Epistles have already been written on how major “this & that” should have been done differently in the game design series so I’m not arguing FOR or AGAINST those. Also there have been numerous threads on “how to make a better ME4”, etc -- like FAIL the game if you play inattentively, making poor decisions -- or WIN [faster] if you play smart & clever. That’s not the purpose of this thread. That is design strategy – this is simple game tactical.
While playing, I’m sure there have been numerous times you’ve said to yourself “if I could only do this MINOR thing differently --- it would have really made the game more interesting, challenging, or just plain FUN”. I’ve read some interesting creative thoughts from some of you on various threads scattered throughout the forum. I thought it might be good to start a new thread & consolidate them here.
As Jack would say, “if you’re still playing the game all these F***ing years – then WHY in the hell are you still BITCHING about it?”. So as not to offend Jack – please no bitching (already mega-done). Granted, DO vent your irritant -- but follow up with a corresponding SOLUTION. Your paragon or renegade decisions are IMPLIED … so let’s not quibble over various chosen paths.
This is about YOUR thoughts of creative speculation & conjecture so really, there are no wrong ideas; okay? Some better than others. Your creative input is just as valid as mine (or anyone else’s) so please not nit-pick each other to death. I restarted the trilogy & took some notes. Likewise, you might want to gather your thoughts with a LIST.
STORY only (please) – not weapons menus & whether Mako is better over Hammerhead. I’ll start off with my 2-cents worth. No particular order:
.========================================================================
ME2: Mission: slam asteroid into mass relay. Wrestle the detonator out of Kenson’s hand, knock her out & take her back onto the Normandy (even if she is indoctrinated). I would LOVE to see & hear the dialogue between Kenson and Hackett. I wonder what “else” is going on between them….
ME2: Jack’s loyalty mission would have been nice to land inside the crater for a few moments, walk around, have her hold up both hands (with the finger), saying “I defeated you -- screw you” & leave. Let’s not nit-pick about “radiation” since that was a mini FUSION bomb (not FISSION bomb), you know -- the kind you can purchase while strolling thru the presidium stores with Pierre Cardin, Polo, Calvin Klunk, Gucci, goldfish & other fine weapons of minor destruction.
ME3: Kai Leng landing on top the car: As in other missions, the car pilot is shown on the LEFT; rarely on the right side. Shep had 2 opportunities to fly close under a bridge to SPLAT him. This occurred to me on my very first play of this – likely you did too. How about STOP (he keeps going). How about a barrel roll? He could have landed in the water & picked up later…story resumes. Kai’s ride could have shot down Shep’s vehicle (same outcome). The point – Shep thinks faster than Kai – instead of opening the door Lone Ranger style.
ME series: Quarian faceplates that are transparent. It would be nice to see who I’m talking to...and their facial reactions. I can understand faceplates turning opaque in bright light. Also there was some mention about “interest in Quarian art & literature”. Even when visiting Quarian ships, it would have been reasonable to see some paintings, photographs, etc. (on the walls) since it was only 300 years ago they were OUTSIDE those suits. In 3 games, we haven’t a CLUE what they look like (other than Tali’s washed out photo she gives Shep if his LI). Of all the species in the game, the Quarians to me are the most interesting enigma. I wonder what a fat Quarian or skinny Volus looks like. Yes – the asari are “all gorgeous blue beauties” (James) …even @ 1,000 years old. Curious – typically an “evolved species” advances because the HANDS can articulate & construct things with thumb opposing the other fingers to grasp tools & instruments. Three “claws” is not good science fiction for an advanced space faring species (turian, quarian, volus) – and how in the heck did the ELCOR ever make it?
ME3: Shep dialogue with TIM: “with all your ‘magnificent’ technology, you send me a guy with a sword? We have biotics too….and by-the-way, a terminally ill drell stopped your assassin from reaching his target. Don’t forget to pass that on -- to your next ‘disposal tool’ ”.
