Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation?
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Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Now sing "I Am the Very Model of a Scientist Salarian."
Now sing "I Am the Very Model of a Scientist Salarian."
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
This. They're under twenty bucks a piece now.
This. They're under twenty bucks a piece now.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I have to agree that for the time being, Mass Effect's impact doesn't extend much beyond the gaming community. That may change with the movie (which BTW, was only announced last summer IIRC and is still in the writing/pre-pre production phase) but then the track record of movies based on video games is hardly encouraging...on the other hand, the track record of movies based on comic books was similarly poor until 'Blade' and look where we are now.
Still, if what you want is a good linear storyline (and don't mind being spoiled and/or have no intention of playing) then I suggest you have a look at the video I linked to on the previous page. It does very well in capturing the tone feeling of the game and is not *just* a bunch of stitched together cut scenes. Seriously, I was impressed at how they were able to condense and distil 10-20 hours of gameplay into 10 minutes of cohesive narrative.
Wholeheartedly agree! I bought Mass Effect in a Steam sale just a few months before ME2 was released. At the time I knew *nothing* about it, just that it had good reviews and there was plenty of hype for the sequel. Plus, it was only a fiver, so what the hell, right!?
Best. Purchase. Ever. And this is coming from someone who's never been much of an RPG gamer. Seriously, I *still* haven't completed KOTOR and Oblivion (another Steam sale dice roll) bored the crap out of me.
I have to agree that for the time being, Mass Effect's impact doesn't extend much beyond the gaming community. That may change with the movie (which BTW, was only announced last summer IIRC and is still in the writing/pre-pre production phase) but then the track record of movies based on video games is hardly encouraging...on the other hand, the track record of movies based on comic books was similarly poor until 'Blade' and look where we are now.
Still, if what you want is a good linear storyline (and don't mind being spoiled and/or have no intention of playing) then I suggest you have a look at the video I linked to on the previous page. It does very well in capturing the tone feeling of the game and is not *just* a bunch of stitched together cut scenes. Seriously, I was impressed at how they were able to condense and distil 10-20 hours of gameplay into 10 minutes of cohesive narrative.
Wholeheartedly agree! I bought Mass Effect in a Steam sale just a few months before ME2 was released. At the time I knew *nothing* about it, just that it had good reviews and there was plenty of hype for the sequel. Plus, it was only a fiver, so what the hell, right!?
Best. Purchase. Ever. And this is coming from someone who's never been much of an RPG gamer. Seriously, I *still* haven't completed KOTOR and Oblivion (another Steam sale dice roll) bored the crap out of me.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Also, you should definitely take the time to finish KOTOR. It's still my favorite BioWare game, and has influenced a lot of what they've done since.
True, but at least BioWare has stated that they are maintaining close involvement in the production.
Also, you should definitely take the time to finish KOTOR. It's still my favorite BioWare game, and has influenced a lot of what they've done since.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
As for KOTOR...I tried, I really did. I slogged through the first planet (so very dull!) followed by Dantooine (only slightly less dull) then Tattooine which I really enjoyed (it felt like walking through an old Ralph Mcquarrie painting!) and Kashyyyk (so so) but then I got to the water city planet and it all came crashing to a halt for me. Endless, samey corridors populated by nothing but smug Sith Imperials and side quests that frankly, sent me right to sleep.
As I said, I'm not much of an RPG gamer and the old D&D inspired game mechanics really hinders my enjoyment. I mean seriously? My character fires a blaster at something that's trying to chew her guts out and she misses...four times in a row...Sod that for a game of conkers.[/thread derailment]
^Hence my comparison to the changing fortunes of comic book based films.
As for KOTOR...I tried, I really did. I slogged through the first planet (so very dull!) followed by Dantooine (only slightly less dull) then Tattooine which I really enjoyed (it felt like walking through an old Ralph Mcquarrie painting!) and Kashyyyk (so so) but then I got to the water city planet and it all came crashing to a halt for me. Endless, samey corridors populated by nothing but smug Sith Imperials and side quests that frankly, sent me right to sleep.
As I said, I'm not much of an RPG gamer and the old D&D inspired game mechanics really hinders my enjoyment. I mean seriously? My character fires a blaster at something that's trying to chew her guts out and she misses...four times in a row...Sod that for a game of conkers.[/thread derailment]
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I can understand where you're coming from. Even today, with their more modern games, I find them highly formulaic. There's one planet in Mass Effect, or at least part of it that really resembled one of the planets in KOTOR to the point that it made me feel like I'd been there before, even before having played through it entirely. It's something in the way of their level design, everything seeming so flat in terms of architecture, it's like they design things with only one axis in mind, and no x, y, and z.
