Mass Effect Discussion

[thaima1shu]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I'm just trying to understand how Mass effect (a great game that lasts for about 30hours) can be better than Oblivion (a great game that lasts over 100 hours). If they are both 'Game of The Year' material for their respective year, wouldn't the one with more content (Oblivion) be the better game?

Guess I'll find out tomorrow...

More content does not necessarily mean better, right? They're both great for their own reasons, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that Mass Effect is better than Oblivion even with less content.

[highheatkingsb]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I'm just trying to understand how Mass effect (a great game that lasts for about 30hours) can be better than Oblivion (a great game that lasts over 100 hours). If they are both 'Game of The Year' material for their respective year, wouldn't the one with more content (Oblivion) be the better game?

Guess I'll find out tomorrow...

Isn't Mass Effect just as huge with all the side quests?

[jmood88]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I'm just trying to understand how Mass effect (a great game that lasts for about 30hours) can be better than Oblivion (a great game that lasts over 100 hours). If they are both 'Game of The Year' material for their respective year, wouldn't the one with more content (Oblivion) be the better game?

Guess I'll find out tomorrow...

I don't get the 100 hour thing with Oblivion, I went through almost the entire game including the side quests and guilds in probably around 30 or 40 hours and I didn't go through it as fast as possible. The only thing I never got to finish was the main quest and I was on the part where I had to close all the Oblivion gates for the different kings and queens so I wasn't far from being done.

[Pokes]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

There's a lot of sidequest in the game, I'm on my second playthrough and I'm find more and more than I did the first time.

[Defel]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I'm just trying to understand how Mass effect (a great game that lasts for about 30hours) can be better than Oblivion (a great game that lasts over 100 hours). If they are both 'Game of The Year' material for their respective year, wouldn't the one with more content (Oblivion) be the better game?

Guess I'll find out tomorrow...

Because filling 30 hours with great characters, story, and dialogue is just as difficult as filling 100 hours with dungeon crawling.

Like I said they're totally different games and probably shouldn't be compared because Mass Effect could be a 5 hour game and I would still prefer it to Oblivion. Those who prefer the Oblivion style would say the opposite.

[Defel]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

Also, from what I can tell every weapon of the same type looks the same; they just have different colors.

I take back what I said here. There are a few different models. As an engineer, I guess I didn't notice.

[DLaren]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

More content does not necessarily mean better, right? They're both great for their own reasons, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that Mass Effect is better than Oblivion even with less content.

I don't know if you actually 'role play' when you're playing an RPG, but I do, and in my opinion the better game would be the one that offered the longest enjoyable role playing experience (assuming both games are on equal footing). With Mass Effect, it sounds like when I finally start becoming attatched to the characters the game will be coming to an end; while Oblivion on the other hands never technically ends.

Isn't Mass Effect just as huge with all the side quests?

I don't have the game, but from reading many impressions I get the feeling that a good numbers of the side-quests aren't very engaging.

Because filling 30 hours with great characters, story, and dialogue is just as difficult as filling 100 hours with dungeon crawling.

Like I said they're totally different games and probably shouldn't be compared because Mass Effect could be a 5 hour game and I would still prefer it to Oblivion. Those who prefer the Oblivion style would say the opposite.

But it's the various types of stories that relate to those "100 hours of dungeon crawling" that make most of Oblivions side-quests interesting. I'm hoping Mass Effect has achieved the same level of detail outside of it's main-story; if it hasn't, I don't see how Mass Effect can be considered the XBOX 360's "best" RPG.


My bad for turning this into a Mass Effect vs. Oblivion thread......Carry on...

[jmood88]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I don't know how many of you actually 'role play' when you're playing an RPG, but I do, and in my opinion the better game would be the one that allowed me to enjoy my role playing experience the longest on a single playthrough.




I don't have the game, but from reading many impressions I get the feeling that a good numbers of the side-quests aren't very engaging.



But it's the various types of stories that relate to those "100 hours of dungeon crawling" that makes most of Oblivions side-quest interesting. I'm hoping Mass Effect has achieved the same level detail outside of it's main-story; if it hasn't, I don't see how Mass Effect can be considered the XBOX 360's "best" RPG.


My bad for turning this into a Mass Effect vs. Oblivion post......Carry on...

Where have you read that the side quests aren't engaging? I've seen that some of them might not be as interesting but all of the one's dealing with your crew are interesting and lead to more information about each person.

[DLaren]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

Where have you read that the side quests aren't engaging? I've seen that some of them might not be as interesting but all of the one's dealing with your crew are interesting and lead to more information about each person.

