I don’t care about PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale. Not in the slightest. I have no interest in the game itself, on any platform or in any guise. I just don’t care. in fact, the only thing I find remotely interesting about it is that fact that I don’t find it interesting at all. Let me explain.
Normally, I’ll get quite excited about anything new, even if it’s not something that would usually interest me. I’ve got a Wii U pre-ordered and I can’t wait to try it, in spite of never being the Wii’s (or Nintendo’s) biggest fan. I bought a 3DS at a midnight launch and I imported a Vita from Japan as soon as it was possible, despite never being a great fan of handheld gaming – and letting my DS and especially my PSP gather dust for so long.
I can’t think of a single high profile game that’s been released in recent memory that I haven’t at least wanted to try. Usually, I’ll see a trailer, maybe watch a dev diary and look at some screenshots. It might be a game I don’t think I’ll like but I’ll still want to try it, just to know what everyone else is talking about.
[drop]Sometimes, as with Killzone 3, this presents me with a little surprise in that I enjoy it very much. Sometimes, as with Gravity Rush, I expect to like something and find it a little underwhelming.Either way, I’m usually keen to see it in action. And yet, Sony’s big release for this Christmas (outside of Wonderbook’s Book of Spells, which I’m perplexingly eager to try!) doesn’t connect with me at all.
I’ve spent weeks wondering why this might be. I’ve tried – tried – to watch various trailers and gameplay videos.
I’ve also read several reviews, including the enthusiastic coverage Blair gave it on this very website. I know loads of people who are excited about it. So why can’t I muster any enthusiasm for this coming together of so many treasured icons from my gaming history in one package?
“Just try it and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it” came the response from one of my Twitter friends when I mentioned my unrelenting apathy towards this game. Which is fine, usually that’s exactly how my head works for games that I’m not keen on. But Battle Royale isn’t a game I feel I won’t like, it’s a game for which I don’t feel at all.
It looks very much like multiplayer a brawler – like Smash Bros. Well firstly, I wasn’t very keen on Smash Bros. Secondly, it seems as though it’s not quite that simple. Battle Royale is being spoken about in terms that make it seem similar to a proper fighting game, like Street Fighter. Several references to balancing and online code make it seem to me as though this is something which could be played competitively, at tournaments. The problem with that is that I’m not a huge fan of fighting games, either. Well, not since Mortal Kombat 2 on the Mega Drive, at least.
[drop2]So, already I don’t really know what Battle Royale is but neither of the things I think it is are very dear to me.I find the focus of the game’s pre-release discussion quite confusing. It’s like Sony decided to rip off Nintendo’s Smash Bros. but then decided that they could make something that might appeal to traditional fighting fans instead.
It seems like a bit of a hybrid. Kratos throwing hands with PaRappa the Rapper is a juxtaposition too far for me. If it had been either of the two things I think it seems like, I would probably have wanted to try it. Kratos fighting against other muscle-bound rage monsters? Yeah, bring that on. PaRappa trading slaps with Sackboy? Yeah, that could be fun. But Battle Royale seems to not quite know what it is and without that cohesive anchor point, I can’t find anything to attach to.
I’m sure the single sale I lose Sony this holiday season won’t tip them over the edge into absolute economic meltdown. But I can’t be the only person that the marketing message hasn’t connected with, can I? Is this widespread? Will it damage the game’s sales figures?
Perhaps I’ve just (finally!) reached a point in my life where my subconscious is switching off my desire for things that I must know, deep down, are an unnecessary drain on my dwindling free time? Either way, I’ll be spending my holiday season playing games like Far Cry 3, Halo 4 and Black Ops II. I’ll be running around Nintendo Land with Mario and friends rather than slapping the cake out of Fat Princess’ mouth with Cole from inFamous. And I’ll be thankful for the abundant choice we all have in today’s selection of games.
Kennykazey
It’s just not for you then. Simple as. Nobody can expect to be interested in every single game or type of game. I’ve no interest in buying Black Ops 2 at all, but lots of other people do.
I’m excited for this game though, I love multiplayer brawlers and partygames.
igotmy9milli
Hoping we won’t have an article like this for evey game you don’t “feel”. I think it’s pretty pointless to go out of your way to spend time, to write an article on a game you have no interest in. You would be better spending your time writing about something you do “feel”.
