What was so impressive about it?
What was so impressive about it?
It gave us a vision of what Mass Effect could be. The execution wasn't perfect, but all the pieces were there: wide variety of environments, different hazardous levels, points of interests with some follow-up quests, and overall a perception of depth and endless possibilities. Mass Effect 1 was the only game in the trilogy where you felt like you were actually exploring the galaxy. ME2 and ME3 are just elaborate shooter-on-rails like any typical CoD game or Halo. That would be one of the major criticisms I would say I had about the latter part of the trilogy, so I'm happy to see BioWare rekindle this amazing concept.
The contents of the survey aren't a shock and any BSNer could have wrote it. Ark theory is nothing new. Like IT, it's entirely fan fabricated and BioWare has never given credence to any theories about Mass Effect. The entire premise of the survey is based off this fan theory, which makes it incredibly questionable to start. We also have new races such as "khet" (sounds similar to geth) and an ancient species known as the "remnants" (reapers 2.0) with another quest for the "hero" to save humanity, again? Wait. Didn't we already do all of this in the Shepard trilogy?
All you said sounds pretty reasonable, but this... You do realize the people at BioWare are great believers in recycling story elements, right? xD
All you said sounds pretty reasonable, but this... You do realize the people at BioWare are great believers in recycling story elements, right? xD
They are great believers in recycling the hero story, not so much an almost identical plot... Arguably ME1 was a clone of KotOR (Shepard was Revan; Saren was Malak; the Reapers were the Star Forge), but that was merely because the same team that made KotOR and ME1 and needed a basis to build a story for this new IP. The next Mass Effect is being developed by BioWare Montreal (they've never made a ME game, only DLC and MP) with a new lead writer who came from 343 on Halo 4. I can't see how BioWare could be this dull and recycle a story that just literally happened... Perhaps they have, but it's more plausible to believe this is just an elaborate troll and the creator didn't have anything compelling to write so just reworded the Shepard trilogy.
It gave us a vision of what Mass Effect could be. The execution wasn't perfect, but all the pieces were there: wide variety of environments, different hazardous levels, points of interests with some follow-up quests, and overall a perception of depth and endless possibilities. Mass Effect 1 was the only game in the trilogy where you felt like you were actually exploring the galaxy. ME2 and ME3 are just elaborate shooter-on-rails like any typical CoD game or Halo. That would be one of the major criticisms I would say I had about the latter part of the trilogy, so I'm happy to see BioWare rekindle this amazing concept.
ME2 was no more of "an elaborate shooter on rails" than ME1 was if you're talking about advancing the story or the side quests. Sure, it had more exploration. But needless exploration.
ME2 was no more of "an elaborate shooter on rails" than ME1 was if you're talking about advancing the story or the side quests. Sure, it had more exploration. But needless exploration.
I'm not "talking about advancing the story or the side quests." I'm referring to the way in which exploration via the Mako was incorporated into the game as a whole. Most of the exploration was optional, but it also provided gameplay opportunities that were never revisited in the sequels. Not to mention, the Mako even had a vital role in the main story of several planets such as Feros, Noveria, Ilos, Virmire, etc. It greatly widened the experience and gave us more opportunity for tactics and game play. The Hammerhead in ME2 was merely a shadow of what the Mako was and even that was completely tossed out in ME3 with nothing to replace it.
I'm not "talking about advancing the story or the side quests." I'm referring to the way in which exploration via the Mako was incorporated into the game as a whole. Most of the exploration was optional, but it also provided gameplay opportunities that were never revisited in the sequels. Not to mention, the Mako even had a vital role in the main story of several planets such as Feros, Noveria, Ilos, Virmire, etc. It greatly widened the experience and gave us more opportunity for tactics and game play. The Hammerhead in ME2 was merely a shadow of what the Mako was and even that was completely tossed out in ME3 with nothing to replace it.
What "gameplay opportunities that were never revisited"?
What "gameplay opportunities that were never revisited"?
(my reason for liking it)Mainly the option to kill some time exploring if I wanted to, though OCD 100%ers hate that. Not saying you're one just that they seem to be the biggest anti-explorers.
(my reason for liking it)Mainly the option to kill some time exploring if I wanted to, though OCD 100%ers hate that. Not saying you're one just that they seem to be the biggest anti-explorers.
Well, I'm not. And I'm not against exploring. I'm just trying to get Revan to see that ME2 had just as many side missions that were discoverable by going to each planet. The only thing that is missing there is the exploration. Which, for means and purposes, is pointless. Fun! But pointless.
ME2's side content was much better than ME1's, you just didn't have to drive the dumbest vehicle in Citadel Space across a barren wasteland to get to it.
Well, I'm not. And I'm not against exploring. I'm just trying to get Revan to see that ME2 had just as many side missions that were discoverable by going to each planet. The only thing that is missing there is the exploration. Which, for means and purposes, is pointless. Fun! But pointless.
