shinobi602
Member
Sorry dude, nothing other than they'll see what happens after Andromeda's out.
Can't really say but it's also not inside knowledge or anything. You can see multiple arks towards the end in the E3 2016 footage
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
The Mass Effect Community Thread
- Thread starter shinobi602
- Start date
- Status
Yeah, the E3 trailer showed us.
Depends on the level of genetic diversity they require too- if any. either way, they'd be going Fire Emblem on us real quick.
Im really curious to see what decisions Bioware has made in regards to the rpg elements/player progression systems. They took a huge step back in ME2 but then recovered much of it in ME3, which also added a robust weapon modification system. What I really would like to see is the return of abilities that can be useful outside of combat, which would add a lot to the exploration aspect of the game. I think that the base idea of having skills such as electronics, hacking, repair, etc, in an open world exploration game is great, because it adds the dynamic of player choices in regards to what you can and cant access around in the world, which really builds suspense and helps keep the world dynamic, interesting and rewarding. The implementation obviously needs to be a bit better than in ME1 though.
Mediking
Member
Hmmm... so Andromeda must really be fast approaching, huh?
JeffG
Member
Because
Tali jumping off the cliff was unexpected and not in a fun way.
Bioware does a good job with their characters and it shows if you buy into them. IMO.
shinobi602
Member
Mhm. Very much on track for Q1 release.
Heckler456
Banned
I swear to god, Shinobi. Don't do this to me!
Mediking
Member
Thanks, man. Appreciate your honesty.
DeadlyParasite
Member
It's weird. I just beat Mass Effect 1 (for the millionth time) a few minutes ago... and while I usually sit and watch the credits because Faunts is a great listen, this time I read the names of the many people who worked on the game. It was kind of crazy to see the people who worked on this franchise almost a decade ago still lead the charge at BioWare and the Mass Effect franchise in Montreal. Aaryn Flynn, Mac Walters, Sam Hulick, Patrick Weekes and more.
I wonder if they ever go back and play the first game, see their name there in the credits and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing just how far things have come. Not many developers get to go from beginning to end and back to a new beginning.
Just knowing all those people still work there and care about the franchise kinda washes away any doubts one might have about Andromeda being good. Literal goosebumps.
I wonder if they ever go back and play the first game, see their name there in the credits and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing just how far things have come. Not many developers get to go from beginning to end and back to a new beginning.
Just knowing all those people still work there and care about the franchise kinda washes away any doubts one might have about Andromeda being good. Literal goosebumps.
You probably already know this, but I feel compelled to remind you that Patrick Weekes moved over to Dragon Age, where he's now lead writer for that franchise.
Are we sure Sam Hulick is back ?
At least he's been composing some stuff that sounds a lot like a follow-up to the ME1 soundtrack :
https://youtu.be/fxOYT2X7X-A
https://loudr.fm/release/otherworldly/KrXCp
I mean... this sounds good. I hope it's in the game.
At least he's been composing some stuff that sounds a lot like a follow-up to the ME1 soundtrack :
https://youtu.be/fxOYT2X7X-A
https://loudr.fm/release/otherworldly/KrXCp
I mean... this sounds good. I hope it's in the game.
Yeah I also remember noticing Yanick Roy(now Studio Director for Andromeda) was the Lead Project Manager back in ME1. It's at least good to know that despite being a "new" team making Andromeda, there is still a bunch of veterans working in there.
shinobi602
Member
An exerpt from PC Gamer for those worrying a bit about quests and design:
DeadlyParasite
Member
Personally I don't really think the fetch quests were the issue in DA:I but rather that they didn't have proper story and cinematic conversations built around them.
A lot of the quests in The Witcher 3 were fetch quests for example but they sufficiently built a small story around each of them, no matter how mundane the task was.
If I'm going to be shooting a bunch of beetles in Andromeda I'd like for my character to actually talk to characters and have some kind of narrative.
A lot of the quests in The Witcher 3 were fetch quests for example but they sufficiently built a small story around each of them, no matter how mundane the task was.
If I'm going to be shooting a bunch of beetles in Andromeda I'd like for my character to actually talk to characters and have some kind of narrative.
ME3 had a better soundtrack than ME1.
