OXM Mass Effect Review

[bl4ckfl4g]

Gets a 10

"The experience as a whole - the sense of awe that lasts all game long, and the emotions in your gut as you sit back at the end and just gape - pays off all on its own. Personally, it's the best game I've ever played, but even if you're not a hardcore sci-fi nerd like me, Mass Effect is a transcendent experience, the new standard-setter for what a game can be. You have to play it, and that's why we're kinda jealous of you. Even if you memorized all the previews and trailers, you're still not ready for how awesome this game is."

http://www.n4g.com/News-82367.aspx

I can't wait. Wish I would have made it to K-Mart when they were still selling them yesterday.

 

[Modeps]

Good to hear, I'll probably wait till christmas at the earliest for this one though... simply due to the fact I've already got other things in the hopper

 

[imported_Imp]

I have no idea what this game is about, but the small snippets I've seen from TV and previews looks amazing. Have to check it out if reviews are pretty good.

 

[potato28]

Amazing. I can't wait, and I knew that Bioware wouldn't screw this one up!

 

[0roo0roo]

http://kotaku.com/gaming/nsfw/...-love-scene-321340.php

 

[Dumac]

I haven't been this excited for a game in a while. I loved KotoR, Baldur's Gate, and NWN.

 

[nycxandy]

Looking good.

 

[Kev]

I don't even like RPGs but this is my most anticipated game.

 

[deepred98]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://kotaku.com/gaming/nsfw/...-love-scene-321340.php

wow i wasn't sure if i wanted to buy this game until now jk

this game looks amazing the only thing i'm not sure about is the turn-based stuff

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: deepred98

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://kotaku.com/gaming/nsfw/...-love-scene-321340.php

wow i wasn't sure if i wanted to buy this game until now jk

this game looks amazing the only thing i'm not sure about is the turn-based stuff

It's real-time action. It is NOT turn-based.

 

[BD2003]

Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Wikipedia has pretty good information on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: nycxandy

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Wikipedia has pretty good information on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect

Sounds interesting, but nothing in the wiki entry, or anything I've seen or read about it is blowing me away. Yet everyone seems to be going nuts over it, so I'll probably pick it up when it comes to PC probably sometime next year.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: nycxandy

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Wikipedia has pretty good information on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect

Sounds interesting, but nothing in the wiki entry, or anything I've seen or read about it is blowing me away. Yet everyone seems to be going nuts over it, so I'll probably pick it up when it comes to PC probably sometime next year.

Same here... I think most of the hype is because the KoTORs were apparently really good games.

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: nycxandy

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Wikipedia has pretty good information on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect

Sounds interesting, but nothing in the wiki entry, or anything I've seen or read about it is blowing me away. Yet everyone seems to be going nuts over it, so I'll probably pick it up when it comes to PC probably sometime next year.

Same here... I think most of the hype is because the KoTORs were apparently really good games.

I can understand people not buying into the hype if they haven't played old Bioware games.

 

[Dumac]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Have you not bought into the great line of games that Bioware has made?

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: nycxandy

Originally posted by: BD2003
Can someone explain to me what is so special about this game?

Wikipedia has pretty good information on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_effect

Sounds interesting, but nothing in the wiki entry, or anything I've seen or read about it is blowing me away. Yet everyone seems to be going nuts over it, so I'll probably pick it up when it comes to PC probably sometime next year.

Same here... I think most of the hype is because the KoTORs were apparently really good games.

BioWare had nothing to do with KotoR II, other than setting a precedent with the first one. Personally I loved KotoR but was never able to get into the sequel. Jade Empire is also a pretty good game, although I didn't care for the setting. I haven't finished it yet and I probably will never get around to doing so; not for a while anyway.

I'm excited for Mass Effect because it's not turn-based, but looks to be more like a semi-tactical third-person shooter with heavy RPG elements (customizable weapons, armor, abilities and party members). I'm digging the sci-fi setting and given BioWare's history I think we can expect a deep experience that entails a lot of decision-making which in turn will change the development of the story. Certain story lines will be opened or closed based on your decisions (most likely sub plots), and will ultimately allow for multiple endings based on which path you end up leaning towards--"Renegade" or "Paragon" (essentially good or bad). This aspect of the game is comparable to the little sisters portion of Bioshock, but probably to a greater extent.

 

[dighn]

Looks like I'll be picking up a 360 very soon :thumbsup:

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: nycxandy
I can understand people not buying into the hype if they haven't played old Bioware games.

