Analyzing Quantum Break's Review Scores - The Lobby

Peter Brown details his review of Quantum Break. From shooter mechanics to the inconsistency of the time-bending feature, the crew isn't convinced.

By Danny O'Dwyer , Peter Brown , Scott Butterworth , Erick Tay , and Mary Kish on April 6, 2016 at 7:29PM PDT

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I guess the real question is has this one "not so positive" review changed anyone's opinion or enjoyment of the game?

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@seanwil545: Doubtful. Hype is the strongest factor.

2 • 9 years ago

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Edited By seanwil545

@Gelugon_baat:

Yeah..for me the nature in which Remedy/MS achieves 1080p on the XBO and the PC version being UWP is far more disappointing.

2 • 9 years ago

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Edited By kazrium

@seanwil545: I still haven't gotten my PC version code for my preorder XB1 copy, not sure what is happening with that, but the whole UWP exclusivity is way more an issue for me than the game for sure. Microsoft needs to up their game fast if they want UWP and the Microsoft store to compete in the gaming sales arena. Flashes of Games for Windows are still fresh in my mind.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: Only UWP seems to be worse. Instead of being extraneous software, UWP appears to be coding structure itself.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Lot's of damage control/justification for a so so score from gamespot, didn't SF5 get the same or higher ? hmmmm.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@Agermemnon: And all just because the game did something more than its predecessors.

I have said before that GameSpot's review policies have thrown value out the window in their considerations, and I deplore that, despite understanding the reasons behind it.

2 • 9 years ago

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They should just do away with numbering completely. Just write the review and let the reader of the review make his / her own judgment based on the review and not the score.

2 • 9 years ago

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@Gomtor: I agree - but that's CBS's call, and CBS wants its numbers.

(CBS owns Metacritic by the way - go figure.)

P.S. By the way, for anyone reading this, Metacritic listed more than one IGN review in its aggregate for this game, and IGN's owned by a rival media group. Again, go figure.

Upvote • 9 years ago

deactivated-5e83c14458072

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Edited By deactivated-5e83c14458072

Man, the damage control is real around here. It's just a review guys, play it and move on.

3 • 9 years ago

deactivated-60eafc2b34359

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Edited By deactivated-60eafc2b34359

I remember the ancient days (a year or two ago), when everyone was bitching that review scores were way too high and inflated (nothing ever scores below an 8, and a game is either an 8.5, 9, or 9.5). Thankfully we have moved beyond that hype-fueled fanboyism, and Gamespot is somewhat leading the way. But now people complain about scores being too low. And to top it all off, people like the one below me say it's because of money. So high scores are because of being paid off, and low scores are somehow from being paid off, too. Funny, that. You ate your cake but somehow you still have it.

I think we should go even more extreme, and use the whole number system (especially since there are no tenths or even .5s for scores anymore). A 1 or 2 is terrible, but a game that is a 4 or 5 might still be awesome for many people, and the 9s and 10s are the best games of the year that drive all video games to new levels.

3 • 9 years ago

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Who cares .. six is just a number means nothing !! I am really enjoying this Game .. I couldn't care less if it got a 2 .. the score means nothing you either enjoy the Game or you don't !! If a friend asked me if the Game is good i'd simply say .. "Yes I think it is" never would I ever say .. "Its an 8 or a 6 Etc" .. Just weird !!

5 • 9 years ago

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@ltjohnnyrico: It is good that you don't seem to care about game review scores, there are plenty of people that do though, that is why sites like metacritic exist. Game scores can affect the sales of a game, which probably make the developers care enough to send out review copies. So who cares? Quite a few people apparently.

2 • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: Not the review .. Care about the score !! They are called review copies not score copies !! If you asked me if a game was good and I responded by saying its a 7 .. it would mean nothing !! Scores are for kids !!

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By kazrium

@ltjohnnyrico: There is some justification behind using the numerical score. I would not have time to wade through all the opinion pieces on multiple video game review sites if that's all that was available, it's easier for me personally to have a number average that I can quickly use to gauge the overall critical opinion for a video game. Of course, the written reviews themselves give more information than just a number, and the number system can introduce a lot of ambiguity when just taken alone, but to suggest that there is something inherently childish about review scores in general is a bit naive, and in my opinion, a bit childish on your end. I think it speaks more to the amount of review information that we have available, the amount of time people are willing to devote to gathering it, and the tools the internet provides to help filter though it.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: I just make up my own mind .. dont rely on scores or reviews .. simple !!

