50122 réponses à ce sujet

[Changer the Elder]

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

I'd say she might be a bit xenophobic, her views are somewhat against aliens in ME1, it's not racism though, she's cautious of Aliens, she doesn't hate them or dislike them for who they are. She distrusts them, based mostly on rational thought. Racism/xenophobia is usually based on irrational fear.

I think it's got to do with her attitude. She's generally pessimistic by most standarts ("A pessimist is what an optimist calls a realist", after all), and has a hard time trusting anyone, regardless of species. Which is, as you mention, understandable, considering her family's history. Under Shepard's influence, she pretty much gets talked out of that attitude bit by bit and is quite open to the possibilites in the second half of ME1 (even though it's clear she only trusts the crew because Shepard does and she, in turn, has faith in him/her), let alone ME3.

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

Ravenmyste wrote...

i killed her on vimre on my new play thru i got sick of her tone in the game and her racist rear on aliens of course i also killed captain k as well.

leave here troll

[Mr. Brainheart]

@Changer the Elder; Yes that is likely. Why I think she's sooner to distrust aliens is because she says humans need to be able/prepared to stand alone, she has sound reasoning for this, but it does seem to make her a little more suspicious of aliens to me. But you're right, it has become a non-issue since she can be talked out of it in ME1 for some part and she's not bothered by it any longer in ME3.

[Hellfire257]

 Well I am very impressed. 2 Trolls in 2 days and both were dodged with expert precision. That was a beautiful thing. 

Oh...you really kicked the hornet's nest in the Tali thread...

I'll go and dump some screenies their way.

Modifié par Hellfire257, 09 avril 2012 - 10:59 .

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

Hellfire257 wrote...

 Well I am very impressed. 2 Trolls in 2 days and both were dodged with expert precision. That was a beautiful thing. 

Oh...you really kicked the hornet's nest in the Tali thread...

I'll go and dump some screenies their way.

LOL=]

[Changer the Elder]

@ Mr. Brainheart: Well, from the way she phrases those statements, it sounds (at least to me, of course, the your mileage and interpretation probably varies) it's more like a general statement "everyone stands up for themselves when the push comes to shove", you can't rely on people who are complete/almost strangers to you, since they'll always protect those close to them and sacrifice others for it in a blink of an eye. Which again goes with her experience - she had to learn to stand for herself and go against the wind alone since no one would probably take her side, due to the Williams legacy. It sounds more like the case of becoming the mask, where they tell you you suck for so long you actually start being proud of it (and beating people to death with it, on occassions).

Quite ironically, she can be proven right (and from the dialogue, is aware of Shepard doing exactly that) when you take her as LI and sacrifice Kaidan on Virmire. Ouch.

[Mr. Brainheart]

Changer the Elder wrote...

@ Mr. Brainheart: Well, from the way she phrases those statements, it sounds (at least to me, of course, the your mileage and interpretation probably varies) it's more like a general statement "everyone stands up for themselves when the push comes to shove", you can't rely on people who are complete/almost strangers to you, since they'll always protect those close to them and sacrifice others for it in a blink of an eye. Which again goes with her experience - she had to learn to stand for herself and go against the wind alone since no one would probably take her side, due to the Williams legacy. It sounds more like the case of becoming the mask, where they tell you you suck for so long you actually start being proud of it (and beating people to death with it, on occassions).

Quite ironically, she can be proven right (and from the dialogue, is aware of Shepard doing exactly that) when you take her as LI and sacrifice Kaidan on Virmire. Ouch.

I concur, she makes a very rational statement, but also one that is not inclined to give the other species much of a chance. She doesn't say humanity should go it alone, but they should always be prepared. This isn't a wrong stance to have, but she also applies it to individual interaction. For instance, she applies it to Garrus, when everything she's seen of him so far indicates he wouldn't have a reason to betray them or turn his back on them.
Is it a rational decision not to trust Garrus? Would she have had the same problem if he was a human C-sec officer? I'm not sure, I believe she has an initial moment of distrust with Aliens, reservations, which over time go away, when she learns they are no different from humans in any very distinct way. You could easily interpret it differently though. I think our interpretations only differ very sligthly though.

