" Despite what people might think none of us like writing low-scoring reviews. I've been a fan of Warriors games since Dynasty Warriors 3, but I think that just makes games like Warriors Orochi 4 that much more disappointing."
Oh I am totally on board with you there. I've argued about this with acquaintances who buy into this false belief that most low reviews are simply written out of some kind of gleeful malevolence. That's absurd for several reasons. Off the top of my head: first of all, even if you give the game a low score, you're still giving the game publicity meaning you're still helping the company which produced it. Second of all, harsh critique in good faith is HEALTHY. You're investing in an honest evaluation that consumers can use to make better purchasing decisions and you're also letting the developers know where they can improve in the future. That helps everyone. Third, Roger Ebert once said something to the effect of "I don't consider my opinions to be the final word...I consider them to be the beginning of discourse." A critical review OPENS the door for conversation; it doesn't shut it. That's why you have a comments section. That's why you multiple blogs/websites with different authors.
The key phrase here is "in good faith". I don't doubt there are vindictive reviewers out there. However if you're using your platform to slander others or launch personal attacks then you're not doing your job. I just honestly don't see a lot of that.
"Fair enough about your thoughts on Warriors Orochi 2, I just remember having a great time with it. Maybe they'll build on Warriors Orochi 4 in future and deliver a better overall game. I'm also hoping the next Samurai Warriors isn't rushed or, perhaps even worse, changed dramatically like Dynasty Warriors 9."
I guess I can understand if you played it under the right circumstances. For me there's a dark aura that hangs around WO2. Iirc when it was released in 2008 it was the most critically reviled WARRIORS title in the West to date. Even ignoring the negativity, I thought it was so similar to the first game that I could barely even make a distinction. Seriously the two conflate in my mind (was that cutscene from #1 or #2??) I really think...had the game been marketed as an XL expansion and at a lower price point, it would have gotten more appreciation. Likewise in that context...I can see what you mean. It was really the marketing thats the issue.
"Anyway, yeah, it sucks when you've been looking forward to a game (and even preordered it) and it's just not that good. Hopefully you can still have some fun with it, though."
Thanks! I mean...that's part of the cost of preordering: going in blind. I cant complain too much. Might as well make the best of it. Besides persistence is key for finishing any video game, even the great ones.
Like you, here's hoping the next one will be a hit (hint KT: take inspiration from DW3!!! )
Anyways, I know youre busy so Ill let you go. Keep up the good work and I will tune in when the next WARRIORS game hits the stands.
Hi. Your review was prophetic. I just got the game yesterday. My impressions are paralleling your assesment so far. Yeah the product does feel cheap. Like many other players, I'm used to the fact Omega Force loves to recycle assets. But this feels like it was hastily slapped together and comes off like a budget title. Theres no opening FMV which is never a good sign. The camp system has been replaced with bland menus. There are almost no hit effects in combat, making it less visually appealing and tougher to see if I'm making contact with an enemy. The still portraits are a step backwards from the minimally animated conversations from previous WARRIORS titles, etc. We know Omega Force can do better...we've seen them do better.
It's a shame because I like a lot of ideas in the game such as the magic and deity systems. But with a crossover game which recycles a lot of assets, presentation does go a long way in giving it it's own identity. MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2 is highly memorable partly because of its wacky presentation, despite Capcom recycling several character models from previous fighters. In this regard, I think WARRIORS ALL STARS was more successful.
Still I don't think it's a "weaker" entry than WARRIORS OROCHI 2 (Musou OROCHI Rebirth in Japan). Taken as a sequel as it was released in the West, that game was almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. It really was an expansion pack masquerading as a sequel. WO4 at least sets the foundation for a next Gen crossover (with respect to WARRIORS games). Feel free to disagree with me on that point though.
Nonetheless I think the rest of your critique is on target. Had I known before I would have thought twice about preordering the game.
I honestly can't believe that. How could it possibly be weaker than WARRIORS OROCHI 2 (MusÅ Orochi: Rebirth of the Demon Lord), which was savaged by Western critics? That entry literally was an expansion pack posing as a sequel.
Comments 3
Re: Warriors Orochi 4 - Worse Than Warriors Orochi 3
@ShogunRok
Thanks for the reply
" Despite what people might think none of us like writing low-scoring reviews. I've been a fan of Warriors games since Dynasty Warriors 3, but I think that just makes games like Warriors Orochi 4 that much more disappointing."
