Well Im almost done with the game, and I can agree with the majority here:
As an Action-RPG its 'ok', as a BioWare product Im disappointed, though not suprised since they have been assimilated by EA.
Visually, yes, its one of the best 'looking' RPGs I've ever played. Cutscenes are amazing, facial features, body movements, camera angles...sometimes I felt like I was watching a movie.
As a BioWare product, this game is VERY much below the quality of stuff I've been used to. Maybe because its console to PC and not the other way around
Its a different kind of fun, rpgs I feel a mental accomplishment, this game has the same feel as when you clear a board in a shoot em up: Loot it all, sort out the best guns, reload. Next level
Mass Effect Impressions
Started the game a couple of days ago. Satisfied so far.
I chose Sentinel, don't know if that's smart, but it seemed likea good idea...we'll see.
Currently in Citadel. So far so good. A bit annoyed by "untrained" weapons thing, but hey...it's real! and so is the overheating.
great game! I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun with it.
I chose Sentinel, don't know if that's smart, but it seemed likea good idea...we'll see.
Currently in Citadel. So far so good. A bit annoyed by "untrained" weapons thing, but hey...it's real! and so is the overheating.
great game! I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun with it.
-
der Moench
- Posts: 1075
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2001 11:00 pm
- Location: das Kloster
- Contact:
I own the PC version, and have now played through the game 3 times.
I liked it very, very much.
On the positive side:
- Excellent graphics; it was more than the graphics, though. The manner in which they managed to make human movement seem realistic on a 'puter was really, really impressive. I'm only a casual gamer, so I don't know of everything out there, but it sure beat my previous recent purchases all to heck (NWN2, and Witcher). I noticed that the credits mentioned motion capture - does that mean they body-acted some or all of the movements? Crazy; but a fine end result.
- Good voice acting.
- A nice, intuitive control system on the PC. I am not a FPS person, but doing FPS in this game was easy enough (though that also may be a fault; see below).
- Good music - nothing spectacular, but definitely on the positive side of the ledger.
On the negative ide:
- Limited role-playing. They did an OK job with interactions with your companions, but nothing special. I'd like to see something more, something like (or, preferably, an improvement on) BGII or PsT.
- Combat was too easy - ? As noted, I'm no powergamer, so I hate stuggling for every encounter through tough fights, but this game did throw pretty soft fights at you. Last time around a bumped difficulty to 'veteran,' but I didn't even notice the difference.
- A bit repetitive. When every planet you go to has the same things, and every interior space is built off of the same templates, it's a sign that they were running out of time or money.
That's the highlights, in my mind...
I guess what I'd really like to see is another game with the same engine; an expansion of this kind of beautiful graphics/animation into another place or time. Anyone know of any plans?
Peace.
I liked it very, very much.
On the positive side:
- Excellent graphics; it was more than the graphics, though. The manner in which they managed to make human movement seem realistic on a 'puter was really, really impressive. I'm only a casual gamer, so I don't know of everything out there, but it sure beat my previous recent purchases all to heck (NWN2, and Witcher). I noticed that the credits mentioned motion capture - does that mean they body-acted some or all of the movements? Crazy; but a fine end result.
- Good voice acting.
- A nice, intuitive control system on the PC. I am not a FPS person, but doing FPS in this game was easy enough (though that also may be a fault; see below).
- Good music - nothing spectacular, but definitely on the positive side of the ledger.
On the negative ide:
- Limited role-playing. They did an OK job with interactions with your companions, but nothing special. I'd like to see something more, something like (or, preferably, an improvement on) BGII or PsT.
- Combat was too easy - ? As noted, I'm no powergamer, so I hate stuggling for every encounter through tough fights, but this game did throw pretty soft fights at you. Last time around a bumped difficulty to 'veteran,' but I didn't even notice the difference.
- A bit repetitive. When every planet you go to has the same things, and every interior space is built off of the same templates, it's a sign that they were running out of time or money.
That's the highlights, in my mind...
