History ZeroPunctuation / TropesEToH

** On ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'': "Honestly, who can like a character [[FloatingLimbs whose hands and feet have no visible connection to their torso?]]"
*** What makes this even better is how Yahtzee's avatar is then shown walking away from Rayman with [[StylisticSuck crudely drawn lines connecting his hands and feet to his body.]]

* HypeBacklash: InUniverse, the whole joke behind his ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' fake review was creating a version of the game that wouldn't succumb to this, and would make sense that it spent so long in development. The result was a game that came on fourteen discs, with a lengthy epic story campaign that reworked Duke into a well-developed and complex figure and a seamless "full-body interface" where every button corresponded to a body part, which controlled Duke through the entire GenreBusting run. When ''DNF'' finally came out, one of his biggest issues was that, if anything, the game seemed "kinda rushed."

-->"Fans are clingy complaining dipshits who will never ever be grateful for any concession you make. The moment you shut out their shrill, tremulous voices the happier you will be for it. Incidentally, why not buy a ''Zero Punctuation'' [[TheMerch t-shirt]]?"

* HistoryRepeats: Yahtzee tends to be pretty observant on the nature of certain cycling trends throughout games and the gaming industry, for better and for worse. Yahtzee notes that trends devoted specifically towards [[RevenueEnhancingDevices maximizing profits/exploiting consumers]] tend to ebb and wane drastically, with capitalist demands for infinite growth always reaching a logical breaking point and crash when audiences cannot keep up and end up rejecting the trends for products they deem actually worth their time. Yahtzee observed this as what caused the UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983 (an oversaturation of mediocre hashed-out games by countless developers, far more than what audiences wanted anything to do with), as well as with the flash of PC multiplayer shooters in the 90's (games like ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' trying to convince consumers there was no future in single-player games, only for the late-90's to 2000's to be a goldmine for such experiences) and the glut of [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMOs]] of the 2000's-early 10's (made in an attempt to [[FollowTheLeader replicate the successful format]][[invoked]] of ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', only to be crushed out of the market). By the early 2020's, Yahtzee also dubbed the "live service" model a dying/dead trend for the same reasons of oversaturation and increased audience antipathy, and that in general, the only games that withstand the tests of time are those that are well-made and reasonably-priced.

* GeniusBonus: Yahtzee has a tendency to make fairly obscure references, based on his somewhat specific tastes, or that may fall flat for non British/Australian audiences.
** When talking about VideoGame/ZombiU, Yahtzee mentions he called the cricket bat his "staff of Wisden." along with a little picture of the book he's referencing the Wisden Cricketer's Almanac.

** At the end of the [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/6104-The-Amazing-Spider-Man review]] of ''VideoGame/TheAmazingSpiderMan'', having made a comment on Spider-Man having a different costume: "I don't actually know if anyone disliked the new Spider-Man costume, [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks but I have been on the Internet long enough to make an educated guess]]."

* AGodAmI: Slogging through ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'' imbued him super-gaming prowess, to the point where he [[PowerFloats hovers]] over his couch and shoots [[EyeBeams optic blasts]]. He lamented that he would have to SelfImposedChallenge his way through mainstream games in the future -- possibly by attaching lobster claws to his scrotum.

--->'''Yahtzee:''' ''<after the release of ''VideoGame/{{Bayonetta}}'' on UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}>'' Why don't you bring out a Steam version of that shooter you made? The one that became a bit of a [[CultClassic cult hit]] and that's now also hard to find?

* HeManWomanHater: A NonSequitur toward the end of the ''[[VideoGame/TheSims The Sims 3]]'' [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/800-The-Sims-3 review]]. Yahtzee later explained that the bit was the result of a minor CreatorBreakdown as he had just broken up with his then-girlfriend.
** After Rebecca Mayes' love/hate song that called him out on this he claimed he ''does'' hate women, but only because he HatesEveryoneEqually.
** From the CreditsGag for the ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'' review: "I'm not a misogynist, I only hate the bitchy ones".

* HollywoodBoardGames: Creator/BenCroshaw [[ConversedTrope complains]] that having an ActionBasedMission in the climax of a puzzle-solving game like ''VideoGame/LANoire'' is akin to defeating Hitler by beating him at ''TabletopGame/{{Pictionary}}''. It's just that absurd and that much of a MoodWhiplash.

-->"Bosoms, melons, milk factories, busts, funbags, knockers, [[VideoGame/ResidentEvil4 ballistics]], boobies, jugs, nipples, jubblies, ''[[MemeticMutation stonking great tits]]!"''

-->"Fans are clingy complaining dipshits who will [[UnpleasableFanbase never ever be grateful for any concession you make]]. The moment you shut out their shrill, tremulous voices the happier you will be for it. Incidentally, why not buy a ''Zero Punctuation'' [[TheMerch t-shirt]]?"

