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Zero Punctuation: Dragon Age 2 Review


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#51
fall_ark

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tez19 wrote...

Crash_7 wrote...

BasilKarlo wrote...

Crash_7 wrote...

I didn't like the rampant homophobia in it, but it was funny as usual. Raising the question: Is it a review or a skit?


He made his character gay. I don't see any homophobia in there. He made some jokes about gay sex, but how were they at all homophobic?



It's a mixed message.  I could accuse him of playing a gay character so that he can justify the rest.  You have his monologue and then the animations.  Watch it again.

I think someone be trollin'.....


We should counter-troll!

I read Crash_7's comment and think he is just homophobic.

There!

#52
TheMadCat

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BasilKarlo wrote...

TheMadCat wrote...

I'm not big on his reviews as reviews, these days he's more an entertainer then a "critic" who delivered his opinions in a comedic way. Fun to watch though.


Why can't one be both? If every review was read by a ****ing robot with no personality no one would read them.


It used to be both, hell I said fairly clearly he used to be both. These days though I just find he usually harps on endlessly about really minor and insignificant things in order to get some good laughs and when you actually jump into the product you find it's not all that bad, then other times he'll praise it uncontrollably. I'll say this though his DA2 was one of his better ones of late, he tackled the major issues with the game quick, moved onto the next flaw, and gave it props where it deserved rather then lingering on or sidetracking to much as he usually does.

#53
JabberJaww

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fall_ark wrote...

JabberJaww wrote...

He wasn't as brutal as other reviews he has done.. still can't tell if that translates into liking the game or completely hating it.


Well chances are you have read these forums for a while so the major points in this review are mostly not new to you. It's a bit like beating a dead horse...



Yeah, he certainly didn't shed any light on anything that's for sure. Even reviews that sounds like he hates the game he ends up liking it. I thought he would be wayyy harsher than what he was. 

#54
fall_ark

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Maverick827 wrote...

I don't really find it surprising that he didn't like the story; Yahtzee has never really struck me as one who put much stock into games-as-art. He alludes to The Hero's Journey at the end and insinuates that because this is a fantasy game it should have followed that structure, but I think that is a rather naive view, both in terms of fantasy narratives as well as video game narratives.


Considering the themes and stories of Yahtzee's own games that doesn't sound very persuasive....

#55
ElectricPhase

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Humor and honesty--always a good mix. Two thumbs way up for that review!

#56
randName

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Maverick827 wrote...

Are you actually saying that the main story in DA2 is any good? because, well I don't know how I could answer that.

Or the premises for the story is better than in DA:O, but in DA2 they totally fail to deliver on the main story, while they are able to do something decent of the weak story of DA:O; & I found the story in DA2 to be just a horrible mess, with two forced fights at the end, continuity breaks, nonsense fights and such and epic ruination of the world they built in DA:O and the beginnings of DA2, just for the sake of the fights themselves; So I found the story to be a horrible horrible thing in the end, despite its promise.

& I'm an avid reader, and I've even written a essay in uni about Art and games ~ and the attack that people don't undestand art if they don't like the DA2 story is just weak; esp. since DA2 is a good example of a commercial game that stands far far away from any kind of art, outside the archaic use of art as in craft.

#57
TheMadCat

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JabberJaww wrote...


Yeah, he certainly didn't shed any light on anything that's for sure. Even reviews that sounds like he hates the game he ends up liking it. I thought he would be wayyy harsher than what he was. 


That's when his reviews start to get silly though rather then informative, when he starts belittling things beyond necessity in order to get a laugh or two. He was harsh enough with it to get his point across that this is a flawed game pushed out there as a cash grab and focused on actual issues with the game and giving it's occasional kudos, well one kudos.

Modifié par TheMadCat, 30 mars 2011 - 05:14 .


#58
yangthecat

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Maverick827 wrote...

As usual, Yahtzee is mostly spot on with gameplay critique. I rarely actually play the games he reviews, so I find it interesting being able to refute some of his points now.

He complains about having to switch to a companion with different, unfamiliar skills than his Hawke, but this is a tactical RPG: that is sort of the point of the game, is it not? I was under the impression that the idea is to control a party of characters with a wide array of abilities. I mean, there's the entire cross class combo system to support this (which he didn't even mention).

He also mentions enemy waves spawning and killing his party without him noticing but, again, is that not the fault of him playing the game without regard for his party? I'm not going to lie: the same thing has happened to me a few times. I never blamed the game itself, though, it was always my fault for not paying attention.

