Halo and Mass Effect similarities.

[Erttheking]

I know that when you get down to the core elements the two of these games are as different as night and day, but on the surface they have a lot in common.

Proud warrior race guy with emphasis on order. Sangheili(Elites)/Turians
Proud warrior race guy with emphasis on savageness and has a rivalry with the other warrior race, Jiralhanae(Brutes)/Krogan.
Long dead race of precursors whose ancient and advanced technology is still lying around Protheans/Forerunners.
Collective of aliens ruled by a council of three, Council/Covenant.
Ancient threat to the galaxy, Flood/Reapers.
Space station shaped like a jellyfish Omega/High Charity.
Super badass space marine Shepard/Chief.
Female A.I. that acts as mission control and as a close friend, EDI, Cortana.

Like I said, when you get down to it they are extremly different, but they do have a lot in common. Anyone else notice this? Anyone else see anything that I missed?

 

[White_Lama]

All games have something in common with all other games nowadays pretty much.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I too noticed but I didn't let it bother me, which is why I didn't consider most of those aspects. It's odd though right?

 

[CardinalPiggles]

All games have something in common with all other games nowadays pretty much.

But it's especially odd because they were two very different games in terms of genre.

 

[White_Lama]

All games have something in common with all other games nowadays pretty much.

But it's especially odd because they were two very different games in terms of genre.

Not really, both are space shooters, granted, one is more RPG based and third person shooter, and the other is more boots/wheels to the ground pewpew.

 

[LordFisheh]

Badass human marines and ancient, ruined alien threats are pretty big staples of the whole sci fi genre, not just Halo.

 

[Encentrik]

Well the whole genre of Space Marines isn't that uncommon; hell Halo comes from the book "Ringworld" and many aspects of the vehicle/military types comes from movies like Aliens. Take a look at the Pelican, straight out of Aliens.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

The Avenger rifle looks and sounds like the plasma gun if you equip the cryogenic rounds.

 

[repeating integers]

Well, those are basically genre conventions. I'm pretty sure it's coincidental (mostly).

 

[Delsana]

Mass Effect and Halo, in terms of the actual plot, don't have all that many similarities to be honest.

 

[Fappy]

Both games pull from classic Science Fiction films and literature. When it comes down to it Halo is just Aliens with a bit of Predator mixed in.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

But it's especially odd because they were two very different games in terms of genre.

They still are. Even the OP said that really, the games are night and day, but they share plot elements, that are themselves ripped off from various classic sci-fi legends/tropes. Loads of games share these elements. Read a Hero of a Thousand Faces, and huzzah, you'll be able to argue that every hero, in everything, from Homer to Master Chief, comes from the same place.

Oh wait, you didn't actually want a discussion, you wanted to moan about how 'ME ISN'T AN RPG!!11'. Carry on.

I never read such things, nor was I into Sci Fi back in the day. It's not surprising however that they both got their inspiration from the same source.

It is odd however that there are such similar minor details stated by the original poster.

 

[Wintermoot]

Mass Effect only reminded me of Star Ship troopers.

 

[Lilani]

Except Mass Effect has more than three character models and you can tell who the hell is who.

 

[boag]

A Stranger comes to town.
A Hero goes on a journey.

Everything is a rip off of these 2 ideas, Execution is what makes them memorable and distinct.