Mass Effect 3 - Demo/MP/FULL GAME!!!™

[nojdanzig]

Saved the Quarians and cured the Genophage then destroyed it all in the end.

Now being an utter bastard with my nasty dude save from ME2.


Still got nasty bird and nice bird to go. Plus the one where I saved Wrex and kept everyone alive.
Got a lot to see

[Johnny Shoulder]

I didn't get any sexy times in ME2 OR ME3! What's that all about!

You didn't spend enough time talking to them. It's underwhelming to say the least.

Yeah you're not missing much Dante. Sex scenes should be banned from video games, there has never been a decent one.

[ClownTrousers]

Kaiden Alenko just told me he loved me. An awkward moment.

[The-Marb]

You're missing out on 50Gs and some sideboob Dante.

Nice one Clown, what did you say back?

[Eli Vance]

I never would have guessed the Protheans were rude boys. Braaaaappp blood claat.

Prothean squadmate?

Was he being chased by Slyvester Stallone for complaining about the 3 sea shells in the cryo freezer?

[gugly_duk]

So this is a bit samey, not as good as the first nor as bad as the second. Addictive for a week then forgettable in a month?

[j2000_nr]

Having spent some time with the Prothean, all I can say is that they were total tyrants.

I think that how Bioware presented them throughout the games was so well done, I never would have guessed. I suppose having multiple Asari gush over how enlightened they were did sort of jade opinion

[Dante3000]

You're missing out on 50Gs and some sideboob Dante.

Nice one Clown, what did you say back?

I did get the chieves early on in the Citadel when my Shephard layed his lips on Ash. But I have a sneaking suspicion, because I talked to my squadmates at every oppertunity and didn't miss anything, that in Shephard's quarters I was supposed to select the 'I love you' option when talking to her for sexy times- which I didn't.
In Mass Effect 2, Miranda just wasn't giving it up.

[ClownTrousers]

So this is a bit samey, not as good as the first nor as bad as the second. Addictive for a week then forgettable in a month?

So far I'm finding it as good as the first, so better than 2.

[Dante3000]

Better than two, agreed. I enjoyed the ride in ME2 but the story was a sidestep from the real issue and was totally tittybonkers

[The-Marb]

Mass Effect 3.

Ill keep this spoiler light, apart from the end section which will be marked. Sorry its so long, I just felt the need to.

The third part of Biowares Epic sci-fi trilogy is a tough game to be mean about, as whilst its flawed in a number of ways, its still at least 117% better than most of the bilge you slot into your disk tray these days.

In the pantheon of sci-fi games, Bioware have produced one of the best, that is full of allegorical disputes and interesting cultures. This is still there with this game thankfully and it’s a universe that its fun to be steeped in from the first minute to the last melancholic section. In fact the universe is so well fleshed out, you feel loathed to leave it come the dénouement.

As with its predecessors, the game has above average video game writing for the most part and its characterisation is also well played out. Everyone gets their moment in the sun, no matter how fleeting. Your relationship with the characters feels organic for the most part and the tragic nature some of the relationships end, is genuinely quite affecting. I’ve certainly 4/5 had the most affecting moments of any ME game within this one title, so its doing something right.

It should be said though when it comes to the conversation, this feels to me to be reduced from both 1 and 2. There’s simply less to say and less people to talk to than ever before, all in the interest of slim lining the RPG component down to appeal to a mass (fnar fnar) audience. Seeing as this always felt like the games USP to me and the thing I enjoyed the most, I rued this loss. But then again this well documented move towards what is ostensibly Gears of Trek will be talked about loads by everyone.

The story is more focussed than 2’s and overall it all dovetails quite nicely, even though it is the only ME game ive done in 6 sittings. I did almost all of the side quests and I still came in at only 27 hours of gaming. Joyful it was for the most part, but I would have liked more. It should be noted shamefully a lot of the side quests basically consist of 1) get the mission from a random by eavesdropping b) fly to a star system and scan the planets till you find a flag/spoon/cocker spaniel c) go back to the citadel and give it to the person you ear-wigged on. The fact many elements of the story are judiciously ripped from Marvels Ultimate Gallactus trilogy ill let off on this occasion (mostly as im a giant nerd who shouldn’t know that).

The dilemmas you face in this game also seem to hold more significance and weight than previous games.

The fact that there’s no second hub like the previous games also grates a little and the number of explorable star systems seems to have dropped significantly.

Overall, the universe feels like its ½ or 1/3 the size it used to be in previous games.

That said, the combat has improved again, albeit incrementally, and not as much as the step from 1 to 2. The weapon and armour customisation adds a bit more meat to chew on but not much.

The Kinect enhancements are far from essential and there’s no reason this shouldn’t have used an existing headset mic. BUT, it does work well, and the ability to say “boomstick” and swap to shotgun or engage in the actual conversations is a neat addition.

Graphically and musically the game is also a treat, as expected.

As for the much talked about ending, this is a tough one and something I have mixed feelings about. SPOILER ALERT!. I always anticipated that the end would involve Shepards final heroic sacrifice, much along the lines of Fallout 3, but the three options I got were all “die baldy!”, which I found a bit odd.

Its really a proper downer, not only do you die, but it filled my brain with a million imagined melancholic stories of people stuck in alien galaxies they could never get back from due to the relays destruction.

Call me selfish if you like but I almost felt like I earned the right to at least pick one ending where Shep gets to go home and make space babies with Miranda. What we get is three endings, which are (apparently) kinda the same, and a little like the ending of Battlestar Gallactica.

Basically, Id just have liked a) more variation on endings and b) at least the option not to die.

That said, I found it quite emotional, and the ending has stayed with me since, which I can’t say about most games.

Anyway, as I said before, this is still a fine game, I just cant say I enjoyed it as much as 2, which still ranks as my fave in the series. If you enjoy the series, (especially 2) you will find much to enjoy in this. But if you thought 2 took too much RPG away, you are unlikely to be convinced.

Basically IMO it goes as such.

Best story and main character development: ME3
Deepest gameplay and universe: ME1
Best balance of combat and RPG elements/most fun: ME2.

8/10

[ClownTrousers]

I'm on 35 hours Marb, and have just met the Quarians. ME 2 was long over by now I reckon.

[conkerconquer]

As was ME1 by my experience. Less side-quests in ME3 but more of the main stuff which suits me just fine.

[Keep 117]

I'm on 35 hours Marb, and have just met the Quarians. ME 2 was long over by now I reckon.

As was ME1 by my experience. Less side-quests in ME3 but more of the main stuff which suits me just fine.

I managed to polish off ME3, with all side quests completed in 29 hours and it felt a bit drawn out.

[Eli Vance]

Overall, the universe feels like its ½ or 1/3 the size it used to be in previous games.

Has it been shrunk even further than Me2's?

I was hoping the universe would be opened out by the player as it is in Me1. I mean, side missions and decisions in main missions opening up new planetary systems and places to explore.

29 hours and it felt a bit drawn out.

I clocked in at just over 50 hours with the first game and I'd have happily gone on exploring.



This made me laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRpGlmt ... r_embedded