Recent Atlus USA scores from Nintendo Power

[jeffx]

Kind of a big ouch for The Dark Spire, but not too surprising given its niche target audience. Dokapon Journey though, wow, that's gotta hurt. Also, as much as I'm looking forward to Klonoa, that score is bull####. It's a big 7.5 at most.

Rhythm Heaven (DS): 9.0
Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier (DS): 7.0
Excitebots (Wii): 8.0
Klonoa (Wii): 9.0
Steal Princess (DS): 6.0
Major Minor’s Majestic March (Wii): 6.0
Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Director’s Cut (Wii): 7.0
Don King Boxing (Wii): 5.5
Dokapon Journey (DS): 4.0
GTA Chinatown Wars (DS): 9.0
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (Wii): 7.5
Touch Mechanic (DS): 5.0
The Dark Spire (DS): 5.0
Pokemon Platinum (DS): 9.0

Source: GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=77606)

[Zephyr_Fate]

Hey, don't bash on Klonoa. They are great platforming games.

[jeffx]

Dude. I own the series.

[Zacewing]

Wow, all of them got mediocre scores at best.

[Sanctine]

LOL @ Dokapon.

[jeffx]

No, I'm actually really surprised by SRT's score (I would also have expected a 5-6). Other than the constant boob jokes, it's essentially a typical bare bones RPG, which the DS is saturated with. They must have been impressed by the combat system, which does help keep things fresh.

IN BEFORE SCORES DON'T MEAN ####... we all know.

[Gen Eric Gui]

Nintendo Power only scores the game high if it's a Nintendo-published game or if it plays exactly like a Nintendo-Published game. If it's even slightly hard or different they generally hate it.

[Kakizaki]

^IIRC the EO titles scored alright.


edit - Just checked quick on EOII. Scored an 8.5 out of 10 in NP.

Don't try and generalize how one particular place does reviews -- most people are way off base in their assumptions.

But honestly, aren't we beyond caring about reviews? I know they are frustrating because they still influence some people, but meh. If you really want to go by some professional reviews, find a mag or site where the editors have common tastes to your own and roll with that.

[Sanctine]

But honestly, aren't we beyond caring about reviews? I know they are frustrating because they still influence some people, but meh.

I just like seeing people get emotional over their favourite games getting trashed.

[Gen Eric Gui]

^IIRC the EO titles scored alright.


edit - Just checked quick on EOII. Scored an 8.5 out of 10 in NP.

Don't try and generalize how one particular place does reviews -- most people are way off base in their assumptions.

But honestly, aren't we beyond caring about reviews? I know they are frustrating because they still influence some people, but meh. If you really want to go by some professional reviews, find a mag or site where the editors have common tastes to your own and roll with that.

Well, that's why I said "generally". Worked that in there specifically to avoid the blanket statement fallacy.

[Sanctine]

Well, that's why I said "generally". Worked that in there specifically to avoid the blanket statement fallacy.

I think that was more based on the fact that EO and Dark Spire are similar games.

[poiuiu]

IN BEFORE REVIEWS DON'T MEAN ####... we all know.
Now this is the ultimate trooth.


Well, that's why I said "generally". Worked that in there specifically to avoid the blanket statement fallacy.

'Generally' every American gaming mag is the same. You know, all of the one that remains other than the mag in subject, also replace 'Nintendo' for other big name publisher or developer. This is how they survive.

You'd really think any of them would rate something .... chosen at random, say Baten Kaitos Origins very highly?

[cj iwakura]

Ouch, why such bad press for Dark Spire?

And screw the haters, I'm more excited for Namco X Capcom Tais-... I mean SRT than anything.

[VMan]

But honestly, aren't we beyond caring about reviews? I know they are frustrating because they still influence some people, but meh.

I just like seeing people get emotional over their favourite games getting trashed.

It disgusts me how easily some people hinge their decisions on what others think. I know people say they don't want to "waste" money but I still say it often comes down to being too scared to think for yourself and trust your own intuitions relative to your tastes that nobody knows better than yourself.

Some of my favorite games have gotten mediocre-to-bad reviews and sold poorly, but I don't get emotional over the fact that they were reviewed unfavorably, moreso the the thought of its consumer reception correlating to those reviews. That makes me sick.

[Balrog]

Atlus makes niche games and not everyone likes them.


SOMEONE GET THE PRESIDENT ON THE PHONE!

[AdrianMorales]

Not all games can be Persona 4, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the ones that don't get critical acclaim.

[Olethros]

Atlus makes niche games and not everyone likes them.


SOMEONE GET THE PRESIDENT ON THE PHONE!

Obama is an Atlus Faithful confarmed?!? :o

[poiuiu]

Not all games can be Persona 4, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the ones that don't get critical acclaim.

I personally found everything but the actual dungeon crawling in P3 exceedingly boring (and I imagine this to be the case with 4), but I will never tell anyone to pass over it.

If anything, niche games that get low ratings but have strong word of mouth from actual gamers is a better indication of quality than even a game with fifty billion reviews (see The Last Remnant).

[Balrog]

Atlus makes niche games and not everyone likes them.


SOMEONE GET THE PRESIDENT ON THE PHONE!

Obama is an Atlus Faithful confarmed?!? :o

Well, Atlus games are pretty dark.

[poiuiu]

I think the proper response should be:

"Change we all can believe in"; ie not another fcking console shooter.

[jeffx]

I'm starting to regret posting these scores here.

[VMan]

I'm starting to regret posting these scores here.

Why? (Just curious)

[raiku]

least theyre better than what game informer will score them

[Kakizaki]

^IIRC the EO titles scored alright.


edit - Just checked quick on EOII. Scored an 8.5 out of 10 in NP.

Don't try and generalize how one particular place does reviews -- most people are way off base in their assumptions.

But honestly, aren't we beyond caring about reviews? I know they are frustrating because they still influence some people, but meh. If you really want to go by some professional reviews, find a mag or site where the editors have common tastes to your own and roll with that.

Well, that's why I said "generally". Worked that in there specifically to avoid the blanket statement fallacy.

Generally is a fuzzy word. Don't make me look up NP ratings for all Atlus titles over the past few years.

Hint - I have already looked at a handful, and they were all around 8 out of 10.

[Fuyukaze]

I'm starting to regret posting these scores here.
you should know by now, words are like farts. once you let them loose, even you'll regret it.

[TheMagicHat]

Wow. You mean gaming mags still review games. What a concept!

I stopped reading magazines for the reviews a long time ago, once I realized they were just depressing me. My hobby has been much better off since then.

[Olethros]

I'm starting to regret posting these scores here.

Why? (Just curious)

Yeah man, why? Curious minds want to know.

[henbayward]

Haven't read all the posts. so not sure if it has been mentioned, but one thing I would love (for ALL games, not just ATLUS):

Gamestop has download stations where you can get demos and such just by bringing in your DS and downloading. I would love to see demos for games I'm interested in so I can see if it's something I would like to buy. I can watch videos and read reviews all day long, but until I've actually experienced it, I just really don't know. Movie trailers work well for movies, because you aren't controlling the film. The same goes for excerpts from upcoming books. Demos for games are, in my opinion, a must. The idea of spending $30 or more on a game only to find out I don't like it is sometimes what keeps me from purchasing a "different" game as opposed to a more "safe" title where I know what I'm getting. I love the way Knights in the Nightmare looks (and I'll get it), but I would love to be able to play a level or two first to really get an idea of what it brings. I, too, have hated loved games and loved hated games.
For the other consoles, maybe free downloadable demos?
I know it's a bit pie-in-the-sky, but it's not impossible and it might draw a few fence-sitters over.

[poiuiu]

If you have a Wii, you can download the MyNintendo channel and there will be DS game demos available for a limited time around their respective game's launch date, tho some games, mostly first party games, are always up there.

The most recent demo addition would be Rhythm Heaven. Atlus' most recent demo was Trackmania.

Unfortunately, there are no Wii demos yet.

[Vincent Alexander]

Crazy concept. What if they got bad scores because they are bad? I'm not saying they are, I just want to throw the possibility of that notion out there.

[VMan]

Crazy concept. What if they got bad scores because they are bad? I'm not saying they are, I just want to throw the possibility of that notion out there.

Indeed a crazy concept. No, not so because they may be actually "bad". But crazy because one's judgment of the quality of a game does NOT make it a fact. Human beings are not an array of clones with carbon-copy mentalities. If we were, then why did I just dismiss your notion so easily (let alone doubt I would ever have done it, myself).

[Vincent Alexander]

I think you missed my notion, but I applaud you all the same.

[TheMagicHat]

Crazy concept. What if they got bad scores because they are bad? I'm not saying they are, I just want to throw the possibility of that notion out there.
What? You mean admit that the games we like actually suck? That we're all just poor, misguided fools who'll like anything regardless of what professional reviewers, who obviously have a better idea of what gaming should be, have to say about it?

You're right. That IS a crazy concept. :p

[Vincent Alexander]

Number 2. Let's see if we can hit three before the night settles, shall we?

[SickleCellAnemia]

Crazy concept. What if they got bad scores because they are bad? BLAH BLAH BLAH I EAT POOP BLAH BLAH

Vince eats poop!

[VMan]

Number 2. Let's see if we can hit three before the night settles, shall we?

I'm assuming I'm #1. I've reread it but I guess I'm still not fully understanding you (dunno if I should be detecting sarcasm or what). Please explain.

[Kakizaki]

^I don't know if you misunderstood it. I think both you and Magichat seemed to take VA's comment in stride -- not that I disagree with his initial comment. I get the feeling he thinks he is agitating you two more than he really is.

Just drop it guys.

[Ike.]

Why is anybody taking Nintendo Power seriously

[Vincent Alexander]

Just drop it guys.
A man with a plan. I like it. Consider it dropped like a bag of old rocks.

[Kakizaki]

^Don't get me wrong. I agree with what you were initially getting at.

[Vincent Alexander]

^No problem. But initially? Initially was it. That was all I was gettin' at. :) Some people like to dig deeper though, try and find things beyond the words when there is nothing. Vincent isn't that deep.

