Mass Effect: Hands on Impressions

[blissfulnoise]

Got lucky and got a copy from a local K-Mart.

11 hours in and I can say it's extremely good. It took awhile for me to warm up to the combat, but it can be suprisingly tactical. It definately has a mini-Gears of War feel in some of the more environmentally strategical fights.

The role-playing elements are pure-BioWare and there won't be a lot of suprises there. Leveling, side-quests, dialog trees; all very similiar to what we've seen before. But the exploration elements... let me just say that the spirit of Star Control II lives on. I was not misplaced when I foresaw this game as a spirital successor right down to some of the plotlines.

You can, in fact, land on planets and explore them in your rover similiar to SCII, but you can't land on all of them. In fact, you can't land on most of them, which is disappointing. But, the planets you do land on are very big, each with several points of interest to explore. And you can get out of your rover at any time, not just at specific waypoints.

But (back on planets), like SCII, you can scan every planet, even if you can't land on it, and get historical, scientific, and statistical data. This was an element in SCII that I loved and helped to expand the world (or galactic) view of the game. It's even better in Mass Effect. I'm guessing that future DLC is going to expand and allow you to land on some of these planets in the future.

Load times are minimal in 90% of the circumstances. The game will occassionally pause as it draws out new areas, but it's pretty minor. The days of waiting 2 minutes to change areas in their Xbox titles are over.

All in all, this game lived up to every single hope I had and exceeded most of them. Which is saying a lot as I had very high hopes. I'm prying myself from it just to go to bed right now. I haven't been this excited for (or hooked on) a game like this in a long time...

[gepeto]

I am dying I misss that one good for you. I heard about it what time yesterday did you snag one. was it out or in the back? Think if I try to stop by they will have one or has the hammer came down?

[josekortez]

Yeah, there's a hilarious story on cheapassgamer.com's Mass Effect Thread about a guy who was forced to take a refund on 3 copies of the game that he bought early.

[blissfulnoise]

I called ahead, was told they were in stock, and purchased two. A little unscrupulous, but at least I didn't buy out their whole stock. ;)

They were in the game case like every other release, and clearly marked along the top with a sticker that said "do not sell until 11/20/2007" exactly like Halo 2.

After I got my copies, I called all my friends and I think they cleaned out the rest. I believe they had a total of six copies. I got 2, another friend bought 2, and two other friends got one a piece.

I sold the other copy on eBay for $125 almost immediately.

Just woke up, back to the game :)

[gepeto]

I guess this is the official mass effect thread:)


I must say that I am loving this game. It took a few moments to get adjusted to the combat but I love the story so far it is really engrossing. It is amazing how much they cram on 1 disc. I rate it 9.5


This has been a month to remember too many great games. Great time to be a gamer.

[MonoTekETeA]

As soon as I get this room clean and sorted, I will set up my brand new 32' Samsung, and play this till the new year and then some. I can't wait, it is like an extended launch date for me.

[Poofta!]

i walked into my GS and saw like 25-30 copies today, as well as like 15-20 of the LE. i picked up the LE almost on impulse, while sitting at work i thought it over and figured i really didnt want it that bad so i returned it... i have AC for now and getting my godzilla of a gaming pc up and running in a day or two and have my hands full without dropping another 76$ on a game. plus, id rather wait for the PC version, this is Bioware and with this class of game, im sure it will land on the PC soon-ish (6-12 months?) at the very least ill wait till i can pick up a used LE for 55$ or so.

as i was returning it, their pile of games went down by MAYBE 5-10 games total, my return to the store was about 5 hours after initial purchase (noon-5pm)

[gepeto]

i walked into my GS and saw like 25-30 copies today, as well as like 15-20 of the LE. i picked up the LE almost on impulse, while sitting at work i thought it over and figured i really didnt want it that bad so i returned it... i have AC for now and getting my godzilla of a gaming pc up and running in a day or two and have my hands full without dropping another 76$ on a game. plus, id rather wait for the PC version, this is Bioware and with this class of game, im sure it will land on the PC soon-ish (6-12 months?) at the very least ill wait till i can pick up a used LE for 55$ or so.

as i was returning it, their pile of games went down by MAYBE 5-10 games total, my return to the store was about 5 hours after initial purchase (noon-5pm)


If they have the limited edition I am going to be pissed. All there website kept saying was online only.

