Sessler's Soapbox: 4 out of 5 vs. 5 out of 5

140 Comments Posted November 25, 2009 - By Patrick Roche-Sowa

This week, we have much to be thankful for. One thing we should all be thankful for is the fact that Adam Sessler takes the time out of his busy schedule each week to let us know what's on his mind. This week, Adam is going to respond to some of your criticisms about the recent scoring of Assassin's Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2. Many of you pointed out that these sequels have improvements over their predicessors, but got a lower score. Press play to find out why.

Sessler's Soapbox: 4 out of 5 vs. 5 out of 5 »

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Tags: G4, G4 Web Exclusive, PC Gaming, PlayStation 3, Sessler's Soapbox, Videogames, Videos, Xbox 360

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123Four

Very glad you did this, after seeing people mock the PSP for having no 5 out of 5 games. Remember all those great 4 out of 5 games! All because it didn't score perfect, doesn't mean it isn't good

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:02 PM | Reply | Report

+17 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
onikinou

well said and i don't care.

4/5, 5/5? its all teh same to me. simply means that its worth playing.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:08 PM | Reply | Report

+32 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
RedSigma677

Well said Mr Sessler

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:12 PM | Reply | Report

+16 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
legodarth

I'm not sure why you guys continue to have to justify a review number, especially when they are good numbers. Not every game deserves a perfect 5 out of 5, since not every game is perfect. 4 out of 5 is a good score; it's nearly perfect. There's nothing wrong with that. Since we all know the perfect game doesn't exist, the 5 out of 5 is reserved for games that have something special, something new and exciting. Not every game will have that, but they can still be awesome. Plus, a review written by someone else should not affect your enjoyment of a game; if you love it, then you love it.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:14 PM | Reply | Report

+21 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
wizzade

Happy Thanksgiving Adam and all posters!

In my opinion of star ratings, I believe they have their place in the industry, and I believe that it's become a hallmark in media rating that it won't soon go away. I still buy 4 out of 5 games and maybe even the 3 out of 5 games. I can appreciate G4's rating scale because they don't simply do it because they like it or don't. Rather, they do it because of what elements are brought to the game (Adam I know you're one to be objective in your research as well as the rest of the G4 Staff). Great Soapbox!

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Report

+9 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
ransom386

Though I agree that numbers aren't necessary to a review, I have always thought G4 has done a great job in putting numbers on games. It's so easy to imagine why a sequel would have a lower score than its inferior predecessor. There's so much time in between the games for the industry to change because of that first title that the sequel may not be able to keep up in innovation.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:25 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
megs1120

Scores need to die! People need to read the reviews instead of just get a number to throw around.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:30 PM | Reply | Report

+9 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
EpicAmbu

LoL I was actually surprised when i logged in and i saw Left 4 Dead with a 4/5, and I actually thought the same thing you just said, after being recommended that much and appearing as the game of the week, I knew it was a good game.

I dont think I could have said it better, Adam.

P.S.
~ I love listening to you

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:31 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
crackingcody Show Hide

this has nothing to do with this video but i just looked at the poll for today. the "Which game are you looking forward to in 2010?" poll. i put Bioshock 2 because bioshock is my favorite game ever and will most likely be for a long time. i didnt like the first god of wars and i never played the splinter cell games but this one looks good. but i was just surprised that bioshock 2 wasn't wanted the most to be honest. the first one was a surprise and won tons of game of the years. it beat halo 3, modern warfare, the orange box, and assassin's creed the same year. but back to the scoring topic..... i am one of those people who hate when people talk about sales numbers to justify a game but then i am hypocritical and will occasionally do the same thing to prove a point. irony indeed lads. and yes... i was one of those people that was disappointed that left 4 dead 2 got a 4 out of 5. actually it got mediocre scores in lots of places. hopefully bioshock 2 will get a 5 out of 5. lol

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Report

-10 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
kingofcod4

I get completly what you are trying to say Mr.Sessler,a certain game may have gotten a 5/5 but that doesn't mean that you have to give that sequal to that game the same score, maybe more games have come out, or maybe it was inventive then but it may be old now, and like Adam pointed out taste change and so do reviewers of those games.Great point Mr.Sessler!