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@ltjohnnyrico: You would seem to have no need for video game reviews or review scores, the reason why you are making this known on a major video game review site, in the comments section of a video that specifically discusses the review score of a highly anticipated game, not quite as clear, but everyone has the right to voice their opinion. I personally like to make informed decisions on my game purchases, and I don't like to waste money on horrible games. I find that game reviews help in this area. That's not to say that I base my enjoyment of a game on a review, if that was the case I would have not enjoyed Quantum Break, but it may have an impact on whether I purchase it at launch, after it goes on sale, or not at all.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: I like reading the reviews to see if they match my opinion or not .. a lot of reviews come out the day I get the Game or days after I already have it .. Its interesting to see if the reviewer likes what I like or dislikes what I like .. but the score is still just a number it would not make any sense without the review .. however the review can exist on its own and still be useful. I buy things than i'm interested in .. not whether someone else thinks I will be or not .. no-one knows better than I do when it comes to me .. I guess some people can't make up their own minds !!

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Money money money

Must be funny

gameP$ot

5 • 9 years ago

the-games-masta

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the-games-masta

The game isn't perfect, but it's so well polished it's definitely better than a 6. It's a visual masterpiece! Story isn't bad either. The metacritic average of 78 is pretty much on the money .

Why didn't you just use the gamespot code of conduct? 'If in doubt, 8spot'

3 • 9 years ago

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Been playing the game for a couple of days now, seems like a solid 7 to me. 6 is a bit harsh, but it's not worth 8 or 9 imo.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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I can understand that how's the reviewer hate the downside of the game.

It is fair to got a six if they consider it as an third person shooter with Time ability, it is not a best shooter or superhero game.

However, if you treat it as an movie with shooting gameplay , it would be a better game.

Alan Wake shared the same problem.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By DhracoX

I always loved Gamespot reviews cuz even tho they were usually harsh, they had interesting points of view and reasons behind them that were definitely worth reading. This is not to say the reviews are awful nowadays, but they lost something old GS used to have. Old GS felt like a strong voice in the world of VG Reviews, nowadays (pretty much this generation) it feels like a disjointed or disconnected voice from the rest... I am not saying that they are supposed to be "in line" with everything that is said outside but i do not know how to explain it, as a long time reader it feels so different lately.

I watched this video and listened how everybody at GS felt in accordance with Peter´s review and I am sitting here like "yep, Im sure everybody at GS feels that way and they cant seem to understand how others felt so different about QB". I really miss old GS.....

Peter, I have no doubt in my mind your review was honest, but I am just as honest when i ask "did we play the same game?" QB is far from perfect, but it is one of the most interesting approaches i have seen this generation.

Am I alone when i say combat is not "front and center" in QB but its story?

4 • 9 years ago

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@dhracox:

I feel the same way. I can't wrap my head around how they feel so differently than just about everyone else. Peter even said that he got into a cool rhythm with his powers - and that's SO COOL! the action in this game is WAY better than they are complaining about, but fine, have your opinion. But it's clearly an opinion in the minority!

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By kazrium

@dhracox: I would say that the story progression was the most satisfying part of the game for me.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: @dhracox: If it's mainly story, I would just watch someone else play the game.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@Gelugon_baat: Which I think it is great, you could find it enticing and entertaining enough to buy it or be happier to save yourself the money. This game seems to be a hit or miss for what I can see. Total hit in my case xD

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By kazrium

@Gelugon_baat: Fair enough, this game might not be for you.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@kazrium: Yeap, it doesn't seem to be for me, now that I am watching someone else's playthrough - while I multi-task about something else of course.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Quantum Wake? Sounds like an awesome game! XD

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By kazrium

Good on Gamespot for feeding the flames, I love a good internet blowout. This belongs here as well, enjoy:

http://www.thejimquisition.com/quantum-break-review/ (tl:dr 8.5/10)

2 • 9 years ago

deactivated-5a807722de4ed

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deactivated-5a807722de4ed

I appreciate Gamespot's responses on the this thread and you're obviously putting a lot of effort into supporting your colleague's review and you are demeaning some of the other reviews out there. You can deny it, but you are demeaning them, which is fine because that's what "opinion" is all about. my question is, can someone please explain the criterion and the weighting of each factor you evaluate when coming to a score. For example, the cover base shooting mechanics and overall movement seems to carry a lot of weight that I assume contributes to an entire point reduction (assuming you start at 10?). But, The Division has many of the same issues with the cover base shooting mechanics. I really like The Division, but I find myself screaming at the screen when I automatically cover on the side of the barrier than behind it. However, did that have the same weighting when factored in the overall score? Doesn't seem that it does. Why not? Sure, we should appreciate opinion but isn't it an issue when the criterion and weighting are inconsistent?

