Japanese Charts: Nintendo Takes Nine Of Top Ten As The Last Of Us 2 Topples Animal Crossing

Guess buying reviews helps sales.

Switch stock still scarce, hopefully Nintendo will get this sorted out soon.

Hmmm....5 million Animal Crossing next week? 14 million Switches next week? Potentially 3 million Mario Karts next week?

Also curious to see TLOU2's legs, as it's a very western game.

@Paraka

Grow up.

Wow! Almost 5 million sold of Animal Crossing New Horizons in Japan alone! That is pretty crazy.

@WiltonRoots

Last of Us 2 will drop fast probably, it actually did better than I thought it would.

So many Not Safe for Work games har har

I’ve noticed Sony hasn’t been very bullish about TLOU 2 sales. Usually by now, they’d have come out and announced some amazing sales number, like with God of War and Spiderman

But all that’s been said is that it’s been the fastest selling PS4 exclusive.... in the UK. Not the fastest selling PS4 game, and not even the fastest selling PS4 exclusive worldwide- just in the UK. And no mention of total sales after a full week.

Now looking at this weeks Japanese charts, 178k copies at launch for such a huge release is not a lot at all. Maybe this game wasn’t the blockbuster Sony though it’d be

Last of US 2 is absolutely amazing and both Sony and Naughty Dog deserve praise on this one! Keep it up

@TheFullAndy - Elaborate, what of my claim, that has been proven, is childish?

Is buying reviews mature now?

@Hobbesyall
Congrats for their misery simulator!

The Last of Us 2 rules and it’s good to see the smear campaigns didn’t hurt it.

My friends and coworkers are enjoying the game, and none of them even seemed to be aware that there is any negativity surrounding it online. This past week has been a nice reminder to me that the internet is very different from the real world.

At least in Japan Nintendo is still getting the credit and respect it deserves. At least there it will never be forgotten, not like in Italy.

People are petitioning that naughty dog rewrite the entire TLOU2 story. I can't think of a more hilarious backlash from fringe incel gamers. The only thing that comes close is when gamers complain about female anatomy being edited

@Paraka newsflash! It doesn't actually work that way. Sorry

@Paraka If ND buying review scores has been proven, do you wanna share your source with the rest of us?

“They paid for these scores” is always the rallying cry of those who don’t enjoy a critically popular thing.

TLoU2 doing well isn't too shocking, it's just come out.

I'm expecting the numbers to drop quickly though as more people play it and see some of the flaws in the story.

@BlackKnight93 I hope your still not upset. Just take your medicine on time.

@Paraka Let's see your "proof".

@Paraka please share the source

@Paraka and so does making a masterpiece

@TheFullAndy Yeah possibly in the 25-30,000 mark - Final Fantasy seemed to vanish off the face of Japan very quickly which I was surprised about.

@Paraka The problem is that unless you have a source, there's no proof Sony or Naughty Dog paid for good reviews for TLOU2

All these complaining "fans" wonder how many of actually bought it and tired it themselves or did they just watch it on YouTube

@SalvorHardin
It’s one the best games I ever played, and it’s so much more than misery

@playstation_king Naughty Dog doesn't make masterpieces. They make mediocre third person cover shooters wrapped up in amazing production values.

> Switch hardware sales will surpass 14 million units by next week.
> Animal Crossing retail sales will surpass 5 million copies by next week, making it the 11th game ever to do so in Japan.
> The Last of Us Part 2 is the biggest first-party game launch on PS4.

@Kalmaro While I think the game could have been structured better (although it would have been at the expense of the midgame twist) the story itself is well told. The only real flaw I could find in the story was how a certain WLF medic managed to cross the city on her own.

Why is there a movie in this list of games sales?

My son bought and has already played his way through TLOU2. He was a huge fan of the original so had high hopes.

He was a little thrown by the switch up in the character you played but in the end he thought it was a clever move that took you from completely hating a character, to understanding they have a backstory too.

He loved the game and is now working towards completing the collectibles.

Here's a funny thing - even as The Last Of Us snatches an exceptionally rare first place for Sony in its homeland, the sass dimension managed to acknowledge the Switch's dominance. I'm as puzzled as you are.

They don't need to buy reviews for TLOU2 because it specifically appeals to these journo types

@Indielink My biggest issue comes with how some of the characters act out of character in certain situations. It just kinda of has you scratching your head.

