KnackChap Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 Mass Defect: Why Mass Effect falls short of its hype By Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News Friday, December 28th, 2007 "I’ve been a been anticipating Mass Effect ever since I saw the first demo of the game in Amsterdam at the X05 unveiling of the Xbox 360’s first slate of games. This was the first next-generation game that I saw with the highest of ambitions: crossing the uncanny valley. The valley is the familiar problem of computer-generated images. The closer they approach reality, the more disturbing the images are, particularly human faces. By trying to do good human facial animation, the developers at BioWare endeavoured to make games as emotionally interesting and visually appealing as movies. As such, this game promised a big leap forward in cinematic storytelling and game play. It delivered on the first, but not on the second. While the conversational system and facial animation is perhaps the best I’ve ever seen in a video game, the game play is maddeningly flawed. Call it Mass Defect." http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/12/m...f_its_hype.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 I have absolutely no idea why people think that the game doesn't deliver or complain about the technical flaws. The gameplay is NOT broken in any way. I did not come across any gameplay related issues. Sure there are frame rate and texture glitches once in a while but nothing that breaks the gameplay. The combat is quite satisfying. Probably the best combat in any action RPG. For me, Mass Effect is the most cinematic and engaging RPG I've ever played. Anyone who has played the last few levels up to the climax knows what I'm talking about. I actually can't wait to play that part of the game again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 ^^ Forget those blokes. They should be chained to their Gamecubes and permanently strung from a bungie cord over the grand canyon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted December 29, 2007 Report Share Posted December 29, 2007 ^^ Amen to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ne0 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I have absolutely no idea why people think that the game doesn't deliver or complain about the technical flaws. The gameplay is NOT broken in any way. I did not come across any gameplay related issues. Sure there are frame rate and texture glitches once in a while but nothing that breaks the gameplay. The combat is quite satisfying. Probably the best combat in any action RPG. For me, Mass Effect is the most cinematic and engaging RPG I've ever played. Anyone who has played the last few levels up to the climax knows what I'm talking about. I actually can't wait to play that part of the game again. To a certain extent you can say the gameplay is broken, becoz of some of irritating stuff. I was playing in Virimire today and I was not able to open the door to a room (with green light, and could be opened) no matter what. I reload the game and it opens like a charm, and in scenes where u have to run on the passages to diff areas, i got the loading screen twice or thrice. Worst was in the one long passage leading to saren's lab i got the loading screen twice, although the gameplay is good, these flaws make it very irritating ! P.S: the ending on virimire was fantastic to compensate for all the above glitches though, very cinematic, and I had to let go of Ashley towards the end of the mission :cry5: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ne0 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Completed Mass Effect, ending reminded me a lot about Halo 3, but just better. Levelled upto 49 Anyway, will play after some time on Hard difficulty....can't wait for Mass Effect 2 ! Also, this is the first RPG I completed....pats self on the back ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pup11 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Completed Mass Effect, ending reminded me a lot about Halo 3, but just better. Levelled upto 49 Anyway, will play after some time on Hard difficulty....can't wait for Mass Effect 2 ! Also, this is the first RPG I completed....pats self on the back ! Would there even be a Mass effect 2 since Bioware has already parted ways with Microsoft game studios, so the future of Mass effect looks gloomy and if somebody develop the game they won't be able to create the magic that Bioware are capable of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ne0 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 ^^ Last I heard ME is a trilogy and will still be made by Bioware since the IP is still with them. Whether it'll be a X360 exclusive remains to be seen ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 ^^ Neo's right. Unlike Halo and Gears of War where M$ owns the IP, Mass Effect is owned by Bioware with M$ having publishing rights for the Xbox 360 version (and since they paid a bomb for exclusivity, it may not come out on any other console for at least a year, if ever). But Mass Effect 2 and 3 are another story. Since ME was designed as a trilogy from the beginning, its possible that M$ has an option in their agreement with Bioware for exclusivity for both sequels (which they would logically exercise if ME 1 became a hit..................... which it has). So EA may not have a say in the platform independence of ME. On the other hand, most contracts have a standard re-negotiation clause whenever there is change in management control of either party, which has happened in Bioware's case. So it is possible that EA may be able to swing all three