Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Review

[Scars Unseen]

I like range attacks but I am tempted to be a Krogan if you can charge at enemies lol.

Oh, you can. You most certainly can.

The Krogan characters' heavy melee attack is a charge, complete with roaring and laughter. (Their light melee is a head-butt.)

In the demo I played a Krogan soldier after I unlocked him... half the time I forgot I even had a gun. I found myself charging everything up to and including the heavy mechs.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

Bioware need to face the facts. People will find stuff wrong with their games, even if it's trivial. It's what they get for 'evil' business practices.

Anyway, about the multiplayer. I always enjoy a bit of co op, I just don't want to play co op in Mass Effect, it just feels wrong. To elaborate, when I played ME1, it was MY story, I didn't feel as though someone else should have been there, it would have made my story less important. Gimme co op in a great shooter any day, but not in such a story driven game, the story is all it has going for it, and even that isn't amazing.

Would be an issue except for the part where you're not playing Shepard. You play one of the many nameless soldiers that fight and ultimately die for a horrible 5 minute cinematic.

It would bug me though, because the avatars look exactly like shepard. In Halo multiplayer, it feels like I'm playing Master Chief, even though it's a random Spartan.

 

[Epictank of Wintown]

Bioware need to face the facts. People will find stuff wrong with their games, even if it's trivial. It's what they get for 'evil' business practices.

Anyway, about the multiplayer. I always enjoy a bit of co op, I just don't want to play co op in Mass Effect, it just feels wrong. To elaborate, when I played ME1, it was MY story, I didn't feel as though someone else should have been there, it would have made my story less important. Gimme co op in a great shooter any day, but not in such a story driven game, the story is all it has going for it, and even that isn't amazing.

Would be an issue except for the part where you're not playing Shepard. You play one of the many nameless soldiers that fight and ultimately die for a horrible 5 minute cinematic.

It would bug me though, because the avatars look exactly like shepard. In Halo multiplayer, it feels like I'm playing Master Chief, even though it's a random Spartan.

I'm sorry, but have you ever really seen military-grade equipment? It all looks pretty much the same. Then there's also the fact that you can unlock Asari, Quarian, Krogan, Drell, and Salarian players, all of whom pretty much look nothing like the very human Commander Shepard. You're a faceless grunt (that you can give a name to) in the war against the Reapers so far as the multiplayer is concerned.

It's a great experience that I would strongly recommend everyone that plays Mass Effect 3 to try.

 

[putowtin]

played it for the first time this morning, same feeling I get with all multiplayers
"Git's who are twenty levels above me who won't help when I get shot!"

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I'm sorry, but have you ever really seen military-grade equipment? It all looks pretty much the same. Then there's also the fact that you can unlock Asari, Quarian, Krogan, Drell, and Salarian players, all of whom pretty much look nothing like the very human Commander Shepard. You're a faceless grunt (that you can give a name to) in the war against the Reapers so far as the multiplayer is concerned.

It's a great experience that I would strongly recommend everyone that plays Mass Effect 3 to try.

I guess I didn't even consider playing as another species, BUT, I still don't like the idea of being a faceless grunt, Mass Effect has always been about feeling important to me, and I just don't get that same feeling in multiplayer.

Don't get me wrong, if I was going to buy the game, I would definitely try it, but I don't think it would have that same lasting appeal that other, better shooters have.

 

[TheBelgianGuy]

Observation: Oh, I find it rather telling that the Escapist decided to conduct a completely separate review for the multiplayer mode. That'd be like having 2 separate reviews for SCV: one for the game at large, and one specifically for Story 1607AD (SCV's story mode).

Mostly rhetorical query, but I wonder if I'm the only one that sees something wrong with that...?

Because the game they were sent by EA to review didn't include multiplayer, therefore they couldn't put anything about it in the first review.

 

[SageRuffin]

Observation: Oh, I find it rather telling that the Escapist decided to conduct a completely separate review for the multiplayer mode. That'd be like having 2 separate reviews for SCV: one for the game at large, and one specifically for Story 1607AD (SCV's story mode).

Mostly rhetorical query, but I wonder if I'm the only one that sees something wrong with that...?

Because the game they were sent by EA to review didn't include multiplayer, therefore they couldn't put anything about it in the first review.

Huh... that doesn't exactly shake the feeling that it's extraneous and unnecessary (not to mention poorly introduced). For all that, I think they should've waited until they got a complete build to say anything about it.

Still, my views and mine alone. Feel free to disregard.

 

[Buizel91]

I love the people complaining about the MP, Such amusing comments!

