In The Defense of NeverDead [ The Complete Story ]

In The Defense of NeverDead [ The Complete Story ] - HM

Рет қаралды 8,153

7 жыл бұрын

In The Defense of NeverDead [ The Complete Story ]
NeverDead Review
NeverDead Retrospective
NeverDead (360) (PS3) Review
I finally share my final thoughts on this underrated, poorly treated game. It came from a bygone era - back when Konami made games.
If you want to see more video essay style or In The Defense videos, please consider donating to the Patreon. These videos take a lot of time and research, more so than my regular content. Can't thank you enough for your patience for this 3-part video to conclude.
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Пікірлер: 90

@thorhighheels 7 жыл бұрын

Man this video was legendary. I barely even remembered this game existing at all. But I'm actually interested in it now. I wasn't aware how much mainstream media hated this one either. Probably just a victim of it's time really. It is that era of game reviews that made me drop off completely and start my own channel. Cynical dudes, who had suddenly convinced themselves that anything even remotely arcadey, or with a sense of PS2 humor, or flamboyancy, was bad. It was becoming annoying to read imo. Especially with how disconnected from the actual games they were too. Like you pointed out as well, saying the game has "generic shooter combat" despite being the exact antithesis of something slower, gritty, and cover based like Gears of War. Of course NOW we all pretend to like fun again, after years and years of backlash about how cynical reviewers were getting, but I swear to god, even if something as solid as Doom 2016 had come out in 2012, reviewers would've hated it for it being stupid or "too retro" or whatever. But yeah I'm just echoing you and venting at this point. You are the voice of a generation. And so was Shinta. Deep down, he too was a golden egg.

@jameslarson3355 5 жыл бұрын

Ye!

@RX-NoName 4 жыл бұрын

The worst is that the failure of neverdead made the director leaving the industry. But not like he was forced too. He left on his own, not wanting to have something like that ever again. He now work as a mobile phone salaryman. Konami tried to call him back to work on the metal gear serie since he was the director of metal gear ghost babel, metal gear acid 1 and acid 2. But he refused. (even if he still have some ties in the company apparently.) I hope he will one day return.

@RetroGamePlayers 7 жыл бұрын

Screw the media, this game looks fun! Great job on this one

@orateusdijin6557 7 жыл бұрын

that's how you play most hidden gems fam.

@kannyboy1847 7 жыл бұрын

Nice to see this wrapped up, shame if the director was driven away from the poor reception, he seems like he could have been along the vein of your Suda/Swery type of director.

@theeldritchtruth852 5 жыл бұрын

Hey man, thanks for making this video. I was looking up some more obscure PS3 games today and remembered NeverDead, which got me wondering if anyone had done a retrospective on it. Just like most people, I was turned away by all the negative reviews back in the day (despite liking the concept of the game), and I'm glad somebody took the time to actually take a proper look at it and share their thoughts. You can bet your ass I'll be getting a copy of this game after watching your video!

@HikikomoriMedia 5 жыл бұрын

Funnily enough, I got a group together to play the multiplayer. It's not bad at all

@The_RadicalOne 6 жыл бұрын

Omg! Your video reviews are superb

@chrisossu2070 6 жыл бұрын

Games like NeverDead will never get a fair shake from the average reviewer largely because of their deadlines. They don't have the opportunity to comb through the entire game and find what it truly expects from the player. Though not nearly to the same degree of negativity, The Wonderful 101 was also criticized by quite a few reviewers for being frustrating and complicated because it like NeverDead didn't explain all of its mechanics upfront. In cases like this, you kind of just have to wait a bit to see if there's anyone who can properly express the game's merits.

