104 réponses à ce sujet

[shadowreflexion]

Cheesy Blue wrote...

Through all the interviews that we've seen, the devs have always said that ME3 is going to be the best place for a new player to start in the trilogy. I know the devs have to say that do to marketing, but is the end of the trilogy really the best place to start?
 
For me, I didn't watch Return of the Jedi first. So why would I play ME3 first over playing ME1 or even ME2. We all know that ME3 will be the absolute climax of everything we have done in the Mass Effect trilogy. But if you're a new player wouldn't that kind of take away from the game being special, considering that you had no build up to the events of ME3 whatsoever.

I'm just saying that if you are a new player maybe you should go back and at least play ME2.
 

Realistically it depends on the group of players. Many people didn't play The Legend of Zelda when it came out on the NES back in the day but they hail The Ocarina of Time. It could be said that they can't fully appreciate what a Zelda game was about but that isn't true. When I look at new players of the ME franchise, I support them because many of them will try to back track to find out what the story was really about in the first place and some will try to go back just to collect them all. You used a Star Wars reference but even with that, I know people who came into the saga at TESB (The Empire Strikes Back) and still fully enjoyed the experience.

Sad to say it but what also holds true is the majority of this generation which I call the "microwave" generation because they want something fast, fun, and graphically appealling. ME 1 was a great place to start, it truly was but with the flood of games on the market that offered that quick fix until the next big thing, many didn't play it. Sure, some liked the story but how many can really care less and just want to hop into blowing things up?

I'm glad for the diversity that gaming has. You have those that want story and emotion served up with a side of action and then you have those who want the action with minimal interference from other elements. I don't think it's the best place to start if you have a love for the RPG element. For those who just want an epic battle, I say let them have it. Some will want to know why it took place in the first place and what kind of hardships Shep and squad faced to have to stand alone. Who are we to deny them the opportunity to at least experience that? On my other forums I have friends who went and bought an Xbox because the PS3 didn't have ME 1 and that was after they played ME 2. Some of them tell me that the action isn't what they expected and others tell me they cried when deciding who to leave behind on Virmire. So what it comes down to is PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. 

[Robodragon]

ME3 is more ment as a way for people to go right into a game and know (more or less) what happend before and still enjoy it but like we have heard before for the best experiance you would want to play through the first two games to get the full effect

[Beerfish]

Warkupo wrote...

Beerfish wrote...

Warkupo wrote...

Wulfram wrote...

"The best place" is a silly thing to say. "A great place" would make sense and might actually be true.

Opinions cannot be true. 

You wouldn't know it from a lot of fans on these forums that is for sure.

One thing that seems strange to me regarding this multiple game series is why they never come our right off the bat with a Diamond edition that included both previous games and the last one.  You often see these things down the road or years later but why not have all three games in one package to start?  (I can see people gifting the whole series to friends or relatives.)

The trend seems to be to charge more for each individual title, and then at a later date come out with a 'diamond edition' which sells all three for a slightly lower price in order to wrangle in the straggelers. This way you make the most profit possible. 

True but it seems that games like ME1 and ME2 seem to get discounted sooner than they used to and sometimes those earlier games get a bit tougher to get.  They might sell more of those earlier discounted games if they packaged them earlier.

[javierabegazo]

CaolIla wrote...

Trying to talk a game good never works, so just make it good and let it talk for itself. 

I just wish there would be less "buzzwords". I look at other developers talk about their games[ http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6318309/ ], and they do so in a non-shallow way that is actually way more interesting and you feel like it's far more genuine instead of "Keep your finger on the Pulse" or "Tell a more emotionally engaging visceral story" or " Press a button and something awesome happens" or "Think like a general, Fight like a Spartan", .

[Funker Shepard]

Cheesy Blue wrote...

Through all the interviews that we've seen, the devs have always said that ME3 is going to be the best place for a new player to start in the trilogy. I know the devs have to say that do to marketing, but is the end of the trilogy really the best place to start?
 
For me, I didn't watch Return of the Jedi first. So why would I play ME3 first over playing ME1 or even ME2. We all know that ME3 will be the absolute climax of everything we have done in the Mass Effect trilogy. But if you're a new player wouldn't that kind of take away from the game being special, considering that you had no build up to the events of ME3 whatsoever.

I'm just saying that if you are a new player maybe you should go back and at least play ME2.
 

Obviously what is a good place to start for somebody depends a lot on their personal preferences. If all the ME games played the same, then obviously ME1 would be the best starting point. They don't, so the evolved combat system might be a considerable draw to people who haven't joined the Mass Effect family until now. You or I might consider ME2 to be a considerably better starting point, but for these more gameplay-related people getting the (apparently) vastly more polished combat system and ~90-95 % of the story impact (I might be a bit generous here, I admit) could make ME3 the best starting point for them.

