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98
Game Informer
It's an adventure that is so captivating that you'll be counting the days for the sequel. It takes interactive storytelling to new heights, and brings the player closer to content than ever before. It's easily one of the year's best titles and one of the most impressive games to date. [Nov 2007, p.151]

So many good games right now.

98!!! WTF?

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned no game, no matter how good it is, should be that close to scoring "perfect". When I see a review scored that high i usually don't read them. However, had it been 9.1-9.5, I could see that as being a little more realistic.
I don't doubt that this is going to be an excellent game, I just laugh at those who review games and give that high of a score.

98!!! WTF?

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned no game, no matter how good it is, should be that close to scoring "perfect". When I see a review scored that high i usually don't read them. However, had it been 9.1-9.5, I could see that as being a little more realistic.
I don't doubt that this is going to be an excellent game, I just laugh at those who review games and give that high of a score.

I don't understand why? If a game feels that close to perfect why shouldn't if score that high? I don't see what you mean and why you feel NO game should score that high. What is the point of scoring then?

Ok, for example. What game, in your mind, out of ALL the games you have ever played has to be the BEST game of all time???

Of course, everyone is going to have a difference of opinion here, but what I am trying to say is that there are always better games coming out all the time. How can you put a PERFECT (or close to perfect) label on anything? The only thing that can beat PERFECT, is another perfect game, which will only then be equal to the previous one that was rated perfect.

if a game is head & shoulders above the competition (past & present) then it should, imho, warrant a (near) ten. "10" can mean theoretical perfection... or it can mean relative superiority.

each review site will have a different standard/criteria by which it judges. in the end, its only opinion anyway.

yeah but you have to look at it in context, it may be close to perfect in the current frame it is in.. If goldeneye came out today, people would say the multiplayer is subpar, graphics suck and horrible voice acting..... but at the time it was a great game....

Eh, Game Informer scores are worthless, only their text review is worthwhile.

Ok, for example. What game, in your mind, out of ALL the games you have ever played has to be the BEST game of all time???

Of course, everyone is going to have a difference of opinion here, but what I am trying to say is that there are always better games coming out all the time. How can you put a PERFECT (or close to perfect) label on anything? The only thing that can beat PERFECT, is another perfect game, which will only then be equal to the previous one that was rated perfect.

You're thinking to far ahead with your logic. Of course there will always be a more perfect game in the future because tech advances. Scores should be given in comparison to past and present games only.

It still wasn't perfect. :)

I understand your point but I don't think reviewers factor in the future.

Since you cannot predict the future the only baseline a reviewer has is the past. Therefore, based on a historic perspective these games (Gears, Bioshock, Halo3, Mass Effect) are all scoring well because they are superior to their predecessors.

Another factor is this: game development is super expensive and it’s a huge risk. Perhaps developers are finally realizing the reward and importance of making the effort in producing great games.

Ok, for example. What game, in your mind, out of ALL the games you have ever played has to be the BEST game of all time???

Of course, everyone is going to have a difference of opinion here, but what I am trying to say is that there are always better games coming out all the time. How can you put a PERFECT (or close to perfect) label on anything? The only thing that can beat PERFECT, is another perfect game, which will only then be equal to the previous one that was rated perfect.

I am not a big fan of how most reviews are done and I agree it takes multiple people to form a solid review, which is why I normally take an average of several reviewers.

However, you don't give a score based on ALL games ever created. You give the score based on the CURRENT titles. I also thing the reviews should based against games in the same category, in other words RGP's should be compared to only RPG's.

Rick

1 to 100 is just like 1 to 10. So, they give MASS EFFECT a 9.8. Most reviewers gave Bioshock and GOW 10s. So, I expect MASS EFFECT to be ranked amongst the elite as well. No surprise here based on what I've seen so far. It doesn't have to be perfect to be a 10, especially if it innovates in a way no other game has. 98, sh*t, I expect to see lots of 100s and 10s soon. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's always flaws with EVERYTHING! But, if J-Lo is a ten, so is Bioshock, GOW, and possibly MASS EFFECT!

