ME3, my humble take
Reasons to be optimistic:
-I loved ME2. Loved the story depth and attention to detail, semi-branched plotline, and sound basic mechanics.Did at least one playthrough with all classes but Soldier. Engineer ftw. Eat my drones.
Reasons to pessimistic:
-I think Cerberus is the best organization in the ME universe, and it appears they will be annihilated in shame.
-I can't say I'm not disappointed with the romance situation. Is anybody really happy with it? Maybe that will be my next poll.
-Many of favorite characters (Legion, Grunt) appear to have minimal involvement
-While I haven't viewed the leaks (I REFUSE to), most of the feedback I've heard about them is negative. Almost monotonously negative. Makes me suspicious.
-I'm legitimately concerned they will go overboard with the undertones. Sorry, but they tend ****** me off more than anything. Push to hard, and you begin to alienate chunks of your fanbase..
Items that go both ways:
-Multiplayer. I'm still not sure what to think. It could add even more replayability to the game (which is always welcome), which ME2's was excellent. On the other side, if it's crap it could destroy the series, and if it's awesome it could usurp the emphasis from single player, which is what I played ME for. Also, I want to fight as Volus.
-Game-to-game continuity. If it's all about making sense of what happened in ME2 and ME, the game will play like a series of mortgage payments. It should have some space to be its own game. On the flip side, I hate retcons and contradictions. I hate them passionately.
Tokens of indifference:
-Reduced squad size. I only used a few key members of the ME2 squad regularly. It would really have minimal impact on gameplay.
-Little middle ground between Renegade or Paragon. I almost went Renegade all out. I did one Paragon playthrough and hated myself for it.
-Resemblence to other games, such as GoW. I like ME more that Gears. The only Gears I played was the first. It's not copying if you're better.
Other notes:
I am admittingly skeptical and negative by nature.