Somehow, i very much doubt, a company like Bioware, who constantly make story driven games, would be so stupid as to include a multiplayer that you HAVE to play in order to get the ebst endings for said game...and if i get proved wrong by FACTS, then they lose a bit of my respect...not all.

We have to remember Bioware games are friggin huge, it's quite possible that the people that have already completed it haven't done everything to get an area percentage high enough for the best endings. remember guys this game has only been out what? A day? Not even that? And people are already blasting this new feature, stupid! -.-

And did i read Quarian Snipers?

SIGN ME THE FUCK UP!

 

[Buizel91]

I'm sorry, but have you ever really seen military-grade equipment? It all looks pretty much the same. Then there's also the fact that you can unlock Asari, Quarian, Krogan, Drell, and Salarian players, all of whom pretty much look nothing like the very human Commander Shepard. You're a faceless grunt (that you can give a name to) in the war against the Reapers so far as the multiplayer is concerned.

It's a great experience that I would strongly recommend everyone that plays Mass Effect 3 to try.

I guess I didn't even consider playing as another species, BUT, I still don't like the idea of being a faceless grunt, Mass Effect has always been about feeling important to me, and I just don't get that same feeling in multiplayer.

Don't get me wrong, if I was going to buy the game, I would definitely try it, but I don't think it would have that same lasting appeal that other, better shooters have.

But if they gave you the option of a character from the game, you still wouldn't be happy!

Faceless grunt: Unhappy because he isn't "my own"
Known Character: Doesn't make sense
Shepard: Again doesn't make sense and they fucked up the story

Bioware can't win.

 

[Therumancer]

Perhaps I already said this in this thread... but I think there is one BIG point not being touched on in this review.

The Multiplayer is microtransaction capable. Basically you can pay either real money or credits gained from missions to upgrade ypur gear. Gear also makes your character substantially more powerful in this mode.

By making the multiplayer mandatory to get the most out of the single player campaign (some endings are pretty much impossible without it) it creates pressure on single player gamers to do it, and if they don't like Multiplayer or are pants at shooters... well there is that giant glowing "I win" button they can hit by spending real money and making farming a few battles easier, so that guy sitting at the end of the game will be tempted to do the multiplayer thing and pay to win it if they otherwise don't really want to get into it.

This more or less taints the entire thing, as I can't see any way that the above doesn't figure into their logic. No serious multiplayer enthisiast is going to pay real money for that stuff given how relatively easy credits are to get in multiplayer, so what is the point?

What's more why the heck does your "galactic control" decay? The only reason I can think of them adding in the decay is so that single player guy who might want to do multiple play throughs will be increasingly tempted/pressured especially if he winds up having to do the multiplayer grind more than once.

See, people are looking at the multiplayer on it's own merits, as opposed to what it exactly means, or how it fits into increasingly exploitive marketing strategies. Amazingly I see very little about how Bioware has included an option to buy packs for real money, and I think that's the most important thing about this development, and where all eyes should be aimed.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Perhaps I already said this in this thread... but I think there is one BIG point not being touched on in this review.

The Multiplayer is microtransaction capable. Basically you can pay either real money or credits gained from missions to upgrade ypur gear. Gear also makes your character substantially more powerful in this mode.

By making the multiplayer mandatory to get the most out of the single player campaign (some endings are pretty much impossible without it) it creates pressure on single player gamers to do it, and if they don't like Multiplayer or are pants at shooters... well there is that giant glowing "I win" button they can hit by spending real money and making farming a few battles easier, so that guy sitting at the end of the game will be tempted to do the multiplayer thing and pay to win it if they otherwise don't really want to get into it.

This more or less taints the entire thing, as I can't see any way that the above doesn't figure into their logic. No serious multiplayer enthisiast is going to pay real money for that stuff given how relatively easy credits are to get in multiplayer, so what is the point?

What's more why the heck does your "galactic control" decay? The only reason I can think of them adding in the decay is so that single player guy who might want to do multiple play throughs will be increasingly tempted/pressured especially if he winds up having to do the multiplayer grind more than once.

See, people are looking at the multiplayer on it's own merits, as opposed to what it exactly means, or how it fits into increasingly exploitive marketing strategies. Amazingly I see very little about how Bioware has included an option to buy packs for real money, and I think that's the most important thing about this development, and where all eyes should be aimed.

This is exactly right... only the opposite of what you said.

