tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.comments2014-05-02T22:59:06.597-04:00Writer's Blog!Ryan Keyworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-90747514287509796962012-03-26T08:26:20.441-04:002012-03-26T08:26:20.441-04:00Thank you for the comment S7evens! I find what yo...Thank you for the comment S7evens! I find what you said very interesting. While I think you are being perhaps a tad harsh on the game, it is probably because you're seeing the story from a new perspective. The ending of ME3 has jaded you, just like it's jaded me. <br /><br />I personally can't even bring myself to play ME3 again, but I imagine if I did, I would be having a similar reaction. In fact I bet if you went back and played ME1 and ME2, you wouldn't enjoy either game nearly as much as before. All of this thanks to ME3's cataclysmic ending.<br /><br />In my opinion, ME3's ending will go down in history as a text book example of how NOT to end your trilogy. Good news for Casey Hudson. He did say he wanted ME3's ending to be memorable.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-91931762482963115172012-03-26T00:54:45.142-04:002012-03-26T00:54:45.142-04:00I just effectively finished a second play through ...I just effectively finished a second play through (to illusive man's base, no desire to see the game's failure of an ending again) and I have to say that despite liking it the first time through my opinions have changed after I got the fanboy out and really looked at the game. <br /><br />Just looking at gameplay (and I loathe to say this but it is the best part of the game) the weapon system is fucked. heavy pistols out dps the best assault rifles and shotguns while boosting powers, which are OP compared to weapons. If you do many of the sidequest you end up with enough money to buy nearly every item in the game, including all 3 absurdly powerful Specter weapons. The only challenge for advanced players comes from enemies that have more hp then an alliance frigate and many of the levels are so linear that I feel I would be better of playing Call of Duty.<br /><br />On characters I am very disappointed you only run into maybe 3 NPC's from previous games and you really only dialog with Conrad Verneer. Vega is a terrible character and Ashley's personality has turned from hardened military with a streak of xenophobia to military barbie reality show. I also agree that Garus and Liara have no personality to speak of forcing me to rely on experience from previous games. Which is especially surprising because Liara was my love interest in the game. EDI was a stereotype of robot learning to be human which would be OK if it wasn't the strongest of the original squad mates. Tali I guess was OK but you only end up having 3 short conversations with her and she isn't available for 1/2 the game. and Ki Lang wants to steal your cereal, serously where did he come from and who the hell decided that Mass Effect was just begging for a SPACE NINJA.<br /><br />The plot was godawful, I thought the main theme was suppose to be stop the reapers not spend the last few weeks of organized resistance building a machine that no one understands but will mysteriously win us the war. I also fought Cerberus like 60% of the game, they should be a side villan. When it comes time to assault the illusive man's base can I just get the Destiny Assention to punch a hole through life support and go get my data in a spacesuit? <br /><br />nitpicking plot holes aside, I just feel that this whole game failed to live up to the expectations that I had for it, especially upon a second play through. If they do come out with a ending fix I may purchase it just so I can enjoy 1 and 2 again. I liken 3 to sitting down and watching all 3 Star Wars Prequels in an evening after being fans of the original for years. You start out greatly excited but knowing that it will probably not live up to expectations, then you start in and you have the WOW more Star Wars Sweet feeling. Then as the movies drag on you come down from that and see them as just OK. Then while brushing your teeth you start to try and put together the logic and you can't and end up going to bed upset and with a headache.<br /><br />Alright sorry for the long comment. Needed a place to vent and don't feel like creating an account on the forums to do that. Just like I don't feel like ever purchasing another title from BioWare ever again.S7evenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908632421979640667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-10778591178861227392012-03-25T16:24:51.235-04:002012-03-25T16:24:51.235-04:00It's still pretty scary how close I got though...It's still pretty scary how close I got though. I feel vindicated... and I hate myself.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment!Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-1038049934045749012012-03-25T11:57:11.034-04:002012-03-25T11:57:11.034-04:00I'd say you were wrong about one thing in your...I'd say you were wrong about one thing in your assessment, though. It has an ending more like The Matrix <i>Reloaded</i> rather than Revolutions, in that it ends with the protagonist discovering that none of their choices mattered, that they're really powerless, followed by a forced choice dictated by nothing other than author fiat in a misguided attempt to make the story "deep and philosophical".