If this game was a $5 steam game then you would absolutely be correct. You never mentioned the price which is the most important factor. This is a $40 game. $10 less than Assassins Creed Mirage. You have to put it into perspective.
Personally, one thing I've seen about the game that I don't many are willing to bring up is the art direction and designs for the game is honestly really good. It doesn't really look like any of other take of Kong that I've seen and the creature designs are really good. There's definitely some clear talent involved that shines through in places. Though worse in technical prowess, I think it looks much more pleasing than the game based off the jackson movie for consoles, which was never really that much of a looker even back then and imo doesn't do justice how good the art direction of the movie it was based on was.
If you look at gamemill's portfolio, its filled with very bad shovelware games. I suspect it's some kind of tax write off, why would a film studio gave their right to a very bad studio and tarnished their ip?
It's like what happened to Forspoken. Social media blew up with some of its worst parts and everyone hated it. Was the game perfect, no. It had flaws but it wasn't a horrible game. But when something is trending and everyone dog piles on something to hate, they will.
In the Devs defense though: they literally were giving 1 year to make this game by businessmen. Which honestly is just insanity and only shows that the gaming industry always gets screwed over by greedy business scumbags that don't give a shit about quality
What an excellent take. It's really easy to trash something without even taking a moment to consider what's actually going on. Bad game indeed, but people should be more inquisitive.
It's pretty shitty that the gaming community has made this game the flavor of the week for everyone to shit on, implying it's bad because the devs were lazy or unskilled. When in reality, it's bad because the publisher gave them an impossible deadline.
IP owners have to show that they have an ongoing commercial interest in their property or else the copyright can lapse. This means that if they haven't done anything with a particular franchise for a number of years, they will sometimes create a low-budget, low-effort outing for it, just to stop others using it. I'd bet that the Kong game is one of those. They've spent a small amount of money on developing a game and spent no money marketing it, but it prevents a nearly 100-year-old media franchise lapsing into public domain, and means they maintain IP ownership and merchandising rights for any Kong reboots down the line.
I don't think it's that high budget games have totally skewed things (though i can accept its one factor). There are a tonne of indie games out there with miniscule budgets or small teams and yet they manage to make great, inventive games. Maybe having Kong's name attached is the biggest reason this has got so much publicity, but that was exactly why they wanted to make a Kong game. I don't understand why a bunch of reviewers refer to it as AAA game, other than the name i can't think of a single reason. I think the general standard now is so high that people can spot a game where theres clearly been a lack of effort, or its been badly managed. By that high standard i don't mean that every game is great, just that very few are notiicably awful. Ive played games for a long, long time and there were innumerable insufferably bad games released at most points in my life, but less so now. On a PS2 or a 360 this would just have been another tie in that was rushed out and wouldn't have got barely a mention.
Good review. I've only seen screenshots of outlets slamming this game. Seeing it in action, it really does not look that bad. Peter Jacksons King Kong looks better imo and that's a game from the beginning of the Xbox 360 era but yeah, it's partially an artistic choice to go this animated movie look instead of realistic. Too bad the game is bland, that's absolutely the worst thing about it
I think it's less about the budget of the game so much as the price tag, the use of an ip and the expectations bundled with that combination that is questionable. There are far more games that have a better quality to price ratio than this one
Kurt, I've enjoyed all the Kurt Lockers you've produced so far, and I genuinely agree with your insights. However, I think the main thing you didn't address that was the underlying reason for the controversy is GamesMill is asking $40, for Rise of Kong. If this had been a shovelware game at a shovelware price, it would just become a meme and faded after week. The fact the publisher is charging $40... More than the Phantom Liberty expansion, and slightly less than AC Mirage... Is why I think most people are "upset" with the game, barring any subjective issues like game play? I understand your underlying point about looking into things in the age of media overload, but I think this was a more cut-and-dry case for a lot of people where it's obvious the things shown online was not worthy of a $40, game? Keep up the great work!
