Sooooo...Sudeki - First Impressions

[ManciGames]

What's the deal with this game? Microsoft didn't send out review copies. That is usually a really bad sign, especially for what is supposed to be a flagship title.

Admittedly, I've only spent about 2 hours with the game, but so far it really is incredible. Lots of voice, superb graphics, spot on control, an amazing guidance system, cool story, enjoyable fighting... I dunno... I just can't figure out why they didn't send out review copies. I've pondered it for a while and I've come up with a few options:

1) A lot of work was done to polish the game in the last few weeks.
or
2) The quality of the game drops off substantially after a period of time.
or
3) MS wanted to surprise us.
or
4) A very small percentage of gamers will actually like it, and I happen to be one of them.

Any other ideas? Anyone know the truth?

[zmweasel]

Who says Microsoft didn't send out reviewables of Sudeki? It sent out previewables quite a while back, so it wasn't actively concealing the game.

-- Z.

[ManciGames]

Who says Microsoft didn't send out reviewables of Sudeki? It sent out previewables quite a while back, so it wasn't actively concealing the game.

-- Z.

From EGM #182 (September '04), Page 111:

"The curious lack of Xbox role-player Sudeki has settled on our office like a bad smell. The oft-delayed hank-n-slash T&A festival should be in stores by the time your read this, but we won't have a review until next issue, because Microsoft wouldn't let us (or anyone) near it. Funny...MS pulled the same thing with Grabbed by the Ghoulies. Uh-oh."

Seems it wasn't a secret that no reviewables were sent out?

[Crush Crawfish]

I don't own an xbox, but I played it a bit at a friend's house today. The battle system rocks! And it's a hella good looking game. The story's definitely lacking, though.

[lendelin]

I found it strange too that no mag reviewed the game yet, and the release was around the corner; lots of print ads, but no review; there must have been a severe lack or delay of reviewable demos.

I suspected too that it might be not a good quality title, merely mistakes of the PR department, or the development on the final version got delayed.

[zmweasel]

Who says Microsoft didn't send out reviewables of Sudeki? It sent out previewables quite a while back, so it wasn't actively concealing the game.

-- Z.

From EGM #182 (September '04), Page 111:

"The curious lack of Xbox role-player Sudeki has settled on our office like a bad smell. The oft-delayed hank-n-slash T&A festival should be in stores by the time your read this, but we won't have a review until next issue, because Microsoft wouldn't let us (or anyone) near it. Funny...MS pulled the same thing with Grabbed by the Ghoulies. Uh-oh."

Seems it wasn't a secret that no reviewables were sent out?

Interesting. Perhaps the reaction to the previewable version was so negative that Microsoft decided against sending out reviewables. Or perhaps Microsoft has figured out that previews are great for early buzz and packaging quotes, but reviews are irrelevant.

-- Z.

[Zubiac666]

the online reviews aren't that good.

IGN(it was pretty hyped by IGN before release) 7.8
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531740p1.html?fromint=1

and at 1up.com it absolutly bombed: 5.5
http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3133566


all the online reviews pretty say the same:
a wannabe-japan RPG with (very weak) story but awesome graphics,soundtrack and combatsystem.

wonder how Fable is gonna be

[zmweasel]

wonder how Fable is gonna be

It's from a totally different development studio (headed by the great Peter Molyneux), and other than some frame-rate issues, it's looking damn good.

-- Z.

[EnemyZero]

I havn't played in depth yet but we have a demo at my work and from what i have played i really liked it alot. Its a fun hack n slash rpg, good graphics, good gameplay , good battle system...i cant think of anything i didnt like, except after awhile the death noises got annoying after hearing them every 7 seconds in battles

[SamuraiSmurfette]

but come on guys, Maxim gave it 5 out of 5! x_x

[zmweasel]

but come on guys, Maxim gave it 5 out of 5! x_x

Heh! Maxim also gave 5/5 to Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness via freelancer Scott Steinberg, one of the most prolific and least knowledgable game journos in the biz.

-- Z.

[SoulBlazer]

There are many GOOD reasons to read Maxim.

Video game reviews are NOT one of them. :D

[Daria]

Ok talked my boyfriend into picking up the game Saturday... screw reviews, I like judging games for myself. (:

Sudeki looked really boring to me when it was first announced but it's been looking increasingly better since then. I don't expect the greatest RPG experience ever but the XBoX could definately use some more fun ones.

[ManciGames]

the online reviews aren't that good.

IGN(it was pretty hyped by IGN before release) 7.8
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/531/531740p1.html?fromint=1

and at 1up.com it absolutly bombed: 5.5
http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3133566

all the online reviews pretty say the same:
a wannabe-japan RPG with (very weak) story but awesome graphics,soundtrack and combatsystem.


Well, 7.8 is actually pretty good. 5.5 is more what I expected due to the lack of a reviewable...

I read the IGN review and I've got to say that just about everything he says is true. However, I disagree on the voice acting. A lot of the characters have interesting accents that add a little bit of atmosphere to what would otherwise be your normal trite and boring lines...

On the other hand, I can't really comment on the story, except to say that so far, so good. It's definitely linear, but I like my RPGs that way. It's more of an interactive movie / book than a "Free roaming world." But what a world it is... What it (may) lack in story, it seems to more than make up for in ambience. But who knows, my opinion could change 20 hours in.