@chrisossu2070 5 жыл бұрын

So I finally gave the game a fair shake at your recommendation, and while I definitely wouldn't consider it a terrible game by any stretch especially not to the degree reviewers at the time suggested, it is one that I can see frustrating some players. Losing limbs and eventually your head in theory would make sense for the premise. The problem I find is that Bryce enters a stun state whenever he loses a limb, which allows more enemies (and there are often swarms of them) to tear you apart in seconds. Not helping the matter is that the enemies that attempt to suck up your head also suck up your limbs, rendering you unable to use them until you can regrow them. The physics engine often worked against me, opting to toss the limbs halfway across the arena, which made retrieving them something of a pace-killer. I'm also not that big a fan of the reticle separation you have when you're dual-wielding. Enemies such as the turrets and shield guys require some decent accuracy, which isn't afforded to you because of the reticle separation. The accuracy-mode provided also slows you down, which, given the hectic nature of the fights, really only leaves you open to bum rushes. It also didn't help that shooting itself lacks impact with enemies often not even flinching as they're getting pelted. There are ways I can see the combat in NeverDead working. It just needed some refinement and testing. I will say that I generally didn't have problems with Arcadia, and reviving her is very painless, though it is frustrating whenever I get blown apart just when I'm about to reach her. And like you, I don't really see where the accusations of sexism came from. I mean there's also Nikki, that singer girl, who is definitely an obnoxious valley girl, but that's more attributed to her intentional characterization as a grating, snobby idol that barely anyone takes seriously than as a woman.

@faidou9954 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, I do kinda feel bad for skipping out on this game now, cause this game does look fun. It just sucks that developers who tries something different with the shooting genre gets the most shit from reviewers.

@Hamon_Beat 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing video, always knew of this game but never heard any in depth discussion on it.

@hisradiancelordnasty Жыл бұрын

16:40 did you guys just see…how the horizontal slash…cut through the wall and into the pipe ? this is some of the best destruction in gameplay that i’ve seen . wow i can’t believe i didn’t play this

@whatwhatyep 5 ай бұрын

Destruction is a massive part of the game there is an achievement for causing either a million or ten million pounds worth of destruction and you have to go hunting for it. Also there are plenty of gas bottles to blow up laying around all over the place.

@yeez13 7 ай бұрын

This is still one of my top 3 KZfaq game reviews ever Hope all is well with you, Miles! Oh…and Merry Christmas!

@HikikomoriMedia 7 ай бұрын

merry christmas! I still enjoy Neverdead

@yehuda8589 3 жыл бұрын

Okay wow, this game looks really cool! It's like if The Missing's losing body parts mechanic was applied to an action game (even though I know that this came out before The Missing) I really want to play this.

@cedricgabionza 6 жыл бұрын

Man I miss this game so much, despite its flaws like that cutscene freeze before starting said cutscene and the fact that there is no remaster or PC port or sequel so far :( it was a fun game that I could play and had to finish, whenever I started this game I had to finish it, there was no in between, I just had to finish it, few games ever did that for me, the only other game would probably be way of the samurai 3 and VTMB, games where you are free to experiment, especially this game where you're immortal its and the game is a really comfy stress reliever, such a shame I could no longer play it since my 360 died, its an overall underrated game that was a victim of its time, In my heart this game is NeverDead.

@orateusdijin6557 7 жыл бұрын

This is why we need people like you cause, you don't just skim over the game and accuse the game's certain tiny mechanics that are different; as going against the reviewer's taste. So yeah I agree with your opinion mate.

@vick990 3 жыл бұрын

Of all the game reviewers here at youtube i've seen so far. Your's (HM) is the true and last essense of a true video game reviewer that talks about the game to a deeper meaning in what a game has to offer and etc. (of course they are others as well, but i am referring to you because of this video and the rest of your reviewers here at youtube). To be honest, if my life right now isn't shitty and etc. and have a decent or at least good job, i'll support you at patreon. But anyways as usual a very honest and truly a gamer's content of a stand point. Keep up the good work. P.s. So sorry for my bad english and choose of words, if ever you wouldn't understand what i meant. And also i usually don't comment here at youtube. But of course i do subscribe and click the like button and bell icon too as well if that video and content that can relate to me or a good one.

