The Play journalist who wrote the Lair review for their magazine (he gave it a 9/10) makes his face known on neogaf, stating that they reviewed the same build as other journalists. This review copy had a poor framerate, and other bugs - but they were assured by Factor 5 that this would all be fixed for release - they thus reviewed it in this knowledge:
"We (Play) received the same review copy that I assume all the other mags did, which had optimized frame rates in the earlier missions, but poor frame rates in the last few missions and several bugs. We contacted Factor 5 and asked for all known issues and Julian himself replied with a detailed list, promising that the later levels were being optimized for frame rates, the bugs were being fixed, and that one aspect of the control would be improved. They said they would have a gold master candidate ready by our ship date, so I wrote the review on the assumptions that their promises would be kept, got the gold master candidate right before we went to press, and played that version for a few hours to confirm that they had addressed the issues. That gold master candidate was dated roughly a month ago, and as far as I know represents the game's final optimization.
I'm not sure what version the OP played-ours were never labeled "Preview Code", but a print mag's Review Code is sometimes a web site's Preview Code. Our last-received version of the game does not run at a rock-solid 30 fps, but I did not consider the frame rate problems to be an issue at all. I don't mind a few frame rate dips into the 20's here and there, if it's for the purpose of making an otherwise amazing looking game. I'm certainly not as sensitive to frame rate issues as the OP, but I don't think the average game enthusiast is either.
Just something to point out to the people who want to hate on Lair here-Sony and Factor 5 went all out to make sure the print mags got review copies as early as possible and frequent updates so that they could have reviews out before the game's release (which was at that point supposed to be August 8th, I think). Companies do NOT do that when they don't have a lot of faith in their games, so clearly both Factor 5 and Sony thought they had a critical hit on their hands, and any suggestion that they're trying to bury it or "send it out to die" is absurd. And having written the 9 review, I (obviously) agree."
Alex S. from Link-Cable writes: "When shopping for new video games you can often trust the name publisher or developer on the box to be an indication of the quality of the game. Names like Nintendo, Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Capcom, Xbox Game Studios and Sega are world famous because they helped shape the industry by releasing some of the most defining video games of all time. Though sometimes even these great gaming houses stumble and put out a stinker."
Splatterhouse remake . Loved the og’s at the arcade growing up . Hell the best thing about the remake was the og,s were included . And left alive by Square . That game had so much potential , but the gameplay was worse horrendous .
I'm pretty much certain that any Sonic game that comes out will be terrible, I've not enjoyed one since the original side-scrolling days of the MegaDrive.
A reimagining of 5 disappointing video games and the masterpieces they could have been underneath other studios.
The Order has its faults yes but it had a fantastic atmosphere and some great gameplay. A game with enormous potential and far from disappointing. I say give Ready at Dawn another crack at it because I think they created an diamond with some rough edges that just needs some tlc.
The order should have had a sequel. The first one wasn't bad just needed a few tweaks.
PlayStation’s strong and impressive lineup of exclusives is probably the biggest edge it has over its direct competition in the market- a fact that has been true for as long as anyone can remember.
Ridge racer for PSP was actually good and shouldn't be on this list. I think I'm the only one that enjoyed Haze.
When this piece of flotsam indicated that "Being a clone of GTA shouldn't be that hard" I just closed the window.
To save you from clicking those annoying slides:
HAZE (PS3)
LAIR (PS3)
KNACK (PS4)
RIDGE RACER (PS VITA)
TWISTED METAL III (PS1)
LAST REBELLION (PS3)
BRAVO TEAM (PS4)
BASEMENT CRAWL (PS4)
MORTAL KOMBAT: SPECIAL FORCES (PS1)
GANGS OF LONDON (PSP)
LITTLE DEVIANTS (PS VITA)
PLAYSTATION MOVE APE ESCAPE (PS3)
APE ESCAPE ACADEMY (PSP)
KUNG FU RIDER (PS3)
EYETOY: OPERATION SPY (PS2)
That's as bad as reviewing an early build and giving it bad scores. So what happens if all the issues aren't fixed? Play will look stupid.
You can't give the game a higher rating because you 'assume' that the problems the game suffers will be fixed when its in stores. I'm sorry but thats just wrong. Don't sent out the review copies if the game is not ready.
No that's how all journalists SHOULD review if they are kindly giving early code so the magazines can hit their deadline....instead of marking it down for issues that were to be fixed - that's back stabbing, bad journalism.
Plus Play "got the gold master candidate right before we went to press, and played that version for a few hours to confirm that they had addressed the issues." - So they were fixed, and didn't publish the review before they knew this.
Leave the Lad alone - he did a good job.
"
Julian himself replied with a detailed list, promising that the later levels were being optimized for frame rates, the bugs were being fixed, and that one aspect of the control would be improved. They said they would have a gold master candidate ready by our ship date, so I wrote the review on the assumptions that their promises would be kept, got the gold master candidate right before we went to press, and played that version for a few hours to confirm that they had addressed the issues. That gold master candidate was dated roughly a month ago, and as far as I know represents the game's final optimization. "
Well, they shouldn't review unfinished games at all. Get a finished game and then review it. Critics don't review movies that are missing the last half of it, and it shouldn't be any different with games. If Sony sent out unfinished copies early to be sure reviews made it out before the game did, then they shouldn't be shocked if the reviews are negative. Likewise, people reviewing a game shouldn't assume anything and should review what they have at that time...I don't care what game or company it is.