This one is going to be an "action RPG," right? A good deal of those around already, although I am glad a good one is coming out. As a matter of fact... all RPGs now are action RPGs it seems, some (although it may not be the case with Mass Effect) are basically just shooters with stats and levels that masquerade as RPGs.

Give me a Baldurs Gate 2 (or PlaneScape Torment) like RPG and I would almost die of happiness!

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: nycxandy
I can understand people not buying into the hype if they haven't played old Bioware games.

This one is going to be an "action RPG," right? A good deal of those around already, although I am glad a good one is coming out. As a matter of fact... all RPGs now are action RPGs it seems, some (although it may not be the case with Mass Effect) are basically just shooters with stats and levels that masquerade as RPGs.

Give me a Baldurs Gate 2 (or PlaneScape Torment) like RPG and I would almost die of happiness!

you have NWN2 right? sure it's not as good as BG2 (judging by reputation only as I've never tried BG2), but I think that's about as close as it's going to get we want our Sci-fi themed next-gen RPGs too

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: nycxandy
I can understand people not buying into the hype if they haven't played old Bioware games.

This one is going to be an "action RPG," right? A good deal of those around already, although I am glad a good one is coming out. As a matter of fact... all RPGs now are action RPGs it seems, some (although it may not be the case with Mass Effect) are basically just shooters with stats and levels that masquerade as RPGs.

Give me a Baldurs Gate 2 (or PlaneScape Torment) like RPG and I would almost die of happiness!

Well, the only other recent "action RPG" is BioShock. And even then, there wasn't a true story interaction like previous tried-and-true RPG games. There is an upgrades system but the game was pretty linear and you didn't really interact with characters in the universe besides blowing them up (except for the Little Sisters arc). Mass Effect will be a lot more than this. While Mass Effect does use shooting as its means of combat, it's really the story and gameplay elements that really drive the game making it a RPG. There's a huge universe to explore, tons of side quests, many NPC's to interact with (real-time dialogues), partymates, different classes and their specific roles, and most importantly, the epic storyline.

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: R Nilla
I'm excited for Mass Effect because it's not turn-based, but looks to be more like a semi-tactical third-person shooter with heavy RPG elements (customizable weapons, armor, abilities and party members). I'm digging the sci-fi setting and given BioWare's history I think we can expect a deep experience that entails a lot of decision-making which in turn will change the development of the story. Certain story lines will be opened or closed based on your decisions (most likely sub plots), and will ultimately allow for multiple endings based on which path you end up leaning towards--"Renegade" or "Paragon" (essentially good or bad). This aspect of the game is comparable to the little sisters portion of Bioshock, but probably to a greater extent.

It's not really good or bad per se since you're the protagonist saving the world. So no matter what you do, you're still a good guy at the end. However, your choices will inevitably result in you being perceived as a good sympathizing cop or a badass ruthless one.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: nycxandy

Originally posted by: R Nilla
I'm excited for Mass Effect because it's not turn-based, but looks to be more like a semi-tactical third-person shooter with heavy RPG elements (customizable weapons, armor, abilities and party members). I'm digging the sci-fi setting and given BioWare's history I think we can expect a deep experience that entails a lot of decision-making which in turn will change the development of the story. Certain story lines will be opened or closed based on your decisions (most likely sub plots), and will ultimately allow for multiple endings based on which path you end up leaning towards--"Renegade" or "Paragon" (essentially good or bad). This aspect of the game is comparable to the little sisters portion of Bioshock, but probably to a greater extent.

It's not really good or bad per se since you're the protagonist saving the world. So no matter what you do, you're still a good guy at the end. However, your choices will inevitably result in you being perceived as a good sympathizing cop or a badass ruthless one.

Right. According to IGN the outcome is the same, but it's how you choose to get there. It's still a good/bad dynamic, but maybe good cop/bad cop is a better classification in this case. You can still chose to help people or ignore, and maybe even kill, them so I'd say that's good/bad. But unlike KotoR, you'll apparently still be the hero in the end.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: dighn
we want our Sci-fi themed next-gen RPGs too

I was referring to story driven games that focus on plot, dialog, character development and interparty / intraparty character interaction instead of an emphasis on action, not the high fantasy genre.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

I hear it is short for an rpg people have finished it and the main story is like 10 hours supposedly. That sucks. I am getting tired of all these really short games lately.