VF5 gets a 9.5 in Play Magazine

Most of you probably already know, "Play" is fairly similar to Game Informer. One thing that distinguishes them from GI though (IMO), is they are usually more passionate about their reviews. Ironically, even though VF5 scored higher in Play than it did in GI, the review was quite shallow (much to my disappointment), and you can tell the reviewer isn't very famaliar with the game. Also, Gamespot seems to be a bunch of noobs who might have played VF5 for about a half hour and then wrote a bum review.

Even though I don't necessarily agree with GI's rating, at least they had some valid points when they discussed the downgrade in features from Evo to VF5. I'd focus more on gameplay (the new additions such as Offensive Movement, etc.) and the improvements in the controls (their noticably even tighter), faster pace, graphics. It seems a lot of the "so-called" pros are focusing on the non-technical flaws to hide the fact that they don't know squat about the actual gameplay. Seems to be a common dilemna with VF reviews. EGM might be the most trustworthy for people new to the game, as they actually play VF; and seem to have rated the game based on how it plays.

 

I used to work for gamefan and gamers republic which is where play magazine came from and I can tell you there arent any people that work there that really are above noob level at vf. Although VF5 is getting some high scores from game mags which I think helps grow the popularity of it, i'm kinda sad that there are very few publications out there that really have qualified players for the appropriate games. Its like seeing a chess board with the pieces and not knowing how to play the game yet writing a review about it. What are you going to write? The pieces look cool?

 

Well that is the target audience.

 

Oh AWESOME, it got the same score as Sonic 360! Man, one thing about Play is that their scores are CONSISTENTLY trustworthy and the reviewers truly have unparalleled taste!

(please god somebody make Dave Halverson shut up for the good of gaming)

 

I've enjoyed Halverson's shamelessly skewed perspective for a long time, but I have to agree: Play might be home to the most uselessly perverted review section on earth (not that any reviews are useful, but whatever). They don't even seem to operate under the guise of ethical journalism.

 

I'm just mad that they didn't put Virtua Fighter 5 on the cover. When was the last time that they, or any other magazine put a fighting game on a cover of a magazine for that matter. I'm personally sick of these popularity trends and how certain types of games are thriving more than others. Long live Fighting Games!!!

 

Play's reviews are hit and miss. Although I've yet to play it; I really enjoyed reading their review for FFX11 a few issues back; as well as their review for Gears of War. They were also one of the few mags to pinpoint some flaws in Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Mentioning such things as not being able to control the camera in the Wii version, unless you switch to 1st person view (that would be a hinderance, IMO). The GC version of Zelda, which I'm currently playing, gives you complete control and rotation of the camera (with the yellow analog). They also mention some flaws with the sound effects. So far, I don't agree with them regarding the sound; it's just fine to me, and those old familiar tunes still send chills down my spine. Play had a few complaints about using the nunchuck for basic sword strikes as well.

Speaking of, could anyone who plays LoZ: TP on the Wii tell me how the sword strikes work? On the GC, you get a different set of sword attacks depending on the direction of the analog stick (example: forward is thrusting attacks). How is this incorporated with the Wii nunchuck?