It makes some situations feel ham-fisted.

@JimmySpades lol its review scores say otherwise and you obviously never played their games, just stick to your easy recycled games

@Paraka

Proof that reviews were bought?

@Kalmaro

The story does not have flaws, just things people do not like. I will not go into more detail as it is too soon to discuss spoilers.

@playstation_king If I wanted to stick to recycled games I'd limit myself to Uncharted.

@TheFullAndy I'd have to disagree but yeah, I'm not here to spoil the game and the last thing I want to do is ruin the experience for someone else just because I'm not a fan.

Clubhouse Games and Ring Fit Adventure near the top reminds me of the DS/Wii era.

@Kalmaro

Fair play.

Glad to see Ring Fit reached 1 million sales in Japan alone.

@haniwa
You mean beta males?

@Sandro89

Yes cause all the hissy fits being thrown by people online about Part 2 screams alpha males doesn't it?!

The Last of Us was a masterpiece. I disagree with one of the story beats in the sequel, and initially thought I would pass on the game, but the gameplay looks really good, so I will probably end up getting it at some point. Just to be clear, my disagreement has nothing to do with the race, gender or sexual orientation of any of the characters.

@JimmySpades surely you mean Mario? Animal crossing? Or maybe smash bros? Or mario kart?

I love when the Gaming Industry art teams makes a piece of entertainment that puts the Film Industry on Notice 😎

Every single person in our Art department is playing this game. TLOU2 is Digital Arts in gaming at another level.

That said, definitely playing Paper Mario after it. I'll need a break 😅

@Batty5 TBH, I hadn't seen any of the leaks. When I played the game my initial reaction was, what were they complaining about? When I reached a certain point I thought; 'this must be the part, and I'm not sure I agree with it'. However, I've now reached a point where I do think it wasn't that questionable as I first thought. It's bold and unexpected, but I do appreciate them for taking the risk instead of making a very safe sequel. I think that playing the game definitely helps, because it's so much more than a few story beats that were leaked on Reddit.

@Hobbesyall
Whatever justifies your 60 bucks

@Crockin @imgrowinglegs @hippoeater @Matthew010 @LetsaGO @TheFullAndy

(Pick your poison, as most reporting on this are independent and I know many have certain grievances)

Upper Echelon: https://youtu.be/-a6B4fFaXCU

Belular: https://youtu.be/Lj6Vhiu66as

And the constant, non-bombing reviews who are universally panning this game as horribly flawed suggest that either:

A) Supposedly everyone, and I mean everyone, are "too ignorant" to enjoy a masterpiece. Which then you're going to have to explain why other, previous claimed masterpieces did not have such a stark contrast. Or:

B) Sony heavily influenced the marketing and reviews (which has been done before, by many previous companies). Therefore, giving a false sense of quality experience people are supposedly not to question.

Examples of previous attempts to this:

EA: https://cgicoffee.com/blog/2018/10/ea-games-fifa-19-metacritic-scores

More EA: www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/01/22/report-ea-paying-youtube-content-creators-for-positive-video-game-coverage/amp/

With previous "masterpieces" we did not see such a stark difference in the experience between player and journalists. And especially when you got so many reporting on this as such a perfect game. The stark contrast alone should suggest influence alone. Especially when you got major prominent internet famous people like Pewdiepie panning so negatively in contrast.

And this isn't taking the review-bombing seriously, either, as I think it was a childish thing that does nothing but lower a number on one solitary site.

Oh, and not to mention I do audits on companies like this for a living, the same patterns I did for Activision reflects those I am seeing here. Influencer investment/partnership and such.

Now that's being said, let me make this clear (if you read this far after linking YT), I am not saying this game is horrible, cannot say much on the game at all as TLoU never interested me, but from the outside looking in, I am seeing many of similar patterns that companies have done before, games or otherwise. Cause guess what? It's technically legal, and it sells (obviously). Nike does this crap ALL the time, so does Starbucks.

So yes, Crokin, it does work this way. Has for a while now.

They should have learned their lesson trying to review bomb Pokemon. You can't stop a great game. Pokémon and Lou rekking these haters. Muahahahaha!

@Paraka you can only define it a masterpiece or not if you've played the game, and if someone isn't into that kind of game then of course they won't consider it a masterpiece, such as a die hard playstation fan playing Mario for the first time or animal crossing for the first and saying its childish and cartoony and boring etc. Are they wrong?