On page 2 of this thread Defel stated his opinion.

However, I can see why some people are beating the game in 12 hours. The sidequests and free-form exploration could use some work. The optional planets are way too large for the pitiful amount of content they have, but, since it's their first pass at it, I'll let it slide.

The problem with the sidequests is that they are hardly worth completing. The root of the problem is the loot system has had the life sucked out if it. Usually, Bioware gets this part right so I'm going to complain. In Baldur's Gate and KOTOR, you would constantly be finding items like a Staff of Wizardry or Jango Fett's Blaster Rifle.

Items like that don't really exist in this game so the only reward for doing quests and killing bosses is money and XP. I think I may have seen a few unique weapons, but they weren't from sidequests nor were they treated as if they were anything special. I'll still do all of the sidequests for the story and dialogue, but the loot needs some personality. Oh, and, also, every sidequest reuses the same 4-5 maps.

And he's not alone in that opinion;

As I stated before, I have finished 70% of the sidequest that I've found. I'm not an achievement whore, nor do I find it enjoyable to repeat missions that are mostly all similar in nature and appearance. I talked to everyone I came across in the game, which is what most players will do.

Missions like, "Scan 20 of this and that in the citadel" are simply not enjoyable, nor do they really contribute to the storyline (you will figure out the purpose of these items later on). Furthermore, some missions can be manipulated in such a way that you will be done with them much faster. For example, if someone asks you to do something shady, you can report his practices to his/her adversary to earn some money and walk away within a few minutes, instead of spending around 10 minutes or more for one assignment.

I have expressed my opinion, and thoroughly enjoyed the game despite of the 15 hours I put into it. Let people decide whether or not they enjoy the somewhat boring side quests. If you do enjoy them, good for you. I simply didn't, so should I really force myself to go though them just because the game is supposed to offer more gameplay according to those who are satisfied with mediocre (imho) content? I think not. It's a matter of taste and opinion. Debating it is pointless, as each individual has to find his/her own way of playing through this game.

Doing side-quests in Oblivion gave you story elements, money, items, experience points, and improved your relationships with the people of the land; whereas side-quests in Mass Effect appear to only yield money and experience points. Without intertwining the side-quests to the story and people of Mass Effect, I dont see how it can be an all around better role playing game than Oblivion.

Based on the reviews and impressions, I'm guessing that Mass Effect will be the greatest 30 hours of RPG we've seen on the 360, but as far as longevity, I'm thinking Oblivion will still wear that crown.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

After seeing all the impressions and data of ME. There's no way it's even close to being a better RPG than Oblivion. Oblivion's side quests actually added to the experience with not only $, but XP's , weapons, jewels (which could be added to certain weapons, and the ability to increasee your characters influence abilities etc..
So a game with great content and depth from player to weapons that included 100 hrs of gameplay compared to a 24 hr'ish game with little add-on from side missions makes the comparison a mute point IMO.
No, the amount of content doesn't necessarily make the game better but it does in this case.

Ok that's my little input on the discussion. Don't want to turn it into an Oblivion-ME comparison thread. I just had to chime in after the "Better RPG than Oblivion" post.

[Money99]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I hope this game is better than Oblivion as I hated that game.

I got my *** beat down by an unarmed bar wench in the first 30 minutes of the game.
I might have been able to stomach this if I was unarmed too and she had better fighting skills than my unexperienced character. But I was swinging a freaking sword at her and her mighty, unprotected, forearms would deflect them like she was Megatron.

Anyway, I can't wait to pick up Mass Effect. I don't have 100 hours to spend on a game so 15 hours would take me at least a month to do. It'll be worth the money for me.

P.S. I don't know how popular this concept would be, but I'd love to play an RPG with realistic damage and battle. If I shoot an arrow into someone's face, they shouldn't just stumble backwards and take 20 damage. They should be dead.
This would suck for some because a lot of people like to slash and hack, but I think it could bring a whole new element to RPG games where tact and strategy would be needed far more than heavy armor and fancy new swords. Want to go around killing everyone in a village? Go ahead, but be prepared for the possibility that some villager might get lucky and hack you with an axe or spear you with a pitchfork.

[Bacardi151]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

I hope this game is better than Oblivion as I hated that game.

I got my *** beat down by an unarmed bar wench in the first 30 minutes of the game.
I might have been able to stomach this if I was unarmed too and she had better fighting skills than my unexperienced character. But I was swinging a freaking sword at her and her mighty, unprotected, forearms would deflect them like she was Megatron.