Mostly a narrative issue. Someone in the Hinterlands might tell us that we need to find supply caches and blankets because refugees are allegedly freezing/starving but like... it's hard to give a shit when it's taking place in a bright, sunny, green paradise.
Edit: I cannot fathom why the "ME3 isn't a real RPG" meme still exists when it's gamplay and combat are objectively deeper than ME1 or 2.
DeadlyParasite
Member
I'll have to respectfully disagree there. ME3 and ME2 had stellar soundtracks and I'll always love them to pieces but ME1 has the soundtrack that blends both mysterious sci-fi with space epic best. Early in the game it's 80's science fiction but by the end you're engaged in a battle for the fate of galaxy and the music changes to reflect that.
Saren's theme, Vigil's theme, Uncharted Worlds, Sovereign's theme, The End(Reprise), Faunts m4 pt2. So many legendary tracks, many of which continued to be used even in ME2/ME3.
I really cannot wait to see what they do with Andromeda's music.
Eh, I've never found any of those tracks particularly good in ME1 tbh. The LotSB combat theme, Priority Mars, An End Once and For All, Illusive Man, Suicide Mission are easily the top songs in the series.
Those musics you mentioned are all pretty good indeed, but there is something about ME1 music that just feel right for the whole "unknown universe, planet exploration" aspect of the game with its synth style(which is exactly what Andromeda going to be). I guess it might not be everyone's taste, and some people just prefer music with a bit more "action" in it, but still.
The Lamonster
Member
ME1 has the best soundtrack - from the heroic main theme to the mysterious Normandy theme, different parts of the Citadel and even the ambient uncharted worlds themes are extremely atmospheric. Feros and Noveria have some great tunes as well, and of course the combat music always gets my blood pumping.
Really not a fan of some of the generic AAA orchestral music they inserted into the 2nd and 3rd games. They obviously also had great soundtracks as well but nothing comes close to the synthy ME1 stuff.
Really not a fan of some of the generic AAA orchestral music they inserted into the 2nd and 3rd games. They obviously also had great soundtracks as well but nothing comes close to the synthy ME1 stuff.
I agree with you, but to me The Illusive Man song gave a bunch of mystery to that character.
shinobi602
Member
Another screenshot for you gents:
The Lamonster
Member
Please no exclusive Playstation content...
Poodlestrike
Banned
THIS.
Or at least don't go all Destiny on us, give us less stuff for the same money. Timed exclusive I can live with.
Sorry diaspora, I'm also on team ME1 for the soundtrack. I'm a sucker for the heavy-synth and the electro 70's vibes the music gives in ME1. I like ME2 soundtrack though, it was a departure but I liked it (Suicice Mission still gives me the chills). I don't listen much to the soundtrack of ME3 because paradoxically, I think they brilliantly achieved what they were aiming for. It's a very emotional soundtrack, it's overwhelmingly sad. Sometimes heroic and sad at the same time, but the feels are too great, I can't listen to it much outside of the game (I love the tunes in the appartment in the DLC though ). Still, they strayed too far from my beloved synths and the ambient approach to the music (except in the Mars track, composed by Hulick, that's very reminiscent of ME1 ).
For those who love ME1's music, I suggest you give a listen to some Tangerine Dreams albums, like this one : https://youtu.be/DuN12dVmsT0
It was one of the main inspirations for Wall and Hulick when they worked on the soundtrack.
(don't bother to listen to all of their albums, there are more than a hundred across a period of over forty years... but the stuff from the 70's and the 80's is great).
Anyway, I thought a lot about Andromeda today, because that's what I do everyday (._.), and I was wondering something about the Tempest, the « new Normandy » that we've seen during the last E3 video, and in the new screen posted on the previous page. I thought : « well, it shouldn't be called like that. It looks like an Alliance Fregate, just like the Normandy, so its name shouldn't be Tempest , rmblrlble BioWare screwing the Lore grmbl... »
Because you see, the Alliance Fregates are named after historical battles (and it's often the name of a place), live the SSV Normandy, or the SSV Iwo-Jima. So what's the deal with the Tempest ? *puts on his clever glasses*
My guess is that the institutions as we knew them in the trilogy don't have a place anymore. I mean, a few races are fleeing from their home galaxy, the first thing they have to work on is their sense of unity. Going to Andromeda, the concept of an Earth Alliance doesn't make any sense. Same goes for the Turian Hierarchy, the Salarian Union or the Asari Republics. They won't return to their home worlds, ever, and it should be a clean slate for their military and political institutions. So if humans build a fregate, they make sure they don't follow the Alliance norm. And the other species may do the same, because they should try to prevent dissensions at any cost, and be under one banner, something like the Milky Way Community or whatever. Thus, « Tempest », and not a standard Alliance name.