@Themasterofikariam 3 жыл бұрын

I have platinumed this game on ps3, I agree with you so much this game was really underrated and shat on for no reasons by reviewers. I found out about you today, you have some great vids, awesome style.

@HikikomoriMedia 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks man. I got a group of HM subs together and we played the multiplayer. It was surprisingly solid. We hit the plat. Nothing but fond memories.

@jayblack7495 6 жыл бұрын

Great video. This video lasted longer than the average session that most gamers put into this old gem. I loved it then. I love it now. Give me "niche" sleepers, or give me death. . . Or, maybe just Neverdead. . .

@MrShagnar 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, remember picking this up when it first dropped.

@CodyReader 2 жыл бұрын

It's a dream of mine to make a game a lot like this one. Thanks for the breakdown of it, as it helps me pinpoint why I feel so strongly about it. Glad to see other fans out there.

@DKG-85 4 жыл бұрын

I loved this game, glad someone else shares my opinion

@whatwhatyep 5 ай бұрын

Thank you. This was the review it deserved.

@CaptainPsychopath69 7 жыл бұрын

But Jim Sterling told me this game looks like a penis...? Glad to see you finish this series/video at last. NeverDead is definitively a pretty decent game

@Saninsince992 7 жыл бұрын

Implying the penis is not a thing of beauty?

@CaptainPsychopath69 7 жыл бұрын

yeah, if there's one thing my daddy thought me, it's not to be ashamed of our dicks.

@Saninsince992 7 жыл бұрын

You make him proud.

@Extramana 7 жыл бұрын

I think that's just Jim projecting again.

@XxHordakxX 7 жыл бұрын

I like it very much. Great work !

@lanciferian Жыл бұрын

You are definitely one of my top favorite underrated KZfaqrs. It's criminal how low your subscriber count is for how well edited and written your videos are. I love the obscure, interesting games and series you cover and I still regularly go back to your retrospective on Illbleed, because I doubt I'll ever be able to play it.

@sambas9257 2 жыл бұрын

Reviewers were angry because they weren't bribed as usual and Konami didn't spend enough in game-web portals/magazines advertising

@varnadoartdesign6041 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Gonna grab this tomorrow!

@skeletino420 2 жыл бұрын

I'm really surprised this game hasn't had a big comeback yet, I always thought it was destined to be a big cult classic.

@whatwhatyep 5 ай бұрын

It has cult status round my house. I prefer this over revered hack n slash games like lollipop chainsaw.

@donovanfaust3227 Жыл бұрын

Man I'm glad you gave this game a fair shake. I remember hearing about it before release and found the concept to be pretty interesting. I was never good at following game releases though so I kind of missed it coming out and eventually forgot about it. It wasn't until recently that it just popped into my head again and I wondered whatever happened to it assuming it had been canceled. Then when looking it up I seen that not only did it come out, it was meet with all these terrible reviews. I was super confused what might have gone wrong. Luckily though there are a few channels like yours that decided to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out that while not a perfect game it was just as fun as I figured it would be. So while it wasn't the actual terrible reviews that come out at the time that stopped me from playing it, my own forgetfulness and it being written off and seemingly buried by reviewers, prevented me from enjoying this title when it first came out. Which sucks cause had this game had better sales this concept could have been improved upon and further refined. I also loved the way that you read the reviews, that's basically how I read them too.

@Jnmicter 7 жыл бұрын

>style over substance >puts up a picture of mulholland drive REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE but I do actually like Eraserhead slightly better Great review though, I should get around to playing it someday when my backlog dwindles.

@Exigentable 4 жыл бұрын

This was fantastic.

@alexanderlicht6458 2 жыл бұрын

Played this on my PS3 previous year and absolutely love this game. Yeah, it's quite far from something like "brilliant game that everybody need to play" but NeverDead was fun, cool and bold enough to experiment with style and gameplay. Also I've been watch this video way before I beat the game and NeverDead is that case when it looks fun on video, but even better when you get to play. Btw even after all this year - fuck this game journalists you've mentioned in a video. They bury so many titles

@PPLToast Жыл бұрын

Do you still have that gamescom 2011 developer interview saved up somewhere? I can only find the three part walkthrough he did.

