Mass Effect 3 Review

[ZeroMachine]

I've been playing it all day...

This game... is like... if Awesome crapped out Awesome onto a silver platter made of Awesome and gave me two Awesome spoons to eat it with.

But... I threw the spoons away. Because it also gave me Awesome Biotics so I could eat the Awesome off the Awesome silver platter without my hands so I could continue playing Mass Effect 3 while eating the Awesome with my brain.

My one, ONE complaint so far, is that I don't have as much control in conversations as I would have hoped, ESPECIALLY near the beginning of the game. Control of Sheppard is taken away from me far too much for my liking.

But I don't care because the rest of it is AWESOME and totally makes up for it.

Can you be more specific about what makes it awesome? So far you're just gushing.

I want to preface this by saying that I mean absolutely no offense by saying this, but I am NOT here to review it. I'm too busy gushing. As you said.

If you want my opinion on more specific things, honestly Susan's review is similar to what I would write (so far, I've yet to beat it).

Basics: the combat is intense and fun, the characters are as great as ever, the plot is fun and has a perfect combination of cheesy scifi and genuinely great storytelling, and the atmosphere of the game is dark and near-hopeless without causing depression.

But, as I said. Player choice in dialogue thus far is at a minimum compared to other Bioware games, even though drastic choices are at an all time high.

That's the closest you'll get to a review from me until I beat the game.

 

[gyroscopeboy]

goddamn it! my xbox is broken!

 

[The87Italians]

I've been enjoying the game just as much as I thought I would. Except for James. He got benched as soon as I could bench him. The one thing that makes me hate if even more is that every sentence that comes out of his mouth will probably be a meme at some point.

 

[Bat Vader]

Mass Effect 3 Review

The ending the series - and its fans - deserve.

Read Full Article

I just wanted to say that your review is awesome. I have played the game for about five hours now and I am loving it.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

I don't know/care about Mass Effect 3, but this thread is hilariously entertaining with all the "EA paid for this" allegations.

Especially because immediately beforehand I just read an article which subtly pointed the finger at EA for turning Bioware into an awful place to work. If they really wanted to get some of that sweet sweet publisher bribe money, you'd think they wouldn't try to jinx it by running such a story on the same day as the launch of a major new title for said publisher...

 

[BaronIveagh]

What does pirating have to do with the discussion? Having a pirated copy shouldn't change your opinion (at least not for the worse). If you're going to continue tossing insults and questioning each other's integrity, please stay within the original topic.

But seriously, this forum fight, while amusing, doesn't benefit anyone involved.

Oh, the point was that Andy has, with, I must point out, not much finesse, attempted to peg me for pirating the game because I had specific complaints about the game on Monday morning, thus giving him grounds to have me banned etc.

While I admit my moral failings in extremis, video game piracy is not one of them.

And I agree.

So, bad endings, deus ex to boot, and a lack of meaningful impact from the choices you've made in the previous games. These all seem like the most common complaints with the game, looking through this thread.

Susan said that there are tons of call backs to your decisions in the first two games, but "call back" isn't the same as "impact". Which is it?

As for the ending, that stuff is pretty important. The ending is what makes or breaks any story. I don't care if you just preformed the entire Nutcracker in mid-air, it doesn't matter if you break your neck when you land.

I'll put up spoilers on the ones I noticed.

Spoiler

The collector base, Tali's loyalty mission, Kill/reprogram the geth, destroy keep the genophage cure, the various characters that were killed/still alive, Jack's loyalty mission, the various romances. Those were the ones I noticed having an actual impact, though the others get referred to. The most important ones were Tali's Loyalty mission and the geth reprogram, because they help influence if you can broker a peace between the quarians and geth. It's tricky though because you still have to do Legions quest in ME3, save the Admiral, and the Geth Squad quest before making the offer of peace between the quarians and the Geth. I'm told that having spared the batrian in bring down the sky has an impact, but I'm not sure, have not noticed)

 

[ZeroMachine]

Can you be more specific about what makes it awesome? So far you're just gushing.

I've got about 5 hours logged in already and I can try to explain what I thought Zero meant when he said awesome.

Combat is a vast improvement, with really tight and fast paced shooting. There are some on-rail segments, but they are few and far between.

There's a ton of sidequests, most of which can be picked up fairly easily by listening into people's conversations.

The environments are MUCH bigger, and feel less like walking down a hallway. The Citadel is now is almost the same size it was in ME1, with less wasted space.

The characters are extremely well done, with emphasis on James Vega, who I thought I wasn't going to like, but is actually a really cool guy(he's also a complete bad ass).

A LOT more weapons and armor to find, with even more customization options. Weapon mods are also all over the place.

Tons of references to ME1 and 2, including DLC. I've met about half a dozen incidental characters from ME1 just walking around the citadel.

The fact that you can find your squadmates around the citadel, doing normal things, like Liara sitting in a cafe reading, Vega hanging out a club and Garrus helping refugees.