The example of Virmire has two sides, yes, you can base your decision on who's close to you, but you can also make the decision because of who's with the bomb, or the more important asset to your team.

Edit: Keeping in mind that this stance isn't necessarily her own, but one she was taught..I don't think Ashley actually believed this anymore once she had experience with aliens. Not on a personal level that is.

Modifié par Mr. Brainheart, 09 avril 2012 - 12:06 .

[Aurora313]

Now for something completely random. Includes Fem!Shep 'Pierce'.

Ashley: Alright, when we drop off, the Major'll sneak in and handle any of the hacking as required.
Pierce: Works for me.
James: So ma'am, Uh - Major. Have you and Williams worked together before?
Pierce: I helped out a bit during the SR1's hunt for Saren. And drop the ranks. Name's Rox.
Ashley: She doesn't like being referred to by Rank, Lieutenant.
James: Oh, alright. UH - Rox, Ma'am.
Pierce: So who's the tango this time?
Ashley: Reaper Forces are still present in the area, but without anything controlling them, they're going absolutely berserk. And Command has decided that its easier just to blow the place to hell than weed out the enemy. We've got Husks, Cannibals, some Brute sightings and an abundance of banshees.
Pierce: Bastards stole my code name.
James: 'Brute'?
Pierce: Cute. I meant 'Banshee'.
Ashley: Ever fought a Banshee before, Rox?
Pierce: Nah. Lookin' forward to it though. I hear those things are ugly b!tches.
James: They Screech, ma'am. A lot.
Ashley: No it still pretty much applies to Rox, too.
James: How so?
Pierce: I make 'em scream long and make 'em scream hard.
James: ... in interrogations?

*Pierce + Ash exchanges looks.*

Pierce: Yeah, we'll call 'em that.

Modifié par Aurora313, 09 avril 2012 - 12:05 .

[CptData]

Friendly Banter Part I
The SSV Normandy SR2 is home of Commander Shepard and his crew, and the crew is his family. Nowhere else you're going to find such band of brothers and sisters than on this ship ...

Ashley: Hey Tali. What are you doing here on the observatory deck?
Tali: It's used to be Samara's room; she looked into the stars, asked them while meditating. You seem to use this room as well.
Ashley: Had a lot to think about lately. After the Udina Coup, that I pointed a gun at Skipper ... Sarah's husband's death. A lot of stuff.
Tali: And I think a lot about our future. The Geth and my people ... I was raised with the knowledge they were our enemies who had taken our worlds. And now we're allies. Not just for the fight against the Reapers, but ... more.
Ashley: Guess that's an odd feeling, Tali.
Tali: No. It feels right. Legion's sacrifice gave them souls. They're like us now - siblings, maybe they're our children in a way. That's an entirely new situation. And it might take time until all of us accept this view.
Ashley: That's okay. Your people were in war with them for three hundred years. That wound won't heal over night.
Tali: We'll try. And I hope the Geth will give us that time.
Ashley: I'm sure they will. They have no interest in destroying you, they were just defending themselves ... *laughs* ... never thought I would advocate Geth one day.
Tali: And a year ago I believed the only way to deal with the Geth is to destroy them.
Ashley: Seems we both were wrong, right?
Tali: Yes. Ashley ... might I ask you something?
Ashley: Sure, Tali.
Tali: You said you have a lot to think about - what exactly?
Ashley: About Skipper ... and such.
Tali: You love him, right? You loved him from the moment he saved you on Eden Prime.
Ashley: I don't know, Tali. Maybe not right from the start. But he gave me something ... I can't explain. He gave me a reason to fight.
Tali: But you were a capable soldier before-
Ashley: No. I was just a grunt, a frontline soldier. He picked me up, gave me a reason to fight for more. Not just shooting, taking the next hill or such stuff. Shepard gave me a reason to believe in something ... he showed me the truth about Turians, Krogans, Asari ... all the aliens I didn't trust before.
Tali, I don't know why, but ... somehow Skipper changed me. Gave me a reason to show my best traits and defeat my worst. And that's something ... he did for all those people around him. For you. For Garrus, Wrex, Liara ...
Tali: Think Miranda mentioned an "inner fire" once. Something that makes you following him through hell.
Ashley: Guess she was right then. I can't explain, Tali. But that's the reason why I love him. It nearly killed me when he died - and I nearly killed him at Udina's coup. I was about to kill the one I was in love with for what I thought it's right. I was wrong- like you with the Geth.
Tali: We all do mistakes.
Ashley: I'm glad none of those mistakes took a life. Or millions of lives. I just wonder what had happened without his convincing words.
Tali: Maybe we shouldn't think about that, Ashley. You didn't pull the trigger - and my people didn't end the Geth. Seems Shepard has his ways to right wrongs.
Ashley: He definitely has.
Tali: Thanks, Ashley.
Ashley: "Thanks" for what?
Tali: For the talk. Thank you.
Ashley: You're welcome, Tali. And thank you too.

