"Zero Punctuation" and "Dev Diary" by Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw - The only thing worth watching on The Escapist

[jspit2.0]

I've been thinking this for years. He could easily be his own thing if he wanted. It has to be out of convenience or something.

Community plus relationships.

 

[ARghEAT]

So I read through this thread and I found a few people wondering about why he tends to be so negative towards triple A games. From my perspective, it just seems like he's tired of them. Think about it: what is the core gameplay of CoD, Battlefield, etc.? 'Point gun at bad guy, fire, throw a grenade sometimes, hide behind walls'. It probably gets samey real quick if you have to go through as much of a game as possible in under a week, and then spare time to actually reflect on it and write about it, then narrate it and edit it, week upon week for over 10 years. He even reviewed the first Modern Warfare well - he actually liked it a fair bit - but you can really see his opinion of CoD-style shooters decline in later reviews simply because it has been played out so much. His opinion of what a sequel should be also clashes with this: according to Yahtzee, sequels should expand on the ideas present in the first game rather than reiterating them - something you clearly don't see in CoD-style games where the gameplay stays pretty much completely the same (I even pirated all 3 Modern Warfare games a while back just to play them, and I can't tell you any differences between them except in story and some weapons here and there - though it has been a while since I did play them.)

 

[Balr0g]

I think Yathzee also tends to be negative over Triple A because they feel often like "by the numbers" From his Watch Dog 2 review "then there is this female black side character who has cornrows on one side of her head and a pony tail ont the toher as a way to squeeze in the diversity quota with one character". And he isn't so far of imho. A lot of Western developers make "safe" games that don't excite much (TLOU2 was different but we all know that). It is often Indies or Japanese developers who at least try to cater to gamers and not to the Twitter clout

 

[The tired cat]

So I read through this thread and I found a few people wondering about why he tends to be so negative towards triple A games. From my perspective, it just seems like he's tired of them. Think about it: what is the core gameplay of CoD, Battlefield, etc.? 'Point gun at bad guy, fire, throw a grenade sometimes, hide behind walls'. It probably gets samey real quick if you have to go through as much of a game as possible in under a week, and then spare time to actually reflect on it and write about it, then narrate it and edit it, week upon week for over 10 years. He even reviewed the first Modern Warfare well - he actually liked it a fair bit - but you can really see his opinion of CoD-style shooters decline in later reviews simply because it has been played out so much. His opinion of what a sequel should be also clashes with this: according to Yahtzee, sequels should expand on the ideas present in the first game rather than reiterating them - something you clearly don't see in CoD-style games where the gameplay stays pretty much completely the same (I even pirated all 3 Modern Warfare games a while back just to play them, and I can't tell you any differences between them except in story and some weapons here and there - though it has been a while since I did play them.)

The problem with that statement usually the dickweed who says "oh, a sequel should expand on ideas" doesn't have a single fucking clue how it should be expanded, they just say it to try and sound smart or smug, When you ask them "Okay, so how should something like CoD expand on?" they don't have any answer but they sure love talking out their fucking ass about it.

I think Yathzee also tends to be negative over Triple A because they feel often like "by the numbers" From his Watch Dog 2 review "then there is this female black side character who has cornrows on one side of her head and a pony tail ont the toher as a way to squeeze in the diversity quota with one character". And he isn't so far of imho. A lot of Western developers make "safe" games that don't excite much (TLOU2 was different but we all know that). It is often Indies or Japanese developers who at least try to cater to gamers and not to the Twitter clout

Nah, usually his negative because he likes to jack off indies like a fuckin' hipster. I mean, for Christ's sake his Hunt down the Freeman video was the biggest cringe impossible going all about this horseshit "Oh, games used to have soul and passion behind them!", he beats that horse every fucking time he can, like the most annoying jack ass possible.

 

[Poop A Loop]

You'd think he would remember all the soulless cash-ins for every single kids movie, children's show, and action or sci-fi movie that came out for every system from 1990 up until around the 7th console generation. The soul and passion is still there, it's just gone from the genres and areas he's looking. Not our fault he's too closed-minded to try new shit out.

 

[ARghEAT]

The problem with that statement usually the dickweed who says "oh, a sequel should expand on ideas" doesn't have a single fucking clue how it should be expanded, they just say it to try and sound smart or smug, When you ask them "Okay, so how should something like CoD expand on?" they don't have any answer but they sure love talking out their fucking ass about it.

Isn't it the job of the people making the games to come up with the ideas? On one hand, people keep buying CoD (even though it's basically the same game, but with a different story (but still along the same lines as previous ones) updated graphics and a few new gimmicks thrown in) so there's no real incentive to mix things up, of course, but on the other innovation is obviously possible. Titanfall, for example, is a shooter that innovates on the CoD gameplay formula, Spec Ops: The Line innovates on the story. Still, it isn't Yahtzee's job to tell developers what to make, it's his job to point out what he doesn't like in video games and say it in a funny way. By the way, you claim to hate the guy and his content but you are one of the more active posters in this thread. Curious.

