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xannosideI'm getting a GameFly account. That's the only way to keep this up without spending all my disposable income.
Anyway, today's review (and the last game I'm actually buying until after 2008 begins) is of Mass Effect by Bioware for the 360.
Anyone who has ever played a Bioware RPG, whether it's Baldur's Gate 2 or Knights of the Old Republic (the first one), will, likely to their delight, recognize Mass Effect immediately. The plot-pacing is similar, it's visually similar (allowing for next-gen technological capabilities of course), even the upgrade system is similar, if highly streamlined for simplicity of use.
System-mechanics and rule-whores everywhere will be interested to note that Mass Effect continues the trend in KOTOR of moving away from the strict, complex confines of the AD&D system (KOTOR used d20) towards a simpler-to-use-and-understand interface that decreases time spent towards the simple advancement of the characters, letting you get back to the action.
Folks who specifically like this aspect may be slightly turned off of Mass Effect, but IMO anything that preserves the original concept of high-customizability while reducing the amount of time you're not actually playing the game is a worthwhile and necessary improvement.
In a lot ways, Mass Effect is like a Halo 3 of RPGs. It's a very familiar formula, meticulously corrected and refined over time until it's finally approaching what the developers clearly always wanted, and in an original IP to boot.
There is one major change. Combat is now fully real-time. Using special abilities or changing weapons pauses the action, but regular attacks (primarily using ranged weapons) behave like a standard shooter interface (with no ammo limits). Players used to Baldur's Gate may have difficulty adjusting. KOTOR-fans who played-through using the real-time option should be able to acclimate without too much trouble.
Players like me who love both RPGs and Shooters of every kind will have a game that will feel tailor-made for them.
End result? A fun, fast-paced RPG whose interface is smooth, fast, and intuitive while still providing the level of customization that has been present in previous Bioware games. If the plot holds its pacing and course throughout, this will probably be one of the most satisfying game purchases I have made.
Cross your fingers.
Initial Impression: Excellent, Highly Recommended
Anyway, today's review (and the last game I'm actually buying until after 2008 begins) is of Mass Effect by Bioware for the 360.
Anyone who has ever played a Bioware RPG, whether it's Baldur's Gate 2 or Knights of the Old Republic (the first one), will, likely to their delight, recognize Mass Effect immediately. The plot-pacing is similar, it's visually similar (allowing for next-gen technological capabilities of course), even the upgrade system is similar, if highly streamlined for simplicity of use.
System-mechanics and rule-whores everywhere will be interested to note that Mass Effect continues the trend in KOTOR of moving away from the strict, complex confines of the AD&D system (KOTOR used d20) towards a simpler-to-use-and-understand interface that decreases time spent towards the simple advancement of the characters, letting you get back to the action.
Folks who specifically like this aspect may be slightly turned off of Mass Effect, but IMO anything that preserves the original concept of high-customizability while reducing the amount of time you're not actually playing the game is a worthwhile and necessary improvement.
In a lot ways, Mass Effect is like a Halo 3 of RPGs. It's a very familiar formula, meticulously corrected and refined over time until it's finally approaching what the developers clearly always wanted, and in an original IP to boot.
There is one major change. Combat is now fully real-time. Using special abilities or changing weapons pauses the action, but regular attacks (primarily using ranged weapons) behave like a standard shooter interface (with no ammo limits). Players used to Baldur's Gate may have difficulty adjusting. KOTOR-fans who played-through using the real-time option should be able to acclimate without too much trouble.
Players like me who love both RPGs and Shooters of every kind will have a game that will feel tailor-made for them.
End result? A fun, fast-paced RPG whose interface is smooth, fast, and intuitive while still providing the level of customization that has been present in previous Bioware games. If the plot holds its pacing and course throughout, this will probably be one of the most satisfying game purchases I have made.
Cross your fingers.
Initial Impression: Excellent, Highly Recommended