I loved it. I really really loved it. I'd been hoping for the perfect middle ground between the first 2 games, and it really delivered. It's also the first RPG I know of where literally everything you can do matters and has a connection to the main goal. You've got all the freedom of optional sidequests, but you never get the jarring, flow-breaking thought of "Why is my character wasting time doing this when they're supposed to be saving the world?", because it all contributes.
It's damn near the best game I've ever played... until the ending (Must. Not. Talk. About. The. Ending).
Lets start with the things I didn't like (not including the ending):
- Jessica Chobots and Freddie Prinz Jr.'s horrible voice acting. I mean, my god.
-I really wish James Vega was completely optional. I don't like his character at all and I feel he adds nothing to the game. Besides my seething dislike for him, that is.
-That kid! Not because its a kid but because that kid means nothing to me. If they had simply switched that kid with say Ashley or Kaiden it would've been 1,000 times more impactful than some kid.
-no showdown with Harbinger =( =( =(
What I liked:
-Pretty much everything else
-the combat is much better, I think it's fun and it's easy to use
-weapons and weapon upgrades, armor and armor upgrades
-many of the side-character's story arcs (Thane, Mordin, Miranda, Liara, etc)
-the goal of the game: rallying resources to your cause
-I really, really like the Illusive Man. I dislike how there is no way to possibly join him (even if you gave up the Collector Base) but I like how he operates and his voice acting is down so well. ++to Martin Sheen
-the multiplayer is pretty fun. I like how you need to work together to survive.
-love the backdrops, especially the ones with moving Reapers in them
-the maps are all fairly elaborate too. I was afraid after DA2 that they might reuse a lot of the maps, this was not the case
-the geth/quarian story
-the turian/krogan/sort-of Salarian story
...Yeah. Final synapsis: the good outweighs the bad, even the ending.
- The whole Jessica Chobot/Diana Allers controversy
- The "it's a freaking prothean, of course it's important" controversy
- The introducing multiplayer controversy
- The action/story/RPG mode controversy
1. I really didn't like Diana Allers all that much. Jessica Chobot's voice acting just sounded... off. Whenever Diana spoke, it sounded forced and out of place. I have nothing really against the character... just the line delivery. It sounded phoned in.
2. I liked Javik. His input was amusing, but I don't really think it was particularly 'important.' I don't think I really would have lost anything if I'd bought the standard version and didn't get the DLC. The only time it really feels 'important' is in the Asari temple... and even then... if you just look at the artifacts on display, you can tell pretty clearly that Asari development was guided by the Protheans. Especially if you found the Prothean Sphere in Mass Effect 1, which hinted that all (or at least some) of the major races in this particular cycle where being studied by the Protheans.
Honestly, I thought his rifle was more 'important' than he was. That Prothean laser rifle is freaking amazing.
3. I actually don't mind the multiplayer. It was possible to get all of the different endings without actually touching it, it just made getting the best endings a bit easier. Besides, I actually rather enjoy the multiplayer. I started playing it after I beat the game, and I've been having a lot of fun with it.
4. The game was always advertised as an action/rpg, so I really didn't expect it to be anything else. So I wasn't particularly bothered. The only thing I didn't like was the automatic conversations, because regardless of whether or not you're Paragon or Renegade, sooner or later you're bound to say something completely out of character. But that's a pretty minor complaint, really.
None of these were an issue at all for me. I have no complaints with the game aside from:
1) The ending, obviously.
2) Space Bar being used for Sprinting, Cover, Reviving, Interacting with objects, and every other conceivable action you would take in the game. I'm surprised it doesn't shoot your gun as well.
Flailing Escapist said:
-love the backdrops, especially the ones with moving Reapers in them
Seriously. The backdrop on the Turian moon was breathtaking. I mean, it was flat-out gorgeous. ME3 isn't the prettiest game ever, but that scene was one of the most incredible visuals I've ever witnessed in a game.
