"Journey" bashing reviewer defends himself

Tom Chick, in an extended FAQ, defends his latest controversy.

On march 19th he gave the hit PSN game "Journey" (metascore 92) a harsh 2/5 stars, by far the lowest review it has gotten. This was met with almost universally negative feedback.

In an article longer than the initial review, he attempts to defend his position and address his many critics.

[Hellsvacancy]

Let the dude hav his opinion, i HATED Battle: Los Angeles, one of the worst films ive EVER seen in my life, im sure theres those who think differently

Dont pay to attention to reviews, make up your own mind, like i do, youll hav nothin to moan about then

I personally liked journey, nice change from my normal gamin lifestyle (shootin stuff)

[RedDead]

Yeah let the opinion be. There are bound to be people who do not like the game

[LORD-PHOENIX]

because the sad little pathetic troll is still trying to keep his unrelevant score in the limelight by now making a FOLLOW up article on his patheticness with a article even longer than his original patheticness of a review!

[BrutallyBlunt]

Either the Sony fanbase is the most passionate or the most delusional. Maybe both.

Funny how we see on N4G the most conflict and the most active topics seem to be related to negative articles concerning Sony game products. Why is that?

http://forums.n4g.com/defau...

Oh nevermind, there's your answer. A lopsided affair where we have a glut of Playstation 3 owners above all others within the various forums. Which explains the bias that continues to bring the comment sections down. I as a Playstation 3 owner am embarrassed by the conduct we see here daily. Who cares if someone doesn't like a Playstation 3 exclusive, does it really matter? Journey looks amazing to me but it's not for everyone.

There is a reason why we see so many negative topics regarding Sony devices, the crowd feeds off of them. Now watch as the disagrees pile up on me which further adds to my claims.

[tiffac008]

@LevelHead

Yet you forget to mention the negative comments made by Sony haters that also ruins the reputation of N4G and stirs conflict even on positive Sony articles.

I just find it ironic that you try to be morally upright but once again only targets one specific fanbase for all the negativity.

Your claims are hollow because their bias. You want to be taken seriously? Then be fair in your judgement because there is a lot of blame to go around on all corners of each fanbase.

[SilentNegotiator]

It's not about opinion. Tom Chick is a classless troll.

BTW, Metacritic claims to leave out reviews that vary "too far" from the general opinion. So how does a 40 get to stay on a list of 90s, 100s, and less than a handful of 80s?

[BrutallyBlunt]

@tiffac
Of course they aren't the only ones but who are you trying to kid? There's a huge influx in bias here and it's mostly due to sheer numbers. The fact is N4G is largely made up of pro-Sony supporters. This is why I call them out. I also called them out because once again here we are in a topic where this rabid fan base is getting the headlines. They are upset over this review just like we see on certain IGN reviews and so on.

They act like there's a big conspiracy against Sony. The author didn't like the game, oh well.

[tiffac008]

@LevelHead

I ain't denying that some fans goes overboard. It happens on all fanbase but you just can't throw the entire Sony fanbase under the bus because of the loud minority. How the heck did that become fair?

I've said this before on N4G, do not generalize or marginalize a fanbase for the fault of a few because it doesn't help our community. It just adds fuel to the fire and justifies the haters on both ends of the field.

If you see someone who's being a immature that doesn't favor your opinion and views then call them out but don't judge the entire fanbase for it.

And I can't believe we are doing this conversation on a Tom Chicks article, I think even you know the review history of this man.

[MaxXAttaxX]

And you doing the exact opposite isn't any better.

N4G isn't made up of pro-Sony supporters. That's bullshit. Those statements spawn from envy and jealousy. I understand that there's more going on from Sony systems, therefore there are more PS3 related articles on N4G which happen to attract the Sony crowd. But that's not the fan's fault, these articles are directed at them. And taking jabs at them or Sony related stuff isn't helping your cause, you only make it worse.

There are just as many Sony haters and anti-Sony-fan fun suckers like you as well. You just gotta look for them instead of focusing only on the people you have a problem with.

360 fans complained when reviewers gave Halo Reach an 8/10.
Didn't see you then telling people how it was just an opinion and how terrible 360 fans are.

