Why I'm Not Playing Mass Effect 2

[Nurb]

I'm not so much against "short" games.

I'm against pricing short single player games at 50-60 bucks.

 

[syndicated44]

I disliked mass effect one. It never really won me over. However I got ME2 today and I have been playing it for 8 hours straight and after I get done with this post I am gonna play it for another hour before I ruefelly must go to sleep as I have a nice 10 hour buisness trip awaiting me in the morning.

I understand not wanting to sit down and play it for however long because I got so dreadfully bored with dragon ages in the Dwarven part I just up and quit for about a month. However I came back and was semi won over again and curious enough to power through the last of it (I had done the dwarven bit last before the end game sequences). Chipping away at such games are also hard, at least for me because I always want to know what happens next. If I chip away at it I never get myself to a point where I want to set it down and thoughts possibilities rampage through my head until I am able to get closure.

On that note fuck cliff hangers.

 

[Namewithheld]

My sympathies, John Funk.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Doesn't make much sense to me, but, whatever.
Never thought ending something would be bad.

Even WoW will have an end, highest level, all the loot, bored out of your skull, it'll happen.

 

[lumenadducere]

While I completely understand the sentiment, I do think that it's worth taking the month to put in an hour or two a day into those games. Especially when you know that it's something you'd enjoy in the end.

 

[auronvi]

The reasons you gave for not playing ME are the exact reasons I quit WoW. I became something I wasn't. I never was the person to play one game for so long without moving on to the next one. And then I played WoW. I quit the game a lot and consequently didn't really get uber far in raiding.

And then it hit me. I am an avid gamer and I was trying to fulfill my lust for games with the same game over and over when I really wanted to explore other games. Games aren't like a relationship where you try a bunch to find the one you are going to marry. You stay out there forever, if you don't like a game move on to the next. You never have to commit. I LOVE IT! Now I wonder if I should apply the same theory to my love life...

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

Don't want to waste money on a 5 to 10 years lifespan computer, and also hasn't come to PS3 so i can't play it.

 

[TheEpic_1]

I don't really have much to add to this.

Except that a video game reviewer not playing Mass Effect 2 is like a music critic that's never listened to Zeppelin.

But at least you have a good reason. I mean, assuming you find the digital version of running on a hamster wheel a good reason.

+1, my friend, +1

it actually made me upset when i suggested it to my GF, and she responded with a "im not a big fan of those shooty games"

but 1 quick Q to Mr Funk. are you planning on playing heavy rain when its released?

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

The only thing I hate about very long games is that if you dont play it for a couple of days you will not get in the mood for it.

this. i destroyed dragons age for everything it was (not literally), then went out of town, then played mw2 and a few other things for a few days, and couldn't pick it back up

 

[Ophiuchus]

I've never been a fan of Mass Effect. I played the first one for a while and got bored. If I want to wade through that many words, I'll read a book. This wasn't helped by the fact that I was horribly unwell with a nasty bout of flu.

BUT THEN!

Today I decided that, with all the hype around the series thanks to the new release, I'd borrow it from my housemate and give it another go. After a bit of procrastinating, I finally put it in the Xbox and started playing... just as you posted this article, actually.

Half an hour in, everything's going alright. Lots of words, but not finding it too tedious just yet. Just met up with Ashley for the first time.

BUT THEN!

With a *fizz*, the image on the screen fades to black.

"Oh what the hell, my TV better not have just died."

(presses some buttons on the remote)

"...nnnno, I can still change channels, guess the cable just came loose."

(fiddles with the cables)

"No, that's fine too."

(moment of clarity)

"Ah... shit. Only one option left."

(restarts Xbox, knowing what was about to happen)

"Fuck."

I think I'm destined to never play it. First time I tried, illness and impatience conspired against me. Second time, the Xbox actually committed suicide rather than let me play it. Maybe it's for the best if I don't try again.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

I will say why i will never play ME1, ME2 or Dragon Age:

because they are all in 3rd person!

I cannot enjoy anything thats 'meant' to have a good storyline in 3rd person. I don't care about gameplay, I'm in it for the story. And for me the story is best told through a characters eyes, not a few feet above/behind them.

sadly, im complete opposite, i hate not having peripharel vision, especially in hack and slashers or shooters, and it doesn't take away from the immersion at all for me knowing im the one controlling it, and i like to look at my character especially if i can pick the armor and what not

just curious, if your in it for the story, how do you enjoy any movie? most of them revolve around one character, and if you aren't in their eyes, its the same thing, in general? they are both story driven.

p.s. i enjoy story games so much more, thats why i tend to stay away from games like oblivion and fallout 3

 

[Illustro Cado]

Well I'm sorry to waste your time your magisty, please excuse my ignorance as I am but a simple man of the fields.

First off, I'm not knocking any games, so you can take it down a notch. If you saw me knocking as knocking WoW, I wasn't. It is a grand-tastic game, all MMORPGs are. And your 100% right, most games have repetitive elements that are the core of the gameplay. I should know this, I played a certin MMORPG for 4 years before quitting after boredom. And I'm not saying that WoW or other games need to have a lot of innovation, well, at least if they want people to continue playing the game after a couple years. All I'm saying is that after playing only a handful of games for a long time it can get boring. Fast.

I'm mearly suggesting he play Mass Effect to give it a shot. Mass Effect is a better game than Left 4 Dead 2. I should know, I've played both, many times.

It's majesty. (Since text doesn't convey emotion, imagine that being said with a smirk.)

I do apologize if I came across as a little high strung. I had to laugh at myself after seeing this-I think I take these discussions a little too seriously sometimes.

Still, I'm going to go back to something I said earlier-it's largely a matter of preference. ME is a far better game than L4D if you enjoy the story. As far as shooters go it's lackluster, and it lacks the social element. Yeah, a game you play a lot can get boring real quick, but:

1. When that happens depends on you.
2. There's arguably more value in a game you play for hundreds of hours than there is an any one single player experience, no matter how epic it is.

Back when I played WoW, it was all I played. By the time I was done doing whatever there was to do in the game I didn't feel like sitting in front of another screen no matter what it had to offer.

Unless it was boobies. Those are awesome.

But I digress; it's a little silly to argue over what another person should or should not play. In terms of my personal feelings, I know where he's coming from. Time is something which has to be prioritized and unfortunately that means some things get lost in the cracks. With so many good games coming out this year I can hardly blame him for overlooking ME2. It's either that or other excellent games, and I'm sure that list is already expanding.

 

[Illustro Cado]

I can sum up the article.

Lonnnnnnng gaemz suk lol. WoW and L4D FTW!

Ugh, I don't think I'll be reading another one of Mr. Funk's articles.

Wow. Way to miss the point.

 

[WendelI]

well mostly I'm not playing it because it costs money and as a student i choose to eat over playing ME2. I have ME1 and I'm planning to go through it all over again because it was a fun experience but seriously, ME1 is a SLOW and DRAWN OUT game. After the first battle sequence (Fist encounter with the geth) you have to go to the citadel and do crime solving bull crap blah blah blah. My trigger finger was itching for a good fight and all i got was a few small skirmishes. it was all Blah blah blah specter blah blah blah Geth blah blah blah Reapers blah blah blah vision. I mean god i love a good story but sheesh. I dont like exposition levels, Still i might not get masseffect 2 before it becomes 30~20 dolar price tag. for now ill stick to ME 1, amybe try dragon age since it should be cheap now.

 

[Dommyboy]

Fifty hours for Dragon Age: Origins? Am I playing the same game as everybody else? Mass Effect 2 is in no way overwhelming. If anything, I felt annoyed by the lack of areas I could visit. Though, unless you're really bad at games, then I can understand why it may take you so long.

 

[WendelI]

I will say why i will never play ME1, ME2 or Dragon Age:

because they are all in 3rd person!

I cannot enjoy anything thats 'meant' to have a good storyline in 3rd person. I don't care about gameplay, I'm in it for the story. And for me the story is best told through a characters eyes, not a few feet above/behind them.

sadly, im complete opposite, i hate not having peripharel vision, especially in hack and slashers or shooters, and it doesn't take away from the immersion at all for me knowing im the one controlling it, and i like to look at my character especially if i can pick the armor and what not

just curious, if your in it for the story, how do you enjoy any movie? most of them revolve around one character, and if you aren't in their eyes, its the same thing, in general? they are both story driven.

p.s. i enjoy story games so much more, thats why i tend to stay away from games like oblivion and fallout 3

yeah first person shooters aren't well known for story telling, (except for half life) also first person view isn't very useful since your vision is hacked into a small square or rectangle. until they invent a form of peliferal vision that is with in reach for everyone and compatible with the every day game, then 3rd person will always be preferred for me. (Except for fallout 3) but you know, because there are people like you and there are people like me, i think that big budget titles like mass effect should allow you to switch between both 3rd person and 1st person views.

 

[Ithikial]

Got to disagree. I don't have time for many online games these days like L4D and of course the MMO's like WoW. I don't have the time to wait around for other players / clan members. I get home from work, and if I'm in the mood for some gaming on the PC I boot up a game and start playing. No waiting except for the load times and no 16 year kids in the earpiece of my headset.

Any online gaming I do is mostly with people I already know in real life come to think of it.