These people saying it's a masterpiece are just giving their personal opinion.

These sites giving high scores obviously had a reviewer who played the previous game and enjoyed the first installment and enjoys these kind of games, hence the high score, that's how reviews work.

BUT if this game got reviewed by people that never played the last of us 1 then these scores would be much lower as some of those reviewers wouldn't like the game or genre

@mesome713 tbf pokemon was review bombed by salty pokemon fans because of the pokedex cut
Whilst the last of us is being review bombed by die hard xbox and Nintendo fans

Great to see Clubhouse Games in the top 3 - really fun title!

@playstation_king I said exactly what I meant. Not surprised that you cannot fathom that.

@playstation_king - This would suggest people enjoy and high praise every Zelda as a masterpiece, but Majora's Mask never reached that epitome, neither did anything else till now.

And even then, those that played it may not saw it as a masterpiece, but never were the differences this broad. And that's a key to suspect some corporate influence.

Mario Galaxy was panned as a masterpiece, many who disagreed didn't think it was inherently a bad game. However, TLOU has that, FIFA had that, COD had that. And the latter has found out to have had influence.

Again, not saying this game is "worst ever," but one cannot deny there is something afoot when the difference in opion, bombers aside, is this broadly different.

@Paraka

Is there anything in your lengthy reply that is proof that reviews were bought as you stated in your first comment?

@Paraka maybe your right some influence on certain sites(looking at IGN), And a lot of bad review bombing have had mixed effects on TLOU2, really bad user score and a really high critic score gives people mixed signals.

People should just stick to one trusted site for their reviews and avoid metacritic altogether, like me I use NintendoLife for my Nintendo games and push square for my ps4 games and I trust their reviews to be honest.

I wonder how many people who buy games even read or listen to reviews? Has to be pretty low, so are these review bombers or these sites being paid to write glowing reviews making much difference?

@playstation_king Yeah, I do NL/PS/PC Gamer. Basically covers the 3 platforms I own individually.

You should check out Easy Allies on YouTube. He was part of GameTrailers.com. Great video reviews

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA

@Agramonte I tend to avoid video reviews to avoid spoilers but I shall give them a look

@playstation_king Oh yeah, I can understand that.

Got last of us 2 on launch day have completed twice and now put the game to sleep. It’s a 9 out of 10 for me I knew most spoilers going in. Overall it’s a brave thing to do with the structure of the game. The gameplay itself is excellent, lots of cutscenes which are admittedly very dramatic and entertaining. I think the only thing I didn’t like were the downtime scenes where u walk at a snails pace while someone chats for a bit, I would rather have a cutscene instead! Also I must say the final boss scene made me not want to be a part of at all! Which I think was the developers point. A great game that will live long in the memory and oh sweet those accessibility options! I turned on the one that grabs the items for you automatically. X x x

@playstation_king It's was reviewed bombed by sexist trolls. Nintendo fans wouldn't waste their time. Plus majority Nintendo fans are kids and don't even use Meta critic nor know what the heck it is.

@playstation_king - The problem is the review bombing is such a hot topic, it's hard to use metacritic style scores to justify a perspective. However, you can look up individual reviews from independent people and tell which ones are spiteful and others are just genuinely let down.

And there is a huge wave of dissatisfaction rather than an angry troll mob. Which, again, leads you to wonder why only the journalistic are receiving this game not just well, but THAT well when the considered average consumer is not having any of the overlap.

As I said, previous masterpieces: Mario Galaxy, Bayonetta 2, Tomb Raider reboot... there was some disagreement, but it was NEVER this bad. But there had been similar patterns, ones I listed previously, that showed there was influence.

You'd be surprised how many are swayed by a massive influx of positive or negative reviews. It is a reason influencers are a huge market for companies to invest in and partner with.

But I am with you on reviews, find someone who resonates your game tastes, stick with it.

@TheFullAndy - Your defense is not reading evidence you asked for? Honestly, we got to this point rather quickly.

@Paraka

Where is your proof, not suggestions but proof, that Sony paid for positive reviews of Last of Us Part 2?

Still waiting or will you take back your first comment.

Looks like animal crossing will pass the 5 million mark next week or week after. That’s incredible!

@Dragonslacker1

"scenes where u walk at a snails pace while someone chats for a bit"

YES!... The horse one was cool at first. But once at the stadium I was done with it.

