The

[MrCarpalTunnel]

The new podcast is up, and I hope you all enjoy it. I just wanted to say, about the Saint's Row review, that after speaking with some of our listeners, I may have judged it on a bias opinion. I did enjoy the game (graphics, sound, and playability) however, (With my taste) I judged the game as being stereotypical, vulgar (in parts), and a lack of morals. I just want to say: It is a game, and I may have judged it in a bad-light. I want to acknowledge that I can see how people would enjoy the gameplay SR has to offer. However, I stand by my pesonal taste, and wanted to let fans know that a review is bias (at times) however I did point out that if you can get over the dialougue, excessive violence, and moral implications of the game: there is a lot of gameplay to be had. I hope listeners will understand: As with Music, Film, T.V., and other media, opinions vary, and if I am to be taken credibly, I must, at times, be brutaly honest. Also if you are an avid fan of SR then my review shouldnt offend you at all. Or did the game teach you nothing!?!

-Carpal Out
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I hope MS doesn't have much input on the production of HALO the MOVIE. If so we wont get the sound, in the theatre, unless we pay xtra for it at the ticket booth!

[Steve519]

I have a hard time with reviews? what did I miss?

Great show you guys, I frown a little on the saints row review, I think we should be doing reviews on gameplay not if its good for society.

btw, no problems with my jaws, but my knees are still a little sore
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[MrCarpalTunnel]

Just to clarify, it is an opinionated review. Just like a movie or a song that has lyrics in it. Although the composition is good, the presentation might be something you don't prefer. One way to combat a review you dislike is to make your voice heard. Either by going on LIVE (which is the main reson we do LIVE) or by finding a platform to express YOUR opinions. I wish I could say I speak for everyone, but at the end of the day, I am just a gamer, with a certain amount of taste. Rather than just discount the game by saying I don't like it, I actually tried to express why I wasnt recommending it. If only more criticisms took that stance we could better understand the thought behind them. One last thing: We stated it was "Just an opinion" at the closing, and we also said numerous times "The gameplay was done well" So once again please excuse me if I relied on my own tastes to analyse a game I was reviewing. I know of no other HONEST way to go about it.
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I hope MS doesn't have much input on the production of HALO the MOVIE. If so we wont get the sound, in the theatre, unless we pay xtra for it at the ticket booth!

[Feelz Good]

Ok, I actually had to register for your forums because of the Saint's Row review, it's just crazy. Let me give you a pat on the back first. I used to listen to show a while back, and honestly I hated it. Recently I started listening again (always subscribed just to support ya) and I think it's a lot better, even though I tend to disagree with you guys a lot. I really enjoyed the Leo Laporte interview. So in all seriousness, good work on the show, I hope you continue to get better.

On the review, I think a lot of your points about what you didn't like were way off. First off the point about racism is way off, at least in my opinion. The reason I didn't like GTA SA is because I felt it was a little racist, but in Saint's Row there a wide variety of races within your own gang. Yes, you can argue it stereotypes people in an inner city environment, but that point can be countered by the fact that you play as a gang member and the vast majority of people in the game are just regular folks. Also, in the Warriors, you can beat up cops, and at the heart of this game it is gang vs gang. The side missions and free roaming aspect do take away from the gang vs gang feel, and thus my point, but I had to point that out. I don't like the idea of not liking the game because we in some way need to appease Jack Thompson and the ESRB, maybe that's just an idealogical difference. I just get the feeling that you object based on the fact that it's an inner city based game. In Fable you can go around killing random people, is that a game you wouldn't show your friends? Ok I've rambled on long enough, I'll go finish listening to the show.

[MrCarpalTunnel]

I am glad you are still listening. Even better I am glad you are thinking about what you are listening too. I realize I may be off on the review by the way I went at it. However to answer your critiques:

1. In no way do I try to passify Jack Thompson. However, at the core of his frenzy is the way some games portray certain events. I don't think this game sheds a good light on society. (I know its just a game, but my opinion is its a crude game. Once again just opinion).

2. The Warriors was also a candidate for being borderline offensive (I gave it an mediocre review) Based on the film. However The central focus on the Warriors was to parrell the film (nastalgia more or less) and the overall voice overs did not make me cringe as much as the Hoes in SR. (Once again, personal taste).

I am sorry to those who may think I am cingling out SR, but to be honest I AM. It is just a review based on how I enjoyed playing the role of the charactor in the game. And personally I didnt. Although I can see where others may. I have no problem with that, however I can assure you that with my review you can gather info about the game, what it contains, and how two people percieve the gameplay (Myself and TOG) with that info you can make your own judgements. I know I could have gone with the gaming masses and stated the obvious: SAINTS ROW is the GTA of the 360. However, I chose to stick my neck out (damn the consequences) and look at the PLOT and ROLE of who you are in the game. I personally didnt want to play as that character nor did I find the PLOT (which consequentally was minimal and SHOCK-VALUE only) worthy of my thumbs up. Ill put it this way: If it were a film, or an album I would handle it in the same way: Is the content (story/charactors/plot-lines) worthy of my time and attention? The answer I could come up with was NO! With that in mind I had to ask myself, "Be honest about your feelings for this title, or tell the gamers what they want to hear."

One last not: If you have already played and enjoyed the game: Then my review doesnt mean squat. If you havnt played it, my review may make you say one of two things: Im staying away from this type of content OR I cant wait to play this!
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I hope MS doesn't have much input on the production of HALO the MOVIE. If so we wont get the sound, in the theatre, unless we pay xtra for it at the ticket booth!