@alansmithee2012 3 жыл бұрын

Anyone know the song playing at 24:00?

@mcbennet8024 7 жыл бұрын

this was one of my favorite vids, glad to see some additional closing comments on the game. the tweet at the end really says something about Konami, though. makes me wonder what the future of games from them will be like. more pachi-slot and mobile junk? they've slaughtered all the great IP's...metal gear, suikoden, silent hill, contra? bunch of maniacs runnin' the show.

@HikikomoriMedia 7 жыл бұрын

Strangely, Bomberman on the Switch did very well...and with Metal Gear Survive still on the horizon I can safely say that no one knows what to expect from them anymore. I wish they'd license out the IP's to 3rd parties or sell them. Suikoden, Silent Hill and Metal Gear cut me deep.

@hisradiancelordnasty Жыл бұрын

i thought this game was a revolutionary concept when i first saw it but i was playing so many games at the time it came out i couldn’t stop myself from what i was playing to get it . i think that probably akin to Deadpool PS4 it was an evolution of character action married with the meaty third person shooter elements of the 2010s. id really like to see what sort of “combo mad”/stylish play videos could be made within the game

@docterdolittle5065 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this

@plasmaoctopus1728 3 жыл бұрын

18:22, I laughed at the new name for the company, but also nowadays we could probably rename the company at 18:06 to some other similar title as well.

@Jabler- 2 жыл бұрын

This was a great video and I thank you for it. This game may have tons of problems with it, but the idea behind it could've been amazing if it was done a lot better than what they had done with it. I was bored by the time I got to stage 2 before the game ended up getting better and I got 100% on the game with all the achievements. There should have been more sword attacks and combos, and the guns feel very... loose. I thought the enemy spawners took too long to kill until I realized how to kill them properly. All they had to do was add more puzzles and platforming involving the use of your limbs other than just a few segments and the one boss that requires the limb throw. As for reviews that say this game is hard or frustrating, this is one of the easiest games I have ever played, and that's even on the hardest difficulty setting. If you know what you're doing, chances are you're not going to lose except very occasionally. If this game had a chance with a sequel, I'd think it'd have expanded on all the features with more puzzle solving and better gameplay mechanics, but as it is, this is just a very flawed and buggy game (Falling through floors, random game overs in Arcadias apartment, enemy AI turning off)) that had a lot of potential and wasted it.

@dantetugaoen5836 4 жыл бұрын

The best review for this game I've just currently finished my first playthrough on easy, and I would say....damn it wasn't "easy" The game felt fixed on hard though I started "easy", lessening the difficulty had no effect From the sometimes bizarre tutorials to the frequent frustrating moments enemies go straight for Bryce's head or dismember him completely, it keeps you wanting to play more and hit them back Dark Souls is a perfect reference for its game structure, cause these types of games are only hard the less you know and act according to the situation which made me love dark souls genre games and this game It is not really for everyone, quite a challenging bizarre game but a masterpiece By the way, is the PS3 Multiplayer still available? I was planning to try it out on a planned schedule Bullet Witch is also a good game like this, try it and please also make a review Edit: Oh, you've already did one, just checked out your videos

@thelastgogeta 7 жыл бұрын

I definitely want to give this a go as well as Shinta's other stuff, but the PS3 performance...

@HikikomoriMedia 7 жыл бұрын

It's not too terrible on the PS3, the screen tearing is the main thing. Happens with a lot of PS3 games unfortunately. I wish there were a PC port to recommend. 360 one is the definitive way to go.

@thelastgogeta 7 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed Lost Planet 1 on PS3 despite lacking performance but it wasn't ideal. I guess I'll have to do the same for this and catch up with the 360 version when I finally get an Xbox. Perhaps someday, Konami might make a SEGA like recovery with a lot of good ports but not any time soon.

