Mass Effect Impressions Round 2

posted by SweetTea023

Thu Nov 22, 2007 at 09:48:21 PM EST

Alright well, from thinking Mass Effect is the second coming to doubting its existance among game of the year candidates I think I've found another temporary feeling on Bioware's RPG.

There was a good 30 minute time after the start of the game that I really doubted how into Mass Effect I could get. The combat while different, just didn't seem to click. The dialog and cintematics while beautiful and well done just seemed long and awkward. And I just don't have 30 hours to devote to an RPG right now.

Give it time, friends. Now, if you don't typically like RPG's I'm not saying your mind will be instantly changed but the farther I've gotten in Mass Effect the more impressed and drawn into the game I've gotten. After getting through the Citadel and being able to travel a bit your introduced to your ship, the Normandy. This thing is HUGE! Amongst your fellow party members exists a rather large crew, and if I were to guess I would say there are at least 15 normal crew members just walking around doing their job. Very cool.

The story seems to be elevated with each cut scene bringing everything together nicely. I really don't know how to explain this, but everyone feels like they have their own thoughts, own agendas and at the end of the day have to rely on you whether they want to or not. While I'm not incredibly far in the story I am getting more and more interested and I go.

As for the combat problems I had, the more you play the easier and more fun these things are. The combat especially; As I said before running into a group of enemies using some tactics and your squad is awesome.

All in all, I think if you give Mass Effect the time, it will treat you very, very well. You may have to put some effort into it, but if you do...you might just find the greatest game of the season.


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Comments Disabled | 33 comments

  •  Ill (none / 0)

    let you guys enjoy this game.  I've never been an RPG fellow, and I know that this is not going to change.  So enjoy boys and girls, I'll stick to shanking people and cooking nades.  I am a master chef!

    Oct 21/08 Nov 7/08

    by carr on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 08:31:58 AM EST

  •  Beat it, loved it, and I'm playing it again (none / 0)

    I've come to kick ass and chew bubblegum....and I'm all out of gum!

    by Fr33climb on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 10:28:09 AM EST

  •  I love (none / 0)

    the combat, especially after playing Halo, Call of Duty and gears.

    by Dan Foster on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 11:52:55 AM EST

  •  This is (none / 0)

    probably my favorite RPG so far.

    The menu system for upgrading you character is the best I've seen yet, and everything really is your choice.

    In Oblivion, when someone says 'if you want, come talk to me over there', it didn't matter that they said 'if you want'. One had to go and pursue that lead.
    In Mass Effect, that's entirely your choice.

    The controls, the squad (is at time Dom-tastic, but  the ability to micromanage what gun they're using against what guy while using what ability and where they're doing all this from), and the game in general is the best of everything.

    As Sweet said, it takes time. It took me about 2 hours to figure out the combat. And probably 8-10 to figure out the upgrades and squad controls.

    And even after all that, I still feel like theres an entire galaxy out there for me to explore.
    And fortunately, there is.  

    "We can categorically state that we have not released any man eating badgers into the area." -Major Michael Shearer, UK military spokesman

    by Sparton 501 on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 01:18:21 PM EST

  •  I'm 4 hours in... (none / 0)

    and I can't stop thinking about what I will do next to find Saren and crush him. I started off looking for that researcher daughter that Saren wants to find in the Artemis Tau cluster. I'm gonna have a blast with this game. And I totally see how everyone is talking about starting a second play-through right after finishing, I will most likely do the same, there is so much variety and paths you can take in this game. I just hope it really plays out very differently on the second run. I would be amazed to see an almost completely different set of cut-scenes (or at least half!).

    by johnart on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 02:51:28 PM EST

  •  I'm going to give it time (none / 0)

    Because it does definitely seem different than the typical RPG and the combat is definitely different than something like KOTOR which annoyed the living crap out of me.