Or perhaps I put too much thought into this.
shinobi, am I completely off the mark ?
). Still, they strayed too far from my beloved synths and the ambient approach to the music (except in the Mars track, composed by Hulick, that's very reminiscent of ME1 ).For those who love ME1's music, I suggest you give a listen to some Tangerine Dreams albums, like this one : https://youtu.be/DuN12dVmsT0
It was one of the main inspirations for Wall and Hulick when they worked on the soundtrack.
(don't bother to listen to all of their albums, there are more than a hundred across a period of over forty years... but the stuff from the 70's and the 80's is great).
Anyway, I thought a lot about Andromeda today, because that's what I do everyday (._.), and I was wondering something about the Tempest, the « new Normandy » that we've seen during the last E3 video, and in the new screen posted on the previous page. I thought : « well, it shouldn't be called like that. It looks like an Alliance Fregate, just like the Normandy, so its name shouldn't be Tempest , rmblrlble BioWare screwing the Lore grmbl... »
Because you see, the Alliance Fregates are named after historical battles (and it's often the name of a place), live the SSV Normandy, or the SSV Iwo-Jima. So what's the deal with the Tempest ? *puts on his clever glasses*
My guess is that the institutions as we knew them in the trilogy don't have a place anymore. I mean, a few races are fleeing from their home galaxy, the first thing they have to work on is their sense of unity. Going to Andromeda, the concept of an Earth Alliance doesn't make any sense. Same goes for the Turian Hierarchy, the Salarian Union or the Asari Republics. They won't return to their home worlds, ever, and it should be a clean slate for their military and political institutions. So if humans build a fregate, they make sure they don't follow the Alliance norm. And the other species may do the same, because they should try to prevent dissensions at any cost, and be under one banner, something like the Milky Way Community or whatever. Thus, « Tempest », and not a standard Alliance name.
Or perhaps I put too much thought into this.
shinobi, am I completely off the mark ?
TC McQueen
Member
Or it's just a private vessel or a frigate specifically built for this mission and carried aboard the colony ship.
That was my first thought, and it may be just that. But it doesn't change the fact that I think the Alliance, Hierarchy, Union etc. are obsolete in this new context and they have to get rid of that if they want to trust each other and work together. It would be dumb if they went on this mission thinking "we'll find a planet for the humans, then one for the Salarians," and so on. The Citadel was basically a place where different species learned to live alongside the others, and I'd like to see this expanded.
Just like every Earth governments united to form the Earth Alliance some time before they made alien contact.
Just like every Earth governments united to form the Earth Alliance some time before they made alien contact.
I mean... different planets may serve different needs to different species.
DevilDog
Member
EDIT: I'm glad I'm wrong.
Also these new tracks of his are fantastic. Especially the Colossus.
That is an insane amount of detail, how are they going to sustain such quality across such a huge game? All while delivering on every other sector?
It seems impossible, and I guess this is what Bioware is with Mass Effect, overly ambitious. I'd wish for once they set some realistic goals, but at the same time it's inspiring to see.
Also these new tracks of his are fantastic. Especially the Colossus.
Another screenshot for you gents:
That is an insane amount of detail, how are they going to sustain such quality across such a huge game? All while delivering on every other sector?
It seems impossible, and I guess this is what Bioware is with Mass Effect, overly ambitious. I'd wish for once they set some realistic goals, but at the same time it's inspiring to see.
The dream is dead.
shinobi602
Member
All I can say is that you're assuming the Tempest is an Alliance ship.Or perhaps I put too much thought into this.
shinobi, am I completely off the mark ?
DeadlyParasite
Member
Well I hope whoever is making the music for Andromeda understands the mountain of responsibility put on them. If it's anything less than soundtrack of the year worthy I'm going to die on the inside.
It... doesn't look unrealistic? It's not like it's Assassin's Creed Unity which had a fucking insane level of texture and geometry detail with seamless interiors.