Modifié par CptData, 09 avril 2012 - 12:06 .

[Hellfire257]

 You just got the Monty Python theme stuck in my head.

"And now for something completely different!" 

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

Hellfire257 wrote...

 You just got the Monty Python theme stuck in my head.

"And now for something completely different!" 

Leave Tali alone! 

[CptData]

Huh? I just showed some banter I'd love to see in the game

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

@CptData
Another great dialogue. I really liked that one!

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

CptData wrote...

Huh? I just showed some banter I'd love to see in the game

No I was joking, kind of got into it with some Tali fans. It's over now though 

[CptData]

Totally Not Swaggacide wrote...

CptData wrote...

Huh? I just showed some banter I'd love to see in the game

No I was joking, kind of got into it with some Tali fans. It's over now though 

It's Ashley centered, after all

I have read your letter for the PAX book by the way. Nicely done, however, I kinda miss your nice words for Miranda. After all, her romance got a really bad treatment

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

@CptData
I have been so damn busy with college that I nearly forgot my Ashley letter. I typed it up am hour before the deadline and sent. I was overlooking it with the help of BP93 just make sure was good. I had more time I would have. But when it comes down to it Ash takes priority, I even would like to wrote one for each character. I had to stop myself several times from ranting about the horrible endings and keep it Ashley focused

[Totally Not Swaggacide]

How do I get that gif banner that says (blank character) deserves a better ending?

[Hellfire257]

You'll need the URL...I'll see if I can find it for you.

EDIT: Here you go.

http://imgon.net/di-F7S3.gif

Just pop that in some image tags and you're good to go.

Modifié par Hellfire257, 09 avril 2012 - 12:41 .

[Rudy Lis]

Another wall.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

@Rudy Lis; I'd like to give a detailed answer, but due to off-topic ness and mainly because I simply don't have the time (exams and all that stuff)

There is solution to this: wake PM me, if you need me.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

Short version: Immersion will be hampered for you, no doubt. If you know a lot about these little details then you'll be dissapointed to find out that the game doesn't spend a lot of attention to it and in fact are inconsistant with it. But at the same time a majority of people won't be too bothered by all this,