<br /><br />Which isn't doing ME3 any favors, considering it's the third installment in a trilogy rather than the second.LucidFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378427586768088277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-66490376533046673592012-03-18T07:26:49.524-04:002012-03-18T07:26:49.524-04:00Nice catch! Thanks. All nice and fixed now.Nice catch! Thanks. All nice and fixed now.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-70248404445540185982012-03-18T02:56:07.552-04:002012-03-18T02:56:07.552-04:00Minor nitpick: it's canon, not cannon. Cannons...Minor nitpick: it's canon, not cannon. Cannons go boom. Canon doesn't. :)LucidFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378427586768088277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-37686798328614792422012-03-13T19:59:23.767-04:002012-03-13T19:59:23.767-04:00I actually blocked the term Mass Effect from my ro...I actually blocked the term Mass Effect from my router for fear of accidentally reading spoilers, leaving me unable to read or post on my own blog. I just unlocked it today because I am so close to the end that it really doesn't matter. I should have my opinions up this weekend.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-25288863438661656262012-03-12T15:54:59.665-04:002012-03-12T15:54:59.665-04:00Ryan, have you played ME3 final yet? How soon can ...Ryan, have you played ME3 final yet? How soon can I expect an opinion? :)LucidFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378427586768088277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-34605925044303264312012-03-05T10:27:35.281-05:002012-03-05T10:27:35.281-05:00@Klaus
It's true that BW owes directly to its...@Klaus<br /><br />It's true that BW owes directly to its creditors, but you are disregarding something very important: In order to please their creditors THEY SHOULD first please their consumers, otherwise NO SALES=FRUSTRATED CREDITORS. Anyone who's ever handled a business knows there should be a balance between the service level and satisfaction and profits. <br /><br />So far I only hope the author of this article is wrong about ME3 but his opinions are spot on. and LucidFox please don´t apply Political Correctness to game, everyone has the right to play Shepard as he or she without having to give disclaimers for it.J.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11878053615804408121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-85760523767568421222012-03-05T10:27:06.720-05:002012-03-05T10:27:06.720-05:00@Klaus
It's true that BW owes directly to its...@Klaus<br /><br />It's true that BW owes directly to its creditors, but you are disregarding something very important: In order to please their creditors THEY SHOULD first please their consumers, otherwise NO SALES=FRUSTRATED CREDITORS. Anyone who's ever handled a business knows there should be a balance between the service level and satisfaction and profits. <br /><br />So far I only hope the author of this article is wrong about ME3 but his opinions are spot on. and LucidFox please don´t apply Political Correctness to game, everyone has the right to play Shepard as he or she without having to give disclaimers for it.J.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11878053615804408121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-85557589961860946862012-03-04T09:45:14.269-05:002012-03-04T09:45:14.269-05:00Thank you for the comment Unknown. I wonder if th...Thank you for the comment Unknown. I wonder if that's your name, or if you are just unknown. Mysterious.<br /><br />This is a pretty old article. At the time, it is was still up in the air if Tali was really on the team, much less some of the more spoilery companions. Now, there is only 1 companion that has not been officially announced (which despite not reading the leaks, I do know who that is).<br /><br />Now, I like the cast from ME1 way better than ME2, so I am pretty pleased with ME3's cast. There are some standouts in the ME2 cast, but I just don't think they gelled as much as ME1. Some people disagree with me on this one. They may prefer the ME2 cast over ME1's, which is great. I like that everyone has their own opinion because it allows us to play differently, making the entire concept of choice in the game matter. <br /><br />I can't help but think that Bioware may have shot themselves in the foot with that suicide mission idea. I could be very wrong though. It is possible that each ME2 characters have such great roles in ME3 that everybody is generally cool with it. I, for one, will being finding this out in 1 day and 14 hours. I'll be proud to be an American that day!Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-22648586345489299882012-03-04T06:07:29.447-05:002012-03-04T06:07:29.447-05:00I agree with everything in the article anyone argu...I agree with everything in the article anyone arguing is totally blind to this argument. Choosing a select few squadmates is a poor decision on BW part. They could have ultimately pushed the release farther back to make at least every love interest a companion. It is the conclusion to your story. Bioware does owe their fanbase their stories as without great fans buying your products you ultimately don't sell. I agree that they don't owe you or I anything but as stated stated in the article many fans are going to be upset. <br /><br />The biggest chunk of messing up comes from introducing new characters that could have been old squad members from two and also having only two members that could potentially die come back as squad mates as this short counts a couple of thousands of people who chose to let Garrus and Tali die. <br /><br />Article is dead on correct thanks for your logical post I agree with you 100 percent.