ME3: The Kogan who met with Shep (about Mr Thax) when arriving at Illum was so polite, diplomatic, and tactful -- I was delightfully stunned! Same with Eve. It would have been nice to have more krogan act civilized -- than portray them as mostly mindless brutes or dingbats arguing about fish in the pond. Alternatively, the series did splendidly with the asari (good & bad). During Eve’s visit with Shep (in medbay), I would love to have seen some video clips of Eve describing the pre-nuke Tuchanka with art, sculpture, architecture, science, etc and what specific events caused the entire civilization to abase (besides the racni war). I believe BOTH sides should have been exploited. As been said “Wrex may be THE Krogan, but Grunt is more lovable”. One email (Liara’s room) that had me rolling on the floor (from Grunt):
- Recruit: Still don't understand why they put a tank-grown freak in charge of a whole company.
- Grunt: [Laughter] And I don't understand why they gave me whining pyjaks for soldiers.
- Recruit: I have more years on the battlefield than you have kills, runt.
- Grunt: Trying to mate with Salarian females doesn't count as fighting.
- Recruit: No one talks to -- [hrgk!]
- Grunt: Someone help him up. We move in an hour.
…and “I don’t need luck; I have ammo!” Ahhhh, how I 
this knucklehead brat.
ME2: More argument during Tali’s trial about the division between Quarians regarding fighting VS reconciliation with the Geth. At first, I thought Admiral Koris was a jerk – but then understood he was advocating PEACE – his believing Tali & the other admirals where war-mongering & developing new offensive weapons & endangering his species with insane aggression that cannot be won. This hit me unexpectedly when I took Legion (yes, laugh ). The short dialogue between Koris and Legion blew me down. In ME3, we saw this Quarian division come out “beautifully” (as Garrus would say). At the trial however, this could have REALLY been a good place to argue these Quarian viewpoints OPENLY instead of IMPLIED. After the trial, my fantasy would have been for Legion to take the stand and tell the Quarians his side of the story (like “how can you talk about reconciliation when you’ve attacked us 100% of the time?”)…and for the first time in 300 years, they are actually dialoguing with the Geth! What a fantastic opportunity! --- and they blew it! Such variations in teammates & outcome would encourage replay & add value to the game. For example, take Miranda on Jack’s loyalty mission … then an epilogue with Miranda expressing how incredulous she is (of Cerberus) to Jack….then no cat fight.
Note: for fun acquire Legion EARLY & take him with you everywhere – TON OF LAUGHS! But keep in mind, that with Legion comes the installation of the IFF which subsequently results in the abduction of the crew. The longer you fiddlefart doing other “stuff” the more crew casualties occur during the final battle. So to achieve the “no one left behind goal”, you must get Legion LAST, do his loyalty mission, then immediately the suicide mission. More details in other threads.
ME3: Shep’s royal indictment of TIM (his office). With TIM always having the last word, it's time to reverse the drama: “You speak out of both sides of your mouth! You wrap yourself in the FLAG of humanity while you flippantly exploit & dispose humans like collector garbage. I was once your ‘most valuable asset’ and now just another ‘expendable tool’ along with ALL the Normandy crew & everyone else you’ve manipulated. You think YOU ALONE are the only infallible wisdom that cares for humanity? What fools do you take us for anyway? Your incorrigible so-called “methods & motives” are about YOU and only YOU as you’ve deceived & doubled crossed us repeatedly. 50,000 years ago there was a splinter group JUST LIKE Cerberus trying to CONTROL the reapers & no telling how MANY TIMES that pattern has repeated each cycle. Do I have to connect all the dots for you? There is no such word as LONGEVITY in Cerberus with you in control of it. Once you’re dethroned, Cerberus might even regain its real purpose”.
BTY-I have mixed feelings about TIM. My utter contempt for the Council far exceeds that for TIM. It would have been cool to separate TIM’s smart & evil -- then take ME3 in a totally new strategic direction – but that’s beyond the scope of this “tactical” thread.
