Mass Effect 3 Review

[Susan Arendt]

Well, the review is accurate.....except for a few things.

1 - A significant amount of your choices from the previous two games have no impact on the ultimate outcome, even the seemingly important choices. Most things are relegated to one-liner acknowledgements.

2 - Your squad pool is stupidly small, and definitely limits you a lot more in composition than ME2 or even ME1.

3 - All of the game's ending's suck. Every. single. one. Not only are they terribly written, each of them causing massive plot holes/inconsistencies by their existence or implied outcomes (Hint: One of the biggest bombs in the game comes right at the end, where it makes everything that made sense before not make sense any more, ever), but exactly none of them are fulfilling and one is likely to leave people frothing with rage because it is so bad.

4 - The story assumes the player knows a lot more about ME than many will - a shit ton of players who didn't read all of the books are going to be confused as the why Anderson is no longer Councilor even though they picked him in ME1.

5 - There are several annoying glitches, including one that often causes the game to not be able to read your face gen date from ME2 characters, meaning you have to have the code written down or memorized exactly how to customize your character.

Wow.. you really need to read the novels to understand what the hell is going on? It explains why ME2 made no damn sense

No, no, you don't have to have read the novels to understand what's going on at all. I haven't read any of the books and I had no trouble following along at all.

 

[Luke3184]

Dear god the amount of entitlement surrounding this game is unbelievable... Seriously, the game and its writing are the property of Bioware and they can do what they want to do with it. If it turns out that EA stopped them from doing what they want, rage on EA.

It simply comes down to whether you think cash spent > enjoyment got from game, if you don't think so then don't buy it. From my experience 'The Escapist' is pretty reliable and reasonable. Hats off for the great great review.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

I was really hoping this review would tell me whether or not I would like the game, but it left out a pressing question: if someone hated ME2, but loved ME1, would they enjoy ME3?

So far I've only played the demo but I'll say this for it. The combat isn't quite as cover dependent as ME2's was. It is still cover based, but there's a much bigger focus on moving around, rather than just choosing one wall to hide behind and then just mowing everybody down from there.

Whether or not that means anything positive to you I don't know.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I won't be joining the contingent of whiners and naysayers.

I'm sure there will be faults, there always are, but the overall experience is bound to be worth it.

Yes, but in this case it's a wonderful three course meal interrupted by being forced to drink a vial of arsenic. It rather spoils the whole thing.

I'm easily impressed, so I very much doubt that ME3 won't be one my favourite gaming experiences of all time.

I haven't come this far for nothing.

hangin' on a prayer... it almost sounds like you're trying to convince yourself

Not really

A lot of people did nothing but ***** and moan about ME2, while our very own escapist staff lauded it as a great game.

I loved ME2.

So chances are, I'm more inclined to follow the opinion of Susan, than some nitpicking nobody on the internet.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Except that I don't have to give up any creative rights. At all.

Bioware and I are just mutual fans who like eachother's work.

Dunno why that's such a difficult notion to grasp.

I didn't say you did, I said that in the past, artists have done that. And Bioware has been very deliberate in their music selection in the past, why would they deviate from that now (not implying that you are not good, but rather that Bioware has selected every song up to this point very deliberately to produce certain outcomes, but in this case, the logic they used is not clear.)

The logic is perfectly clear: They genuinely enjoy Gavin's work and think it's a cool way to promote their game. They had his song "Normandy" playing on a loop over their booth at PAX, they've had him on BioWare TV before. They're fans. He, likewise, is a huge fan of Mass Effect, which comes through in his songs. He also has quite a following, which gives them some bonus advertising, word of mouth, and PR opportunities with hardcore gamers. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. I fail to see the mystery here.

 

[CrazyBlaze]

Except that I don't have to give up any creative rights. At all.

Bioware and I are just mutual fans who like eachother's work.

Dunno why that's such a difficult notion to grasp.