"...turned on the one that grabs the items for you automatically"

Wait, what?... I had no idea that was there, turning this on tonight 👍

@TheFullAndy - My first comment that "buying reviews help sales?"

@Paraka

Clearly. Because you have not provided any proof that Sony paid for positive reviews.

I read your reply (I am not watching two 10 minute youtube videos that likely just repeat what you said) and you at no point have proven Sony paid for positive reviews of their game.

Off topic (kinda): for a very good source of Nintendo sales figures, check this out: https://www.resetera.com/threads/nintendo-software-and-hardware-sales-data-from-1983-to-present.2725/

@Squid how come?

@TheFullAndy - Okay.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sony-pays-for-fake-reviews/

This one is of Sony paying for positive reviews and got caught, and had to pay Connecticut.

https://www.liveabout.com/sony-fake-film-critic-story-4062655

Sony also had their own personal movie critic for a long time, praising all their movies while panning others over.

Now their most recent foray of being caught with their pants down was with Ghostbusters 2016. With a similar pattern of high journalistic praise and deadpanned consumer response. The same pattern we see in these stories and now, with the current push for this game.

Time will tell that Sony had a bunch of influence on this, the evidence is there. The history is there, too.

If you disagree, that's fine. But one cannot say that ALL the journalistic reviews are genuine and the consumer reviews that oppose are ALL lies. Doesn't work that way, there is a big divide on how this game is being received, and there is reason for it. And it ain't because journalists are superior beings of art and taste.

@Agramonte that stadium one felt about an hour but it was probably only 10 minutes! That item grabbing one is under accessibility then I think there was about 6 different headings it’s in one of them but can’t remember which! I only knew it was there cos a review mentioned it. I turned that one on and I messed around with field of view as well, hope u enjoy the rest like I did xx

@Paraka what now? You seem to have a chip on your shoulder as if somebody harmed you personally. Care to elaborate on your comment?

@Ks123 - It's been elaborated on, scroll up my dude.

@Paraka

That is all well and good. But WHERE is the proof that Sony paid for positive reviews for Last of Us Part 2?!

You do not have any so you have been proven to be a liar and therefore I will now assume that everything you have ever said or will say is a lie (following your way of thinking).

@Paraka yeah I realized after posting that there was a whole discussion going on about this. Tbh I regretted my post pretty fast and don’t have interest into getting into this debate bc it’s pretty fruitless. Respect your opinion not to like TLoU2. To each their own.

@TheFullAndy - And what exactly is my way of thinking?

If it's walking like it's influenced, talks like it's influenced, and looks influenced. Chances are, someone wrote a check for it.

Mind you, I don't believe Sony paid for The Order or GoW reviews, patterns aren't there.

But, the same claim can be made the other direction: Can you prove to me the poor reviews are directly out of spite alone?

@Ks123 - Hey it's all good dude, I am not saying I hate the game (I honestly don't care much for it), but I will call out some suspicious practices I have seen patterns over. Which inadvertently effects me as this can happen anywhere to any game.

If someone loves it, more power to them. However, from the outside, few average consumers enjoy it compared to those who don't. Time will tell when the dust settles.

@Paraka

I haven't made any accusations, you have.

Your way of thinking seems to be if Sony were caught out once then they have done it every single time. And clearly you knew I meant that as that is why you added you don't believe Sony did it for a couple of other games so you come accross as fair.

Bottom line is you have no actual proof you only suspect, but you still made the accusation. You haven't even played the game ffs.

I'm very sure Animal Crossing New Horizons will be on Top again.
New update on July 2020 will motivate peoples to consider ACNH.

@TheFullAndy - My way of thinking never suggested that, the patterns suggest they did it again.

I knew you were trying to build this case that I am playing an anti-Sony card, though I have made it clear this happens across multiple companies. I wouldn't even put it passed Nintendo, hell we had people accusing NL of this. It's insanely, and uncomfortably more common than you think.

The patterns are there for this, why is TLOU2 is immune to the scrutiny while EA was put on full blast for FIFA?

Let me ask you an honest question: Why do YOU think there is such a drastic difference between the reception of journalistic reviews and the consumers? You don't have to be a farmer to know what a cow looks like.

@Paraka

I don't care, user reviews are worthless to me.

Do not change the subject. You started this comments section by accusing Sony of buying positive reviews for Last of Us 2. I asked you for proof, you have provided none.

My only deduction from this is you have no credibility.