What "side missions that were discoverable" in Mass Effect 2? There were perhaps a handful you could find, while 95% of planets were exclusively planet scanning... I'll gladly take the Mako exploration of ME1 over the tedious planet scanning of ME2.
Well, I'm not. And I'm not against exploring. I'm just trying to get Revan to see that ME2 had just as many side missions that were discoverable by going to each planet. The only thing that is missing there is the exploration. Which, for means and purposes, is pointless. Fun! But pointless.
Ok, and explorations point in any game, in my opinion, should be the satisfaction of seeing the scenery and enjoying the world the developer built. It doesn't need special missions though they are nice bonuses.
ME2's side content was much better than ME1's, you just didn't have to drive the dumbest vehicle in Citadel Space across a barren wasteland to get to it.
I just played ME1 for the second time in a month a few days ago. I've completed ME2 once in the past month, and half way through a second time around. The Mako's side content is far more interesting to me. In ME2, most of them could be summed up as "Kill baddies, get macguffin," or "Explore ship, get macguffin" with very little variety. Certainly no room given for exploration.
Whereas in ME1, I decided to explore further than I had my previous times with the game. I found an entire quest chain I never knew about, and even found a thresher maw just outside the boundary of a planet. That was sitting next to a node that was also just out of bounds.
There was a sense of danger to some of them too. Unless someone has all of the zones memorized, you never knew when a thresher maw was going to show up. Or if you'd have to be quick because of a Level 2 Hazard. That wasn't there in ME2. I didn't mind planet scanning my first time, because it was fun if I was still waking up and wanted to play. It's still very weak in comparison to the Mako.
With the planet exploration missions, I felt like I was doing something productive. The planet scanning has the odor of padding all over it. The second time I played, the first thing I used gibbed for was to max out resources so I'd never have to scan another planet.
I enjoy both games immensely, but when it comes to sidequests, ME1 wins for me. I would love to see that kind of exploration returning with much better controls. From the official snippets we've gotten, it looks like that's going to happen.
I just played ME1 for the second time in a month a few days ago. I've completed ME2 once in the past month, and half way through a second time around. The Mako's side content is far more interesting to me. In ME2, most of them could be summed up as "Kill baddies, get macguffin," or "Explore ship, get macguffin" with very little variety. Certainly no room given for exploration.
Whereas in ME1, I decided to explore further than I had my previous times with the game. I found an entire quest chain I never knew about, and even found a thresher maw just outside the boundary of a planet. That was sitting next to a node that was also just out of bounds.
There was a sense of danger to some of them too. Unless someone has all of the zones memorized, you never knew when a thresher maw was going to show up. Or if you'd have to be quick because of a Level 2 Hazard. That wasn't there in ME2. I didn't mind planet scanning my first time, because it was fun if I was still waking up and wanted to play. It's still very weak in comparison to the Mako.
With the planet exploration missions, I felt like I was doing something productive. The planet scanning has the odor of padding all over it. The second time I played, the first thing I used gibbed for was to max out resources so I'd never have to scan another planet.
I enjoy both games immensely, but when it comes to sidequests, ME1 wins for me. I would love to see that kind of exploration returning with much better controls. From the official snippets we've gotten, it looks like that's going to happen.
I agree. I can't see how anyone would believe the ME2 side quests were better than ME1. Most of them were, as you suggested, kill these enemies, rescue this person, or find this device. All of the ME2 missions could generally be done in ten minutes or less. In ME1, there were a large variety of different quests to be found. Whether you came across a mercenary base filled with enemies or were lured into a trap with a bomb ready to explode, I certainly enjoyed the side content of ME1 much more. With ME2, it seemed as if all the resources and effort had been placed in the main story, loyalty missions, and character development. The rest of ME2 just seemed stale, and that wasn't nearly the case with ME1, which I believe was more balanced in terms of offering different activities.
I prefer the side content of ME2 purely because the environments were more entertaining.
I can only land on a snowy wasteland, to clear one of three different base layouts so many times before it gets old.
I prefer the side content of ME2 purely because the environments were more entertaining.
I can only land on a snowy wasteland, to clear one of three different base layouts so many times before it gets old.
For as many of those, there are places where you can see the different moons and suns in the sky. My favorite is the moon outside of Klendagon, where you can see the Great Rift on the planet while you're bombing around. For the age of the game, the skyscapes are very lovely. I do hope that the next ME game has more detailed environments. I think a mix of the kill quests with the exploration would be an awesome way to go. Oh and optional music too. Exploration can feel very dull and lifeless without it. <glares heavily at the DA team>
For as many of those, there are places where you can see the different moons and suns in the sky. My favorite is the moon outside of Klendagon, where you can see the Great Rift on the planet while you're bombing around. For the age of the game, the skyscapes are very lovely. I do hope that the next ME game has more detailed environments. I think a mix of the kill quests with the exploration would be an awesome way to go. Oh and optional music too. Exploration can feel very dull and lifeless without it. <glares heavily at the DA team>
the skyscapes were nice, but the design of the areas where you had to fight the enemies, be they pirates, geth, Cerberus, and so on are on par with DA2 environments.