** In his ''Duke Nukem Forever'' review he rants about how people should be sacked for not doing their jobs, and the picture shows him being dragged out of his office with a sign saying "job: review actual games that exist" (''Duke Nukem Forever'' had been cancelled at the time the review was made, and would not be SavedFromDevelopmentHell for over a year).

--> "The game just sort of cuts out halfway through resolving everyth"-[END CREDITS]

* HistoryRepeats: Yahtzee tends to be pretty observant on the nature of certain cycling trends throughout games and the gaming industry, for better and for worse. Yahtzee notes that trends devoted specifically towards [[RevenueEnhancingDevices maximizing profits/exploiting consumers]] tend to ebb and wane drastically, with capitalist demands for infinite growth always reaching a logical breaking point and crash when audiences cannot keep up and end up rejecting the trends for products they deem actually worth their time. Yahtzee observed this as what caused the UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983 (an oversaturation of mediocre hashed-out games by countless developers, far more than what audiences wanted anything to do with), as well as with the flash of PC multiplayer shooters in the 90's (games like ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' trying to convince consumers there was no future in single-player games, only for the late-90's to 2000's to be a goldmine for such experiences) and the glut of [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMOs]] of the 2000's-early 10's (made in an attempt to [[FollowTheLeader replicate the successful format]][[invoked]] of ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', only to be crushed out of the market). By the early 2020's, Yahtzee also dubbed the "live service" model a dying/dead trend for the same reasons of oversaturation and audience antipathy, and that in general, the only games that withstand the tests of time are those that are well-made and reasonably-priced.

* HistoryRepeats: Yahtzee tends to be pretty observant on the nature of certain cycling trends throughout games and the gaming industry, for better and for worse. Yahtzee notes that trends devoted specifically towards [[RevenueEnhancingDevices maximizing profits/exploiting consumers]] tend to ebb and wane drastically, with capitalist demands for infinite growth always reaching a logical breaking point and crash when audiences cannot keep up and end up rejecting the trends for products they deem actually worth their time. Yahtzee observed this as what caused the UsefulNotes/TheGreatVideoGameCrashOf1983 (an oversaturation of mediocre hashed-out games by countless developers, far more than what audiences wanted anything to do with), as well as with the flash of PC multiplayer shooters in the 90's (games like ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament'' and ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' trying to convince consumers there was no future in single-player games, only for the late-90's to 2000's to be a goldmine for such experiences) and the glut of [[MassivelyMultiplayerOnlineRolePlayingGame MMOs]] of the 2000's-early 10's (made in an attempt to [[FollowTheLeader replicate the successful format]][[invoked]] of ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', only to be crushed out of the market).

* GameplayRoulette: [[DiscussedTrope A frequent talking point for Yahtzee]], one where his opinion will shift depending on how a specific game implements it. Yahtzee is a fan of innovation and taking creative risks, but the key for him is ''necessity'': if a game [[MasterOfNone has loads of different forms of gameplay but doesn't focus on any of them well enough]], he's going to come down hard on it, and even if he does find a diamond in the rough, he'll still going to criticize the rest of the game for its lack of focus. He's especially cynical of AAA games that indulge in this (especially "Jiminy Cockthroat" games with meandering [[WideOpenSandbox open world]] action/stealth games with [[ItemCrafting crafting]] and collectibles), which he derides as tacking various elements in a hollow attempt to appeal to the widest possible markets. However, Yahtzee is much more impressed if a game has ''earned'' its gameplay roulette, where the gameplay loops actually contribute to and advance each other, thus producing more than the sum of their parts and streamlining the game into an experience where everything actually matters, rather than existing for the sake of existing.

'''Yahtzee:''' [in an [[BerserkButton unusually raspy voice]]] '''[[GetOut Get out.]]'''

'''Yahtzee:''' Oh, '''[[BerserkButton fuck you.]]'''

* FromClonesToGenre: Mentioned in his [[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/231-Mercenaries-2 review]] of ''VideoGame/{{Mercenaries}} 2''.
** The series itself has started to become one of these. At first it was a simple case of FollowTheLeader as imitators sprang up on Website/YouTube, but now that [[WebAnimation/ExtraCredits three]] [[Creator/BobChipman series]] on the ''Escapist'' itself have followed suit, two of which are not review shows, it's safe to say this is a legit genre now.
** He defended his continued use of the expression "Like ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' but..." by arguing that a) ''God of War'' was already part of an existing genre (namely the hack and slash) and b) the games he'd described as such had not done enough to distinguish themselves from the game they were imitating, rendering them inferior clones.

* FairForItsDay: [[invoked]]In his ''VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw'' review he notes that despite Juliet's design and position as a cheerleader she's always in control of the situation, she has a stable family life and is treated as a distinct and flawed character [[SlapstickKnowsNoGender who's often played for comedy]], and the game never calls on the player to defend her from rapists.