You'd think he would remember all the soulless cash-ins for every single kids movie, children's show, and action or sci-fi movie that came out for every system from 1990 up until around the 7th console generation. The soul and passion is still there, it's just gone from the genres and areas he's looking. Not our fault he's too closed-minded to try new shit out.

Doesn't he try new stuff out, with all the indie games? His AAA reviews are also not all negative across the board - he found Watch Dogs: Legion interesting for its 'recruit any NPC' aspect. Also, from my experience, at least, tie-ins never receive much attention at all and are usually somewhat irrelevant (while game series like CoD and Battlefield are well-known worldwide.)

 

[The tired cat]

Isn't it the job of the people making the games to come up with the ideas? On one hand, people keep buying CoD (even though it's basically the same game, but with a different story (but still along the same lines as previous ones) updated graphics and a few new gimmicks thrown in) so there's no real incentive to mix things up, of course, but on the other innovation is obviously possible. Titanfall, for example, is a shooter that innovates on the CoD gameplay formula, Spec Ops: The Line innovates on the story. Still, it isn't Yahtzee's job to tell developers what to make, it's his job to point out what he doesn't like in video games and say it in a funny way. By the way, you claim to hate the guy and his content but you are one of the more active posters in this thread. Curious.

I'd say Gotham City Imposters which was the 1st to take a more interesting spin on the CoD gun combat, way before Titanfall ever came into play. Titanfall seemed to use some of that formula, but just added mech suits ontop of it. As for Spec Ops, well I'd say from somewhere far away the MGS series is waving it's hand and going "Okay, guess I'll just fuck myself". If it isn't his job, how about he drops the smug behavior like he knows what needs to be changed.

Doesn't he try new stuff out, with all the indie games? His AAA reviews are also not all negative across the board - he found Watch Dogs: Legion interesting for its 'recruit any NPC' aspect. Also, from my experience, at least, tie-ins never receive much attention at all and are usually somewhat irrelevant (while game series like CoD and Battlefield are well-known worldwide.)

Try new stuff with indie games? You mean walking sims, Rogue-like games, Metroid type game, throwback shooter or their own dark souls knock off? Because that's what he usually plays, he isn't gonna play say an Indie RPG, RTS, point'n'click, squad-based game or stealth game. Because those would take him out of his comfort zone and show how much he blows and knows dick all about, hell his Desperados 3 review showed he not only sucks at squad-based RTS games but he'll gladly drop it halfway through because "Muh nu likey"

 

[ARghEAT]

I'd say Gotham City Imposters which was the 1st to take a more interesting spin on the CoD gun combat, way before Titanfall ever came into play. Titanfall seemed to use some of that formula, but just added mech suits ontop of it. As for Spec Ops, well I'd say from somewhere far away the MGS series is waving it's hand and going "Okay, guess I'll just fuck myself".

I came up with those examples off the top of my head to show that innovation certainly was and still is possible. I'm no game historian, so I don't know much about what game was the first to change things up. My point was that things certainly can be changed.

If it isn't his job, how about he drops the smug behavior like he knows what needs to be changed.

All I said that was "it isn't Yahtzee's job to tell developers what to make". He doesn't have to come up with a solution for every problem he points out, because he's not trying to fix games; he's just stating his opinion (i.e. his critique) of them. I also don't see how he's being smug when he says that "sequels shouldn't stick to the original game, and should try to take it in a different direction." Just because he doesn't know exactly how to expand on CoD (and he may even have ideas that he has simply decided not to mention) doesn't mean he can't say it should be changed. You don't have to identify a solution for every problem you point out, especially when part of the entertainment factor comes from brutal take-downs of video games, not commenting on what the developers should do to make a better game.

he isn't gonna play say an Indie RPG, RTS, point'n'click, squad-based game or stealth game. Because those would take him out of his comfort zone

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned his vitriolic hate of online multiplayer, and decided to mention RPGs, RTSs and stealth games instead (even though Thief (the original one) is one of his favourite games (as stated in several videos) and he has reviewed several games in these categories (e.g. Halo Wars, Persona 4/5, Brutal Legend, Splinter Cell, etc.)) He just doesn't review all the games of a series unless it is particularly prominent (e.g. CoD, Resident Evil) and even then he might not review it because his last video pretty much covers everything he wants to say about it (e.g. Borderlands 3).

On one hand, it is a fair criticism of him that he tends to ignore certain games and certain parts of games because he doesn't like them, which detracts from a fair review. He caught considerable flack for this in his Borderlands 2 review, when he said that the new characters defeating a boss that was stated to have defeated the older characters made the older ones look much weaker, when this was actually a plot point that would come up later.