- The whole Jessica Chobot/Diana Allers controversy
- The "it's a freaking prothean, of course it's important" controversy
- The introducing multiplayer controversy
- The action/story/RPG mode controversy
1. This was a thing? I don't see why she's a romantic option, though. Traynor, I can see because of all the interaction you have with her. But Allers? You may see her what...3 or 4 times, unless you're going out of your way? Once I realized she didn't really have anything to say outside of canned events, I stopped seeing her.
2. This was more understandable, but I see what they mean about it only mattering to people who REALLY care about the universe. He gives a ton of back story and lore, explaining a lot of things (which helped me out a lot, because I own a PS3.) He's like an extra feature on a DVD or checking out TVTropes. Not needed to enjoy the story, but extra understanding is always good.
3. Once again, this was a thing? Multiplayer isn't my thing, so it doesn't really matter to me. I might play it just to see if it's that different, but with all the bugs I hear about, I'd rather not.
4. People are silly.
I will say that some of the animations break the immersion. Like when their eyes go white, or when FemShep smiled after the Rannoch missing. *shudder* And NPC dialogues repeating is weird, like the woman trying to get her daughter to Thessia, or the soldier trying to avoid fighting Cerberus (especially after I approved of it.) Beyond that, I love the game. Not done yet, so I don't know the endings, and I've done everything to avoid learning about them. Typically spoilers don't bother me, but if things are as bad everyone seems to make them out to be, I'd rather not know so I can enjoy the rest of my experience untainted.
Agreed. In the words of firefly "Gorram Allaince technology".
They took a beautiful design and butchered some of it. Turning off the lights in the main deck, and putting that scanner in. I don't think it was the fault of the game, I think it was done intentionally to show that the Alliance military ship designers are horrid. After all, the normandy 1 was pretty bad too.
There should be no excuse for that scanner, they can generate entire levels on planets with no loading, so why should one dinky little level need a small pause to load either 90% or 10% of the ships floor? Isn't the engineering floor bigger than the scanner floor?
There is an excuse: You do know that the War Room is linked to the internet, right? That "Galaxy Readiness" that's at 50% is your multiplayer score. If you complete a map in multiplayer, it will increase your Readiness by around 3-9% per map. The reason the scanner is there is to give the game a little extra time to load up your online profile and find out your current Galaxy Readiness score, use the percentage on your current forces, and give you an accurate report on how your total score is for the big assault. In essence, it really is a clever way to hide an internet-checking checkpoint. So if your internet is slow, then it'll take longer to clear that checkpoint.
As for the thread: I really, really disliked how the game constantly tried to make me either feel sorry for the kid, and to force you to the Citadel every time a squad member wants to talk. I mean come on, you're ten feet away from me in my ship, why do I need to dock at the Citadel, take a taxi to the commons, and search around the vendors for you before you'll tell me you're having a bad day? There is a Captain's room that's all private and can accomplish the same thing!
Minor annoyances: The Renegade interrupt feels forced at times. There are moments in the game that are "interrupt or something realllyyyy bad happens" and it gives you renegade points!
When Odina pulls a gun on the Asari councilor and almost fires, you're given the interrupt ability to shoot him and save the councilor. It's my job as a Spectre and the savior of the galaxy to save her, why will I get bad points for doing my job?
Yes, it's possible (I not sure here) that if I didn't shoot, Ashley would have, but why chance it? You're showing to a gamer, who is targeting a terrorist, who is about to execute one of the highest ranking councilors in the entire series. You honestly expect even the Paragons to hesitate and try and talk with him? We save lives, and we get the big ol "RENEGADE +5!" reward for it!
Renegade interrupt should only be used for scenarios that don't involve need-action-now spots, but just to be a dick. Like in ME2 to kick the Merc out the window when he was talking to you. That's a proper placement, not like the one above.
And the ending. Dear goodness, NO!