I can understand where you're coming from. Even today, with their more modern games, I find them highly formulaic. There's one planet in Mass Effect, or at least part of it that really resembled one of the planets in KOTOR to the point that it made me feel like I'd been there before, even before having played through it entirely. It's something in the way of their level design, everything seeming so flat in terms of architecture, it's like they design things with only one axis in mind, and no x, y, and z.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
As far as I am concerned, picking up ME3 without having ever played the first two would be like reading/watching "The Return of the King" without having seen or read "The Fellowship of the Ring" or "The Two Towers". You might be able to enjoy aspects of it, but you still wouldn't have a damn clue whats going on. You would truly not be able to fully appreciate the game for what it is.
As far as I am concerned, picking up ME3 without having ever played the first two would be like reading/watching "The Return of the King" without having seen or read "The Fellowship of the Ring" or "The Two Towers". You might be able to enjoy aspects of it, but you still wouldn't have a damn clue whats going on. You would truly not be able to fully appreciate the game for what it is.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Oh, I'm well aware of what the thread is about, but I've also found it annoying anytime some momentarily popular movie, show or game proclaims "It's the next "Star Wars!" or "Is momentarily popular movie, show or game the next "Star Wars?"
Basically one of the questions posited by one of the links in the very first post in this thread.
And Star Wars is not "sci-fi", per se......it's usually defined as "science fantasy", which is apt.
Oh, I'm well aware of what the thread is about, but I've also found it annoying anytime some momentarily popular movie, show or game proclaims "It's the next "Star Wars!" or "Is momentarily popular movie, show or game the next "Star Wars?"
Basically one of the questions posited by one of the links in the very first post in this thread.
And Star Wars is not "sci-fi", per se......it's usually defined as "science fantasy", which is apt.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I wouldn't go that far. Bioware have stressed that they've designed a new auto-branching dialogue system that adjusts the level of exposition based on whether or not the player is starting a new game or importing a ME2 save. The stated intent being that veterans aren't bored by redundant explanations while new players aren't kept in the dark.
Still, while I don't think playing the first two games is a *must*, it is definitely preferable and well worth the investment. More than anything though, playing the first two games will give you a connection to the characters and their growth that you can't possibly get from any amount of exposition.
The level design is only part of it. To me Taris just felt so empty and bland on my first attempted playthrough that it just sucked all the fun out of the game (of which there was little thanks to the aforementioned combat system.) Later playthroughs weren't so bad as I knew what needing doing and went directly from A to B. But then, with an RPG game, you really want that sense of rewarding exploration.
But yes, the flat level design wasn't a good idea. It wouldn't have been so bad if there was actually something to explore. Instead all those areas really are is a cross-roads to get to slightly less boring areas. At least with the Presidium in ME you get a sense of exploration and there's a number of things to do.
I wouldn't go that far. Bioware have stressed that they've designed a new auto-branching dialogue system that adjusts the level of exposition based on whether or not the player is starting a new game or importing a ME2 save. The stated intent being that veterans aren't bored by redundant explanations while new players aren't kept in the dark.
Still, while I don't think playing the first two games is a *must*, it is definitely preferable and well worth the investment. More than anything though, playing the first two games will give you a connection to the characters and their growth that you can't possibly get from any amount of exposition.
The level design is only part of it. To me Taris just felt so empty and bland on my first attempted playthrough that it just sucked all the fun out of the game (of which there was little thanks to the aforementioned combat system.) Later playthroughs weren't so bad as I knew what needing doing and went directly from A to B. But then, with an RPG game, you really want that sense of rewarding exploration.
But yes, the flat level design wasn't a good idea. It wouldn't have been so bad if there was actually something to explore. Instead all those areas really are is a cross-roads to get to slightly less boring areas. At least with the Presidium in ME you get a sense of exploration and there's a number of things to do.
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Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I don't think it's as bad as that. Remember ME2 had to be tooled to be playable by PS3 and other platforms where ME1 was never (and apparently will never) be released. They did workarounds to allow for the fact many players will have never seen ME1. I certainly had no trouble getting into the story; even the DLC missions involving Liara were easy to understand - the characters had some history, I get it.
ME3 likewise is going to be tooled in such a way that, at the least, it makes sense to people who came in with ME2, like myself. I just completed ME2 twice - one with a male Shepard
and one with a female Shepard
. So it'll be interesting to see how the "carryover" saves work on those. If I have time I might create a third save file where Male Shepard
too. But I want to see who actually appears in the third game; I've only heard speculation as to what characters actually appear, and I'm sure there were a few people who were disappointed that
I'm still undecided if I want to buy the game outright when it comes out next week or if I should wait till the inevitable DLC special edition comes out later.
And I do hope someone at Bioware or wherever changes their mind and puts out a PS3 port of the first game. It would make for a heck of a good box set.
Alex
I don't think it's as bad as that. Remember ME2 had to be tooled to be playable by PS3 and other platforms where ME1 was never (and apparently will never) be released. They did workarounds to allow for the fact many players will have never seen ME1. I certainly had no trouble getting into the story; even the DLC missions involving Liara were easy to understand - the characters had some history, I get it.