Jokes about Garrus making calibrations

Squad members talking to each other on the Normandy.

The fact that everything you do feels important to stopping the reapers.

You just hit the Awesome nail on the Awesome head. Agreed on literally every point.

Now, I'm off to sleep and refuel for my war against the Reapers.

 

[Hazy]

Gonna save this one for the bargain bin on principle alone. The demo was laughable, and I don't want to encourage Bioware's bad behavior of chopping up content and feeding it back to the consumer with money.

Who knows? I might actually like the terrible ending people are raving about.

I certainly liked it when

Spoiler

Deus Ex did it.
[sub][sub]although it was unique when Deus Ex did it and not terrible[/sub][/sub]

 

[ks1234]

Okay, I have ONE question... PLEASE tell me that you get Legion as a squad mate in ME3, he was my favorite squad mate from ME2...

 

[Serfix]

I must say. Argue between BaronIveagh and editors was fun to read.

But anyway if the review gives a game thumbs up and people on comment section, they must liked the game for various reasons. They might not be the same reasons because someone prefers story, some characters and others gameplay. And because Mass Effect has so many differend things to like/dislike we get many differend opinion on the game.

And about that "be friend with someone and like his works because of that" is stupid. What I mean is that it's better to give him honest opinion on his work so he can learn from his mistakes. But I'm not saying that Escapist have sold it's soul to anyone, I don't belive it untill I see some money transaction documents.

But anyway, I have readed differend reviews and comments on them so I'm really waiting for friday when it's launched here in Europe. Only shame is that my old HD on my Xbox got broken and I lost my old saves qq.

 

[purifico]

I'm so surprised no one has replyed to the topic with "I've had enough of your tabloid journalism" yet =0

Started playing yesterday, and even though I haven't yet finished the game (arriving on Tuchanka atm) I so far love it.

*spoilers ahead*


There are parts that I did not like - for example, I think that the game has a very weak intro. The destruction of Earth and child mortality didn't hit me nearly as hard as the loss of Normandy and my crew in the beginning of ME2.
I also don't like the lack of my favourite squadmembers in my, well, squad. But that is something I can get behind and understand. Hell, I'm surprised they even let Garrus be on the team.
I'm not impressed by EDI and I think that making her a sex-bot is very cheap and corny way to please the part of the audience that consists of 14 year old puberty teens. But I can let it slide I guess, even though I would have prefered if she just stayed the Normandy.
James is something else entirely. And I like him. I love his bickering with Cortez (another asset to the new Normandy that I love) and how his relationship with Shepard and squadmates builds up so far.
There are some other things that I do not like but they are a flamebait of the highest calibre so I won't go there.

And that's pretty much it! Everything else - I love. I love what they did with galay map, I love what they did with leveling system. And all those cameos! Even the most minor people you've met in the previous two games are here. Loved. every. single. one. Jack's and Grunt's were my favourites thus far (I fucking cried and went all 'Nooooooooo!!!!! Shepard, you bastard!' when Grunt did his thing. Really. Not exaggerating here). Can't wait to see Legion and Zaeed.

And also a little tip for those who don't know about it, or haven't started playing yet - when you get to the Citadel find a billboard for the Blast 6: Partners in Crime movie. It's on the presidium ground I think.

UPD: Oh, and I remembered the thing that made me cringe a lot - the McGuffin, plot device, deus ex machina if you wish that will, presumably, be used to defeat the Reapers. I facepalmed so hard my forehead still hearts. I know that Bioware games are troperiffic, but this sudden discovery of technology that will help defeat the Reapers? Really? I am disappoint. This is a plot hole of such depth that it reaches the Abyss. Work harder next time, Bioware =P

 

[violent_quiche]

As someone who normally doesn't give a monkeys about new release anything, this week I have ME3 AND the Game of Thrones season 1 to shell out for. Thank god I don't make a habit of losing all objectivity for cultural artifacts or I'd have no money to save for weeks like these.

Glad to know it isn't a pusfest and the praise has been more-or-less solid across the board. I suspect my first run will have the rose coloured glasses on, but the bugs don't sound like anything that hasn't cropped up in previous installments. Roll on tomorrow.

 

[PingoBlack]

Anyone else finding the staff's zealous defense a bit unprofessional?

I mean, I'm sure I'll love the game when I eventually do get it, I'm not berating them for loving it or anything.

I'm just remembering how that one guy reacted to all those bad reviews of Duke Nukem.
Different situation, though a bit reminiscent.

I just feel calling forum users out personally is not very classy. Let's leave it to the rest of us plebs to eat them alive, yes?

Or pull a Jim Sterling. This weeks video was pure gold.

I mentioned it but I got jumped upon myself ... Then I saw this as well:

At this point I think all that needs to be said on this topic has been said. If you or anyone else has reservations about our integrity, you know where the door is. Please - please - don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out.

And now that this circus has (hopefully) drawn to a close, can we please get back to talking about Mass Effect 3?