I guess what I'd really like to see is another game with the same engine; an expansion of this kind of beautiful graphics/animation into another place or time. Anyone know of any plans?
Peace.
There will be no Renaissance without Revolution.
Derision, scorn, and failure to understand do not move us. The future belongs to us ... Weasel for President!!
Derision, scorn, and failure to understand do not move us. The future belongs to us ... Weasel for President!!
Well game is surprisingly shallow.Sidequests are pretty much same , wrapped up in different presentation.
You go to the xy planet and then fight group of NPC's in one room, rather easily, while your NPC teammates require more attention the 3 year old kid(is there any AI in this game?).
After that you don't even have to bother returning back to quest giver(most of the times),since you will get auto update.Rinse and repeat.There is no continuation of quest , it ends right there and then.
Main quest gives little bit more excitement , but is wrapped up in "one way street" , no options(or freedom) to maneuver outside small corridor that is given to you for movement.And it's still incredibly easy.Not to mention that "conversation ring" thing makes me wanna scream, how pathetic solution that is.
Charisma points make your conversation options flawless,there is no chance to mess up,and they even color your answers for you:laugh:,so i don't see any RPG in that.
Other then "fancy graphics",which i can run it on all maxed, i don't see anything that is really intriguing.There is no replay value whatsoever.I don't see even any play value after certain point, due to repetition of everything.
Overall, it's really disappointing game,hidden under false statement of being "true RPG", but what can you expect from something that is originally designed for console limitations.
You go to the xy planet and then fight group of NPC's in one room, rather easily, while your NPC teammates require more attention the 3 year old kid(is there any AI in this game?).
After that you don't even have to bother returning back to quest giver(most of the times),since you will get auto update.Rinse and repeat.There is no continuation of quest , it ends right there and then.
Main quest gives little bit more excitement , but is wrapped up in "one way street" , no options(or freedom) to maneuver outside small corridor that is given to you for movement.And it's still incredibly easy.Not to mention that "conversation ring" thing makes me wanna scream, how pathetic solution that is.
Charisma points make your conversation options flawless,there is no chance to mess up,and they even color your answers for you:laugh:,so i don't see any RPG in that.
Other then "fancy graphics",which i can run it on all maxed, i don't see anything that is really intriguing.There is no replay value whatsoever.I don't see even any play value after certain point, due to repetition of everything.
Overall, it's really disappointing game,hidden under false statement of being "true RPG", but what can you expect from something that is originally designed for console limitations.
-
SiriusHardware
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:07 pm
- Contact:
-
Revans mask
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 11:30 am
- Contact:
Just bought this cause it was on sale, and I have to say......
That interface is totally ruining my experience. I die more often from not being able to move around properly and the stupidity of the designed interface can only stem from the fact that it is an awful console port.
It is so much worse then what KOTOR ever was.
I'm not even sure I'll be able to force myself to playing the game to end just because of how horrendous the interface and the controls are.
The story seems - well, okayish. Not that great. I like the graphics and voice over, although it could use a better story. But all those positives are just plainly pulled down by the .... well, you get the idea.
(Luckily - the DAO interface was pretty intuitive and responsive so there's hope for future games in the genre)
That interface is totally ruining my experience. I die more often from not being able to move around properly and the stupidity of the designed interface can only stem from the fact that it is an awful console port.
It is so much worse then what KOTOR ever was.
I'm not even sure I'll be able to force myself to playing the game to end just because of how horrendous the interface and the controls are.
The story seems - well, okayish. Not that great. I like the graphics and voice over, although it could use a better story. But all those positives are just plainly pulled down by the .... well, you get the idea.
(Luckily - the DAO interface was pretty intuitive and responsive so there's hope for future games in the genre)
Insert signature here.
-
Crenshinibon
- Posts: 2665
- Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 5:35 pm
- Contact:
I had no problem with the controls, but the quests and choices themselves. Some quests were so grueling and painful (not to mention pointless) that I really don't think I'd have it in me to replay the game again. The choices were black and white... that and you couldn't choose the "good" ones unless you invested in the respective skills. So, if you choose "Intimidate", then you MUST be evil.