If you're not a Sony fan and you hate Sony fans, then stop coming to Sony related articles where you'll obviously find Sony fans.

[ASTAROTH]

Ok as I see it... all of us could have different opinion because it didnt make the game better or worse but, when you are paid to review a video game you have to be as proffesional and objective as you could. This professionalism will make your "opinion" stands among the rest. I dont get why everyone here call a review an opinion when you need knowledge on the matter to be as objective as you can... this guy Tom Whatever is just a clown....

OHH AND THIS IS MI OPNION!!

Ohh and my definition of a review is just an informative writing about the good and bad things you could find in a product... Thats why I dont believe on scores and on "opinions" because they need to be as objective as possible and the ones ending with the real opinions are us the people who bougth the product. So few objectives reviewers in our professional video games journalists makes you wonder why so few people take gaming seriously... a shame if you ask me... and again its just my opinion.

[snp]

"Now watch as the disagrees pile up on me which further adds to my claims."

Lol. Brilliant. If people agree with you... you win. If they disagree with you... you win.

[Kurt Russell]

My opinion is there are a lot of whiney bitches spitting their dummies out about something that is moot at best.

[BrutallyBlunt]

@ Nathanexplosion

want to see something really funny? Here's a comment from you:

"It's not really broken, but
360 fanboys will believe anything. "

http://n4g.com/user/comment...

Now mind telling me where you say the same thing about Playstation 3 fanboys or Wii fanboys? If anyone is a hypocrite it's you.

@tiffac008

It's not generalizing because I too am a Playstation 3 owner. The fact of the matter is this site is favored heavily to Sony related manner within the forums. Which as I say leads to lopsided discussions but worst of all, bias. What I find ironic is you telling me to ignore those who are very biased when what people should be doing is ignoring the obvious hate/negative articles. Especially those who don't seem to be able to handle them maturely.

[MaxXAttaxX]

That's it!?
That's all you came up with? A comment I made stating how a game was still playable and not completely broken as some fanboys were commenting and jumping to conclusions?

And the reason why I personally don't refer to Wii or PS3 fanboys is because, unlike many 360 fanboys that go into PS3-only articles to say stupid shit, I don't dedicated my time going into other articles which do not concern me all the time.

You're talking about the forums and how its dominated by more PS3 related discussions. Who cares! Stick to other topics. Nothing preventing Xbox or Nintendo fans from starting discussions. Maybe, like I said before, there's more Sony stuff going on, therefore more to talk about.
____

I still stand by everything else I said on my previous post.

[tiffac008]

@LevelHead

Well then my suggestion is just choose your words wisely because when you said Sony fanbase, that does sounds like your generalizing the entire fanbase. You can't get your message across if its misunderstood.

I did say on my previous post that you should call out the loud minority but you really need to be specific when you give them a piece of your mind.

Just remember, prove one wrong and you can silence the loud minority. Make an improper comment (even if it was made under good intentions) then you embolden them and get the silent majority disagreeing with you.

And that doesn't help you or our community.

[CarlitoBrigante]

I dont have problems with people having an opinion. But seriously, why is this no-name website of his on Metacritic? No one has ever heard of this blog.

[Bagogames]

Tom Chick himself was an actor of little repute, Metacritic must have thought it'd be good for a giggle or two.

[SandwichHammock]

This wouldn't be a problem and you'd be right...if his short bus ass wasn't included in the Metacritic, which I'm sure you know, it is.

Fucking clown (not you, the reviewer).

[joab777]

I agree. I love reading low score reviews, especially for widely acclaimed games. As long as it is thoughtful and makes sense, it gives another perspective. Maybe there is someone out there who may not like the type of game being reviewed but would never hear it from most reviewers. That being said, i think he is crazy& in today's day and age u will never be able to convince someone u did it honestly and not to get hits. Hits may not pay him, but thevtruth is that the more people that go to your website, the more money you will get. I think they did a study on that somewhere.

