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MC/OC reviews & scores round-up and their impact on sales

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I think Action fans have been bashing the Musou genre for a few very specific reasons that seem to have been adressed for the most part, so it'll be interesting to see if they dip their toes in the series, it's not like we have many big action games coming soon anyway...
 
Sid Meier's Civilization VII
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    Sid Meier's Civilization VII
    2K Games, Firaxis Games
    2025.02.11 - PC/PS5/PS4/XBS/XBO/NSW

    Opencritic: TBD
    Metacritic: 82





    One of the cases where the average score is completely useless. Big departure on the formula and reviews go from 9-10 to 5-6.
    User reception will be really interesting to see.
     
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    • From reading the review complaints, a lot are fixable but will take time. The streamlining to make this console friendly for Day 1 release would be interesting to see what happens with sales, except they made so many MORE drastic changes that may polarize people we won't get a good answer.
     
    Maabus1999 said:
    From reading the review complaints, a lot are fixable but will take time. The streamlining to make this console friendly for Day 1 release would be interesting to see what happens with sales, except they made so many MORE drastic changes that may polarize people we won't get a good answer.
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    Personally hoping it does worse than past entries so this mistake isn't repeated.
     
    Every new Civ since 5 has been widely panned by players on launch, I wouldn't expect any different for this one. It's always because people are going from one game that has been polished and refined for years with lots of complex mechanics, usually added in expansions, to one that is simpler and with fewer features. It's the Civ cycle at this point.

    From watching previews it seems Civ is taking quite a few cues from Humankind and Old World, so that's really exciting to see. I also don't ideologically oppose UI simplification in favor of controller support, but it's gotta be done well. Hope they can ultimately take this one beyond what 6 managed.
     
    Undead Warrior said:
    Every new Civ since 5 has been widely panned by players on launch, I wouldn't expect any different for this one. It's always because people are going from one game that has been polished and refined for years with lots of complex mechanics, usually added in expansions, to one that is simpler and with fewer features. It's the Civ cycle at this point.

    From watching previews it seems Civ is taking quite a few cues from Humankind and Old World, so that's really exciting to see. I also don't ideologically oppose UI simplification in favor of controller support, but it's gotta be done well. Hope they can ultimately take this one beyond what 6 managed.
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    Civ V got a 90 and Civ VI got an 88, an 81 is a pretty notable drop compared to other entries. I think a lot of strategy gamers are getting worn out by all these games that promise to be finished several years later while still charging full price and releasing dozens of DLCs.
     
    Yeah, isn't 81 what the space-based Civ-like game got not too many years back? That's really bad for a mainline/numbered civ.

    I'm kind of baffled that there are less than 40 reviews for Civ VII on Opencritic right now. That's just barely over half the amount of reviews for KCD2. Did they limit review copies?
     
    TheSilentWombat said:
    Civ V got a 90 and Civ VI got an 88, an 81 is a pretty notable drop compared to other entries. I think a lot of strategy gamers are getting worn out by all these games that promise to be finished several years later while still charging full price and releasing dozens of DLCs.
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    Member title very much related 👀
    Everyone copying the Paradox model and at some point Steam users are at a breaking point.
    With development being more costly and taking longer the publishers are skipping the part where you have a polished base game and that's a big mistake.
    You need a cushion of goodwill if you want to make your playerbase only slightly moan as you fleece them with the DLC avalanche. If they're already upset, they are certain practices that simply won't fly.
     
    TheSilentWombat said:
    Civ V got a 90 and Civ VI got an 88, an 81 is a pretty notable drop compared to other entries. I think a lot of strategy gamers are getting worn out by all these games that promise to be finished several years later while still charging full price and releasing dozens of DLCs.
    Click to expand...
    I said players, not reviewers. Honestly, I wouldn't put too much stock on reviews of these kinds of games, 4X, grand strategy etc. Their actual worth only comes out after hundreds of hours of play. Reviews are pretty much just to see how buggy launch might be. As for DLC fatigue... I don't see it, at least not yet. Hopefully soon though!
     
    On the opposite end of the Spectrum: Kingdom Come Deliverance 2
    Opencritic: 89
    Metacritic: 87/88 depending on platform

    This is a whoping 17 points jump compared to the 72 the first entry got on OC.

    This will be a really big hit I think and one of the 2025 surprises.
     
    ~80 Opencritic seems damn good for a non-main/gaiden game.

    Hard to believe the level of quality games/gaidens/spinoffs that RGG Studio is able to release practically every year.
     
    SirArthur said:
    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii reviews are live:

    Metacritic: 78 (PS5 reviews)
    Opencritic: 82

    Reading a few of the major outlets, seems like the narrative stumbles is the main complaint. Seen some mentioned that the length is padded.
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    This is worrying.
    7 Gaiden is in my top 3 LaD games but 8 Gaiden already didn't look too interesting to me in the few trailers I've seen.
    Hopefully the main story isn't too long.
     
    Simar said:
    This is worrying.
    7 Gaiden is in my top 3 LaD games but 8 Gaiden already didn't look too interesting to me in the few trailers I've seen.
    Hopefully the main story isn't too long.
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    7 Gaiden (Man Who Erased His Name) received an 80% on Opencritic with 81% of critics recommending it.