[MonoTekETeA]

You could reserve the LE at the store, so GS must of played you on words, what else is new. Gotta stop typing and clean. Oh yeah, anyone check out the Art book, it is nice!

[gepeto]

You could reserve the LE at the store, so GS must of played you on words, what else is new. Gotta stop typing and clean. Oh yeah, anyone check out the Art book, it is nice!


Yeah speed kills:) ha ha ha

[Daria]

Soooo good.

[Damaramu]

Agreed. I'm not far into it, but it's been nifty so far! I dig games that let you customize your character like this (appearance and all).

[PallarAndersVisa]

so far so good. Im a bit lost though. Some tutorials would have helped, it seems like they just kind of throw you in there. Theres so much to do, and not much direction at this point, but I guess thats the point.

I never played KOTOR so this kind of stuff is new to me.

[Daria]

so far so good. Im a bit lost though. Some tutorials would have helped, it seems like they just kind of throw you in there. Theres so much to do, and not much direction at this point, but I guess thats the point.

I never played KOTOR so this kind of stuff is new to me.

I'm 10 hours in and I'm still just learning how to probably take advantage of all the abilities my character can use. I think it's the product of a game that's just meant to be played multiple times. Next playthrough I know I can do things more efficently... and will.

Feels a lot like KOTOR, but the battle system is a strange RPG mutation of Gears of War. It's actually pretty awesome. Last night I was fighting a group of Geft in a corridor. I was crouched behind a crate, leaned out shot two enemies with my pistol, switched to a shotgun, sprinted down the hallway and blasted a third enemy in the gut. Execution was very smooth and extremely fun.

[Gamereviewgod]

This is one all about its universe. Combat is still clunky a few hours in, vehicle controls are worse than Halo, objectives aren't always clear (where do I need to go? Waypoints would be a godsend), and whoever said this needed a tutorial is right. I just found out the vehicle has a cannon. Also, why do I get fatigued when I run sometimes and not others?

However, the production values, the size of the universe, incredible dialogue, amount of choices, and storyline are truly amazing. I can't stop playing this thing, and don't plan to any time soon.

[FAMOUS]

Got it yesterday and my night was set... Likeing it so far,im more of a fps fan but i liked oblivion and thought an rpg in space would be very interesting to play. Cant wait to play more tonight!

[blissfulnoise]

This is one all about its universe. Combat is still clunky a few hours in, vehicle controls are worse than Halo, objectives aren't always clear (where do I need to go? Waypoints would be a godsend), and whoever said this needed a tutorial is right. I just found out the vehicle has a cannon. Also, why do I get fatigued when I run sometimes and not others?

I've seen this complaint many times and I'm still a bit baffled by it.

I played and finished Mass Effect before anyone even had the game, so needless to say I was on my own. At no point was I really befuddled or confused about what my next objective was.

My method of exploring the universe was to do it point to point with several stops back at the Citidel to pick up additional side quests. This made for a pretty close to complete playthrough earning the achievements for level 50 and completing the "majority" of the game.

Combat, admittedly, does have a bit of a learning curve. I died pretty frequently at the beginning but after a few encounters I was having no difficulty at all cleaning the clocks of whatever I fought. Granted I played an Infiltrator which gave me a lot of flexibility with Tech attacks with very solid firepower (pistol/sniper combo). I'd say that's the strongest class I've played yet. (Biotics are cool, but definately situational causing more havoc than benefit in some cases).

