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Beyond: Two Souls - Review Thread

S

Scrabble

Member
Can we please stop spouting the same "lol bad writing" comments repeatedly as some end all metric? There's more to storytelling, and writing, than just spoken dialogue.
 
T

tmarques

Member
CraftySkills said:
Can we please stop spouting the same "lol bad writing" comments repeatedly as some end all metric? There's more to storytelling, and writing, than just spoken dialogue.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that. Where did you get the idea that it's only his dialogue people object to? His stories are full of clichés. Everything is over-the-top. His characters are inconsistent. In one scene in Heavy Rain,
big bad millionaire shrugs his shoulders when he's reminded his son molested and murdered a child. A couple of hours later, we learn that for the past 40 years he's been bringing flowers to the grave of another child who died in an ACCIDENT in his property, complete with tears in his eyes.
It's the kind of sloppy writing that wouldn't make it into an original Lifetime movie.
 
B

BabySlayer

Banned
Vire said:
Did you really like Heavy Rain and would you like to continue to support this style of game? If so, then by all means go right ahead and get it.

If you are on the fence, try out the demo and see if it's your style, just know the story gets pretty fucking silly... couldn't hurt to wait for an impending price drop with next gen coming and all though.
Click to expand...

Yes and yes. Heavy Rain was one of my favorite games on PS3... I do want to support this style of games and I did enjoy the demo lol. Fuck it I might just pick it up.


But i was hoping it would be as engaging as Heavy Rain, doesn't sound like it.
 
LightofRohan

LightofRohan

Member
Got a couple question that probably have been answered already, but I don't want to snoop around in fear of spoilers -- if anyone can answer I'd be majorly grateful.

As a lover of Heavy Rain will I enjoy this? I thought the demo was brilliant (outside of some of the odd gameplay moments) -- but the reviews are worrying me, but I assume it's just those that define a "game" a certain way and get bent out of shape when it's not fully functional.

And is the combat too intrusive? I was pretty turned off when I started seeing Ellen in Iraq fighting soldiers. For those that finished it, is it that pervasive in the experience? I thought the young Ellen reading the cards in the next room was fucking brilliant, if it's more that than I'd be happy as hell.

Also, I have very little expectations for game stories and I understand it is rare for them to be near film/television, so a wonky story wont affect me that much. Thanks for any input!
 
B

Bashtee

Member
Darknessbear said:
Also, I have very little expectations for game stories and I understand it is rare for them to be near film/television, so a wonky story wont affect me that much. Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

The iraq-ish scenario didn't take that long. 30 mins tops. However, there are quite a lot of fighting/action events in the game.

Beyond is one of my all-time favorites. But then again, I'm probably a real fanboy of everything Quantic Dream releases. My honest opinion: worth every € I paid, and thanks to the limited edition that was around 80€.
 
S

Sweep14

Member
Finished Beyond early this morning (3.30 AM). I really really liked it. Well done QD.
It's a unique experience and it revealed itself as satisfying as a classic game for me
 
S

Salvor.Hardin

Banned
This game actually looks abominable. At times it feels like they're completely relying on Ellen Page out of the misunderstood emotion that her likeness is what made TLoU such a great game.
 
T

The Smoking Bun

Banned
I think the very final scene of the game was the most laughable. Very Terminator or X-MEN: Days Of Future Past. Sort of unnecessary and bit too... comic booky
 
Clear

Clear

CliffyB's Cock Holster
Salvor.Hardin said:
This game actually looks abominable. At times it feels like they're completely relying on Ellen Page out of the misunderstood emotion that her likeness is what made TLoU such a great game.
Click to expand...

Because they started work on this game only after TLOU came out...

/facepalm
 
C

Cloudy

Banned
Just finished it and that was totally satisfying.

This game had one of the best plots and characters I've ever seen in a game. Anything lower than an 8 is way of base IMO
 
K

Katana_Strikes

Member
The lip syncing and character walking animation is very stiff and off. That's the biggest gripes for me.

I haven't fallen in love with it yet and Heavy Rain grabbed me from the start. I hope it picks up for me.
 
V

Vizzeh

Banned
I think if lost respect for a lot of the game reviews, I know their based on opinion but they should at least be subjective... I'm probably half way through the game,e and its stunning, graphically, story and emotionaly, you can't help but feel for Jodie on her journey, some of the scenes with very young Jodie is nearly heartbreaking...Ellen paige is fantastic, as is the music..loving it...
 
