[Turfster]

I was considering buying all the ME novels and comics, because I am a huge fan of the lore.

Don't do that. Read Cereal Killer's seminal rage comics for a reason why ;)

As for ME3, it has a few good plot pieces along the way. The 'game' itself is a rather middling corridor cover shooter with annoying horde mode sections that pop up way too often, and a retarded one button control scheme ("No you idiot, don't jump over the cover!").

It's still worth playing I guess, but... maybe wait for a price drop? (Unless you really like mindless corridor cover shooters with annoying horde mode sections, then you need to get it immediately I guess ;)

[gdt]

lol

Of course. It's an excellent game all the way through, with a meh ending. Best game of the series, even with the ending.

[fluffydelusions]

I liked the game minus the ending.

[Moaradin]

WOW Please someone tell me it's not true!

That's bullshit. The character writing is by far the best in the series. More like Lair of the Shadow Broker level writing.

[Ventilaator]

lol Of course. It's an excellent game all the way through, with a meh ending. Best game of the series, even with the ending.

Considering the hate ME2 gets, how is this even a thing that people on here can say? I see absolutely no version of any universe under any conditions where ME3's campaign mode is worth half a shit when compared to 2. I may have had some problems with 2, but at least I wasn't laughing at it while I was playing it. I'm reading this thread and being about as baffled as I was when I read the "Wait, Titanic was a real ship?" thread.

[Synless]

Game is fantastic but ending is disappointing.

.

[dokish]

I laugh everytime people talk about ME's story being "good".

How can it be good? The story is basically "The collectores are working for the reapers. Let's get them! Wait, but before, we're gonna spend hours (the entire game) recruit people for a suicide mission that that lasts very little." - The story is actually ONE freaking mission! No sense of progression at all.

[Moaradin]

I laugh everytime people talk about ME's story being "good". How can it be good? The story is basically "The collectores are working for the reapers. Let's get them! Wait, but before, we're gonna spend hours (the entire game) recruit people for a suicide mission that that lasts very little." - The story is actually ONE freaking mission! No sense of progression at all.

ME in general? Because what you described only applies to ME2. It isn't a bad thing by any means either. ME2 focused more on universe building than main plot.

[RooMHM]

If you like and want an RPG, no. If you like Third Person Shooters with "magic" then maybe yes.

[EGM1966]

Probably if you liked ME2 that much you should indeed buy it.

Personally I find the ME franchise to be merely good and overrated with as average wriring and quests as you'll find in an RPG lite title. The combat does improve with each game though (peaking with ME3 naturaly) although the same can't be said for running animations and some other elements which are actually rougher around the edges in ME3.

ME3 does have a lot of good gameplay moments though, and if you find ME great where I find it decent then no doubt you'll find much of ME3 great too.

But... the ending truly is awful. On that I can agree with the majority.

Bioware clearly had no idea how to actually have you, a footsoldier with 2 side kicks, actually defeat a galaxy wide invasion by huge sentient machines. As a result ME3 resorts to Deus Ex Machina plot points not once but multiple times - not a good sign for the title that's suppsed to wrap up the whole story - then procedes to fracture it's own internal logic in the end cutscenes.

[Gui_PT]

ME in general? Because what you described only applies to ME2. It isn't a bad thing by any means either. ME2 focused more on universe building than main plot.

I don't think he played all the games

[Santiako]

Of course, the game is absolutely fantastic up until the last ten minutes. Even the multiplayer is surprisingly good.

[Kinyou]

If you're a Mass Effect fan, I recommend you're getting it. It's a pretty good game and many of the conflicts introduced in the earlier games get a good resolution. edit: I maintain that Kai Leng is the worst thing about ME3, not the ending. What a shit character.

I agree with this post.

The ending might be not that satisfying but I also wouldn't say that it ruins everything in retrospect.

[Waaghals]

Apart from the ending, Mass Effect 3 is a very good game. It also has an incredible horde mode, you should buy it.

[ThankeeSai]

I would definitely get it. For all of its flaws, it's still a great game. It's been said countless times already, but yes, the ending is weak. Other than that, I had a blast.

[subversus]

That's bullshit. The character writing is by far the best in the series. More like Lair of the Shadow Broker level writing.

ugh

[coopolon]

I laugh everytime people talk about ME's story being "good". How can it be good? The story is basically "The collectores are working for the reapers. Let's get them! Wait, but before, we're gonna spend hours (the entire game) recruit people for a suicide mission that that lasts very little." - The story is actually ONE freaking mission! No sense of progression at all.

This is pretty much the story structure of 90% of RPGs out there though isn't it? It's definitely the structure of every Bioware RPG.