I think, in light of these things, he should be happy (Yahtzee? Happy?) that he can play the game as action-oriented as he is already able, considering that on higher difficulties it is designed as anything but.

I don't really find it surprising that he didn't like the story; Yahtzee has never really struck me as one who put much stock into games-as-art. He alludes to The Hero's Journey at the end and insinuates that because this is a fantasy game it should have followed that structure, but I think that is a rather naive view, both in terms of fantasy narratives as well as video game narratives.

Anyone interested in why the DA2 plot works should look up the differences between plot-driven and character-driven narratives, literary fiction and genre fiction, readerly texts and writerly texts, and linear plot design and modular plot design.


This, so much. I always get a laugh out of Yahtzee's reviews, but at the same time I always end up wondering if he actually plays games. I understand a lot of it is hyperbole, but the stuff he criticizes tends to make him look like an inept player who doesn't get the point rather than reflecting poorly on the game he's reviewing.

#59
Foryou

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I love yahtzee and how was he being a homophobic he said his character was gay?

#60
fall_ark

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JabberJaww wrote...

fall_ark wrote...

JabberJaww wrote...

He wasn't as brutal as other reviews he has done.. still can't tell if that translates into liking the game or completely hating it.


Well chances are you have read these forums for a while so the major points in this review are mostly not new to you. It's a bit like beating a dead horse...



Yeah, he certainly didn't shed any light on anything that's for sure. Even reviews that sounds like he hates the game he ends up liking it. I thought he would be wayyy harsher than what he was. 


Certain parts (like the combat-related complaints) sound a bit forced to me.... like he's already bored of the game & just not making that much efforts into it.

#61
Crash_7

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BasilKarlo wrote...

Crash_7 wrote...

BasilKarlo wrote...

Crash_7 wrote...

I didn't like the rampant homophobia in it, but it was funny as usual. Raising the question: Is it a review or a skit?


He made his character gay. I don't see any homophobia in there. He made some jokes about gay sex, but how were they at all homophobic?



It's a mixed message.  I could accuse him of playing a gay character so that he can justify the rest.  You have his monologue and then the animations.  Watch it again.


What about it is homophobic? You can't just say "it's right there in front of you" and expect everyone to know what you're talking about. You're making an assumption that he's a homophobe and made the choice to engage in a gay romance just so he could gay-bash in a review.


Actually I'm making the assumption that he didn't consider his words that well.  Agree/Disagree/Indifferent, trust me when I say that I won't be taking it personally.

#62
DTKT

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yangthecat wrote...

Maverick827 wrote...

As usual, Yahtzee is mostly spot on with gameplay critique. I rarely actually play the games he reviews, so I find it interesting being able to refute some of his points now.

He complains about having to switch to a companion with different, unfamiliar skills than his Hawke, but this is a tactical RPG: that is sort of the point of the game, is it not? I was under the impression that the idea is to control a party of characters with a wide array of abilities. I mean, there's the entire cross class combo system to support this (which he didn't even mention).

He also mentions enemy waves spawning and killing his party without him noticing but, again, is that not the fault of him playing the game without regard for his party? I'm not going to lie: the same thing has happened to me a few times. I never blamed the game itself, though, it was always my fault for not paying attention.

I think, in light of these things, he should be happy (Yahtzee? Happy?) that he can play the game as action-oriented as he is already able, considering that on higher difficulties it is designed as anything but.

I don't really find it surprising that he didn't like the story; Yahtzee has never really struck me as one who put much stock into games-as-art. He alludes to The Hero's Journey at the end and insinuates that because this is a fantasy game it should have followed that structure, but I think that is a rather naive view, both in terms of fantasy narratives as well as video game narratives.

Anyone interested in why the DA2 plot works should look up the differences between plot-driven and character-driven narratives, literary fiction and genre fiction, readerly texts and writerly texts, and linear plot design and modular plot design.


This, so much. I always get a laugh out of Yahtzee's reviews, but at the same time I always end up wondering if he actually plays games. I understand a lot of it is hyperbole, but the stuff he criticizes tends to make him look like an inept player who doesn't get the point rather than reflecting poorly on the game he's reviewing.


Well, he does criticize the wave based system and the actual story that never seems to pick up.

Arent those fair points to criticize?

#63
JabberJaww

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TheMadCat wrote...

JabberJaww wrote...


Yeah, he certainly didn't shed any light on anything that's for sure. Even reviews that sounds like he hates the game he ends up liking it. I thought he would be wayyy harsher than what he was. 