I was thinking about a collaboration, like the Normandy (and the Normandy did have an Alliance name despite being a human/turian project).
But yeah, since Ryder is a human, I figured the ship would be... human-ish (but I was assuming that there would be no Alliance... which, thinking about it, must be stupid because the father is clearly an N7, and that means Alliance millitary).
edit:
Wait, do you have a source for this ? You're sure you've not mixed up the composers ?
Jack Wall says multiple times in his AMA that he's not involved with Andromeda, and the only AMA from Sam Hulick I've found is from 2012 and he says nothing about that (the game wasn't even announced). Or he did another AMA recently that I can't find ?
HarryHengst
Member
I just cant imagine how someone can go ''yes, the ME3 soundtrack is better than the ME1 soundtrack''. The ME1 soundtrack was perfect for the game. ME3 had a generic movie #1114 soundtrack, it wasnt bad, just really mediocre and forgettable.
I still think the best soundtrack was for ME2 mind you - there are fantastic bits of Me1, but also some really bad bits I don't like to listen to at all.
From memory most of ME3s music was just reworked tracks from ME1 and ME2 - the only bit I remember was Clint Mansells' little score for the end sequence, which I will give credit for - it's an amazing piece that really does bring back the trauma of that damn ending. But it's the only bit of the soundtrack I can recall at all, everything else has just faded unlike the first two games soundtracks.
DevilDog
Member
I haven't played Unity, I stopped playing since Revelations.
It looks unrealistic enough to feel it will detract from other more important areas.
No you're right I got the composers mixed. I'm gonna edit my post so it avoids confusion.
How does that make any sense? A good looking corridor looks unrealistic enough to detract from other areas? This game has been worked on for 4 years, and so far it's not even the best looking Frostbite game.
DevilDog
Member
I meant to say it looks like way too much work went into this room. Not unrealistic (wtf brain? Too much work, Ill go get some sleep).
All these expensive polygons and next gen engines cost way too much to make them look this way. I'd rather have mediocre graphics with a good art style over this.
Kind of curious, before it's revealed: How do people want the class system handled?
Keep the existing classes and refine them?
Keep the existing classes, but add some new ones?
Throw out the existing classes, and create new ones?
Have no class at all?
Personally, I'm in favor of tossing out all the old classes and creating new ones that make a bit more sense, and are a bit more balanced.
Keep the existing classes and refine them?
Keep the existing classes, but add some new ones?
Throw out the existing classes, and create new ones?
Have no class at all?
Personally, I'm in favor of tossing out all the old classes and creating new ones that make a bit more sense, and are a bit more balanced.
DevilDog
Member
Make more sense in what way?
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
New skills and thus classes please.
BrassDragon
Member
I rather liked the Dragon Age concept of having a few general classes and then prestige classes/specializations for each as you progress.
This is a good way to have very varied character builds while still being able to reference the general class in dialogue and gameplay (with say, Infiltrators noting secret entry points, Engineers being able to hack things and Adepts manipulating objects from afar.)
The ME3 multiplayer had a lot of wildly creative powers and I want to see more of that in single player.
This is a good way to have very varied character builds while still being able to reference the general class in dialogue and gameplay (with say, Infiltrators noting secret entry points, Engineers being able to hack things and Adepts manipulating objects from afar.)
The ME3 multiplayer had a lot of wildly creative powers and I want to see more of that in single player.
Poodlestrike
Banned
This would be my pick. You select from weapons vs. tech vs. Biotics at start, then refine from there. Stuff like Vanguard would be a prestige class for Biotics, for instance. And DEFINITELY agreed on bringing the crazy powers from ME3 multi into singleplayer, there was some wild shit going on there.
The one problem with that is, it does restrict replayability a smidge, since it makes the early game one of 3 (as opposed to one of 6) options, so playthroughs would start out feeling more samey, and thus, less desirable.
I feel like there wasn't enough differentiation between some of the classes, and that they deserved more than a single unique power.
Also, if you look at things like how Sentinel was presented in ME1, where it's supposed to be possibly the weakest class and away from the front line where you're constantly slinging powers, and how that class was in ME2 and ME3, where the armor meant you were rushing in and then you get cooldown penalties to using your powers...
- Status