P

Pyronite

Member
Amir0x said:
These are both incredibly lazy approaches to people have spent a great amount of detail examining exactly why the game has issues. I say fuck reviews as much as the next person, but only because I don't know who to trust after the scandals. But if I am to say a critic is wrong or hating just to hate, I would attempt to explain WHY that is, not try to invent bullshit stories about how they must have prejudged the game or wished it was indie or fucking hate David Cage. You say this stuff to make yourselves feel better, not to weigh the value of the critiques.

Trying to say everyone made up their mind about the game, doesn't like serious stories, would have reviewed the game well if it was indie (da fug?), etc is just reductionist nonsense meant to make one feel like they have a better understanding about why people don't feel the same way they do about products they like or respect.

Jim Sterling eviscerated the game and listed many critical problems, none of which I can find any prejudgment over and none of which I personally can dispute because a.) i havent played the final product, and neither has most of the rest of us and b.) it seems to be generally well supported by his text, whether I agreed with it or not.

If people have issues with the actual criticisms, that's one thing. Take issue with it, tell us how they're wrong, explain why people are approaching this product from the wrong direction.

Trying to wholesale dismiss all or even most critics for the reasons you two did is just completely off the wall. Criticism is more about hating David Cage than his work? I mean, who the fuck do you think you're kidding, fyng? Do the endless almost excessively detailed breakdowns of where Heavy Rain went wrong not convincing enough for you? Do you somehow believe you are the only one with an authentic position on their titles? Ridiculous.

And you, Wreckage. Trying to paint the ENTIRE INDUSTRY with the GTAIV 'oscar quote' in order to dismiss the vast majority of people who have been critical, which includes GAFers and more is just so beyond thoughtless I don't even know how to respond. Did you preview your quote before you posted? In what universe did you think you were making a good point? It is the writing ITSELF that people consistently tear apart. If the writing was exactly the same and it was by fucking Charlie Kaufman instead, it would still fucking suck to most of these people.
Click to expand...

*slow clap*

Bravo.
 
E

EmptySpace

Banned
Darknessbear said:
Got a couple question that probably have been answered already, but I don't want to snoop around in fear of spoilers -- if anyone can answer I'd be majorly grateful.

As a lover of Heavy Rain will I enjoy this? I thought the demo was brilliant (outside of some of the odd gameplay moments) -- but the reviews are worrying me, but I assume it's just those that define a "game" a certain way and get bent out of shape when it's not fully functional.

And is the combat too intrusive? I was pretty turned off when I started seeing Ellen in Iraq fighting soldiers. For those that finished it, is it that pervasive in the experience? I thought the young Ellen reading the cards in the next room was fucking brilliant, if it's more that than I'd be happy as hell.

Also, I have very little expectations for game stories and I understand it is rare for them to be near film/television, so a wonky story wont affect me that much. Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...

1) qd has always stated that beyond is different than heavy rain, and that is true. people thinking "heavy rain 2.0" are just pathetic. beyond's focus is not about choices. so no, it is not like heavy rain where players get to choose from a menu everytime. there will be choices in beyond, and scenarios will change, but making choices is not the focus of the game. gameplay-wise, it is better than heavy rain.

2) not really. sometimes, it is hard to follow which way jodie is going, but most of the time it is fine.

3) overall story might be divisive, because again people are thinking of heavy rain. no, beyond is not like heavy rain. be more open-minded about the story. you are also playing as a ghost, afterall.
 
dream

dream

Member
I'm a few hours in myself and as someone who generally liked Heavy Rain, I agree with EmptySpace; Beyond is something very different from Heavy Rain in the same way Heavy Rain was something very different from Fahrenheit.

I'm liking this very much so far, but I also buy David Cage games solely because I want to see how he's going to fuck me in the ass this time around.
 
D

dragonbane

Member
dream said:
I'm a few hours in myself and as someone who generally liked Heavy Rain, I agree with EmptySpace; Beyond is something very different from Heavy Rain in the same way Heavy Rain was something very different from Fahrenheit.