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:35 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Flagge

I realize that there has to be a numerical score given because there are people out there that would look at a review without a number and say "wall of text" then go to another website with numbers/letters. In my experience all 4/5 and 5/5 games are on the same level. They are all good games that are enjoyable. When you get into the 3/5 and below I tend to stay away from those games unless it is something I would normally play and that is usually stated in the review. All numbers do is give fanboys ammunition for their flamewars.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:37 PM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
steveo3242391

To the point you made earlier in the video, the person who reviewed the original should probably review the sequel, just so here is no loss in translation between the two people. Unfortunately, the fact that a number score makes or breaks people on playing a game is true, and for them, reading the review is not an option. I am just curious, to the person who reviewed the second game, wasn't it clear that Assassin's Creed II is better than the original, thus at least giving it an equal score? Because I don't see X-Play revoking their 5/5 for Assassin's Creed I, it would only make sense. I guess the second reviewer would have given AC1 a 3 or 4 out of 5?

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
makessense

I think that the main reason why they gripe is the lack of consistency. I personally don't agree with the reviews. Both Left 4 Dead 2 and Assassin's Creed 2 have added a hell of a lot of new content that make them superior to their preceding installments. Yet Modern Warfare 2, a game that adds not nearly as much new content, gets five stars. Modern Warfare 2 is an amazing game, no doubt about it, but this lack of consistency is what bothers people. However despite my gripes, I'm still getting all three though. Great games for everyone.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
TomHoang

This is the reason why I trust X-Play over any other review source.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:42 PM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Vesipham

Haha, I laughed at how the big blood splatter appeared behind Adam's head when he said "I'm not naive, it'll probably just flame the fires." It's like someone got mad at the idea and shot him in the backside.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:48 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
hypra

calm down sess... its ok, i'm sure you've taken into account that these messages are coming from kids. Kids that have not matured into how life really is. OLDER men like you... and sadly me, have great perspective on whats REALLY going on. Also, if they're older and still commenting like kids. Rest assured; there is a clause about adults that live in their parents basement. Just like the games you review, you cant take all these comments people have on the same scale.

bing bing pow

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:49 PM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
the_azure_knight

When i first saw 4/5 for assassins creeed i was like what your kidding right? but after playing through it i could understand why it got that score there were still a few kinks withing the game but there was nothing there that kept it from being a great game

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
T_Rexx Show Hide(4 Replies)

Who's the amateur playing Uncharted2....? geez man play on "very easy"...it hurts to watch!
Great Game, Uncharted2!

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Report

-15 thumbs up thumbs down

4 Replies
EKG

Look, Sess, I am a huge fan. I stick up for you every chance I get, and I respect your opinion more than anyone else's opinion. However, I do not agree with the rating system and most importantly, it seems like your talking down to us in this Soapbox episode.

We all understand the rating system, we really do. The problem is, we do not agree with it. If a sequel is BETTER than the original, than it should have a score that reflects that. It is not fair to lower the score of a superior game. Especially when you consider that their are going to be plenty of people in a rush who only glance at the score instead of reading the actual review, and assume that game is inferior. Again, we do understand it, we just don't like it.

I have heard you complain about this rating system for years, but you never do anything about it. I would absolutely LOVE to see you and Xplay become the first relevant game publication to do away with numbers and letter grades. Think about it. Sure, there will be some resistance to it first, but all great ideas have that. You can be the first one to really make a change.

The reviewers words are never going to be as powerful as that single letter or number. Take the letters and number away, and put the reviewers words back where they should have been. At the top.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
Tyri3l

Seriously, ignore the number and actually pay attention to what's being said in the review. If someone states that they really enjoyed something or on a technical level how well things work in concert together and then one shortcoming or flaw impacted the experience, that's not discounting the praise they just gave the game. Scores for me just help categorize my priorities when trying to choose where I'm going to spend my money first if at all, but ultimately opinions of individual products need to be based on merit, not a variable like a score or what another game does. Comparing games is all well and good for trying to relate a new game to someone else who knows nothing about it but that's where it needs to end.

If I'm interested in a game but not sure I want to spend what little disposable income I have on it, I read the review and whether its tone is more positive than negative. Where the score comes in, in the case of say Xplay, is if a game gets a 3 I'll still consider buying it but it will be a lesser priority. Hell I'll even buy a game that get's a 2 out of 5 as long as it's reached a budget price and I'm still interested after reading the review. Where 4's and 5's are concerned, however, the number needs to be ignored. Complaints that knock a game down to a 4 is really just nitpicking. They are justified points of view but so insignificant that you shouldn't immediately have a knee jerk reaction to them. Be more rational, a 1 point difference at the high end doesn't have as big of an impact as it does at the low end but you can still find merit in a low scoring game if you read the review, I just wouldn't pay half or more of its MSRP for it. You can forgive a lot at $10-$20 though.

Posted: November 25, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies