First off, to nip the 'DUR, IF YOU DON"T LIKE DON'T USE' silliness in the bud, I've done my homework, and I know how useful a vehicle is in combat situations. Not only is it a very effective method of force applicaion (firepower), and force protection (Take cover behind\\ on the side opposite the one getting shot). Not to mention force projection (Transport). However, this vehicle fits none of those categories, having the equivalency of a potato gun placed next to a Barrett M99, the armor of a paper airplane, and the apparent transport capabilities of the Smart FourTwo.
Also, on the 'IT"S A VIDEO GAME DON'T APPLY LOGIC' argument. It's a SCIENCE FICTION video game, or at least pretends to be when it's not off with a date to fantasyland. Mass Effect Fields (Altering molecular mass via electric manipulations), Genetic Modification, Space Flight, Extrasolar Colonization. High levels of technology.
And then I remembered the Firewalker and Overlord missions. Let me just say first that I actually enjoyed the Mako. My issue wasn't the vehicle mechanics, it was the fact that you guys couldn't design a side-quest world to save your life at the time, and only tried making the MQ landscapes acceptable.
Multiple flaws that would've doomed the Hammerhead from the beginning, if Cerberus were a competent organization. Which, let's be honest, if they have the dough to run evil experiments through the whole galaxy, they most likely are not lacking in the intellect department.
- Weaponry: Who had the brilliant idea of neutering an IFV? Where the Mako was set up along the lines of a American Stryker, Swiss Pirhana, and Russian BTR-80, this thing is set up almost like an MLRS unit. Good for long range strikes, hit and run (emphasis on RUN). and jack crap else. This is a recon vehicle, it's NOT an IFV. A Bradley with a 20mm Bushmaster Cannon would stand up better to mass accelerator fire, FFS. A single launch rocket system, in a time of MASS FREAKING ACCELERATORS? Ever heard of a Coaxial MG as backup? Oh right, you ditched it when you decided that the Mako was the bad idea, instead of looking at the horrible world design. Even though the Geth still use it, and we are happily ripping them off (Heat Clip system anyone? I was under the impression they used a HYBRID setup.) Furthermore, enemy rockets take 2 hits to send me into flaming death mode, yet it takes at least 7 to take them down. What, do Rocket Turrets and Launchers use superior munitions? It's usually the LARGER munitions that are more effective, considering they are the 'Large Target' interdiction ammo.
- Survivability\\Combat Evironment: Complete crap. You NEVER. REPEAT NEVER, sacrifice survivability for maneuverability. If you're having to sacrifice armor, shore up the kinetic barriers. If you have to sacrifice barriers, shore up armor. NEVER IGNORE YOUR ARMOR. I have seen Carbon-Fiber cars handle rollovers (Multiple Maximum Stress Impacts) better than this thing handles a short burst of firepower (Multiple low-stress high impact points). Side note. Apart from in movies and in Video Games, have you EVER, repeat EVER seen a vehicle explode when subjected to small-arms (Non HE\\Raufoss) fire? That's right, NO. So why is this thing flaring up like a comet and bursting like a frag grenade? Where's my ejection seat? What, they don't exist in 218-? In an OFFWORLD ARMORED RECON VEHICLE?
- Survivability\\Hostile Environment: Seriously, Bioware. I've yet to hear of an engine freezing up WHILE IN FREAKING USE. Why? Engine movement creates friction, friction creates heat. Plus, I guess the idea of heat-piping was lost with the Mako? Course small pipes, even wires (Shielded, have them run off the vehicle's electrical grid) to keep the thing clear of ice buildup. Seriously.
- Utility\\Mining: Okay, who had the GENIUS idea of creating a vehicle that apparently relies on PPAD (Positive Pressure Air Drilling) ON A HOVERCRAFT? That is one of the worst ideas ever. Of all time. Traditional vehicles such as a bucket loader, or even an the Bagger 288 (Largest Excavation unit on Earth) deploy struts for balance when performing mining ops. Why? Because nothing is more annoying thatn to find that big, super-lucrative lode, and have your machine thrown off by torque. But apparently BIOWARE HAS NEVER RESEARCHED THIS. If you would even say, give the option of dropping supports to stabilize me while mining (Yes, yes, bad idea in certain situations, that's why it's OPTIONAL), this point could be negated.
- Maneuverability\\Jump Jets: Okay, this one has existed since ME1 and the Mako. When being dropped on a planet, the vehicle tends to fire jets in an approximately 10-15 second burn. However, when the payer gains control of the VERY SAME VEHICLE, the jets are only able to sputter a roughly 3 second burn. Inconsistent much, BW? Another side note. Recharge time. Why does my Forward Velocity Boost (FVB) cancel out the recharge on my Ascendant Boost (AB)? Shouldn't those systems have separate channels and fuel supplies, judging by how the FVB seems to route waste heat (weird blue glow), while the AB seems to use conventional methods (thruster fuel (orange burst)?
- Maneuverability\\Vehicular Assault: Why, when I hit certain things, do they seem to cancel out the forward momentum of the Hammerhead without sending said object careening into the sunset? Remember, BIOWARE. Sir Isaac Newton is the DEADLIEST SONOFAB**** IN SPACE. Third Law, kiddos. 'For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.' So why when I hit certain creatures or enemies, does the Hammerhead suddenly stop in what can only be described as a spine-severing halt?
- Weaponry (Survivability\\Combat): Is the Main Gun on the Mako an Auto-Load? or a Crew Served? In either case, the refire rate is rather horrendous. Look at the speed that Tank Crews had to operate and reload at during Desert Storm. The maxmium amount of time you could take before you were likely to go home in a matchbox? 6 seconds. The Mako's main gun clocks at about 9-10. Meanwhile, the Geth Colossus and Armatures are refiring every 5 seconds with a CHARGED ENERGY WEAPON.
- Maneuverability\\Jump Jets: Again, why can I burmn for about 15 seconds in a cutscene, but only cough 3 in gameplay? Did that burn use up ALL my non-magically-regenerating fuel? If so, how did I then manage the burn necessary to get back to the Normandy?
- Other: This one is actually rather enjoyable (Considering it doesn't stop me like it does with the Hammerhead). Has anyone ever had an enemy 'glitch' into the front end of the Mako? I've had it happen twice, and it throws the Physics all over the place. Quite hilarious.
TL;DR
Hammerhead is useless as anything but eye candy. Mako is a superior vehicle in all aspects. Her faults lie with the people who made the worlds complete crap.
Time of Rant End, 1107 Mountain.
Modifié par Hellbender041, 28 décembre 2012 - 06:11 .
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