Grave of the Beast (Ye Olde Mass Effect thread)

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
Meh my impression of the game will be typing OMG like 50 times and then in the end..."its not that bad" hahahaha.

But seriously, BioWare mentioned that it depends on how YOU want to play the combat, but don't make a misstake that this is a RPG.

*sighs*
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

szaromir
szaromir
Since 6772 Days
Posted by Sath
but don't make a misstake that this is a RPG.
This is an RPG.
In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

TheBeagle
TheBeagle
Since 6620 Days
Posted by szaromir
This is an RPG.
Unnecessary. But yeah it is. As I have said before, the moment I have to grind is when I will lose interest. Im hoping it wont be insanely difficult if you dont.
In reply to
szaromir
szaromir
Since 6772 Days
Only Baldur's Gate 2 was somewhat difficult, other Bioware RPGs were painfully easy. I wouldn't be worried about grinding at all.
In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
Posted by szaromir
This is an RPG.
Posted by TheBeagle
Unnecessary.
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

szaromir
szaromir
Since 6772 Days
Posted by Sath
Jealous of my cool avatar, eh?
In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
Posted by szaromir
Jealous of my cool avatar, eh?
If that is what you want to believe, sure you do that.
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

Acert93 - Mr. Bad Cop
Acert93
Since 6986 Days
Posted by dcdelgado
Im suddenly having de ja vu? i thought we were over this "screens look bad" like three or four months ago?
Chris says it was an old build :P

DC, Sath... you guys are scary btw 0_o
In reply to

My Blog: http://www.NextGenThinkTank.com

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
Posted by Acert93
Chris says it was an old build :P

DC, Sath... you guys are scary btw 0_o
Meh, I have seen worse, us to compared what i have seen here...we are normal :P
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
More Comments by CHE!
chespace
It's not actually trolling if you don't admit it
(Today, 04:51 AM)
Reply | Quote

chespace's Avatar

#138
I had plans to do an elaborate post about this the whole time I've been playing.

I'm about 8.5 hours into the game now and it's just gotten better and better.

Too much to talk about really, so I guess I'll just answer RStein's question.

Combat is really fun. There are occasional problems with the AI, but it's really nothing 3rd/1st person shooter fans aren't already used to in teammates found in the genre (GRAW, RS: Vegas, etc). I set my squad to "active" which lets the AI use both defensive and offensive abilities on their own (without you having to pause the action, choose targets, and say "perform a neuro blast" or whatever). They definitely get the job done and I often find them stealing my kills. Thankfully, XP and loot goes to the party and it's up to you to divvy up items.

When I said earlier that this game is a shooter first and an RPG second, I was wrong. It's really a great balance of both genres. Mechanically speaking, this is an action game through and through. You dodge bullets, spring to cover, and do all the things required of you in games like Gears of War. You point your gun at something and fire and there is a 1-to-1 cause-and-effect reaction and shit takes damage and blow up, etc.

Stats act more like modifiers. For instance, if I do a full auto burst with my assault rifle, the reticle will gradually grow wider and bigger the longer you fire, representing the kick and recoil of the assault rifle. As a result, the spread of your shots will go from tight to practically useless through the duration of your burst. As you invest in your assault rifle skill, that behavior improves so your spread is tighter even if you fire longer. Of course, if you play the game like I do and just do controlled bursts, it really isn't too much of a problem.

This basically goes for all weapons (sniper rifle, shotguns, etc.) and I think it works great. In the end, combat is an action affair and really there's no other game like Mass Effect where it combines my favorite genre with a genre I no longer play. It's such a nice RPG homecoming.

The only aspect of the combat that can be clunky at times is trying to get under cover mode against an obstacle that's shorter, as it requires you to duck. Whereas Gears of War automatically makes you duck and puts you against lower cover, you have to do so manually here so there's the added click of the left stick -- and in the heat of combat, it can be frustrating... particularly because combat is really chaotic and crazy at times.

Anyway, I know it's too early to know what's GOTY at this point since I haven't played SMG, COD4, or Uncharted, but I know for a fact that Mass Effect is already an easy contender.

I'll take some phone pics and post 'em tonight. This game is RIDICULOUSLY gorgeous and 8 hours later, I am still slackjawed.
Some crappy pics from my crappy phone camera. Seriously does not do Mass Effect justice.