The MAKO controls are clunky only so far as the terrain you're navigating. More than once, I found myself having to back track due to cliff fronts or jagged rocks that were impassable. While this was a bit irritating, it added to some of the charm of the game. These planets aren't just there for you to roll right through.

All the rest of the gameplay elements were pretty much self explanitory as far as my experience was. I did find my self closing the galaxy map to review my journal at various points to recall where my next objective was; but it was all right there at any point.

As far as the running goes; if you run when you're already engaged in combat, you're "storming" the enemy. If you run towards a mob, you'll hit them with the butt of your weapon. During one missing in particular, you'll be using this skill a lot of you want to complete it a different way. But other than that case I never found myself using it. The bar is a stamina bar; you can only "storm" for so long. Running outside of combat is unlimited (and a lot slower).

Perhaps the most amazing part of Mass Effect was it's ability to constantly one-up itself.

My love of Star Control II is well documented in these forums (and this thread). I really went into ME with hopes of a SCII scoped game that fleshed out all game play elements to making something really amazing. Around nearly every corner I constantly thought, "You know, Star Control II had this feature and it would be amazing if they'd have put it in Mass Effect..." and lo and behold that a side quest would feature just those elements I had pined for.

I'd elaborate more, but I know most people are still playing through it so I'll let it slide.

I enjoyed this game tremendously. Perhaps more than any other game this year. And I DO plan to replay it in full at some point. But with Rock Band, my inner drummer has taken over and nearly all of my video game effort is going towards improving my skills.

[Daria]

I treat my MAKO just as I treated my horse in Oblivion. Meaning if there's a mountain in my path I charge up it diagnolly and drive across the peaks. Pretty funny when there's a way point at the base of the mountain and I launched the vehicle through the air and land on a group of enemies.

The controls for the MAKO however are very floaty... and bouncy. The first planet I explored I chaulked it up to gravity, but seeing as how the car reacts the same regardless of location it really must be lousy controls. Would have been a nice touch to give the car more weight on different planets. But hey, there's always a sequal.

[mailman187666]

I only played it for a couple hours but so far I think its cool. I'm more into traditional JRPGs but this is a nice break from that stuff. I find some of the game confusing so far because I haven't played it that long and I've never played any of the other Bioware rpgs. I definately want to get more into the game and see what its really all about. The character I must say look incredibly realistic.

[monkeysuit]

I'm not too far into the game yet, but so far I'm really digging it. That's saying a lot coming from me (not the biggest RPG fan in the world). My only real complaint about the game is the lack of tutorial as the game advances. Having to learn everything on your own kinda makes an already slow moving game that much slower.


Also, Seth Green as Joker is probably my favorite part of Mass Effect. LOL

EDIT: ELEVATORS:beaten:

[FAMOUS]

EDIT: ELEVATORS:beaten:

+1:grrr:

[Trebuken]

I agree with everyone's complaints, but I also think we can all agree that they don't worsen the game at all.

I am having trouble with some of the fights; I think I needed to explore some more of the side quests instead of going straight into the main quest.

What your character says isn't always the same as what you choose to say....bugs me.

Also the sci-fi is extremely derivative of other sci-fi. Star Wars is obvious, but Dune, Halo, and others are also represented...

[gepeto]

Has anyone noticed in the trailer when you let the game disc run. There was a planet under attack that radioed for help and they declined to help and plotted a course to another planet. I thought that was interesting.

[WiseSalesman]

What your character says isn't always the same as what you choose to say....bugs me.

Actually, I kind of like this. I'm a fan of western RPGs where dialogue tends to have a large impact on the outcome of situations in the game. The fact that you seem to be choosing from the player's internal monologue (i.e. what he's thinking) instead of what he's actually saying makes sense to me, and I become more likely to pick the "unsafe" options just to see what Shepard will say. A lot of times, in games like Planescape or Fallout, there would be dialogue options that I found humorous or interesting, but I would be afraid to utilize them in case they had some far-reaching repercussions (not being able to get a character or a permanent alignment change). Here, my curiosity outweighs my need for self-preservation, so it sort of forces me to press on.

