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[jett]

Single biggest concern: small, linear levels like ME2 and not the great, epic and more open levels from ME.

I don't remember any of this in ME1, except for the Mako crap.

 

[Wiggum2007]

Everyone is forgetting the real reason ME2 was inferior to 1, no Faunts in the end credits! Bring back the Faunts Bioware!!

 

[HK-47]

The earth is actually a giant mech, the hot core we thought was in the centre is actually it's heart.

So ME is actually in the same universe as Xenosaga?

 

[JBuccCP]

I just hope there's a story scenario where the Earth totally doesn't get saved. Either by your failure or some sort of strategic surrender.

 

[szaromir]

I can agree that the main plot is ass, but for me the interspecies stuff is splendid entertainment. The reason I mentioned the loyalty quests is I found them much better paced and more engaging than most of the primary story missions.

It was certainly the most interesting part of ME2. Conversations with the crew on board of Normandy were usually very cool, but all of them led to "oh Shepard you're so great I want to bang you" at some point.

I don't remember any of this in ME1, except for the Mako crap.

ME1's levels (planets) usually took like 90 minutes to finish, ME2's 20-30. ME2 has an interesting game structure, but it completely took me off guard as I expected more of ME1.

 

[Peff]

Not so much open as in large spaces, but open in the dynamic, like going between a hub world and mission areas on Feros. The lines between hub and missions were blurred, something ME2 failed at with its more rigid 'level' like structure, complete with 'mission complete' screen.

I'd like more of those, where it doesn't play like a mission but instead like a little hub of its own. But I also much prefer the variety of ME2's locations, and I wouldn't want that to be a trade-off.

Hopefully that'll be better integrated this time, pretty much everyone complained about the Mission Complete screen and the loading screens. Plus we have the Hammerhead now, so I think it's safe to assume that we'll see more open missions like Overlord.

 

[Maxrunner]

Is mass effect 2 much better than the first one?? ive never finished the first one for some reason i cant quit grasp. It had great music and visuals but i've never finished....

 

[adamsapple]

The game is a year away but I guess your post is supposed to be some kind of ironic post or something.

The fact that it's only a year away is why im so pumped

I honestly wasn't expecting them to wrap up the trilogy in this fast fashion. I was honestly expecting at least one mid-game in there somewhere ala Brotherhood.

 

[Dennis]

Everyone is forgetting the real reason ME2 was inferior to 1, no Faunts in the end credits! Bring back the Faunts Bioware!!

This.

But really, the whole ME soundtrack was so much better than ME2. I was so disappointed with the music in ME2.

 

[Confidence Man]

Old, but topical. Here were the goals Christina Norman outlined for Mass Effect 3;

Pretty sad they have to add "richer RPG features" to an RPG. As long as Christina Norman is lead gameplay designer I have no hope for this game. This was the person who said Mass Effect was too "RPG-ish", that leveling up interrupts gameplay, planet scanning was "fun", etc...

 

[derFeef]

This.

But really, the whole ME soundtrack was so much better than ME2. I was so disappointed with the music in ME2.

Agreed. Music in ME2 was forgettable while some tracks of ME1 are still stuck in my head.

 

[Gui_PT]

Agreed. Music in ME2 was forgettable while some tracks of ME1 are still stuck in my head.

ME2 has 2 or 3 tracks I will never forget. But ME1 has the best music, no doubt.

 

[Flipyap]

Everyone is forgetting the real reason ME2 was inferior to 1, no Faunts in the end credits! Bring back the Faunts Bioware!!

But they've already exhausted the library of good Faunts songs in the first game.

 

[Wiggum2007]

But they've already exhausted the library of good Faunts songs in the first game.

So use M4 Part II again!

 

[Flipyap]

So use M4 Part II again!

GENIUS!

 

[Wiggum2007]

They need to bring back background music in hub areas as well. Omega kinda worked without background music because of the afterlife club and constant news updates, but the Citadel and Illium felt so sterile without anything playing.

GENIUS!

M4 Part II playing on a constant loop in every hub world!

 

[Nirolak]

Looking at it again, this seems about right for the size of the reapers.

 

[kinoki]

Hopefully the game won't start with the reapers having already invaded earth but a build-up so that the tension isn't lost. But I'm guessing that won't be the case.

 

[Dennis]

Hopefully the game won't start with the reapers having already invaded earth but a build-up so that the tension isn't lost. But I'm guessing that won't be the case.

Tension? That cat is out of the bag....

 

[HK-47]

It was certainly the most interesting part of ME2. Conversations with the crew on board of Normandy were usually very cool, but all of them led to "oh Shepard you're so great I want to bang you" at some point.

See fellating the player the best way to get them to love your game and the characters verbally fellating them. Bioware has learned this well. They have also learned that romance, no matter how trite or bad, is good for sales and fanbase building. It the old James Cameron trick to greater sales and popularity.

Smart business.

 

[adamsapple]

Hopefully the game won't start with the reapers having already invaded earth but a build-up so that the tension isn't lost. But I'm guessing that won't be the case.

There's still more ME2 DLC right ?

The last one could probably end with the beginning of the reaper assault.

 

[EatChildren]

Pretty sad they have to add "richer RPG features" to an RPG. As long as Christina Norman is lead gameplay designer I have no hope for this game. This was the person who said Mass Effect was too "RPG-ish", that leveling up interrupts gameplay, planet scanning was "fun", etc...

Wasn't she gameplay lead for the first game as well?

 

[Y2Kev]

It was certainly the most interesting part of ME2. Conversations with the crew on board of Normandy were usually very cool, but all of them led to "oh Shepard you're so great I want to bang you" at some point.

ME1's levels (planets) usually took like 90 minutes to finish, ME2's 20-30. ME2 has an interesting game structure, but it completely took me off guard as I expected more of ME1.