Sorry for splitting it up this way.
Those little details are very tricky – you probably never notice their presence, unless you specifically looking for them, but you will instantly notice lack of their presence. Let’s take Oblivion for moment. Lack of garbage, trash, dirt, mud, dust, etc. It was placed in very specific places, but wasn’t present in most. In result I have impression of game world as theater’s stage and all those edibles, utensils just as theatric decoration – world felt sterile, too clean, to be believable.
On the contrary, NWN2 with far worse visuals (textures, animations, models, etc) felt more “alive” and “habituated”. Yes, many elements were copy-pasted, like same three bookshelves everywhere, but there were relatively unique and, what most important, fitting elements of “environment”. In one particular room, from which four guards emerges, you could found table, with four card decks, some bottles, cups and snack, hinting you they were playing here, until you show up. Another “lair” of robbers and you see table with sorted out loot – gems on the left, coins on the right.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to say ME3 has no cups, there are plenty of those (and somehow I think that’s thanks to former Obsidian stuff). What I’m trying to say, is accent on details and amount of those details. Am I worried that in Herbert’s Dune there was little-to-no description of military hierarchy of Sardaukar Corps? No, author placed no emphasis on them, they were painted as threat, formidable one, but that’s all.

In ME universe we deal with existing (there) military. Military demands strict hierarchy, with strict line of subordination. Military insignia is not just for show, it is exist to show who are you (name tape), how long you serve (combination of rank and service bars), what authority you have (rank), what qualification you have (qualification tabs, obviously), your service record and path (your awards), where you serve now (unit/branch emblems) and hint to others how to help you If you wounded (blood type and critical info like known allergies (although latter is optional, so far)).

Military without hierarchy won’t work; it’s not kind of job capable to survive without strict subordination system.
But I digress. ME put us into situation where certain hierarchy exist, it even give us (via Codex) some description, but fails to provide further guidance/clues. Generally if we choose military as our career we serve 26 years, changing place of service every 2 years. According to my conversations with (ex)-military personnel, this is sort of “rule of thumb” regardless of our country of origin. Certain variations apply, of course – pilots generally serve less, due to heavy overload of their physical systems certain HQ/Staff servicemen can serve more on same place, if they are highly qualified and invaluable for their current post/occupation.

And this moves us to ranks system in ME. Ranks and age of Adams, Pressley, Sanders and Ash doesn’t fits. At all. Pressley doesn’t look young, but he says he has his officer’s commission after Elysium (2177). Given his appearance it is possible he served as enlisted/NCO before that, for years if not decades. Yeah, Ashley being held by brass, right. Especially after Arrival.

Adams, on the other hand, look a bit different, but according to himself, he served on any type of ship. Since we have no knowledge on his exact service record we can only guess how old is he and how long he served. Yet he is still some lieutenant (wears uniform with same insignia as Pressley (and some admirals).

Kahlee Sanders. Served at least 20 years (I guess she was on service when had that run-in with Saren), still First Lieutenant. This could mean three things: either she follows Hackett (and probably Pressley) path: enlisted>NCO>Officer, or she is totally incompetent (unlikely, on Grissom’s academy it was Shepard who behave like he is incompetent), or she is “legendary”. “Legendary” servicemen are those servicemen who was promoted, then demoted, then promoted, then demo… Well, you got the idea. I served with one LtC who has demoted thrice from this rank, but was promoted back. I doubt Sanders is legendary, though.
Fourth variant – she maintained her rank because there is little career progress and no need in rank progress (probably like Adams). But, at this side of monitor, such duties usually occupied by Warrant Officers, class totally omitted from ME universe. They have minimal rank progress, yet specialize in their field and extremely proficient in it. Better than many officers, who generally perform command and control duties.

And final to insignia. How Ashley recognized Shepard as Commander? She saw him in vid after Akuze, Elysium, Torfan? So, Shepard hold his LtCdr rank for 4-5-6 years? Yeah, Ashley being held by brass. Jokes aside, she could just notice his insignia. But we don’t see it.

You know what part of my ranting is most ironic? Their drawing department could draw those insignia while I wrote this and previous post and one competent writer could research, write, spellcheck and allocate all things I pointed out. And it’d take much less space and size than all I wrote here. Funny, isn’t?

