Mass Effect

[Queequeg]

Just played through it.

I have some conflicting emotions.

The plot is almost identical to KOTOR (brilliant special agent with super powers finds ancient evil weapon/ship, goes berserk, tries to conquer galaxy, protagonist must find ancient artifacts to find location of said evil ship, the Geth are really similar to the bots in KOTOR even), seemed a bit Halo-y at times, there isn't nearly as much humor as in previous titles, some of the graphics are meh, the combat can be weird, the sniper rifle is useless in real combat, the male Shepherd's voice is bad etc...

But on the other hand I feel like some of the characters are pretty well developed and as believable as you get in Sci-Fi (Ashley and Wrex in particular), I liked some of the species (Krogan, Turian, Volus, why the hell wasn't there a Volus NPC?), and overall I think the universe showed some promise, and the experience was good enough for me to start a female sorcerer (or whatever it is called) right after finishing it as a mixed tech specialist/fighter.

That said, it felt like a real step back after Jade Empire, which I think was their strongest title since BGII. 

Thoughts?  Opinions?

[Neil]

Nobody bought Jade Empire.  Mass Effect made money.

The sequel is going to be actiony-er.

[Caliga]

Nobody bought Jade Empire.

What made Jade Empire OSSUM instead of merely good was playing it through as evil (or closed fist or whatever gay moral relativist term they used instead) and getting the ultra-evil ending.

[Valmy]

Just played through it.

I have some conflicting emotions.

The plot is almost identical to KOTOR (brilliant special agent with super powers finds ancient evil weapon/ship, goes berserk, tries to conquer galaxy, protagonist must find ancient artifacts to find location of said evil ship, the Geth are really similar to the bots in KOTOR even), seemed a bit Halo-y at times, there isn't nearly as much humor as in previous titles, some of the graphics are meh, the combat can be weird, the sniper rifle is useless in real combat, the male Shepherd's voice is bad etc...

But on the other hand I feel like some of the characters are pretty well developed and as believable as you get in Sci-Fi (Ashley and Wrex in particular), I liked some of the species (Krogan, Turian, Volus, why the hell wasn't there a Volus NPC?), and overall I think the universe showed some promise, and the experience was good enough for me to start a female sorcerer (or whatever it is called) right after finishing it as a mixed tech specialist/fighter.

That said, it felt like a real step back after Jade Empire, which I think was their strongest title since BGII. 

Thoughts?  Opinions?

I certainly see your points.  I felt like you really had to stretch to think it was similar to KOTOR (actually you had to get really general...like dude there were robots and like a bad guy and stuff).  But I loved it and look forward to the sequel.

It was good for the main reason Bioware games are good: the characters and the plot.  I loved the politics and the "science" made at least enough sense for me to suspend my disbelief.  The plot twists and surprises were very different than the previous games which was nice.

I enjoyed the combat for what it was.

Jade Empire was the game that killed X-Box mk. 2 and I was so tired of that horrible game console I never bought another.  So I never played JE but given its terrible sales not many other people did either.

I have to admit I am pretty speechless you did not like the graphics which I thought were beyond amazing but then I very rarely play games known for their graphics.

[Caliga]

Also, I liked the part where you got to bang the blue chick.

[Neil]

Also, I liked the part where you got to bang the blue chick.

Meh.  I loved Ashley the gunbunny.

[grumbler]

I certainly see your points.  I felt like you really had to stretch to think it was similar to KOTOR (actually you had to get really general...like dude there were robots and like a bad guy and stuff).  But I loved it and look forward to the sequel.

It was good for the main reason Bioware games are good: the characters and the plot.  I loved the politics and the "science" made at least enough sense for me to suspend my disbelief.  The plot twists and surprises were very different than the previous games which was nice.

I enjoyed the combat for what it was.

Wot he said.  The side quests were less than memorable, but that was okay.  I had no desire to replay the game, but think it was worth the money for just the one run-through with little attention spent on side quests.

[Scipio]

I certainly see your points.  I felt like you really had to stretch to think it was similar to KOTOR (actually you had to get really general...like dude there were robots and like a bad guy and stuff).  But I loved it and look forward to the sequel.

It was good for the main reason Bioware games are good: the characters and the plot.  I loved the politics and the "science" made at least enough sense for me to suspend my disbelief.  The plot twists and surprises were very different than the previous games which was nice.

I enjoyed the combat for what it was.

Wot he said.  The side quests were less than memorable, but that was okay.  I had no desire to replay the game, but think it was worth the money for just the one run-through with little attention spent on side quests.

I bought it for $40, and I spent about 30 hours on the first run through.  I've played it through three or four times (lost count).  It's a good value.

[Grey Fox]

I can't buy this nor JE. I have enough games started & not finish already.

Must. Resist.

[Queequeg]

Also, I liked the part where you got to bang the blue chick.

Meh.  I loved Ashley the gunbunny.

Same.  Very well developed.  Ended up with a weird kind of semi-crush on her.  One of the geekiest things that has ever happened to me.   

[Barrister]

Nobody bought Jade Empire.

I bought Jade Empire.

The Mac version.   

[katmai]

I've thought about buying Jade empire.

[Valmy]

Same.  Very well developed.  Ended up with a weird kind of semi-crush on her.  One of the geekiest things that has ever happened to me.   

Hey she had spirit I can see that.

But wait weren't you the guy with the thing for Imoen?

[Neil]

But wait weren't you the guy with the thing for Imoen?

I liked Imoen.

[Slargos]

You're not actually supposed to use the sniper rifle in "actual combat".

My first run through I did the sniper rifle / pistol combo and while close combat was a bit challenging until I got the second to last pistol, 90% of the time it's just a matter of waiting for the rifle to cool off between shots since the enemy can't effectively return fire.