The terrain was also fairly lifeless, just mountains and usually a monochromatic dirt. If they make it more visually appealing and added some variety in the encounters I could be brought on board certainly.
and agreed on the music, I should not have to be playing stuff off my computer so its more lively
I agree. I can't see how anyone would believe the ME2 side quests were better than ME1. Most of them were, as you suggested, kill these enemies, rescue this person, or find this device. All of the ME2 missions could generally be done in ten minutes or less. In ME1, there were a large variety of different quests to be found. Whether you came across a mercenary base filled with enemies or were lured into a trap with a bomb ready to explode, I certainly enjoyed the side content of ME1 much more. With ME2, it seemed as if all the resources and effort had been placed in the main story, loyalty missions, and character development. The rest of ME2 just seemed stale, and that wasn't nearly the case with ME1, which I believe was more balanced in terms of offering different activities.
Hmmm, I just see it as completely the other way around. Each of the sidequests in ME2 was individually tailored and designed with a different layout. They all looked good and played well. All the ME1 side missions involved one of the same 3 or 4 very basic re-used bunker/building/ship/cave with a bunch of crates strewn about in some manner. And the gameplay was terrible which meant every single side was a completely pointless waste of time as far as I was concerned.
I liked the gameplay in ME1, but I also enjoyed it in later installments. The only thing I hated in ME1 was the bloated inventory system. Otherwise, I've had fun with it. <shrug>
I don't know. I guess I felt more of a connection to the main story in ME1 by exploring planets and doing things like rachni and Thorian creeper cleanup. Those both tied directly into the overarching plot, and are only available after you take care of Noveria and Feros. Besides, I promised the queen that I would take care of her crazed children and I meant to keep it.
In ME2, I complete a sidequest and I'm going, "Oh goodie, more resources for Cerberus. Joy." I don't feel the slightest connection to the main story during those sidequests. Most of them are available as soon as the player is fit to go exploring across star clusters. Most of them don't even involve the Collectors.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like a good headcount/MacGuffin quest from time to time. I just don't like the disconnection between the main plot and the sidequests themselves in ME2. As much as I despise the eavesdropping system in ME3, at least it felt connected to the main story with the War Assets. I could look up the War Assets and see every little stupid item pick up as a small number. I don't even get that in ME2, only "Thanks for the resources, sucker."
Wait... you actually felt that the ME1 UNC missions were connected to the main plot?I don't know. I guess I felt more of a connection to the main story in ME1 by exploring planets and doing things like rachni and Thorian creeper cleanup. Those both tied directly into the overarching plot, and are only available after you take care of Noveria and Feros. Besides, I promised the queen that I would take care of her crazed children and I meant to keep it.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like a good headcount/MacGuffin quest from time to time. I just don't like the disconnection between the main plot and the sidequests themselves in ME2. As much as I despise the eavesdropping system in ME3, at least it felt connected to the main story with the War Assets. I could look up the War Assets and see every little stupid item pick up as a small number. I don't even get that in ME2, only "Thanks for the resources, sucker."
Modifié par AlanC9, 24 avril 2015 - 02:51 .
Hmmm, I just see it as completely the other way around. Each of the sidequests in ME2 was individually tailored and designed with a different layout. They all looked good and played well. All the ME1 side missions involved one of the same 3 or 4 very basic re-used bunker/building/ship/cave with a bunch of crates strewn about in some manner. And the gameplay was terrible which meant every single side was a completely pointless waste of time as far as I was concerned.
We are talking about two separate things. I'm not referring to the way the environment looked or whether BioWare was recycling areas. That has nothing to do with the quality of the quest. It was the actual content in that each quest was unique and different, regardless of whether or not the environment was recycled. I could care less if every quest took place in a steel box, if they are varying, different, and offer lots of variety, I will prefer it. The quests in ME2 were too basic and lifeless to have any depth. The only quests I actually enjoyed was the main quest in companion loyalty missions. The rest were largely forgettable.
Wait... you actually felt that the ME1 UNC missions were connected to the main plot?
Some of them, yeah. Like the ones I mentioned. Far better than the utter disconnection that happens in ME2. I'm not saying my opinion is the right one, only listing what I preferred. I think a mix of the mission style in ME2 with better detailed environments and the exploration of ME1 would serve the series well.
The technology for the game is there, and this game has been in development for quite some time. I've seen what they can do as far as the graphics of a surrounding area in DA, and I think it would be stellar (play on words intended) for the ME series.
We are talking about two separate things. I'm not referring to the way the environment looked or whether BioWare was recycling areas. That has nothing to do with the quality of the quest. It was the actual content in that each quest was unique and different, regardless of whether or not the environment was recycled. I could care less if every quest took place in a steel box, if they are varying, different, and offer lots of variety, I will prefer it. The quests in ME2 were too basic and lifeless to have any depth. The only quests I actually enjoyed was the main quest in companion loyalty missions. The rest were largely forgettable.
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