ME1: Vermire bomb: just before Shep found the [Sovereign] beacon, he enters a room and encounters an asari (Rana Thanoptis) hiding under the desk. He tells her to “get out of here before I blow this place to hell”. She runs and later appears in ME2 during the recruitment of the krogan (Dr Okeer). What? She escaped the blast?
No doubt I’ll get some flak for this: I happen to know a little about nukes. For a 20kt, you don’t have to go too far – a mile away as long as you’re underground (tunnels, etc). You’ll be [mostly] shielded from the intense heat & rads -- and the earthquake (inside a reinforced concrete tramway) may bounce you with some bruises – but survivability is a possibility – as in Rana's case. AIRBURST differs from UNDERGROUND or GROUNDBURST (which is more severe in this scenario). Contrast with a 15mt groundburst which would carve a crater about a mile in diameter depending on depth of detonation. At 20kt, this is a pee-wee nuke – but certainly sufficient to thoroughly obliterate the facility. Likely inside such an industrial & scientific complex, there are tunnels & underground tram [rail] cars (like Noveria). You’d think Ash or Kaidan could have found one -- and “skedaddled” during the 3-4 minute BLAB session between Shep and Saren. It would have been nice to have at least ONE surprise in the game: “Kaidan to Normandy” -- Joker: “what-the-hell?” -- “hey Shep, you don’t think a little nuke is going to slow me down, do you? We soldiers train for such contingencies” and back on the Normandy a week later “the Geth chased us down an alley which dead-ended into a cargo elevator; and in that basement …”.
Perhaps another scenario where they live OR die. Example – (ME3 – Spectre room hologram): if you warn Miranda about Kai; she lives – if not; she dies.
ME2: Horizon: more dialogue when Shep & squad as they meet with Ash/Kaidan -- instead of this short, obstinate tantrum they had. That was quite unprofessional of them to jump to such conclusions considering the circumstances. Shep just saved Horizon from being completely decimated (harvested) and brought the AA guns online to clobber the collector ship – then they have the unmitigated gall to accuse Shep of “working with the collectors”. Shep’s teammates should have subsequently retaliated with Jack’s vocabulary. I could offer some examples, but I’ll capitulate to those on this forum who are far more skilled than I. If I recall, Jack did make a comment. More squad support then would have been in order (also to the tune of Joker satire). The question surrounding Shep’s loyalty (working for Cerberus) should have be left OPEN and not “I have the final word – case closed -- that’s it!”.
BTY-have you ever noticed how some people on TV can say a few words and get themselves in trouble and others can just BLAB their mouth away and never do? Take note: they precede (or follow) their statements with subtle little words like “I believe” or “I think” or “in my opinion” or “I’m inclined to think…”. Failing to do so implies one has self-exalted themselves as a supreme court justice and rendered final judgment as an undisputable “fact” to which the listeners (or readers) will rip it to shreds – or put on their IGNORE LIST.
ME3: there was a serious flaw in the character development of Brooks. For me, she turned out to be a very likeable character. That really hit me unexpectedly at the end. Her simple declaration of extortion (by the clone) would have exonerated her (back to hugs & kisses).
ME series: The shuttle is rather BASIC (boring) looking 
. Surely they could have been more creative than a shoe box. Rockets & smoke? Looks like they’ve mastered anti-gravity. Even an enlarged taxi would look & sound better. As sexy & flawless as the SR2 design is – you’d think a better shuttle design would match.
ME2: set a trap for Ganak Ej’hal, then sell his Nigerian butt to Baterian slave traders.
ME2: Near the end, I would like to have seen a KINK in Miranda’s Cerberus armor where she begins to question the reprobate she’s working for – and further express this to Jack (at the right time). In ME3 (at the apartment) they have a friendly argument where Jack knows Miranda dumped Cerberus, but it would have bolstered Miranda’s character and defused Jack’s contempt for her in ME2. I like & respect Miranda (more as a friend than a lover). Letting this slide isn’t like Miranda since “she thinks of everything” and “always has a plan”.