The fact that they had "Colossal Edition" of this game then put on sale at its release is just insulting to the consumers. the developers say they are proud of this "work" which i say if you guys are proud of this, try a different job. i mean look at their other "games". and i dont think its expected that every game needs to be Spiderman but instead a game should be, by definition of a game, fun first and foremost which is why games like stardew valley, cult of the lamb, Roller Coaster Tycoon (first one that was made by one dude from scratch) and other indie/AA/A games have done so well. This game is not even worth the electricity needed to run the machine that runs the game, equally so like Gollum or any other game that should be at the bare minimum FUN. it can be short, long, graphically beautiful or rendered to run on N64, it just has to be at least for what it is, FUN.
Good message, horrible example. Basically just said: "Try it even if everyone says it's bad. I did. It was bad. But that's good. Because you should waste money to get perspective." As someone who enjoys games most would hate, that's a bad way to deliver a good message. Next time, provide an example where it paid off, then maybe more people might take in the message. 'more with honey than vinegar'
I was never going to play this game since I am not super knowledgeable or really care about King Kong and Godzilla or monster stuff in general, I did however buy LOTR Gollum just to see if it's as bad as people say, I want to come to my own conclusion regarding that game. With all that said, you are right that I don't like to publicly join the groupthink hivemind and "shame" something because other people are doing it, whole thing just seems lazy and wrecks of that school mentality of "fitting in". I recently watched Captain Laserhawk and everyone was praising that show and I found it to be a mess that loves to subvert your expectations every episode, and subversions for the sake of it is never good writing to me. Misdirection is fine but it still has to be build up and pay off. Off topic, but it seems people online just love to follow the groupthink train rather than have their own opinions on anything, it seems easier to just to be a face in the masses and getting a following based on that than geniunely having an opinion not blinded by emotion. Anyways I am done, interesting video, I do agree with the underlying message despite never playing the game in question.
There is nothing reactionary about xbox fanboys who are trashing spiderman 2, just hate and toxicity! With skull island I get the hate, but with spiderman 2 it IS BS! The same BS that was the case with people hating on the last of us 2. I get that gamers are mad about the ps5 slim and ps plus, but they have NOTHING to do with great games like spiderman 2 or the upcoming ff7 rebirth!
I never wanted a show to return so badly than The Kurt Locker! Welcome back!! Amazing video as always!
It brought back the Kurt Locker, so it can't be that bad.
We need more Kurt locker!
If you want a good King Kong game, just play Peter Jackson's King Kong from 2005
Greatest movie game of all time
@@calculonthemosthumble2688 i was looking for this comment, literally greatest movie game ever, dinosaurs looked too realistic on ps2 haha
But how did they get Kong on to the boat?@@calculonthemosthumble2688
It's shockingly a very good survival horror game.
That's a classic
This show provides such a different and refreshing look at gaming content, please keep it going
If this game was a $5 steam game then you would absolutely be correct. You never mentioned the price which is the most important factor. This is a $40 game. $10 less than Assassins Creed Mirage. You have to put it into perspective.
Personally, one thing I've seen about the game that I don't many are willing to bring up is the art direction and designs for the game is honestly really good. It doesn't really look like any of other take of Kong that I've seen and the creature designs are really good. There's definitely some clear talent involved that shines through in places.
Though worse in technical prowess, I think it looks much more pleasing than the game based off the jackson movie for consoles, which was never really that much of a looker even back then and imo doesn't do justice how good the art direction of the movie it was based on was.
If you look at gamemill's portfolio, its filled with very bad shovelware games.
I suspect it's some kind of tax write off, why would a film studio gave their right to a very bad studio and tarnished their ip?
I wouldn't be surprised to find out this game was made off the same engine for Big Buck Hunter which is also a GameMill game.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE KURT LOCKER BACK
If Skull Island is so bad, how has it already sold 2 Kongillion copies? Checkmate, haters.
What quantity is a Kongillion, is it .0000001 of 1.?
Refreshing take on establishing a base line for acceptable games. Bold move my friend and commendable I'm delivery.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, KURT?!? Missed your videos a lot.