On the other hand, he's never tried to say that his videos are fair or balanced. They're primarily entertainment (perhaps a kind that you don't like, but, evidently, many others do.) Also, he has less than a week to finish the whole game, so I find it a bit more understandable that he may not finish a game in that time frame.

Considering this, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with not reviewing certain kinds of games if he feels that he won't be able to make an interesting or entertaining video about them - in fact, he even made a "games I haven't reviewed" video a year or two ago to include certain games in his "best/worst of the year" video, and mentioned that he didn't dedicate a whole video to each of those games solely because there wasn't much to talk about.

 

[The tired cat]

I came up with those examples off the top of my head to show that innovation certainly was and still is possible. I'm no game historian, so I don't know much about what game was the first to change things up. My point was that things certainly can be changed.

All I said that was "it isn't Yahtzee's job to tell developers what to make". He doesn't have to come up with a solution for every problem he points out, because he's not trying to fix games; he's just stating his opinion (i.e. his critique) of them. I also don't see how he's being smug when he says that "sequels shouldn't stick to the original game, and should try to take it in a different direction." Just because he doesn't know exactly how to expand on CoD (and he may even have ideas that he has simply decided not to mention) doesn't mean he can't say it should be changed. You don't have to identify a solution for every problem you point out, especially when part of the entertainment factor comes from brutal take-downs of video games, not commenting on what the developers should do to make a better game.

I'm surprised you haven't mentioned his vitriolic hate of online multiplayer, and decided to mention RPGs, RTSs and stealth games instead (even though Thief (the original one) is one of his favourite games (as stated in several videos) and he has reviewed several games in these categories (e.g. Halo Wars, Persona 4/5, Brutal Legend, Splinter Cell, etc.)) He just doesn't review all the games of a series unless it is particularly prominent (e.g. CoD, Resident Evil) and even then he might not review it because his last video pretty much covers everything he wants to say about it (e.g. Borderlands 3).

On one hand, it is a fair criticism of him that he tends to ignore certain games and certain parts of games because he doesn't like them, which detracts from a fair review. He caught considerable flack for this in his Borderlands 2 review, when he said that the new characters defeating a boss that was stated to have defeated the older characters made the older ones look much weaker, when this was actually a plot point that would come up later.

On the other hand, he's never tried to say that his videos are fair or balanced. They're primarily entertainment (perhaps a kind that you don't like, but, evidently, many others do.) Also, he has less than a week to finish the whole game, so I find it a bit more understandable that he may not finish a game in that time frame.

Considering this, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with not reviewing certain kinds of games if he feels that he won't be able to make an interesting or entertaining video about them - in fact, he even made a "games I haven't reviewed" video a year or two ago to include certain games in his "best/worst of the year" video, and mentioned that he didn't dedicate a whole video to those games solely because there wasn't much to talk about.

The problem is, the CoD series are meant to be thrill rides...hell Id say even more people mostly care for CoDs multiplayer than the single player unless its something that actually peeks interest (like Cod4, MW2, Black Ops 1-2, an guess Cold War an MW) so really pointing out that a series needs to change up is kinda hollow when nobody will really care that much. Its the same why Battlefields single player stuff was kinda ignored mostly as fans know the real meat is in the huge battles that go down in multiplayer.

All those games you mentioned are triple A but when it comes to indies, a group that Yahtzee usually LOVES sucking off and going how they still have souls and creativity, he'd rarely mention those even in passing like he did with Night in the Woods. While, its true he might not be able to say much about certain games or make it entertaining, but he sure loves banging on about lack of creativity or "soul" stuff a lot when there are plenty of examples that make his argument fall flat.

Plus, I dunno about the entertaiment factor, cause it kinda seems lots of his fans take his views as law and truth, but that the same as with Jim Sterling because both of them are Brits it makes it seem they are highly educated and know what theyre talking about.

 

[Balr0g]

I agree with Yahtzee. Remothered is the game of the year

 

[Pissmaster]

His top 5 best/worst/blandest list for 2020 is up: https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/the-best-worst-and-blandest-of-2020-zero-punctuation/

Spoiler

Top 5:
5) Ghost of Tsushima
4) Half Life: Alyx
3) Yakuza: Like a Dragon
2) Hades / B.P.M
1) Spiritfarer

Blandest 5:
5) Amnesia: Rebirth
4) Immortals: Fenix Rising (or really, any Ubisoft sandbox)
3) Serious Sam 4
2) The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
1) Marvel's Avengers

Worst 5:
5) Deadly Premonition 2
4) Minecraft Dungeons
3) Battletoads
2) Remothered: Broken Porcelain
1) The Last of Us Part II

 

[The tired cat]

I mean, I'll give the dude this least he disliked Deadly Premonition 2 because of its performance issues and not the "Muh troons" BS like Jimbo. But, none of the games in his Top 5 surprise me, hell I'd be more shocked if Like a wagon DIDN'T end up on his list.

 

[Pissmaster]

I mean, I'll give the dude this least he disliked Deadly Premonition 2 because of its performance issues and not the "Muh troons" BS like Jimbo. But, none of the games in his Top 5 surprise me, hell I'd be more shocked if Like a wagon DIDN'T end up on his list.

I’m glad it did, it got shunned in a couple of other youtubers lists I saw, and it’s easily my #1 of the year.

I also completely forgot about Spiritfarer, but when I watched that review originally I already knew it’d be Yahtzee’s #1 of the year, since I can’t think of a more Yahtzee-bait game than that

 

[ARghEAT]

All those games you mentioned are triple A but when it comes to indies, a group that Yahtzee usually LOVES sucking off and going how they still have souls and creativity, he'd rarely mention those even in passing like he did with Night in the Woods. While, its true he might not be able to say much about certain games or make it entertaining, but he sure loves banging on about lack of creativity or "soul" stuff a lot when there are plenty of examples that make his argument fall flat.

I'll have to rewatch a bunch of his videos to see to what extent this is true (which I don't think I will because I'd rather not spend time on that when I have things to do), but I don't think it is so, at least from my perspective.

Plus, I dunno about the entertaiment factor, cause it kinda seems lots of his fans take his views as law and truth, but that the same as with Jim Sterling because both of them are Brits it makes it seem they are highly educated and know what theyre talking about.

I don't know about that, either. Not sure how British accents make someone seem more intelligent or highly educated (I haven't seen this, in my experience, but perhaps I simply haven't looked enough) and from what I've seen in comment sections people tend to take his opinion with a grain of salt rather than treating it as gospel... so I cannot corroborate with your experiences in that aspect either. Not that it is necessary, of course.

As far as his best/worst/blandest 5 video goes, I cannot comment on it simply because I haven't played, or watched being played, any of the games in the list. I'm sure many will be happy to see The Last of Us 2 as the worst game, however.

 

[ARghEAT]

Yahtzee reviewed Bugsnax and Super Meat Boy Forever last week, Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w5nZpVjXMg Bugsnax confused him, while he disliked Super Meat Boy Forever.
He reviewed Medal of Honour: Above and Beyond this week, link: https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/medal-of-honor-above-and-beyond-zero-punctuation/. Haven't watched it yet.

 

[BrokenWokenBespoken]

As far as his best/worst/blandest 5 video goes, I cannot comment on it simply because I haven't played, or watched being played, any of the games in the list. I'm sure many will be happy to see The Last of Us 2 as the worst game, however.

No surprise since the game represented everything wrong about both Indie and AAA gaming in an abused dog transmuting with a crippled and sexually abused genderfluid girl into one miserable chimera of a game. Even as someone who thought the devs had balls to release a fucking depressing game in 2020. It checks off every box on the "how to actually piss of Yahtzee" sheet.

Even Avenger and Battlefront 2 were just games as a service catering to the lobotomized drones who consume Disney slop.

 

[Cyclonus]

Do you remember in his early award shows he didn't do top or bottom 5, he gave out awards like "The Quadruple Amputee Kindergarten Award for Least Necessary Sandbox" or "The Turd in a Chocolate Box Award for Surprising Poor Quality"? Those were much better, I wish he kept that up.

 

[Marissa Moira]

No surprise since the game represented everything wrong about both Indie and AAA gaming in an abused dog transmuting with a crippled and sexually abused genderfluid girl into one miserable chimera of a game.

C'mon dude Bugsnax wasn't bad it just needs to be given a chance

 

[BrokenWokenBespoken]

C'mon dude Bugsnax wasn't bad it just needs to be given a chance

Hand over your weeb license now. I forgot the Exec at Soyn took it from you and told you to check your weeb privilege.

 

[cummytummies]

So I read through this thread and I found a few people wondering about why he tends to be so negative towards triple A games. From my perspective, it just seems like he's tired of them. Think about it: what is the core gameplay of CoD, Battlefield, etc.? 'Point gun at bad guy, fire...

While journos burning out having to play a new game each week is definitely a thing, it might also just be that he's absolutely right. Most modern AAA games are shit.

As for ZP itself I still watch every episode. Now that Giant Bomb is dead it's probably my #1 source for video game reviews and how I even hear about most of these games coming out. Sure, not every episode is a banger, but he's consistent enough and I know what he likes and dislikes. Our tastes have never perfectly aligned, or even closely aligned. I like a lot more systematic/slow-paced games than Yatzhee does. But I know when to ignore him and when to pay attention.