* FakeBalance: He provided the page quote when talking about ''VideoGame/CallOfJuarezBoundInBlood'', pointing out that Thomas's abilities (accurate shooting, lassos, better mobility) are actually useful, while Ray's (more health and dual-wielding pistols) are meaningless because of the game's mechanics (RegeneratingHealth and very small ammunition capacity).

* EverythingsBetterWithPlushies: The Escapist sold Imp plushies at one point.
** There's also the way that the last mother fox and her babies are portrayed as little fox plushies in Yahtzee's review of ''VideoGame/EndlingExtinctionIsForever''.

* FishEyes: Used very, ''very'' often to depict the many, ''many'' moments of stupidity of both VideoGame characters and RealLife people. Expect said "Down's Syndrome" eyes to be the first thing you see whenever a game's [[ArtificialStupidity "AI"]] or IdiotPlot is brought up.

** In his Saints Row 4 review, he refers to "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Music/{{Aerosmith}} as "that one Aerosmith song from the ''Film/{{Armageddon}}'' soundtrack that everyone seems faintly embarrassed to admit is kinda alright."

** Indeed, he thought ''Ride to Hell'' was so bad that it didn't even place on his bottom 5 for that year: he considered it such a failure that it barely even qualified as a game, and hence gave it a special award for "Total Abhorrence", which it would hold until an even worse game comes along (as of the summer of 2020 it has not been supplanted yet).

* AGoodNameForARockBand: In the credits for his review of ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'', he remarks that "Dullness and Slog" (the two words he used earlier to summarize the tropes of [=JRPGs=]) would be a good name for a band.

* ForcedMeme: Yahtzee coined the term "Spectacle Fighter" to describe games like ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe'' or ''VideoGame/GodHand'', and once joked that he was determined to "shoehorn it into common parlance". It didn't really work (something he loudly complained about in his review of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' when the industry instead decided to give the genre the insipid name "character action games"), although plenty of other terms he's used have since achieved memetic status (as [[PressXToNotDie various tropes]] on this very wiki illustrate). However "Spectacle Fighter" has seen ''some'' use; for example, Creator/HumbleBundle use it as a genre tag (called a "trait") on their store page to categorise such stylish action games as the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series.

* ForcedMeme: Yahtzee coined the term "Spectacle Fighter" to describe games like ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe'' or ''VideoGame/GodHand'', and once joked that he was determined to "shoehorn it into common parlance". It didn't really work, although plenty of other terms he's used have since achieved memetic status (as [[PressXToNotDie various tropes]] on this very wiki illustrate). However "Spectacle Fighter" has seen ''some'' use; for example, Creator/HumbleBundle use it as a genre tag (called a "trait") on their store page to categorise such stylish action games as the ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' series.

* GrandfatherClause: He's not a fan of games using outdated video game conventions for no better reason than tradition, such as the "lives" systems that persist in ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' titles or even in modern titles such as ''VideoGame/IAmAlive''.

* FormulaBreakingEpisode: His first review of ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'', which came out when the game was still VaporWare and consequently was completely made up, as well as the ''VideoGame/{{Wolfenstein 2009}}'' review which was, except for the introduction, entirely in limerick form, including the tag-ending text. Also his review of ''[[VideoGame/FIFASoccer FIFA 13]]'' where, owing to him not actually giving a toss about soccer games, he decided to [[InsaneTrollLogic review it without actually playing (or even buying) it]], leading to him repeatedly getting sidetracked and doing short reviews of three other games instead (''VideoGame/MarkOfTheNinja, VideoGame/{{Anna}}'' and ''VideoGame/TokyoJungle'').

* EightDeadlyWords: In-universe, this is a common criticism he's made of various story-driven games. In his review of ''VideoGame/EverybodysGoneToTheRapture'', he noted that defending the game's minimalist gameplay due to the game's story focus would be an irrelevant argument, as he didn't like any of the game's characters. Indeed, this is one of his biggest complaints about "walking simulators" - there's no sense of adversity or conflict because there's no challenge to overcome, so it's hard for him to get invested in the story.

* EasternEuropeanAnimation: Yahtzee claims to have grown up watching Russian cartoons ''à la'' [[TheSimpsons Worker and Parasite]] rather than ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'', which he states is the reason that he has no particular nostalgia for the series.

* HighConcept: Has come up with a few for Creator/Suda51's more recent games. Most notably, "[[VideoGame/LollipopChainsaw Cheerleader Fights Zombies]]". Which is then followed by, "[[ClicheStorm Dead Horse]]". He in fact thinks that this is the main problem with his later games, in that he found his earlier games much more interesting when they were bizarre, surreal and hence hard to describe.