Game sounds like those dinasour toys i had as a kid
It's like what happened to Forspoken. Social media blew up with some of its worst parts and everyone hated it. Was the game perfect, no. It had flaws but it wasn't a horrible game. But when something is trending and everyone dog piles on something to hate, they will.
Kurt Locker is the best content on GameSpot.
In the Devs defense though: they literally were giving 1 year to make this game by businessmen. Which honestly is just insanity and only shows that the gaming industry always gets screwed over by greedy business scumbags that don't give a shit about quality
Kitty sighting around the 8:50 mark !
Kurt locker? Kurt Angle?
Well said! After finishing Spider-Man 2, it certainly left me craving smaller scale "acceptable" games
Kinda wild the map in this is more useful than the "map" in Starfield lol
Thank you for another excellent episode! More Kurt Locker, please.
Ju-meow Purrducer Megatron, get to work!
My type of gamer. Try anything out its the best part about gaming.
What an excellent take. It's really easy to trash something without even taking a moment to consider what's actually going on. Bad game indeed, but people should be more inquisitive.
Can someone explain why are these videos are overwhelmingly underrated?
It's pretty shitty that the gaming community has made this game the flavor of the week for everyone to shit on, implying it's bad because the devs were lazy or unskilled. When in reality, it's bad because the publisher gave them an impossible deadline.
IP owners have to show that they have an ongoing commercial interest in their property or else the copyright can lapse. This means that if they haven't done anything with a particular franchise for a number of years, they will sometimes create a low-budget, low-effort outing for it, just to stop others using it. I'd bet that the Kong game is one of those. They've spent a small amount of money on developing a game and spent no money marketing it, but it prevents a nearly 100-year-old media franchise lapsing into public domain, and means they maintain IP ownership and merchandising rights for any Kong reboots down the line.
You so smart 😅
I don't think it's that high budget games have totally skewed things (though i can accept its one factor). There are a tonne of indie games out there with miniscule budgets or small teams and yet they manage to make great, inventive games. Maybe having Kong's name attached is the biggest reason this has got so much publicity, but that was exactly why they wanted to make a Kong game. I don't understand why a bunch of reviewers refer to it as AAA game, other than the name i can't think of a single reason.
I think the general standard now is so high that people can spot a game where theres clearly been a lack of effort, or its been badly managed. By that high standard i don't mean that every game is great, just that very few are notiicably awful. Ive played games for a long, long time and there were innumerable insufferably bad games released at most points in my life, but less so now. On a PS2 or a 360 this would just have been another tie in that was rushed out and wouldn't have got barely a mention.
Even hello neighbor 2 looks better who the heck made this 💀
when a company has "mill" in their name you know you can only expect good things
@@Hel1mutt yep
A studio that did not have enough time or resources.
Woohoo more Kurt Locker!!
Is it ever explained why he is regular Gorilla sized? And not huge as he usually is?
8:52 lol the cat
the worst thing about this is that you dont feel like King Kong while playing it. You feel like a gorilla. You dont feel like a huge kaiju.
Kurt, I hope you got to expense the game even though you felt like you got value out of it!
is that a Minolta film camera back there
Good review. I've only seen screenshots of outlets slamming this game. Seeing it in action, it really does not look that bad. Peter Jacksons King Kong looks better imo and that's a game from the beginning of the Xbox 360 era but yeah, it's partially an artistic choice to go this animated movie look instead of realistic.
Too bad the game is bland, that's absolutely the worst thing about it
I think it's less about the budget of the game so much as the price tag, the use of an ip and the expectations bundled with that combination that is questionable. There are far more games that have a better quality to price ratio than this one
Glad to see you back Kurt! Keep the content coming
babe wake up, new kurt locker dropped
Yes!!! Kurt is back!!!
Good to have you back
We are so back
I thing pay for ashes to license to the amazing world of gumball
Where have you been mate??
You know, if you lost the moustache and dyed your hair gray/white, you'd be BG3's Astarion. Obviously, you'd also have to adopt a posh British accent.
