**OFFICIAL** Mass Effect Thread

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: purbeast0
im not talking about this game, but i'm talking more about the industry as a whole ...

it really bothers me now a days that it has become acceptable to leave "problems" in these blockbuster games such as huge framerate dips and tearing.

prior to this generation I can't think of 1 blockbuster game that had tearing in it and I really can't think of one that had major framerate issues as well.

with assassins creed and mass effect having people mention framerate issues in most of the reviews, I just don't understand why this gen it's acceptable.

I completely agree. Why should video games not meet a certain standard that other products need to meet in order to be sold? You don't see places like furniture stores jam packed with broken chairs which will be promised to be fixed 2 months after you buy the chair. The idea of that is completely unacceptable for everyone. Why is it acceptable for software? I know all software has bugs, but the line needs to be drawn somewhere.

The line is drawn somewhere. These games aren't unplayable.

"Frame-rate dips" and "tearing" go hand-in-hand. Tearing is a relatively new phenomenon (at least in console gaming), as it is a "trick" used by developers to keep the frame-rate reasonable at the minor cost of visual quality. They simply disregard the vertical sync signal which is a clock telling the system that a new frame is ready, and then just crank out frame at whatever rate the console can handle. This usually results in half of one frame mixing with half of another causing a "tearing" effect.

You probably know this, so I'm just rambling. Anyway, the reason this is so prevalent in modern games is for the obvious reason - modern hardware. You can say that older games, like on the SNES and such, also pushed their hardware to the limits without these things, but the fact of the matter is the hardware was different. Graphics relied primarily, if not entirely, on sprites. Developing for these things was far simpler.

Add that to the fact that, unlike the movie industry or in your example the furniture industry, the gaming industry has a heavy "crank it out and ship it" mentality - I'd imagine mainly because the industry is changing so quickly, so often, that time essentially is money.

It doesn't bother me so much in epic games like this - but in say Guitar Hero 3 - not really a graphics-heavy game that is completely reliant on timing, and where the frame rate drops when you activate star power. That is just poor development, or I guess more likely, just rushed development.

Back on topic - Mass Effect should be delivered to my house today, but so will Rock Band. I am big on RPGs, but I think as soon as I get home I'm tearing open Rock Band.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I picked this up at midnight and played for about 4 hours before passing out (controller still in hand) and here are my initial impressions.

First off the graphics are beautiful, especially the details in faces and NPCs. The conversations are truly immersing, and for the first time in a game like this I don't find myself skipping over dialogue. When selecting responses, they sum up your response in a few words so you're still interested in what your character is going to say. The story is very good so far, it helps if you have read the prequel novel to get you up to speed on different races and some back story, but it isn't necessary by any means.

Combat is interesting. You have 4 guns, although atm my character is only trained to use two of them. You can still use the guns you are untrained in, but the reticle is so huge that I don't find them useful. So far I have found squad members to be a bit of a nuisance, requiring me to keep and eye on them if I don't want them to die. Maybe I'm just not good enough with controlling them yet, but that remains to be seen.

The camera can be finicky when running over uneven terrain, and when running around the environment at places there can be frame rate issues, but I stopped noticing after the first hour or so. There are also some conversations with especially bad lip syncing, but it's usually good enough to pass.

Leveling up is done in a similar fashion to KOTOR iirc.

I've pointed out a lot of negatives in my summary, but they really are minor nuances. This game is definitely a must have and you will not be disappointed.

In other words, I will not be able to return to an area which I previously killed everything and kill them again? I didn't like KOTOR for that reason alone. Everything else about it was great, but that part always kills the fun for me in an RPG.

You could do that in some areas in KotoR couldn't you? Anyway, I have started to dislike needing to grind in SP player; it's fine with me in MP games, however.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Dumac

You could do that in some areas in KotoR couldn't you? Anyway, I have started to dislike needing to grind in SP player; it's fine with me in MP games, however.

It was extremely limited in KOTOR. I was hoping for Mass Effect to allow me to level in a similar style as maybe Kingdom Hearts or FF where leveling helps and it can be fun but it is not a necessity to grind all the time.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

I picked this up today but I also picked up Rock Band and I'm also totally addicted to COD4.....dunno when I'll find time to play it .

