I don't see the problem with the QTEs, you're not honestly expecting to get platinums the first time around. You'll remember the QTEs on later plays anyway.

The problem is that so much of the game is non-interactive cutscene to begin with, then it just decides OH PRESS A BUTTON BY THE WAY.

I subscribe to the Yahtzee school of "QTEs Suck Ass" to begin with, but in this instance they're nothing more than opportunities to troll the player.

Yes, absolutely, I too was bothered by the QTEs suddenly popping up, unexpected. I only got a few of them on my first time. On the second try, it was ok. But then, that has absolutely nothing to do with the grading system.

When deaths take away such a big chunk of your grade, I contest that it has a lot to do with the grading system.

The optimum solution is probably ditching QTE deaths relating to overall grade and just using them as small bonuses for Halos. Some of them go on too long (like the counter punching in some boss fights) and you get tired, but getting hit there is only damage, not an instant death. in NSIC it can be pretty close to both, though.

Outside of QTEs I stick to the idea that the grading is hardly broken, though.

The real problem is the autosave system that makes pure platinuming stuff more trouble than it's worth, with the inability to retry verses thanks to the autosaving after obtaining your grade. Although I understand the idea of "one perfect run", I also realize that one fuck up 3/4s of the way into it is major aggrivating, especially on long chapters, holy shit.

Yeah, getting longer chapters right can be kinda tedious.
A bit like practicing the piano...

I find it pretty amazing how the game is fun and punishing at the same time.
"Exploring" new levels is neat. Even if I'm getting my ass kicked the first time.
Replaying that same level then for a better grade is just as neat...
Playing the game is fun, playing the game for good grades and / or more halos is fun as well.
So yes, it actually does deserve those "perfect" scores by Edge and Famitsu.

They're probably pissing themselves laughing at all the OCD achievement whores bitching about it on the GameFAQS message boards (One assumes). If I was making a game I'd be sure to put in at least one achievement that'd just be annoying to get to wind up all the kids that shit their pants when they can't get a perfect achievement score. Heh, maybe put one in that just randomly pops up with a really low chance or only on certain copies of the game but if anyone asks tell them it's to do with in-game stats and have a good chuckle at people trying to work out what causes it.

So yeah, trolling the gamers sounds pretty funny to me.