The game is out now but a Biomutant reviews tweet from publisher THQ Nordic has caused controversy amongst Twitter users, as at first glance it seemingly looks to be mocking the opinions of reviewers. While the THQ Nordic Twitter account has clarified that this is not the case, fans continue to be upset about this Biomutant tweet and are voicing their own negative opinions about it across social media.
Why was the Biomutant reviews tweet so controversial?
The controversial tweet from THQ Nordic was a response to the Biomutant account about the reviews for the game being in. The THQ Nordic tweet showed off quotes from two different reviews, one from Metacritic and the other from PCGamesN, with completely polar opposite opinions on the game’s world design and combat.
“THQ's new open-world action/RPG game excels at the former (its world design) but struggles with combat.” – @metacritic
“A vibrant art style and fluid combat, hindered by some seriously repetitive open world design” – @PCGamesN pic.twitter.com/hi7iBcl5ca
— THQ Nordic (@THQNordic) May 25, 2021
While THQ Nordic later clarified that the post “was only meant to highlight the different opinions people can have about pretty much anything,” this has not stopped a lot of Twitter users from being upset and perceiving that the tweet was seemingly mocking these reviews.
Does THQ think the media is like one dude named John Gamesjournalist who issues a singular opinion for every game https://t.co/Ez7tGgSwD6
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) May 25, 2021
This sort of childish shit does the game and devs a massive disservice. And metacritic isn't a reviewer you goof. Sort yourself out. https://t.co/HVRtVGJnYR
— Fraser Brown (@FraserIBrown) May 25, 2021
Are you a social media manager? This is a textbook example of 'what not to do on a brand account' https://t.co/TSDJkKsNPE
— dash (@dashiellwood) May 25, 2021
While many people agree that the tweet wasn’t meant to be hostile, even if the tweet was not meant to be mocking some are concerned that highlighting specific reviews and reviewers’ opinions gives fuel to trolls seeking to attack them.
Publishers: Please, please, do not do this. When you cite specific reviews like this, you're giving tacit permission to trolls and hatemongers to encourage attacks on the writers. You put them into danger. https://t.co/7nJgCc1NAB
— jason_wilson (@jason_wilson) May 25, 2021
Some users, including Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, went so far as to highlight the disastrous AMA THQ Nordic held on 8chan back in 2019, which the publisher was forced to issue an apology over.
The team that did an AMA on 8chan is confused that different game reviewers have different opinions https://t.co/GVjrkYqil3
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) May 25, 2021
The tweet remains up at the time of writing. It’s certainly not the only controversy Biomutant has endured, as THQ Nordic received criticism for putting one of the game’s classes as a pre-order exclusive bonus, and now players are even having trouble even accessing the Mercenary class.
Our reviewer was a lot more positive about Biomutant, calling it a “spectacular furry apocalypse.” You can check out our review right here.