    8 Gaiden (Pirate in Hawaii) currently has an 81% of Opencritic with 88% of critics recommending it.

    Though obviously, if silly pirate antics playing as Majima isn't interesting to you, then it's probably not a game you'll enjoy too much.
     
    Megiddo said:
    7 Gaiden (Man Who Erased His Name) received an 80% on Opencritic with 81% of critics recommending it.

    8 Gaiden (Pirate in Hawaii) currently has an 81% of Opencritic with 88% of critics recommending it.

    Though obviously, if silly pirate antics playing as Majima isn't interesting to you, then it's probably not a game you'll enjoy too much.
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    I'm not too worried about the numbers.
    7 received an 86% and 8 received a 90%. Overall 8 still ended up my least favorite game in the main series (still good though).

    Silly antics is what I don't want in a Majima game. I got used to it after the 0 -> K1 whiplash and I love some of his goofy scenes but it's not what I need to see more of.

    edit: I'm still going to play and hopefully enjoy the game. I'll just have to adjust my expectations.
     
    Like A Pirate feels like the most filler of filler games. I'd be curious to see how it does overall though the reviews do point to the first point being true.

    Padded, wacky wavy inflatable tubeman filler.
     
    Considering is hitting same average to Worlds, i don't think the reviews will push it much further from what it should sell normally. Is right on the "it won't stop the people that want it from buying it, but it won't bring much more extra due to not having the glaring reviews of other games that push into the 92/93+"

    Even if the difference is quite negible, i guess lacking that 9 on the front is important.
     
    Looking like a KCD2-like score for MHW. I don't see that 88/89 score shifting up on MC/OC after 80-odd reviews. It rarely does.

    We still haven't had a 90+ game yet in 2025. Looking at the March releases, I don't see that changing in Q1 either.
     
    Looking around at the reviews and what they're saying:

    - Even easier than World/Rise, same issue of lack of hard endgame content at launch, possibly even worse.
    - Streamlined to the maximum.
    - Story isn't very good, and now you've got slow walk narrative sections.
    - The true Hunting portion of the game is taking a backseat, all the window dressing is pretty much that. Kind of ironic considering they're pushing some decent fidelity but not really using it for anything but visuals.
    Washed out colours is insane though.
    - Performance is not as bad as we feared on consoles, but the framerate mode uses FSR 1.0 and looks like pure ass.

    Basically Capcom has the telemetry from Worlds and saw how many people ditched the game before completion and want to pump up those numbers. I wonder if there's going to be some noticeable pushback from long time fans here.


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    Damage2 said:
    Split Fiction should do
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    Lelouch0612 said:
    I would even go as far as saying that it is a lock.
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    It Takes Two didn't manage it to hit 90, so I dunno if a lock is guaranteed.
     
    Evilnemesis8 said:
    Looking around at the reviews and what they're saying:

    - Even easier than World/Rise, same issue of lack of hard endgame content at launch, possibly even worse.
    - Streamlined to the maximum.
    - Story isn't very good, and now you've got slow walk narrative sections.
    - The true Hunting portion of the game is taking a backseat, all the window dressing is pretty much that. Kind of ironic considering they're pushing some decent fidelity but not really using it for anything but visuals.
    Washed out colours is insane though.
    - Performance is not as bad as we feared on consoles, but the framerate mode uses FSR 1.0 and looks like pure ass.

    Basically Capcom has the telemetry from Worlds and saw how many people ditched the game before completion and want to pump up those numbers. I wonder if there's going to be some noticeable pushback from long time fans here.
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    Some youtubers are saying that the roster of monster is also lacking.
     
    We will have to see, but MH feels like another DD2. Good review scores but fans ended up being disappointed, plus performance left a lot to be desired. Already seeing lots of series veteran concerns on certain aspects of the game loop. This IP is much stronger so we will see.
     
    Godzilla said:
    Some youtubers are saying that the roster of monster is also lacking.
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    I think this is a trade-offs of sorts. There's less number of monsters but the variety of skeletons is much greater.
    IIRC with Worlds you had a quadrillion amount of wyverns reskinned.
    Sure the bestiary tells you there's less names in the book, but Worlds was "fake" numbers.


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    MegaXZero said:
    This is so weird to me. FSR 1 is awful and they had better options with FSR.
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    Yeah I dunno what happened there.

    Play on consoles, 60 mode look like ass but you have console optimization for other modes.
    Play on PC, less optimized but you've got better upscalers, I guess you'll hit 60 FPS if you tank the visuals or have a beastly rig. Well played Capcom!

    There's been rumours that RE9 is more open world as well... Capcom baby what is you doing?
    REX engine refresh can't come soon enough.


    I'm curious as to how the PS5 PRO version looks, looking forward to tomorrow's DF video on it.
     
    MH Wilds is probably fully flop proof, IP strength alone means that its the kind of game that doesn't need good review scores or to run well to still rack up tens of millions of sales with no problem.
     
