The notion of the sequel is based on the usually accurate construct that we like to relive enjoyable experiences. Hence, the vital role of the catchphrase in comedy hence, the predictable conventions of our favourite horror flicks. Let's face it, Hangover 2 is basically a map pack for the first movie, yet it grossed almost $140m in its opening weekend and at 5.7 its Metacritic user review average is higher than the critical metascore.Īs human beings we enjoy systems and repetition – our brains actively seek them out it is a survival instinct that has morphed into an unconscious entertainment preference. Often, it is the professional reviewer who despairs at the lack of originality in mainstream entertainment, while paying customers accept the formulaic in their droves. This represents an interesting reversal of the usual critic/public relationship. One reasonably representative review states:ĭon't believe the marketing hype, this is the same product rebundled let it die and show investors we're not interested in being sold the same product year after year, the cash cow needs to starve. Reading through the usually short, often apoplectic review comments on Metacritic, one argument is repeatedly put forward: Modern Warfare 3 is basically Modern Warfare 2 again it is a map pack, adding nothing new or innovative to the series.

I imagine something similar will happen with MW3 over time.'īut for a moment, let's consider the objections being raised. Since then, the rating has risen and there's now parity between the critical and the user scores. It's one of the most critically appreciated games of the year, but on the day of release, people were on Metacritic criticising it for lots of reasons. A similar thing happened with Portal 2 back in April. 'Most of the millions of people who bought the game are actually playing it and enjoying it. 'On day one or two, you are going to get a vocal minority who take to the forums on Metacritic and use them as a soap box to vent their rage about the series,' says Daniel Krupa, a writer at games site, IGN. The first point, of course, is that it's dangerous to think of these outbursts as being in anyway representative of the majority opinion. Currently, for the Xbox 360 version of the title, the average user score for one of the biggest entertainment releases of the year stands at a wretched 3.0.

A flood of 0/10s outnumbered ecstatic 10s and considered 7s and 8s by a dramatic margin. Soon after the game's release on Tuesday, savage user reviews began to appear on score aggregation site, Metacritic. It is a slick, well-constructed and generously proportioned instalment in one of the most revered military shooter franchises in history. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has attracted near-universal critical acclaim.

Call of duty modern warfare rating