Personally, I'm glad I've been following since ME1, and will keep on doing so.

[TSMDude]

Chris Priestly wrote...

So I was going to come here and post what is happeneing and what you can expect, but reading Bannor Bloodfisst post, and seeing how I am part of a terrible horrible company, I'm just going away now.

After all, that's what we do now, right?

Did you really just slam on the people of NWN with this? This cannot be the real Chris Priestly is it?

[Thrombin]

I'm also of the opinion that it was mainly for PR that Casey said what he said. I'm certainly hoping so.

Mass Effect was pretty ground-breaking with the whole idea of choices in one game having an impact on the next game. This is one of the attractions of the whole idea. I know there will be a means of simulating a lot of the choices at the start of ME3 but it won't cover anywhere near the number of variables that an actual play through would have. Nor would half the characters we might recognize from playing the first games mean anything to the people starting from ME3.

There's also the tweet from Christina about huge rewards if you import a character into ME3:

http://twitter.com/#...006769912446976

So, it really makes no sense that ME3 is the best place to start Mass Effect. It seems to me that it's only the best place to start Mass Effect for those who can't be bothered to get the benefit of playing the first two games.

Regards


Julian

Modifié par Thrombin, 15 juin 2011 - 09:58 .

[LPPrince]

javierabegazo wrote...

CaolIla wrote...

Trying to talk a game good never works, so just make it good and let it talk for itself. 

I just wish there would be less "buzzwords". I look at other developers talk about their games[ http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6318309/ ], and they do so in a non-shallow way that is actually way more interesting and you feel like it's far more genuine instead of "Keep your finger on the Pulse" or "Tell a more emotionally engaging visceral story" or " Press a button and something awesome happens" or "Think like a general, Fight like a Spartan", .

THIS.

Here's a 14 minute demo of the new Tomb Raider game coming out 3rd quarter of 2012.

Tomb Raider 2012 demo

They talk a little at the beginning, a little during, and a lot after the demo ends around the 9-10 minute mark.

In that time, they used ZERO buzzwords that I recognized.

I want anyone to point out how many buzz words were used.

Modifié par LPPrince, 15 juin 2011 - 10:06 .

[onelifecrisis]

shadowreflexion wrote...

Sad to say it but what also holds true is the majority of this generation which I call the "microwave" generation because they want something fast, fun, and graphically appealling. ME 1 was a great place to start, it truly was but with the flood of games on the market that offered that quick fix until the next big thing, many didn't play it. Sure, some liked the story but how many can really care less and just want to hop into blowing things up?

I don't think you're being entirely fair to gamers, there. ME1 received less than stellar reviews because it was quite broken. It had major physics and AI problems, major frame rate issues, poor design choices in some areas (such as that god awful inventory that wasn't liked even by a lot of RPG fans, let alone shooter fans) and overall it lacked the level of polish that most AAA titles have. It wasn't just a case of it not having enough 'sploshuns.

[darthbuert]

javierabegazo wrote...

Chris Priestly wrote...

So Casey is in the PR team now? I will let him know.

Me, I think the Project Director's word can pretty much taken to be true.

I think what most of us are referring to in this is that a lot of hard core fans of Mass Effect, wouldn't really advise anyone looking to enjoy the full Mass Effect experience by starting in the end. It's like reading a book, and skipping to the last chapter, and seeing an ending with a conclusion around characters you're really not that connected to because you've not invested the time to get to know and see develop.

Or jumping into the "Lord of the rings" series in the final book "The return of the King". Sure you can do it, but you lose a lot of the subtle nuances, ambiance, and overall depth of the characters, background, world, and general flavor of the mythos.

[shadowreflexion]

onelifecrisis wrote...

shadowreflexion wrote...

Sad to say it but what also holds true is the majority of this generation which I call the "microwave" generation because they want something fast, fun, and graphically appealling. ME 1 was a great place to start, it truly was but with the flood of games on the market that offered that quick fix until the next big thing, many didn't play it. Sure, some liked the story but how many can really care less and just want to hop into blowing things up?

I don't think you're being entirely fair to gamers, there. ME1 received less than stellar reviews because it was quite broken. It had major physics and AI problems, major frame rate issues, poor design choices in some areas (such as that god awful inventory that wasn't liked even by a lot of RPG fans, let alone shooter fans) and overall it lacked the level of polish that most AAA titles have. It wasn't just a case of it not having enough 'sploshuns.

