Simple Answer : Polygon's bayonetta 2 review focused alot more on the sexualization aspect of the game then the actual game mechanic and play itself.
On top of the idiotic complains of not being able to add Scythes on the heels and the clear lack of explanation of the other game features, this focus on the sexualization shows how little the Reviewer cared about the game and its serie since the obvious " NO DUUUUUUUH" comes up when reading theses paragraphs while having previously played or even KNOWN what the game is all about.
Simple solution: I understand criticism and its importance, as well as having a personal opinion. What i dont understand is being so stuck-up on minor issues relating to a game then using this to knock off a mass amount of points for something so little which does not even affect anyone who's focused in-game (combat etc) instead of focusing on the game's core and detailing the other aspects of the game {Since this review lacks A-LOT more details}.
Here, let me knock off some points from Dead or Alive 5 because of sexualization while ignoring the core combat, the unlockables, the customization, the story mode and entire journey. Lemme also remove some points from Guild Wars 2 because of the female armor being too revealing.
Bit of an exaggeration but you can see how silly it is in retrospect.
Not really. If that's something that really bothered the reviewer, then it's perfectly legitimate for them to knock it down because of that. That's their choice/opinion. The same thing happened to Dragon's Crown when the reviewer knocked points off for the art style which was, to him, ugly and hard to get past. That's FINE. Art style and substance isn't beyond criticism. If the reviewer didn't like the art style then it's perfectly legitimate for the reviewer to review the game with that in mind.
Actually, at this point there is a problem with the reviewer.
Its like me saying i hate cartoon bears, then review your comic fully knowing that there are cartoon bears and having previously reviewed a past comic with cartoon bears and still knocking off points because of an obvious facts yet not even paying attention to the deeper content in your comics or the hidden jokes, references and ETC.
Thats both an ignorant move and clearly lacking core reviewing skill, what Polygon has been known for a while (even Post Dragon's crown review.)
Thats like me reviewing Double Dragon neon and knocking more than 2 points for its artistic style but not speaking about the slow animation, wonky hitboxes , messy boss fights etc.
It all feels like some front for bringing in some more debacle on sexualisation instead of focusing on the core gameplay of such games while not being too "childish" to let such things distract you. Because honestly, if we are at the point where we cant focus/talk on core gameplay and experience without going "Eew, near naked women" then we have a whole other problem on our hands lol.
As long as the fact that you hate bears is somewhat evident (either in past writing or stated upfront in the review), it would be A-OK in my books. Biases and personal opinions are FINE for reviews. If anything, it's the company's fault for teaming up a game with a person who clearly isn't into it as much as someone else might be.
Being Bias in reviews has been an issue for a while. Whether its Bias due to preferences or Bias from past contacts with the person, it pushes a bad narrative on the content because of personal gripes instead of giving an objective review of the products and clearly informing people on what the game/ product is essentially about.
If i give you a sour review because i hate cartoon bears but still took the review head on then I-AM-WRONG to do so since im know from the start that i wont give you a fair review due to my preferences and you would be right for calling me out on this..
This also ties into what people are calling out game journalists on but lets not open this bag in written form.
In the end, using BS analogies lol again, if i hate your product due to personal gripes, then thats fine, yet that does not make me qualified to review your products since i may not be the target audience, i may have been paydoff/influenced by someone else to slander it or im just not a fan of your type of products thus i wont properly evaluate it for its content. Similar to someone reviewing a Dynasty Warrior game but not liking the genre or being offended by cheesy voice acting lol
Someone on EDF also pointed this out. Shouldn't the review for a gaming journal site NOT be biased and give a fair review? It's not a personal blog, it's a journal site. It's the same problem people had with the Dragon's Crown review that, if I remember correctly, was also done by the same site and was the same kind of biased problem (not the Kotaku issue, it was a Polygon review). They're giving the game a sub par review entirely based on the fact that it's got boobies and butt, regardless if it detracts from the gameplay (it does not). If it was a personal blog, I'd understand. However, it has presented itself as a professional journal site. They're not giving the game a fair chance, even if it's evident, it's still not right, anymore than if I said Dobson's comic is poorer because of his bear avatar, that wouldn't be a fair analysis, like Mokuu said.
I don't agree with the idea that you have to be unbiased to review something. That's a modern incorrect assumption of criticism that I severely wish would go away.