[showtimefolks]

you know now a days the reviewers are so untrustable that even when someone is being legit with their concerns or their opinion, we just look at all of them the same.

ign has set a new all time low with their reviews in last 2 months, they are either all time highs with mid 9s or all time low and 4.5 to total of 5.

but than again if you are interested in a game just rent it to make your own mind, many reviews said bad things about yakuza dead souls but i have been playing it and its LFD with a very good story so i kind of like it

watch reviews to find out what you need to but also keep in mind a review is one person's opinion

[arbitor365]

the last thread about this guy got to 530 degress, and 111 comments. im just giving people the news they will be interested in discussing

[FatGayandbald]

i'm shaking my big ass fist at him so much my glasses fell off.

[CarlitoBrigante]

We don't care what this guy has to say capisce? Don't post articles to N4G just for flaming purposes.

My only problem is that this no-name website of his is on Metacritic.

[NJShadow]

Yeah, well that was a really lame move.

[snipes101]

In case anyone missed (I think) arbitor's humor, he's making the point that people on this sight give the limelight to the dumbest fucking (imagine that last word underlined and bolded, in italics) news articles ever.

Who on the ugly face of this earth gives two and a half ounces of a unicorn's fecal matter if he didnt like the game?! HELL, who cares if he did it for hits?! The crap you think gave them to the guy? The same people who walk in here every week claiming to not care one iota about what some critic thinks.

But lo and behold, the lovely people here at N4G are just too quick to contradict themselves. The moment a review goes against the grain, someone is out to put a bullet in someone else's skull for daring to bash it.

I dont care if the guys trolling, thats not my point. Its the fact that, on a daily basis, the same people constantly harping about trolls have set up camp under the damn bridge and cooked marshmallows for it!

God damn is N4G a great place to come and let off stream. It's impossible to run out of ammo when the place is such a breeding ground for mental deficiency.

[Hawkred63]

Very true, but mark my words they will all reply to you either vehmently denying it or accuse you of being a troll.

[JoySticksFTW]

Arrgghhhhh!!!!! F U, TROLLL1lLSZZ!!!1!! D:<

[Godmars290]

He's just trying to get more attention.

[ksense]

agreed!this whole thing is a cheap tactic to get traffic to website and have people talking about it. i for one will never give this site another click as they should be ashamed of themselves.

[unworthyBOZO]

Pretty much he pulled this stunt with uncharted 3.

[Son_Lee]

It's his opinion, deal with it. There's many games I HATE that EVERYONE loves like Killzone and LittleBigPlanet. There's games I LOVE that almost everyone HATED like Alpha Protocol, Enslaved, etc.

[jony_dols]

Enslaved was never HATED. It was critically acclaimed & lots of people love it. Just because it was not commercially successful (mainly because of a piss poor marketing campaign), does not automatically mean it was poorly received by gamers.

[Son_Lee]

Well a lot of people here seem to bash on Enslaved. Okay, for a better example, I LOVED FFXIII and hated FFXIII-2.

[ASTAROTH]

Again SON_ LEE you could have an opinion and it will be as valid as mine but a videogame "professional" journalist needs to be as objective as he can... and this guy is not... its just pointing his opinion and to me his opinion doesnt count as a real review of the game. Lets give you an example: If I hate Halo and Im going to review it, it is good for you if I said in less than a paragraph why I hate Halo and then give it a 4 out of 10??

So dont defend others opinions...

[Rainstorm81]

Maybe you prefer mediocrity

[Son_Lee]

Maybe I have preferences, just like you.

[Rage_S90]

Sooooo, have you played journey?

[Son_Lee]

I have no interest in Journey at $14.99 for a 2 hour title, no matter how brilliant it may be. Besides, it doesn't look that good to me.

[Armyless]

I have paid more for a 2 hour movie. I have played Journey more times than I have watched any movie repeatedly.

It's meant to be played in one sitting, because if you meet a fellow traveler and make it to the end together, you will experience a -piece- of what the game is teaching you. You will make a friend, and you will never take the Journey with that same person again.

You will either know more, or less, than the companion you travel with. If you know more, you should 'teach' your fellow traveler more, and vice-versa. Trust me, there's quite a lot here to experience, and the 2-hour once play through is left as a simple, beautiful experience to your tastes.

[yewles1]

People forget ONE thing about opinions... they can be disagreed upon. If guys like Tom Chick can say whaterver he wants, so can WE! Whether it be about him OR his opinions OR how wrong he is, WE have the right to say it too.