Of course, fixing guns could be a little bit more time consuming, but wouldn’t be that much difficult – reverse muzzle-flash back, adjust accuracy and spread and redone external mod’s models (muzzle-brake from Barrett doubtfully add some muzzle velocity). I did that myself for Flashpoint and ArmA, I doubt ME structure is that much more difficult.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

when every detail draws you more in the game you've found the best kind of immersion, there are other ways of immersing people though, often people are attracted to main story arcs, in RPG's for instance, a lot of the time the beginning of the game hypes the story up and you get excited to do the main story quest, then the game drowns you in side quests...and you start seeing the details and sometimes they really dissapoints, yet the big main quest completely immerses you.

Problem with ME3 that it is not immersing. At all. They couldn’t hook me up from the beginning, like they did with ME1 or ME2. Most of my time during Demo I sat with “conception of disbelieve” smirk on my face. Full version only confirmed and supported that feeling. There is no “there is war out there” feeling, there is no more or less free world, a-la ME1, it is more like ME2, even more corridorish – if ME2 gave is illusion of freedom (limited amount of mission prior Horizon and Collector’s Cruiser), ME3 offers pseudo-haste and pseudo freedom - “side-story” missions has their own countdown, thus turning walkthrough into quite rail-roaded one.

And so much talks about decisions… My pro-Cerberus Shepard had only one difference with my anti-Cerberus Shepard. Yeah, right, 10 points for brain vs heart. Totally worth it. Especially in light of ending.
Certain elements of this part may contain sarcasm and artistic integrity.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

Bioware works with tights production time schedules, which really prevents their games from reaching above what they currently do, at least that's what I belive. But this means they have only limeted time to flesh their world out and need to make choices, naturally story and characters go first. And the granted  the rest of it gets a bit neglected at times..which is a a shame of course.

Then they should make better calculations before they signed contract. You know your own abilities, you know what you can do, you have to properly arrange pace, stamina and resources, don’t forget emergency reserve. And extra-emergency reserve. As well as post-check-out polish and support, sort of “warranty”.

I’d agree should they have proper story and characters. But I think we all agree here that characters were alien, distant and mostly out of character, if not all, then most of them.

I’d ignored that, should all characters were evenly mediocre and out of character, but no, some of them were good, what means they can do it right, only failed.

They were tired doing different Kaidan and Ashley personalities? There is saying: "if you can’t ****, don’t heave your arse”. Don’t know what to do with character – remove it totally, other that add it just for show. Because we care about them and we don’t let it slide. Because you make us like those characters. Put placeholder we care little about, but leave existing characters alone. If you can’t do it right, don’t touch it at all.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

And ofcourse you don't have to think they executed what they did focus on very well, but that's not really to do with how their production will probably work. I personally think they did a pretty good job and would've done a much better job if they had another year and a bigger budget. 

Given that month+ gap after release and fuquton of money we transferred to them, they could easily do proper writing, VO and replacing placeholder characters with proper ones, wipe that glue off the floor behind Joker’s seat, fix ladder issues, split spacebar functions, rework animations, improve textures, fix import flags, et cetera, et cetera. Was it done? No. Artistic integrity and perfect scores. Of course, first impression is still will be there, but they at least could try to fix problems (emphasis on “try”). Seeing how smaller studios or even individual fans (in their free time!) work on their beloved projects, I will never believe that Bioware, with its entire staff couldn’t afford to do that. I colour it as laziness added to ignorance and hopes that we will buy it and bite it. Sorry, I don’t eat bad food.

Totally Not Swaggacide wrote...

@Rudy Lis
I like your points but I think your over analyzing things that are not really important. Every game has think that don't really make sense.