I didn't say you did, I said that in the past, artists have done that. And Bioware has been very deliberate in their music selection in the past, why would they deviate from that now (not implying that you are not good, but rather that Bioware has selected every song up to this point very deliberately to produce certain outcomes, but in this case, the logic they used is not clear.)

The logic is perfectly clear: They genuinely enjoy Gavin's work and think it's a cool way to promote their game. They had his song "Normandy" playing on a loop over their booth at PAX, they've had him on BioWare TV before. They're fans. He, likewise, is a huge fan of Mass Effect, which comes through in his songs. He also has quite a following, which gives them some bonus advertising, word of mouth, and PR opportunities with hardcore gamers. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. I fail to see the mystery here.

Gavin is an amazing musician, it is such a shame to see why people have to hate on him. Bioware has provided an amazing opportunity to open Gavin up to more of the world. They have him promoting their games with his music and Gavin gets his music and talent out there for everyone to hear and experience. Its a mutually beneficial for both of them. Also great reviews Susan. I generally don't read reviews due to having made my mind up already or not interested and this was like the third or fourth review I read on this site. Time to start reading more because it sure feels like The Escapist has made the good line of fans of games and journalism integrity.

 

[krellen]

I was really hoping this review would tell me whether or not I would like the game, but it left out a pressing question: if someone hated ME2, but loved ME1, would they enjoy ME3?

Hmm....depends on why you hated ME2, I think. Can you expand on that a bit?

I feel it changed the whole feel of Mass Effect. From the game mechanics turning from an RPG with shooter elements (I liked that I had to level up a gun skill to be effective) to a shooter with very very light RPG elements to the story turning from a hopeful and optimistic defence against horror to a dark and dreary "there is no light" feel to the environments changing from expansive (if bumpy and mountainous) alien vistas to a series of tight, largely brown corridors, ME2 didn't even feel like it was in the same genre as ME1.

The tiny bits of gameplay I saw in your review seemed to suggest ME3 draws far more heavily on ME2 than ME1, but there really just wasn't enough information to make a clear judgement on it.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I didn't say you did, I said that in the past, artists have done that. And Bioware has been very deliberate in their music selection in the past, why would they deviate from that now (not implying that you are not good, but rather that Bioware has selected every song up to this point very deliberately to produce certain outcomes, but in this case, the logic they used is not clear.)

You've completely lost me, I've no idea what you're talking about - outcomes? Music selection? 'Take It Back' is just a fan made song they asked for to have something cool for the launch.

 

[Susan Arendt]

I was really hoping this review would tell me whether or not I would like the game, but it left out a pressing question: if someone hated ME2, but loved ME1, would they enjoy ME3?

Hmm....depends on why you hated ME2, I think. Can you expand on that a bit?

I feel it changed the whole feel of Mass Effect. From the game mechanics turning from an RPG with shooter elements (I liked that I had to level up a gun skill to be effective) to a shooter with very very light RPG elements to the story turning from a hopeful and optimistic defence against horror to a dark and dreary "there is no light" feel to the environments changing from expansive (if bumpy and mountainous) alien vistas to a series of tight, largely brown corridors, ME2 didn't even feel like it was in the same genre as ME1.

The tiny bits of gameplay I saw in your review seemed to suggest ME3 draws far more heavily on ME2 than ME1, but there really just wasn't enough information to make a clear judgement on it.

Ah, ok, that helps a lot. Yes, ME3 is much more like 2 than 1. I'd go so far as to call it a shooter with an exceptional story, rather than an RPG. (That's just my personal interpretation, however. Your mileage may vary.)

I will say, though, that the story is quite bleak. It's the end of the world, after all, and the tone reflects that. It's excellent, but don't expect many moments of levity. As for the look of it, there are lots of wide-open spaces (usually full of things trying to kill you), and I found the environments to be pleasantly varied.

