First off, thanks for making Mass Effect 2 with such a rich story. That aside, I am constantly experiencing bugs that ruin the suspension of disbelief and overall "fun" of the game. I am currently in the middle of a third play through and feel there are some issues that deserve your attention. Here are a few of the bugs I've encountered and managed to repeat in focus testing:
Floating in the air: This issue is easily the most reoccurring one.
- This error usually occurs when taking cover and suddenly Shepard "zooms" to a position
above the ground (usually 15-20 feet high) and cannot return the ground.
- This error also occurs when I bump into an AI squad mates or even enemies during combat.
- If you are a Vanguard and you're still in combat, charge an enemy to get back down to ground.
Otherwise, reload your last good game save.
- This issue is the worst when it autosaves while you're in the air. You are forced to restart the mission
if you wish to proceed.
Popping Out of Cover: Shepard takes cover, shoots and slides to the side of cover, open to attack.
- Imagine a rectangular box knocked over on its side. Shepard runs over to it and takes cover.
Then takes a few shots and goes back into cover. Instead of being behind the box, Shepards off to the side
of it but still crouched as though he/she were still behind cover. That's usually when enemies take
advantage and destroy Shepard with ease. This bug has led to more than 20 unexpected Shepard deaths.
Moving in Cutscenes: Shepard can run around during conversations
- Although it's only ocurred about 10 times, this only happens on the Normandy when talking to
Joker or Doctor Chakwa.
- This is a funny issue because on attempt to replicate, it did not occur. When I didn't try to, it happened.
- I have to admit, it's pretty funny to run down the hallway, away from Joker, while he's still speaking to you.
Shepard Cannot Exit the End of a Mission
- This one is easy to reproduce on the mission with Maelon (on Tuchanka). After dealing with Maelon,
pull out your gun. Now you can elbow anything but you cannot leave the end of the mission.
- This error occurs at the end of every missions where the player has the option to "Stay" or "Leave."
Less Buggy When Playing Off of HDD
- This is self-explanatory but deserves mention. All of these issues were amplified when
playing solely of the disc.
Xbox Updates Create More Bugs
- In an attempt to diagnose many bug origins, I deleted the system cache and download content
and begin a game from scratch. I avoided updating the game for a week and not only did many
of the bugs never occur, but the gameplay was smooth and texture pop-up was reduced.
- Installed on the HDD issues became nearly non-existent.
- I'm honestly not sure what to make of this but it's an obvious red flag. If players want the smoothest
experience, they should delete their system cache and downloaded content, and install the game to
the HDD.
Animation Glitches and Clipping Errors
- From characters feet going through the ground to heads turned completely backwards, this one continues to
annoy and entertain (especially the backwards head part).
- I know certain issues with clipping are unavoidable in the engine, such as Grunts shoulder armor
clipping through his torso armor, but the worst instance of this happened when I was knocked down
by a charging Krogen and somehow got stuck underneath the ground.
Resume Save Loads Incorrectly
- Sometimes when I die, I choose the "Resume" option instead of "Load" and the game loads the autosave
instead of my last saved game. This happens every time I play. Oddly enough, this doesn't happen
on my friends Xboxes.
Dialogue and Environment Audio Cuts Out Randomly
- Thankfully, I'm not alone on this one. But this issue can be alleviated by installing the game to the HDD.
Creative Freedom vs Science: Is this the Milky Way?
- I know you've taken many creative freedoms in order to deliver a better game. But, our local cluster
is on the outskirts of the galaxy. The Horsehead Nebula is a gaseous mass and not an empty, matterless
shape. I could go on, but you get the idea. This is purely a nit-pick.
Shepard Can't Dance
- This isn't a bug but is really sad. In ME1, female Shepard danced with a little attitude while her male
counterpart was less passionate on the dance floor. Now both Shepards dance like a 60 year old at the
club. <_<
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On a side note, here are some game design choices I've been wanting to bring to light
In the first Mass Effect, the player literally walked and drove everywhere. Creating a deeply immersive though considerably lengthy experience. This gave the first title a sense of wonder and magic (in the Disney sense if you will). Being able to drive on the Moon's surface and taking a look at Earth really recreated that NASA Apollo experience. Players felt like explorers, discovering the galaxy in ways we could never comprehend. Offering a rich and believable world that players felt like they truly visited (this is especially true with Virmire)
In Mass Effect 2, imagination and free exploration have been replaced with approachable game mechanics and an action heavy game design. This really puts the game more in line with Gears of War, among others. Players still experience the gamut of the story but are offered a dish that is watered down and even muddled in certain areas. This is really an apples and orange issue, but I do feel a happy median between both Mass Effects is possible.
I will give you one thing, the character designs and the depth of personality were greatly improved. If ME1 was pushed forward by the epic story, ME2 is a character driven masterpiece.
Suggestions for Mass Effect 3
- Keep the heat sink ammo clips. But when players shoot passed their guns heat sink-less capacity, the gun jams. Creating a delay and giving the opposition a window for attack. Players then switch guns or wait out the cool down.
- Keep planet scanning. Although I loathe this, some players actually enjoy this. However, why not offer players the ability to upgrade their probes so they can scan surfaces in abscence of Shepards presence. Later transmitting their results to the Normandy (just like Upgrades) and delivered as news via a "New Message."
- Increase the size and number of cultural epicenters. It was nice to see the Migrant Fleet, but that's all we really got, a sight. Would you please offer up larger areas with stairs (no hate towards elevators), stores and conversation. The citadel felt like a joke compared to it's former self in ME1.
- Co-op. I know, I know. But please hear me out. Offer players Co-op in the form of another human Spectre joining the team temporarily. Much like Nihilus in ME1. The player can forgo the slot of one AI squad mate and give it to a friend. And just like ME2, all character relationships and developments can occur onboard the Normandy. Of course the guest Spectre is passive to NPCs and triggered events. Honestly, if the humans are taking upon themselves a greater role in the galaxy, where are all the other human Spectres?
- Bring back the crouch button. I don't know how many times crouching would've saved my life in ME. First Shepard can't jump, now he can't crouch. Please bring it back!
Bioware, if you're listening, thank you. Mass Effect is a great series and deserves the accolades it gets. It nearly puts gaming on the same level of a great book. Players can learn about themselves through their choices and have fun with them. Mass Effect is half the reason I own a 360 (the other is the Left 4 Dead series). I love this game and I want it to exceed the potential it already has delivered. I have faith in your artistry and look forward to any comments you hopefully have.
*I am a QA tester for a Microsoft testing facility and have experience with in-game animation. These comments are strictly out of love and concern for the cohesive Mass Effect experience. I apologize for not being able to show you images of the bugs listed above. Maybe someday when a buy another capture station.
**Also thanks for including the drinking easter egg with the Asari bartender. It's great to see that even Shepard has beer goggles. Hilarious!
Modifié par illegal Hugs, 07 mai 2010 - 11:33 .
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