That's when his reviews start to get silly though rather then informative, when he starts belittling things beyond necessity in order to get a laugh or two. He was harsh enough with it to get his point across that this is a flawed game pushed out there as a cash grab and focused on actual issues with the game and giving it's occasional kudos, well one kudos.


This review definitley sounds like he did it for a more comedic reason. He loves small independent games, these bigger titles he usually lambasts pretty bad. I can say I have not purchased or avoided purchasing a game due to his reviews

#64
TheMadCat

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JabberJaww wrote...

This review definitley sounds like he did it for a more comedic reason. He loves small independent games, these bigger titles he usually lambasts pretty bad. I can say I have not purchased or avoided purchasing a game due to his reviews


God no, anyone who hangs their purchase on Yahtzee's opinion needs to be slapped with a brick.

#65
DragonRageGT

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vdeity wrote...

I really like Yahtzee Croshaw's reviews.  I often agree with 'em and even use 'em as a guide to what games I wanna buy sometimes (when I haven't already pre-ordered one) :P

http://www.escapistm...8-Dragon-Age-II


Killer review! And I don't mind his zero-punctuation speech... as long as I don't have to do a simultaneous translation of it! Ouch!

#66
Eclipse_9990

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Awesome speech. I agree whole heartidly.

#67
The Lesser Evil

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I loved the review, like I love pretty much all of his reviews. I barely play games he reviews, but that doesn't matter because I watch for the comedic value that's always done well.

Having actually played a game he reviews for once, though, I have a few questions:

Is the camera control as hard as he says? Or targeting enemies for that matter? And has anyone actually ever missed the arrival of reinforcements? I'm just wondering because I had no problems with any of those things, and I'm really not very good at videogames.

Modifié par The Lesser Evil, 30 mars 2011 - 05:27 .


#68
Tirigon

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DJBare wrote...
You're still not getting it, that's his act, it's what he is known for, I find it easy to keep up with him.

I figured he'd be a little harsh on this game, but funny as usual!


Then let me rephrase yet again:

Good review, but his act sucks ass and should be changed.

#69
Teddie Sage

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Tirigon wrote...

DJBare wrote...
You're still not getting it, that's his act, it's what he is known for, I find it easy to keep up with him.

I figured he'd be a little harsh on this game, but funny as usual!


Then let me rephrase yet again:

Good review, but his act sucks ass and should be changed.


Don't like? Don't watch. As simple as that.:o

#70
the_one_54321

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Tirigon wrote...
Then let me rephrase yet again:

Good review, but his act sucks ass and should be changed.

It's a comedy act. Ripping games apart with humerous commentary is what he does. If you don't like it, don't watch zeropunctuation.

I thought that review was astoundingly sober, for a Yahtzee review. Which made it all the more depressing. I got the feeling that playing the game made him too sad to be able to crack any really good nasty jokes this time around.

#71
Warheadz

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Tirigon wrote...

DJBare wrote...
You're still not getting it, that's his act, it's what he is known for, I find it easy to keep up with him.

I figured he'd be a little harsh on this game, but funny as usual!


Then let me rephrase yet again:

Good review, but his act sucks ass and should be changed.


I gracefully disagree. I am finnish and I have no trouble understanding him. He speaks a little fast, sure, but that's what separates him from the mass. And during good episodes he's like a gatling gun of jokes. B)

#72
randallman

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vdeity wrote...

I really like Yahtzee Croshaw's reviews.  I often agree with 'em and even use 'em as a guide to what games I wanna buy sometimes (when I haven't already pre-ordered one) :P

http://www.escapistm...8-Dragon-Age-II


Ok, that was worth my $59.99 :-)

--Randall

#73
Tirigon

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Warheadz wrote...

I gracefully disagree. I am finnish and I have no trouble understanding him. He speaks a little fast, sure, but that's what separates him from the mass. And during good episodes he's like a gatling gun of jokes. B)



Most jokes would be bettter, though, if there was time to laugh about them before the next one comes.

#74
Guest_Guest12345_*

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Oh Yahtzee, I do love you so. Definitely a great review.

#75
DJBare

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Tirigon wrote...

Then let me rephrase yet again:

Good review, but his act sucks ass and should be changed.

Fine, you don't like his act, I know of many where I do not like their act, but I would not suggest they change something that have made them popular.
Something that many do not seem to get while praising or critisizing, it's the flavor, the essense that really counts, just like DA2, it's not a bad game but neither does it have the Dragon age flavor.