@mesome713 I don't think anyone was trying to stop a great game, they WERE trying to voice their opinion against a popular game due to a host of issues pre and post launch.

@TheFullAndy - You're literally stating only journalistic reviews matter wholly? So those that don't like it are objectively wrong? That's probably why there is a price tag on those reviews, you're its market.

And your blatant dismissal of the "other reviews" suggest you cared only to go for a "gotcha moment." Further backed with insults and not answering counter points.

I am not changing the subject, I am pointing out the patterns and evidence that will lead to that same deduction. Hate to break it to you, that's how most legal battles go too. Very rarely does the judge go, "sure there is a previous criminal record, and his car was found on the scene, but is there an actual photo of his face when robbing the bank?"

@Paraka

Very rarely does any review influence my decision to buy a game, I had Last of Us 2 pre-ordered for weeks.

I am also not the one dying on the hill of "patterns of users reviews and critic reviews", that is what you are saying. I have simply asked for proof time and again that Sony paid for positive reviews of Last of Us 2 and you have not provided a shred of it.

Your case would be thrown out of court and you would have to pay the other sides legal costs as it does not even meet circumstantial evidence.

The football is on so I am done for now.

To be clear you have proven nowt and just come accross as a petty fanboy.

@TheFullAndy You keep using the word "proof" a lot for someone who clearly doesn't understand what it means or recognizes what it signifies. In this little exchange between you and @Paraka one of you has been reasonable and responsive and one of you has put on a master class in bad faith argumentation. Guess which one you are. (Nope, you guessed wrong.)

@JimmySpades

So I am either good faith or put on a master class.
I am happy with either!

None of this would have happened if @Paraka could back up what they said but they haven't. I am not interested in previous indiscretions or patterns Paraka sees, I want the proof for this alleged indiscretion and it has not been provided.

Or can you point me to the proof Sony bought reviews for Last of Us 2?

Apparently lots of people who bought physical copies have been returning their copies, wonder how that will factor in.
I enjoyed the first TLOU game, but passed on this one and watched Dansgaming play it. Second half got so bad he took a day or two break. Really sad as graphically it's absolutely amazing and I enjoy ND's game play....but that story. ugggh.

@Paraka Showing that Sony Pictures paid for reviews 20 years ago proves that Sony’s gaming division paid for reviews today how exactly?

@Paraka @TheFullAndy I’m indifferent to all this but here is something I found to be of interest.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/TheLastOfUs2/comments/hcu8cg/its_official_reviewers_that_gave_tlou_2_positive/

There are a few things regarding this link though.

1. The game in question for this link is regarding GoW and not TLOU2 but one can not deny that because of his GoW review, he was officially blacklisted from TLOU2 and any future games.

2. This happened in China and so far I don’t know is there a case in any other parts of the world.

3. This is not paid review but imo it’s even worse, you’re doing scare tactics to bend people to your will when reviewers were meant to help the people/public to decide to get a game, not to try to sell a game. At this rate they should be advertisers/promoters instead of reviewers.

And now something else, FullAndy, you should take a chill pill as you are clearly affected by one man’s opinion, people can have polarising opinions but you don’t need to go full hardcore in their face just to try to win the internet for the day. Also I suggest you start looking more into independent reviewers, big review sites like IGN, Kotaku etc are notorious for being corrupted.

@imgrowinglegs - Pattern recognition. Even with it being 20 years ago, they have been caught a few time after that doing the same thing. Sony has control of every division, and as one works one way and mostly succeeded, you can bet by pattern alone, they'll practice it elsewhere. It's nature of business to do so, it's why loot crates are so prevalent now, everyone saw it work that way and wanted a piece of that.

Not to mention many journalists have also admitted to taking review bribes.

• https://www.zeldadungeon.net/former-ign-employee-admits-review-scores-are-skewed-due-to-public-relations/#:~:text=In%20IGN%2C%20and%20other%20similar,any%20website%20that%20posts%20news.
• https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Publisher-Admits-Game-Review-Scores-Heavily-Influenced-By-Trips-Parties-Swag-48395.html

Not to mention there has been FIRINGS over bad review scores, further implicating that journalists have a price and expectations to be met outside their own opinion.

https://kotaku.com/yes-a-games-writer-was-fired-over-review-scores-5893785

There is just a surplus of evidence to suggest that, when it comes to such a great reception divide, it's likely heavily influenced. There is a reason people don't trust, and mock, games journalism.