But other than that, it was perfect. Especially the story lines for the characters, and the combat was top-notch. Especially the Geth mission, I was honestly surprised they'd make a that special level (those who've done it with the Geth history will know what I'm talking about). I thought it'd be a bit boring, but it was very interesting to see the world through the Geth "eyes" like that. I will still play ME3 to the bone, because I love it, regardless of it's few flaws (and one major one, grrr), because it's just that good.
1. She was a completely option character that I spent maybe 2 minuets of the game with so I really didn't care one way or the other about her.
2.He was in stasis so he don't know crap. His main skill is pissing off Liara, so I greatly enjoyed having him in the game. His gun was damn AWESOME!
3. If they added multiplayer near the end of the game which is why they skimped on the ending then I would be pretty pissed, but other wise I like the multi. Not too keep on it's intergration into single player because there aren't many people on the PS3 who know what they're doing. So I die. A lot.
4. What controversy? This method allows people to play the way they want.
My problems:
- The lack of closure in the ending. They're not great, but I wish they had impacts on your allies afterwards because I'm not ever sure if my ending was the right one for my paragon shep .
- Mass Effect 2 characters having a small quest and then just becoming war assets. Would have loved having them on the Normady.
- Where the fuck were my team at the end!? I've gather over 7000 allies, 12 squad mates ready to die for me and they let my cripple ass crawl to the end with only my old mentor having the balls to follow. Seriously Garus you could have marched your way up there capped the illusive man in the face, killed the reapers and pay me back for when I saved your arse.
I don't really see the big deal in the whole Diana Allers thing. She doesn't really do a whole lot in the game and she is completely optional. I just recruit her for the free War Assets she has on arrival and through the interviews. I will admit, her voice acting was kind of sub-par and she was kinda annoying. Again though, not a big deal.
As for the whole Prothean business. I myself was quite satisfied with what I got from the DLC. It gave me some real insight into how Prothean society worked. Not to mention learning how and why they failed to defeat the Reapers is an interesting parallel to what Shepard was currently doing.
The multiplayer I'm just getting into. From what I've seen so far, it does look like it has some potential. At first I was somewhat skeptical about it, but after playing through the main story, which I was satisfied with overall, I decided to give it a shot.
I wasn't really aware of the RPG/Action option until someone mentioned it right before release. It probably isn't that big a deal since I can still level up my characters and choose dialogue options.
Finally, I might as well throw in some discussion: What's everyone's opinion on James Vega? I'm surprised not many people seem to talk about him as to me he's basically the new Kaiden/Jacob. And both of those guys I've noticed haven't received a lot of positive feedback. (Well maybe Kaiden, not too sure about Jacob) I don't really dislike any of them, but there are definitely better characters in my opinion.
One thing that irks me is the Normandy's ship design never went into full production. The start of Mass Effect 1 was the shake down run of the Normandy to test for bugs and etc, and there is plenty of time between 1 and 2 to make a least a few of the SR1. I can understand the alliance building no new SR1s once they got a hold of the SR2 and gearing up to put it into production when the Reapers show up but we didn't see even a single other SR1 any where. Granted it is a stealth ship but even a nod towards them would of been nice.
Cerberus took a big hit in this game. In ME2 they were a morally shady human rights group who nonetheless strove to secure human supremacy. In 3, the Illusive Man and Cerberus as a whole go full Bond villain, attacking human settlements and supporting the reapers because LOL INDOCTRINATION.
Also, Kai Leng was a huge Villain Sue. Shepard can kick his faux-ninja ass up and down Thessia and the game still protects him and holds him up as a untouchable badass despite all in-game evidence to the contrary. It was just another instance of "your choices don't matter, shut up and watch the cutscene"
Where the fuck were my team at the end!? I've gather over 7000 allies, 12 squad mates ready to die for me and they let my cripple ass crawl to the end with only my old mentor having the balls to follow. Seriously Garus you could have marched your way up there capped the illusive man in the face and killed the reapers and still then take all the credit for yourself.
