Could Fan Backlash Have Influenced Resident Evil 6 Scores?

I really didn't like reviewing Resident Evil 6.

First, it really is a game that feels like it wants to be several different things, and there are some obvious glaring issues. Still, it can be intensely fun and even memorable at some spots. Second, it's always tough when analyzing a new entry in an iconic and even legendary franchise. There's a certain mystique, a certain aura that names like "Resident Evil" have, and no matter how objective one attempts to be in the position of a critic, you can't ignore that fact. It's always there, lurking just at the back of your mind.

Leading into the launch of RE6, the demo had been available. Reactions to that demo were frequent and vocal and quite a few hardcore series followers immediately denounced the title. At the same time, there were many who actually liked the sample (which should've given us a clue as to the split decision the final product would ultimately earn). But as always, the negative reactions got the majority of attention and quite a few headlines began to reflect a growing unrest in the Resident Evil community. Also, let's not forget that such unrest began with Capcom dubbed the new installment "dramatic horror," thereby admitting it was no longer survival/horror.

So here's the question- Is it possible that any of this had a direct influence on certain review scores? What if some of those critics who hated the game were fans themselves, and simply despised the direction of the new game? I admit it's disappointing in a number of ways, but I fail to see how it can be given a 3 or a 4. And on the flip side, what if there were knee-jerk reactions to defend the adventure? What if there were some reviewers who had the opposite agenda? And when I say "agenda," I mean that in the nicest terms; i.e., if all the aforementioned reactions had a subconscious effect on the review. What do you think?

Related Game(s): Resident Evil 6

Tags: resident evil 6, re6, resident evil sequel, capcom, resident evil fans

10/3/2012 10:01:51 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (38 posts)

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THEVERDIN
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 10:42:16 PM
Reply

Well from what I've played it's still survival horror cause I'm having some trouble surviving. Myself I like the game. This is not you're fathers RE.

"You take this cause you're the Master of unlocking."

3 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 10:47:22 PM

I had trouble surviving in Uncharted2 on certain difficulty settings. That doesn't make it a survival horror game.

5 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 10:47:27 PM

Professional I'm assuming?

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:24:29 PM

I don't remember, I haven't played Uncharted2 in several years.

0 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:59:56 PM

Probably know the sections already LV. When sully is in the sniper point was a pain to get through! It was fun all around though.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 10:46:26 PM
Reply

Meh...I agree that the game should not have received scores like 3-4. But I don't have a problem with a reviewer's own tastes and view of the series having an effect on their review of the game. I think if someone doesn't like the direction the series has taken and factors this into their review score then they should point this out in their review.

RE6 does not exist within a bubble. It is part of an overall gaming experience that has been around for almost 20 years. Just like FFXIII may have been a good game it was not a good FF game. The same goes for RE5 and now RE6.

5 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 4:42:38 AM

I agree with this statement. Had reviewing been pure math we would not need reviewers at all.

Last edited by Beamboom on 10/4/2012 4:46:47 AM

2 up, 0 down

Ludicrous_Liam
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 1:01:30 PM

I think most of the review should be analytical. Y'know, as in an objective manner; only adding anecdotes to give some perspective. Some reviews are driven entirely by what the reviewer personally thinks of the game - they have an 'agenda' of sorts, as Ben says. When, in this day and age especially, reviews can have a direct effect on a game/developer, I think it's only fair to judge a game based on it's merit.

Speaking of which, I thought PSX's review was one of the most balanced I've read, being both fair but firm in it's analysing.

EDIT: I'm not saying it's an exact science - thinking about it just now, games like Journey need to be reviewed in a different manner because of it's nature - but, generally, I think you need an objective focus when doing a review.

Last edited by Ludicrous_Liam on 10/4/2012 1:08:16 PM

0 up, 1 down

SaiyanSempai
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 2:03:56 PM

I don't know LV and beamboom, I gotta disagree. I mean, talking about quality of graphics, sound, hit detection, draw distance, story elements, pacing, and whether certain gameplay mechanics feel cumbersome or smooth can all be done very objectively.

At the end, if the reviewer wants to say, I give this game an 8/10 on the merits of quality, polish, and mechanics so if you like this style of games you might find this game fun, however, I personally don't.

That's fantastic! What is unacceptable is:

if you like this style of game you might find this game fun, however, I personally don't so I give it a 3/10.

It's this kind of bias or lack of objectivity we've seen in the RE6 reviews that undermines the value of reviews and reviewers everywhere.

They aren't supposed to "cater" to an audience but rather give us objective information about the quality of a game so that we can make smart purchasing decisions.