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429214285809194096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-78594763676395218632012-02-27T09:09:56.909-05:002012-02-27T09:09:56.909-05:00Thanks for the comment Thorin! A few things I wou...Thanks for the comment Thorin! A few things I would like to point out though, DICE really didn't have a hand in ME3's development. They simply offered advice on the sound design, particularly in terms of sound effects. A lot of critics and fans have been very impressed with SFX, myself included, so it's not a bad thing. <br /><br />In regards to the Adept, I have heard about their new weight system, which allows for near instantaneous cooldowns for all classes depending on your weapon loadout. It sounds like it could address the issue of ME2's cooldown system. We'll have to wait and see. <br /><br />I have to admit, as much as I love ME2's score, it truly was missing the 80's synth of ME1 which noticeably changed the vibe of the game. Having heard minor tidbits of ME3's score, I can tell you that the synth sound is making a grand return. Have you listened to the music from Arrival? The DLC itself was only so-so, but the music was killer. I am so happy to see those two composers on ME3.<br /><br />I have heard a lot of good things about ME3 lately. But, will the new RPG features hold up? Will the focus on combat overshadow all other aspects of the game? Will it have a great story? Will any of the choices we made, or have yet to make have any bearing on the story at all? These are the questions in my head. I know Bioware has the ability to make ME3 the best game ever. I just don't know if they will utilize that ability. We will find out next week. Thanks again.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-45360254780490463302012-02-27T00:38:51.093-05:002012-02-27T00:38:51.093-05:00I would like to third that. While I did like ME2 a...I would like to third that. While I did like ME2 as a game, it fails on so many levels as a sequel. Everything is changed, the mood, the characters, the gameplay etc. The music was a big problem for me. I love orchestral scores, but me1 had a more synth bladerunner/bad 80s music feel that fit the game. I didn't even notice the music in part 2, but still hear the music from Flux or when landing on the 3 main planets. <br /><br />So throw me in the purist boat. I thought they needed some tweaks, not ripping the heart out of the game. As an RPG fan ME2 pretty much ruined the series to me. If I wanted to play a duck and cover shooter I will play one that handles exactly like that, not an RPG that half asses it with ammo that doesn't make any sense given the context of the first game. <br /><br />One of my biggest gripes was how my adept was useless. Cooldowns on individual skills is great, but for all your skills is bad. Do one biotic and then its pew pew time with your handgun. So much for the cool magic like portion of the game.<br /><br />Anyway I will not be buying part 3 and will wait till my friends and family have had enough and get a play through before they trade it away. I heard Dice had a hand in the game and after seeing how BFBC2 my favourite shooter ever went on to be BF3 It makes me more nervous than ever at how bad this game will be. EA has ruined Bioware which was one of the best game companies. Even Star Wars TOR is a mess, and this should be a good fit for BIOware. thanks for the great read BTW.Thorinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06412555203232938762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-66543443461340459192012-02-25T04:00:47.702-05:002012-02-25T04:00:47.702-05:00To Luna24, the next time you choose to leave a com...To Luna24, the next time you choose to leave a comment, please leave one that is not disparaging to my readers. We all have opinions and we are free to disagree with each other, but that does not mean we should be unreasonable and resort to petty insults. If you would like to insult me, whatever, but I will not tolerate disrespectful remarks targeted at my readers. Thank you.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-47898720541503149512012-02-19T20:03:43.212-05:002012-02-19T20:03:43.212-05:00You're welcome Evan and thank you for leaving ...You're welcome Evan and thank you for leaving a comment. <br /><br />I agree with you 100%. I too really loved ME1, and while ME2 frustrates me, I still enjoy the game a lot. However, after playing the demo for ME3, I can't help but feel that the quality of the story is getting successfully worse with each installment. Mac Walters is the Rob Liefeld of writing. <br /><br />Robocop 4 Space Monster Puncher? Is it weird that I think that sounds kind of awesome?Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-79102489059019030292012-02-19T16:54:31.127-05:002012-02-19T16:54:31.127-05:00Dude, I want to start by saying I LOVE Mass Effect...Dude, I want to start by saying I LOVE Mass Effect.<br /><br />It was my Space Opera, the best Sci-fi I have consumed since the Ender's series.<br /><br />Almost everything you've said I've been saying since the first day I played ME2, you hit the nail on the god damn head.<br /><br />They took fantastic journey into the unknown infinite universe, and turned it into Robocop 4 Space Monster Puncher.