Mass Effect 4
- Thread starter Tinman
- Start date
I'm currently replaying ME3 for the... 10th time? Lost count, really. So you could say I am somewhat biased when it comes to Mass Effect. To me, with all imperfections, it's the best cRPG ever created. There are some close contenders, but ME takes the crown. Hands down. What makes it so is the fact that you get to know your character and other characters pretty well thanks to three parts of the story and from the very first part you are a part of this story. You become Shepard.
I liked the ending of ME3. The last conversation with Garrus, Tali, Wrex, Edi. The last moment in Liara's memory... I didn't care that you get "only" three choices (well, 4) and the choices I had made sense to me and when it comes to my particular Shepard, they covered the principles I was fighting for (Destruction) for 3 titles as well as doubts and understanding of the synthetics I might have developed throughout the whole game (Synthesis) as well as dark influences of TIM and dreams of divine power (Control). Oh, and Shepard not being unique and singular after all and doing nothing.
But I discovered the franchise very late (2016) and I didn't go through all the hype surrounding it previously, I didn't participate in wishlist creating on the side of fandom, I didn't have any expectations. I just got the whole trilogy, installed the first part and got totally and absolutely hooked on it. Comparing to other AAA titles released over the past few years ME is in a league of its own. But, enough of praising ME, all three chapters are written and closed.
As for MEA, I wasn't entirely sure how I feel about it. Because sort of when you part your ways with Shepard, she's still somewhere there, her story still resonates. So getting back into the same universe, yet so detached from the Milky Way was kind of a big unknown. But I got MEA in preorder. And I have no regrets. Yeah, it's not the trilogy. You don't get your Shepard, your character is less an unique, singular individual Shepard was. She's a kid who got burdened with a lot of responsibility not because she's special, but because she happened to be in that place in that time. So she has to grow up and do it fast. I won't go into the details of the story line, but one thing I'd advise is skipping let's plays and videos explaining what's wrong with MEA. In reality, there isn't much wrong with it, if anything.
It is totally on par with ME1 when it comes to the storyline. Or surpasses it, because it's more detailed, though of course it's difficult to beat some revelation on the level of the Reapers. It is way more developed when it comes to the gameplay mechanics (it's way more developed in this aspect than any previous ME). The characters are interesting and likeable. And it will be worth your time.
Many players who played original ME series did so years ago. I had a different experience, because for me Mass Effect trilogy experience was somewhat recent. And whereas somewhere deep within I would like to get my Shepard back fighting baddies and saving the Galaxy, Ryder's story still makes for a very good game. Her only fault is really that she's not Shepard.
Yes, it has its problems. There are bits which could use some more polishing. Although not more than in any AAA title released recently (Fallout 4 for example where bug follows bug and I'm not talking about Mirelurks here). In my opinion, it could have been a very good start to a new trilogy. Paraphrasing one line from ME2: "it is not perfect, but it has purpose". Or in other words: buying it is not a waste of money and playing it is not a waste of time.
For sure I hope they will at least release the DLCs at some point.
Obviously they don't. EA cares exclusively about money. Worse, EA cares only about immediate money. That's how they ruined all those great studios, bioware being only one of them. They buy game studios with popular franchises, then disassemble the studios and start churning out bland, uninspiring, mediocre games with the old franchise names bolted onto them. Those games end up selling reasonably well because of their name alone. But this strategy only works once per franchise, if EA were to make another Mass Effect game, it would totally bomb because the Mass Effect brand is now ruined, like many others before it.
They only care about money, and the only way to stop them from annihilating more great studios is to stop rewarding them for it by giving them money for their mediocre products.
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Ummmmmm. Yeah. Like I said in my post. The new destiny wannabe...Anthem. Due to release next year. The B team got ME and the A Team got to facsimile someone else's golden goose of microtransaction goodness.
Oh right, Anthem I completely forgot about this piece of... ehm code, you are totally right, thats EA main interest at them moment. Well they wont get any money from me thats for sure.
I broadly agree with what your saying here especially the last paragraph. It's definitely not a waste of time to play and on it's own merits its not a bad game at all....what let's it down is the generally lazy writing, poor dialog and voice acting, somewhat inconsistent combat, and frankly there is very little in this that's halfway trying to do something special.