Forrest_01
Jesus, people really are against balanced opinions aren’t they?
igotmy9milli
If he wants to review the game that’s fine, but to rant about something he has no interest in my opinion is stupid.
Forrest_01
That’s fine, you are allowed your opinion of course.
However, Blair already reviewed it & gave it a rave review. He also posted an addendum piece stating the similarities & differences between Smash Bros whilst still promoting how good this game was. That’s fine, he liked it.
Personally, i think it’s nice to see the other side of the coin, as not everyone can like everything & it’s unrealistic to believe that all opinion pieces should be positive in nature.
All i am saying is a little negative to balance out the positives isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Also, you are suggesting that someone who clearly has no interest in a game reviews it? How do you think that will turn out? ;)
dave87fez
I think the premise that Peter is usually into trying anything (well…) but has no interest in this, was worthy of an article in itself.
Judging by the responses so far, more than a few agree as well. I do find it weird with this game…Sony bigging it up like it will set unprecedented levels of success, and to me it seems as ambiguous a release as anything I can remember.
Kennykazey
This isn’t about balanced opinions, it’s an article about not really liking a game in genre he doesn’t like. Blogpost or not, it seems almost pointless. I’m expecting a post from someone who doesn’t like shooters writing about not feeling Black Ops 2 on its launch day now.
avengerrr
From what I gathered it was a generally fair article, it was an ‘opinion’ article after all. There was some uninformed speculation I’ll admit considering he has not played the game.
It has generated discussion anyway, and he hasn’t trolled the game away, though he may have judged it a little.
skibadee
agreed this seems really pointless & kind of silly to do it on the release day.
skibadee
my copy came today :) not into fighters really but this seems fun to me.
skibadee
have played the game now Blairs 9/10 very valid not tried it the Vita yet but loved it on PS3 great fun. if you love playstation try it you might just like it.
Peter Chapman
the point is the growing number of people who are responding to it and the bit of discussion it’s generating about a subject that I thought might be interesting.
Don’t worry, if I get the same feeling about another game, I doubt it’ll be worth revisiting the subject. I just thought this was interesting because it’s a new feeling for me (as the article states quite clearly).
avengerrr
lol trust me, it was an interesting article and it has generated discussion :)……mostly.
skibadee
still love ya peter :)
jimmy-google
I actually found I’m quite interested in this but have no interest for the 3 games listed at the end. Halo, COD and Far Cry haven’t even interested me enough to even see a trailer.
I do have 3 games arriving today which I do hope to enjoy, one being All-star battle royale, and the others being Epic Mickey 2 and Lego LOTR.
Haydar
Never read a worse article than this in TSA.
Blair Inglis
how so? It appears to be a well-rounded, fair yet different opinion from what I can see. It’s a good analysis of why Peter, personally, might not like it.
avengerrr
Agreed, very different, but not over the top. damn it I’ve read articles, in fact ‘apparently’ neutral reviews that have been worse than this on other sites.
avengerrr
Actually I’ve just found my comment right above is completely irrelevant to Haydar’s point of view, he is saying ‘on TSA’ and not ‘on the whole web’.
Considering all the articles I’ve seen on TSA are good, I suppose on that scale there has to be an article at the bottom. That’s what Plato might argue anyway o.0 (Universals).
Peter Chapman
worst comment I’ve ever read on TSA ;)
I’m only messing with you buddy, but I’d rather you had some sort of useful input into the discussion though. As it is, your comment is useless because it doesn’t quantify what you don’t like.
Why not tell us why you don’t want to know when I feel that Sony’s marketing is passing me by or tell us what you’d rather see. What is it that you don’t like about this article?
Haydar
“I’d rather you had some sort of useful input into the discussion”; this is why i think that this is the worst article i’ve read on TSA.
Your article (if this is an article) is like:
“Nah, i didn’t like this All-Stars idea so your argument is invalid”.
I like TSA because writers here provide technical views with plain, clear tongue. I like here when i feel, “hmm, i didn’t think like this.”
But if TSA will be a place where writers post their emotional and funny gaming adventure, then accept me as a writer too. Because i can make you cry while telling my story about Sanitarium, Grim Fandango or Maniac Mansion: DOTT which will turn this great place into a 15 year old girl’s personal blog.
teflon
I’m not sure where you found the “so your argument is invalid” bit… this was very much a personal point of view, rather than an attack piece. That Sony’s marketing and PR efforts simply haven’t appealed to Peter is one point, but it’s certainly not invalidating Blair’s or anyone else’s point of view having actually played the game.