[Kakizaki]

^Ah, I see. I thought you were also implying people were bristling in regards to your comment.

[Vincent Alexander]

Why, Kaki, bristlin' ain't even in my vocabulary. :wink:

[dungeon_man]

Wow, three posts for what should have taken zero to accomplish. And people wonder why I make some of the comments I make.

On Topic:
I thought Nintendo Power was pretty harsh on the original Etrian Odyssey, but was rather positive about the sequel. Rather odd considering the games aren't that different in terms of gameplay.

The obvious conclusion would be that different people reviewed the two games, and one of them likes first-person dungeon crawlers more than the other. The sarcastic comments about different people liking different games were correct. However, it does make me wonder how the reviewers are chosen for each game...

The second Etrian Odyssey had a fairly decent preview article in Nintendo Power in addition to it's review. The fact that it got a nice writeup and scored well is probably more than just mere coincidence. I'm not saying the review was rigged, I'm just saying that some care may have taken to ensure that EOII was reviewed by somebody who understood the appeal of the genre, thus allowing the game to be reviewed for what it is instead of what the reviewer wishes it was.

The first Etrian Odyssey did not have such luxuries. It got an ignorantly written paragraph and a relatively weak score. I suspect the non-promoted games are kinda dumped in a grab bag for a random reviewer to write a blurb about and throw some numbers at. When dealing with a company whose games often have narrow appeal, randomly selected reviewers are likely to produce unfavorable results.

That being said, I doubt the posted scores were low due to some inherent flaws in the game designs or buggy controls. They simply weren't appreciated for what they were. The logic behind SRT:OG:EF scoring the highest was probably like this: "Meh. Random RPG thingy. Six. Hmm. Add a point for the bouncing breasts."

Fortunately, for those who pin their hopes on review scores, Devil Survivor should score pretty high. Why? Big preview article. The fact that it's a better game might also help a bit.

[Neveryll]

For me game reviews like most movie reviews are at best a look at what mainstream society thinks of a game. I like to use some reviews as a way to preview some of the content in a game but I usually never let a review be my reason for not buying or being interested in a game.

That being said Atlus has made it their choice to work at bringing different niche games over to the US for our gaming pleasure. Niche of course being the main thing. This means to me that at least some people will not have any interest in said game.

I have been playing games since the 80s and have gone through one tired old cliche after another in my collection so when I came across Atlus it was like finding a good book in a pile of reference guides.... Or at least a good comic book depending on which game your talking about. :p

All in all I have been more that satisfied with the games that Atlus has brought to us over the years and look forward to see what is coming up for us in the future. And until then I will sit back and play My World, My Way or any of the other fun quirky titles I have been able to get.

Thanks again Atlus for bringing a number of fun titles our way!

[MasterPoker]

Why give Dokapon Kingdom 8.5 yet drop Journey all the way to 4.0? Is it because they prefer multiplayer on a bigger screen, or is it because there are some major balance flaws?

[Kakizaki]

Wow, three posts for what should have taken zero to accomplish. And people wonder why I make some of the comments I make.

Maybe I am misinterpreting this comment, but chill out.

[chee7nou]

Or...maybe nintendo payed thier own magazines to give the most least favorite reviews to games thats not release by their own Company?(Underhanded^^)

[dungeon_man]

Wow, three posts for what should have taken zero to accomplish. And people wonder why I make some of the comments I make.

Maybe I am misinterpreting this comment, but chill out.

I was not commenting on anything you said, and I was quite calm when I wrote it.

[Master Zombots]

Nintendo Power only scores the game high if it's a Nintendo-published game or if it plays exactly like a Nintendo-Published game. If it's even slightly hard or different they generally hate it.This appears to be basically true... 'tis rather unfortunate honestly. :(

[Demonis]

I used to trust reviewer ratings. But these days it seems more like good ratings are bought. I'm not sure what it is. Most of the games I have been loving lately are low on the review communities list.

[Kakizaki]

But these days it seems more like good ratings are bought.

Nothing has changed. People said the same thing 10 and 20 years ago.

[poiuiu]

Exactly; why do you think magazines are usually 50 per cent ads, 10 per cent misc. crap in the back, and under 40 per cent actual magazine stuff? And when the holidays come around, twice as much mag stuff but 400 per cent more ads.

Tidbit: After Capcom saw the 6 and 7's EGM gave Super Street Fighter 2 SNES/Gen, they pulled their SSF2 ad at the last minute. I think the same thing happened with Eidos and one of the Tomb Raider games.

[Vincent Alexander]

But these days it seems more like good ratings are bought.

Nothing has changed. People said the same thing 10 and 20 years ago.
Yep. I'm sure it happens sometimes, but this idea seems to get thrown around so much, it blows my mind. The way most people think, the companies might as well make their own magazines with their own games reviewed in 'em.

[PDolgan]

Yep. I'm sure it happens sometimes, but this idea seems to get thrown around so much, it blows my mind. The way most people think, the companies might as well make their own magazines with their own games reviewed in 'em.

Ah, that reminds me how much I miss the good old Club Nintendo magazine. They only mentioned the good stuff about a particular game. Man, I miss those days. :(