That wasn't what I said. Nowhere did I aim that at all gamers. That was towards the majority of gamers that argue "flash" over story. And also that percentage that value online and whatever else their friends may be playing at the time. I didn't state that the ME 1 was the perfect game that should not have been ignored. Remember when Beyond Good&Evil came out and Prince of Persia was being herald as the greatest game at that time. (Not of all time, just at time of it's release.) "Beyond" was found in those bargain bins and from word of mouth, people realized that they missed out on a great game. So when I say, all about flash, it's towards that gen that wants the best looking and popular game at the time.
Edit: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood shared a similar fate as well.

Modifié par shadowreflexion, 16 juin 2011 - 05:57 .

[darthbuert]

javierabegazo wrote...

CaolIla wrote...

Trying to talk a game good never works, so just make it good and let it talk for itself. 

I just wish there would be less "buzzwords". I look at other developers talk about their games[ http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6318309/ ], and they do so in a non-shallow way that is actually way more interesting and you feel like it's far more genuine instead of "Keep your finger on the Pulse" or "Tell a more emotionally engaging visceral story" or " Press a button and something awesome happens" or "Think like a general, Fight like a Spartan", .

I totally agree. I dislike "buzzwords" because they come off as being insincere... for all the "Epic storyline"  statements to the declarations of "Over the top moments", I wish they would just simply describe some of what they're trying to implement without all the needless prattle. Sounds like they took script from a page of a politician's handbook...talking a whole lot (exercising the gums) without really "saying" anything (in most cases). Some are truly masterful at it...almost sublimely poetic.

[element eater]

javierabegazo wrote...

I really hope a lot of more people come to experience Mass Effect, but I don't think the conclusions to ME3 will be as meaningful if you've followed them across 3 games, across all the bugs, and hard battles, and humour.

yeah i agree
i imagine a good comparison would be mgs4 on ps3 yeah u could play that game with no prior interest in the story and a lot of people did. But, while they included flash backs etc to catch them up to the story did those who started on mgs4 get the same from the game as mgs1 fans? i dont think so. while players of me3 be able to enjoy it from any starting point they still wont have the same level of investment that those following the story from me1 will have.

[Khran1505]

From a hardcore Mass Effect viewpoint much like my own, nothing compares to playing the trilogy straight from Mass Effect 1 which makes me pity PS3 owners. Nevertheless, playing ME1 to ME2 is a great way to experience the Mass Effect universe, more so than any other way. The digital comic from Mass Effect Genesis was a decent way to kick start ME2 for most people and I really did admire how it introduced many newcomers to it.

If people have to start fresh from ME3, then as long as a decent introduction has been planned out for them to be brought up to speed, that's cool. Honestly my recommendation is to play the first two games before ME3. But either way, don't let it stop you from enjoying the story as a whole.

[habitat 67]

I hate buzzwords more than chicken pox, but when you get right down to it...
buzzwords work.
Sorry de Snorry.

[Someone With Mass]

Sure, you can start with ME3, but if you want to know the whole story best (better than that crappy Genesis comic) go and play the first two games. More personal choices and such that way.

[MightySword]

Come to think of it, that would be like saying Metal Gears Solid 4 is the best place to start. A new player might be woed from the quality of the game, doubt they would have the same feeling for the character comparing to someone who started the series in the PSX day.

But I think everyone have to be discrete a little, PR will always be PR, and consumer will always be a consumer. PR will always say the best about their product, and a smart consumer know better to choose what to believe. It's a mutual understanding that I think best kept to each party, since bringing it up is the same thing is throwing salt at each other face.

[KotorEffect3]

It's called marketing, they want to attract new customers, it is perfectly understandable and I have no problem with them pitching this game as the perfect starting point. They aren't pitching to those of us that are already sold on the series, it is safe to assume that most people that post on this forum made up our minds years ago we were going to get ME 3 back when we fell in love with ME 1. I am sure the overall experience will still be better for those of us that have played the previous two games since we have had time to develop our own perspectives on characters, in universe politics etc... The people that are new to the series won't have the perspective that we have. That alone will make our experience richer.

[Ianamus]

I half-wish that I could have found Mass Effect at the time of ME3's release. Then I could play all three games in sequence with no waiting or spoilers in-between!

It may not be the best place to start, but if they're interested enough to buy the previous games as well then it's definitely the best time.

Modifié par EJ107, 15 juin 2011 - 11:55 .

[KotorEffect3]

EJ107 wrote...

I half-wish that I could have found Mass Effect at the time of ME3's release. Then I could play all three games in sequence with no waiting or spoilers in-between!