 

[potato28]

Ugh I wish I could buy it but I have other expenses that need to be paid

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I picked this up at midnight and played for about 4 hours before passing out (controller still in hand) and here are my initial impressions.

First off the graphics are beautiful, especially the details in faces and NPCs. The conversations are truly immersing, and for the first time in a game like this I don't find myself skipping over dialogue. When selecting responses, they sum up your response in a few words so you're still interested in what your character is going to say. The story is very good so far, it helps if you have read the prequel novel to get you up to speed on different races and some back story, but it isn't necessary by any means.

Combat is interesting. You have 4 guns, although atm my character is only trained to use two of them. You can still use the guns you are untrained in, but the reticle is so huge that I don't find them useful. So far I have found squad members to be a bit of a nuisance, requiring me to keep and eye on them if I don't want them to die. Maybe I'm just not good enough with controlling them yet, but that remains to be seen.

The camera can be finicky when running over uneven terrain, and when running around the environment at places there can be frame rate issues, but I stopped noticing after the first hour or so. There are also some conversations with especially bad lip syncing, but it's usually good enough to pass.

Leveling up is done in a similar fashion to KOTOR iirc.

I've pointed out a lot of negatives in my summary, but they really are minor nuances. This game is definitely a must have and you will not be disappointed.

I know you're still in the beginning of the game, but I've got a quick question for you; I was a really big fan of the original KoTOR and played through it 4 times (one good, three times evil).

How does this game contrast with it? Can you be good or evil? Does it effect your physical apperance like in KoTOR? When you level up, can you build a characted differently each play through or will they eventually all max out all the abilities (a la Crackdown)?

I realize you probably will not be able to answer these, but I'm hoping someone else might be able to.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: warcrow
I know you're still in the beginning of the game, but I've got a quick question for you; I was a really big fan of the original KoTOR and played through it 4 times (one good, three times evil).

How does this game contrast with it? Can you be good or evil? Does it effect your physical apperance like in KoTOR? When you level up, can you build a characted differently each play through or will they eventually all max out all the abilities (a la Crackdown)?

I realize you probably will not be able to answer these, but I'm hoping someone else might be able to.

I think I can answer some of these...

Yes, there is a good/evil aspect which in Mass Effect is Paragon/Renegade. I think unlike KotoR where you are purely good or evil, it's more about how you approach the decisions in this game, although it still deals with moral issues. The reviews seem to indicate there are a lot of gray areas and tough choices. Supposedly the outcome is the same (unlike KotoR where you could save or conquer the galaxy) but how you reach this goal is different (and there are still different endings), as is how your crew mates and people around you will treat you. This will also affect what side quests become available to you, maybe even main missions to a certain extent.

I don't believe this affects your physical appearance though , but I don't know for sure. It does not affect what abilities you can use (whereas in KotoR you could use different Jedi or Sith abilities depending on if you were Light or Dark).

I don't know about that last one. I imagine you can start from scratch. Not sure if you have the option to reuse the same character or abilities, like Crackdown, though.

EDIT: For anyone who's interested, IGN has a decent article on the whole good/bad aspect.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I just got to the part with vehicles, and I must say the vehicle controls are terrible. The left stick doesn't make the vehicle go forward, but rather towards the top of the screen. Also using the left stick to turn is pretty hard because the turning is way too sensitive. I think they would fare much better with controls like the Scorpion tank in Halo because the vehicle does have a turret on it that can spin, but you can't shoot any direction but forward without starting to drive towards your target.

 

[R Nilla]

According to GameFAQs, it looks like you can reuse your character (retain skills and items) after completing the game on Normal.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/consol...ox360/code/930279.html

 

[SuperjetMatt]

I've been playing for a few hours.
It's a great Bioware style RPG with a good story.
But geez, the clipping & choppy frame rates are terrible.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: SuperjetMatt
I've been playing for a few hours.
It's a great Bioware style RPG with a good story.
But geez, the clipping & choppy frame rates are terrible.

