Maybe We Shouldn't Be Taking Duke So Damn Seriously
Duke Nukem ForeverDisclaimer: This is commentary from someone who has not played the game in question. I will this week for the review, of course, but for now, I'm merely making an observation based on gamer and critic feedback.
So finally, 14 years later, Duke Nukem Forever comes out in North America this week (it launched in the UK last Friday). And as some of you may have noticed, the early reviews are not encouraging. They go as low as a 2 out of 10 and as high as an 8 out of 10, and the average isn't impressive. It's worse than mediocre, in fact. And although we've heard that the DNF demo on the Store is based on old code, the reaction to that is almost as depressing. So what happened? After all this time, it just went and flopped? Say it ain't so!
Sadly it might be so. But I would like to point something out- these days, most big-budget blockbuster games take themselves very seriously. And they should; games aren't for kids, anymore. But there was a time in this industry's history when certain games were designed for the express purpose of amusement. And when I say amusement, I mean cheesy amusement. Amusement that is amusing because it's amusingly cheesy. ...okay, I'll stop saying "amusing" now. Undoubtedly, Duke Nukem was always one such title. Nobody took that sh** seriously. It was too stupid to take seriously. That was the idea.
Now, if DNF really is broken; if it plays poorly and looks particularly bad and the cheesiness is too painful...well, then we have a problem. But I really believe many critics, who are in the modern mode of taking most everything very seriously (and again, that's just a sign of respect for the maturity of the industry), don't understand this. In all honesty, DNF may have to be reviewed differently, even though logically, it still has to compete with other modern titles. The bottom line is that we don't really see games like DNF anymore, and what is technically labeled a "flaw" might, given the context, be accurately considered a "charismatic eccentricity."
I'll tell you this- if the game is fun, that will be reflected in my review. If I think they captured Duke the way Duke should be captured (like no other video game character, really), and I believe the flaws are easily overlooked, I won't hesitate to recommend it. On the other hand, if it's just a poor production and Gearbox misses the mark, then I won't pull any punches. After all, we have waited for a loooooong time.
Related Game(s): Duke Nukem Forever
Tags: dnf, duke nukem forever, dnf reviews, gearbox
6/12/2011 8:46:14 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (49 posts)
jaynet333
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:06:33 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:13:31 PM
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What standards should it be held to? Provided it isn't a technical catastrophe how does one rate the experience if it just lacks all the things people expect from an FPS these days?
It's hard to believe Gearbox completely dropped the ball, and the Duke fans seem to think the game is good for what it is so I can't wait to see how you score it here.
I'm pretty sure I'll at least personally enjoy it though, because I just don't LIKE what FPS has become. I liked what it was.
7 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 12:26:03 PM
A new game should be judged as a *new* game, imo.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/13/2011 12:30:23 PM
2 up, 0 down
tes37
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:14:17 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:29:35 PM
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6 up, 5 down
Shams
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 12:00:00 AM
0 up, 1 down
Lawless SXE
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:30:10 PM
Reply
8 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 10:23:21 AM
Perhaps for the gaming populace it would serve as a good reminder that we don't just play games for quality. And taking some time out of a AAA gaming schedule to play a humorous game that doesn't take itself too seriously isn't a bad thing.
In the end, I think critics should do the job expected of them, whereas gamers can determine forthemselves if the "fun" of a said title is worth their time despite it's flaws.
One thing I know for myself is that most of my favorite gaming experiences in life haven't always been the highest rated or highest quality.
I enjoy them for reasons that are my own and I dot expect others to see it the same way.
1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:35:09 PM
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Now, knowing me I will not get it (too many games to get) but if they kept the core foundation of what Duke is all about then the game is a win in my eyes.
Reviewers expect movie quality just because it took over a decade... Seriously, this is not a 12 year production. These reviewers need to understand that the game was scrapped and redesigned many times until they were finally able to make it for the current consoles.
I agree, to compare this to stuff like Killzone, Resistance, and other big FPSs isn't fair. Same genre but completely different purpose.
But if it's bad in terms of delivering a solid game then they're right. We'll have to see what psxe's review is like, and what other trusted gamers say*
Last edited by Scarecrow on 6/12/2011 10:36:27 PM
2 up, 1 down
cLoudou
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:37:51 PM
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These alien bastards are gonna pay for shootin' up my ride.
4 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:40:10 PM
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Story is bad. graphics are meh. gameplay feels a bit dated. The humor is...eh, decent.
4 up, 2 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:47:24 PM
I'm not trying to dispute your opinions, but just showing why the reviews are so mixed and why this game needs its own set of circumstances to be judged on.
7 up, 9 down
Alienange
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 11:30:37 PM
6 up, 7 down
AugustoDeItalia
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 4:46:36 PM
since all we want is a fun game for once, not a game we base our opinions on his realism and good graphics.
2 up, 1 down
inVersion
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:41:19 PM
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5 up, 0 down
BIGRED15
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:43:02 PM
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4 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:49:58 PM
In any case inFamous 2 is definitely at least an MPT (Must Play Twice) game.
2 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:48:34 PM
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Me, I want to strictly rent it. I don't think it's worth $68 CAN.
3 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 9:42:52 AM
Canada's dollar is stronger than the US dollar.
;)
1 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 10:17:13 AM
3 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 1:27:18 PM
You mean Brighat got screwed. It's $59.83 on amazon dot ca with free shipping in Canada. I've never bought a game new for more than 59.99.
@Geobaldi
Actually, it's by nearly .03 dollars, not cents. As of noon, 1 US dollar is worth exactly 97.79 cents Canadian.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 6/13/2011 1:41:11 PM
1 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 9:40:13 PM
Never heard of sales tax?