Completely agree. The ONLY squad member I had with me 100% of the time through all three of the games was my pal Garrus. That Turian bastard had my back no matter what the odds. No matter the hellish task at hand, he was always backing me up either at my side with an assault rifle, or from cover at my back with his trusty sniper rifle. He would have pulled me on my feet, frog marched my happy ass to that transport beam, shot the Illusive Man in the head, told the Catalyst to go fuck itself, and saved the galaxy while, as Blazing Steel said; "my cripple ass crawled to the end".
Also, Kai Leng was a huge Villain Sue. Shepard can kick his faux-ninja ass up and down Thessia and the game still protects him and holds him up as a untouchable badass despite all in-game evidence to the contrary. It was just another instance of "your choices don't matter, shut up and watch the cutscene"
I hated every single cutscene Kai Leng was in, especially how Shepard just watches him KILL THANE. And his death scene? Herpa derp look at the pretty stars and ignore the ninja about to kill you. I'd like to know how the scene plays out without the renegade interrupt though.
Another thing I hated in ME2, that I hoped to see fixed in ME3 (it wasn't), was that the game completely ignores your class in cutscenes. I'm a goddamn biotic, my Shepard wouldn't just stand there in every cutscene holding a pistol at the bad guys and he sure as hell wouldn't use an omniblade.
Agreed. In the words of firefly "Gorram Allaince technology".
They took a beautiful design and butchered some of it. Turning off the lights in the main deck, and putting that scanner in. I don't think it was the fault of the game, I think it was done intentionally to show that the Alliance military ship designers are horrid. After all, the normandy 1 was pretty bad too.
Well, the lights and the hanging wires was because it was likely unfinished when the reapers came. Rearrangement didn't bother me really. As they said, it was pretty damn stupid moving the armory to the CIC in ME2. The war room wasn't accessable before really. The door was annoying as fuck, granted, but that was the only issue I had. Oh, and the old armoury isn't accessible, but I'll live with that. Overall, changes were logical.
synobal said:
One thing that irks me is the Normandy's ship design never went into full production. The start of Mass Effect 1 was the shake down run of the Normandy to test for bugs and etc, and there is plenty of time between 1 and 2 to make a least a few of the SR1. I can understand the alliance building no new SR1s once they got a hold of the SR2 and gearing up to put it into production when the Reapers show up but we didn't see even a single other SR1 any where. Granted it is a stealth ship but even a nod towards them would of been nice.
I had to shake my head at that oversized drive core. Did you know we could fit Eezo cores for 1000 fighters with the amount that one core took? (I know I butchered that quote to hell, shut up )
OT: I liked James some how, and Chobot... didn't really talk enough for me to have an opinion. More interview was needed in my opinion. Prothean added mostly nothing really, he was mostly forgotten, didn't take on Thessia, didn't feel like I was losing anything. Overall, it's my favourite game, beating the other 2 mass effects. And I even liked the ending after I mentally went through it.
- The whole Jessica Chobot/Diana Allers controversy
- The "it's a freaking prothean, of course it's important" controversy
- The introducing multiplayer controversy
- The action/story/RPG mode controversy
Diana Allers had bad voice acting and she looked ugly. Her eyes seemed half closed all the time, that was kind of weird.
The prothean was a nice addition, but he wasn't necessary for the story.
The multiplayer is surprisingly enjoyable, but it needs some more modes. I don't think it will work for a long time with what it has.
Don't care very much about the last point.
What I liked about it, overall it felt like an improvement of the second game.
It was nice to see even minor characters like Jenna during the Conrad Verner sidequest.
The wall with the names of the dead in the Normandy was great, but Kelly Chambers isn't mentioned on it. I also missed some reaction of Shepard when she is killed. You only hear a dialogue between 2 NPCs on the citadel or on the Normandy and Shepard doesn't say anything.
There were really a lot of great details.
And the final battle around earth was awesome, until the ending (please don't discuss).
