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Ryan points out that critics tend to focus more on messaging, cultural sensitivity, and social themes, which may not resonate with the average gamer. This divergence has led to a situation where critical consensus might not perfectly mirror player appreciation. The game’s popularity among fans, demonstrated through its user scores, suggests that gameplay experience and storytelling have struck a chord that critics may overlook or undervalue.
Correcting the Record: Use of Metacritic Data
One of Ryan's primary grievances is with Paul Tassie’s handling of the game's ratings data. Ryan contends that Tassie has misrepresented or misunderstood how to interpret Metacritic scores, particularly when filtering reviewer data by platform or time period.