 

[BaronIveagh]

The logic is perfectly clear: They genuinely enjoy Gavin's work and think it's a cool way to promote their game. They had his song "Normandy" playing on a loop over their booth at PAX, they've had him on BioWare TV before. They're fans. He, likewise, is a huge fan of Mass Effect, which comes through in his songs. He also has quite a following, which gives them some bonus advertising, word of mouth, and PR opportunities with hardcore gamers. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. I fail to see the mystery here.

The problem word is relationship. It's hard to review games objectively when you have a relationship with the company, even via association.

While I understand that the staff at The Escapist is excited to play a new Bioware game, much of the site's reporting on Bioware in general is colored by this. Andy's review of one of the last trailers positively gushed with enthusiasm. I don't begrudge him that, but the problem is that it came through in his article.

One comment I've often gotten in writing P&P gaming reviews for Dark Reign is how surprised the book authors and editors are to get fairly positive reviews, because they know that I'm not easily won over, and can get rather harsh when presented with a sub standard work. Personal opinion, but I feel that the games media needs to consider being harsher with games. They hand out 8's 9's and 10's like candy, even to games that it's pretty obvious don't deserve them. And, again, before anyone freaks, this is not just an issue here or even to this specific game.

Well, that's my point, and I'm sure that people are lining up to call me all sorts of filthy names, but there you have it.

 

[Abedeus]

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

Personally I was most disappointed with how it seems you have to run from the Reapers pursueing instead of there being a space combat mechanic implemented.

That said, I liked the way how they did the planetary exploration and mining in ME1, they just needed to put more stuff on the planet to make it a little more exciting. Skimming through my strategy guide (I don't want too many spoilers yet, and I have yet to get a copy installed) it doesn't appear there is even a vehicle component to this one, though I imagine it could be added later.

How DO YOU have a space combat with them?

From the very demo itself, you could see that the Earth forces were utterly obliterated within first hour or so of the attack. And in ME, entire Citadel's troops had to mobilize to destroy one of those bastards.

 

[Susan Arendt]

The logic is perfectly clear: They genuinely enjoy Gavin's work and think it's a cool way to promote their game. They had his song "Normandy" playing on a loop over their booth at PAX, they've had him on BioWare TV before. They're fans. He, likewise, is a huge fan of Mass Effect, which comes through in his songs. He also has quite a following, which gives them some bonus advertising, word of mouth, and PR opportunities with hardcore gamers. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. I fail to see the mystery here.

The problem word is relationship. It's hard to review games objectively when you have a relationship with the company, even via association.

While I understand that the staff at The Escapist is excited to play a new Bioware game, much of the site's reporting on Bioware in general is colored by this. Andy's review of one of the last trailers positively gushed with enthusiasm. I don't begrudge him that, but the problem is that it came through in his article.

One comment I've often gotten in writing P&P gaming reviews for Dark Reign is how surprised the book authors and editors are to get fairly positive reviews, because they know that I'm not easily won over, and can get rather harsh when presented with a sub standard work. Personal opinion, but I feel that the games media needs to consider being harsher with games. They hand out 8's 9's and 10's like candy, even to games that it's pretty obvious don't deserve them. And, again, before anyone freaks, this is not just an issue here or even to this specific game.

Well, that's my point, and I'm sure that people are lining up to call me all sorts of filthy names, but there you have it.

But Gavin doesn't review games, so I don't understand your point. If I had been the one doing videos, you'd be right, that'd be a conflict of interest. So is your suggestion because Gavin did Mass Effect songs that I'm biased?

 

[krellen]

Ah, ok, that helps a lot. Yes, ME3 is much more like 2 than 1. I'd go so far as to call it a shooter with an exceptional story, rather than an RPG. (That's just my personal interpretation, however. Your mileage may vary.)

That pretty much tells me what I was looking for, thanks. I guess I misunderstood the latest podcast when you said your opinion had been changed on RPGs; I thought you meant it that you'd been convinced ME3 was one.