@TheFullAndy - If reviews don't effect you, then... Why did you have an impulse to react to something that is of no consequence to you?

I gotta say this is quite curious exercise of selective memory. We have had many tout against game designer's previous comments to reflect their current standing, or even entire companies and their treatment of their staff (something ND also been subject of) as a response to everything about them.

But the patterns I call out and the evidence I show is somehow null cause they favor said game? It's honestly interesting.

@Snow-Dust

Yes the people in that Reddit chat seemed to be on the level.....

I didn't read any reviews for Last of Us 2 as I wanted to go in blind. As I stated above it is rare any review has ever influenced my buying decision. Also you had no way of knowing where I read my reviews anyway so a bit of a pointless suggestion don't you think?

Also at what point have I gone "full hardcore". If saying someone doesn't have any credibility or is a petty fanboy is going "full hardcore" I don't know what to say.

All I wanted was proof and I would have accepted it.

@Paraka

You haven't provided evidence you have seen a pattern in your head and created a "fact" out of it.

What I find interesting is you previously said Order 1886 and GoW were not reviews paid for by Sony as you didn't see a pattern. So does that mean in that case Sony's previous indiscretions suddenly were not a factor as there was no pattern?

How can you suddenly dismiss evidence out of hand like that then bring it back up when you see one of your patterns? And why would anyone take you seriously when you are so fickle?

@TheFullAndy “
I don't care, user reviews are worthless to me.”
Oh ok

Well if you don’t want to take the reddit chat with all the links provided to source then I can’t do too much. I gave you some things to take into perspective and you want to dismiss it.

It’s quite clear that between the two of you, you are upset about all this, I think if you ask anyone on this site who is completely indifferent and not standing on one side or the other, they can tell you’re the one who is most affected.

Well anyway, like I said, it’s late for me so take it for what you will, I hope you have a better day once you get over this issue today.

@Snow-Dust

That is your view, fair enough.

Have a good day.

Even if TLOU2 wasn't a Playstation still it wouldn't be possible to port it to Switch. Quality games like TLOU are an achievement not only for Sony but for the whole videogame community

@TheFullAndy - The pattern I am pointing out is the division of reception(where one side is exceedingly glowing and the other is polarized to it), the manipulation of news coverage (example: copyright strikes on particular coverage, bans of said discussions even void of spoilers), and commonly practiced on major news capitalization of said release. Patterns replicated by others who have done the same things and revealed they were personally bias with cause.

This does not mean Sony will recreate thos method of everything they do henceforth. The Order was a new IP, and making such a stunt would not only be risky, but expensive over something they wouldn't know to have a solid response from as a franchise. GoW was claimed to been bought, but I don't see the same patterns that TLOU2 has. Even their user reviews rested relatively close what journalist would review it as (outside the perfect scores, which were few). The game has an exorbitant amount of perfect scores, and with that you would expect the user base to at least respond in some level of comparative response. And usually, with all the evidence provided thus far, would land Sony in influencing the reviews. Cause they know the huge release for them, personally, would benefit clouding out competitors announcing new games and such in this same timeframe. It's business.

They're not above that, no company is, we literally just had Google attempt that with Stadia, and they had the entirety of YT to manipulate.

The problem is it's not the actions of one company that suggests the pattern. That would imply EA made loot boxes cause EA games have loot boxes. No, it's a practice they see elsewhere and decide to replicate, or attempt to, in order to garner great coverage and sales.

@Paraka

But really it comes down to your patterns though.

You want to know why the game has been reviewed bombed? Because a bunch of cry babies are not happy with the way the story went.

I bought the game, I am playing the game, it has made a few choices I was not happy with but it is a bloody brilliant game, and I am a big boy so can deal with things not going how I want story wise. The game still plays great which is why I play games.

Correct me if I am wrong, but can't people post these user reviews without proving they have actually played the game? Because if so they can not be taken at face value whether they be positive or negative hence my "user reviews are worthless" comment above.

It also affects the legitimacy of your patterns because if not everyone has played the game but are providing reviews then your stats are not accurate and cannot be used.

What is your view?

Xbox One S: 13 (21,340)
Xbox One X: 19 (20,549)

Estimated sales, 13 and 19 respectively? Is this some kind of error?

@TheFullAndy Where is your proof that users who gave poor reviews did so because of dissatisfaction with the story? I mean, you made a claim, so you're going to prove it, right?

