I'd like to reiterate after rereading this that I don't think your opinion isn't valid, scott. I was trying to talk about how my own inner critic considers your opinion. I understand what it is you find disconcerting, and I can rationally understand that out here in the real world. I was trying to express the fact that from my own critical viewpoint (the way I look at games when I'm playing them to review them, etc.) I can't conceive of ever leveling such a complaint at the game. Rationally, I know what you're saying. I personally don't share that viewpoint given the fact that the game features the mass slaughter of zombies (exceedingly fictional) using all kinds of ridiculous weapons (comical, over the top, gratuitously violent, etc.) and doesn't even aim for realism with its story in particular. But I completely understand what it is that bothers you, and why. I don't even really disagree in the sense that yeah, the game could have paid more strict homage to zombie movies instead of spreading its wings so much further and trying to pay homage to horror movies and such in general. I was really just trying to illustrate that my own perspective differs so widely from yours that I can't even begin to imagine ever having that complaint enter my mind, not that your opinion is actually stupid or invalid. And I know I more or less said your opinion was stupid, but I assure you that wasn't how I meant it. I blame this mostly on the fact that I had just gotten up when I made the post and was very much still asleep. Reading it now, it sounds like I'm calling you an idiot, and that wasn't my intention at all. What I meant by "my perspective", following the comment on this subject being entirely subjective (hence open to much interpretation and opinion), was my critical perspective. Meaning that in a review I wouldn't even think of trying to mention something like that, nor would I ever use it to measure a game's merit in any area other than the general sense of the content. I don't think it's a decision anybody can really question given what the game actually is. It would still be valid if another reviewer wrote it, but I consider that beneath what a review should consist of unless the game is really aiming for some kind of seriousness, which I don't think DR ever even purported to do. I know you don't like it, and I completely see why you don't, and I don't think that the issue isn't a valid reason for you to dislike the game. It's entirely valid.
I do, however, think it's entirely *invalid* when considering whether or not the game is a must-buy, hence my slightly overzealous commenting. I mean, must-buy is obviously a term with numerous problems in and of itself. Nothing is ever a must-buy for every person, because even people who generally like the same stuff often have differences in opinion. Saying Gears of War isn't a must-buy would be a ludicrous statement because the game is awesome, is probably the best on the system when it comes to action, graphics, art design, etc., and has sold Jeebus only knows how many bazillion copies, but there are tons of reasons someone might not like it. It's expensive, it's very short, and they miss almost every single opportunity to inject real emotion and backstory into the game's fairly light plot despite the fact that they built *many* opportunities which could have been used to excellent effect. But it's absolutely still a killer app and is going to be a must-buy for your average user. So what this whole overblown thing is attempting to say is that DR definitely sold systems, has had better sales than a lot of the other games on the system (at least in ratio -- obviously some others have been out longer), and is probably in the must-buy category of your average 360 owner.
Anyway... apologies for my tone this morning. No offense was intended. You're welcome to make equally jackass-like comments back at me now in retaliation.