[smashcrashbash]

I have the right to complain about his opinion. It may be his opinion but people seem to forget that if you give a negative opinion about something you must expect to get some fallout. People run around shouting 'it's just my opinion' but I have just as much right to disagree about it if i want.

This attitude by these people that they have the right to voice their opinion and I don't is crap. I could say that you are full of crap with your review and you stand there and take it like a man not backpedal and whine when everything goes south because of it

[DigitalAnalog]

So there's nothing to it other than stirring up controversy. The guy is troll...

END STATEMENT

[Megaman_nerd]

he did the same to GeoW3 an Deus Ex. Tom Chick is no gamer. Period. He doesn't like video games at all.

[Cosmo811]

HOW DARE HE DISGAREE WITH A LARGELY HELD OPINION?! HE'S CLEARLY JUST IN IT FOR THE HITS!

[DigitalAnalog]

Amusing you would reduce obvious troll-baiting into something legitimate. But judging by the intensity if your poorly observed sacrcasm, I'll just simply disagree away...

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY? HOW DARE SOMEONE DISAGREES FOR A USELESS OPINION IN ALL CAPS? OH THE TRAVESTY.

/facepalm

[Cosmo811]

Amusing that you think that just because someone publishes an opinion piece that doesn't follow the majority opinion he must therefore be a troll. That's just absolutely ridiculous.

[knifefight]

People can't go against the majority anymore.

It turns into a witch hunt and public beheading.

Gamers can't tolerate other peoples' opinions, it seems.
http://www.gamerevolution.c...

[Megaton]

Trying to become infamous by trolling marvelous games. Ignore him. Allow him to wallow in his own failed vacuum.

[badz149]

but if only Metacritic would do the same! why would they put a no name site on there in the first place?

[srcBFMVBMTH]

Sure, he has an opinion. But just how did he end up on Metacritic? Are they seriously starting to put up anybody on that site now? I mean, I've read a couple of his reviews (I won't be anymore) and they are as amateurish as they get. In his Twisted Metal review he complains about the controls, how it doesn't teach you anything, and how you have to take "initiative" to learn it. Lol. Talk about being a casual gamer who just wants to have his hand held the entire time. Imagine if this guy reviewed Dark Souls.

*
http://wickedraven.files.wo...

[humbleopinion]

How come people here are that blunt that they raise the same concerns/questions he already answered? Here, let me help you with a short summary for people who don't want to give the site "hits":

Q: just how did he end up on Metacritic?
A: He's just as surprised that they list him and for all he cares you can ask them to delist him. But perhaps this is why he is listed in the first place: he simply doesn't care about metacritic.

Q: He did this with Uncharted 3 [or other game which I like and can't accept a different opinion on] as well!
A: Yes. He doesn't like Uncharted 3. He doesn't have the same opinion as you. Deal with it and grow up.

Q: He's just trying to get more attention/hits/traffic/whateve r
A: That website is generating revenue from people who actually click on ads and people who donate. Unless you're claiming that his negative review encouraged you to click the ads or perhaps donate him money, your "hit" doesn't even matter.

Q: I have the right to complain about his opinion, and my opinion matters more.
A: Yes you do, and no it doesn't. You can have an opinion about his opinion about something else, but it's still just an opinion. But Tom Chick has reviewed games for over a decade and for many different professional websites, and he also finished Journey as his user clearly shows.
If you think that he's wrong and that your opinion about the game matters more, you should post your PSN username to show us that you actually played the game, post an articulated point of view about the game, and also let us know why he's prior experience in reviewing games does not stack up to yours.

[yewles1]

*sigh*

"Q: I have the right to complain about his opinion, and my opinion matters more."

*looks for comments saying their opinion mattered more, finds none*

BTW, you're doing THE ACTUAL THING YOU CLAIM WE'RE DOING!!! ROFL!!!

[humbleopinion]

Yewles1, that was just paraphrasing and what some of the people here wrote if you didn't get it, it's not a word-for-word match.
I don't think my opinion matters more, as I didn't even give my opinion about the game or about the truthfulness of his reviews - so I believe that your logic is quite flawed right there. If you can't find the notable offenders, perhaps it's because you're one of them...

