49 réponses à ce sujet

[Steelcan]

Having recently bought the ME series as part of my transition to PC gaming I decided to have a thread running where I could put all of my thoughts on the series in one place (if this is the wrong forum for such a thread I'll be happy to move it)

I have all the story DLC purchased with the exception of Omega, I may purchase it later, and a few cosmetic and weapon packs that I didn't feel I needed.

[Steelcan]

Alright before I get going on the story I obviously have to make a Shepard. For this run I'm going to have a MaleShep, with a Ruthless background, and a Colonist origin. For class I will be rolling a Vanguard. Difficulty on Veteran.

I'll have the first bit of actual commentary on the game when I wrap up a few hours of play to refresh my memory since it has been ages since I last played ME from Eden Prime to the bitter end.

[Farangbaa]

Please tell me you saved Jenkins

[Dabrikishaw]

Oh hey a live blog, nice. following.

[Farangbaa]

Oh, btw:

http://forum.bioware...effect-trilogy/

[Steelcan]

Oh, btw:

http://forum.bioware...effect-trilogy/

I didn't want to use that thread because I also plan on adding in commentary on the game, not just a "what I did today"

[Steelcan]

Alright first session done, Eden Prime - SPECTRE Status

 

The first thing that really stood out to me during this session was how different the console/PC versions of the game are, it'll take a little bit before I am used to the transition.

 

Beyond that one little issue, the prologue and follow up on the Citadel don't really stand out overmuch, the highlights obviously being the Beacon, recruiting the squad members, and going to the Citadel.  Out of all these the Citadel stands out the most with its very Coruscant-esque feel, combined with Chora's Den filling in for the Cantina of Mos Eisely, not that I am complaining, the Star Wars vibes are very welcome to me.

 

We all know the squadmates so no reason to go into too much detail. 

 

One final thing that struck me was that igven how many times I've played the game I do enjoy messing up the order in which I do things just for some slight variety, and going to C-Sec first instead of Garrus etc.. while nothing dramatically different, was a nice change in pace.

 

I also did some side missions, the AI channeling credits, the Keeper scannign and Chorban/Jaleed's spat, in addition to Emily Wong, Samesh Batia's assignment, and the first encounter with Conrad Verner

[Hello!I'mTheDoctor]

Uh.... why do we need a thread like this again? Isn't this something for a live-blog and not a forum?

[AlanC9]

If it gets boring we can just stop reading, or derail.

[DeinonSlayer]

If it gets boring we can just stop reading, or derail.

QvG, ending, or Liara?

[ImaginaryMatter]

QvG, ending, or Liara?

 

Let me get out the spinner.

[Hello!I'mTheDoctor]

Let me get out the spinner.

 

You forgot 'Cerberus is bad and overused'

[ImaginaryMatter]

You forgot 'Cerberus is bad and overused'

 

We just talked about that one though.

 

I'm down for a good blueberry roast.

[Jorji Costava]

Alright first session done, Eden Prime - SPECTRE Status

 

The first thing that really stood out to me during this session was how different the console/PC versions of the game are, it'll take a little bit before I am used to the transition.

 

Beyond that one little issue, the prologue and follow up on the Citadel don't really stand out overmuch, the highlights obviously being the Beacon, recruiting the squad members, and going to the Citadel.  Out of all these the Citadel stands out the most with its very Coruscant-esque feel, combined with Chora's Den filling in for the Cantina of Mos Eisely, not that I am complaining, the Star Wars vibes are very welcome to me.

 

Could you be a bit more specific about what differences between the PC and console versions affected your experience, and if they were for the better or worse? Just curious; I haven't played the console version of any of the ME games.

 

I do remember two things standing out about the prologue/Citadel sequences. The first was just the sheer size of the Citadel hub in comparison to the later games; later installments tended to include just the locations that were story-relevant, which would be good for players who get frustrated meandering around the Citadel in ME1, but I actually liked the larger environments. They added to the sense that the world didn't just exist for the sake of the player, and made things a bit more real.

 

The second was the preponderance of time-limit mechanics in the early goings (disarming the bombs on Eden Prime, saving Tali on the Citadel). I don't remember this mechanics cropping up very much for the rest of the series; the Conduit run on Ilos is the only other occasion that springs to mind.

 

EDIT: Fixed grammar.

[Steelcan]

Could you be a bit more specific about what differences between the PC and console versions affected your experience, and if they were for the better or worse? Just curious; I haven't played the console version of any of the ME games.

 

I do remember two things standing out about the prologue/Citadel sequences. The first was just the sheer size of the Citadel hub in comparison to the later games; later installments tended to include just the locations that were story-relevant, which would be good for players who get frustrated meandering around the Citadel in ME1, but I actually liked the larger environments. They added to the sense that the world didn't just exist for the sake of the player, and made things a bit more real.

 

The second was the preponderance of time-limit mechanics in the early goings (disarming the bombs on Eden Prime, saving Tali on the Citadel). I don't remember this mechanics cropping up very much for the rest of the series; the Conduit run on Ilos is the only other occasion that springs to mind.

 

EDIT: Fixed grammar.

They aren't necessarily better or worse, just different, the most obvious difference being the "power wheel" in  console versions being replaced by a "Tactical HUD" they serve the same purpose, but the PC version puts it all in one screen, whereas the console version has 2 screens that are pulled up separately, the other bit is just getting used to hotkeys and buttons instead of relying on the thumbsticks for crouching or sprinting.

 

The larger Citadel is definitely something I miss from ME1, ME2 had several levels, and bonus areas for specific missions but it wasn't quite the same, ME3 Citadel just pales to both

[Arcian]

You forgot 'Cerberus is bad and overused'

Can you derail a thread with undeniable facts?