 

[Susan Arendt]

Ah, ok, that helps a lot. Yes, ME3 is much more like 2 than 1. I'd go so far as to call it a shooter with an exceptional story, rather than an RPG. (That's just my personal interpretation, however. Your mileage may vary.)

That pretty much tells me what I was looking for, thanks. I guess I misunderstood the latest podcast when you said your opinion had been changed on RPGs; I thought you meant it that you'd been convinced ME3 was one.

In the sense that your conversation choices have impact on the world (and change it), it is an RPG. But, to me, the game feels more like a shooter. There is such an emphasis on combat, and the combat is quite challenging, that I feel like it really wants you to concentrate on that aspect of the game. I won't say it upstages the plot, but I do feel like it's more to the forefront than it was before.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

The logic is perfectly clear: They genuinely enjoy Gavin's work and think it's a cool way to promote their game. They had his song "Normandy" playing on a loop over their booth at PAX, they've had him on BioWare TV before. They're fans. He, likewise, is a huge fan of Mass Effect, which comes through in his songs. He also has quite a following, which gives them some bonus advertising, word of mouth, and PR opportunities with hardcore gamers. It's a mutually beneficial relationship. I fail to see the mystery here.

Exactly. It takes a very short-sighted person to fail to realize how the song benefits both me and them, as well as being something fun and awesome for me to be involved in.

 

[lacktheknack]

Aaaaaand bracket changed again. I'M RELYING ON YOU, SUSAN.

 

[BaronIveagh]

But Gavin doesn't review games, so I don't understand your point. If I had been the one doing videos, you'd be right, that'd be a conflict of interest. So is your suggestion because Gavin did Mass Effect songs that I'm biased?

That's a loaded question, but I'll answer it anyway. While I cannot say for certain that you wrote a biased review, I can say that at some level, it does influence you, just as being around people that are excited about the game (regardless of reason) would influence you. Example: I wrote a review for Edge of the Abyss from FFG, and rather thsn sit back and mull it over for a while, I took it right into a gaming group and we went over it. This was a mistake, and you can see the difference between it, which I'm positively gushing about it, and other books where I'm more staid. This was caused by the effect of the people I had gone over it with influencing my own opinion.

Had I written it following my usual system, it would not have scored as highly.

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

I'm looking forward to playing this. If I'm honest, the sheer amount of entitled bile and too-cool-for-this smirking hatred getting lobbed at the game makes me more skeptical of its bad points than Susan's glowing remarks make me skeptical of its good ones.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Nice to see someone point out some negative aspects as well. Mostly niggling stuff like the allied AI being dumb, and the poor lip syncing. Point out the good and the bad. Also, no encouraging theft.

 

[Susan Arendt]

But Gavin doesn't review games, so I don't understand your point. If I had been the one doing videos, you'd be right, that'd be a conflict of interest. So is your suggestion because Gavin did Mass Effect songs that I'm biased?

That's a loaded question, but I'll answer it anyway. While I cannot say for certain that you wrote a biased review, I can say that at some level, it does influence you, just as being around people that are excited about the game (regardless of reason) would influence you. Example: I wrote a review for Edge of the Abyss from FFG, and rather thsn sit back and mull it over for a while, I took it right into a gaming group and we went over it. This was a mistake, and you can see the difference between it, which I'm positively gushing about it, and other books where I'm more staid. This was caused by the effect of the people I had gone over it with influencing my own opinion.

Had I written it following my usual system, it would not have scored as highly.

No-one else in the office had the game. I had no idea that Gavin was working on a new song until I saw him tweet about it yesterday. He's in Ireland, after all, and I'm in North Carolina. I didn't have anyone to discuss the game with.

But as I've said before, you go ahead and believe what you like. You clearly have decided that because my opinion differs from yours, I was influenced in some nefarious or unethical way. People see what they want to see, and believing that someone is dishonest is more interesting than believing they're honest.