I agree that the action parts could have been better. It's certainly not Gears of War. But I enjoy it, nonetheless, and I'm having a ball with the game so far.

[monkeysuit]

Guys that are this far in the game:

So, who'd ya pork?

ROFL

[mailman187666]

I seem to be dying a lot in the action once you first start going on to other planets. Am I not leveled up enough or something? or am I using the wrong tactics? maybe I just suck at shooters, I'm not sure, but I can barely beat any of the action on other planets. Not using the right weapons maybe?

[Daria]

I seem to be dying a lot in the action once you first start going on to other planets. Am I not leveled up enough or something? or am I using the wrong tactics? maybe I just suck at shooters, I'm not sure, but I can barely beat any of the action on other planets. Not using the right weapons maybe?

Need more information. Are you talking about story planets or uncharted plantets. What level are you? What bits are killing you? Normal enemies or car missions?

You may just need to level up or search out some better equipment. Also some enemies will kill you in one shot, so save and save often. The car bits require a certain amount of strategery, and it's best to find a rock or something large to hide behind and drive back and forth until whatever you're shooting at is dead. Weapons shouldn't be an issue unless you're untrained in them. This is not Halo, I beat the game using a pistol specialist.

[mailman187666]

Need more information. Are you talking about story planets or uncharted plantets. What level are you? What bits are killing you? Normal enemies or car missions?

You may just need to level up or search out some better equipment. Also some enemies will kill you in one shot, so save and save often. The car bits require a certain amount of strategery, and it's best to find a rock or something large to hide behind and drive back and forth until whatever you're shooting at is dead. Weapons shouldn't be an issue unless you're untrained in them. This is not Halo, I beat the game using a pistol specialist.

its the uncharted planets. I'm trying to complete some of the "assignments" and I have to try over and over again. There was one of the earlier mission on a planet that looked red like mars, I try shooting with the car, getting out of the car and shooting. I just die so quick. I'm thinking maybe I should get a bit further in the regular "Missions" before I get onto some of the "assignments" and that way I can level up a bit more and buy some better weapons and armor. I just find it difficult since I'm not really big on most shooters (like Halo). Maybe more practice ought to help too.

[Trebuken]

On some of the planets you take damage just getting out of the MAKO.

You also need to learn to use many of the Biotic and Technical Abilities as well as the other skills. They can help you survive espeacially if you use them before your enemies. You need to make use of cover and strategic retreats early on as well.

I just hit level 40 and am walking over everything I encounter. Saving Saren until all the sidequests (or most anyways) are finished.

Be sure to upgrade your armor (use shield upgrades early on, helps a bunch).

[monkeysuit]

I just finished my first play through. Starting out I wasn't very impressed with it, but once you get a few hours into the gameplay and you start learning how to manage your characters the game just comes together really nicely. My only real complaint is the utter lack of instruction.

I'll be starting my second play through later on tonight!

[monkeysuit]

Has anyone else noticed how incredibly buggy this game can be? I'm at the end of my second play through and I can't count how many bugs I've either noticed or got caught in. Dropping off the entire map, characters not showing up in dialogue, getting stuck in stasis, etc. All of these things, for some reason, are just now showing up to me on the second go around.

[Trebuken]

I had to save and reload a few times because my character was stuck for no reason. That was the only glitch I noticed...

[MonoTekETeA]

I had to save and reload a few times because my character was stuck for no reason. That was the only glitch I noticed...

I had this happen to me, good thing there was an auto-save a half an hour before that.

**Edit** Reassessment of the previous quote.

For me, I saved my game in the engine room after the first long conversation with Tali, and then went to play later in the day. My game loading in a black world with just my avatar running. You could turn him, but you could not make him stop. Oh, you could pull out your gun, while being in armor, when you normally aren't on the ship, but you did not have the gun in your hands. Nor could you zoom in since there was no reticle.

