A Bad Review

Kevinugly · Post by **Kevinugly** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 4:58 pm

More than anything else, what offended me was that the review was just an atrocious piece of journalism (I didn't post the rest of the review for that reason). It was abusive towards wargamers and was grossly ill-informed. The dice comment was a good example - I mean combat in most games features a random element and RPGs talk overtly about d6, d10, d20 rolls but they don't get slated for it. Anyway, I've got better things to do than worry about some idiots diatribe - i.e. playing Korsun Pocket, or Uncommon Valour, or TAOW2, or Unreal2 (oops, wrong genre

).

Rob Gjessing · Post by **Rob Gjessing** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 1:58 am

Kevinugly wrote: or Unreal2 (oops, wrong genre ).

Well thats the whole point isnt it.. whilst my earlier post took a shot at those genres, I think you will find that many if not most of the people here on this board, and others who are into wargames, dont write a game off just because of its genre.. if its a good game then its a good game. There are some excellent FPS and Real Time Strategy games out there.. and Im sure we all appreciate that and equally like those games.

The problem is the narrowmindedness of this PC mag that is NOT willing to appreciate that there may actually be other great games (like KP) that doesnt fit into the genres that they accept and love.

Kevinugly · Post by **Kevinugly** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 3:50 am

My letter to their reviews editor expressed that it WAS a poor piece of journalism. I enjoy all sorts of games, it helps prevent 'burnout' (as was talked about by Bill Wilder on another site). I mean, for me, there's nothing better after a prolonged session of KP (or UV, AA, or TAOW) than to frag a few zombies in 'Return to Castle Wolfenstein' or some Mercs in 'Unreal 2' It's what makes computer gaming great. Hopefully, one day, the mainstream mags will recognise this and 'editorialise' appropriately.

Ozie · Post by **Ozie** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 4:36 am

Hertston wrote:KP isn't the only victim.. I recall my fury when Steel Beasts got a whopping 17% because it was supposed to be "unrealistic" !

It's a kiddie comic, and should be read as such. In fairness to the reviewer, he was catering to his audience (young and generally stupid).

What??? Steel Beasts unreaslistc??

When it came out it was THE most realistic tank simulation there was and still holds it's place. Only thing wrong with it its by todays standards lame graphics but back then they were just fine. Shees... What a bunch *** monkeys.

hank · Post by **hank** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 7:33 am

Hertston wrote:KP isn't the only victim.. I recall my fury when Steel Beasts got a whopping 17% because it was supposed to be "unrealistic" !

...).

I take overly critical reviews with a grain of salt. There's no way KP should get nothing less than a great review. Nothing's perfect but KP is a wonderful game ... its made me forget about other games except PzC. That magazine should be disgraced at a review like that. Obviously, the reviewer's not an experienced wargamer.

... and as for Steelbeasts. Its a great game also. ... can't wait for the next release.

Mac_MatrixForum · Post by **Mac_MatrixForum** » Fri Oct 17, 2003 9:28 am

hank wrote:Obviously, the reviewer's not an experienced wargamer.

And actually shouldn't need to be either. But if he had any integrity or professionalism he would have stated his opinions as such and researched the matter to compare the game to its competitors. He might have also declined the review and given it to someone else or sought more information from people in the know. If you start a game and you don't like it, it's tempting to give it a bad review, but that's a situation that really demands a bit of work from the reviewer since he needs to still present the facts truthfully and not mix his opinion into those.

I find the almost constant lack of ethic and bad journalism in modern media appalling. This is just one more example of it. I guess it becomes natural when you know more about something than the writer and are a scientist type :p. But there are a lot more interesting things to discuss here than this, right?

I think a letter to the editor is the right thing to do.

Belisarius · Post by **Belisarius** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 4:29 pm

Mac wrote:And actually shouldn't need to be either. But if he had any integrity or professionalism he would have stated his opinions as such and researched the matter to compare the game to its competitors. He might have also declined the review and given it to someone else or sought more information from people in the know. If you start a game and you don't like it, it's tempting to give it a bad review, but that's a situation that really demands a bit of work from the reviewer since he needs to still present the facts truthfully and not mix his opinion into those.

I find the almost constant lack of ethic and bad journalism in modern media appalling. This is just one more example of it. I guess it becomes natural when you know more about something than the writer and are a scientist type :p. But there are a lot more interesting things to discuss here than this, right?

I think a letter to the editor is the right thing to do.