    Huh. I expected low to mid 90s for some reason, I guess mainly just hype ballooning reviews as often tends to happen with bigger IP.

    Still good score but not the type that will likely be a contributor in moving the needle.
     
    Danny said:
    MH Wilds is probably fully flop proof, IP strength alone means that its the kind of game that doesn't need good review scores or to run well to still rack up tens of millions of sales with no problem.
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    TBF it does have ‘really good’ reviews right now, as it fluctuates around a 90mc right now. It’s the highest rated game of the year so far
     
    Remember_spinal said:
    TBF it does have ‘really good’ reviews right now, as it fluctuates around a 90mc right now. It’s the highest rated game of the year so far
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    Yeah but my point is that this game could be a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet level game and its sales would still explode, that is what happens with all strong IP games.
     
    Danny said:
    Yeah but my point is that this game could be a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet level game and its sales would still explode, that is what happens with all strong IP games.
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    Oh yeah, I agree that MH is pretty much flop proof. I think the question is more will it continue to grow?
     
    Remember_spinal said:
    Oh yeah, I agree that MH is pretty much flop proof. I think the question is more will it continue to grow?
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    We need to define growth first, because we get blinded by sold copies but at what average price. Because World does shoots up in the rankings and it had sold millions upon millions for sure but considering it goes for like $10 or something a pop...

    I expect Wilds to probably do more at release and in the short time, but if capcom wants to keep the average price higher, then i think it'll have a hard time going above World but the revenue (not talking about profits here, because i expect Wilds to be significantly more expensive to develop than Worlds) should be a decent chunk above. Is that growth?
     
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    Godzilla said:
    We need to define growth first, because we get blinded by sold copies but at what average price. Because World does shoots up in the rankings and it had sold millions upon millions for sure but considering it goes for like $10 or something a pop...

    I expect Wilds to probably do more at release and in the short time, but if capcom wants to keep the average price higher, then i think it'll have a hard time going above World but the revenue (not talking about profits here, because i expect Wilds to be significantly more expensive to develop than Worlds) should be a decent chunk above. Is that growth?
    Click to expand...

    Wilds has a head start on the ASP due to it being a $70 game. We'll just have to see how the game fares past the launch window and before the Capcom discount strategy kicks in.


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    Lelouch0612 said:
    GTAV, Metroid Prime 4 and the whole slate of Switch 2 exclusive games that we'll see in a big month.

    2025 should be a big year for sure.
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    Yeah, how high the MC/OC requirement will be for this year depends on how many 90s+ Nintendo releases before the November cut off date. GTA6 is also guaranteed a spot if it releases in time.
     
    I don't want to be that guy but... i have not play GTA6, i have not see gameplay about it but it'll win GOTY the year it releases. Unless a disaster, there's like 0.0001% chances of it not winning the award, not only it'll probably be a quality product, it also comes with an aura of "it has to be", so i don't see many (big) outlets not doing it.

    Kinda sounds like i believe developers pay for good reviews and goty awards and yes, i just believe that when there's a marketing budget and strategy to consider, reviews and awards are also an important marketing metric to consider.
     
    Godzilla said:
    I don't want to be that guy but... i have not play GTA6, i have not see gameplay about it but it'll win GOTY the year it releases. Unless a disaster, there's like 0.0001% chances of it not winning the award, not only it'll probably be a quality product, it also comes with an aura of "it has to be", so i don't see many (big) outlets not doing it.

    Kinda sounds like i believe developers pay for good reviews and goty awards and yes, i just believe that when there's a marketing budget and strategy to consider, reviews and awards are also an important marketing metric to consider.
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    Let’s not accuse reviewers of being paid.
     
    Godzilla said:
    I don't want to be that guy but... i have not play GTA6, i have not see gameplay about it but it'll win GOTY the year it releases. Unless a disaster, there's like 0.0001% chances of it not winning the award, not only it'll probably be a quality product, it also comes with an aura of "it has to be", so i don't see many (big) outlets not doing it.

    Kinda sounds like i believe developers pay for good reviews and goty awards and yes, i just believe that when there's a marketing budget and strategy to consider, reviews and awards are also an important marketing metric to consider.
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    GTAV and RDRII faced very stiff competition from The Last of Us and God of War respectively during awards season, Rockstar doesn't automatically get GOTYs on a silver platter.
     
    It's gonna be really hard to be GOTY in the GTA6+Switch 2 launch year.
     
    GTA6 and at least one nintendo game is garunteed, it could very well be 2 this year with Metroid and a new 3d Mario.

    Indie considerations, Hades 2 is a guaranteed, and Split/Fiction is by EA but its a past GOTY winner, its likely guarantied. Sony have two major games with Yotei and DS2, both previous year nominations, Tsushima won players choice at TGA and I honestly can’t see Kojima being at the Game awards and not being nominated.

    DOOM is also a previous year GOTY nom. In general there’s a lot of repeat big awarded studios releasing games this year and it’s only February. We still don’t know a lot of whats releasing in the latter half of the year and there will most likely be a couple surprise releases like every other year.

    I think this year will be more similar to 2023. There’s gonna be tough competition for 6 spots
     
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