Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

[thornie]

Let me just start off by saying that I can be best described as a casual RPG fan. I enjoy many of the elements that make up a good RPG, such as a great story, fun battle system, and leveling up my character. Some of my favorite games have been RPGs, albeit of the JRPG genre, but I'm definitely willing to try a really good Western RPG.

Any way, 2 weeks ago I finally decided to pick up Fallout 3 and see what all the fuss was about. Everything I had read about the game intrigued me, and I was really excited to dive right in. After playing about 10 hrs of this game, all I can say is that this game is just not for me. It is just too overwhelming, too vast, too open, too many choices. IMO It's just too much of everything. I think the game is awesome, but I no longer have the time to play a game that would certainly take 80-100 hrs to fully complete. I'm lucky to be able to play a game like Assassin's Creed 2 (which I absolutely love.)

That being said, Mass Effect 2 looks amazing. I am a huge Sci Fi fan, and this game seems to be right up my alley. So my question is, are the Mass Effect games as life sucking as Fallout 3? Fallout 3 is the only Western RPG I've played, so I'm a bit scared to go out and buy Mass Effect only to find it's every bit as insanely deep as Fallout 3. Are the Mass Effect games more mission based? or linear? or is like Fallout 3, where it's this giant open world and all bets are off?

Thanks!

[mgoblue]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

The Mass Effect series is more linear and mission based. There can be a bit of exploring a main city talking to people (as well as talking to your team members to build relationships), but in general you're going from mission to mission...nowhere near as open as Fallout 3 for sure

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

Fallout 3 is Oblivion/Morrowind.

Mass Effect is Knights of the Old Republic.

If that helps you in anyway.

[thornie]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

The Mass Effect series is more linear and mission based. There can be a bit of exploring a main city talking to people (as well as talking to your team members to build relationships), but in general you're going from mission to mission...nowhere near as open as Fallout 3 for sure

Cool. That's what I was hoping to hear. I definitely like exploring and talking to NPC's and what not, but I like to know I can hop on a mission and advance the storyline whenever I'm ready.

[mgoblue]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

Cool. That's what I was hoping to hear. I definitely like exploring and talking to NPC's and what not, but I like to know I can hop on a mission and advance the storyline whenever I'm ready.

Yeah, basically you know what main missions you have to do, and where to go to do them...Whereas Fallout 3 and Oblivion are open world, and while there's the main story there's way more you can "stumble on" that makes it overwhelming. ME3 is story based, you're putting together a team to try and save the world...you have defined goals and whatnot. You can skip some stuff, but it may have repercussions later (a cool feature in the game IMO, lets you tailor the game to your experience, same with the morality options).

[thaima1shu]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

mgoblue's description is spot on. And based on your post, I think that you'll genuinely enjoy the game and should go for it. Just make sure you get Mass Effect 1 first!

[WeLLWeLL]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

mgoblue's description is spot on. And based on your post, I think that you'll genuinely enjoy the game and should go for it. Just make sure you get Mass Effect 1 first!

I agree with everything that has been said. Fallout 3/Oblivion are games that can require mass amounts of your time if you really want to experience everything. Mass Effect is much more linear, however the decisions you make and the side quests you choose to do are completely up to you. But yes, get Mass Effect first...then Mass Effect 2.

[Pokes]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

The ME games have something Fallout 3 lacks, emotional investment in the characters you meet, there simply simply isn't any.

[mgoblue]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

The ME games have something Fallout 3 lacks, emotional investment in the characters you meet, there simply simply isn't any.

No doubt...I personally think it's all the time/resources they put into the story (same guy writing the books and the game) along with the voice acting. Everything is something you hear. Fallout 3 and Borderlands (two awesome games btw) just lack in getting you emotionally involved. ME is like a movie.

[Cusefan]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

The ME games have something Fallout 3 lacks, emotional investment in the characters you meet, there simply simply isn't any.

Ding Ding, we have a winner. with Fallout, you are a Loner so you will not make friends with everyone. The whole experience of Fallout is you are alone, you eat alone, sleep alone, you fight alone, and you may or may not die alone.

It may sound crazy, but with Mass Effect, you really start caring for your buddies. Im in the middle of Mass Effect 2 and it really has added another dimension to the friends in the game. In Mass Effect one, I started using only characters that best completed my squad, now I use characters because I like them the most.

Do yourself a favor, buy Mass Effect. like Fallout it can be overwhelming at first, but you can PM me if you have any questions or problems.

[Altimus]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

I agree.

No other game makes you feel for characters like ME. Sometimes I even question my action/decision as if it really did mean anything but that's how good the game is. You just really feel like you're in this ME universe.

[Pokes]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

This now makes me wonder what could have been if BioWare and obtained the Fallout license.

[dossier]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

or made KOTOR 3

[mgoblue]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

or made KOTOR 3

They are making Star Wars: The Old Republic, a MMO supposedly similar to KOTOR with tons of voice actors and whatnot...though that's probably not out til 2011, but I think it's the next MMO I'll try.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Are the Mass Effect games as overwhelming as Fallout 3?

I will agree with you guys. I started playing this again last week and this game is fantastic. It was a bit slow for me at first, but things get interesting in Noveria and Feros where I am at now has been action packed.