SpiderJerusalem said:
Imbechile said:
SpiderJerusalem said:
So, I take it you've played only one Bioware game then?
If by only one Bioware game you mean "every bioware game is the same due to the things I listed" then yeah. I've played only one Bioware game.
So, that's a no then? Because as others have also pointed out, the whole "they're all the same!" argument doesn't hold water unless you're willing (which it seems you are) to grasp at straws and bend the truth quite liberally to bring forth the outcome that suits your express purposes.
I'll agree that the claim that all BioWare games are exactly the same is a bit of a stretch, though I do think it's worth acknowledging that they do have a formula. A forumula that works well, mind you, but it's not exactly innovative.
However! 'KotOR' and 'Mass Effect', Karpyshyn's two big successes, are fundementally the same story. A lot of the flavour is changed, but almost beat for beat, it's the same tale.
An Unexpected Battle:
- The
Endar Spire gets ambushed in orbit around Taris in KotOR.
- Shepard and Company find themselves in the middle of the assault on Eden Prime in 'Mass Effect'.
An Ally Dies to Demonstrate the Stakes:
- Trask Ulgo is killed by Darth Bandon, after having taught Revan how to wear pants.
- Nihlus is murdered by Saren. No pants were involved.
A Mild Coma:
- Revan is knocked out and Carth drags him into the escape pod. While unconcious he experiances ominous visions.
- Shepard is knocked out after being caught in the energy of the prothean beacon, and is dragged back to the Normandy by Kaiden and Ashley. While unconcious, he experiances ominous visions.
Investigating and Gathering Allies:
- Revan runs around Taris assmebling a posse while trying to find Bastilla.
- Shepard runs around the Citadel assembling a posse while digging up dirt on Saren.
Status Bump:
- Revan is inducted into the Jedi order, despite some misgivings by the three members of the Jedi Council.
- Shepard becomes a Spectre, despite some misgivings by the three members of the Citadel Council.
Secrets from the Past:
- Reavan and crew cowboy around the galaxy, chasing Malak and looking for Star Maps, ancient technology left by a mysterious species long since dissappeared from the galaxy which give Revan visions. They help people along the way.
- Shepard and crew cowboy around the galaxy, chasing Saren and looking for ways to help Shepard interpret the vision he recieved from the prothean beacon, ancient technology left by a mysterious species long since dissappeared from the galaxy. They help people along the way.
Shocking Revelation:
- "You cannot hide from what you once were, Revan! Recognize that you were once the Dark Lord - and know that I have taken your place!"
- ?Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they choose to call us is irrelevant. We simply... are.?
An Ally Lost:
- Saren's machinations result in the death of either Kaidan or Ashley.
- Malak's machinations result in the Bastilla falling to the Dark Side.
A World Forgotten:
- Through his visions, the Star Maps, and his connection to Bastilla, Revan is eventually able to locate Lehon, the ancient homeworld the the rakata.
- Through his visions imparted by the prothean beacon, and his connection to Liara, Shepard is eventually able to locate Virmire, the final resting place of the protheans.
Unlocking the Puzzle:
- On Lehon, Revan is able to gain access to ancient rakatan technology that will allow him access to the Star Forge.
- On Virmire, Shepard is able to gain access to ancient prothean technology that allows him to access the Conduit.
The Final Battle:
- Revan vs. Malak. Malak is powered by the energies of captured Jedi.
- Shepard vs. Saran. Saran is powered by the energies of Soverign.
Triumph:
- Triumph!
- Triumph!
That's more than just formulaic; Karpyshyn and BioWare managed to get paid twice for the same story.