Hmm... I've never played any of these "next gen" console games. Do they get patches like PC games?

 

[SuperjetMatt]

They do indeed get patches, both for console firmware/OS and individual games.
However, I don't see how this can get fixed.
Don't get me wrong, the game is great.
Just this framerate driving me nuts.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

I'm about 5 hours into the game and the framerate hasnt bothered me at all. The only thing that bothers me is the interface to upgrade and the vehicle controls. I dunno, IMO FF12 had a lot worse framerates but no one really complained.

 

[Kev]

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: ObscureCaucasian
I picked this up at midnight and played for about 4 hours before passing out (controller still in hand) and here are my initial impressions.

First off the graphics are beautiful, especially the details in faces and NPCs. The conversations are truly immersing, and for the first time in a game like this I don't find myself skipping over dialogue. When selecting responses, they sum up your response in a few words so you're still interested in what your character is going to say. The story is very good so far, it helps if you have read the prequel novel to get you up to speed on different races and some back story, but it isn't necessary by any means.

Combat is interesting. You have 4 guns, although atm my character is only trained to use two of them. You can still use the guns you are untrained in, but the reticle is so huge that I don't find them useful. So far I have found squad members to be a bit of a nuisance, requiring me to keep and eye on them if I don't want them to die. Maybe I'm just not good enough with controlling them yet, but that remains to be seen.

The camera can be finicky when running over uneven terrain, and when running around the environment at places there can be frame rate issues, but I stopped noticing after the first hour or so. There are also some conversations with especially bad lip syncing, but it's usually good enough to pass.

Leveling up is done in a similar fashion to KOTOR iirc.

I've pointed out a lot of negatives in my summary, but they really are minor nuances. This game is definitely a must have and you will not be disappointed.

In other words, I will not be able to return to an area which I previously killed everything and kill them again? I didn't like KOTOR for that reason alone. Everything else about it was great, but that part always kills the fun for me in an RPG.

You actually like backtracking? I can't stand it. If I kill things, they should stay dead.

 

[R Nilla]

This game is awesome! I only had a chance to play for a couple of hours last night, which was just enough time for me to meticulously complete the first mission. I've barely noticed framerate issues (just one or two spots), but I have noticed plenty of texture pop-in. It's a little distracting, but not too prevalent and certainly not any worse than Gears of War. Combat is more than adequate, though I'm still getting used to it. I haven't experimented too much with the squad controls, though I have used them. I've barely used my biotic abilties (I have thrown a few enemies, though ), as my squad seems to take out most of the enemies before I have a chance to use my powers. I'm sure this will soon change.

I have found the equipment interface to be a little confusing. It works, but could be smoother and easier to use. I've found myself accidentally switching (equipping) weapons a few times when I meant to look at upgrades. And when you go into the upgrade selection menu, there isn't really a cancel or back, which I keep trying to do by pressing B. You're only option is to select something, so to make no changes you have to select the upgrade you already have. All this means is that you just have to press A, but I keep wanting to press B to go back. Just something I'll have to get used to.

The dialogue and amount of detail put into everything is amazing. The narrated codex entries are impressive, and talking to other characters, even random people, is actually engaging. In Jade Empire I quickly skimmed through a lot of dialogue as it bored me, especially with minor characters, though this didn't stop the completist in me from talking to everyone I ever encountered. I think I had a similar experience in KotoR, though to a lesser extent. In Mass Effect conversations seem a lot more interesting and engaging, even with minor characters (at least so far). I really like it so far.

These are my initial impressions, but obviously I have barely even wet my feet. I can't wait to drive the Mako!

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: Kev

You actually like backtracking? I can't stand it. If I kill things, they should stay dead.

Yes, I enjoy relaxing and spending time in an area to level a bit before continuing with the story. I enjoy a game even more if I am not forced to spend the time and level and can proceed with story too. It's all about the freedom of choice. Limitations on either side is what reduces the fun for me. This is why I love games like FF and Kingdom Hearts. They created a level system to appeal to both types of gamers.

 

[R Nilla]

How to build a Mako out of LEGOs! Nice!