    The other thing is that I definitely like the setting and story most than 99 percent of RPGs.  I tried Oblivion, but I just couldn't get into the fantasy setting.  I'm much more a sci-fi guy.

    by papi blez on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 03:02:41 PM EST

  •  Ya I am really enjoying the discussion (none / 0)

    we are going to have about this game. It is so big and complex I can't wait to hear everyone's stories!

    Papi, I hear what your saying about the fantasy setting thing. I like both, and while I think I would enjoy Mass Effect more if it was in the Star Wars universe, the curiosity I have about every new species of alien I find excites me. I love seeing creatures that I couldn't imagine in my own head, yet being able to see, talk and interact with them in Mass Effect.

    by SweetTea023 on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 03:11:07 PM EST

  •  this game is (none / 0)

    unbelievable thats all i am gonna say. It starts off slow, but really starts picking up. One of the best RPG's i ever played

    by amato18 on Fri Nov 23, 2007 at 06:05:28 PM EST

  •  The combat gave me no trouble (none / 0)

    All my deaths have been because of stupid moves.

    ArkkAngel007

    by Mr C on Sat Nov 24, 2007 at 08:03:02 PM EST

  •  My saves (none / 0)

    disappeared.  I was level 22, almost completed every side quest between Eden Prime and Noveria/Feros (already rescued the Asari, Liara), and I just saved today, and went to the dashboard and switched the console off.  I come back on a few hours later, and see on the main menu that it just says New Career and Extras.  So now I'm back on Eden Prime...and at least I can get back to where I was quicker.

    Anyways, thats my main issue with Mass Effect (ran into 5 other confirmed cases online) and hopefully this will be addressed, among the other more common occurences, in the first patch.

    ArkkAngel007

    by Mr C on Sat Nov 24, 2007 at 10:22:17 PM EST

  •  cases confirmed (none / 0)

    by me, how do you know you can trust me?  alright you can nEway, it must really suck, but you got through that in 1 1/2 days

    Paintball rules... but is expensive :(

    by AvatarJC on Sat Nov 24, 2007 at 11:10:36 PM EST

  •  Polish? (none / 0)

    Ok, I got the game and am enjoying it, but there are definitley some polish issues on this game.  Is there any word on when a patch is coming?

    In comparison to KOTR I & II, I almost miss their equipment and leveling screens.  

    Equipment - It may be a pet peeve, but to me it doesn't make sense that after you upgrade your equipment that the stats should not upgrade as well.  

    Leveling - I wish there was a summary screen that told me what my effective stats were, including the effect of upgrades.  

    Combat - In the beginning, not so fun, but after +6 hours you begin to have staying power and weapons.  However, I hate being automatically rushed by opponents and getting beat down.  The only thing I beat down are zombies.

    Anyone else have similar polish issues with Mass Effect?

    Ready to finish all the Fights!

    by Damn Boris on Mon Nov 26, 2007 at 12:19:45 PM EST

    •  if you are getting (none / 0)

      rushed by opponents put on the armor upgrade that improves your melee damage.  if you equip it then you knock the guys right on their feet when they rush you.  then you just shoot em in the face while they are trying to get up.

      Im "Geared Up" are you?

      by Scotty247 on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 08:53:46 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

  •  definately enjoying mass effect (none / 0)

    didnt think i would enjoy it as much as i have because i wasnt the hugest RPG guy.  But boy was i wrong.  this game rules.  far exceeded my expectations and i cant wait to do more.

    Im "Geared Up" are you?

    by Scotty247 on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 08:55:18 AM EST

  •  and the guys (none / 0)

    saying that i don't think i will have enough time to finish this game its only a 12 hour game just doing the main quests

    by amato18 on Tue Nov 27, 2007 at 12:50:27 PM EST

  •  I love it (none / 0)

    Where else can you get a lap dance from an alien stripper?

    by Thumb on Wed Nov 28, 2007 at 02:03:05 AM EST

Comments Disabled | 33 comments