Which bar in which town did this occur in? 360 or pc version? Was it an actual quest where you somehow end up fighting her? I would like to try my fighting 'skillz' against this wench. I know that there is no way to fix the AI from leveling as you level ( making the game challenging throughout) on the 360, but on the PC there is a mod where a enemy which was a bitch to kill when you were level one would be nothing more than a gnat when you reached higher levels.

[Money99]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

Which bar in which town did this occur in? 360 or pc version? Was it an actual quest where you somehow end up fighting her? I would like to try my fighting 'skillz' against this wench. I know that there is no way to fix the AI from leveling as you level ( making the game challenging throughout) on the 360, but on the PC there is a mod where a enemy which was a bitch to kill when you were level one would be nothing more than a gnat when you reached higher levels.

It was on the 360 and it wasn't far from where you escape from the sewers at the beginning of the game. I can't remember the name of the bar but I believe there was a drunk sitting outside of it.
When you enter the Inn/bar, there's a fat woman serving drinks and I think she can give you a side quest.
I didn't bother to hear her blathering so I pulled out my sword and started going at her. After taking several punches and her blocking at least a half dozen sword strikes I got beat down by her and half the pub patrons.

I kept going back to see if I could kill her and at one point I was able to run into an upstairs room. The way the room was setup I was able to isolate her from the rest of the mob. However, her mighty forearms and fists were too much for my armor and sword.

I know that this is how most RPG's are. I guess that's why I don't really play them. I prefer more realistic combat. No matter how tough or strong you are, if an adult male swings a sword at you, your forearms are going to be hurting if you use them to block it.

[Bacardi151]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

It was on the 360 and it wasn't far from where you escape from the sewers at the beginning of the game. I can't remember the name of the bar but I believe there was a drunk sitting outside of it.
When you enter the Inn/bar, there's a fat woman serving drinks and I think she can give you a side quest.
I didn't bother to hear her blathering so I pulled out my sword and started going at her. After taking several punches and her blocking at least a half dozen sword strikes I got beat down by her and half the pub patrons.

I kept going back to see if I could kill her and at one point I was able to run into an upstairs room. The way the room was setup I was able to isolate her from the rest of the mob. However, her mighty forearms and fists were too much for my armor and sword.

I know that this is how most RPG's are. I guess that's why I don't really play them. I prefer more realistic combat. No matter how tough or strong you are, if an adult male swings a sword at you, your forearms are going to be hurting if you use them to block it.

Well, there has to be some sort of mechanics to make the game fun vs frustrating. What you describe is just stats that determine the outcome. Go back to pen-and-paper rpg's and most of them were like this; outcomes determined by the roll of the die. Though i am not sure I have ever see a regular town citizen blocking with their forearm or even being able to take much of a beating on oblivion. Then again i dont mess with the locals

Making a game so realistic that you have to watch your every move doesnt seem like it would work in an rpg, simply because the fighting is secondary to the story. The rpg's big draw is the story, and the adventure through it.

/hijacking over

I will be picking up Mass Effect in a few hours. I have been looking forward to another sci-fi rpg. Knowing Bioware and playing all their previous creations, i am sure it will be an incredible experience.

[Jistic]

Re: Mass Effect - Impressions

Got it last night and played about 5 hours. I haven't even left the Citadel yet. I play these things VERY slowly. I like to check out the sites, talk to people, etc. Otherwise it's over before I know it and I feel like I missed something. And even though I plan on playing through it twice, it's never as good as the first time.

My very first impressions in order of memory were:

I felt like I was instantly in a movie. The camera angles, dialogue, etc. I felt like I really was in the middle of something. There was genuine drama from the get go. The one thing that sucked for me though was that it seems like every movie I've seen of this game leading up to now was from the games first few hours so some of the things I saw, I already knew what was gonna happen. THe dialogue, voice acting is movie quality. It's unbelievable and really brings the characters to life. The music is the also just fantastic.

The Combat at first was....weird. For an RPG the combat is the most action packed I've played. But it's still and RPG and NOT Rainbow 6. The squad management, equipment management, upgrades are a bit overwhelming at first. But most deep RPG's a little overwhelming to me at first. But now I'm much more comfortable with it. I'm playing as an infiltrator, so at first your sniper skill is god awful. Although I did have some nice head shots.

I seriously didn't want to go to bed last night. I'm thinking about where I'm at and what I have to do next and can't wait to play again tonight. This one will be a classic.