Here's the character I made. What's amazing is that the face/character you create really becomes THE experience you have throughout the game. It just blows me away to think that all of you will have totally different main characters, acting out different behaviors.
Here's a little note on the space exploration -- it ROCKS. I was jumping around different systems and orbiting their planets in search of minerals, or habitable landing areas and I came upon this distress signal. So I decided to check it out...

Here we are right after landing. The person in the forefront is one of my soldiers. She specializes in sniper rifles. Good for wide open combat obviously.
Whoever thought the Unreal engine couldn't handle huge outdoor areas deserves a lol. EDIT: ou can go anywhere. Seriously. Those mountains in the background, you can climb them.

In other words, it's ALL GEOMETRY.

Obviously, there are some building structures and such that will block your path, and overall, planets have an ultimate boundary (so it's basically a very large square sandbox) although it'll take you a long time to get from one end to the other.

The feeling of "discovery" is definitely here. EDIT: Wow, and just to make sure I wasn't talking out my ass, I just drove to those mountains in the background and actually found some more minerals. Sweet.

This game is like a modern day Starflight. Except infinitely better.
The lighting and atmosphere in this game is off the fucking hook. Every planet has its own look, and from what I've seen so far, there are a ton of planets. Not all will allow you to land (for instance, planets which are gas giants or nothing but oceans of sulfuric acid), but I've poked around 1 system and have already found 2 really big random worlds.
Vehicle controls are sweet, and the moon patrol buggy is crazy fun to drive. You can literally climb any mountain, and you have little thruster jets. Also, vehicular combat is pretty cool -- a cross between the Scorpion tank and the Warthog. You can also exit your vehicle any time you are on a relatively flat surface. Yeehaw!
EDIT: Yeah, aliasing really isn't an issue in this game.

There are some indoor area backgrounds (like the occasional sign) that might catch your eye, but you will never see jaggies on stuff like character models/faces, vehicles, weapons, etc.

Again, UE3 is pretty much kicking my ass. That's it for now. Time to play more.
In reply to

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
I am not a fan of the helmets at all.

Just give me those cool face devices like Garrus has, and I might use them.

My female character will look somewhat like that, different face structure (look at avatar) but same hair color, style, and not make up on the face.


Anyway, game looks outstanding, the dynamic, the lighting of the sun...etc. everything just, wow.

Seeing his impressions, I seriously wish to God that GAME breaks the release date and calls me and say that the game is gonna be released this week for those who pre-ordered it :D

*shivers* :)

PS. I did not read what he typed, not even one line. I know it is awesome, but I want the game.
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
There is not ONE spoiler anywhere, he is just trying to explain how the combats plays out to others, and has retracted his statement of Shooter first RPG second!
In reply to

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

TheBeagle
TheBeagle
Since 6620 Days
Aw man. I am really looking forward to this now. These next few weeks are going to be awesome. COD4, Assassins Creed and then Mass Effect. I'm gonna be a poor bastard.
In reply to
Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
DC I just read it, yeah not spoiler, thank god for that.

Man it sounds and looks amazing, form all angles :P

Anyway, I want it now, and Assassins Creed :D
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

Slabs
Slabs
Since 7045 Days
Yup AC and Mass Effect are going to be the big titles for me until the end of the year. Crysis as well but more for the editor I think.
In reply to
Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
AC and ME will keep me busy until January for Dark Sector, and then follow up DMC4...and other titles. So I wont be bored if I miss other titles to raise some money.
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

Acert93 - Mr. Bad Cop
Acert93
Since 6986 Days
Hahahah MS viral marketing at its best/worst. LOL!
In reply to

My Blog: http://www.NextGenThinkTank.com

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
Posted by Acert93
Hahahah MS viral marketing at its best/worst. LOL!
oh ye of little faith!, the time of truth is niegh!!
In reply to

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

Optimusv2
Optimusv2
Since 6907 Days
Posted by dcdelgado
oh ye of little faith!, the time of truth is niegh!!
Yea no way anything he's saying could actually be true ;)

Also game looks amazing even from those pictures.
In reply to

Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming back to reclaim the throne :)

October 20th 2007 (A good day)

Don't ask any questions just shut up and buy Halo : Ghosts of the Onyx one of the greatest books ever.

pssh! more like electronic gay-ming monthly! amirite

szaromir
szaromir
Since 6772 Days
Posted by Acert93
Sath... you are scary being jealous of others' avatars 0_o
Fixed.
In reply to

"That just happened 'cause that was awesome" - Randy Pitchford, Gearbox

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
More Impressions from CHE:
chespace
It's not actually trolling if you don't admit it
(Today, 06:28 PM)
Reply | Quote

chespace's Avatar

#240
I'll post more impressions and answer questions later today. Going to play more now.