6 • 9 years ago

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@caseyrybek: I don't like The Division and I think that GameSpot's reviewer has been too forgiving about its problems.

However, as per its cover mechanism, it doesn't have all of Quantum Break's problems, like not being able to shoot out of cover without standing up.

I would suggest that you bring up something else about The Division, because you are not making a convincing counter-argument in my eyes.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@Gelugon_baat: I actually went back to read your responses again. The point you make, "I don't like The Division and I think GameSpot's reviewer has been too forgiving about its problems" is exactly the point I'm trying to make. Both QB and The Division share a few of the same problems so WHY are they more forgiving in The Division than they are in QB? And, it's enough leniency to warrant a score of 8 versus a score of 6.

2 • 9 years ago

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@caseyrybek: Like I have said earlier, there are more things in those games than just those gameplay designs with those problems.

I will repeat again: you are cherry-picking.

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@Gelugon_baat: like I said earlier, you don't (still don't) understand my point. I will repeat again, my point has more to do with how the criteria factors in the overall score. why is that so difficult for you to understand? If you really want the last word in these debates, that's fine; your life obviously revolves around these chat sites. You get to the end of the day and your think about how many game site debates you won! that's fine! I think that's a great talent! Do you even know what I mean when I refer to the weighting of factors? You write intelligently enough, so I assumed earlier this would be an easy pick up for you. I'm going to continue to call BS on this review.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@Gelugon_baat: Fair point. In addition to my gripe about The Division's cover and shoot limitations, it's extremely repetitive. With a few different barriers scattered throughout, it's the same streets, the same intersections, the same "quarantined" areas, lets not forget about the same dialogue "he killed alan!" over and over again. But, QB gets bashed for being repetitive? At least, with each act, you get a different look and feel. The story! a virus that spreads through money? honestly, Destiny's story got ripped apart but I enjoyed Destiny's story a lot more. QB, although nonsensical and disjointed in SOME areas, has a good story! I hate to go back to Destiny again but the constant re-spawning of enemies in Destiny would always keep me coming back for more. The re-spawning of enemies in The Division is a complete joke and it's relentlessly boring and unnecessarily challenging especially in the dark zone. There have been numerous times I've dozed off while playing The Division. Again, my point is, there are factors in the Divison that are clearly equal to (at the very least) or a lot worse than similar issues GS had with QB (story and repetition) but The Division gets an 8?!?!?!?! Before I get attacked for trying to make a comparison between a single player 10 hour campaign and an ongoing "MMO", I'm only comparing the factors (of the game) that GS discussed and used as part of their criterion. What's interesting about all of this is, the score of 6, in my opinion, is less questionable than the variance in score between GS and the overall average (compared with any site that aggregates scores). Usually, GS is slightly under or slightly above the average. The fact there is such a significant variance with QB warrants more than a discussion/justification with "The Lobby". Integrity has a lot to do with consistency. I should be able to read a critic's viewpoint over a three month period and understand something like shooting mechanics or story is their heavily weighted factor but when the weighting of these factors change over a two month period, of course I'm going to have questions.

2 • 9 years ago

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Edited By Gelugon_baat

@caseyrybek: The Division review by Scott Butterworth did criticize the repetitive gameplay, among other things like saying that the player would "end up hearing a few repeated lines of NPC dialogue along the way", to quote a phrase from that article.

If you are suggesting double standards in these matters, do check your facts.

Also, your remarks about the story-writing are very, very subjective. That you have made a remark about Destiny's plot have given me the impression that you have a preference for sci-fi stuff.

That you would stomach Destiny's respawning enemies but not The Division's strengthens that impression even more, and also gives me another impression that you have some bias there, and likely double standards.

Despite what you said, I will indeed point out that you are comparing apples and oranges.

As for your statements to fend off this attack, you are actually nitpicking, or rather, cherry-picking by focusing on specific gameplay designs to make your argument against the scores, even though the scores, subjective as they are, arose from considering more than just these gameplay designs.

P.S. For anyone else reading this, I am not defending Destiny or The Division, or GameSpot's reviews for that matter. I am just noticing an argument by another person that I consider to be full of flaws.