Thank you for your kind words, but it’s not only about making sense. Like I said before, if game provide interesting story, I can ignore certain holes (ME2, for example), if game fails with story, I look for interesting gameplay (well, I spent enough time in Diablo 2), and if it fails too, then I either let it slide if developers charge reasonable price and commit their faults or ask our help how to fix problems (you know who I mean, right?), or, if they persist, I'll judge everything from three positions.
1. Had anyone done that before?
2. Have you done this before?
3. Does it feels worthy of price-tag?
 
1. Many, if not all things existing in ME, gameplay-mechanics wise, were done before, by other studios. Some elements are more than decade ago. Some lore-wise elements were done too. I don’t mean mass effect and eezo blah-blah. For example, flashlight exists in games. Even as old as Halo 1. NOD/FLIR – since Splinter Cell. Yes, somewhat Javelin and sniper rifle scope mod corrects that, but their magnification is overkill in ME3 distances – you don’t need 6X scope at 20 metres. And variable zoom is removed post ME1. Saving memory, probably. Anyway, they say about DICE cooperation, why not take IRNV 1X sight from it? It’d do. Yes, it’d make Centurion’s smoke screen useless, but if this is best way for them to add variety in gameplay…

1.1. At same time, they obviously copy-pasting other studios ideas. I’ll never believe they decided to add heavy-melee and blocked health on their own, not under DE:HR influence. I’d believed that several years ago, but not now.

1.2. Some say “they add variety in death animations”. I call it ArmA syndrome – if you play long enough, you start to see pattern: shoot enemy in right shoulder>he will spin (physics anyone?), shoot him in left shoulder> he will raise his hand sort of “ow, it’s my blood?”, shoot him in head – it’ll explode and he fell on knees. I don’t say these are exact ME3 animations, I haven’t ran it for weeks now. But it’s sort of running gag in OFP/ArmA community, when you can mimic every in-game animation. Not because you play that much, just because there is just three of them. More or less “realistic” behavior I’ve seen only in Killzone. Not sure which one, but enemies there behave like their “I’m hit” behavior wasn’t pre-animated. Sort of Half-life 2 ragdoll, only better. Maybe I play not enough in Killzone but for those few sessions I’ve played, game managed to leave good impression. And (big surprise) it ran on PS3. And looked better. Oh, sorry, my bad – Killzone has no artistic integrity.

2. My favorite part. They done many things before, right in previous installment of series, yet somehow decided to discard them. When I see ME3 element which is worse than same ME2 or ME1 element, I suspect something. Not artistic integrity. Journal anyone?

3. Of course I’m not some General Dynamics or equal grade cost estimator, but with current state of final product, I fail to see why we are charged 80 bucks for it. Especially for Digital version, with ZERO material components inside, I bought only lot of 1s and 0s. For same price as “hard” edition. Cost estimator in me thinks I was overcharded.


And regarding Ashley "racism". I'm not sure I can properly translate some lectures back from my service days, but I think she is not racist as it mean "anti-alien", she is "pro-human". She is not "humans only", she is "human first". Maybe it's proverbial language barrier, but she left this impression.
Sorry, of someone already pointed that, but I haven't read all pages.

[EagleScoutDJB]

@Rudy Lis

Your second and third points are two things that really bug me, both with this game and games in general. Why did they take the journal we had in ME 1 & 2 and turn it into what we got in 3, it's almost useless? And why is ME1 the same price for a hard copy from Amazon as it is to download it from Xbox Live? I want to make the switch to buying digital copies of games, but on Xbox Live most of them are more then buying a hard copy.

And as far as Ashley being a racist, it only seems like she is if you don't take the time to understand what she's saying. That's one of the things that's so good about these games, maybe the best part, just like real people if you don't take time to get to know your crew you can easily get the wrong idea about who they really are.

Modifié par dbollendorf, 09 avril 2012 - 01:53 .