@HikikomoriMedia 7 жыл бұрын

Konami has a wealth of great titles that deserve remasters, they just gotta get their head straight and hire Bluepoint or another quality company to work with them. Unfortunately, we're lucky to see ANY game from Konami.

@KingFossilFER 7 жыл бұрын

speaking of konami, did you heard about the castlevania series coming to netflix?

@HikikomoriMedia 7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the creator of Dredd3D and Punisher: Dirty Laundry is behind it. I am looking forward to it.

@RiderWithTheScarf 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent review and defence against this underated game. Such a shame it didn't go further since it could become KONAMI's Devil May Cry just like Ninety Nine Nights II could become KONAMI's Dynasty Warriors and a legitimate evolution of that genre. Such a shame. There are a few notes to take care of : the controls for the sword are a bit shit and that's because they were taken over from MGS2's katana with how Raiden used the sword there. It hampers the melee potential the game has and how stylish the combat could become and evolve especially with the physics engines. It could be a prototype MGR and only go upwards. That's seriously the biggest criticism of the game. Especially given that its aesthetic is far closer to DMC than Suda's game like the reviewers tried to argue. Better not count bosses as enemy types but rather as bosses / boss types. A game with few enemy types but a multitude of different bosses with a variety of strategies is uncommon now but before the PS3 era it was quite the common sight in these kinds of games. If anything, the game could use some mid-bosses more for extra hazard.

@HansAlRachid 3 жыл бұрын

While I personally did not enjoy NeverDead after giving it a shot in a similiar manner to what you describe here, I would also definitely say that it absolutely did not deserve to get ripped apart in the media the way it was. No matter what anyone may think, there is some clear effort and passion in there. Also, just in general: Fuck Kotaku. Fuck Owen Good. And fuck IGN.

@capemron6330 3 жыл бұрын

You make me want to go back to this title. I dropped it even though I was enjoying it(crappy performance aside.) You got me to go back The Order 1886. I ended up finishing my playthrough of that one. The animations and gunplay is fantastic, it's just the pacing and certain sections hurt the game. Still, a sequel could be amazing.

@ochioandco. 6 жыл бұрын

20:50 He forgot Birdys, the flying things. Edit: 21:50 never mind he forgot like 5 things (I forgot the rolling guys, pandas, shield dudes, and hippos and I beat the game yesterday oof

@InTheMindOfDavid 3 жыл бұрын

Since when was Megadeth considered Nu Metal?

@somecoder3054 2 жыл бұрын

It's a game that can be definitely improved for PC by fixing performace, taking out some enemies and improving some encounters. Problem is, this came out at the height of a time when gane relatedmedia was severely up its own ass.

@TheRoyTeal96 6 жыл бұрын

29:27 This is probably the weakest point in your entire video. I'm pretty sure the "cutscenes" Jim is referring to are the in-game cutscenes, not the pre-rendered ones. It is, quite literally, impossible to die during one of those cutscenes. In-game cutscenes are a different story. While personally I don't remember dying during an in-game cutscene, I'm sure it is possible for that to happen at least some of the time. I'm not sure whether or not Jim's criticism is still valid, since I never paid attention to something like this. But I can say that your rebuttal was very misinformed and incorrect on this basis. Other than that, I did enjoy the video and think it is a great review in favor of this game. I played it recently myself, and while I'm uncertain that I would call it a good game I will say that it is at least a 5/10. Not a great game, but not God awful either. I liked it enough to play the game all the way through. I think with a bit more polish, this game could've been even better.

