Just got my new GI and I was kind of shocked by Bionic Commando getting such low scores. I loved the first look gameplay video Giant Bomb did, the action looked great as did the graphics. The GI review labels the playability as, "An extremely challenging and frequently clumsy control mechanic drastically hurts the experience." Later the magazine points out, "The game conspires against you freely navigating the environment, instead making you feel fragile and clumsy."
Bionic Commando
Game » consists of 11 releases. Released May 18, 2009
Bionic Commando is the follow-up to the NES classic of the same name. The game revolves around the protagonist's bionic arm used for swinging, and combat.
Bad reviews (6025 & 5.0) in Game Informer
I heard that it also got some bad reviews in other magazines. Seriously considering canceling my preorder.
I can see why it might suck. Did they say how long the single player was? Because the MP demo didn't work well for me at all.
edit : also, I have a sub to GI, WHERE'S MY ISSUE YOU ASSHOLES?
"Who cancels their pre-order based on somebody elses opinion on a game?"I cancel my preorders based on facts other people tell me about. Supposedly a major fault in the game comes down to invisible near instant death radiation zones, which doesn't sound fun to me. It matters less what they thought than what they can tell me about the game that's objective.
I will wait to see what the consensus is on the game, especially the gamers themselves. Its just too bad when a developer is cool enough to bring a playable build of a game to a site like Giant Bomb and comes across really likeable but then the game they worked on does not live up to the hype.
"From what it seems, the game is very hard and will probably frustrate a lot of players in the beginning. But after spending some time getting used to the swing mechanic it becomes rewarding."
Which pretty much describes the original Bionic Commando. The game has always rewarded persistence and practice so why should the new one be any different?
"Fr0Br0 said:Because the Xbox generation has spoken! Their word is law, do not question them!"From what it seems, the game is very hard and will probably frustrate a lot of players in the beginning. But after spending some time getting used to the swing mechanic it becomes rewarding."Which pretty much describes the original Bionic Commando. The game has always rewarded persistence and practice so why should the new one be any different?"
In all honesty though depending on what GI actually mentioned as being the aspects of the game that gained it a slightly negative review, I'm still looking forward to the game. It looks good and challenging. You aren't playing as Spiderman web swinging around the city, you are a dude with a heavy metal arm and hand as a grapple hook. Of course it is going to be a little clunky and do some degree may even have a steep learning curve.
For those who don't have the magazine but want the entire 2 reviews, here they are:
Why is Spencer fighting? What is his ultimate objective? Why do we care?
Exactly, Edge. Why do we care? Better yet, why the fuck do you care? Who the hell is looking forward to BC for the story? Not every game needs to be BioShock to be worth playing. I'm going into Bionic Commando expecting a silly comic book style story, and I'm sure that's what I'll get. If a few jokes fall flat, I'm cool with that. This is a video game, not the latest Patton Oswalt CD. Who. Cares.
As for the swing mechanic, I've played at least six hours of the demo so far, and I can tell you they absolutely fucking nailed the swing mechanic. Use the private match exploit, turn up the control sensitivity, and spend a good hour or so swinging around the demo with a few friends. Then come back here and tell me that you agree with Edge, and the swinging feels "clumsy". If you still feel that way, you should see me go circling several times around main building in the demo without ever needing to touch the ground.
Spiderman games practically hand you flawless swinging on a silver platter. BC actually requires a decent sense of timing and a little bit of skill. That's a good thing, people! Trust me when i say that reviewers are going to be split on this game, just as players are going to be split on this game, but I would hardly go canceling your preorder because of a couple early reviews. Come the 18th there should be a ton of reviews you can read to help you make up your mind. Wait until then to decide.
Lastly, thanks to ThinkTank for posting the whole review. I've been wanting to read that ever since hearing about the score.
[edit]
As for the length, I've heard one person from Capcom say it was 10 to 14 hours (in the Quick Look, I believe), and Ben Judd said just today on the PlayStation blog: "It’s one of the few big releases in May to feature a 20-plus-hour-long single-player campaign and several multiplayer modes."
When Re-Armed came on on XBLA, I played the demo twice and absolutely hated it both times because of the controls. Several months later I bought it because I had some extra points, played through the first two levels, got good with the controls, and now it's one of my favorite games. I've since played through it four times.
If the swing mechanic is good, I will put in the time to learn it. Even if it's frustrating.
@SpaceInsomniac: Nicley put, I agree I wans't expecting too much out of the story, after playing Bionic Commando: Rearmed where basicly the Nazi's resurrect Hitler then you kill him, my expectations weren't set that high.
Even though I am too one of the many ( at least I hope ) excited about this game, Capcom seriously mishandled the promotion of its product. Although they made some wonderful videos showcasing the game and enough to build it some hype, the demo was a serious misstep. Releasing a demo of a game that the one thing that makes it awesome is it's swing mechanic, -and in a map that doesn't allow that mechanic to shine- without having the slightest hint of what to do when you jump in is ridicilous! If not for my past experience with the XBLA game, I would have to been compeled to quit after the first 10 minutes.
Other review scores are already leaking out, and they're much higher scores than the GI review.
UK "360 Magazine" - 4 out of 5
UK "Play" - 82%
Italian "Play Generation" - 88%
Why is Spencer fighting? What is his ultimate objective? Why do we care? Exactly, Edge. Why do we care? Better ... [more]
For example: Killzone 2 tried to make the player feel conflicted over a conflict, and sympathize with it's characters near the end of the campaign. It fell laughably short. I'm all for a comic book, save the world, shoot every stupid dude in the face affair. That's what Bionic Commando is. I'm afraid for any over the top drama without any context, and characters who are not likable.
It's just an opinion, at least rent the game and judge it for yourself. I've enjoyed lots of poorly reviewed games in my life.
i really really really like the game...yeah GI i didnt like it, and gamespot didnt like it, but gametrailers, giant bomb, and OXM gave it good scores..some of the games i really like got trashed by critics...dont get a game because a critic gave it a bad review...the game might surprise you..
Reviews have been all over the place, and understandably so. While the swinging does become rewarding, there's just a bunch of other stupid design flaws that can be damn frustrating. I can only play it for maybe a half-hour to 45 min. before I get pissed and turn it off because of some series of cheap-ass deaths.
I think it's really good. The reviews have been really harsh across the board. There are flaws, but I'm really enjoying the game. GRIN must be pretty disappointed actually -- the game should have reviewed better in my opinion.
I can understand the hate. I just finished it on Commando yesterday, and it's pretty much both the best and worst game ever at the same time. Even if you're good, you'll still die a fair bit of cheap deaths. It's very rewarding when you get past the learning curve, but the cheap deaths might get to some people (and clearly has, judging from the reviews). The high points of the game are among the highest I've had in gaming though. It was a rush killing the polymechs for the first time after alot of failed attempts, and the stuff that happens near the end of the game is so awesome.
It's just an opinion, at least rent the game and judge it for yourself. I've enjoyed lots of poorly reviewed ... [more]
I really loved the game, and am working on my own review, but I'm not to sure what I want ... [more]
http://www.gogaminggiant.com/2009/05/community-review-bionic-commando/
After getting my ass handed to me by the game, I was in shock for a couple of hours. Then I realized that that hadn't happened (to that degree) for many, many years. Now I'm completely extatic. Go go Nintendo generation!
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