I'm just glad there are still people like Ben here that's doing an honest job at it all. My appreciation Ben!

1 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 10:53:08 PM
Reply

I can't really speak for te entire game as i've only been playing as Leon. It's a pretty solid experience. It still has that feeling of dread, but since you are with a partner it really lessens it. Having said that, the AI on the partner is kinda nice, she is very helpful and you don't have to micro manage her like in RE5, but sometimes she can be a bit too helpful. I kinda get the meaning of the dramatic horror, kinda. This game has some crazy intense moments but they kinda get repetative, "i'm not opening up until its clear" moments get really old, really fast.

lol, on a side note, if you ever wanted to see what Ada looks like under that red dress, this is the game for you.

"Don't open that door!"

4 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:44:56 PM

Maybe it's fixed in the main game but in the demo of Leon's campaign that girl couldn't or wouldn't shoot the bad guys for sh*t. She would just hang out and aim at him, firing every ten seconds or so. Lame.

1 up, 0 down

Excelsior1
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 4:12:55 AM

I will attest to the fact that the AI for your partner is great in the final game. A huge improvement over RE5. Speaking of RE5...I consider that game one of the biggest dissapointments of this gen. It's a serviceable game but I just did not like the game all that much.

RE6? I just got done with Leon's campign and all I can say is what a thrill ride!!! Intense is a word that comes to mind. I honestly can't recall having more fun with a game in the past few years. It was like riding some wicked a$$ roller coaster and I got a huge adreniline rush!! I would rate RE6 over RE5 based on Leon's campign alone. Another huge plus for RE6 is it's an absolute blast online with friends. Absolute coop bliss. I got my money's worth out of the game already and will be enjoying it for a long time.

As for this game pulling in 3's and 4's. That's just whack. The production values are sky high and the gameplay is tight. I just can't see how any PROFESSIONAL reviewer could score it that low. Sometimes I think review sites will pull something like that for hits. It's possible some sites could be playing to some of the fans who have seemed to want to hate on this game since its conception.

As for gamers or fans...we all know how vocal and demanding they can be. I see many that are bashing the game that have not even played the final game!
That's just not right. At least play the final product before ranting. Sheesh! You never know...you might walk away pleasently surprised like I did.

2 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:01:08 PM
Reply

I personally don't like to see personal bias in reviews, because that reviewer may not have the same tastes as me.

I mean let's look at it this way... A reader from here (no names) and I had a decent conversation about RE6 and the demo. If he had reviewed the game based off his personal tastes, I could see why HE wouldn't like it. But after playing the demo myself last night, I was fine with it. It wasn't an epic demo but I didn't have any issues with it. And I'll admit the camera was out of control at times but being able to slow it down was the fix for that issue.

Anyways what I'm getting at is, review the game by what it presents, and maybe not so much what it represents. Because it may not be a good -insert title here- game but it could just be a good game.

Idk. Like I said yesterday its so hard to keep personal bias out of a review, that when it happens it's appreciated. Yet we ask for opinions to help make choices sometimes. So...

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 10/3/2012 11:01:48 PM

5 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:08:57 PM

It's very true on that. That is what we call confirmation bias. A lot of reviewers have this and try to argue that they do not. So how goes the game for you bigrailer? I'm curious if you are enjoying it.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:24:03 PM

When someone reviews a new game in a series I not only want to know if it's a good standalone game but whether or not it stays faithful to the series.

RE5 for the most part was able to get away with not being faithful to the series because most reviewers enjoyed the game and considered it good. RE6 has not been so lucky, and rightfully so.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:26:43 PM

I havnt put it in yet sadly. I'm excited to though, and after playing the demo finally last night (even though I did have the game) I think I'll have fun with it.

I'm waiting for a buddy. He bought it today but he can't play it until tomorrow. Guess he's busy. He waited for me to play RE5 so I'll return the favor. But there is a plus to this. I need a new headset and tomorrow I should have time to get one so...

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:30:35 PM

LV- I see that. Very clearly actually. The uncharted games are my favorite, and if the game ever went away from what it is, I'd be upset and want to know that.

I guess I'm having a hard time describing the bias I'm referring too. Not so much that it's something other than what we know RE to be, and that's disappointing, but rather because it has more action and the reviewer doesn't like action games. That doesn't mean it isn't good. Wether or not that means the game should get scored lower because it's something now that it isn't recognized for, well idk. Obviously that's the problem a lot of people have. Understandably.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:49:50 PM

My only counterpoint to your original statement bigrailer is that long time fans of a series are in a very good position to be objective about whether or not big changes work or don't work for that series' growth, and reviewers who are long time fans SHOULD be doubly able to do that. As a Final Fantasy fan from the original onward I feel like I can tell what fits and what doesn't and what is grafted in poorly to appeal to this group or that demographic.

my 2 cents...