editions on other platforms too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Also, this is the first RPG I completed....pats self on the back ! Good boy! I'm glad you enjoyed the game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Mass Defect: Why Mass Effect falls short of its hype By Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News Friday, December 28th, 2007 "I’ve been a been anticipating Mass Effect ever since I saw the first demo of the game in Amsterdam at the X05 unveiling of the Xbox 360’s first slate of games. This was the first next-generation game that I saw with the highest of ambitions: crossing the uncanny valley. The valley is the familiar problem of computer-generated images. The closer they approach reality, the more disturbing the images are, particularly human faces. By trying to do good human facial animation, the developers at BioWare endeavoured to make games as emotionally interesting and visually appealing as movies. As such, this game promised a big leap forward in cinematic storytelling and game play. It delivered on the first, but not on the second. While the conversational system and facial animation is perhaps the best I’ve ever seen in a video game, the game play is maddeningly flawed. Call it Mass Defect." http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/12/m...f_its_hype.html Booyah to all ye doubters Takahashi apologizes for his Mass Effect bashing From Xbox 360 Fanboy __________________________________________________ Last week Dean Takahashi of The Mercury News gave Mass Effect a written review lashing, going as far as to call it "Mass Defect". Takahashi was steadfast in claiming that his Mass Effect experience was lackluster, the game's mechanics were weak and that there really wasn't all that much to enjoy. Overhyped to no end, get the picture? But after a quick replay over the holiday break (and with the help of a few tips), Takahashi retracted his review apologizing to BioWare saying that they made "a better game than I thought" and that it isn't "as flawed as I thought". Interesting stuff. So why a change of heart so quickly after the replay? Well, Mr. Takahashi admitted that he only put in eight hours for his review and seemingly forgot to upgrade his character along the way. But after giving the upgrading system a chance he soon experienced RPG bliss and everything came full circle. It was like a re-birth of Mass Effect. Lesson learned kids. Always navigate a games' menus and be sure to upgrade your character whenever possible. Also, it's okay to admit you're wrong. We all make mistakes. Now group hug. ____________________________________________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 ^^ And that is exactly what I was trying to tell fellow GI members who bashed this game as soon as they played it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarketTantrik Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 ^^ Heretics all, ye hear me. Burn them witches at the stake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donz21 Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 hey guys finished the game second time yesterday... started the game in INSANE now.. current level 57 3 more to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 ^^ Awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donz21 Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 ^^ Awesome! THANKS MATE CHEERS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ne0 Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Lotz of time to kill before ME2 comes out, anybody with a wishlist for ME2 ? My wishlist: 1. More vehicles and kindly make the driving better. 2. A longer main story (atleast 25-30 hours) 3. Bigger cities than citadel and the stations on noveria and feros. I mean actual cities, with peds strolling, vehicles (all futuristic)moving around....which we can jack as well 4. Lotz of more planets to discover ! 5. Some serious bad a*s weapons equivalent to a rocket launcher or something 6. More impacts on main storyline when u make strategic decisions ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reaper Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 ^^ ur better off playing GTA .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 - Definitely an upgradable Mako and maybe a small flying scout vehicle of some kind. - Better Inventory system. Less scrolling of items. - Longer main quest, preferably with standard RPG "hub" areas. - Rocket Launcher! Enemies have them so even we should be able to use them! - Longer and more involved side quests. Not just go here - kill x person - go there - get x item. Y'know, the usual RPG side quest template... - Dual weilding a la KOTOR and Melee weapons like a laser sword or something. - Ability to ACTUALLY interrupt another characters dialog. - More places to explore in the Citadel. - More random large creatures like the Thresher Maw to fight and gain that extra XP. - Less hand-holding and more exploration to complete quests. Although this might make the game less accessible to some. - More extra terrestrial critters on random planets. In ME I only came across a bunch of horse like animals on one of the UCWs. - Better mini games (I could never get into that slot machine game at Flux). The Witcher has an excellent Dice Poker mini game. That's all I can think of at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reaper Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 playing this game and it reminds me of an other microsoft game ..... freelancer ... that was really fun ... anyone else played this game on the PC???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.