While I thought traveling to different planets was a nice touch, had it been done properly, at its' present state space travel is such a bore. Most planets are so bland and boring. They usually have the same "map items" in each world and the buildings on these planet have a single interior designer for all of them look exactly the same!
The characters had what I'd call "forced banter". Your interaction with them only scratches the surface of their story and goes into very little of their history. The characters' personal quests are just like any other side quest mission. Run in with blazing guns and glory and massacre anyone that gets in your way. The romances were so plain that by the time I was "done" with one, I felt that it was a "one night stand" rather than a deep attachment.
As for your choices, from what I've seen, have very little effect on the story. Maybe the last two decisions, but that's it.
Most of the voice acting was okay, I enjoyed the male Shephard's voice, although some really knocked me out of the game world.
Overall, I think the concept was great, but the game was very painful to play, more of a chore than anything. Had it been done in a different way and in more detail, I think that it would have been a great game.
While I thought traveling to different planets was a nice touch, had it been done properly, at its' present state space travel is such a bore. Most planets are so bland and boring. They usually have the same "map items" in each world and the buildings on these planet have a single interior designer for all of them look exactly the same!
The characters had what I'd call "forced banter". Your interaction with them only scratches the surface of their story and goes into very little of their history. The characters' personal quests are just like any other side quest mission. Run in with blazing guns and glory and massacre anyone that gets in your way. The romances were so plain that by the time I was "done" with one, I felt that it was a "one night stand" rather than a deep attachment.
As for your choices, from what I've seen, have very little effect on the story. Maybe the last two decisions, but that's it.
Most of the voice acting was okay, I enjoyed the male Shephard's voice, although some really knocked me out of the game world.
Overall, I think the concept was great, but the game was very painful to play, more of a chore than anything. Had it been done in a different way and in more detail, I think that it would have been a great game.
“The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially.”
The inferface is pretty much exactly the same as the console versions (I've played it on both), and I actually thought it was a pretty decent port. The only general issues I had was the lack of graphical options, as you can't control the level of anti-aliasing, for example. The cover system and the combat system take a few hours to get a hang of, but once you're familiar, the game should become easier.Xandax wrote:Just bought this cause it was on sale, and I have to say......
That interface is totally ruining my experience. I die more often from not being able to move around properly and the stupidity of the designed interface can only stem from the fact that it is an awful console port.
It is so much worse then what KOTOR ever was.
I liked Mass Effect, though I can't really argue with any of Crenshinibon's criticisms, as most of them are spot on. I actually had the opposite impression of the banter with your companions; I thought you got TOO much detail too fast, as they'll essentially tell you their life stories with little encouragement.
Also, I enjoyed the female Shepard's voice acting better than the male Shepard, but its mostly personal preference.
Overall, I consider Mass Effect to be a good, above-average RPG, that had a ton of potential. They're fixing a lot of the problems, it seems, for Mass Effect 2, which is why I'm actively looking forward to it.
If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.
Finished playing it a while ago and as what I mentioned previously, I find the game just okay, nothing great. Gameplay-wise, it feels like a wonky team-based shooter with RPG elements slapped into it. Commanding your team members is, at best, unreliable. Don't even make use of cover when you direct them to it and even if they did go to cover, they don't know how to properly attack in that position. Gears of War is much better at doing this, despite having a really lousy team-commanding mechanic. Other than that, given the right weapons and armour, they can fend for themselves pretty decently, but it requires a lot of effort on your part and it isn't helped by the number of enemies the game throws at you.
And yes, I agree with the rest about the large number of rinse-and-repeat sidequests which requires travelling a lot to planets that are carbon copies of one another. Same can be said of the bases on those planets as well. Gets real repetitive after a while. Square's The Last Remnant followed this path, minus the carbon-copy of planets and levels, and it gets really repetitive fast. Not sure if this was done to 'appeal' to the Western audience.