Kurt, I've enjoyed all the Kurt Lockers you've produced so far, and I genuinely agree with your insights. However, I think the main thing you didn't address that was the underlying reason for the controversy is GamesMill is asking $40, for Rise of Kong. If this had been a shovelware game at a shovelware price, it would just become a meme and faded after week. The fact the publisher is charging $40... More than the Phantom Liberty expansion, and slightly less than AC Mirage... Is why I think most people are "upset" with the game, barring any subjective issues like game play? I understand your underlying point about looking into things in the age of media overload, but I think this was a more cut-and-dry case for a lot of people where it's obvious the things shown online was not worthy of a $40, game? Keep up the great work!
... the devs had maybe a year to make this game. The publishers are the reason it came out like this ...
So the Ashes by above to regime to amazing chikn nuggit
The fact that they had "Colossal Edition" of this game then put on sale at its release is just insulting to the consumers. the developers say they are proud of this "work" which i say if you guys are proud of this, try a different job. i mean look at their other "games". and i dont think its expected that every game needs to be Spiderman but instead a game should be, by definition of a game, fun first and foremost which is why games like stardew valley, cult of the lamb, Roller Coaster Tycoon (first one that was made by one dude from scratch) and other indie/AA/A games have done so well. This game is not even worth the electricity needed to run the machine that runs the game, equally so like Gollum or any other game that should be at the bare minimum FUN. it can be short, long, graphically beautiful or rendered to run on N64, it just has to be at least for what it is, FUN.
I thought that cat was fake till you pet it.
Maybe that’s still true
he sounds like the main character of Shangri-La Frontier
He's back!
More Kurt Locker!
W The Kurt Locker!
People are being overly harsh on this game. Yes, it is bad but it aint that bad. I think Gollum was probably worse.
That’s fine. Still won’t get my hard earned money.
He's not telling you to buy it.
I thought that was a kids-oriented game... Hence the simplicity?
You are the reason why games like this will always be made and sell.
Only Kurt can talk about a bad game and make it interesting. Well, maybe not, but we want more Kurt Locker!
Oh man. I agreed with a lot of this video and liked it, however the big issue is the asking price. It feels fraudulent (I haven't played it)
Good message, horrible example.
Basically just said: "Try it even if everyone says it's bad. I did. It was bad. But that's good. Because you should waste money to get perspective."
As someone who enjoys games most would hate, that's a bad way to deliver a good message. Next time, provide an example where it paid off, then maybe more people might take in the message. 'more with honey than vinegar'
I was never going to play this game since I am not super knowledgeable or really care about King Kong and Godzilla or monster stuff in general, I did however buy LOTR Gollum just to see if it's as bad as people say, I want to come to my own conclusion regarding that game.
With all that said, you are right that I don't like to publicly join the groupthink hivemind and "shame" something because other people are doing it, whole thing just seems lazy and wrecks of that school mentality of "fitting in". I recently watched Captain Laserhawk and everyone was praising that show and I found it to be a mess that loves to subvert your expectations every episode, and subversions for the sake of it is never good writing to me. Misdirection is fine but it still has to be build up and pay off.
Off topic, but it seems people online just love to follow the groupthink train rather than have their own opinions on anything, it seems easier to just to be a face in the masses and getting a following based on that than geniunely having an opinion not blinded by emotion.
Anyways I am done, interesting video, I do agree with the underlying message despite never playing the game in question.
It's probably a game for kids little kids
That's disrespectful to little kids.
@angelwilliams8965 No, not really. Some kids like games like this it's easy pick up and play.
@@germ4bass It was a joke
@@angelwilliams8965 I know it was
why are games like this and Gollum allowed to exist
This is the internet bro. You're up against it. Embrace the subtle knife.
First
L take. First and last Kurt Locker
There is nothing reactionary about xbox fanboys who are trashing spiderman 2, just hate and toxicity! With skull island I get the hate, but with spiderman 2 it IS BS! The same BS that was the case with people hating on the last of us 2. I get that gamers are mad about the ps5 slim and ps plus, but they have NOTHING to do with great games like spiderman 2 or the upcoming ff7 rebirth!
I actually have the game 💀
lucky 😢