[Mr. Brainheart]

@Rudy Lis; I get the feeling you just don't like ME3 very much Don't get me wrong, you bring up valid points for you not liking it, but they are personal. I've never served in the military and it has never really interested me, so I don't notice those details. Most of the oddities you've mentioned about the military in ME3 I'd have never noticed or given a thought. Granted the Bioware team does get a bit sloppy sometimes and to some extent it would've been good if they were a bit more thorough with establishing things in the galaxy.

I wouldn't expect them to explain everything in great detail though, the amount of information wouldn't work to the games favour, if we need to know why Kahlee sanders was still first Lieutenant. There is a point where you get an information overload which disrupts flow.

And now I've got a dinner waiting on me, lol, to be continued I guess?

[Rudy Lis]

dbollendorf wrote...

Your second and third points are two things that really bug me, both with this game and games in general. Why did they take the journal we had in ME 1 & 2 and turn it into what we got in 3, it's almost useless?

 
If it only concerned journal, I'd ignored that, it's not worst journal I ever seen in my life. Problem is, that ME3 is like cabbage, or onion - you peel one layer away and BAM, there is another "surprise". More you look, less you like it.

dbollendorf wrote...

And why is ME1 the same price for a hard copy from Amazon as it is to download it from Xbox Live? I want to make the switch to buying digital copies of games, but on Xbox Live most of them are more then buying a hard copy.

I switched to digital copies because there are no middlemen and zero delay in delivery time: my hard copy ordered from Amazon hasn't arrived yet. Yes, I'm aware it is April 9th.

Regarding prices I can see only one more or less valid point - they want to sell "hard" or "physical" copies too, if they make digitals cheaper, fewer people will buy hard ones - in these time we all counting our money. But even in this case I see no reason for lack of difference in pricing.

dbollendorf wrote...

And as far as Ashley being a racist, it only seems like she is if you don't take the time to understand what she's saying. That's one of the things that's so good about these games, maybe the best part, just like real people if you don't take time to get to know your crew you can easily get the wrong idea about who they really are.

Another nail into storytelling and character-writing's coffin: judging them by their behavior in ME3 you have not a slightest idea who they really are. Even knowing they are not that complex, multidimensional personalities. Liara's multidimensionality is more hilarious that really deep.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

@Rudy Lis; I get the feeling you just don't like ME3 very much

Comparison: I beat ME3 almost 5 times. DA2 zero times, I even cannot force myself to play it (no small feat, generally I'm very forgiving to games and their authors). Do I don't like ME3? What I don't like more - DA2 or ME3? Cannot say. Seriously. But what I don't like and I can say it for sure - it is how ME3 being served.
Many people gave analogy of restaurant - when you pay for good dinner but find cigarette butt or fly at bottom of last glass or dessert. I'd add "less than welcoming" waiter and majordomo.
Probably I'd ignore that spoiled evening in restaurant, should waiter and majordomo behave better, but after seeing their actions, I guess I have my limits in "let-it-slide-ability".
Generally I don't like hypocrisy, outright ****ting a.k.a. lying in front of my eyes and antigunners. I'm quite tolerant (I hope that's correct word) to many other things things.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

Don't get me wrong, you bring up valid points for you not liking it, but they are personal. I've never served in the military and it has never really interested me, so I don't notice those details. Most of the oddities you've mentioned about the military in ME3 I'd have never noticed or given a thought.

Those are the points I have at hand, translated on English (or Engrish), plus on theme I like and care. I have much more analys and comparison written on my language, mostly from discussions with friends, but I have no time nor wish (mostly wish) to translate it. And I guess most of it already being voiced. Maybe everything.

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

Granted the Bioware team does get a bit sloppy sometimes and to some extent it would've been good if they were a bit more thorough with establishing things in the galaxy.

But they didn't right? So I appraise what I see, not "what it could be". It's still not thing I wanted to say, but much closer. Mock-up. Scale-model, whatever. It is look like real, but it is not what it seems to be. In every damn aspect.
I'm quite happy for those who enjoy game and thinks it is "100 out of 100" (with optional "minus ending"). I don't think so, I disagree with them, but I have no intentions to enforce my opinion on them. I see flaws in game and their numbers are so great, so positive moments of game cannot outweigh them for me. I asked to fixing some of those. I think you can guess what answer I receive, right?