It feels like it should be the first in a new series taking it's clumsy first steps but it clearly won't be anymore. Which is sad.
RIP beloved franchise. I guess this is what happens when you have 5 years to develop the game and suddenly end up having to finish it in like 18 months. I hope Cyberpunk will do better.
Jenner
I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Disappointing, but not surprising at this point.
So many recent RPGs have failed to really click with me. Maybe I'm just not an RPG fan anymore, lol. I still really enjoy the Elder Scrolls, and hopefully VI will be good whenever that happens.
-Wasteland 2 - meh
-Tyranny - meh
-Witcher 1/2/3 - meh
-ME:A - meh
Too bad ME:A failed critically and economically, as the franchise was one I really enjoyed back in the day. I played 2 and 3 several times over.
So many recent RPGs have failed to really click with me. Maybe I'm just not an RPG fan anymore, lol. I still really enjoy the Elder Scrolls, and hopefully VI will be good whenever that happens.
-Wasteland 2 - meh
-Tyranny - meh
-Witcher 1/2/3 - meh
-ME:A - meh
Too bad ME:A failed critically and economically, as the franchise was one I really enjoyed back in the day. I played 2 and 3 several times over.
Hmmm, really, nothing from Witcher franchise, especially part 3? I know you cant create your own character but quests, npc`s, story - it just ruined any other rpg games for me. Nothing can meet the standard now.
Jenner
I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Sadly, no. I *want* to like it, since most people love the series. I tried each one. Just can't get into it. I think the gameplay is the biggest turnoff for me. The story is fine, but the gameplay isn't my style.
Y'know why? It's because somebody changed the definition of RPG and people were OK with it.
Yeah, funny RPGs where you don't make your own character. Damn definition changes.
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Y'know why? It's because somebody changed the definition of RPG and people were OK with it.
Yeah, funny RPGs where you don't make your own character. Damn definition changes.
For me what changed was quality of the storyline. You can still tell a good story even if the mechanics are simplified and even if you don't have complete freedom creating your own character. But you need to have a good story to tell. You need to evoke emotional response in the player. No cool gameplay elements can replace that.
Loved the original Witcher game. Hated 2 and 3. I really disliked the movement and combat, almost teleporting around like in those silly Batman brawlers.
And I have to agree with Jenner. I really, really wanted to like Wasteland 2. I just don't think I can enjoy turned based RPG's any more. That makes me feel a little sad as I lived for those games at one time.
True. On top, a great game must have a compelling world and characters. The world must be something that draws you in, that you want to become part of. The game must make you care about the world, about what's happening, about the characters in it. It must make you love your character and your "friends", must make you hate your foes. It must have atmosphere, must make you part of it.
It's very hard to surpass this wonderful threshold were a game becomes something more than "just a game", very few games managed to do it for me. But The Witcher series, especially 2 and 3, were among those few.
The combat, the mechanics, character customization, it's all completely secondary to me, just means to ends. As long as they're not too annoying they're good enough. In fact, if I'm playing a game and thinking about mechanics, the game has already failed miserably in his mission to draw me in.
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Its not that you dont have 'complete freedom', you have no freedom at all. W3 is a fantastic game, but it isnt an RPG. Its just an action game with a good story, where you have to play the gruff action dude with his rough manly personality but endearing heart deep within.
Same for Mass Effect, for example. Skyrim, Fallout etc are roleplaying games (though still less than what they used to be) because you actually can make all kinds of different roles and see how it plays out. Even if it is doomed to fail. To me the story is important, but not as important as freedom. If I wanted a zero-freedom game with a great story I'd read a book.
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Jenner
I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Its not that you dont have 'complete freedom', you have no freedom at all. W3 is a fantastic game, but it isnt an RPG. Its just an action game with a good story, where you have to play the gruff action dude with his rough manly personality but endearing heart deep within.
That freedom is one of the reasons I dearly love Bethesda RPGs. For all their faults, they are the best at realizing the potential of open-world RPGs imho.