Games losing their wow-factor because of reading too many previews

[Cabisco]

To an extent I'd agree, I do actively keep away from information about games I know for certain I'm going to get like Battlefield 4, GTA V etc as I want to experience and learn everything for myself but on the other end of the scale I love the amount of previews and information I can get about titles like Watchdogs (new IPs) to get me hyped up.

 

[Smertnik]

I try to stay away from information about any game I might be interested in.

How does this even make sense? How do you know you are interested in it if you know nothing about it?

For me some screenshots and/or a short gameplay video is all information I need to know whether a game is worth purchasing or not. Knowing the developers' previous works helps, too, of course. As long as you know what you like and don't have unreasonable expectations you don't really need reviews or in-depth information in general. Or I don't, at least.

 

[Robert Marrs]

Happened to me with Bioshock Infinite. I spent so much time reading previews, watching gameplay videos and just keeping up with everything related to it. After about 2 years on the hype train when The game finally came out I was completely disappointed. Now if its a game I think looks really good I try to avoid as much information as possible until a few weeks before it releases.

 

[Quadocky]

Nowadays all I need to know is who made it.

Croteam? Heck yeah.

Obsidian? Whoa baby!

Dejobaan Games? Take my monies!!!

Larian Studios? I will back any kickstarter they got!

In the same turn I discovered I really really dislike games by certain companies so I tend to avoid those.

 

[prpshrt]

I feel like back when blizz games were good, they did what you're saying pretty well. All they did was give you a cool cinematic for context and the game delivered a quality gaming experience. That was back in the day though :|

 

[renegade7]

I definitely agree a bit with this sentiment. Previews get you psyched up because they showcase everything great without letting you know that there are inevitably shortcomings. When this picture has been built in your mind that the game is perfect, relatively minor flaws can become serious disappointments.

I tend to just skim previews and reviews. I really only look at the rating and attached justifications.

 

[Evonisia]

I see what you mean, though I like to get some info on a game before purchasing it (Halo 4 being an exception because I knew it would be crap without watching trailers/reviews etc.) so I try to isolate it. I knew so much about (bar spoilers) about Silent Hill 2 and Spec Ops: The Line before I got them, so their impact was dampened somewhat.

 

[Joseph Harrison]

This is actually a big issue right now for me because I'm really interested in Dragon Age Inquisition and while I want to do the whole media blackout thing so that I don't get spoiled I'm still wary of the game because Dragon Age 2 wasn't that great, (it was still good just not amazing). S0 now I have to leverage learning stuff about the game to see if its good while also avoiding spoilers and knowing too much.

 

[JagermanXcell]

Uncharted 3 Plane sequence anyone?

I got his a lot when I read to much into SSBB (released in Japan earlier). Completely ruined the game for me, not doing it for 4.
I also went into Dark Souls not knowing anything (I never even saw any gameplay) other then "Its the spiritual successor to that hard PS3 one game".
I'd marry it if I could.
Meanwhile Platinum Games is some how able to show off massive set pieces via trailers and their game still comes out feeling like it was made by a staff of deities.

Other then that every other game preview can't compare, they tend to soil the product once you've played it for a while.

 

[dolgion]

I try to stay away from information about any game I might be interested in.

How does this even make sense? How do you know you are interested in it if you know nothing about it?

I'm a backer for Wasteland 2, Broken Age and Torment: Tides of Numenera. I've made it a point of not reading anything about them, to keep myself fresh for those games.

Why would you support a kickstarter without knowing anything about a game? You are spending money on a game that does not exist.

You want to know what is happening? You are maturing. You are getting older and your tastes are changing. Maybe you are playing too many games and you are burned out. Whatever. People can only be exposed to so much before a medium like gaming becomes stale.

Unless you are a Nintendo fan, of course. Those guys have more stamina than the Modern Warfare crowd.

I supported Broken Age because I've played almost all LucasArts point and click adventures. Grim Fandango is one of my favorite games of all time. I enjoy Tim Schafers sense of humor, and I was one of the people who have been lamenting the fact that Double Fine never made a proper adventure. So after watching the initial kickstarter video, shelling out $15 for the mere possibility of such a game was a no-brainer for me.

Same goes for Wasteland 2 and Torment. I used to play games like Fallout and Baldur's Gate like hell and the recent Bioware RPGs and even Elder Scrolls just don't do it for me. The last RPG game I really loved was KotoR 2, and the people behind a lot of these favorites of mine team up to make more of these games with that style. The fact that other fans of the genre would have input to a certain degree on the design decisions of those games is something I love and support fully. I don't expect these games to be world shattering or anything like that. I only expect them to be more up my alley than recent RPG disappointments.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Yeah, I have, with a lot of games. I generally just don't read previews or watch footage of games I really want to play anymore because of it. I mean, I will definitely look at a preview or trailer to get an idea of what the game is, and I will read reviews of the game once it comes out, but beyond that... I generally try to keep myself as in the dark as possible.

 

[BreakfastMan]

I can see your point, but I'd rather have information beforehand than keep my self in the dark and end up wasting my money and time on crap.

Besides, a truly brilliant game should be able to shine through a few previews or spoilers.

Indeed.

The only thing I really miss is things that used to be like, unlockables being advertised. I miss the days of hidden characters actually being hidden. Half the games I play advertise them in-game.

Yeah, I really miss that. It seems so rare nowadays that games have proper secrets and easter-eggs. I mean, it still happens, but it doesn't seem nearly as common as it was even 10 years ago.

 

[Something Amyss]

Yeah, I really miss that. It seems so rare nowadays that games have proper secrets and easter-eggs. I mean, it still happens, but it doesn't seem nearly as common as it was even 10 years ago.

I think it's frequently used as a substitute for any actual wow factor. Like, they have so little confidence in their game that "HERE'S ALL OF OUR SECRET CONTENT!!!!!! WOW!!!!!"

Maybe not every game, but still.

 

[BreakfastMan]

Yeah, I really miss that. It seems so rare nowadays that games have proper secrets and easter-eggs. I mean, it still happens, but it doesn't seem nearly as common as it was even 10 years ago.

I think it's frequently used as a substitute for any actual wow factor. Like, they have so little confidence in their game that "HERE'S ALL OF OUR SECRET CONTENT!!!!!! WOW!!!!!"

Maybe not every game, but still.

That is when they don't take out the secrets and sell them for DLC...

Yes, I am still bitter about that Saints Row 3 cheats DLC, why do you ask?

 

[CleverCover]

I try and avoid more than just a gameplay trailer. After that, I don't really look up any information on the game and even wait a while after the hype machine goes to sleep to even start playing it. That way I go in not knowing anything which usually works to my favor, like Dishonoured. The story was weak, but the actually gameplay was some of the best ever.

If someone had told me about the ME3 ending, I might not have played the game...and would have missed out on some of the best parts of the trilogy or Sonic Generations's frustrating ending, I might have skipped out on the love letter that was the rest of the game.

I learned one thing though, the better the game is until the ending, the worse it is. >.>

 

[Zeckt]

Bioshock infinite comes to my mind immediately. Where was that cool scene with the horse in the game and why am I fighting the same enemies every 2 seconds?!