Zero Punctuation - Yahtzee reviews

[Deadly_Nightshade]

The Ocean House in Bloodlines did a little better, as there were parts of it that could kill you, but still, after that first time it's not very scary. But that first time in the basement it's ****ing intense.

 

I would not say it looses all of its potency, but it is definitely not as intense during re-plays. Of course, my first experience with the abandoned hotel was at, approximately, one in the morning with all the lights extinguished - so subsequent day-light adventures -I still try to play that part at night though, makes for a more authentic feel- were almost tame.

[Meshugger]

I never got all that absorbed in Condemned scarey bits, except for the part in the department store. There are mannequins strewn all about the level. Some of them are mannequins. Some of them are people. They'll stand perfectly still until you turned your back. This combined with the (excessively, in my opinion) claustrophobic level design and the pitch black darkness really set up an atmosphere.

 

The problem with FEAR (besides the fact that I never found Ju-on evil little girls to be scary) was that it was easy to distance yourself from the horror elements because they weren't a part of gameplay. They were basically cutscenes seamlessly inserted into the gameplay as visions or whatever. The Ocean House in Bloodlines did a little better, as there were parts of it that could kill you, but still, after that first time it's not very scary. But that first time in the basement it's ****ing intense.

 

Contrast those with something like the labs in STALKER. The poltergeists and psionic monsters created the same sort of atmosphere that you could get from harmless ambient noise and scary visuals, but they also had the ability to kill you. And the jumpers and pseudogiants made the best sorts of noises.

 

I pretty much agree there, the labs in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. shared the same suspense as in System Shock 2. There was no "safe" place, the whole environment was against you, and nothing was taken for granted. Shameful on the Condemned 2 review though. The "Fahrenheit syndrome" can pretty negate any possibility of purchase for me.

[Hell Kitty]

this is akin to "tearjerker" films inspiring sympathy by showing a cute little puppy getting stepped on

 

What the hell films are you watching?

[Musopticon?]

I never got all that absorbed in Condemned scarey bits, except for the part in the department store. There are mannequins strewn all about the level. Some of them are mannequins. Some of them are people. They'll stand perfectly still until you turned your back. This combined with the (excessively, in my opinion) claustrophobic level design and the pitch black darkness really set up an atmosphere.

The problem with that level was the amount of set pieces, furniture, clotheslines and Christmas paraphelia in there. The place felt lived in. I didn't really feel threathened by yet another horde of bums. Not to mention, once you realise that the mannequins do three things when you zap them with your taser/hit them: a)drop an arm or b)yell and become stunned or c)die, the place looses whatever scare it might have had. I just started to hit every mannequin I saw standing(I mean, besides those walking of course) and the level became some sort of demented hobo version of "Where's Wally?". I admit it was fun for a bit.

 

Funnily enough, I thought Bart's Department Store was one of the more well-lit levels of the bunch. Though it might have been the colour contrast to the grey of previous levels. Well, after the awful train maintenance tunnels, anything would have felt lighter.

 

That level has quite a killer spot about two-thirds in though. I guess it might have been even more, had I not lost my fear of the puppets. I'm glad I had seen the scene earlier when my friend was playing and I didn't know what the mannequins were. Very disconserting, liked it rather well.

 

The problem with FEAR (besides the fact that I never found Ju-on evil little girls to be scary) was that it was easy to distance yourself from the horror elements because they weren't a part of gameplay. They were basically cutscenes seamlessly inserted into the gameplay as visions or whatever. The Ocean House in Bloodlines did a little better, as there were parts of it that could kill you, but still, after that first time it's not very scary. But that first time in the basement it's ****ing intense.

 

Contrast those with something like the labs in STALKER. The poltergeists and psionic monsters created the same sort of atmosphere that you could get from harmless ambient noise and scary visuals, but they also had the ability to kill you. And the jumpers and pseudogiants made the best sorts of noises.

I completely agree with you. The problem is that the scary parts are instanced, always the same. STALKER managed to play on the player by giving both him and the monsters are relatively open playing field. Though Agropom Underground was sort of silly with the "look! a new monstie!" approach and triggers. Fortunately both monsters were tastefully cool.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Musopticon?

[Deadly_Nightshade]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

[Meshugger]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

 

As an fanboyish **** of the Wii, i am now going to spam his mailbox

[Deadly_Nightshade]

Yeah, I might do the same - Brawl was a good game. I wonder how long it would take to set up a mass-spam algorithm, probably not a good idea anyways though...

[Meshugger]

Yeah, I might do the same - Brawl was a good game. I wonder how long it would take to set up a mass-spam algorithm, probably not a good idea anyways though...

 

Think "fork-bomb"

[thepixiesrock]

The comments under the video are pretty dumb.

[Deadly_Nightshade]

%0|%0 Are we talking about this sort of F-bomb, or is there another usage I do not know of?

[Moatilliatta]

The comments under the video are pretty dumb.

Comments under videos are nearly always stupid, what med these stand out to you?

[thepixiesrock]

I read them.

[Pop]

Couldn't be any worse than the backlash that met with the Zelda review.

[thepixiesrock]

The comments weren't dumb because they were SSB fanboys, they were dumb because they were Yahtzee fanboys.

[Krookie]

I've always been a fan of Monopoly and Risk.

[Deadly_Nightshade]

The comments weren't dumb because they were SSB fanboys, they were dumb because they were Yahtzee fanboys.

 

Yeah, he's building a cult following - and not the good kind either.

[Deadly_Nightshade]

God of War: Chains of Olympus

[Istima Loke]

Mailbag Showdown

 

hahaha, fanboism ftw

 

That was hilarious.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Istima Loke

[Starwars]

So I normally like this guy, but that went beyond good. That was frackin hilarious, and pretty spot-on as well. Big lulz, and great job Yahtzee.

[kirottu]

I giggled like a little girl in love with Yathzee.

[Moatilliatta]

I'm at the same time disappointed over him not making an actual game review but at the same time very satisfied.

[Xard]

Best. Ever.

[Pidesco]

I loved the projection joke.

[Shryke]

amusing as ever

 

i suppose it was inevitable for him to get such emails though

 

what is it with nintendo fanboys....?

[Nick_i_am]

They grew up with Nintendo and feel like their childhood is being raped.