Don't you think Bioware has taken the entire series in the "omg shepard I want to bang you" direction? From he's the only one that can help us, the only one that can save us, the special human, the one human, etc....they keep saying it over and over. It's fellatio on the scale of a Tom Clancy game.

 

[RS4-]

mass erect.

Just uhh, go back to more of the RPG'ish elements of the first game minus all the mako/rock collecting shit.

 

[HK-47]

Wasn't she gameplay lead for the first game as well?

She was a programmer on 1 according to MobyGames.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Because neither Obsidian nor Matsuno is currently interested in making epic Sci-fi RPGs.

Both seem to both be pure fantasy guys. So I really doubt they'll ever be interested in sci-fi.

Serious post: the focus on Earth makes sense as

Spoiler

the reapers are turning humans into their new collectors.

No.

Spoiler

They're making humans into their new reaper baby. Protheans were only used as Collectors because they weren't suitable as a new reaper, humans apparently are suitable.

See fellating the player the best way to get them to love your game and the characters verbally fellating them. Bioware has learned this well. They have also learned that romance, no matter how trite or bad, is good for sales and fanbase building. It the old James Cameron trick to greater sales and popularity.

Smart business.

At least Miranda admits she only wants to bang you, instead of pretending it's "tru luv <3".

 

[dejan]

Hopefully the game won't start with the reapers having already invaded earth but a build-up so that the tension isn't lost. But I'm guessing that won't be the case.

I'd actually like if the stuff we saw in the trailer is more or less the situation Shepard is faced with at the very beginning of the game.

 

[Wallach]

Looking at it again, this seems about right for the size of the reapers.

http://imgur.com/JSqzw.jpg

http://imgur.com/BfBjc.jpg

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would think they look small for a Reaper. It's like one of the first things you get to see in ME1.

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

I love all of this, I love both games and think Mass Effect 3 is going to be awesome.

And that we dont know jack shit yet.

 

[Nirolak]

She was a programmer on 1 according to MobyGames.

They don't list anyone directly for gameplay on MobyGames actually.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would think they look small for a Reaper. It's like one of the first things you get to see in ME1.

Plus the Reapers are all slightly different shapes and sizes.

 

[EatChildren]

She was a programmer on 1 according to MobyGames.

The manual doesnt list anybody as lead gameplay design.

Maybe that's the key. No lead. Anarchy.

 

[Timber]

Had no idea there was some sort of event happening and now I'm looking at all these trailers all of a sudden. Haven't even played Mass Effect 2 yet SMH.

 

[Peff]

It does list three guys as "System Designers", maybe that's it.

 

[FStop7]

"Our day has come."

 

[Arjen]

The manual doesnt list anybody as lead gameplay design.

Maybe that's the key. No lead. Anarchy in the UK.

Fixed

 

[Elios83]

Usually I don't like games with the futuristic, Star Wars-like setting, but I'll give a try to the PS3 version in January, if I like it I'll have an other game to buy next November

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

The manual doesnt list anybody as lead gameplay design.

Maybe that's the key. No lead. Anarchy.

That would explain why so many random cover/explosive shit placements in the game.

 

[dejan]

..., if I like it I'll have an other game to buy next November

I really really doubt we will see Mass Effect 3 in 2011.

 

[Vinterbird]

I really really doubt we will see Mass Effect 3 in 2011.

Why?

It seems like an easy one to do. The tech is in place, it's just producing content now.

 

[HK-47]

Usually I don't like games with the futuristic, Star Wars-like setting, but I'll give a try to the PS3 version in January, if I like it I'll have an other game to buy next November

Mass Effect is more like Star Trek than Star Wars.

 

[Jex]

Why?

It seems like an easy one to do. The tech is in place, it's just producing content now.

They just need to tighten up the gameplay on level 3 I expect.

 

[Confidence Man]

Mass Effect is more like Star Trek than Star Wars.

ME1 was like Trek, ME2 is more Star Wars.

 

[Lostconfused]

ME1 was like Trek, ME2 is more Star Wars.

ME2 is more like Stargate. Its not all out future fantasy just yet.

 

[Vinterbird]

They just need to tighten up the gameplay on level 3 I expect.

Very funny... But seriously. There's nothing stopping them from turning it around quickly.

 

[HK-47]

ME1 was like Trek, ME2 is more Star Wars.

There are no blatant fantasy elements like in Star Wars yet.

 

[szaromir]

Don't you think Bioware has taken the entire series in the "omg shepard I want to bang you" direction? From he's the only one that can help us, the only one that can save us, the special human, the one human, etc....they keep saying it over and over. It's fellatio on the scale of a Tom Clancy game.

Very true.

There are no blatant fantasy elements like in Star Wars yet.

Oh there is one... mass effect itself! It's not explained in any way what it is exactly. Also, Bioware gets there science and technology explanations just wrong at times.

 

[SenorDingDong]

This may have been addressed already but what exactly does 'Holiday 2011' encompass? It seems a little vague.

 

[Walshicus]

But they've already exhausted the library of good Faunts songs in the first game.

There are more Faunts tracks they can use...

Or, Sepiamusic.

 

[X-Frame]

The only aspects of ME1 that I hope they bring over to ME3 is more variety and options in terms of customization your characters. ME1 had a lot whereas squad-mates in ME2 only have 4 powers/passives to upgrade.

Other than that, the tedious inventory management system, gameplay mechanics, ridiculously boring side-quests where traveling to the target took 5x as long as the actual mission, etc can be left behind.

I love everything about ME2, though as others have said, I can definitely accept more RPG elements - and I don't see why it wouldn't get them as I don't see them overhauling the game again for ME3 so they have had plenty of time to add more content.