**/De-Edit**

The only thing that drives me crazy is the Mako's controls. (Not to make a crappy pun, but yes.) I just can't stand the fact they made it control like Halo 3, but then also made it so I could steer by pressing up left or up right on the accelerator stick. Drives me bonkers while trying to drive and shoot.

Other then that, I am all for the game, I have been waiting a year for that, and as long as you give me an aiming reticle with recoil, call it a shooter for me.

-Jeremy

[Trebuken]

I had this happen to me, good thing there was an auto-save a half an hour before that.

**Edit** Reassessment of the previous quote.

For me, I saved my game in the engine room after the first long conversation with Tali, and then went to play later in the day. My game loading in a black world with just my avatar running. You could turn him, but you could not make him stop. Oh, you could pull out your gun, while being in armor, when you normally aren't on the ship, but you did not have the gun in your hands. Nor could you zoom in since there was no reticle.

**/De-Edit**

The only thing that drives me crazy is the Mako's controls. (Not to make a crappy pun, but yes.) I just can't stand the fact they made it control like Halo 3, but then also made it so I could steer by pressing up left or up right on the accelerator stick. Drives me bonkers while trying to drive and shoot.

Other then that, I am all for the game, I have been waiting a year for that, and as long as you give me an aiming reticle with recoil, call it a shooter for me.

-Jeremy

I had this happen a few times and each time I was able to save exactly where I was standing and simply reload. Did not have to go back top an old save.

[Daria]

Talking about glitches. I was on Noveria, just set off the "purge" in the hot labs and was on my way out when I ran into the elevator. Only... the elevator wasn't there. So I jumped down into the empty shaft without a way to go "up." And because I had ran off a small ledge without a jump button I couldn't go back where I came from. So I was forced to run around that hole until I blew myself up.

Sucked because my last save had been about a half an hour previous. But at least I was on my second playthrough.

[MonoTekETeA]

I had this happen a few times and each time I was able to save exactly where I was standing and simply reload. Did not have to go back top an old save.

I thought of that, but when I tried it, that didn't work either, go figure. I even tried to save it upon the re-save and no avail.

[monkeysuit]

Talking about glitches. I was on Noveria, just set off the "purge" in the hot labs and was on my way out when I ran into the elevator. Only... the elevator wasn't there. So I jumped down into the empty shaft without a way to go "up." And because I had ran off a small ledge without a jump button I couldn't go back where I came from. So I was forced to run around that hole until I blew myself up.

Sucked because my last save had been about a half an hour previous. But at least I was on my second playthrough.


Almost the same thing happened to me on Virmire. I got in the elevator but instead of taking me up to to the next part of the level, I ended up going down below the level itself. So there I was trapped underneath the entire level with no way back. I ended up having to just reload my last save.:-/

[gepeto]

I love the game but man I have got to learn how to shoot. In the combat stages my aim seems way even off when i am shooting him almost at point blank.

[skylark]

It's a great game, but after playing every Bioware game since the first Baldur's Gate, I've gotten so that every one of their games feels the same. I feel like I can see the strings, almost. The "moral" choices you face through dialog are a little more complex in Mass Effect, but it's essentially the same stuff they've been doing for years. I'm starting to feel like Bioware is becoming a one-trick-pony. When you first start one of their games, you feel like there is tons of depth, but as you play the depth seems shallower. Because money is so plentiful, items are basically free. Customizing the supporting characters is fun until you realize that they are useless in a fight no matter what you decide to with them. I wish you could take direct control of them like you were allowed to do in the Baldur's Gate series, but that's not really feasible with the perspective they've adopted since KOTOR. Plus, your characters are types rather than individuals. It seems to me that there was more interaction between the supporting cast in the BG games, too. In Mass Effect, the characters seem to have stuff to say to each other at the start, but then stop talking as the game goes on. And the romance story that I'm working through is pretty laughable.