I second that, Mac.

It baffles me how a review by a clearly "unqualified" reviewer makes the print without any analysis of the game, or genre at all. He's just comparing apples to oranges! The reviewer should be looking for another job (flipping burgers at the local McD comes to mind), and the editor should be doing his. :rolleyes:

Toby42 · Post by **Toby42** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 9:55 pm

The only problem that I have with the game so far is that the units and terrain are too small. I have a 17" monitor and that should be enough. I think that I read that they are going to have a magnify option in the upcoming patch. I hope that will help.

Theopolis · Post by **Theopolis** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 1:45 am

CGW gave this game a 5-star review, and they don't hand those out like candy. I bought TAO when it first came out and thought it was the best hex-based wargame I ever played. KP is even better, and I was so glad to find out that the TAO system was not abandoned. For a time, I thought I would never see a game as good as that. I really can't wait until the have a zoom feature and I am glad they addressed that issue. I only wish the manual would explain what all the shortcut keys do, though.

Rob Gjessing · Post by **Rob Gjessing** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 2:38 am

Do you mean you want to know what all of the shortcut keys are? If so then grab this file: http://run5.wargamer.com/files/korsun-keys.pdf

Edited to correct a bad link.

Shaun Wallace · Post by **Shaun Wallace** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 6:00 am

Hi Guys,

Here is a link to the magazine, they have a set of active forums and also contact us page.

http://www.pczone.co.uk/

Cheers

Shaun

Rob Gjessing · Post by **Rob Gjessing** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 6:22 am

Oh oh! This could be dangerous..

Now remember, we are hardened troops! We have more combat experiance then they do. BrubakerII, Shaun, Joe98 - you take the Forums. Adam, Marc JoshF and Kevinugly secure the downloads. Ozie, DPoM and Mac - get the reviewer and the Editor - but only if time permits.

The rest of you stick with me and provide covering fire. What your backs lads.. Now lets go! Go! GO!..

Warpstorm · Post by **Warpstorm** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 6:36 am

Rob, did you mean http://run5.wargamer.com/files/korsun-keys.pdf?

Theopolis · Post by **Theopolis** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 6:48 am

Thanks for the link. A lot better than playing with then amd trying to figure out what they are doing.

Ozie · Post by **Ozie** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 7:05 am

Sir yes Sir!

DPoM · Post by **DPoM** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 8:28 am

Breached outer perimeter, proceding to next objective. Out.

Rob Gjessing · Post by **Rob Gjessing** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 10:06 am

Fixed my link.. thanks guys

Kevinugly · Post by **Kevinugly** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 5:23 pm

I've already 'hit' the reviews editor! Now, remember guys, before 'going over the top', ensure a proper recce of the position so as to ensure your shots hit the right target

Toby42 · Post by **Toby42** » Sun Oct 19, 2003 8:51 pm

I'm not sure what kind of a "Zoom" feature that they are planning on, but something that would give you two different map sizes would be nice. I think that the old Talonsoft Civil War Games had that. Also The Great Battles Series had the same feature, if I'm not mistaken.

Other than that, it is a Great Game...

MasterBlaster · Post by **MasterBlaster** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 7:34 pm

Wow, I just got hand on the issues and was able to read the review. Besides the fact that Mr. Emery seems to know jackshit about wargaming (He even claims Matrix games developed thw "Steel Panthers" series

), read this here, I quote directly:

" There are two sorts of hex gamers in this world: those who play for fun and those who think they´re Hitler, Napoleon or some other short-arsed megalomaniac who got their arse licked in Russia. Strategic Simulations' utterly fantastic "Panzer General" series combined hex-based gameplay with simple icons and a hint of RPG. It was the perfect hex game and sales figures refelected this. But few come close and most hex developers have stayed rooted in the past with a straight "boardgame-to-PC" conversion. And these to put it bluntly, cater for those with a Napoleon complex. "Korsun Pocket" falls into this category. "

Allright Mr. Daniel Emery, so you call "me" a Nazi fanboy

? Because I fall into your second category of hex gamers? This is outrageous, one should sue the guy and the whole rubbish magazine. I fail to understand how an Editor in Chief can get something like this printed in a magazine. Would they dare to call all FPS kiddies lunatic wannabe killers with a mother complex ?

You can be sure I will miss no opportunity to not recommend this mag to anybody of my friends

.

A Bad Review

Link To PC Zone

what an insult ...