<br /><br />Anyway I know that it is to late now, that my favourite game of my adult life will just kinda fizzle out as a shitty gears of war rip off with even shittier preachier writing (god damn Hepler)<br /><br />I guess I just wanted to say thank you this is as close to consolation as I've ever achieved for the death of my series... and hopefully someday soon the death of the business that did this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-23602998079200977292012-02-16T15:34:43.575-05:002012-02-16T15:34:43.575-05:00Thanks for the comment Chuck! Sorry I burst your ...Thanks for the comment Chuck! Sorry I burst your bubble. I always get a bit bugged when fans say ME2 had a better story than ME1 because it was more original. Originality does not make a story great. Structure is what makes a story great. I can make a house look original, but if I neglect the foundation and basic construction, the whole building will collapse. ME2 didn't have a solid structure. ME1 on the other hand had a very solid structure. Hopefully ME3 learns from that mistake.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-19028719883460903982012-02-16T14:14:42.342-05:002012-02-16T14:14:42.342-05:00That was a hard hit for me as a big Mass Effect fa...That was a hard hit for me as a big Mass Effect fan. Yes you are right in most points. Well its sad when someone blows your bubble but it had to be done. That doesn't mean i'm not gonna preorder ME3, but I wont get my hopes up.Chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041634875592543457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-34394409681331569232012-02-14T22:37:52.052-05:002012-02-14T22:37:52.052-05:00Consoles are even worse. At least with a PC I don&...Consoles are even worse. At least with a PC I don't have to deal with a hardware-locked device where I can't sneeze without the manufacturer's permission if they say it intrudes their precious "intewwectual pwopewty".LucidFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378427586768088277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-66134197015055258572012-02-14T19:47:58.394-05:002012-02-14T19:47:58.394-05:00Origin=Ewww. Thankfully I played on the XBox360, ...Origin=Ewww. Thankfully I played on the XBox360, which does not require Origin. If this was representative of the overall ME3 experience, I think you're lucking out. Thanks for the visit LucidFox. Always a pleasure to hear from you.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-20771488856931076172012-02-14T16:19:14.972-05:002012-02-14T16:19:14.972-05:00Meh, good or bad, I'm not touching it anymore....Meh, good or bad, I'm not touching it anymore. Because of Origin.LucidFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06378427586768088277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-52467462561275403482012-02-10T21:27:49.184-05:002012-02-10T21:27:49.184-05:00Thanks for the comment Darth Asriel. Allow me to ...Thanks for the comment Darth Asriel. Allow me to play devil's advocate here. Bioware has been talking a lot about their new RPG features like weapon customization and the new stat progression system (which I think looks quite impressive). Hopefully, these additions enhance the RPG aspects delivering a true RPG/TPS experience, rather than just a dumbed down shooter mixed with a dumbed down RPG. <br /><br />As far as them saying that Mass Effect 3 is the perfect jumping on point in the series, that's just Marketing speak. I don't pay attention to that at all. They said Mass Effect 2 was a great jumping on point too, which is ludicrous considering the Reapers, the Protheans, Spectres, the Citadel, nearly all of the main characters from ME1 and the Keepers were casually mentioned and offered zero explanation to new players as to what they are and why they are important. From what I understand, most of those plot elements have great importance in ME3. I haven't read the leaks so I don't know for sure. <br /><br />But I can't defend multiplayer in anyway, nor can I say that Bioware has been very respectful to their core fanbase. They have lied and mislead their fans an awful lot in recent years. It's kind of funny in a way. If Bioware says it isn't happening, chances are, it's happening.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-74926841184580784542012-02-10T17:34:00.904-05:002012-02-10T17:34:00.904-05:00You basically have summed up all of my fears about...You basically have summed up all of my fears about ME3. Bioware dumped the RPG part of the game, added an unwanted and unneeded multiplayer, and has turned a great franchise into a COD clone. Even the advertising is all shooter, explosions, and now exploding heads! And worst is when Bioware themselves say this is the perfect jumping on point of the series!!!<br /><br />Really???? <br />So you're telling me I've wasted my time and money supporting you so you could get here? No one with a brain reads Return of the King before they read the other 2 books. EA and BW have shown no respect or care for the people who made this series successful.Darth Asrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12032767278146200592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38573280.post-61119018799340888902012-02-04T12:20:37.411-05:002012-02-04T12:20:37.411-05:00Thanks for the comment. I actually haven't pi...Thanks for the comment. I actually haven't picked up a DC book since their relaunch. Like I said before, none of their titles really grabbed me. I am happy to hear that Aquaman is doing pretty well. All my friends rave about it.Ryan Keyworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11621938315512887034noreply@blogger.com