I'm liking this very much so far, but I also buy David Cage games solely because I want to see how he's going to fuck me in the ass this time around.
Click to expand...
And then the unimaginable happens. He actually doesn't do it this time. While it goes a bit sci-fi near the end, the ending is probably my favourite part about the entire game. Truly beautiful in every sense of the word and one of my favourite endings to a game of this generation. Really elevated the game from enjoying it to loving it for me.


KHlover said:
Oh. Alright then

Back OT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkW2yb0ZujE

In Germany the game is being advertised as "interactive action-drama, starring YOU". By the German version of Netflix even.

Since I doubt this spot would be aired on TV without Quantic Dreams approval I think the story of this game IS supposed to rival a movie.
Click to expand...
They actually didn't approve and some employees aired criticism over twitter. Marketing and developer is rarely working together.


Salvor.Hardin said:
This game actually looks abominable. At times it feels like they're completely relying on Ellen Page out of the misunderstood emotion that her likeness is what made TLoU such a great game.
Click to expand...
This makes zero sense.
 
dream

dream

Member
dragonbane said:
And then the unimaginable happens. He actually doesn't do it this time. While it goes a bit sci-fi near the end, the ending is probably my favourite part about the entire game. Truly beautiful in every sense of the word and one of my favourite endings to a game of this generation. Really elevated the game from enjoying it to loving it for me.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of torn about this. Like I said earlier, part of the appeal of David Cage games for me is the utter contempt that I feel he has for me as a fan by the time the credits roll. But from the little I've played of Beyond, there is a tenderness at the core of the characterization--particularly in Jodie's vulnerability--that makes me hopeful for an ending that resonates as much for me as it did for you to the point where I'm actively hoping that she doesn't get eaten by purple Internet monsters or anything Cageesque.
 
S

see5harp

Member
dream said:
I'm kind of torn about this. Like I said earlier, part of the appeal of David Cage games for me is the utter contempt that I feel he has for me as a fan by the time the credits roll. But from the little I've played of Beyond, there is a tenderness at the core of the characterization--particularly in Jodie's vulnerability--that makes me hopeful for an ending that resonates as much for me as it did for you to the point where I'm actively hoping that she doesn't get eaten by purple Internet monsters or anything Cageesque.
Click to expand...

The best scenes of the game were certainly the Jodie as a child scenes. The game goes off the rails when they go into the side bits like Jodie as a homeless person or Jodie the giant Navajo chosen white man spirit walker killer, mind reading archealogist.

EDIT: just watched the zero punctuation video. I certainly didn't hate the game but it's hilarious that he mentioned both the homeless sequence and the native american spirit sequence. It seems like it would have made more sense to get rid of those sequences and instead spend more time on other characters instead of creating those pointless stories to facilitate 2 choices for the ending.
 
D

dragonbane

Member
ComputerMKII said:
Zero Punctuation review: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/8298-Beyond-Two-Souls
Click to expand...
He was a pretty good and funny reviewer back then. Most of his reviews nowadays are pretty shitty though, including this one. Too bad.


see5harp said:
The best scenes of the game were certainly the Jodie as a child scenes. The game goes off the rails when they go into the side bits like Jodie as a homeless person or Jodie the giant Navajo chosen white man spirit walker killer, mind reading archealogist.
Click to expand...
Cliché sure, but it's not like the game didn't establish the fact that she can do all this stuff.
 
W

WickedLaharl

Member
ComputerMKII said:
Zero Punctuation review: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/8298-Beyond-Two-Souls
Click to expand...

beyond-approval0oqka.gif
 
D

dragonbane

Member
CadetMahoney said:
Especially when it's plot-driven game too.
Click to expand...
Maybe you haven't read Lime's follow up, but he/she finished the game recently and would actually give it a 6 on a full scale and liked it more than HR.


see5harp said:
It seems like it would have made more sense to get rid of those sequences and instead spend more time on other characters instead of creating those pointless stories to facilitate 2 choices for the ending.
Click to expand...
Considering Homeless is one of my favourite chapters in the game combined with my favourite group of characters and therefore the best ending I could dream of, I have to disagree. I didn't like Navajo though. Should have ended after the first night and left the rest to interpretation. Same with the Chinese condenser. It's clearly padding and Jay is not a good character.
 