ME3 likewise is going to be tooled in such a way that, at the least, it makes sense to people who came in with ME2, like myself. I just completed ME2 twice - one with a male Shepard
who romanced Miranda but screwed up and got Kelly and half the crew killed on the collector ship
who saved everyone and went all L-Word with Kelly Chambers
saves everyone and romances Tali
any characters their Shepard romanced in ME1 only appeared in a cameo in ME2 and as a result in order to maintain those relationships the player has to forego most of the flirting (and love scenes) involved in character interaction in ME2.
I'm still undecided if I want to buy the game outright when it comes out next week or if I should wait till the inevitable DLC special edition comes out later.
And I do hope someone at Bioware or wherever changes their mind and puts out a PS3 port of the first game. It would make for a heck of a good box set.
Alex
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
You will NEVER see Mass Effect on the PS3. Microsoft owns the rights to it and have stated multipule times that they won't let it be ported to Sony.
Plus I wouldn't hold my breath for a Special Edition. There was never one for ME2 released for 360. Sure, the PS3 edition came with a good chunk of the DLC, but thats only because they were in a sense, trying to sell a year old game as new.
You will NEVER see Mass Effect on the PS3. Microsoft owns the rights to it and have stated multipule times that they won't let it be ported to Sony.
Plus I wouldn't hold my breath for a Special Edition. There was never one for ME2 released for 360. Sure, the PS3 edition came with a good chunk of the DLC, but thats only because they were in a sense, trying to sell a year old game as new.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Calling a DLC special edition "inevitable" presupposes there a good reason to thing that. There isn't. As HotRod points out they never did any such thing with the previous two games.
The closest thing I can see happening is a remastering of the whole trilogy some 5+ years down the line.
Calling a DLC special edition "inevitable" presupposes there a good reason to thing that. There isn't. As HotRod points out they never did any such thing with the previous two games.
The closest thing I can see happening is a remastering of the whole trilogy some 5+ years down the line.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
thanks for the link.
I've seen a few ME trailers on YouTube and the ME3 trailers and cutscenes just look so much better and they really do look more like a film.
Here is ME2 in 10 minutes (spoilers also) length 13 minutes.
Wow these cutscenes really look like a trailer from a film. Great universe stuff in here. Characters, story arcs, etc.
thanks for the link.
I've seen a few ME trailers on YouTube and the ME3 trailers and cutscenes just look so much better and they really do look more like a film.
Here is ME2 in 10 minutes (spoilers also) length 13 minutes.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I saw this today
http://gamerant.com/mass-effect-better-than-star-trek-robk-135630/
I saw this today
‘Mass Effect’ Isn’t Just The New Star Trek – It’s Better
http://gamerant.com/mass-effect-better-than-star-trek-robk-135630/
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
How does something "come across" to someone as anything when they have never played the games or read any of the books? They had a tough time getting the Halo movie off the ground because it was going to cost an estimated $250 million production budget to make it credible, and they didn't get it rolling into pre-production until after the franchise hit its high peak of popularity around Halo 2-3.
It's got quite a big back story and mythology. http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
How does something "come across" to someone as anything when they have never played the games or read any of the books? They had a tough time getting the Halo movie off the ground because it was going to cost an estimated $250 million production budget to make it credible, and they didn't get it rolling into pre-production until after the franchise hit its high peak of popularity around Halo 2-3.
It's got quite a big back story and mythology. http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
This is actually how my second play though ended up working out. My first one I wasn't able to hook up with anyone and I lost several people, but I can't remember who. I really like Yvonne Strahovski from watching Chuck, so both times I tried to romance her, but the first time I wasn't able to get with anyone and the second time I unintentionally ended up with Tali. Not that I disliked Tali she's actually one of my favorite characters, I just wanted to get with Miranda more.
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Yeah I know, I just thought posting too many links at once might discourage.
If you check out the uploader's channel there's a number of very cool ME3 fan trailers that they put together. The 'Dawn of War' one is an easy favourite!
Yeah I know, I just thought posting too many links at once might discourage.
If you check out the uploader's channel there's a number of very cool ME3 fan trailers that they put together. The 'Dawn of War' one is an easy favourite!
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
Article this week
How Mass Effect Challenges Sci-Fi's Greatest Achievements
http://m.ign.com/articles/1219777
Article this week
How Mass Effect Challenges Sci-Fi's Greatest Achievements
http://m.ign.com/articles/1219777
Re: Is 'Mass Effect' "The Most Impt. Sci-Fi Universe of Our Generation
I believe that ME3 is going to come with 'ME1 & ME2' storyline disc so you can set up your storylines depending on your decisions.
I believe that ME3 is going to come with 'ME1 & ME2' storyline disc so you can set up your storylines depending on your decisions.
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