"Whether it be about him OR his opinions OR how wrong he is, WE have the right to say it too"
Claiming that he's wrong is implying implying that your opinion matters more (unless your opinion is wrong to). So, can you desribe how wrong exactly is he in his review, and submit your prior own experience with the game and with game journalism in general?

[fucadastates]

dont give this man hits

[trouble_bubble]

Gotta love a rebuttal with contradictions. Says he doesn't read game reviews and builds a whole case on it, then later says he -does- read other reviews. Ironic he wrote for HonestGamer.

Doesn't hate Gears3, it's just "horrible story, overly familiar gameplay, disappointing beast mode, underwhelming graphics." Quote from his review. Lotta love there. Just like that 2/5 for Forza4.

Q: Do you hate popular AAA games?
A: "Not at all. I loved bla bla RE5" -RE5 was popular?- "and pretty much everything with the words Ratchet and Clank in the title."

Yeah, you sure love Ratchet&Clank, that 1/5 you gave it recently is all love http://www.quartertothree.c... .

Well thx Tom, that settles that! lol
-facepalm-

[tarbis]

Tom Chick again.... >_<

[Redempteur]

PATHETIC FOLLOW6UP TROLL ATTEMPT

SIGH
How can you play "Journey " and gave it 2/5is just beyond me.

Also there was nothing objective in his first "review"

When you're alone against the flow , somehing clearly is wrong

I've done 4 joruney so far,all different experiences each time and you can't deny that thagamecompany succeeded in sheer term of game design and graphics

[LewisDenby]

I see the phrase "no-name" come up quite a lot in relation to Tom Chick, which I find quite funny. He's been reviewing games for absolutely ages (although admittedly he's been a little quieter in recent years), and Quarter to Three has been going for as long as I've been interested in it. Also, his 'other job' is as an actor who's starred in The West Wing and The Office. Criticise him all you like, but "no-name" doesn't quite work! :-)

[arbitor365]

he didn't "star" in those shows. he was a side character, a glorified "extra" basically. he as been fired twice for his asinine reviews, which is why he now exists in obscurity. only a sparse number (12 or so) of neckbearded fanboys still take him seriously.

the only reason why anyone knows who he is, is because of his routine shock reviews, where he gives AAA titles 2/5s. if it werent for that, no one would know his name. its pathetic really.

[arbitor365]

if you have to write a disclaimer that is 4 times as long as the initial review, you probably messed up somewhere

also, having 99% of people disagree with your review and deem you a troll, isn't a good sign either.

[GraveLord]

We already know why. He was the only negative review, he wanted that attention, he wanted to stand out. This way he gets it. Now with this "follow-up" article it just proves it.

[NJShadow]

This it total self-promotion and the guy is only doing it for hits. This is NOT news. Notice this IS the site that the awful review came from! Total spam.

[Conzul]

Some people just like to go against everyone else. My old man is the same way.

Godddam Hipppies!

[nik666uk]

Can't even be arsed reading the article, any review is just 1 mans opinion at the end of the day, I liked it

[spektical]

everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there are stupid opinions.

[Lookbehind]

Does anyone else think Tom Chick just cooked up this whole interview? Looks like he interviewed himself......lol

[th3_d3an]

and like ive said before the only reason people go so far against the grain is for the attention period and look at that hes getting it. i never trust reviews for movies or games for that matter esp after the whole ms paying mags for good halo reviews back in the day besides not one critic or reviewer is honest and unbiased thats why all reviews are as useful as an cassette deck in a 2012 car.

[Malice-Flare]

he's trying to be the troll reviewer for games just like Armond White is for movies, and Armond White makes more money doing it too...

[urwifeminder]

Why does this upset people so much i would not care if my favourite game of all time got -20 out of a 1000 as it will still be my fav game its just weird, so your a troll if you dont agree with the majority but a sheep if you do things are becoming clearer n4g..

[floetry101]

Did anyone actually read this though? Have you ever in your life not enjoyed a game that everyone else enjoyed?

I LOVED Journey, absolutely loved it, but on the other hand, I couldn't stand Uncharted 3 for a mutlitude of reasons. If people think reviews such as this are deliberate attempts to bring a metacritic score down, I'd suggest looking out for better conspiracy theories. He talks about using the full spectrum of the rating scale, which is true. Most publications will dish out a 6 or 7 to a mediocre title, and people won't buy the game for that reason.

