Confirmed: Sega are not issuing review codes for Sonic Forces

[SpongicX]

2 hours ago, Yeow said:

One of the replies to the IGN editor was Polygon editor saying they haven't gotten a review code either.

Also, IGN gave Mania a 8.7/10 a few months ago. They gave positive reviews to Colors and Generations too.

Keep in mind that Sonic Mania was a classic styled Sonic game, of course IGN will praise the Hell out of it. Even if it was bad, they probably  would have found an excuse to praise it for not being a 3d Sonic game. Too many review sites seem horribly biased against 3d Sonic games, to the point of even trashing decent ones like Sonic Generations. 

[Patron]

Apparently this already happened to Rise of Lyric. http://nintendonews.com/news/wii-u/sega-sonic-boom-review-copies/

[Jovahexeon Jax Joranvexeon]

Now that said, we've only gotten word from one or two these outlets suggesting they haven't gotten a review code,  and we've no idea on if this is just a case of SEGA not yet distributing such. 

Now if by say,  near the end of the week,  things stay the same or even more outlets come clamoring the same tune,  we really have a problem with some heads of industry in SEGA. 

Just now, Patron said:

Apparently this already happened to Rise of Lyric. http://nintendonews.com/news/wii-u/sega-sonic-boom-review-copies/

Old news man. 

[Badnik Mechanic]

 

He's a youtuber and mod at resetera.

Also confirms no rreview codes until after launch 

https://www.resetera.com/threads/review-embargo-for-sonic-forces-wont-be-lifted-until-launch.2666/page-3#post-292727

[Tracker_TD]

22 minutes ago, SpongicX said:

Keep in mind that Sonic Mania was a classic styled Sonic game, of course IGN will praise the Hell out of it. Even if it was bad, they probably  would have found an excuse to praise it for not being a 3d Sonic game. Too many review sites seem horribly biased against 3d Sonic games, to the point of even trashing decent ones like Sonic Generations. 

No, no they aren't.

The media isn’t this weird hivemind of pure Sonic hatred that much of the Sonic fanbase has painted it out to be; Mania, Generations, and even Colours' good press is proof as much. From here, it looks like – and this may surprise you – that the secret to the press not shitting on Sonic, is for Sonic to be in good games. Dang. Real revelation there.

...still glad I wrote a canned response to this kind of nonsense a while back. It's handy, innit.

[CottonCandy]

Uh, this is exactly what happened to Rise of Lyric..

What the heck is going on with this game? 

[Mad Convoy]

Again its weird because I don't think Forces has something awful to hide from what I've seen in leak streams. Yeah its average-y but its not offensively bad like Rise of Lyric was.

It makes me think that its something to do with Sega rather than anything in the game itself. Again, I am hoping its just a weird Sega thing and that there isn't some day-one patch that they're planning for Forces. Because you know, instead of releasing a day-one patch, maybe you could just... delay the game until you've finished and have fully implemented the fixes (I do make an exception to this if the game very suddenly had a horrific bug crop up that doesn't get detected until the games have been shipped out, but that's remarkably rare especially in modern times, and Forces shows no signs of falling victim to such.).

I'm questioning if the "rumor:" part really needs to be in the title anymore.

[Razule]

5 minutes ago, Mad Convoy said:

 

Again its weird because I don't think Forces has something awful to hide from what I've seen in leak streams. Yeah its average-y but its not offensively bad like Rise of Lyric was.

This, yeah. It's not like the game's Sonic '17, it's just.. mediocre. Sure, most Sonic fan boards have teared into it, but there's still plenty of people who are excited for it. Like.. I don't see what there is to gain. It's already been leaked. Target audience is still hyped for it, judging from YouTube. Anyone who cares about reviews will probably be concerned by the lack of them. Anyone who doesn't care will probably buy it anyway.

[Whatever the WhoCares]

We can't make games alone;

Even though we're experienced;

People like Sonic more,

When he's made by other people;

Lets see what we can do;

I know, prevent reviews!

We'll curl up and hide;

Kiss our jobs good-bye!

[Meta77]

1 hour ago, KHCast said:

How are you still hyped if you're disappointed and aware they treat Sonic simply as a cynical money maker?

sonic means to much to me and my childhood of 26 years. its hard to explain but its like sticking with a racer that is at first and slowly drops down bit by bit. still its sad to see the hero i grew up with hit such hard times.