S

see5harp

Member
dragonbane said:
Cliché sure, but it's not like the game didn't establish the fact that she can do all this stuff.
Click to expand...

I don't even think they are a cliche. More just a ridiculous aside that didn't seem to serve the storyline in any meaningful way. If it isn't great just cut it. That's a problem I see with games....it's like fill games up with a ton of filler because of some assumed obligation to hit 8-10 hours. If your primary desire is tell a story with great characters then that should be what you aim for. How many television shows do you watch were a psychic CIA operative is trying to run away from her past but spends a couple episodes to build a relationship with a navajo family hiding the fact that every night for years a giant spirit demon and their spirit ancestors were waging battle on their rooftop?
 
D

dragonbane

Member
see5harp said:
I don't even think they are a cliche. More just a ridiculous aside that didn't seem to serve the storyline in any meaningful way. If it isn't great just cut it. That's a problem I see with games....it's like fill games up with a ton of filler because of some assumed obligation to hit 8-10 hours. If your primary desire is tell a story with great characters then that should be what you aim for. How many television shows do you watch were a psychic CIA operative is trying to run away from her past but spends a couple episodes to build a relationship with a navajo family hiding the fact that every night for years a giant spirit demon and their spirit ancestors were waging battle on their rooftop?
Click to expand...
Just to correct a slight misinformation.
He doesn't come every night. He comes for a couple of nights, then leaves for a month and then comes back at some point. The chapter is definitely not meaningful to the storyline. However, it is meaningful to her character. As I said I didn't like it, but I totally get why it is there. The act of bonding with the family, having something like a job where your work is appreciated, helping them out and doing good things with Aiden for once makes her realize than she can no longer run away and has to face her past (mother, Nathan). She pretty much finds herself and becomes focused again after wandering aimlessly around for the entire year.

So the chapter has a valuable purpose to lead into the Old Friends and Norah chapter. I'm still not a fan of it all things considered. Just too long IMO.
 
F

Ferrio

Banned
dragonbane said:
Just to correct a slight misinformation.
He doesn't come every night. He comes for a couple of nights, then leaves for a month and then comes back at some point. The chapter is definitely not meaningful to the storyline. However, it is meaningful to her character. As I said I didn't like it, but I totally get why it is there. The act of bonding with the family, having something like a job where your work is appreciated, helping them out and doing good things with Aiden for once makes her realize than she can no longer run away and has to face her past (mother, Nathan). She pretty much finds herself and becomes focused again after wandering aimlessly around for the entire year.

So the chapter has a valuable purpose to lead into the Old Friends and Norah chapter. I'm still not a fan of it all things considered. Just too long IMO.
Click to expand...


You could of had the character go through that same revelation in a different way that wasn't as hokey and cliche as hell.
 
P

peace

Neo Member
Very varied scores. Who to believe? I think this game looks fab. The PS3 has really come into it's own this last year or 2. Bodes well for the 4th I hope.
 
E

EloquentM

aka Mannny
You're not allowed to make threads yet so you bump a 3 year old one? Missing the point lol

Edit: meh maybe I am being cranky. Stomach hurts. I am sorry
 
N

Neiteio

Member
Guys, he wants to discuss the game. He can't make threads yet, so he used this one. What's the big deal?

MaybeBurger said:
LTTP but this recently - played a bit - gotta say - the
children party
+ chaos = hilarious as fuck and so awesome
Click to expand...
I've been thinking about trying this game. I recently replayed Heavy Rain with a friend and it was still a lot of fun. Makes me wonder what Beyond is like by comparison.
 
M

MaybeBurger

Banned
Ghost is Bad said:
this is like one of those games you can watch a youtube video for and experience everything about it.

also, 3 year old thread. why bump it?
Click to expand...


didn't realise there was a can't comment "on topic" to a topic's timetable to threads.

Bought the game recently on PS4 did a search for beyond and this was thread that showed up.

Okay thread/bump police.

Neiteio said:
Guys, he wants to discuss the game. He can't make threads yet, so he used this one. What's the big deal?


I've been thinking about trying this game. I recently replayed Heavy Rain with a friend and it was still a lot of fun. Makes me wonder what Beyond is like by comparison.
Click to expand...

thank you!


I played about 4-5 chapters. The ghost mechanics is really interesting and the graphics also look really good.
 
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