My opinion is that scores should be based on static criteria and not against other games. It's certainly possible for a game to be near perfect. No different than a movie getting 5 stars, a near perfect car scoring on consumer reports, etc... Just my .02

Have they announced the release date yet?

OK OK, fair enough. But if this game was really worth a 9.8, wouldn't almost all of the reveiws out there reflect that? Not only that but for a game to receive an almost perfect score it would have to be above and beyond in all aspects compared to every other game out to this date.

When it is released we will see if it is infact better in every regard.

Stxx I see where you are coming from. Sometimes I see someone give a game a '10' or something and to me that means the game ranks among the best games they have played of all time. I remember the show with Tommy Tallrico where they gave Price of Persia a 10 and no other game had a 10 yet which to me had to mean that game was the best they ever played.
That is why I prefer more of a grading system. Are the controls good? Is the gameplay good with respect to the subject of the game? Is the game a good value for the money etc. This way it makes more sense that the best games can earn an A and not necessarily be the best of all time.
When you score games with such a high variance like '100' and then rarely give a 100 it makes one scrutinize that game a bit more.

98!!! WTF?

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned no game, no matter how good it is, should be that close to scoring "perfect". When I see a review scored that high i usually don't read them. However, had it been 9.1-9.5, I could see that as being a little more realistic.
I don't doubt that this is going to be an excellent game, I just laugh at those who review games and give that high of a score.

Where have you been the last month.

Nobody ever said there could only ever be one 10/10 game in the history of mankind. Nobody ever said that one 10/10 game can't be better than another 10/10 game.

10/10 simply means it's very, very good.

If you're reading movie reviews, surely you'll come across more than one "four star" movie. Can there only be one four star movie in the history of forever? No, of course not. More than one movie can be rated four stars, and more than one video game can be rated 10/10 (or 98/100 or whatever).

Did Siskel and Ebert only give one perfect movie "two thumbs up" but every other movie gets just one thumb? Of course not.

Some of y'all are making a bigger deal of this than you need to.

I personnally think Mass Effect will be better than Bioshock, GoW, Halo3, and Oblivion. That means that the 'score' will have to be better than 96% (I think that is what Bioshock is at currently). Scoring a 98% then is only 2% better than Bioshock and 3-4% better than GoW/Halo3/Oblivion. Why is it hard to believe that Mass Effect is (can be) 2-3% better than the other games?

OK OK, fair enough. But if this game was really worth a 9.8, wouldn't almost all of the reveiws out there reflect that? Not only that but for a game to receive an almost perfect score it would have to be above and beyond in all aspects compared to every other game out to this date.

When it is released we will see if it is infact better in every regard.

i do believe that this game probably does go above and beyond most other games.... What game can you compare Mass Effect to that has such a huge world and graphics and voice acting and emotion and decsion making and different routes for the game to take and etc........

Nobody ever said there could only ever be one 10/10 game in the history of mankind. Nobody ever said that one 10/10 game can't be better than another 10/10 game.

10/10 simply means it's very, very good.

If you're reading movie reviews, surely you'll come across more than one "four star" movie. Can there only be one four star movie in the history of forever? No, of course not. More than one movie can be rated four stars, and more than one video game can be rated 10/10 (or 98/100 or whatever).

Did Siskel and Ebert only give one perfect movie "two thumbs up" but every other movie gets just one thumb? Of course not.

Some of y'all are making a bigger deal of this than you need to.

Well put.

So glad that I have this one pre ordered. I got a little nervous when I heard that the game was looking a bit unpolished and maybe needed to be delayed.

But, I like GI and if they scored it a 98%!....then just wow.

Jack Baur in space. Can't wait.

So glad that I have this one pre ordered. I got a little nervous when I heard that the game was looking a bit unpolished and maybe needed to be delayed.

But, I like GI and if they scored it a 98%!....then just wow.

Jack Baur in space. Can't wait.

My boy Bauer is currently in jail with his drunk ass for 45 days :mad:.