The Lone Steven
Really? Didn’t seem like the worst article that Peter has done. In fact, he was just expressing his opinion about Sony All Stars and why it doesn’t interest him. Plus i can think of a few articles that have bombed on TSA. This is not one of them. In my opinion.
I have heard that Kris(the features editior) has had to scrap a few things due to Peter just writing “FECK FECK FECK” and “I hate you guys so much, why did i bother to play this fecking game” over and over again to avoid him getting the award for worst writer of the year. :op
Peter, prehaps he is a bit annoyed that it doesn’t come with a free cup of tea or a bottle of dr pepper cherry.
avengerrr
Meh Haydar is entitled to his point of view, it is as peter noted completely unexplained and doesn’t add anything to the discussion tho.
But everyone on TSA has a worst article don’t they?
If you asked a member who thought every TSA article was good, and you asked him to name every article in order of how good it was, no matter how good the last on the list of articles would be, it would be the worse.
The Lone Steven
I was joking about the dr pepper bit. :)
I personally disliked Nofi’s Bert Humbledingle articles mainly due to people believing i wrote them and because of the jokes that were not funny. Although Haydar should have said why he thought it was the worst but again, it’s his opinion and i will defend everyone’s right to an opinion if Peter ever goes mad with power. ;)
cc_star
Spot on Peter.
I’m not a fighting game fan, not since Street Fighter II Special Championship Edition & Mortal Kombat on the Megadrive
Loved the fun aspect of Super Smash Bros Brawl on the occasion I’ve played it, even had a blast with my daughter on Rag Doll Kung-Fu from the PSN, but this doesn’t sit right at all.
I went to the trouble of downloading the beta but it didn’t even interest me enough to fire it up to see what it was like.
If it was an all out fun game like RDKF or SSBB then I’d be all over it, if it was an all out fighter like Injustice Gods Among Us is similar to SF or MK then I know it may not be for me but I’d at least respect it & be curios enough to try it
This just seems like a direction-less mashup and as such I predict it will struggle to find a market once an initial ‘core’ have bought it in Wk1.
Blair Inglis
Brawl is very tournament-focused, too, by the way. That can be a very competitive game (and it’s even played professionally) at times. It’s about the same for All-Stars, really.
dave87fez
Glad I’m not the only one who couldn’t care less about this game!
I receive email after email from Sony about this and it’s like “enough already!” I’m not one for button-bashers or games with endless combos, just to kick the crap out of someone/something. What beef would Sly Cooper have with Nathan Drake anyway?!
Kennykazey
Drake has pages from the Thevious Raccoonus.
Blair Inglis
Funny you should mention Sly + Nathan Drake, actually, since they’re rivals in the game. The short version is… Sly wants Drake’s treasure map.
Sad Panda
Was looking forward to unwinding with his tonight, however as with Black Ops, the Royal Mail have decided delivering it is too much effort.
avengerrr
T_T sad to hear, maybe try training a monkey lol more reliable than royal mail for times. I’m sure you have tomorrow tho for delivery day
2ofclubs
Weirdly enough I’m almost the opposite. So many games these days get me groaning with boredom e.g. CoD, Assassins Creed Halo , even Borderlands and All Stars is the only one I’ve been excited about. Maybe because it’s pretty much a brand new genre for me with it’s beat ’em up light approach advaried roter. That and I couldn’t care less about the fat plumber and his crew so the Smash Bros comparisons mean zero to me.
Almost home now and can’t wait to get my PS3 or Vita on. What a deal!
The Lone Steven
Excellent Article Peter. I’m not interested in All Stars either and it’s mainly due to me not liking fighting games. To me, All Stars seems like a clone of the Brawl games on the Wii and i still can’t understand why they left out iconic characters. Such as the original Dante, Snake,Chloe’s arse… i mean chloe and instead chose to get characters from 3rd party games. In fact, the lack of any FF characters is shocking and considering FF7 helped to them to sell the PS1, it is even more surprising that they’ve not included Cloud or Sephiroth. :O
I suspect the next year will be either the same or better for us as Sony is putting in a lot of effort with the PS3 and like you said, there is a lot of choice.
gazzagb
I’m with you on this one too, the game just doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest.