Why BioWare Cannot Win With Mass Effect 3

[SamStar42]

Let me just throw two things out there. 1) Mass Effect 2 is my favourite game ever and 2) I'm yet to play Dragon Age II, but if I listen to the opinions of most of your whining I'll assume that it's something worse than Hitler squared. Basically, BioWare are trying to walk a tight-rope here of factoring in new fans with easy to access gameplay, and keep the old RPG fans happy with more customization. Another thing: Whilst I love action-RPGs like the last two Fallout games, aforementioned Mass Effect and BioShock [Barebones RPG really], 'pure' RPG games I can't really get into. I find all of the different menu's and stat screens overwhelming and I find it pulls me away from the immersion rather than sucking me in.

Anyway, BioWare cannot win with Mass Effect 3. Here's a few reasons why.

1) The Gameplay: Mass Effect 2 was flogged by 'hardcore' RPG fans due to it allegedly being far too similar to more accessible third person shooters like Gears of War - whereas I found it perfectly balanced between complex and simple. If BioWare do decide to change the gameplay, they will either have the newbies unfulfilled, and if they don't forums like this will shout at them for 'dumbing the game down to fit the console masses'.

2) The Characters: I fucking loved every character in ME2. All of them were interesting, all of them were unique and some [such as Thane and Mordin] were just superb. However, I'm not sure if BioWare will go down the route of 'the characters that died last time will be replaced', as that's far too convoluted when lots of players kept everyone alive. If they do go for the replacement strategy, then people who have loved characters who are replaced will fall out of love with the game, and if they don't change anyone, people might claim that the game is the same as ME2, and get a feeling of staleness.

3) DLC. Following on from the last problem, if people like Kasumi, Zaeed or Liara [I don't know I haven't played LOTSB yet] were not used by some players and they are integrated into ME3, they will blame the corporate devils for making them pay money for more content, because gosh darn them trying to make the gameplay longer via updates every few months. If they're not used, seen or even mentioned, then people who have used all the DLC will complain about wasting money, and again, corporate devils.

BioWare are walking a high-wire act here, and I can't see how they'll win.

Argue with me at your pleasure.

 

[FangShadow]

You bring up some valid points. Like you, I have yet to play dragon age 2 (xbox broke down the day I got it), but if it is like everyone says it is, then Bioware has something that they have to "recover" from.

Addressing each one of your points individually:

1)The gameplay in mass effect has always been similar to third person shooters, however in the first one it simply wasn't close enough to be called out on it. I think they should bring back the health bar and medigel and possibly return unity as a power (possibly with a use limit). That, is probably the least concerning thing that they can change. If they keep it the same from ME2, then it won't be so bad. The main thing will probably be powers and Inventory. The universal power cooldown is interesting and funtional, But I still kind of prefered the original system of individual power cooldown. The inventory system, needs to be brought back. I like the idea of the custom armor in ME2, but I would prefer if it were just for looks. Bring back a refined version of the mod system from 1 at least for armor if not both armor and weapons. If not for weapons, then at least add more weapons to choose from in the core game, with out having to refer to DLC. They also need more variety in maps. multiple routes that can lead to multiple ways to deal with enemies.

2)I also prefered the ME2 cast to the ME1 cast. Simply for the greater variety of personalities (plus I couldn't stand ashley and I didn't really care for Kaiden). I honestly think that when it comes to ME3, Bioware will indeed have a problem with characters. Unless they set it so that some characters will leave the party, then their really is no recuritment space.Perhaps bioware will make a portion of the early game where you have to delegate some of the ME2 crew to handle other situations, thus leaving party room. Again, I don't know this is a tough one.

3)As someone whose played all the DLC (except arrival due to broken xbox) I really would like to see the DLC brought up in the third game. However, you have a point about the people who don't want to pay for the DLC. my only guess as to how they could handle that is that as ME3 get closer the DLC drops in price. Then the only people who don't play are those who are against it on principle, which in the end is their choice.

I think the best thing bioware could do (or EA could let them do) is take their time. That seems to be the biggest complaint with DA2. If they take their time and nuture the game like we fans know they can, I think the product will be great. However, I also have to factor in work on other title, especially the old republic. Seeing the amount of money in that, I can only hope that the MMO doesn't sap away unnecessary resources from other games.

But at this point, it's a toss up for everyone until we get more information

(forgive any spelling and grammar mistakes, its early and my fingers hurt)

 

[Kashif Omer]

I think we can trust bioware to manage this, they know the problems that they have to deal with story wise. As for gameplay, there are times when its best to ignore the fans, this of them.

 

[Vault101]

Let me just throw two things out there. 1) Mass Effect 2 is my favourite game ever and 2) I'm yet to play Dragon Age II, but if I listen to the opinions of most of your whining I'll assume that it's something worse than Hitler squared. Basically, BioWare are trying to walk a tight-rope here of factoring in new fans with easy to access gameplay, and keep the old RPG fans happy with more customization. Another thing: Whilst I love action-RPGs like the last two Fallout games, aforementioned Mass Effect and BioShock [Barebones RPG really], 'pure' RPG games I can't really get into. I find all of the different menu's and stat screens overwhelming and I find it pulls me away from the immersion rather than sucking me in.