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

I wouldn't expect them to explain everything in great detail though, the amount of information wouldn't work to the games favour, if we need to know why Kahlee sanders was still first Lieutenant. There is a point where you get an information overload which disrupts flow.

What information overload? What great detail? Most of their "backs" contains less text than generic toilet roll, matchbox or cigarette pack (I don't smoke, but they are everywhere, even if you don't want to, you'll notice them). And I have impression their EULA is longer than whole storyline. Yeah, I've read somewhere, probably some Blizzard's "high-tech ****" (property of George Carlin) that gamers in general are tired if text has more than 100 words (or symbols?). WTF? I like read. I have no problems with it. One thing I really dislike in all MEs is voiced-over primary Codex articles. I read much faster than that guy speaking. Annoying as hell, force me to turn in-game volume down.
I remember their older games, with bloody loads of texts (since most of dialogues were without VO), I enjoyed every letter of them. Why they cannot add text into game for those who like to read? Why not cover more details there, should you miss something in active gameplay, put it into "docs" and let us read. Much better and more informative than those comic. But for god's sake, follow your own Codex. I really lol'd when at ME2 beginning Shepard awaken, picked up his gear (in medbay?) and himself voicing lack of thermal clips. How the hell you know about them when you was DEAD? And, despite that little fact that it is medbay and no thermal clips, they keep your armor, apparently new one, since old got damaged, probably severely. Yes, I let it slide. Game offered enough interesting moments to allow me to close my eyes on certain problems, even my biggest gripe to ME2 - projectiles velocity.

Then he, who should not be named said that Normandy is "stealth ship", thus dimmed orange lights. After I made my first run on "refitted" Normandy I naturally lol'd again. Dimmed orange light to maintain better vision, yet brightest white lamps at floor beaming right up into your eyes? Stealth ship with cockpit, conference room lounge, obsevation room, XO, Zaeed's and captain's cabins having quite big windows and bright light inside... Or war room somehow placed not just above drive core - on (in?) top of drive core (space magic really - compare layout in ME2 and ME3)? Crew consisting from unsuccessful clones of Adams and Traynor? All those random NPCs not blinking (in ME1 they were blinking). Yes, I could let it slide, should it be only one problem of game. But there is journal, "I crap my pants and pull anchor behing me" running animations, "dem broke mah wrists" gun holding animation and meaningless rifle-holding idle animation for team-mates. On top of poor writing, bad character development, ignoring info from previous parts, ignoring logic, list goes on. Thats a way too much for me to ignore it.
Some say real fan always support their favorite team. Yes, I do that in sport, because team allows me to visit their training, talk to players, trainers or even play with them (on trainings or after season, of course). They not just grab my money and tell me to shut up because of hockey integrity and perfect scores.
They talk. They listen. They answers (and most importantly, they answers on my questions). Maybe they not always do what I expect from them, but they always could explain me later why they made that move and not another. They treat me like equal. And not because when I was kid I trained under their trainer or played with some of them in parks. They treat all of us as equal human being, not those fumbling in ignorance and incapable of understanding. And even though now I live far from them and cannot visit them as often as I wanted, they call me, write me mails and happy to see me when I visit them. And I pay in kind.
Here? Hm, do I really need to say something?

Mr. Brainheart wrote...

And now I've got a dinner waiting on me, lol, to be continued I guess?

As long as you don't say otherwise.

[Clone 071]

Thought we could use a decent Shepley pic.

[Hellfire257]

 I might do an Ash bomb later as well. We'll see .

[Clone 071]

Hellfire257 wrote...

 I might do an Ash bomb later as well. We'll see .

Good, we could use one. In the meantime...