[racingfreak92]

I think its a big double standred for games. Theres sex in movies and thats fine but sex in games! AAAA pull it off the shlef! Dont show kids anything bad. Its so stupid,people and thier parents(if there kids) can decide whats right for them, we dont need some dickless loser to tell us what we want to play.
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Head over to http://www.bowbender.net/forum/ and talk about oblivion

Lumines is amazing and you know it. Now stop complaing about the extra content and buy it already!

[Feelz Good]

I can respect that, I just felt like your points didn't make much sense when compared to other games out there. I'll continue listening, I'd pop in the forums more but I'm already on way too many forums so I may just come to give feedback. I do find myself disagreeing with you guys a lot, so don't take it the wrong way when I do pop back in, it doesn't mean I'm not being entertained.

[velvetelvis]

allright, i had to register because of your review for saints row.
you bunch of babies... gta had plenty of swearing and cop killing, but that game is innovative. gta had killing hookers and much more sex than saints row, but gta was innovative.

my wife thought the game was kinda funny but immature. and i dont have to hide my porn from her, actually, i share it with her. maybe im just lucky...

it seems to be a small double standerd you have going there. i really like your podcast. i listen to it while im at work, but this really pissed me off. if saints row is a carbon copy of gta, how is it worse than gta.

my opinion, i never really got into gta. but there is something about saint row that i really like. and dont give me that, "it shows inner city in a bad light" crap. ITS A GAME!!! gta sa, didnt really show south central l.a. in a good light (and lets face it, thats were its supposed to take place).

thank you for saying its a good game, but a really big boo f'in hoo for saying its a bad influence.

and as far as jack thompson goes, i refuse to live my life the way he wants me to. life for me would suck to live it like that. and i would show this game to anybody i know (or dont know). i would show any game to anybody who wanted to see it. let them make up thier own mind about it.

and thanks for saying you wouldnt say this game shouldnt be made, if we started banning games from being made, the terrorist have won... sarcasm... i really do enjoy your podcast, thanks for all your work.


one last note, if a VIDEO GAME made you tell your wife, "i eats when i wants to eat." you have bigger problems than what game is a bad influence. at least the other tip was usefull...

lets not forget, its an "M" rated game. you sound like a bunch of conservative hucksters... theres one podcast i probably wont be listenting to anymore...

[racingfreak92]

I think if you compare GTA to SA GTA is MUCH worse. ! reason alone,even though there are many,is the amount of blood.Blood is barely in SA but in GTA theres more of it then anything else.Riddle someone with holes and you just pianted the next 5 blocks of sidewalk read.Shoot someone in the head,OOO! it just blew off and now its spewing blood like a water fountian
_________________
Head over to http://www.bowbender.net/forum/ and talk about oblivion

Lumines is amazing and you know it. Now stop complaing about the extra content and buy it already!

[MrCarpalTunnel]

Thanks Velvet for listening,

You are right, this game should in no way be banned. You are also right that WE RATED THE GAME HIGHLY, the premise and plot no so highly.

One thing though: GTA was innovative because it was the first to take on the subject and style of gameplay. However (Once again my opinion) I did not like the storyline or content. However that is why there are a variety of games, because there are a variety of gamers. One last note: We badmouthed a game called : BORDER PATROL a few episodes back. Due to content and extreme bad gameplay. We would be remiss if we said its ok, as long as its on the 360.

Nice to hear from different oopinions. Thanks for letting us know that they exist.
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I hope MS doesn't have much input on the production of HALO the MOVIE. If so we wont get the sound, in the theatre, unless we pay xtra for it at the ticket booth!

[racingfreak92]

o,to change th subject real quickly. You were WAY to nice with your review of dead rising. It should have got a 4 or 5 at max
_________________
Head over to http://www.bowbender.net/forum/ and talk about oblivion

Lumines is amazing and you know it. Now stop complaing about the extra content and buy it already!

[velvetelvis]

[racingfreak92]

the only porn carpal has is of TOG,or is it that steve only has pics of rusty? I cant remember
_________________
Head over to http://www.bowbender.net/forum/ and talk about oblivion

Lumines is amazing and you know it. Now stop complaing about the extra content and buy it already!

[MrCarpalTunnel]

I think youve misinterpited my comments, GTA was innovative because it took the GAMEPLAY STYLE to a new level. Yes it had violence and sex, both of which I had no problem with. However I did not like SR as much simply because of the talk and the fact that maybe I have moved on, and now games like GTA that are "Over the Top" dont appeal to me anymore. It happens. Example: I use to think Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island was hot.

Also I dont own GTA because it isnt something I desire to play, so to answer your question I guess I wouldnt put GTA or Saints Row on my mantle for display. However HALO 2, MM3, DEAD RISING are all on my cd case for all Carpal Guests to google over. Its just preference dictated by my taste, and thats all the review was as well. I hate it that we dont see eye to eye on it, but not many people like all the same things. And everyone I know has a reason why.

One thing I am proud of the most is my Widescreen Edition of BROKEBL MOUNTAIN, the outtakes where Rusty Woke up after the premier party had me in stitches...
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I hope MS doesn't have much input on the production of HALO the MOVIE. If so we wont get the sound, in the theatre, unless we pay xtra for it at the ticket booth!

[velvetelvis]

first off, i must apologize for the conservative huckster comment. nobody deserves that unless you work for and/ or enjoy fox news.

secondly, thanks for the reply and for clarifying your comments.