 

[Guuts]

I have a question about the hacking portion of the game...for example getting past a door or into a locked crate, that have the option to hack. A new interface comes up (the hacking "minigame"?), but I'm not sure how that works...might be obvious to you guys but it doesn't seem to do much, then it fails. Granted, I've only come across about 3 or 4 things I could hack at this point and don't have much skill in Tech abilities....one of my squad does though. Am I missing something?

Other than that... I've noticed some of the texture "pop-in" which is somewhat distracting when it occurs, but moreso because I'm pretty absorbed in the game. I personally don't notice any slowdowns as others have, or seen much or severe clipping.

The squadmates I pretty much set to follow me and they do their thing on their own most of the time....which sometimes means they clean up the baddies while I'm ducked behind a crate, hehe. Er... I mean, while I'm using cover to set up a nice shot.. yeah. I do like the "cover" dynamic, letting you use zoom from cover, though sometimes your squadmate advances to your cover and gets...the hell...in the way. Grr.. still, what can you expect from an alien, right?

As someone else mentioned, these are really just minor complaints, and really made more noticable because of the quality of the rest of the game, which is simply amazing. Share a moment with your squadmates near the Med Center on Citadel, looking out the observation deck over the Wards, for example. Great stuff. And I could go on about the acting, the animated characters...but that's all been covered. What I really love is all the dialogue, none of which I feel like I want to skip...in fact whlie running around, I search out those little blue brackets to find someone else I can talk to. You can skip through it if you want to, but so far I've been interested in everything.

Anyway, any advice on the hacking minigame would be helpful.

Oh, I'm playing a Vanguard, and going the Paragon route on my first playthrough.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: Guuts
I have a question about the hacking portion of the game...for example getting past a door or into a locked crate, that have the option to hack. A new interface comes up (the hacking "minigame"?), but I'm not sure how that works...might be obvious to you guys but it doesn't seem to do much, then it fails. Granted, I've only come across about 3 or 4 things I could hack at this point and don't have much skill in Tech abilities....one of my squad does though. Am I missing something?

The hacking mini game displays the Xbox button layout (A, B, X, Y) at the bottom and as one of those buttons lights up you're supposed to press it. You have a limited amount of time to respond, and you only have one shot, so I usually save before these so I can try again if necessary. Hopefully that helps. I don't remember how your skills play into this, maybe they make it easier? You have to have someone in your party with tech abilities, though, to be able to attempt a hack.

Oh, I'm playing a Vanguard, and going the Paragon route on my first playthrough.

This is what I'm doing as well. I figure I'll be a soldier/engineer or something more combat oriented the second time through with a pure evil character :evil:

 

[Guuts]

Thanks Nilla, got it now that I have someone with Tech skills in my squad.

And I too am going to try something a lot more combat-oriented (probably a Soldier) as I don't seem to really be using my biotics all that much.... hopefully later in the game I'll actually need them.

I do have another question though, now that I think about it... when you upgrade your squadmates' talents, does Shepard get the benefits, like you get the ability to hack if someone in your squad can hack? For instance, if I spend point in a squadmate's First Aid skills?

 

[SuperjetMatt]

I went with an Infiltrator character and sort of wish I hadn't. It would be nice to have assault rifle skills or biotics.
However, the pistols get better and better, And once you're actually "good" at the sniper rifle, it's not so bad either.

 

[GrimmRimmer]

I can't get enough of this game. I am a sucker for a good story with great dialog. Yeah, there are some slight framerate issues, but they don't bother me at all.

Bioware, please don't stop making games!!!

 

[Gunslinger08]

Is it worth buying a 360 for?

 

[SuperjetMatt]

I think so, but that's subjective

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: Guuts
I do have another question though, now that I think about it... when you upgrade your squadmates' talents, does Shepard get the benefits, like you get the ability to hack if someone in your squad can hack? For instance, if I spend point in a squadmate's First Aid skills?

It's not that Shepard has the ability, it's just that one of your current squad members has the ability, so it allows you, the player, to perform a hack. I'm not sure about the First Aid thing because I'm not exactly sure how the healing works. Unfortunately I haven't played any further tonight but hopefully I should dive back in for most of tomorrow.