ME series: in respect for our military, a military consultant should help with BASICS. Anderson gets promoted to admiral (for what?) and Shep is STILL a commander? For all you Anderson haters, remember he DID free up the SR1 so Shep could get to Ilos -- else everybody dead (so you might give the boy some slack -- as he gives his apartment to Shep too). Back to rank: Granted, in ME2, everyone on the SR2 is a CIVILIAN – as such, the “head honcho” is referred to as CAPTAIN (even a tugboat “captain”). In ME3, when Anderson throws Shep’s tags to him, THAT was a good place for the “admiral” to call Shep [military] “captain”. Yes, I know Shep couldn’t be promoted (house arrest) until then because he had NOTHING ELSE BETTER TO DO than destroy a mass relay & kill 300k Baterians. Near the end of ME3 at London (you know; where Anderson was born, from, born, from), Ash calls Shep “captain”. Hummmm…. I wonder if I missed something. Aside from rank, on the Citadel, weapons should be drawn (in hand) only when red or yellow alert is given. Alternatively, for routine patrol, they are holstered or shouldered. Second, you don’t salute INDOORS (or crowded area) unless you are called to REPORT to superior officer and when leaving that officer. Third, you don’t salute with the LEFT hand (activating Legion) unless the right hand is incapacitated (some would even argue that). Fourth, you don’t call the room to “attention” when you’re the only one in the room (the guard with Legion). Fifth, civilians don’t salute each other or anybody – it is doable, but tacky. Exception: civilian chain of command only (president, secty of defense, etc). Obviously, saluting etiquette may vary depending on country, culture, or species (in this case, human). Okay, that was a [despicable] nit-pick. “THIS ONE; with sincere apology & humility, requests forgiveness”.
ME3: Mission: get the Catalyst on Thessia: begins showing Asari warriors maintaining a biotic shield that withstands significant ammo & rocket pounding (same retaking Omega). Accompanying us is our resident “barrier expert” Liara. When Kai waltzes in, presses a few buttons on his Omni Tool & causes the gunship to fire 2 rockets – -- -- uh -- -- -- were juggernauts Liara & Javik sharing popcorn then? 
To mention how the floors disintegrated -- except where Kai was standing (since he was the engineer who built the place) would be borderline “bitching” so I won’t. My point is – there needs to be a BETTER FIGHT instead of Kai tip-toeing in, downloading the data (to the tune of The Blue Danube), and riding off in the sunset (unscratched) with a “hi-ho Sliver”. More realistic (3 against one) is Kai with a bloody nose, split lip, & limping away. Also, you’d think ONE of the 3 wonderful & wise would have been EXTREMELY SUSPICIOUS when they found the 2 Asari scientists with their throats slit. Didn’t Liara have to disable a “military encrypted” barrier to get inside the temple? Instead, “oh, their throats are slit (obviously with a sword) – gee, I wonder how the calamari gumbo is going”. In Marinda’s loyalty mission, she used her biotics to grab the asari captain and forcibly throw her WAY to the other side of the warehouse. WOW! Don’t get on her bad side! At the party, Liara suspends James in midair. Considering the galaxy was at stake, a better fight was in order. Some temporary blood & temporary slings would have added some realism (more vids in sickbay with [splattered] doc patching up folks -- instead of spotless sickbay with Serrice Ice Brandy).