Dialogue-wise, the radial conversation system is rather basic. Gives very little information as to what Shepard is going to say when you choose any one of them. To be honest, if Bioware is going for a 'minimalist' approach, why not just label them as Passive, Confrontational, etc instead? Makes a lot more sense than just the option, 'Listen here,' and he goes on saying more than what was listed.
VOs is mostly good to me, including the banter between the team members, but I wish that it wasn't just restricted to travelling in the lifts. Why not just converse while walking around? Republic Commando managed to do this pretty well, so I don't see any problem in doing something similar.
As I said before, it is an okay game, but after playing it, I am not interested in the sequel. That is minus Bioware's poor handling of PR and their founder's arrogance.
And yes, I agree with the rest about the large number of rinse-and-repeat sidequests which requires travelling a lot to planets that are carbon copies of one another. Same can be said of the bases on those planets as well. Gets real repetitive after a while. Square's The Last Remnant followed this path, minus the carbon-copy of planets and levels, and it gets really repetitive fast. Not sure if this was done to 'appeal' to the Western audience.
Dialogue-wise, the radial conversation system is rather basic. Gives very little information as to what Shepard is going to say when you choose any one of them. To be honest, if Bioware is going for a 'minimalist' approach, why not just label them as Passive, Confrontational, etc instead? Makes a lot more sense than just the option, 'Listen here,' and he goes on saying more than what was listed.
VOs is mostly good to me, including the banter between the team members, but I wish that it wasn't just restricted to travelling in the lifts. Why not just converse while walking around? Republic Commando managed to do this pretty well, so I don't see any problem in doing something similar.
As I said before, it is an okay game, but after playing it, I am not interested in the sequel. That is minus Bioware's poor handling of PR and their founder's arrogance.
''They say truth is the first casualty of war. But who defines what's true? Truth is just a matter of perspective. The duty of every soldier is to protect the innocent, and sometimes that means preserving the lie of good and evil, that war isn't just natural selection played out on a grand scale. The only truth I found is that the world we live in is a giant tinderbox. All it takes...is someone to light the match" - Captain Price
I just finished playing and I can say I'm really impressed...
I'm generally a fan of more true 'deeper' RPGs, and in fact I tried to play this game twice before and I just quited after an hour or so out of pure lack of interest. But the third time's the charm etc... and this time I persisted and gave it the chance to grab me.
So... I've read the criticisms and I after playing it I can hardly disagree with them. Absurdly repetitive & simplistic side quests, lack of choices, too 'fool proof' on the RPG side, terrible inventory/loot, pretty weak and predictable story - a lot of things don't make any sense, elevators-elevators-bloody elevators, a bit too heavy on the 'action' side for my taste etc. etc. So what I am really impressed about is the fact that I enjoyed immensely every second of it! Once I 'got used' to it I just couldn't stop playing - I even had fun exploring every single one of these generic copy-pasted planets... I liked it that much! Now I'm looking forward to the sequel which, thankfully, is just around the corner. Maybe I'll finish Drakensang in the meantime (hopefully I'm not getting too used to the voice overs... damned luxury )
I'm generally a fan of more true 'deeper' RPGs, and in fact I tried to play this game twice before and I just quited after an hour or so out of pure lack of interest. But the third time's the charm etc... and this time I persisted and gave it the chance to grab me.
So... I've read the criticisms and I after playing it I can hardly disagree with them. Absurdly repetitive & simplistic side quests, lack of choices, too 'fool proof' on the RPG side, terrible inventory/loot, pretty weak and predictable story - a lot of things don't make any sense, elevators-elevators-bloody elevators, a bit too heavy on the 'action' side for my taste etc. etc. So what I am really impressed about is the fact that I enjoyed immensely every second of it! Once I 'got used' to it I just couldn't stop playing - I even had fun exploring every single one of these generic copy-pasted planets... I liked it that much! Now I'm looking forward to the sequel which, thankfully, is just around the corner. Maybe I'll finish Drakensang in the meantime (hopefully I'm not getting too used to the voice overs... damned luxury
)