[Harkofthewaa]

1 hour ago, Meta77 said:

sonic means to much to me and my childhood of 26 years. its hard to explain but its like sticking with a racer that is at first and slowly drops down bit by bit. still its sad to see the hero i grew up with hit such hard times.

That pretty much sums it up, especially since we know Sonic Team and Sega can do better, they just seemingly don't want to for some reason.

[-Justin-]

Hmm, is this a bad thing? Just wondering.... it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.

[Razule]

26 minutes ago, -Justin- said:

Hmm, is this a bad thing? Just wondering.... it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.

It means that critics can't play and review the game before the game comes out. Which is unfortunate for those who'd want to see reviews to decide whether to get the game or not before release date.

[-Justin-]

Just now, Razule said:

It means that critics can't play and review the game before the game comes.

Yeah, it's just the game is so close to release now. I know quite a few people like to see reviews before they play the game, but it won't be long now!

[Dr. Egguman]

Anyone know if the "leak" about 30 positives review, 4 mixed and 6 negatives is legit?

[Razule]

8 minutes ago, Dr. Egguman said:

Anyone know if the "leak" about 30 positives review, 4 mixed and 6 negatives is legit?

No one but the person themself. It's definitely fake tho considering.

[shdowhunt60]

52 minutes ago, -Justin- said:

Hmm, is this a bad thing? Just wondering.... it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.

9/10 when it happens, it's a sign that the game is shit, or completely broken on release.

10 minutes ago, Dr. Egguman said:

Anyone know if the "leak" about 30 positives review, 4 mixed and 6 negatives is legit?

If reviewers are claiming that they aren't getting the game, then I'm going to say no.

[Dr. Egguman]

1 minute ago, Razule said:

No one but the person themself. It's definitely fake tho considering.

Very good to be true, guess this year was just for Classic Sonic comeback...

[CleverSonicUsername]

2 hours ago, -Justin- said:

Hmm, is this a bad thing? Just wondering.... it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.

Generally, it's a sign the publisher lacks confidence in their product and would rather avoid having their metacritic score shat up until after they sell some copies.

This isn't always the case, but most of the time it's not a great sign.

[Baconjack]

4 hours ago, -Justin- said:

Hmm, is this a bad thing? Just wondering.... it doesn’t sound like that big of a deal.

If game companies refuse to give review copies, it is generally because they are not proud of the game they are making and need something to hide behind. Obviously, this is not a good sign.

There are exceptions to this rule; Bethesda for instance stopped review copies for their games years ago.

TBH my personal opinion on this is that Sega and ST may have lost confidence in the game after the "minute to win it" demo was so poorly received by press and gamers alike. With that disaster fresh on people's minds, they might have been afraid that the demo may have an impact on the game's score. Obviously, this is a hypothetical situation, but given that I've played the E3 demo thoroughly and given in to watching the leaked footage of the game, I don't see anything ST feels it needs to hide. Maybe it is the level design, but that's all I can think of. No gamebreaking glitches or anything.

[Gabz Girl]

They’re probably worried it’s going to get mediocre reviews like SLW did. That and the demo was poorly received (mostly in the West), so they’ve decided to not send out review copies this time around. I don’t remember if SLW had day one reviews, but I do remember the reaction when it received average scores, especially after Sonic Generations. 

Imagine that, two mediocre Sonic games released in four years. That...is worrying.

[pppp]

10 minutes ago, Gabz Girl said:

They’re probably worried it’s going to get mediocre reviews like SLW did. That and the demo was poorly received (mostly in the West), so they’ve decided to not send out review copies this time around. I don’t remember if SLW had day one reviews, but I do remember the reaction when it received average scores, especially after Sonic Generations. 

Imagine that, two mediocre Sonic games released in four years. That...is worrying.

Lost World came out in Europe like 2 weeks before the US and reviews were made public then as well, worrying everybody in the US xD

[Badnik Mechanic]

10 hours ago, Dr. Egguman said:

Anyone know if the "leak" about 30 positives review, 4 mixed and 6 negatives is legit?

Of course it was fake.

The guy refused to post his 'sources' or even where he had seen these public conversations that he used for his info.

Then he changed his story so that it was only 20 people he spoke to, yet somehow was still claiming 40 reviews.

Now only posts on Reddit where they still believe him.

[PC the Hedgehog]

Famitsu review scores are out, and Sonic Forces has been reviewed.

So, uh, what exactly is happening here?

[Swing]

Famitsu gave Sonic Lost world even a higher note. So their for we can not right now if this game is really good. We have to wait for more reviews.