The Last of Us Part 2 has only been out for a few hours, and yet there’s already a war raging over on Metacritic. The game is the newest battleground for user score bombing of a major release, where it has a 3.4/10 score as opposed to its 9.5/10 critical consensus which puts it as one of the top reviewed games of the generation.
I am already seeing this being used as ammo for the “ah, critics are so out of touch with mainstream audiences” argument but no, no that’s not what’s happening here.
For some context, The Last of Us Part 2 has been out for exactly seven and a half hours in the US. In some regions like Australia, it debuted late yesterday. But it’s a 25-30 hour game, so unless people are doing blitzing speed runs and then immediately going to Metacritic to post angry 0/10 reviews, these scores are made up of people who are either only a few hours into the game, or more than likely, have not purchased or played the game at all yet.
Right now, half a day into release in some regions, The Last of Us Part 2 has amassed 5,015 user scores. The Last Of Us 1 has 9,628 user scores total for its entire lifespan so yeah, something fishy is clearly going on.
The Last of Us Part 2
Sony
Why are people bombing the game? There are likely three reasons.
1) The game’s prominent use of LGBT characters.
2) The spoilers for the game that leaked out ahead of time where, context free, many people did not like the plot turns revealed.
3) Perhaps some who have played the initial hours and don’t like the game, albeit scoring it a 0/10 for clunky controls after a few hours seems extreme.
I do not recommend you read the user reviews as they are full of spoilers.
I can’t say this is an “organized” campaign because any time you say that you get asked to point to one specific organizer, which is rarely possible. But I do know a number of “angry gamer YouTuber” types that have been ranting about the game since the leaks, so I would not be surprised to count some of their viewers among the user bombers here.
Do I think that yes, everyone must agree that the Last of Us is a 9.5 out of 10 like most critics? No, and I do think it’s worth examining some critical, non-scored reviews of the game from the likes of Polygon, Kotaku and SkillUp, albeit they’re certainly not 0-3/10s, if the criticism was translated into a number.
The Last of Us Part 2
Naughty Dog
However, this is not your usual “critics versus fan” divide. This is very clearly 0/10 bombing by thousands of players who have only played a few hours of the game or have not played it at all, basing their entire scores on a few leaked cutscenes or plot points.
I would expect that Metacritic may take some kind of action here, as they don’t take kindly to these sorts of campaigns. I still think they need some sort of verification system that you at least own the game to post a user score, and Rotten Tomatoes has recently instituted something similar for film. Because this is just silly, and I don’t think anyone should read anything into the quality of the game based on these “unbiased truth tellers!!!” that are currently mobbing the game.
Update (6/21):
Well, 48 hours after launch, I figured it was time to check in to see how this story was progressing, and needless to say, things have…escalated.
The Last of Us Part 2 has now ballooned from 5,000 user reviews to 38,000, the score rising slightly to 3.6/10 instead of 3.4/10 when I was first reporting this. A day ago, this drew a wink-and-a-nod tweet from game director Neil Druckmann who posted about all the user reviews, albeit snipping out the score:
For context, The Last Of Us Part 1 only got around 9,000 reviews in its entire lifetime. Grand Theft Auto V, the most popular major release of all time, only has about 20,000 user reviews across five platforms since its release in 2013.
Like I’ve said previously, when we see this sort of thing happen, it’s being used as a protest metric. Angry players, with no platform like critics, will take to Metacritic and post 0/10 scores to drag the average down as low as they can. What are they angry about? I addressed this in a separate piece yesterday, but the two main points of pushback are 1) a major death early on in the story that many people view as a character’s “betrayal,” and 2) the existence of a so-called “agenda,” due to Naughty Dog’s prominent featuring of LGBT characters in the story.
Generally speaking, the refrain you will hear often is simply “the story is bad,” though that usually contains the above two points. And while the original batch of user reviews were just a few hours after launch, these new ones are here when it’s at least possible that some percentage of players have fully finished the game. But there’s no way to know how many, and I have been playing hard for the past 48 hours with all the spare time I can muster, and I’m just now reaching the end. In short, I’d be amazed if 10% of the total reviews here were from people who had made it to the end of the story. But that brings up a different form of pushback, the idea that as soon as you “know” you dislike a game you’re free to review it, which is why you see so many people rushing to review after a character’s death a few hours in. But with the Metacritic system that doesn’t verify that you own or have ever played the game, anyone, for any reason, can post a user review, even if it’s just people watching a leaked cutscene on YouTube devoid of context.
It’s a messy, weird situation, and I am not loving how it’s playing out. But I’m also not surprised, either. We’ll see where the conversation goes from here.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