ME3: Miranda (in red dress) with Shep was more like having a beer at the bar with James. Though romantically involved with another love interest, there STILL could have been an embrace, long look at each other, and a light kiss with sincere smile….with something on the line of “you and I have been thru a lot together – keeping each other alive against impossible odds … I hope we can meet again on the other side of this war” (another slow kiss on the forehead) instead of “our to-do list is long” (how boring) for a romantically set stage. Yes, if she was your LI in ME2, it would have been a ‘tad’ more romantic. Finally for this gorgeous voluptuous vixen (who normally wears sprayed-on pants), you’d think her dress (then) would have been more commensurate than the standard mundane 
attire everyone else was wearing. A wardrobe or image consultant might be in order as this was the REAL TIME to show off Miranda and knock you dead! BTY-there were a couple of references to Shep’s attire “requiring black tie”. Never saw it. (nit-pick --- BAD BOY! 
-- slap!)
ME3: final fight with Kai. He slams his palm on the floor. Okay. What did that do except wrinkle some tiles & waste biotic energy? Here again, the 3 act like wimps. Anybody remember Saturday morning Kung-Fu Theater? Pull trees out of the ground. Jumping backwards upward onto the 2nd story of a building. Fighting on top of a moving bus. Well, hot-dang there uncle Jed! That fight could have used some better imagination & places to take cover. Perhaps a 5th dan (or higher) consultant + battle veteran consultant would have been in order.
ME1: As mentioned on another thread (when meeting Vigil on Ilos) -- YOU WOULD THINK one of the 3 geniuses would have enough sense to have their Omni Tool recording the dialogue to bring back to the Council. Themikefest responded “likewise with the first encounter with Sovereign” so the “weeds of the galaxy” couldn’t dismiss the reapers. Yes, they could dismiss ONE reaper – but the conversation with Vigil could not be so easily dismissed – revealing the purpose of the citadel, thousands residing in dark space, 50k year cycle, etc. Even if they chose to ignore this evidence – it certainly would have revealed what utter fools they were (in ME3) …including the admirals on earth (start of ME3)…who were ignoring Shep also….until. If Shep had the personality of Jack at that time, I wonder what he would say…..
ME3: Ending (before “beam me up Scotty”): Harbinger arrives and PRECISELY shoots any vehicle or soldier running towards the beam. Harb doesn’t miss. No problem with Harb’s identification and targeting mechanisms. Then the BIG Normandy arrives (in plain sight) for about 20-30 seconds and (for some reason) Harb does not fire at it. After tears, kisses, & goodbyes -- Normandy floats away for lemonade & ice cream. Huhhhh? Immediately afterward Harbinger blasts Shep so he’s almost dead. “Juicy theory time”. If Harb wanted to assimilate Shep then why this -- and all the husks trying to kill Shep? It would have been “plausibly more credible & realistic” to have a small moving shuttle pick up his two squad members – with a shoot & minor damage by Harb.
ME3: Ending (“best seat in the house”): while both are beat up & bleeding:
Shep: do you think I’ll get a medal for saving the galaxy?
Anderson: (smiles, chuckles, laughs – then dies).
-or-
Anderson: hell no; you shot me -- so you’re busted to private….until we get outta here, captain.
ME2-ME3: Finally the MOST IMPORTANT & thoroughly indispensible issue is:
On the presidium shopping area, there needs to be a Vorcha bubble gum machine …. that works as follows:
You deposit a credit.
Select from one of the following species:
- Asari
- Krogan
- Human
- Salarian
- Reaper (selected)
- Leviathan
- Catalyst
- Keeper
- Drell
- Baterian
- Prothean
- Turian
- Husk
- Yarg
- Quarian
- Quarian on pilgrimage
- Geth
- Geth heretic
- Turian Council member
- Asari Council member
- Salerian Council member
- Big stupid jellyfish
…then press <enter>
The life-like Vorcha statue then takes a half step forward -- and with flashing red eyes -- points his finger at you and hisses saying:
Ahhhh …. REAPER! Now you DHHIIIIIEEEEE! (5 times)
…then dispenses bubble gum.
I could go on – however being “tentatively excided & with forced cheer”, I’m curious about your mini-story variations.
Retour en haut
