Mass Effect 3 Review

[Rainboq]

All the butthurt bitching and moaning from people who haven't even played the game. It's delicious.

Gavin, everything you do makes us love you all the more Shine on, you crazy diamond!

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

So, when I see a site start publishing gushing reviews when all we have is a trailer, it sends up all sorts of warning flags to me, because I once had to write those myself. Particularly when regulars like Gavin are getting something out of it, much as IGN is. I don't write reviews for (video) games anymore, and am glad of it.

.

Pray tell... what exactly do I have to gain from ME3 getting a good review?

This I have to hear.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

I just knew Susan was going to review this game.

No offence Susan but I just seem to disagree with you at every turn.

Anyway, I'll get this game on Xbox when it becomes cheap (£20 will do), and even then I still need to start playing ME2, so it'll be a while seeing as I can't seem to muster the enthusiasm to even touch ME anymore.

 

[Versuvius]

I have to say one thing, the one thing pirates who get the game days early do is allow me to get actual gameplay opinions, bugs, pros and cons before release. They are doing maybe not a service to the industry but a service to people like me who are leery of EA (and it's new aquisition, Bioware). I won't be pirating it though, i would rather have it on steam. Or wait for a GOTY edition and hope someones made it so Origin isn't required to use it full stop, their EULA be fucked in the eyesocket. Opinions of the Escapist team also noted.

 

[WanderingFool]

They didn't get rid of the planet scanning mechanic? Jesus Christ.

Now with 100% more Reapers chasing your ass...


...awesome*...









*[sub]/sarcasm[/sub]

 

[Blunderboy]

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

So, when I see a site start publishing gushing reviews when all we have is a trailer, it sends up all sorts of warning flags to me, because I once had to write those myself. Particularly when regulars like Gavin are getting something out of it, much as IGN is. I don't write reviews for (video) games anymore, and am glad of it.

.

Pray tell... what exactly do I have to gain from ME3 getting a good review?

This I have to hear.

Sensual back rubs from Wrex of course.

 

[Rainboq]

-snip-

Hang on, just a question, are the RPG elements more in depth, like the first Mass Effect, did they stick to the Mass Effect 2 model or did they go for a middle ground?

 

[Rainboq]

-snipping out meanness-

Pray tell... what exactly do I have to gain from ME3 getting a good review?

This I have to hear.

A date with Liara or Miranda?

 

[Rednog]

I'm enjoying the game so far, sadly the multiplayer is a little broken right now.
Some people (myself included) are experiencing lost weapons/characters; and there are some problems with setting certain match choices. A bioware employee on their forums said they were looking into it hopefully they'll figure it out soon, I'm unfortunately stuck with having my Quarian Infiltrator locked out to me.

 

[Susan Arendt]

-snip-

Hang on, just a question, are the RPG elements more in depth, like the first Mass Effect, did they stick to the Mass Effect 2 model or did they go for a middle ground?

Depends on what you mean when you say "RPG elements." If you mean the stats, you can really only adjust things that apply to combat, as per usual. Your conversation choices will impact the game in significant ways, (and some subtle ways...be mindful of who you "support" on the Citadel).

Does that help?

 

[Andy Chalk]

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

So, when I see a site start publishing gushing reviews when all we have is a trailer, it sends up all sorts of warning flags to me, because I once had to write those myself.

Who are you and who did you write for?

 

[Rainboq]

-snip-

Hang on, just a question, are the RPG elements more in depth, like the first Mass Effect, did they stick to the Mass Effect 2 model or did they go for a middle ground?

Depends on what you mean when you say "RPG elements." If you mean the stats, you can really only adjust things that apply to combat, as per usual. Your conversation choices will impact the game in significant ways, (and some subtle ways...be mindful of who you "support" on the Citadel).

Does that help?

A bit, I was really wondering if there was a more diverse skill tree, like in the first game. But yeah, that does answer some questions, so thanks!

 

[BaronIveagh]

I take my integrity very seriously. I can't imagine a payoff that would be big enough to be worth ruining my good name for. You can't get trust back once you've squandered it. Why the hell would I ruin my relationship with readers to please EA? People throw out accusations of corruption so casually, and I don't think they really think through what they're suggesting.

Susan, while you're exactly right about trust, I can tell you that the motivators for editors are to fix a review or quash a story are. Need, Greed, and Fear of Loss. Find the right combination of those, and the most honest editors and writers will lie through their teeth.

Based on your response, I'd say that fear of loss would be my first angle of approach, if I were looking to manipulate you. Your immediate response to the possibility of a corruption accusation suggests that you value what you have highly, but have little interest beyond your goals, whatever they may be.

And the sad part is that I've very rarely seen a journalist get called out for giving a good review to a bad game or movie or book, but I've seen more then one lose their jobs for writing a review the management didn't like. So there's always that little voice in the back of your head saying 'Maybe they won't remember I wrote this.'