I didn't question your integrity, Escapist, but I did question your reactions. I guess you made my point.

If you reacted same way as you did Extra Credits incident, you would have gotten my vote again. But you decided to react like this? Fine. The door will not hit me on your public add supported website, it revolves super fast. But I'm pretty sure now you don't need my support as far as membership goes.

Maybe next time don't fan the flames, but rather douse 'em.

 

[Baralak]

anc[is]

anc[is]Spoiler free comments on the ending of the game itself?

Hmmm....no, I don't think I can do that. I don't want to color your experience in any way going in to the finale.

It's a bit late for that, the rest of the internet kinda beat you to the punch I appreciate the sentiment though.

I'm sorry. I take not spoiling games pretty seriously, so I'm sorry to hear you already know what happens.

Forgive me for now reading through 8 pages, but I have but one complaint about the video review: You didn't touch on the multiplayer at all. I mean, I've been freaking out over how amazing ME3 is as I play through the story (At one point, I was looking at Liara's face, and I couldn't tell if she was distraught that I cared so much for Ashley instead of her, or if she was just a really concerned friend. Even if there's a little uncanny valley in the game, such subtle emotions in a game are absolutely stunning), but the multiplayer is really good, which NOBODY expected until the demo came out. It also helps you in in the single player game, since it will raise Galactic Readiness.

 

[V TheSystem V]

I have to wait until Friday, but am pre-ordering in HMV tomorrow after Game give me my money back for cancelling my order. Basically going in at 9am Friday to make sure I can get it, and get home before 10 for a whole day of Mass Effect 3. And it will be good.

By the way, does anyone know how much I would get for Resident Evil Revelations if I trade it in? Trying to save money so trading it in for ME3.

 

[Susan Arendt]

anc[is]

anc[is]Spoiler free comments on the ending of the game itself?

Hmmm....no, I don't think I can do that. I don't want to color your experience in any way going in to the finale.

It's a bit late for that, the rest of the internet kinda beat you to the punch I appreciate the sentiment though.

I'm sorry. I take not spoiling games pretty seriously, so I'm sorry to hear you already know what happens.

Forgive me for now reading through 8 pages, but I have but one complaint about the video review: You didn't touch on the multiplayer at all. I mean, I've been freaking out over how amazing ME3 is as I play through the story (At one point, I was looking at Liara's face, and I couldn't tell if she was distraught that I cared so much for Ashley instead of her, or if she was just a really concerned friend. Even if there's a little uncanny valley in the game, such subtle emotions in a game are absolutely stunning), but the multiplayer is really good, which NOBODY expected until the demo came out. It also helps you in in the single player game, since it will raise Galactic Readiness.

Oh, yep, that's a fair question. Because I was playing the game pre-release, I didn't have access to the multiplayer. We'll be covering the multiplayer a bit later, once we get to test the full version in the wild, so to speak.

 

[jackdaniel0001]

All I need to say the the game is close to being perfect, and then get screwed royally toward the end. Its not just the endings, but even the quests that lead up to it is pretty crappy and contrived. Act 1 to 2 are the great, Act 3 is amazing, and then the game starts to be mediocre. People who finished the game by now should know what I am saying, to maximize your enjoyment you should stop playing around 20 hr mark.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I'm just going to stop entering ME3 threads now.

There's like 3 threads on the first page without friggin' spoiler warnings.

 

[The.Bard]

I'm not really surprised with this review, the escapist last night was announcing how Miracle of Sound was going to be on Bioware TV. Between that and the non-stop gushing about the trailers, not surprised at all.

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?

I'm beginning to think you guys have the entire Fox News staff trolling the message boards, Susan. I, for one, agreed wholeheartedly with your review, and if I wasn't so dang tired from staying up all night playing ME3 on a work night, I'd do
-yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn- something about it. XD

Also, isn't it good marketing to hide things from people? Then you can give off the air of "exclusivity." They will want them even MOARS this way! So not only shouldn't you tell people to watch Gavin, you should be far more proactive in stopping people from watching. Spell his name wrong, give out the wrong times... his popularity will increase by at least half-fold.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I'm not really surprised with this review, the escapist last night was announcing how Miracle of Sound was going to be on Bioware TV. Between that and the non-stop gushing about the trailers, not surprised at all.

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?

I'm beginning to think you guys have the entire Fox News staff trolling the message boards, Susan. I, for one, agreed wholeheartedly with your review, and if I wasn't so dang tired from staying up all night playing ME3 on a work night, I'd do
-yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn- something about it. XD

Also, isn't it good marketing to hide things from people? Then you can give off the air of "exclusivity." They will want them even MOARS this way! So not only shouldn't you tell people to watch Gavin, you should be far more proactive in stopping people from watching. Spell his name wrong, give out the wrong times... his popularity will increase by at least half-fold.

Tell me about.

I'm aching to play the game (supid EU release date), just so I can form my own opinion.

I won't be terribly surprised to find that I love the game and that all the hate is internet buisness as usual.