Hot And Bothered
Down With The Sickness? I can’t believe that after all these years you still have such a prejudice against JRPGs. This last issue has concrete evidence: You gave Tales of Zesteria such a low score – 6.5 – and for reasons that you praised Undertale, your game of the month. Zesteria’s save points are archaic and detract from the gameplay? Guess what other game has save points? I will admit that the game has flaws, but to give it such an underwhelming score? The story is solid and the new gameplay elements make it immersive. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m really tired of these games getting low scores for no other reason than you people think that they are somehow “less than.” So f--- you in your f---ing anus. Sarah P. via email Wow, that escalated quickly, huh? But we understand: Random outbursts are a common symptom of JRPG Worship Syndrome. So is selective reading, confusing concrete evidence with no evidence at all, and a fondness for sweeping generalizations – like construing our dislike of dated save systems that require copious backtracking as a universal condemnation of any game that features save points. For more information on JRPG Worship Syndrome, please consult your doctor.
Both Tri Force Heroes and Xenoblade Chronicles X received scores of 7.25. The minimum score for allowance onto G.I.’s yearly Top 50 list is a 7.5. Either something shady is going on with other publishers to get their games guaranteed for the Top 50, or the selfishness of two of your staff introduced a sudden, unexpected snag for two games with redeeming qualities. Tri Force Heroes may have a bit of a repetitive gameplay loop, but the quirky charm and fun multiplayer should earn it at least a 7.5. Everything that Xenoblade Chronicles X does right should earn it at least an 8, regardless of the way the good stuff is accessed – I mean, Matt Miller of all reviewers should be able to admire the realism of having to walk from the farthest end of Mira to New Los Angeles if he appreciated the Sony-backed walking simulator Journey enough to give it a 9. If G.I. as a business gave Star Wars: Battlefront a 7.5 just to allow the possibility of it being on the Top 50 despite its shortcomings, and not Nintendo’s games, then your system looks suspicious, fraud or no fraud. I’m typing this because I know darn well that a majority of the gaming community would rather see X on your list than Battlefront. Stephen Lambros via email We have no such minimum score rule for our Top 50 list, and no game’s inclusion or exclusion on the list is decided by a single editor. On an unrelated note, we’d like to take a minute to discuss with you the symptoms of a serious illness known as Nintendo Worship Syndrome…
Short Answers To Readers’ Burning Questions: “Is local multiplayer dead?” Nope. “And if so, why is it dead?” Seriously, it’s not. “Why do you guys receive so much hate mail?” It’s the primary communication method of haters.
Worst News Tip Of The Month: “Maybe have more people play so their accusations are more accurate”
Question Of The Month: What 2015 game did you end up playing the most, and why?
gi spy
(Left) In loving memory of Michael Gitler, friend, family, and former Game Informer photographer. (Center) Dan Tack took a break from the Blizzard revelries to snap a picture with BlizzCon hosts Michele Morrow and Malik Forté. (Right) Dan Tack also “crashed” a furry convention in Chicago this month, because that’s how he rolls.
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