Dude, this game is too much. It just keeps throwing shit at you to do. I'm about 10 hours into the game and I've barely even touched the main quest.

To answer the question about the moon buggy physics... no it definitely isn't a canned go-from-point-A-to-point-B type of affair. Like I said, it's Warthog meets Scorpion tank and you have thrusters so yeah you are doing INSANE stunts the whole time. You can't ever flip over (although you come close and then the computer rights you up again) but you can do some pretty funny stuff.

Vehicular combat is also very satisfying. There's also a "hood view" for the moon buggy if you pull down the left trigger. Makes it REALLY immersive when you're exploring new worlds or an ancient ruin... driving slowly in hood view, right thumb on the right turret stick, looking independently of where you're driving... so awesome.

And yeah, different planets have different climate effects. I went to one planet where it was having a meteor shower or something. Shit was raining down from the sky... of course, it wasn't like you had to dodge the meteors but it looked and sounded cool as hell.

The characters are really good in this game too. I've already become attached to 2 of my characters, and because I'm playing a female character, I've already had one of my male Biotic engineers hit on me during one conversation. It was... uh, awkward.

But it's the NPCs and the plot in this game that really does it for me and propels you forward. I've never really been a fan of Bioware's console RPGs (yeah, gasp, I know) because I felt they were trying to do these emotional, deep, cinematic dialogues, but it would always fall flat on its face because of the game's shitty graphics which couldn't support the kind of drama Bioware was going for. Plus, it didn't help that KOTOR had basically like 10 character models in the whole universe and you kept running into the same black guy or the same alien guy.

Well, that is NOT the case here... every character in the galaxy has been unique so far, and fucking WOW at the graphics/acting/voiceover for the most part. There has been some good writing and very interesting interaction with both my crew and the rest of the NPCs out there. Really awesome informational tangents and personal anecdotes. At first I was playing with subtitles on because I didn't want to miss any details or whatever, but after a couple hours, I turned them off and I swear to god it was like watching a gorgeous CG movie where you can somewhat control the outcome of events.

This is next gen RPG folks. Gonna go play now before the wife wakes up and makes me go to the farmer's market.
In reply to

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
This message is in "Boulet Time" (TM), If you still *really* want to see it, click here
Some lucky guy, went to GAMEWORLD expo??, and got to play the game for over an hour!, he has posted his impressions and a mass of screenshots taken with his mobile phone, the build he was playing is old one, as on most of the screens you can see the text saying "Lighting needs to be rebuilt" but they still look good to me! :), be carefull when reading the last paragraph of his write up as there are some spolilers!!, the link is below, and here are a few of my fav screens.

http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.htm...







Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
This message is in "Boulet Time" (TM), If you still *really* want to see it, click here
Some lucky guy, went to GAMEWORLD expo??, and got to play the game for over an hour!, he has posted his impressions and a mass of screenshots taken with his mobile phone, the build he was playing is old one, as on most of the screens you can see the text saying "Lighting needs to be rebuilt" but they still look good to me! :), be carefull when reading the last paragraph of his write up as there are some spolilers!!, the link is below, and here are a few of my fav screens.

http://masseffect.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.htm...





EDIT: Damn it there to big!

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

dcdelgado
dcdelgado
Since 6875 Days
ok mod's can you delete the first post with the 4 pics!! thanks.
In reply to

Mass Effect - Nov 07 - Start the Fight!!!

Bitches!!

Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Since 6881 Days
Posted by szaromir
Just drop it already, getting pathetic.


DC thx for the update, but those screenshots are badly taken :P
Even my cell phone don't take it like that.

Once I get it, another thread will be made with tons of screenshots off the game, from people who have it here of course :)
In reply to

PS3: Metal Gear Solid 4 - Killzone 2 - God of War 3 - Haze - Uncharted - DMC4
360: Mass Effect - Assassin's Creed - Dark Sector - DMC4 - Ninja Gaiden 2 - Too Human - Fable 2 - Resident Evil 5

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