I think the story in Mass Effect has always been pretty bad, although the end of ME3 certainly took it to new levels. What I've always enjoyed about the games is the universe and Shepard's role in it, hero progression (like any RPG), the combat (especially ME2 and ME3), and some of the characters. ME3 does all of those things almost as well or better than any previous games except for characters. Almost every new character ME3 introduces is terrible, and they even retroactively ruin one character Ashley. But there are still enough fun characters around that you can ignore the terrible ones, and in addition you also get to see the resolution of some of the best characters in the series.

[RPGCrazied]

I just wish they would release a box with all 3 games, with all the dlc included. Might make for a very expensive box, but having them all in one place would be nice.

[masterkajo]

I have more the problem of "should I play it". I have the CE here at home since launch but didn't play it because of all the bad press it got regarding the ending. I guess I will wait until the extended cut and then maybe try it. As a huge fan of the series it is just a big dissapointment if it doesn't end well, regardless of how awesome everthing leading up to the bad ending is.

[Flavius]

After gobbling up the first two immediately upon release, I'm still a bit shocked that I've had little desire to pick this one up after all of the hoopla surrounding the ending.

[Diddy Kong]

If you're going to get it, buy it used.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

Plenty of good reasons to dislike the game even ignoring the horrendous, embarrassing ending.

[MechaX]

Personally, I would wait it out a little bit longer to see how much more the price will fall. That, and to see what exactly they're going to do about that Extended Cut for the ending.

If you're still determined to buy it, just remember this; When you see an elevator of light at the very end of the game, just turn the game off right then and make up your own ending. I'm serious about this.

[FoeHammer]

As a huge fan of the series, I would say no. At least wait until the ending DLC comes out but I doubt that is going to change much. The ending completely ruined the series for me. I've played the first two at least 5 times each and I haven't touched ME 3 since finishing it. It left a shit taste in my mouth and I have no desire to return to it unless the ending is majorly overhauled.

I know we should respect artist integrity and all that, but the ending makes no sense and isn't explained at all. None of your choices make a hill of beans difference in the outcome and you are basically a color picking puppet.

[jjasper]

This is pretty much the story structure of 90% of RPGs out there though isn't it? It's definitely the structure of every Bioware RPG.

Not really. Mass Effect 1 was more go to three planets to investigate what the hell is happening and you happened to pick to characters.

Anyway I think it is worth it to play 3 even if the ending shits on the 90hrs before it.

[Digoman]

The game is far from perfect, and the all the discussions about the ending make some of the other flaws "get a pass". It was rushed and feels a lot more... "limited" then previous entries in terms of dialog choices and linearity.

However, the combat mechanics work well, there are some very rewarding moments for fans of the series when concluding some of the storylines, and a lot of fan-service in general. So if you liked the previous games and already know what to expect in the last 15 minutes of this one, maybe it's worth your time.

I'd still wait for the "our ending is good and you guys just don't get it" DLC though, because what is there is terrible and can really sour the whole trilogy experience, and there is a good chance that Bioware will make it worse when trying to expand on it.

[BaroqueSampson]

Fuck the haters. It's a really fun game that does some really great things up to the ending.

Buy it.

[Lord-Audie]

I would still recommend it.

Good game, bad ending.

[Ventilaator]

I'd still wait for the "our ending is good and you guys just don't get it" DLC though, because what is there is terrible and can really sour the whole trilogy experience, and there is a good chance that Bioware will make it worse when trying to expand on it.

Yeah. Bioware said that they are going to explain the ending, not change it. So what you're gonna get is "No, really. We were serious."

[Derrick01]

It's kind of not worth it. The game does fool you into thinking it's good the first time through but it's utterly worthless after that, it has 0 replayability. The story is pretty terrible and it's very buggy for such an obscenely linear game. It's clear they put more effort into multiplayer then anything else.

[iNvid02]

of course you should, up until the ending the game is superb

the journey was fantastic, hours of great playtime

it should not be missed because of a shitty ending

[subversus]

It's kind of not worth it. The game does fool you into thinking it's good the first time through but it's utterly worthless after that, it has 0 replayability. The story is pretty terrible and it's very buggy for such an obscenely linear game. It's clear they put more effort into multiplayer then anything else.

thank God for that. it justified my 100$ (or something like that) purchase.

[Zomba13]

If you have someone with you to turn it off before shit gets ruined then I'd say yes. The side quests are the weakest in the series but it has some fantastic main story missions.
The multiplayer is also pretty awesome if you like Horde mode style things. Worst thing about it is the random loot that you get when you buy boxes.

[Always-honest]

I just bought it for 20$. Just for the single player. I hope it's worth it.
I liked 1 and 2..

[Derrick01]

thank God for that. it justified my 100$ (or something like that) purchase.