Oh I am totally on board with you there. I've argued about this with acquaintances who buy into this false belief that most low reviews are simply written out of some kind of gleeful malevolence. That's absurd for several reasons. Off the top of my head: first of all, even if you give the game a low score, you're still giving the game publicity meaning you're still helping the company which produced it. Second of all, harsh critique in good faith is HEALTHY. You're investing in an honest evaluation that consumers can use to make better purchasing decisions and you're also letting the developers know where they can improve in the future. That helps everyone. Third, Roger Ebert once said something to the effect of "I don't consider my opinions to be the final word...I consider them to be the beginning of discourse." A critical review OPENS the door for conversation; it doesn't shut it. That's why you have a comments section. That's why you multiple blogs/websites with different authors.
The key phrase here is "in good faith". I don't doubt there are vindictive reviewers out there. However if you're using your platform to slander others or launch personal attacks then you're not doing your job. I just honestly don't see a lot of that.
"Fair enough about your thoughts on Warriors Orochi 2, I just remember having a great time with it. Maybe they'll build on Warriors Orochi 4 in future and deliver a better overall game. I'm also hoping the next Samurai Warriors isn't rushed or, perhaps even worse, changed dramatically like Dynasty Warriors 9."
I guess I can understand if you played it under the right circumstances. For me there's a dark aura that hangs around WO2. Iirc when it was released in 2008 it was the most critically reviled WARRIORS title in the West to date. Even ignoring the negativity, I thought it was so similar to the first game that I could barely even make a distinction. Seriously the two conflate in my mind (was that cutscene from #1 or #2??) I really think...had the game been marketed as an XL expansion and at a lower price point, it would have gotten more appreciation. Likewise in that context...I can see what you mean. It was really the marketing thats the issue.
"Anyway, yeah, it sucks when you've been looking forward to a game (and even preordered it) and it's just not that good. Hopefully you can still have some fun with it, though."
Thanks! I mean...that's part of the cost of preordering: going in blind. I cant complain too much. Might as well make the best of it. Besides persistence is key for finishing any video game, even the great ones.
Like you, here's hoping the next one will be a hit (hint KT: take inspiration from DW3!!! )
Anyways, I know youre busy so Ill let you go. Keep up the good work and I will tune in when the next WARRIORS game hits the stands.
Re: Warriors Orochi 4 - Worse Than Warriors Orochi 3
@ShogunRok
Hi. Your review was prophetic. I just got the game yesterday. My impressions are paralleling your assesment so far. Yeah the product does feel cheap. Like many other players, I'm used to the fact Omega Force loves to recycle assets. But this feels like it was hastily slapped together and comes off like a budget title. Theres no opening FMV which is never a good sign. The camp system has been replaced with bland menus. There are almost no hit effects in combat, making it less visually appealing and tougher to see if I'm making contact with an enemy. The still portraits are a step backwards from the minimally animated conversations from previous WARRIORS titles, etc. We know Omega Force can do better...we've seen them do better.
It's a shame because I like a lot of ideas in the game such as the magic and deity systems. But with a crossover game which recycles a lot of assets, presentation does go a long way in giving it it's own identity. MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2 is highly memorable partly because of its wacky presentation, despite Capcom recycling several character models from previous fighters. In this regard, I think WARRIORS ALL STARS was more successful.
Still I don't think it's a "weaker" entry than WARRIORS OROCHI 2 (Musou OROCHI Rebirth in Japan). Taken as a sequel as it was released in the West, that game was almost indistinguishable from its predecessor. It really was an expansion pack masquerading as a sequel. WO4 at least sets the foundation for a next Gen crossover (with respect to WARRIORS games). Feel free to disagree with me on that point though.
Nonetheless I think the rest of your critique is on target. Had I known before I would have thought twice about preordering the game.
Re: Warriors Orochi 4 - Worse Than Warriors Orochi 3
"weakest Warriors Orochi title"
I honestly can't believe that. How could it possibly be weaker than WARRIORS OROCHI 2 (MusÅ Orochi: Rebirth of the Demon Lord), which was savaged by Western critics? That entry literally was an expansion pack posing as a sequel.