2 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:01:48 AM

Well do update on your status of re6 bigrailer. Would like to know your opinion as well. I have my girlfriend to play split screen and now my brother just recently bought it. So we are enjoying, lots of fun, especially on agent hunt mode. Think that's what it is called.

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:23:53 AM

World-

I can't argue that. It's a very valid point. It's such a grey area Im at times having trouble even trying to explain it. So don't get me wrong if fans of RE of old are unhappy with the direction it's gone in, I understand.

I guess it's fair to say that if a series has gone away from it's roots it could potentially get scored lower? But maybe if it wasn't called by what its known for that would change things?

Really though what I'm referring to is just that. Wether or not RE is a great horror game or a great action game, the word great is still involved. That's where I'm coming from.

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:28:29 AM

Sawao-

Which modes allow up to 4 players? Is that only online? Or do the campaigns as well?

And yes I will update as soon as I play it.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:29:24 AM

Generally I find that murky area to be a good place to address the tenths of the score that come after the big number rather than going whole points lower on the 10 scale, which some reviewers appear to have done.

0 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 1:49:23 AM

It gives you the option when starting it if I am not mistaken. During certain sections, when all players are together fighting a boss per say, it switches to full coop. 4 players playing together. Agent hunt mode allows others, who have beat the game on any campaign to jump into yours as a zombie, or other creature.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 03, 2012 @ 11:53:52 PM
Reply

Well I think it's clear that some backlash is evident, not all reviewers are created equal. But in their defense I would say that I don't always agree that every entry should be rated as if it were a new IP, that doesn't make sense.

Would this be getting 3s and 4s if it had a different name? I doubt it. But if someone can make a good case for why the schizophrenic nature of the game plus big action changes is just as bad as crippling technical errors inside a once great franchise then I'm open to hearing that viewpoint.

1 up, 0 down

Gamer46
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:00:55 AM
Reply

The 3's and 4's are absurd, but one of them was from Jim Sterling and I refuse to take that clown seriously. That said, this game isn't better than a 6, maybe 7 at the very highest if you like to be generous. And while I'm sure some of the people who wrote the harsher reviews were influenced by outside sources it doesn't make any of the complaints I've read less legit. Really the only campaign in this game that I'd say is actually good is Leon's and even that one has some issues, sadly they're ones that easily could've been ironed out had the bottomliners allowed the developers to make a game with a singular focus not a mix of a billion different ideas. I hope they are reading the reviews and that they will be taking the complaints to heart when it comes time for RE 7.

Last edited by Gamer46 on 10/4/2012 12:04:22 AM

1 up, 0 down

sawao_yamanaka
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:10:14 AM

Jim sterling also gave operation raccoon city a 7.5 even with all the same "problems" this game suffers from. Some are opinions, obviously, others I take more to heart. So I've agreed with most of ben's reviews. Except skyrim, that game was horrible to me. Ugh! :p

2 up, 0 down

Gamer46
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 11:34:29 AM

I wasn't aware Sterling gave Operation Raccoon City that high a score. Sometimes I think he just gives certain scores and writes certain things for 'shock' value so he gets more hits, which is why I consider him a joke. Sadly there are people out there who worship this guy and think he's one of the best journalists out there.

Last edited by Gamer46 on 10/4/2012 11:35:18 AM

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 1:39:19 AM
Reply

Gonna play an old Alone in the Dark instead.

2 up, 0 down

telly
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 11:58:27 AM

I just decided that I'm going to celebrate what Resident Evil used to be this October and play parts of 1, 2 and 4.

0 up, 0 down

trumpetmon65
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 9:08:15 AM
Reply

I think I'll enjoy RE6 like I did RE5. The story was awful and needed a major major MAJOR rewrite, but I still played through it about 5 times. Don't know why, but it was still fun.

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 9:42:35 AM

I am really enjoying RE5 right now. People need to remember that the virus is always in flux and evolving. The Infected are sentient and can be controlled. They run, drive vehicles and shoot weapons.

Making RE6 with the current virus in a tank RE1 fashion would be suicide. We wouldn't stand a chance! RE5 walked the line with more intelligent faster moving infected. They were still slow but some of them moved fast. The chainsaw Infected with the bad on his head moved pretty fast towards me during the Oil Fileds level last night. I found myself wishing I could move while shooting. Reading all the documents is great and really adds light to what these evil people are trying to accomplish. Do you remember the battle with Wesker!!! HOLY SH1T! He was like Neo from the Matrix. Just like the virus RE is evolving too.