@JimmySpades

Is that the best you can do? Now who is arguing in bad faith?! You know as well as I the majority of those reviews were made by people who had not even played the game or do you disagree?

I note you didn't provide proof of Sony buying reviews but pounced on my comment just now. How curious...

@Paraka very much focuses on their patterns and I have asked them a question in good faith about the legitimacy of said patterns when it cannot be confirmed the users even played the game.

Just passing by this comment section to see...oh...oh...never mind, I'm leaving.

I see a lot of support here for TLOU2. I'm actually surprised. Normally it would be a bunch of negative comments and such. Just a few. Definitely not the majority though. Good stuff, NL!

@mesome713 grow up,there are plenty of people that are genuinely pissed at the direction the game took. a lot of the story makes no sense and a lot if it feels forced. When a developer makes the focus of a game entirely based on an agenda and intentionally destroys everything great about the source material,then it deserves to be criticised by the fans that made it as successful as it's been in the first place. It seems you pay too much attention to mainstream gaming media because they too have labelled anyone critical of the game as the,now default go to response,as far right mysogyist,sexist...blah,blah,blah. The game is not a masterpiece. The first one is and is regarded by many as so. And guess what? Neil Druckmann wasn't a lead writer on the first game. those that were,left Naughty Dog not long after. A clear agenda was at play when they made this game so that tells you everything they were trying to achieve. The ironic thing is? The first game ended perfectly so didn't need a sequel, which made that a masterpiece because it left as many questions as it did answers. Also,how do people explain Sonys blatant double standard of censoring games like DMC5 for an arse shot of a woman,but are completely ok with full on sex scenes in their first party games like TLOU part 2? I'm sure there is a perfectly good progressive explanation this double standard

@PlayedNSlayed

Son you need to grow up you child.

"Waaaaaah I don't like what they did".

Pathetic.

Neil Druckmann is credited as the only writer for the first game so please tell me who else wrote the story for that game man child?

@PlayedNSlayed You poor thing, I'm sorry you don't agree with the critics. I understand it's hard to accept the game is loved so much.

@JimmySpades
@Paraka

Been waiting on a reply lads/ladies?

Hey, let's talk about something else!

Do you think the continued popularity of AC:NH is due to people in Japan (and elsewhere) getting cajoled by family into getting them their own island?

Also, is it weird to anyone else to see that last week Switch original sold more units than Xbone (all models) lifetime in Japan?

@shazbot It's possible, although with Smash sitting at more than 3.7M copies sold and Animal Crossing likely to have a higher attach rate anyway I suspect most of the copies sold were come by honestly. Besides, if you own it digitally you can download copies to every Switch you own and have registered; if I had kids I'd tell them to suck it up, I'm not paying an extra sixty dollars, they can play on my island and they'll like it.

Also, no. The Xbox has never sold in Japan. It's honestly more surprising that on at least one day last week they sold at least five consoles.

Man, Animal Crossing is such a beast. Nearly 5M in three months in just one region? That just crazy.

@Paraka I almost bought TLOU2 tonight. But I figured I'll be able to get it used on eBay for twenty bucks if I just wait a few months, so there's no reason to get it at full price right now. Besides, I'm playing Deadly Premonition which is awesome and I have no intention of abandoning, the sequel to that will be here soon, and I still have Pathologic 2 waiting for me which, let's be honest, is far more compelling in the gameplay it promises than anything else that has been released on PS4 this year.

@JimmySpades - Real talk; I am actually surprised more people don't play the waiting game for more of the popular titles regardless. They'll always be around, and sometimes even cheaper. Picked up MK11 for 20 bucks last week (and it is still fugly).

That, and I expect a PS5 port of the game, since that's a pattern Sony does too.

@TheFullAndy - Okay, so I had to do personal life stuff. Surprise, some of us still got work, so please, with all respect, don't play the "Twitter Game" of expecting expedient responses. Sometimes they gotta happen in time. At least for the delay, I apologize as I should of had more time to continue engaging.

With that, let me address this;

"But really it comes down to your patterns though.

You want to know why the game has been reviewed bombed? Because a bunch of cry babies are not happy with the way the story went."

I made specifically noted I am ignoring the childish behavior of one site with the attempt to review bomb. I made it clear of that, and my focus is on everyone else who has reviewed it post launch. I also made an effort to not cite reactionary people, who generally have a bone to pick with the company for whatever reason. And with those castes aside, the reviews are drastically different than the one journalism has posted.