@XxHordakxX 7 жыл бұрын

Many people enjoyed it. But a shitstorm can ruin a game. We see this often today

@HikikomoriMedia 7 жыл бұрын

I couldn't prove it concretely, but I do think Jim Sterling's review of it influenced some of the other lazy journalists that didn't do their due diligence. Owen Good in particular, released his review one day after Jim's negative review against NeverDead. Owen's been caught in the past straight up lifting pieces from other outlets: www.giantbomb.com/profile/ergoproxy77/blog/my-fight-with-owen-good-from-kotaku/33994/ and straight up publishing Reddit posts as his own: www.reddit.com/r/KotakuInAction/comments/6742h3/owen_goode_at_polygon_rips_a_post_from_reddit/

@InTheMindOfDavid 4 жыл бұрын

@4:40 I know that sexy sax in the background! 👌😘

@y.bowcat7782 4 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this video and agree with a lot of the points made, but Famitsu is notorious for giving high scores to games with little regard for their actual quality. they gave shadow the hedgehog a 31, Sonic 06 a 30, and Umbrella Corps a 36. I don't think that differing cultural standards were to blame here, just ignorance and malice on the part of journalists that would rather play Call of Duty 69420 than God Hand.

@Kydino 4 жыл бұрын

This game feels like, in terms of reviews and reception, God hand but without shinji mikami and clover to give it clout so people who never actually bothered playing it can't pretend they liked the game.

@hipsterdoofus1332 2 жыл бұрын

I’m sad this game has never been made backwards compatible.

@HikikomoriMedia 2 жыл бұрын

Get the 360 version if possible. I do not think Konami will ever bring it back.

@LPGrodus 7 жыл бұрын

Never trust a reviewer or rather never trust a mainstream media reviewer. Look at the game and form your own opinion about it has and always will be my own motto. :) The graphics for the game looks beautiful. There are several games where you can get hurt and die during cutscenes. Usually happens due to bugs though. Videos takes a long time to make? You don't say. xD

@WildPotatoIndustries 7 жыл бұрын

LPGrodus As Patrick Star once said "Never trust a genie,"... I still live by these exact words to this vey day.

@datrulz12 3 жыл бұрын

the variety in TLOU combat comes from the items you character holds not from different enemy types

@Rad-Dude63andathird 5 жыл бұрын

Oddly enough? Neverdead still has people playing it online to this day. Bet your ass I'll be down for multiplayer after I pick this up soon.

@nazauwu6431 4 жыл бұрын

honestly my only issue is the performance sucking

@HikikomoriMedia 4 жыл бұрын

Agreed. 360 is the best version, but it would be awesome if Rebellion brought it to PC (or XBOX BC at the least)

@kingkull9111 4 жыл бұрын

Great video I have already ordered the game, so hope to be playing it soon, but man Jim Sterling is a nasty and disgusting creep. Also doesn't Jim Sterling look alot like Sangria.

@superbn0va 4 жыл бұрын

Hiddem gem imo. Shitty western reviewers gave many generic 3rd/FPS 8.0 instead.. Same for Devil third, an amazing game if you ask me, that got shit on

@YarugumaSou Жыл бұрын

So wanna bet 99% of the haters will fall head over heels for the MCU with everything they complained about this game?

@5ived512 2 жыл бұрын

I'm just about to play this game, I'm kinda on a rampage of playing low rated games after Babylon's Fall just got trashed for NO REASON.

@whatwhatyep 5 ай бұрын

This game needs no defense. People need to get over themselves and persevere through the initial seems like jank gameplay and get to the fun of it. Its a whale of a time. I prefer this to a myriad of hack n slash titles that were on the 360.

@lowerclassbrats77 Жыл бұрын

I want a reboot helmed by Platinum. This could be Konami's DMC.

@n543576 3 жыл бұрын

Can't lie I completely disagree with your opinion, but I respect your passionate perspective and interpretation of what you consider the positives of the game. I do think you get a little side tracked on this anti feminism ranting you do but I can see your heart is in the right place......kinda. Love your vids so far so keep up the good work!

@HikikomoriMedia 3 жыл бұрын

There's nothing anti-feminist about pointing out a deliberate misrepresentation of a video game character. You really do not know my heart, it's just patronizing to say that. I thank you for your comment, but you can keep your concern trolling.