I was pretty pissed though. That's committing the worst crime a video game can.

[Typographenia]

It was my least favorite of the trilogy, but it is probably still worth a purchase if you can get it on sale.

[Zomba13]

Personally, I would wait it out a little bit longer to see how much more the price will fall. That, and to see what exactly they're going to do about that Extended Cut for the ending. If you're still determined to buy it, just remember this; When you see an elevator of light at the very end of the game, just turn the game off right then and make up your own ending. I'm serious about this.

Best ME3 pro tip ever. Follow this advice. Seriously. It makes for a MUCH better ending.

[subversus]

Worst thing about it is the random loot that you get when you buy boxes.

you hate gambling, aren't you?

[DarkKyo]

Don't listen to the haters. Amazing game.

[subversus]

I was pretty pissed though. That's committing the worst crime a video game can.

no, the worst crime the game can do is to be worse than its predecessors. Writers, combat designers and cutscene animators don't participate in creation of multiplayer so multiplayer isn't to blame here.

[Mister Wilhelm]

Buy it used.

The apparent consensus is that the game is 95% amazing, which I don't agree with at all. The first few hours are horribly rushed and the ending is what it is. Many other parts of the game are just poorly executed and don't add up.

However, there are many moments throughout the narrative that were clearly planned before they decided to take the course they did with it that are amazing for a true fan of the series and you just have to experience them. Plus, the gameplay is solid.

[Basileus777]

It's worth playing, but even before the ending, it's the weakest game in the series.

[Zomba13]

you hate gambling, aren't you?

I are hate gambling yes :(

I wouldn't mind them if we also had the option to buy what we want outside of the random boxes. Like, let us pay a bunch for the Geth character we need rather than relying on luck. Obviously make the prices high enough that buying from the boxes still has value. Sometimes I just want to get the upgrade for a weapon or character and would be willing to pay Spectre pack prices for it (or above depending on level and rarity).

[subversus]

I have to say that the game has some very fun glitches like people turning around their necks 180 degrees like owls, teleporting and so on + it has some unexpected hilarity like EDI's cameltoe so if you buy it pay attention to these little details, you will enjoy the game much more.

[Zeer0id]

Still a very good game. If you liked ME2 you'll definitely enjoy the better part of ME3, and there are a few marked improvements in the action that make the combat more fun (despite some problems in other areas).

I think it's almost a foregone conclusion at this point that the ending will disappoint you. In fact, it may disappoint you a lot, and you may wind up regretting your decision to play the game. It's irrational, but it happens to a lot of people.

My recommendation is wait until the extra cinematic content is released before you play it. For those of us who have completed the game, no amount of content will probably ever change that bitterness, but I hope I'm wrong. You, on the other hand, can appreciate it fresh, and (assuming it's any good) will ameliorate things. The core idea of the ending will probably still be a disappointment because it was quite ill-conceived from the beginning, but I think it was ultimately the one-two punch of stupidity and lack of closure that made people hold it in so much disdain. The latter at least, can still be rectified.

So, wait. That's my advice.

[Kinyou]

Personally, I would wait it out a little bit longer to see how much more the price will fall. That, and to see what exactly they're going to do about that Extended Cut for the ending. If you're still determined to buy it, just remember this; When you see an elevator of light at the very end of the game, just turn the game off right then and make up your own ending. I'm serious about this.

I guess I still don't really get the complaints about the ending. Did people really want some super funny shiny happy ending instead?

I mean I get the complaints about logical flaws, or how the consequences of decisions are missing but would have some rachni queen showing up during the boss fight really changed anything?

It's worth playing, but even before the ending, it's the weakest game in the series.

I'd agree to this comment much more. The game had a general "time to wrap it up" feeling to it that overall was kind of lackluster. Still a good game and worth playing to see how it all ends, but overall disappointing (and not just because of the ending)

[subversus]

I guess I still don't really get the complaints about the ending. Did people really want some super funny shiny happy ending instead? I mean I get the complaints about logical flaws, or how the consequences of decisions are missing but would have some rachni queen showing up during the boss fight really changed anything?

it could show up during the final battle and change the course of some parts. Not rachni queen but she and her minions

[Kinyou]

it could show up during the final battle and change the course of some parts. Not rachni queen but she and her minions

But still, it would have been just a nice detail, nothing that would make me go "oh man that ending sucks!" got to "oh man, best ending ever!"

[subversus]

But still, it would have been just a nice detail, nothing that would make me go "oh man that ending sucks!" got to "oh man, best ending ever!"

yes, of course.

still it would be better than what they have done with her...

[bigdaddygamebot]

Game was a complete and utter rush job. Bioware does not give a fuck about you or the previous two games.

Wish I'd never played it as it spoiled the entirety of the series for me.