http://gamerlimit.com/2009/10/gamer-limit-review-valhalla-knights-eldar-saga/
It is quite obvious reviewers aren't playing the whole game. They are just getting to a certain level and then playing online.
Look at this part just to prove my point.
"The worst part about picking the Wii as the console of choice is the game’s “focus” toward online play. Players can connect and quest together through the use of the infamous friend code. However, there is no main hub for people to gather together, so the friend code is required to quest together. Once you dupe someone into playing with you, it does alleviate a few of the problems with the class balance."
Notice how they are bashing the Wii, and not even the game. Also, if they played the game like they should, they would know online is NOT the "focus."
Then this part. Notice the bolded, another example of Wii bashing.
"Players that finally realized their Wii will never connect them to the internet can hire mercenaries instead. These NPCs travel with the player on certain missions (some won’t let you take them) and fight alongside the hero. Doing different quests will net you different mercenaries, and you can change their equipment and battle plans in town, but it’s quite possible to the beat the game using the fighter class the game gives you in the beginning. Don’t worry, he will die and run into walls. That’s normal."
No you can't, mercenary's are for single player quests, and could be used in the main quest. Online Players are for online quests, and cannot be used in the main quest. There is a difference, and it is a big one.
And then there is this.
"The problem with the generational storyline in VK:ES is its length. The game is FAR too short for players that don’t do the guild quests. Each episode clocks in at about four to five hours each, and that’s a combination of cutscenes, running, fighting, fetching meaningless items, and more running. Of course, there is a lot of replay with the large quantities of items, classes and quests, but the gameplay and balance issues make it difficult to come back."
Maybe the 'real' problem with the length is that they didn't finish the game to the fullest. I spent 18hrs on the first episode alone. The second episode I'm at around 50hrs, making it a full 60hrs, and I am still not done with the final boss, nor leveling.
So I've found quite a few things these reviewers are having problems with.
- It isn't online focused like they wanted it to be.
- It is on Wii. This isn't the case with Nintendo Power, but I expect them to rate the game low due to their natural bias toward high budget or first party games. Okami got a 7 from them.
- It is too low budget.
- They wanted fast paced combat, which every game doesn't need. They also didn't play the combat to the fullest. And like most other reviewers, they play the game "casually" yet bash the Wii for being "casual."