[Steelcan]

This session was random side missions, Bring Down the Sky, and Liara's recruitment

 

The last is fairly straightforward so there isn't much to say on that.

 

For the side missions there are two issues I'd like to commentate on

 

1.  The trio of side missions that are affected based on pre-game service, the missions with Major Kyle, Corporal Toombs, and Elanos Haliat.  These missions did a good job of adding in the flavor of your pre-game service and I really wish that it had continued into the other games.  Slightly different dialogue and options in these three missions just give the game a bit more of a personal feel to it.

 

2.  The Armstrong Cluster mission, this one has Shepard and Co. going all around a star system attacking geth bases and ends with a personal quest with Tali.  This is another something I'd have liked to see in the sequels, though ME2 had a string of missions revolving around each of the mercenary groups, ME3 had only one string with the Bomb on Tuchunka missions.  Ending it on a personal mission with a squadmate gives it bonus points, instead of a mission completely dedicated to the squad mate it serves as an add-on, while I do like the Loyalty Missions in ME2 having just a bit of flavor based on squad composition would be something I'd like to see more of.

 

The other big mission I did was Bring Down the Sky, which is in my opinion, one of the best missions in ME1.  Namely because of the choice at the end and how it plays into the sequels.

 

I'll have more on that in the next post though since I want to tie it into my commentary on Feros for reasons that will be made clear

[Steelcan]

Nest session, Feros, Virmire, and assorted side missions

 

In my opinion, Feros is kind of a waste for a mission (despite my fondness for the level itself).  The Cipher is kind of a weak plot device that is rarely mentioned subsequently despite its implications.  No new squadmate, no new plot information (unless completed last), little impact on the following games (one side mission in ME2 that takes 30sec, and a war asset)

 

compare that to the fallout of BDtS in ME3, admittedly its only one side mission, but there are several different ways that it can play out, there are different results for Balak dead/alive, let loose/imprisoned (or left for dead) etc...  In addition to it being one of the better end level decisions in ME1.

 

 

The other mission I did was Virmire, and we all are aware of it, so there's only one aspect I really want to call attention to, and that is how well done the squadmate choice is.  While the VS is side-lined in ME2 and arguably ME3, this decision was one of the better handled ones, Ashley and Kaidan choice had some bite and significant affects in the sequels, combined with Wrex's live or die,a nd I think Virmire sets a standard for how characters living/dying should be handled in other games

[Jorji Costava]

Agreed about both BDtS and Virmire; those are two rare choices where there's no possibility of using a red or blue dialogue option to convince Balak to stand down while saving the hostages, or to save both Ashley and Kaidan. I don't think it would have been a good idea to make every choice like that, but having some genuine dilemmas is definitely a plus IMO (for instance, I think the suicide mission in ME2 could have benefited from being a bit more like Virmire in this respect, although I guess that conversation is a while from now as far as this thread is concerned).

[HTTP 404]

I think there should be an ability to blog, post pics under your profile. It would also be cool if the mods had a featured blog for the day from the community. I digress, I five OP kudos doing a new run through, i tried to redo me1 but it's so familiar to me it feels like work going through the motions

[Hello!I'mTheDoctor]

Can you derail a thread with undeniable facts?

 

Well, overused might have a case. As for bad, I'm inclined to completely disagree with any assertion about that.

[Antmarch456]

What's wrong with thss thread?

I find this thread very interesting as Steelcan expresses his thoughts about the game as he plays it. And we could tell of what we think of it as well. If you hate this type of thread, then just simply ignore it.

[SilentK]

Ohh, I was not aware of the fact that BDtS had extra material in ME3, that's nice. It has been quite some time since my latest ME-PT. The story and feeling of exploration is wonderful but I really dislike the fighting in it. It just isn't fun for me. However, one day I will play it again and then I will get BDtS. It would be fun to have something new to see.

[Steelcan]

ok this session was Noveria, End Run, and the last batch of side missions

 

Noveria stands apart from the other story missions for two reasons,

 

1.  It can play out several different ways, you can find the survivors led by Ventralis, then immediately clear the Hot Labs, but doing so will cause you to lose the other side missions like the ones for Dr. Cohen.  Alternatively you can kill Benezia first then do the Hot Labs, you can start to help the survivors, but go into the restricted zone and all hell breaks loose.  It may not amount to a significantly different playthrough overall as its just a few assignments that are changed around, it is interesting that there are several different ways to do the mission.

 

2.  Its the only mission here we are directly confronting someone on Saren's side.  Ignoring the actual confrontation with Saren on Virmire, this is the only time we come up against a named boss working for Saren, and its something I would have liked to see more of.  Since Benezia was already a fairly weak character I don't see much of a problem with adding in some more lackeys that we could have been going up against over the course of the main story.

 

 

The other major bit was obviously the end run, while it is significantly better than the end run of ME3 (not just for the endings, the whole end level is vastly better) it can still be a bit grating when you've already beaten the game a few times.  The conversations with Vigil and Saren at the end are great moments, but they lose their charm after the 12th you've done it.  However the levels themselves were a good deal more challenging than the rest of the game and the Ilos run and fighting on the Citadel were still enjoyable moments for me

[Steelcan]

Ohh, I was not aware of the fact that BDtS had extra material in ME3, that's nice. It has been quite some time since my latest ME-PT. The story and feeling of exploration is wonderful but I really dislike the fighting in it. It just isn't fun for me. However, one day I will play it again and then I will get BDtS. It would be fun to have something new to see.

if youa re on PC you can always use Gibbed's save editor to skip through ME1, I love the game, but it can indeed be a monster to sit down and play