It may not be the best place to start, but if they're interested enough to buy the previous games as well then it's definitely the best time.

Maybe but they will be better off if they play the first two games first, it will give the third game more meaning.

[DarthSliver]

I still remember the interview with Gameinformers how the Bioware founders said ME2 was a great place to start and get into Mass Effect series and this was the answer to the question of "Why ME1 wasnt ported to PS3" I mean i know the reason but why cant they just simply say "Microsoft has the copyright to publishing ME1" or something to that effect. I mean i switched to PS3 after my 360 RROD and I had played Mass Effect 1. I would buy it for the PS3 even if it was a downloadable game only. So some of us in the PS3 gig are there because of Microsoft error when trying to get ahead in the Console Wars.
So I have played the series I just dont have the file to prove it at this time. I only brought the PS3 version because it had that comic device in it. But I still wanna see my side choices play out in Mass Effect series so I picked up the 360 copy of ME2 and ME1, and plan to pick up ME3 when i get a 360 again. But my point is I didnt like how Bioware founders gave a wish-washy answer when it came to "Why PS3 didnt get ME1 too?"

So to Casey's Answer and to the point of this thread, id say it was to get people into the series overall. Its not like he is disregarding the previous titles like the Bioware founders did when it came to ME1 for PS3. And sorry Mods if you feel I am out of place, just know what they said in that Gameinformer interview did sting and I am still appalled that they made ME1 sound pointless when asked "Why ME1 didnt get ported to PS3"

[atheelogos]

Cheesy Blue wrote...

Through all the interviews that we've seen, the devs have always said that ME3 is going to be the best place for a new player to start in the trilogy. I know the devs have to say that do to marketing, but is the end of the trilogy really the best place to start?
 
For me, I didn't watch Return of the Jedi first. So why would I play ME3 first over playing ME1 or even ME2. We all know that ME3 will be the absolute climax of everything we have done in the Mass Effect trilogy. But if you're a new player wouldn't that kind of take away from the game being special, considering that you had no build up to the events of ME3 whatsoever.

I'm just saying that if you are a new player maybe you should go back and at least play ME2.
 

Don't worry too much man. Its just Marketing doing their thing. The real fans know the best place to start. ME1 babe;)

[FDrage]

Jumping into ME3. Why not as long as the intro is good enough, so you know what you've missed.

For story and the whole "feel" of ME a full play through is probably the best way to go and it overall feels more your game. Also you will appreciate those big and little touches more or even see those at all.

I did start one ME2 playthrough by not importing a ME1 save and it just felt way way different to some degree when compared to the playthroughs based on ME1 saves. It just felt to me incomplete or not quite my game. Granted that might be just because I know how it is with ME1 saves and I see the difference. It might be different if I wouldn't know ME1 at all and so would never know what the differences are.
So overall I'd say it is worthwhile, so far at least, to play previous ME titles just to get the "Whole Experience" and with save game imports it is quiet unique as well.
Just make sure that you are prepared for a gameplay "shock" as the gameplay between ME1 and ME2 (combat wise) is and feels differrent (without say what I like more and what not).

[Terror_K]

Wait... so one one hand you guys --BioWare-- make a big deal about the whole trilogy nature of the game and the imports and everything and say that it's part of what makes Mass Effect so unique and special and that going through all three will really personalise the game and make a difference, and on the other hand you're saying the "best place to start" is the final part of the trilogy which basically indicates that going through the previous games and importing doesn't really make that big of a deal at all and it's better to just come in at the end from scratch.

Sorry, you can't have it both ways, and to be saying that the final part of the trilogy is "the best place to start" is not --as a longtime fan who has played and imported through both games-- giving me much confidence in this final part and just leads me to believe that everything up until now was largely superfluous and the decisions I made in both previous titles aren't going to have much of an impact on this final part at all.

But then, I've always thought this whole "each game can stand on its own" approach was the biggest mistake you guys made when developing it as a so-called trilogy and that you basically wasted so much true potential by putting too much effort into assuring people could jump in any time. Sorry, but I just can;'t help but feel the whole thing could have been just that much more if you'd actually developed it as a proper trilogy ala Star Wars or LotR that really depends on the previous parts to truly work. ME2 already felt far too removed from ME1 when it came out and seemed to push so many seemingly meaningful choices into the background too much or simply trivialise them, and I'd hate to think ME3 is going to do the same again.

[Dracotamer]

Lets be COMPLETELY honest here. You will miss out on a lot if you don't play ME1 and ME2. I recommend getting both and playing through them before ME3 is released. It will make ME3 that much better.