You don't need to play multiplayer to get the best ending. Multiplayer just makes it easier.

http://www.gamezone.com/products/mass-effect-3/news/bioware-clarifies-mass-effect-3-s-perfect-ending

Your ending(s) are determined by your "Effective Military Strength" (let's call it EMS for now) bar. Focus on that bar - that is your indicator of how well you will do in the end-game.

You can maximize your EMS just by collecting War Assets in the single-player game. There is a certain threshhold of these you would need to exceed (I can't get too specific) but I can tell you there are MORE than the required amount that can be gathered in the single-player campaign.

"Galactic Readiness" is a modifier you can improve by playing multiplayer. That is to say, if you play a lot of multiplayer, you will need less War Assets from single-player to fill up your EMS bar (ie it will balance out the requirements to account for you playing in both modes). Single-player game play does not impact that bar.

EMS = success. EMS can be maximized via collecting war assets alone, even if your Galactic Readiness is 50%.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/03/06/mass-effect-3-war-assets-and-readiness-how-multiplayer-affects-your-ending/

It is possible to get the best ending in single player without playing multiplayer, but it?s twice as hard. All your War Assets only count for 50% of their potential value. The biggest gains in War Assets come from a culmination of your decisions in the previous games and your decisions in this one: if you?ve helped a race before, and you help them here, it?s often possible to get their full support and resolve their conflict to get someone else on your side too...


...Here?s what I recommend: don?t. Don?t do any quests that are boring, don?t play multiplayer if you don?t want to, and don?t go through old save games trying to optimise your decisions for the most War Assets. Don?t let BioWare?s seedy design decision manipulate you into playing in a way you don?t want to.

If they?ve made a game that?s brutal, harsh and dark if you don?t play multiplayer, they?ve made a game that?s brutal, harsh and dark. That?s how I reviewed it, and it?s still phenomenal.

Multiplayer stands on its own, as does single player.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I'm sorry, but have you ever really seen military-grade equipment? It all looks pretty much the same. Then there's also the fact that you can unlock Asari, Quarian, Krogan, Drell, and Salarian players, all of whom pretty much look nothing like the very human Commander Shepard. You're a faceless grunt (that you can give a name to) in the war against the Reapers so far as the multiplayer is concerned.

It's a great experience that I would strongly recommend everyone that plays Mass Effect 3 to try.

I guess I didn't even consider playing as another species, BUT, I still don't like the idea of being a faceless grunt, Mass Effect has always been about feeling important to me, and I just don't get that same feeling in multiplayer.

Don't get me wrong, if I was going to buy the game, I would definitely try it, but I don't think it would have that same lasting appeal that other, better shooters have.

But if they gave you the option of a character from the game, you still wouldn't be happy!

Faceless grunt: Unhappy because he isn't "my own"
Known Character: Doesn't make sense
Shepard: Again doesn't make sense and they fucked up the story

Bioware can't win.

Actually I'm perfectly happy with them adding a co op mode in their game, and using whatever avatars they want. I'm just saying it just doesn't appeal much to me, and giving reasons why...

I think people such as yourself are misinterpreting my stance. I sense a touch of fanboyism here. [sub]Jay Kay[/sub]

 

[Abedeus]

Okay, so it helps the single player, but isn't a necessity? When I get it, I suppose I could spend some time on it, it looks fun.

Actually...that statement is misleading. Some might call it a lie.

Someone did the math on the war assets in the game...so...

..I can't say I saw this myself: so take it with a grain of salt.

There are a potential 8000 War assets in the game if you do EVERYTHING.

You need 5000 for the "good" end.

If you don't play multiplayer your Readiness multiplier stays at 50%:
Meaning you get only 4000 points.

And thus you CANNOT get the best ending without playing Multiplayer.

I'm curious if the reviewer even checked this or he just trusted Bioware isn't lying.

So rather than check your own information, you come here to inform me that it is impossible to do without the multiplayer which flies in the face of people who have done it.
Has it occurred to you that the fifty percent multiplier is actually a multiplier, as in, it boosts your war assets as opposed to reducing it?

Wrong. Your war assets times galactic readiness = actual number you get. Meaning that unless you got 10k war assets, which is impossible, you can't get the "best" ending without touching multiplayer.

so it is almost like left4dead?

L4D with more character choices and customization, yep.

My problems with multiplayer:

1. Often disconnections from server for no reason, may need a patch (which is weird, demo worked fine).
2. NO TEXT CHAT. Devs are aware of it, but it's too early to promise anything. Which sucks, since in 2012 you shouldn't be required to own a mic and speak fluently in English to communicate... People understood that a decade ago.

 

[Darth_Dude]

I don't want to pay for xbox live gold.

