March 8, 2012
A List Of Likes And Dislikes After About 4 Hours Of Gameplay
You’ll never guess what I’ve been doing! Playing Mass Effect 3! Well, not a lot of it yet, but, you know. I’m working on it. In any case, I just felt like making a little list of what I am liking and what I am not liking and such right now. I will try to be spoiler-free, but, you know. Maybe something super small in there will bother you? And let’s make this clear: I’m enjoying the game, and think it is worth my time. I just, you know, have complaints. Who wouldn’t?
What I Like About Mass Effect 3 Thus Far
The Multiplayer: I really think the multiplayer is a lot of fun! It’s not the sort of thing that is going to keep people coming back for like, a year, to be sure, but it’s a really solid horde mode, and I can’t wait for this proposed LAN with people from work to really blow this shit out and play it.
There are problems of course. The microtransaction bullshit is pretty bullshit! I normally like cards, but I don’t like card packs, and that just seems like a really terrible way of putting this multiplayer together. I may never get the better pistols while I play this thing. That’s sad to me.
The Weight System: When I heard about this, I’m like “Eh, pistols for lyfe.” But now that I’m playing, I really appreciate it. I love that my secondary weapon can be the lightest assault rifle (burst fire one, no less!) instead of the stupid SMGs. I love that when I really want to incinerate people constantly, just carrying the pistol gives me like 200% increased cooldown speed, and I can just spam the motherfucker. The weight system really lets you play the way you want to play. It’s neat.
Vega: I guess people were worried about him, in the same way they were worried about Jack last game? I think he’s pretty cool, at least so far. He’s very likable.
That This One Male Crew Member Mentioned His Husband: It’s done pretty matter-of-fact and throwaway, as opposed to THIS IS A BIG DEAL. You don’t even have to hear about it if you don’t question every member of your crew. It’s nice.
What I Don’t Like About Mass Effect 3 Thus Far
Shepard Is Earth-Centric: In previous games, Renegade Shepard only really cared about humanity, and Paragon Shepard looked at the big picture. Now my paragon Shepard is whining about Earth and talking to aliens like Earth is the most important thing ever constantly, and it really frustrates me. Where did my other Shepard go?
Shepard Is No Longer A Battle-Hardened Badass: Seriously? The tutorial events traumatize you? Give me a fucking break: Shepard has seen crew members liquified before her fucking eyes. I can’t believe she’d be so shaken as to affect her and her mission. They always did a great job before of making her a person while also making her a soldier first and foremost, and I rather liked that. Now that feels thrown down the drain.
Mood Lighting On The Normandy: Can’t the Alliance Military afford to actually light their goddamn ship? This “everything is dark and soft-glow like a romantic restaurant” look is obscenely stupid.
Security Station To Hide A Load On The Way To The Galaxy Map/Elevator On The Second Floor: Why the hell is Shepard getting scanned for weapons every time she goes to talk to Joker on her own fucking ship? Is this really where we need a security station? Seriously? And not, like, I dunno, near life support, or something where a saboteur could do a lot more damage? Or in, say, the docking bay, where people are boarding the ship? It’s clearly hiding loading, and I get that, but gods, it’s just dumb being there. There wasn’t a stupid security point there in 2.
Calibrations Joke: Yeah, I get it, Bioware, you read fan comics about ME2 as well. But by recognizing it, you’re kind of ruining it.
Anyway, I’ll get back to playing more tonight. It’s fun! But yeah, could be better, thus far.
This is only one real thing I disagree with here and the rest are all fan-boy rationalizations.
Shepard is still a Badass:
ns.
I understand where you are coming from but I disagree, I just think these are exceptional circumstances. It’s exactly how I reacted as well. Back in ME2 it was JUST the Collectors and there wasn’t a threat of annihilation of EVERYTHING…. but now…. they are on the threshold, facing the end the galaxy and life. Shepard has never faced an enemy this powerful and has never faced something as traumatizing as Earth being invaded and literally 1.46 million people dying per-day. The character in the dreams simply represents humanity as a whole and Shepard’s inability to save it. I think you’ll agree when you play the game a little further and see some of the other stuff that happen. I think you should cut your Shepard a little slack. Heh. Plus it’s not like he/she is letting it affect combat performance.
Lighting: They do the same thing on modern day submarines. They keep light levels low so that people won’t strain their eyes. Especially in areas around the cockpit where people are working on computer screens all day. Look around you right now in your own home, are all the lights on and lighting everything up? But yeah I have no doubt that it’s also for dramatic quality.
Security Station: Those two girls talk about it back and forth sort of justifying it’s reasoning. Though it would make a lot more sense to put it near the docking area.
Calibrations: I think it’s cute :3
That’s all my stuff I wanted to say. We should talk about it more, I’d like to see your response to my idea.
Also, openly gay characters that don’t make a big deal out of themselves being gay is awesome. High-fives to the Bioware.
Comment by Kale — March 8, 2012 @ 10:28 am