I am a little pissed at him right now but I will get over it when season 7 starts :D

My boy Bauer is currently in jail with his drunk ass for 45 days :mad:.

I am a little pissed at him right now but I will get over it when season 7 starts :D

HaHa, yeah I actually forgot about that. I have some catching up to do with the last few seasons. I have been slowly renting them on dvd as they come out.

One thing about this game that really hooked me is the exploring of an entire galaxy thing. It is pretty close to a completely open world. At E3 one of the devs was asked how many fully explorable worlds there are and he honestly had no idea because it wasn't even worth keeping count of all of them. It's gonna be HUGE!

Personally, I never buy a game rated more than a 6/10, because rating games so well is just... wrong. I mean, yeah, they like it and think it's great, but a 7 or 8? How can anything be so close to perfect?

that's hilarious.........you only buy games with bad ratings? sweeet.....i'm coming over later to play LAIR later ;)


.......i'm not sure what your GPA was/is but if you think 7 is "close to perfect" well.................. :)

Personally, I never buy a game rated more than a 6/10, because rating games so well is just... wrong. I mean, yeah, they like it and think it's great, but a 7 or 8? How can anything be so close to perfect?

lol.. you dont get too play too much then.

im not sure why, but I get the felling mass effect may be the best gaming experience I have had to date. BTW im 29 and have been gaming since I was 4.

awesome, can't wait. bioware rpgs have always been a step ahead of the others imo. i really hope that EA doesn't try to pull that "rush job" crap that they do with madden every year on the bioware games.

I really think this game will top anything we have ever seen to date!

it might in story telling & interactivity... however i have always been skeptical of the controls... and the review confirmed as much. i am still planning on buying it, and i still think it may vie for GOTY, but it already looks like there is room for improvement in episodes 2 & 3.

Looks pretty good, I just hope it acutelyy lets you play the game instead of being trappped in endless amounts of dialouge.

that's hilarious.........you only buy games with bad ratings? sweeet.....i'm coming over later to play LAIR later ;)


.......i'm not sure what your GPA was/is but if you think 7 is "close to perfect" well.................. :)

lol.. you dont get too play too much then.

sar·casm /ˈsɑrkæzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sahr-kaz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.

Looks pretty good, I just hope it acutelyy lets you play the game instead of being trappped in endless amounts of dialouge.

It's a definite buy, but I have the same concern. I remember playing MGS on the original playstation and being stuck in a 25 minute cutscene. I really hope it's not like that.

Looks like Halo 3 is going back. Decent enough game, but this sounds better. Also, the "hose the guy down and get that gun wack in" gameplay is too repetitive for me.

it might in story telling & interactivity... however i have always been skeptical of the controls... and the review confirmed as much. i am still planning on buying it, and i still think it may vie for GOTY, but it already looks like there is room for improvement in episodes 2 & 3.

what concerns do you have about the controls???? i haven't heard anything yet???

in the preview videos, the camera&action combination didn't look "tight" to me. nothing overtly bad, just made me reserve judgement on the combat system. everything is still unsubstantiated, but this is supposedly part of the GI review:

"The gameplay is certainly fun, and it controls admirably, but it doesn't live up to the large stage the story sets or the standards you've come to expect from action games and RPGs"

"You'll want more from it, but by no means does it hold the experience back, nor does it make you wish you were playing something else. In fact, I think you'll agree that Mass Effect is one of video games' greatest treatures."

"It sounds like a perfect game. And it comes damn near close. The one thing that might turn a few people off is the combat, which has a lot of little nuisances that take a while to get used to. When they all come together the action is breathtaking."

They are obviously not saying the control spoils the game - however they felt obligated to say it isn't as strong as the other aspects in the game... which is why I said there appears to be room for improvement.

im not sure why, but I get the felling mass effect may be the best gaming experience I have had to date. BTW im 29 and have been gaming since I was 4.

Am I missing something here? I thought mass effect didn't come out until like November 20th?

i think he was projecting his future experience, not describing a current one.

Am I missing something here? I thought mass effect didn't come out until like November 20th?