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@Gelugon_baat: First you want me to bring up something else which I thought was a fair point. I brought up a few things and now I'm cherry picking? I don't know where to start, although I did think, for a second, I was on my way to having a progressive discussion with another gamer. Full of flaws? I'm not arguing whether or not these issues were brought up in the review for The Division, I'm arguing the weighting of these factors as they contribute to the overall score. Yes council, I also realize they bring up a few other things about QB but these are moot points when we haven't heard an explanation for what plays into the overall score. Lets take "repetitive game play" for example ONLY because that seems to be where you and I agree as it relates to what GS dislikes in both QB and The Division. Again detective, I'm not saying this issue WAS NOT brought up in the The Division review!!! Do you think repetitive game play has the same weighting for how they scored The Division compared to how they scored QB? Do you think other gripes they had between the two games had equal weighting? factors like shooting mechanics, story, what about graphics? If these factors have equal weighting and ASSUMING every score starts at a 10, then how does The Division get an 8 and QB get a 6? The entirety of your first paragraph shows you have completely missed the point of my argument which I was trying to strengthen per your request. I have a preference for sci-fi stuff? Drawing that conclusion based on a couple of examples is about as fair as me concluding you're a douche because you have completely misinterpreted my argument; although it's probably not fair to conclude that because I don't know you. By the way, I was looking forward to The Division because it was labeled (by some) as a modern version of Destiny. If I like Sci-fi so much, oh psychic one, then why would I eagerly look forward to a game like The Division? I don't think I would have as much of an issue with this if The Division got a 7. the fact it got an 8 implies one of these factors they had for both QB and The Division had less affect for how they scored The Division and that's unfair! I'm also getting tired of this subjectivity and opinion rant. Indeed, opinions are subjective but that shouldn't give a professional critic (like Peter Brown) the allowance to be inconsistent with his criteria. If something like repetitive game play is an instant point subtracted on a scale of 10, then that weighting should apply to EVERY game. The same goes with story or any of these other factors I'm "cherry picking", as if factors like story, game play, shooting mechanics are the first thing any gamer doesn't think about?!?!?! What are you saying?

2 • 9 years ago

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Edited By Gelugon_baat

@caseyrybek: You did bring up other things, of course - but that doesn't mean that I won't scrutinize your other things for flaws in your arguments.

Also, you are ranting now. This won't make you any more convincing.

P.S. It's rather inappropriate that you would raise the matter of graphics there. The setting in Quantum Break allows for an entirely different kind of visual presentation than those in The Division. Again, apples and oranges.

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@Gelugon_baat: yeah okay, as if I need your approval as to whether or not my argument is convincing. My point has been consistent from the start of our exchange.

p.s. through your point about my reference to graphics, you really don't understand the point I'm making but that's okay. How "graphics" contribute to an overall score is not apples and oranges. If a game has good graphics, how does this apply to an overall score? that's all I'm asking. I don't expect you to know the answer on behalf of GS but I think we deserve a more thorough explanation from GS about their criterion and the weighting of their criterion rather than listen to them RANT about why their score is more reliable than other scores.

put your ego at ease my friend. My intent was never to convince you. My intent is to show a major flaw in how this particular game was reviewed by GS; you happened to ask more from me so I attempted and now you have elected to not see my point because that's a lot more difficult than accusing me of having double standards, cherry picking and now I'm on a rant. Are you trying to get a job with GS?

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Edited By Gelugon_baat

@caseyrybek: Well, good luck trying to convince everyone else who doesn't already think like you do - and unlike your reference to me as a "friend", I am actually sincere in wishing that. You really are going to need luck.

Also, if you are asking me whether I am trying to get a job with GameSpot, I would ask you this in return: are you trying to get a job with Remedy or Microsoft Games?

Upvote • 9 years ago

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@Gelugon_baat: there you go with "luck" again. Take a look at my post that started all of this nonsense. I have 5 likes...admittedly, I liked my own post. guilty. But, that still means there are 4 people who agree (most likely that assumes they have a similar or related argument). Didn't you say earlier that I'll need luck to get others to think like I do on this topic? Trust me, I meant that as a compliment earlier. You should get hired to do this. You're really good at debate about games. If I didn't know any better, I would think you're a moderator on this page. Seriously, I wish I had half the talent as you have with your analysis of games. I mean, you most certainly miss the point I'm making, but damn, when it comes to debates WE SHALL NOT MESS WITH YOU! I can't wait to see your analysis of Uncharted in a few weeks.

Upvote • 9 years ago

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Edited By OBSIDIAN_BORN

Its not perfect... But a 6 is too low... A 6 is for a "mixed" game. The game is great even with the little bit of bad... The lowest number you could possibly give it and stay legitimate is a 7...

6 • 9 years ago

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