Currently U.S. and Canadian MSRPs are the same.
0 up, 0 down
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 10:53:34 PM
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4 up, 3 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 12:04:45 PM
Only thing was the strippers on the poles. That made an impression on a young man. But so would any silhouette of a woman do back then.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/13/2011 12:05:13 PM
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 11:27:48 PM
Reply
6 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 10:45:32 AM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Ignitus
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 11:46:59 AM
0 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 10:50:02 AM
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Duke Nukem might as well be a PS3 exclusive, for that's how it's getting treated.
3 up, 1 down
Lotusflow3r
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 10:54:00 AM
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I'm holding back on my view for my user review. But i will say that IGN's review is the worst review (and by worst, i mean by the fact it is loaded on bad journalism, bad hypocrisy, bad biases and attention seeking) i have read in a long time.
It seems what i predicted in another DNF news post about reactions being either extremely low or high, are becoming a reality.
This has made me fear for the future of games (and not because i might see DNF as a great game) and realise how mainstream the "journalism" has also become. I think you know what i mean by that.
Anyway, i look forward to the PSX review, good or bad.
P.S Ben, i linked this to the Gearbox forums and you're getting respect, including from one of the games designers.
One user said "finally, a critic with balls!" about this lol.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 6/13/2011 10:56:36 AM
3 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 11:10:27 AM
1 up, 0 down
Lotusflow3r
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 11:45:52 AM
Everyone has their own opinion and the designers seem to not be caring about a couple of negative reviews...and i think that's because they knew how things would go from the get go. Plus, it's getting a lot of love at the same time. Check the comments to IGN or Eurogamer to see a lot of people saying they have no idea what the attention seeking reviewer was talking about and claimed they're loving it, on top of that, those comments are the highest rated.
I'm just levelling it out, i'm not claiming anything nor saying my thoughts yet.
1 up, 1 down
Lotusflow3r
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 11:52:55 AM
http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-review/ 8.5/10
http://gamers-underground.com/conten...m-forever.html 86/100
"The game has managed to not only deliver a unique FPS experience, but has also done so in a way that will be able to satisfy old-school fans and newbies to the series alike. So ladies and gentlemen, or babes and fells: Duke Nukem has returned. And it kicks ass."
0 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 12:08:37 PM
Really, I've never read a review on IGN that I found to be utterly unfair or factually incorrect. I've not agreed with them all, but neither have I with the reviews on this site. Disagreements in itself is not a bad thing. But the comments on IGN is better left unread, imo.
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/13/2011 12:08:57 PM
2 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 12:36:31 PM
I would say check out their latest review for Infamous 2, but I don't want them to enjoy the hit traffic for people going there. Take my word for it; they suck.
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 4:14:04 PM
Have a link to the Gearbox forums?
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/13/2011 4:23:20 PM
0 up, 0 down
Mr Wright
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 3:16:46 PM
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0 up, 0 down
CaptRon
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 4:11:22 PM
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1 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 4:24:24 PM
Duke was what teenage boys wanted to become before they figured out what it meant to be a man...
A man's game? I'd vote for Red Dead Redemption, that's a real man's game. Or GTAIV. Or Unreal Tournament. Or any of the fighting games. That's for men. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/13/2011 4:32:47 PM
0 up, 0 down
CaptRon
Monday, June 13, 2011 @ 7:19:27 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 @ 1:58:23 AM
If you look at games like Saints Row, Mercenaries, Army of Two or Just Cause, you can't really say they are "too serious"? Where's the serious tone in them?
And they all sold pretty well as far as I know, and have descent review ratings.
I have not played the new Duke Nukem but I did not particularly enjoy the old Duke back in the days. It was just one of many first person shooters.
I love Monty Python though. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/14/2011 2:01:15 AM
0 up, 0 down
79transam
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 @ 8:34:22 AM
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"sh&t is hilarious"
"First thing you do is piss in a urinal"
"Dude commentary is hilarous"
"F yah just got blow job from 2 twin chicks"
"Dude cant begin to say how awesome and hilarious this game is"
He sent me some picture mail of the game and from what I could see and what he was saying it sounds like a fun, light hearted game
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 @ 1:39:06 PM
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2K sacks US PR over Duke review row
6/15//2011
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-15-2k-sacks-us-pr-over-duke-review-row
Publisher 2K Games has severed links with its external US public relations and marketing agency after the outfit Tweeted that it was considering blacklisting sites that gave Duke Nukem Forever a particularly rough ride.
A post on The Redner Group's Twitter feed earlier today read: "Too many went too far with their reviews...we are reviewing who gets games next time and who doesn't based on today's venom," followed by another stating "Bad scores are fine. Venom filled reviews...that's completely different."
Much internet ire duly followed, and 2K has just chimed in, announcing that it's given Redner its marching orders.
"2K Games does not endorse or condone the comments made by @TheRednerGroup and confirm they no longer represent our products," read a post on its own Twitter feed.
"We maintain a mutually respectful relationship with the press and will continue to do so. We don't condone @The RednerGroup's actions at all," a further post added.
The offending posts have since been removed from Redner's feed, replaced by grovelling apologies.
For the record, Eurogamer awarded the long-delayed shooter 3/10 over the weekend.
"The appeal of Duke Nukem lives on. But your time and money would be better spent reliving his iconic past than bearing witness to this gruesomely mangled resurrection," wrote Dan Whitehead.
0 up, 0 down
CaptRon
Reply
Sunday, June 12, 2011 @ 9:40:31 PM