Both of which is apparent you vehemently ignored to use this as an argument against me.

"I bought the game, I am playing the game, it has made a few choices I was not happy with but it is a bloody brilliant game, and I am a big boy so can deal with things not going how I want story wise. The game still plays great which is why I play games."

You can agree with a paid game as equally as one can disagree with it, that... That really shouldn't even be a counter-point. Doesn't stop it from being bought. Some like bad games as much as some hate good ones.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but can't people post these user reviews without proving they have actually played the game? Because if so they can not be taken at face value whether they be positive or negative hence my "user reviews are worthless" comment above."

Absolutely, it's why I avoided them in my responses, and made it clear I am setting them aside.

I even mentioned it to @playstation_king and their response that it is too much of a constant hot take to even want to consider. So using a metacritic style score is foolish, and it would need time for it to "level out" for a lack of better phrase.

"It also affects the legitimacy of your patterns because if not everyone has played the game but are providing reviews then your stats are not accurate and cannot be used."

Is this a connecting response to the previous part, or an overall comment about reviews?

All in all though, the real question is this; Why did my response bother you so much? Think about it. Even if I said was true, what now? The intent already served its purpose and sold the game for Sony, and you're still "on top" regardless. Literally me calling it out on one site doesn't stop that freight train. But I do it cause I note the practices, I have seen them time and time again. Like a car dude who can call out a style of engine if it were.

I believe we are at an impasse, however. You're motivated to be unmoved to any evidence, or even humor the idea of, which you so have stoically planted opposition to. But for that, we shall end it here.

Enjoy your game, man.

@mesome713 😄 thanks for proving my point.

@Paraka

It is a new day and Liverpool FC are Premier League Champions so I am happy as Larry.

I took issue with your comment from the start as here is a Sony title making number one in the charts and the first comment is "Guess buying reviews helps sales." I am sure you can see why I thought it came accross as being salty and fanboyish hence my "grow up" comment.

But credit to you, you have tried your best to back up your stance and in truth I was on the wind up in most of my replies, something jimmyspades picked up on.

Anyway, have a good day!

YNWA

@westman98
Do you even know what a first party game is?
If you do, please fix up the mistake in your above post.

@ItsOKToBeOK Sony came out with the sales numbers today. The Last of Us 2 debuted with 4 million copies sold in the first week, beating Spider-Man as the fastest selling PS4 title.

Pretty impressive stuff.

@imgrowinglegs First week sales also include preorders, and Sony threw in digital downloads into that number too.

This was Sony’s best first party release in Japan, but it ranks lower than 14 first party Nintendo Switch releases.

I have a feeling next few weeks numbers for TLOU 2 will reflect more accurately the interest in it.

@ItsOKToBeOK I’m not surprised that so many Switch games rank above it. Switch tears up the charts every week.

It’s good to see Nintendo absolutely killin’ it again.

@TheFullAndy @Paraka Some interesting things have come to light regarding TLOU2 reviews
https://screenrant.com/sony-questioned-outlets-review-last-of-us-2/
Overall its a link talking about Polygon giving TLOU2 a less than stellar review and was thus, contacted by Sony asking why they didnt give a perfect review. Nothing big happened but itll be interesting to see if Polygon will get any special treatment from Sony from this point on.

Yellow Flash also talks about how bad reviews of TLOU2 on youtube was strike down with DMCA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5u_HrrjWy4

So Paraka is wrong, there is no paid review but there's something else going on. Manipulation and abusing the system in order to get good reviews for the game. That's just as bad if not worse imo. Sony is destroying people's career because they dont like their reviews.

@Snow-Dust

I honestly don't care, I played the game and it was amazing. I do not rely on critic or user reviews of games because only I can know how I feel about a game.

@Snow-Dust - Curious still, it doesn't necessarily discredit the incentive for positive reviews. I mean, if you're contacted for the bad review, something would suggest they were expecting more from it that the reviewer may not been aware of but Polygon has. Which paying is part of the abuse and manipulation of the system.

The problem is; The paid reviews have done their due diligence. It sold millions of copies. Now, good luck trying to get refunds or whatever, Sony has made that money back. The question is now if this will effect them going forward.

I do believe more will be surfacing on this. Seems like the drama isn't over yet.