Anyway, I could go on, but then I would give the impression that I despise the game when, in fact, I hold it in high regard. It's just that Bioware's formula is becoming stale, and I wish they would rework their implimentation of the role playing aspects of their games. And, yes, the mako a pretty crappy vehicle.

The only bug I've encountered is the screen being turned upside down during Thresher Maw battles so that you are driving upside down with the ground at the top and the sky at the bottom. After a minute, the screen rotates and corrects itself. I've gotten stuck on some objects, but I was able to get loose by crouching.

[mailman187666]

After spending more time with this game, I've gotten used to combat and haven't been dying quite as often. I do, however, need to learn to save more because I probably played for about an hour and a half last night doing the same thing over and over again completely forgetting about saving. I too have also noticed a few glitches in the game. I've had the game freeze up on me once, I've also gotten stuck on walls and have seen some other characters get caught in a loop of animation that makes them look like they are shivering. I'd say aside from the technical issues, this is a very fun game.

[blissfulnoise]

@skylark

It's true that there is a great deal of overlap in BioWare's titles, specifically in terms of their story/character interaction approach, I feel as though Mass Effect opened up so much in terms of exploration that it stands as a fully evolved title.

It's also worth noting that no other company (save maybe Bethesda) is approaching the RPG genre in such a sophisticated way.

While the freedom of choice Mass Effect presents is a bit deceptive to the actual choices you're given, it's still years beyond the glut of JRPGs and half hearted adventure games lining the shelves.

And your party members, though certainly questionable in terms of the automated usefulness, are very helpful in more than a few fights just by simply using their skill sets. Having decryption/electronics is almost a requirement in the game; and abilities like Sabotage, Dampening, and AI Hacking are invaluable in some early on fights (until you get the god like equipment and skills).

I do, however, miss the NPC banter that games like KotOR and BG provided. I will concede that your other party members seem almost mute unless you're using an elevator or talking directly to them.

I'm hoping that BioWare takes the forthcoming sequel and breaks it open a bit wider than ME delivered. The wealth of planets was nice, but ultimately repetitive and stark. I'd like to see more wildlife and other interesting things to interact with without using my gun.

I found quite a few easter eggs on various planets, and I hope that they keep that going but with bigger, more interesting things to discover. The Prothean orb you find on one of the planets was my favorite part of the game that didn't directly involve the Reapers.

As far as a grander story arc, Mass Effect definitely comes off as A New Hope. A story piece that wraps up on itself but leaves enough open to keep people interested. My guess is part 2 will unfold like Empire and give us much more story and mysteries to unravel.

Regardless, I'm in for the long haul. My second playthrough is reaffirming my original reaction that ME is game of the year. It's not without flaws and bugs (though I've experienced no game halting issue yet); but as it stands, ME is without peer in the console, or PC, world.

[skylark]

^ That's pretty much how I feel about it, too. I wouldn't come across as so critical if Bioware hadn't raised the bar so high in the first place. I really like the implementation of Starflight (my #2 favorite game of all time) style exploration, but I think it could be done even better. I wouldn't even notice these issues in a lesser game - it's just that Bioware is so consistently going in the right direction, that I can't help wish they'd pushed a little further.

[rcc8756]

I just beat mass effect, although it has its glitches, IMO I thought it was 10 times better than Halo,Halo just seemed to be short compared to mass effect.And the plot was better than in Halo.Thats just my opinion tough.

[carlcarlson]

I just beat mass effect, although it has its glitches, IMO I thought it was 10 times better than Halo,Halo just seemed to be short compared to mass effect.And the plot was better than in Halo.Thats just my opinion tough.

Comparing Mass Effect to Halo? Graphicly maybe.... but plot and length?

Not bashing, just kind of an odd statement. I agree of course.

[Buns34]

KOTOR 1 and 2 are two of my all time favorite games, but so far Mass Effect is not as good as either game. Super Mario Galaxy, Uncharted, and Ratchet And Clank Future are higher quality games in my opinion. Mass Effect is good, but not great.