Jesus shit. This makes me so angry I could spit!

Maybe you should invest in a Ps3?

trollface.jpg

 

[PunkRex]

An online campaign... cool, fighting on an epic scale. War, its fantastic.

 

[Moffman]

Wow the effecting the single player is pretty annoying for me, since I don't have a wireless router for my Xbox or and Xbox live gold account , Maybe that two day trial will come in handy, been thinking of getting a wireless router for a while now, shame it's about £50 when I can get one for my computer for about a tenner

 

[SageRuffin]

An addendum to my previous argument: I originally thought the multiplayer aspects to the ME franchised felt tacked on and extraneous. I stand by that notion after playing a few rounds with a friend. While it's not a complete mess like I originally assumed, it's not anything special either; those of you familiar with Pinnacle Station from the first ME, it's essentially the final mission from that with some extra knick-knacks here and there (like kill these specific enemies before time runs out, collect these few objects sprinkled about, things like that). For those of you who did not purchase Pinnacle Station, think of the infamous Horde comparison from Gears of War, Anarchy mode from Bulletstorm, or even Halo though that one's a bit of a stretch.

Things can get a little crazy during some of the waves, but if everyone involved has high-ranking abilities and/or equipment, it ends up being a snoozefest pretty fast. Add to the fact that the whole "Galaxy at War" business is simply of a multiplier that I think doesn't fall under 50%, best believe that outside of getting that one achievement, I wont be touching the multiplayer segments again anytime soon.

So... back to not caring for me then.

 

[carpathic]

I don't want to pay for xbox live gold.

Jesus shit. This makes me so angry I could spit!

Maybe you should invest in a Ps3?

trollface.jpg

Given the buttreaming SONY is trying to enact with the psvita, I suspect that free to play on the play station network won't last past the PS3.

I know my post was pretty immature, and you have a point about the PS3. It just pisses me off. I have to pay 60 bucks for a game, that makes it almost impossible to get the best ending despite the 120 hours (in liklihood FAR more) I've poured into the previous iterations, UNLESS I shell out extra for a subscription service.

I know I mean NOTHING to bioware. I know that, but I am seriously thinking about not buying any more bioware games. I've paid for the game, I should be able to access the entire thing. Stop nickle and diming me. I've never bought another Ubisoft game, and I never will, over their ridiculous DRM policies. EA is heading down the same path with me.

Again, I know they don't care, but it is getting close for me.

 

[StriderShinryu]

Played it for about 8 or do houtd this weekend and found myself enjoying it a lot.. but also found that I think I pretty much tapped out my emjoyment with it. I could see myself going back once in a while to play a round or two but that's about it. It's not that it's a bad mode at all, it's just that it aims at a very specific player motivation that doesn't happen to grab me personally. I don't mind repetition in my multiplayer but playing the same maps against the same AI repeatedly just to earn credits and eventually max my character and inventory isn't a long term goal that hooks me specifically.

For those who do have the right reaction to what's offered, however, I can virtually guarantee that you'll love the mode. If you don't, you'll probably still have a great time playing it even if just for a weekend because it's just that solid. The classes all bring something interesting to the table and are useful in their own way, The level of teamwork required ranges from moderate to very high, depending on the difficulty level you pick. This leads to an extremely nice feeling of working together but still, if you're playing on bronze level especially, being able to lone wolf or duo it for a bit here and there.

If nothing else, the multiplayer mode shows that ME's combat engine really does work on a solid fundamental level. With no squad mates to worry about controlling and a slightly streamlined skill system to match, it just feels really damn good to play.

Wow the effecting the single player is pretty annoying for me, since I don't have a wireless router for my Xbox or and Xbox live gold account , Maybe that two day trial will come in handy, been thinking of getting a wireless router for a while now, shame it's about £50 when I can get one for my computer for about a tenner

Can't help with the router problem, but the 2 day trial thing is exactly what I did, and it worked wonderfully. Assuming you're not terrible at the game and don't constantly get placed on bad teams who die within the first few waves, it does not take long at all to max out your Galactic Preparedness level. I went from the starting 50% all the way to 100% in a single evening. Just activate the 2 day code when you know you're going to have a good few hours to spend and you'll be fine.

 

[godofallu]

Just started beating maps on gold. Got 2nd after extraction as a level 6, and i'm so proud.

Not sure this will hold my attention for much longer though. Once I hit 100pc galaxy readiness + the completion on gold on each map i'm out.

Still probably got 15 hours of fun in. That's like 2 FPS games.