 

[Robert Ewing]

Going out to get it soon. I can't wait. I haven't been a terribly huge fan of mass effect thus far. I loved the second one, didn't like the first one. But the third one... oh Jesus, it looks good.

 

[Canadish]

Couldn't be because we think the game is actually that damn good, could it?

And of course we're going to encourage people to go watch Gavin - why wouldn't we? He works for us, and our readers really love him. How would we look if we didn't tell people to go watch him?

Susan, the problem is that I've been told what to write by my bosses about more then one EA release. DA2 was a 'GOTY' and a '9 out of 10' before they ever let me see it, because EA was dumping more advertising dollars on us then God. Then I got to play it and it sucked.

So, when I see a site start publishing gushing reviews when all we have is a trailer, it sends up all sorts of warning flags to me, because I once had to write those myself. Particularly when regulars like Gavin are getting something out of it, much as IGN is. I don't write reviews for (video) games anymore, and am glad of it.

If you think I've been bought, don't read my reviews. Or the reviews of anyone here. Ever. Either you trust us not to bullshit you, or you don't.

I take my integrity very seriously. I can't imagine a payoff that would be big enough to be worth ruining my good name for. You can't get trust back once you've squandered it. Why the hell would I ruin my relationship with readers to please EA? People throw out accusations of corruption so casually, and I don't think they really think through what they're suggesting.

But whatever. You had a bad experience, so you assume all sites are on the take. C'est la vie.

It's a problem with reviews in general however, these reports are really common.
EA's name is often linked to these cases.

It's skepticism, rather then outright accusation, that that's a big difference.

I hope you don't take it personally when people raise the eyebrow, because it's generally less about commenting on the review and reviewer in question and more about looking at the broader scope.

Space Edition Players, Pirates and those who got an early copy in the mail all had mixed reviews.

Then we get the Press Reviews, who's sites are plastered with advertisements, giveaways, competitions and hype articles about the game in question all giving it gushing 10/10 scores.
Then those scores are found all over posters in game stores and up on the official sites within minutes.

It's hard to take any press opinion to seriously with this conflict of interest, even if you guys are (most likely) just giving site visitors what they want and having fun with the game in question.

Just wanted try clear up (at least what I can gather from talking to folks) where the mean old "haters" are coming from.

We're just cynical and looking at the game as a product and hoping to get a balanced and informative review of the goods.

I think most here are just happy and optimistic fans who want to know the game is great and talk about their favorite bits. And that's fine.

We've just been burned by the industry to many times and by Bioware, once champions, in particular.

Hope you have a nice day and don't take any particularly venomous comments to heart

 

[Susan Arendt]

I take my integrity very seriously. I can't imagine a payoff that would be big enough to be worth ruining my good name for. You can't get trust back once you've squandered it. Why the hell would I ruin my relationship with readers to please EA? People throw out accusations of corruption so casually, and I don't think they really think through what they're suggesting.

Susan, while you're exactly right about trust, I can tell you that the motivators for editors are to fix a review or quash a story are. Need, Greed, and Fear of Loss. Find the right combination of those, and the most honest editors and writers will lie through their teeth.

Based on your response, I'd say that fear of loss would be my first angle of approach, if I were looking to manipulate you. Your immediate response to the possibility of a corruption accusation suggests that you value what you have highly, but have little interest beyond your goals, whatever they may be.

And the sad part is that I've very rarely seen a journalist get called out for giving a good review to a bad game or movie or book, but I've seen more then one lose their jobs for writing a review the management didn't like. So there's always that little voice in the back of your head saying 'Maybe they won't remember I wrote this.'

Speak for yourself, please. If I lose my job over telling the truth, fine - I don't want to work for a place that would ask me to lie.

Also, don't talk down to me as though I'm somehow oblivious to the way things work. I've been in this industry for quite some time and am well aware of the kinds of pressures that can be applied.

I had a very successful career outside of game journalism, and if I have to go back to it because I choose to stick to my personal ideals, I'm perfectly fine with that.

 

[Little Duck]

Must. Get. Windows. Working. On. Mac.

 

[NightHawk21]

For those of you that got the PC version I got two promo codes I'm not using so enjoy. If you take one though quote or message I can edit it and people no its gone.

BTW: They're for some sniper rifle

D82D-VVLS-LUHX-KGBP

9Z95-H3QZ-AQXA-3D4P

These ONLY work on PC.

Edit: Forgot to say how to redeem:
1) Open origin
2) Options, redeem product code
3) Shoot people

 

[MiracleOfSound]

-snipping out meanness-

Pray tell... what exactly do I have to gain from ME3 getting a good review?

This I have to hear.

A date with Liara or Miranda?

Meh, in-game romances don't interest me all that much, in any game...

Sensual back rubs from Wrex of course.

...hmmmm [perks up] The Krogan probably give good strong back rubs.