. don't be fool by shitty reviews.

Im only 25% done, but so far I think the game is great.  Ive had very few issues with the platforming.  The combat is really enjoyable imo, which is a huge surprise, Id say its one of the best parts of the game  IF your on the fence, I say buy it.  I dont normally disagree with reviews, but so far They do seem rather harsh.  I still have 3/4 of the game left to change my opinion.  Only issues I have are a shit mini game, and having to manually aim for puzzles.

Meh who cares. IGN gave Metro 2033 a 6.7 or something, that is the definition of harsh, but you know what? I liked it, so IGN's silly opinion is irrelevant.
 
It was way more interesting than Resistance 2 for example, that game was only half decent because of the fun online co-op mode.

I am on the first part of chaper 4 this morning after being died many times due to control issue (keyboard, jump whatever). but it's not important. the game is really nicer than I thought even though it has only a single mode. but mostly I like single mode for any game rather than MP. story, characters, and graphic appeals me enough already. in the middle of game, 2D classic look game, mini puzzle are really fun. 2D is kind of a good combination with 3D. oh, I like Alice's dresses. I collected 7 along with DLC. they all look unique, pretty. I think that Alice MR is one of very rare unique games in the market. please, enjoy it as many as possible.  by the way, score is just score. what the importance is how you think. that's more important. 

IMHO, quick looks are a far better way to go when deciding if you want to buy a game or not, assuming you have no way to play a demo or get some hands-on time with the game yourself first. Last week, for example, quick looks confirmed my intent to purchase Alice, and changed my mind about DNF (at least 'till it's on sale cheaper). So it goes...

It's a girls game thats why.  Alice? Really?  It should have been called John McClain:  the Return of Hans and it would have sold millions!