He is speculating as we all are. However most of us are very confident that this game will live up to the hype. I was excited about Halo3 but not as exiced as when GoW came out. This game is giving me the same excitement in anticipation as Gears (and Gears did not disappoint).

oh ok, I get it.

I thought Game Informer rated games by the quarter scale, such as 8.25 or 7.75. Not trying to nitpick but was it Game Informer or OXM?

I thought Game Informer rated games by the quarter scale, such as 8.25 or 7.75. Not trying to nitpick but was it Game Informer or OXM?

Sitting here staring at my print copy of Game Informer. They give it a 9.75 on both opinions.

"Not since Star Wars made its theatrical debut in 1977 has there been a universe so full of wonder and awe."
"Mass Effect is one of video games' greatest treasures"
:) -GI

I've seen plenty of women who were easily considered a 10 by most guys standards. Some 10's are just a little hotter than other 10's, which supports the point that its all a matter of opinion.

As gamers, if our biggest problem is debating whether a game should be a 9.5 or a 9.8, than I like to think that we're pretty lucky.

I've seen plenty of women who were easily considered a 10 by most guys standards. Some 10's are just a little hotter than other 10's, which supports the point that its all a matter of opinion.

As gamers, if our biggest problem is debating whether a game should be a 9.5 or a 9.8, than I like to think that we're pretty lucky.

One of the best posts ever.

x2.............and the guy's name seals the deal ;)

The question asked earlier was, what game would you give a "10" and consider perfect. For me it's Mario 64. This game in now way holds a candle to Gears of War for it's graphics or it's third person gameplay, but this game created third person gaming as we know it today. For it's time, it was leaps and bounds beyone what the ps and saturn were doing. I can't say I've been as blown away playing a game like I was when I first played that game.

It's a definite buy, but I have the same concern. I remember playing MGS on the original playstation and being stuck in a 25 minute cutscene. I really hope it's not like that.

well, you won't be watching a cutscene, you control the dialogue. there is a lot of talking in RPGs, especially bioware RPGs. that's part of the appeal, you get to control the action and decisions completely.

this isn't a shooter, so if the above doesn't appeal to you, i wouldn't recommend this title. comparing it to MGS isn't valid.

98!!! WTF?

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned no game, no matter how good it is, should be that close to scoring "perfect". When I see a review scored that high i usually don't read them. However, had it been 9.1-9.5, I could see that as being a little more realistic.
I don't doubt that this is going to be an excellent game, I just laugh at those who review games and give that high of a score.


This is great. By this logic we shouldn't ever see a review much higher than a 1 or 2, because eventually games will get better to the point that current games will seem poor in comparison. What do you think Combat for the 2600 would get for a ranking if released today against the current competition?

I always read reviews for the technical look at the way the game operates. If it's a laggy, stuttering mess, they usually cover that along with the features of the game. Other than that it all boils down to personal preference and what type of games you like to play. "Gears" really never tripped my trigger despite stellar reviews but Halo 3, Bioshock and Flatout UC... Awesome.

I always read reviews for the technical look at the way the game operates. If it's a laggy, stuttering mess, they usually cover that along with the features of the game. Other than that it all boils down to personal preference and what type of games you like to play. "Gears" really never tripped my trigger despite stellar reviews but Halo 3, Bioshock and Flatout UC... Awesome.
Good point....except the part about GOW.

98!!! WTF?

I'm sorry, but as far as I'm concerned no game, no matter how good it is, should be that close to scoring "perfect". When I see a review scored that high i usually don't read them. However, had it been 9.1-9.5, I could see that as being a little more realistic.
I don't doubt that this is going to be an excellent game, I just laugh at those who review games and give that high of a score.

dont read the oxm for CoD4 then ;):rolleyes:

What do you think Combat for the 2600 would get for a ranking if released today against the current competition?It would receive a ten because of its timeless badassery.

It would receive a ten because of its timeless badassery.

+1!

It would receive a ten because of its timeless badassery.

It wouldn't be timeless if it were released today. But I agree it was awsome.