Then you kinda advocate bringing baggages into criticism, thus whoever doesnt like your type of work , again with this BS analogy, is right in criticizing it harshly and completely biased without paying attention to other details and ultimately slandering your work to the eyes of others because it is made as an Official review which many will consider as valid without any knowledge of the baggages held in that critic.
Im sorry bro, but thats seems quite flawed and unfair for everyone, especially for the person who's product is on the receiving end.
So if i make a 2d beat em up game and the journalist starts criticizing it as he contains a 3D rpg game boner then completely trashes my game's visual, thats all fine and dandy due right? Just like how someone who hates manga style and prevers marvel is right to harshly review some of the webcomics using a Manga style then tarnish their names to others who would potentially enjoy this content if it wasnt for this visibly blunt review shining all sorts of biased views without focusing on the core content of the product.
But its all fine when you get pay off or have prior contact with the product maker so that the review is in a might lighter tone.
Sta.sh
Polygon's bayonetta 2 review focused alot more on the sexualization aspect of the game then the actual game mechanic and play itself.
On top of the idiotic complains of not being able to add Scythes on the heels and the clear lack of explanation of the other game features, this focus on the sexualization shows how little the Reviewer cared about the game and its serie since the obvious " NO DUUUUUUUH" comes up when reading theses paragraphs while having previously played or even KNOWN what the game is all about.
Simple solution:
I understand criticism and its importance, as well as having a personal opinion. What i dont understand is being so stuck-up on minor issues relating to a game then using this to knock off a mass amount of points for something so little which does not even affect anyone who's focused in-game (combat etc) instead of focusing on the game's core and detailing the other aspects of the game {Since this review lacks A-LOT more details}.
Here, let me knock off some points from Dead or Alive 5 because of sexualization while ignoring the core combat, the unlockables, the customization, the story mode and entire journey.
Lemme also remove some points from Guild Wars 2 because of the female armor being too revealing.
Bit of an exaggeration but you can see how silly it is in retrospect.
Devious Comments
Its like me saying i hate cartoon bears, then review your comic fully knowing that there are cartoon bears and having previously reviewed a past comic with cartoon bears and still knocking off points because of an obvious facts yet not even paying attention to the deeper content in your comics or the hidden jokes, references and ETC.
Thats both an ignorant move and clearly lacking core reviewing skill, what Polygon has been known for a while (even Post Dragon's crown review.)
Thats like me reviewing Double Dragon neon and knocking more than 2 points for its artistic style but not speaking about the slow animation, wonky hitboxes , messy boss fights etc.
It all feels like some front for bringing in some more debacle on sexualisation instead of focusing on the core gameplay of such games while not being too "childish" to let such things distract you. Because honestly, if we are at the point where we cant focus/talk on core gameplay and experience without going "Eew, near naked women" then we have a whole other problem on our hands lol.
Being Bias in reviews has been an issue for a while.
Whether its Bias due to preferences or Bias from past contacts with the person, it pushes a bad narrative on the content because of personal gripes instead of giving an objective review of the products and clearly informing people on what the game/ product is essentially about.
If i give you a sour review because i hate cartoon bears but still took the review head on then I-AM-WRONG to do so since im know from the start that i wont give you a fair review due to my preferences and you would be right for calling me out on this..
This also ties into what people are calling out game journalists on but lets not open this bag in written form.
In the end, using BS analogies lol again, if i hate your product due to personal gripes, then thats fine, yet that does not make me qualified to review your products since i may not be the target audience, i may have been paydoff/influenced by someone else to slander it or im just not a fan of your type of products thus i wont properly evaluate it for its content. Similar to someone reviewing a Dynasty Warrior game but not liking the genre or being offended by cheesy voice acting lol
I don't agree with the idea that you have to be unbiased to review something. That's a modern incorrect assumption of criticism that I severely wish would go away.
Im sorry bro, but thats seems quite flawed and unfair for everyone, especially for the person who's product is on the receiving end.
So if i make a 2d beat em up game and the journalist starts criticizing it as he contains a 3D rpg game boner then completely trashes my game's visual, thats all fine and dandy due right?
Just like how someone who hates manga style and prevers marvel is right to harshly review some of the webcomics using a Manga style then tarnish their names to others who would potentially enjoy this content if it wasnt for this visibly blunt review shining all sorts of biased views without focusing on the core content of the product.
But its all fine when you get pay off or have prior contact with the product maker so that the review is in a might lighter tone.
Nah, nah it aint fine.