Let me put this simply: People are getting angry at someone who didn't like the game because they believe he SHOULD like the game. Is that not completely ridiculous? Why does it even offend people?

[buckley]

I understand your point, certainly. I loved Journey as well, thought it was fantastic. But self-respecting reviewer ends up with a dissenting opinion from time to time. If they never disagree with a majority, ever, they're being dishonest.

I actually finally got a recent taste of this myself. I reviewed Dustforce and didn't like it. Expectedly got a bit flamed for it, but I couldn't pretend I liked it. It happens.

Although, it sounds like this guy has a history of playing contrarian, so I'm less inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Psychonaughty]

I know how you feel it seems I'm in the minority of people not liking Dark Knight and feel it was a far inferior film to Batman Begins in every way.

I also thought Skyrim was a clunky and generic borefest and that says alot considering I loved every minute of the 200 hrs I played Oblivion!

Also I watched my bro play the whole of Journey in about 1hr 30 mins and although I thought it had beautiful graphics (gfx defo 10/10), it was by no means a 10/10.

[P_Bomb]

I think the controversy here mostly stems from metacritic suddenly giving weight to his left wings scores. Same ol' Chick, different meta'.

It is a gimmick to a point. He doesn't deny it in the article. "Are you the guy that lowballed AAA game X?" "Probably". I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist of it.

Videogame shock jocks like AVGN and Zero-Punctuation are nothing new, but AVGN and Yahtzee aren't on metacritic either. Tom Chick is, minus the humor and tongue-in-cheek.

I'd like to think that what we're seeing here is in part a reluctantance from gamers to encourage sensationalism in a business already under scrutiny for a myriad of issues, not the least of which is..."who made Metacritic god"?

Sony & Microsoft have inadvertantly helped to create their own monster here by endorsing meta (eg. PS Blog hotlinks, end of the Gears 3 demo on XBL) while giving full jurisdiction to a third party to handpick what blogs will determine whether Sony/Microsoft's own developers will get bonuses or not (eg. Fallout New Vegas). It's a strange industry, when a Tom Chick potentially has the power to cost people money because he didn't think a game was challenging enough and that was worth a 2/5 from him.

In Tom's defense though, I can't imagine that'd ever be his intent. He's been killing AAA games for over 10 years. Question is, why did metacritic add him 10 years of controversy later and why did Sony/MS ever start waving the metacritic flag in the first place? They've indirectly endorsed a guy they don't even send review copies to anymore. Oops?

[Hicken]

His intent probably isn't to cost anyone a job. But it's also pretty safe to say he's not making an attempt at professional reviews.

As you said, there are others that say things that shouldn't be taken seriously. but there are also no forums in which those opinions might be accepted as such. Tom Chick, perennial AAA detractor, has such a place in Metacritic. And it DOES beg the question of why Metacritic has included him; the Sony/Microsoft side can be forgiven somewhat as his inclusion is recent.

I have a hard time believing that someone could play Journey and NOT be moved. However, I won't say it's impossible. Still, as a reviewer, you should be giving your readers more information than "You jump around, chime at people, and wear a scarf."

I always say this, and it seems like people don't understand what I mean, but a game should always and only be judged by how well it executes what it attempts. It should be as objective as possible (something Chick admits he can't do... which makes him the worst possible person for the job), but it should it no way try to grade the game on things it never attempts to do.

[Gigglefist]

Reviews are opinions. He doesn't like it? 'Tis a shame, but it's his valid opinion. Who cares? You like it? great. You don't? Also great.

Opinions, brah.

[Droid Control]

Years ago I would always buy film and game mags, deciding which entertainment I would consume based on the ratings and comments. As I got older I realized that reviews are just the personal opinion of the reviewer. (Or they should be.)

Since then I don't read any reviews anymore. I consume entertainment based on what initially appeals to me based on the trailers and demos I see.

I've found that many highly rated games and movies don't appeal to me, and others that were no so highly regarded do.

My point is, don't get so bent out of shape over these things guys. if you liked the game, that's all that matters.