0 up, 0 down

Veitsknight
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 10:46:19 AM
Reply

IF you read Dtoid's rating system:

"Poor: 3s went wrong somewhere along the line. The original idea might have promise, but in practice the game has failed. Threatens to be interesting sometimes, but rarely."

It sort of fits. I don't understand for every game to be a 7 and above. For example, I personally loved Dragon's Dogma but wouldn't score it above a 6. Too many issues.

1 up, 0 down

telly
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 11:57:06 AM

Caveat: I certainly haven't played RE6.

But I agree: different numbers mean different things at different sites. Three is certainly a terrible score, but their description of what a 3 is actually sounds pretty well in line with other reviews I've read. The idea of doing this sprawling, appeal-to-the-masses Resident Evil may not have been a terrible idea, but something just went WRONG in the creation process.

I dunno, I'll play it one day when it's in the bargain bin, probably.

0 up, 0 down

telly
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 12:21:24 PM
Reply

Between expectation AND execution, i think it's little wonder the scores for RE6 are so low.

I think it's fallacy to think the legacy and expectation associated with a series' name wouldn't, or perhaps shouldn't, influence a review. Imagine if Final Fantasy XV turned out to be, say, a hardcore racing simulator, GT-style. Image Square Enix actually did an amazing job at the game, so much so that a game critic closed his review by writing "Whatever you may think of this new direction for the series, Gran Turismo has a new challenger for greatest racing simulator on the planet. And it's name is Final Fantasy XV." Now, maybe this imaginary game really is a Gran Turismo-caliber racing sim, and maybe it's important for a game reviewer to acknowledge this. It probably is! But this approach misses something crucial: While you may be able to appreciate the game's qualities for what it tries to be, the fact that Square Enix decided to make their signature series into something completely different from what the fans loved in the first place would be a HUGE disappointment to damn near everyone who likes Final Fantasy. I think a reviewer in this hypothetical should acknowledge the quality of FF XV, the racing simulator, for what it is, but ultimately be critical of the game for being a huge disappointment compared to what we expected, as well.

Only illustrating a point, of course. Resident Evil 6 is not a racing simulator, and of course it shows some similarities with the earlier games. But part of the reason the game is such a disappointment is, clearly, because it doesn't deliver what many of us loved so much about Resident Evil in the first place, and would love to see more of in future installments. I for one am thankful plenty of reviewers called out Capcom for taking us SO far from what made Resident Evil special.

Really, though, legacy expectations only account for part of equation here. The other is simply the quality. This is why I can believe all the really low review scores: by all accounts the game is not good at what it tries to do. It's not a great cover-based action shooter with monsters in it. It's ok at best, lousy at worst depending on who's review you're reading. So going back to my earlier hypothetical, imagine if SE made FF XV into not only a racing simulator, but a SH***Y racing simulator!

Capcom brought this on themselves. Period.

0 up, 1 down

stealth
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 9:18:41 PM
Reply

its pure nonsense is what it is and why reviews should have NO SCORES

2 up, 0 down

Gamer46
Thursday, October 04, 2012 @ 11:16:33 PM

Actually wouldn't mind that. Numbers being there aren't bad but the problem is many times people tend to just look at the score and not bother reading the whole review. I don't know how many times a game has gotten a 7.5 and the review is very positive but all you see in the comment section are 'oh, 7.5, garbage, no buy.'

Last edited by Gamer46 on 10/4/2012 11:17:13 PM

0 up, 0 down

Jotun
Monday, October 08, 2012 @ 6:29:37 PM
Reply

Yes they definitely can. Bias is a huge part of mainstream game journalism as much as it is in politics on netoworks like Fox.

There are certain AAA titles that are released that have a very directed attack set on them before they're even released. Your use of the word agenda is apt.

Check Amazon reviews for this. From movies to tv shows to cds to games to books. Most of the most popular things, whether good or not, will never have an average score above 3.5 stars. So many amazing products are being "trolled" by non-reviews and too many people see it, leading somewhat to this bias.

Moreso than that though, it's just pure personal agenda. Someone got butthurt because RE5 was more of an action game than something like Dead Space or Silent Hill and they decided long ago in their subconsious mind to hate the next RE product that would be released. It's just how humans, but moreso gamers, are built.

0 up, 0 down

Jotun
Monday, October 08, 2012 @ 6:31:22 PM
Reply

For the record I've been a hardcore fan of RE since day 1 and I love every one of them, including 5. Times have changed in Survival Horror, just accept it and move on. RE6 has some amazing moments gamers owe it to themselves to enjoy.

0 up, 0 down

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