What I didn't like was the skill system, in ME2 the system already annoyed me. The increasing cost for each skill feels kinda limiting. It's easy to skill in a way that some points are left over (I feel like I did something wrong when points are left over).
Some quests could become unfinishable, that was strange since other quests could be finished by buying the questitems in the spectre office.
I hated the scanning mechanic, the reapers came a little bit to fast. Even when they came you could easily get everything in a system. And that you had to scan a planet wasn't needed.
Where the fuck were my team at the end!? I've gather over 7000 allies, 12 squad mates ready to die for me and they let my cripple ass crawl to the end with only my old mentor having the balls to follow. Seriously Garus you could have marched your way up there capped the illusive man in the face and killed the reapers and still then take all the credit for yourself.
Completely agree. The ONLY squad member I had with me 100% of the time through all three of the games was my pal Garrus. That Turian bastard had my back no matter what the odds. No matter the hellish task at hand, he was always backing me up either at my side with an assault rifle, or from cover at my back with his trusty sniper rifle. He would have pulled me on my feet, frog marched my happy ass to that transport beam, shot the Illusive Man in the head, told the Catalyst to go fuck itself, and saved the galaxy while, as Blazing Steel said; "my cripple ass crawled to the end".
1 and 2 it was a team effort whereas 3 just seems to have said, 'No you must do this alone.' "But why can't one of my squad help me? I mean Garrus and Liara were right behind me at the end, and I don't believe Anderson managed to outrun the-" 'No fuck you Shepard no cares about about you, now go activate the preditermined ending."
Also, Kai Leng was a huge Villain Sue. Shepard can kick his faux-ninja ass up and down Thessia and the game still protects him and holds him up as a untouchable badass despite all in-game evidence to the contrary. It was just another instance of "your choices don't matter, shut up and watch the cutscene"
I felt that way at first too, but on the other hand, he had a gunship covering him, and Shepard calls him out for constantly running away during the end fight with him (to which he can only reply with a pathetic "SHUT UP!") so on reflection I didn't come down too hard on him.
Honestly, apart from that one part of the game that must not be mentioned, I thought the game was completely awesome; One of the best I've ever played, even.
In ME 2 you have one mission where you can find data that could mean trouble for Cerberus. In Kasumi's loyalty mission you find data that could mean trouble for the Alliance. I thought both of those decisions keep/send/destroy would make an impact in ME 3, but didn't.
I liked most of the game expect *the event that shall not be named* for it has been named a lot. that nasty .1% of it. But anyways I enjoyed the experience expect I would have liked to have commented: I'm having a nightmare about a dead kid. those nightmares where out of place I think, though the fact that you are hearing the voices of your dead friends does add to it. And also if you think about what's going on it's not out of the question that you'd start to lose it at least a little.
I only ran into one bug that broke the flow of the game for me though. It was during *SPOILERS SPOILERS* the scene where Miranda and her father and Oriana where having their confrontation. Shep walks in and up to this point had been wearing the Recon Hood but the hood is suddenly gone and Shep's eyes are popping out of his head, like the Judge in Who Framed Roger Rabbit so every time the camera panned back to him I just couldn't help but laugh. It was so out of place. Like the ending. DAMMNIT sorry. (butt on that note I am leaning towards the: it was a trap theory)
Diana Allers: didn't care then, don't care now.
Day One DLC: I got the Collector's Edition so this is a none issue for me.
Multiplayer: I was going threw every system like I had OCD anyways so by the time I found out about EMS = War assets * Galactic Readiness I had like...over 17K asset's anyways.
the mode switching again didn't matter to me since I was only gonna use one. That said I feel that you should get more dialogue options and tell people flat out: GHOST KID IN MAH BRAIN! Cause then Kaiden/Ashley could pipe in with a "Commander....their was no kid on that shuttle. Or in the courtyard." OooooWEEEEoooohhhh. Again that's only if the 'ending is trap' is true. Which is still a comp out cause that still means the real ending is gonna be DLC.
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