Anyway, BioWare cannot win with Mass Effect 3. Here's a few reasons why.

1) The Gameplay: Mass Effect 2 was flogged by 'hardcore' RPG fans due to it allegedly being far too similar to more accessible third person shooters like Gears of War - whereas I found it perfectly balanced between complex and simple. If BioWare do decide to change the gameplay, they will either have the newbies unfulfilled, and if they don't forums like this will shout at them for 'dumbing the game down to fit the console masses'.

2) The Characters: I fucking loved every character in ME2. All of them were interesting, all of them were unique and some [such as Thane and Mordin] were just superb. However, I'm not sure if BioWare will go down the route of 'the characters that died last time will be replaced', as that's far too convoluted when lots of players kept everyone alive. If they do go for the replacement strategy, then people who have loved characters who are replaced will fall out of love with the game, and if they don't change anyone, people might claim that the game is the same as ME2, and get a feeling of staleness.

3) DLC. Following on from the last problem, if people like Kasumi, Zaeed or Liara [I don't know I haven't played LOTSB yet] were not used by some players and they are integrated into ME3, they will blame the corporate devils for making them pay money for more content, because gosh darn them trying to make the gameplay longer via updates every few months. If they're not used, seen or even mentioned, then people who have used all the DLC will complain about wasting money, and again, corporate devils.

BioWare are walking a high-wire act here, and I can't see how they'll win.

Argue with me at your pleasure.

cmon its Bioware..have a little faith besides This kind of stuff....why specualte? what do we get out of it? other than..

the legions of "fans" ready to complain about anyhting, no game is perfect I mean the Idea that some peolple actually hate ME2 compared tot he first one...it just seems stupid

I mean why people? ok it may not be the game you hopes for but its still a great game, I feel the same for DA2 even though I havnt played it yet (and to be honest Im trying not to let the haters ruin it for me...it is hard though)

 

[SamStar42]

I have lots of faith in BioWare, favourite gaming company. I'm hoping it's better than the best thing since sliced bread. It's just that there's so many variables and differences, then either 'hardcore' fans or the newbies will moan. Like I said, not sure how they can win.

 

[sheogoraththemad]

I had more the idea that all our companions (ME1+ME2) that didn't die or didn't hate you will help you.

 

[Bobbity]

I agree. Not only that, however, but we've also got to destroy fucking hundreds of Reapers when one of them - and a geth fleet, I suppose - destroyed half the fucking Citadel forces. I can't see how we're going to win this one, short of a serious retcon or conveniently placed, but hitherto unsuspected, superweapon.

 

[Still Life]

As long as Bioware produce a satisfying story driven experience -- I will be happy. There are going to be a number of people who won't like the final product, however I think this is unavoidable given that it is a much hyped and high profile series.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I'm confused, what are they suppose to win here?

ME3 will be even more casual then all the previous RPG installments thus it will sell even better.
EA will love it and push for even quicker Bioware releases, hardcore RPG fans will rage, console crowd will hail it as the best game ever made until the next game is released, ... same old stuff we are looking at now.

 

[Shycte]

Well, you bring up fair points, but! If having fanboys screaming at you counts as losing and pleasing everyone is winning, then the only one left who possibly ever could win would be Charlie Sheen.

 

[LawlessSquirrel]

It'll be interesting, and certainly ambitious if they keep with all the implied promises of the franchise. Gameplay-wise, I thought ME2 greatly improved, but it leaned too heavily on combat. Maybe a balance between the first and second would help, but more towards the second. Maybe have the characters have a non-combat purpose to make them worth considering in missions (biotics/tech points to clear for you, +a personal specialty perhaps)? Maybe bring back armour options for them?

As for characters, they can pull that off and please the majority with ease in theory, but will be a sizeable task in development. If they go full-on, I can see it being fantastic. I can also see it collapsing under its own weight though...it concerns me.

As for DLC, I really hope that stuff comes through. Hell, just a single cutscene at some point with some minor assistance to the mission would be enough for the most part.

<spoiler= Lair of the Shadow Broker/Overlord Spoiler>Like perhaps have Liara pop up over a secure channel to get you some classified information or tech, wish you luck or something. Wouldn't take much effort but would legitimize her being made a powerful ally.

Overlord would be even easier. You could just have a message of David's progress sent to you. Or, if they're ambitious, have him command some Geth accidentally in a cutscene, regardless of if the event has repercussions for you beyond a single sequence.

I am going to be very annoyed if Kasumi vanishes though. She was excellent and has a lot of room to grow in another installment. Also her choice at the end of her story was both sad and has the potential to backfire regardless of your option. Which is why her being DLC worries me.

Zaeed I don't care for, but I guess same deal applies. Thing being, both of them could be explained away if they leave...Zaeed got paid, he's done. Kasumi's being watched, had to bail.

EDIT: You can only have one spoiler box? Oh that's a pain.