Support NeoGAF

[Dennis]

Whoever thinks this game is set all on earth is quite frankly an idiot.

I don't recall anyone actually suggesting that, though.

Because that would indeed be very stupid.

 

[Dilly]

Watch the teaser again. They are 3times the big ben

It's clear that they're much bigger than that, they're standing quite a distance from Big Ben and it's clear that they reach much higher than what you claim.

The ferris wheel is 140 metres high, and it easily fits 10 times in the height of that reaper. The perspective is a bit off before the camera zooms out but it's definately the right size.

 

[Fimbulvetr]

any chance of getting mass effect games on PS3?

Uh, yeah. They've announce the second game(with some PS3 exclusive content since MS is being stingy about the first game) and this will most likely also come to PS3 as well.

 

[CF_Fighter]

I actually would be surprised but this could be one of the best things they could do. a combination of story elements and gameplay choices that make saving Earth an impossibility.

Seems to me that would be a natural evolution from ME1 where you could choose the Council over the Alliance Fleet at the Citadel. I mean it is the last game in the series, why not go all out? Even though Earth would fall as it is, have remnants of humanity come back in the end of the game and begin resettling Earth. Would make it so any future games after the current time frame ends could have Earth and humanity in it, but at a much smaller scale.

 

[LCfiner]

Seems to me that would be a natural evolution from ME1 where you could choose the Council over the Alliance Fleet at the Citadel. I mean it is the last game in the series, why not go all out? Even though Earth would fall as it is, have remnants of humanity come back in the end of the game and begin resettling Earth. Would make it so any future games after the current time frame ends could have Earth and humanity in it, but at a much smaller scale.

well, I guess what I have in mind is a bit more expansive. the “saving the council” bit was a single choice at the end of the game.

what I would like to see are a series of choices throughout the game that increase or decrease the odds of earth being saved. not just a simple “save earth/ meh, earth” choice at the 90% mark.

it would also be interesting (but this could cause some serious complaints) if every choice made throughout the game does not explicitly telegraph just how much it will affect the final outcome. make it a bit cloudier.

that said, Bioware did telegraph the spots in ME2 where you had to choose people for jobs in the finale and some people still didn’t “get it” and were surprised when some folks died so maybe they don’t want to take a further risk in that direction.

 

[robertsan21]

Uh, yeah. They've announce the second game(with some PS3 exclusive content since MS is being stingy about the first game) and this will most likely also come to PS3 as well.

awesome, I just read that Mass effect 3 will be coming out on ps3 at the same time as the 360 and pc

 

[RadAndrew502]

I'd be okay with Bioware incorporating Co-op. It would be easy as hell and could work without interfering with the single player experience whatsoever. Maybe that's what the "multiplayer component" will be. The one that was leaked due to the multiplayer programmer job posting for Mass Effect that Bioware posted a few months back. Making "single player experiences multiplayer safe." Betcha it's drop in co-op. You already have multiple characters in your squad. Would it hurt to give your friends the ability to drop into your game and control the other characters during combat? I think not.

Reference:
http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/mass-effect-2/1093813p1.html

 

[itxaka]

It's clear that they're much bigger than that, they're standing quite a distance from Big Ben and it's clear that they reach much higher than what you claim.

The ferris wheel is 140 metres high, and it easily fits 10 times in the height of that reaper. The perspective is a bit off bore the camera zooms out but it's definately the right size.

Actually, you are fucking right, I didn't even saw the ferris wheel at all! Ok, that makes more sense now, I'll retract every complain I had regarding the correct size, it seems that reapers ARE close to sovereign size.

Now I wonder, how the final battle will be against them? Space sim? Space shooter like a bullet hell game?

I'd be okay with Bioware incorporating Co-op. It would be easy as hell and could work without interfering with the single player experience whatsoever. Maybe that's what the "multiplayer component" will be. The one that was leaked due to the multiplayer programmer job posting for Mass Effect that Bioware posted a few months back. Making "single player experiences multiplayer safe." Betcha it's drop in co-op. You already have multiple characters in your squad. Would it hurt to give your friends the ability to drop into your game and control the other characters during combat? I think not.

Reference:
http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/...1093813p1.html

You know what would be awesome? Different paths with different NPCs and options to change the battle way.

Are you renegade? Send and alarm to the enemy forces pinpointing your other team location so you have a free way to the objective.

Are you paragon? Call attention to yourself so your other team can reach the objective while you defend your position.

Gather info and share it (or not) with your other team after the battle.

Attack a base from two different points.

Basically team work with paragon/renegade choices that affect the whole mission and afterwards information available.


EDIT2: We even have two teams already. ME1 team and ME2 team. Dead people aside.

 

[f0rk]

Actually, you are fucking right, I didn't even saw the ferris wheel at all! Ok, that makes more sense now, I'll retract every complain I had regarding the correct size, it seems that reapers ARE close to sovereign size.

Now I wonder, how the final battle will be against them? Space sim? Space shooter like a bullet hell game?

Tell the races you've gathered to attack shit and land on the super ship to do some dumb stuff on foot.

 

[Patryn]

I'd be okay with Bioware incorporating Co-op. It would be easy as hell and could work without interfering with the single player experience whatsoever. Maybe that's what the "multiplayer component" will be. The one that was leaked due to the multiplayer programmer job posting for Mass Effect that Bioware posted a few months back. Making "single player experiences multiplayer safe." Betcha it's drop in co-op. You already have multiple characters in your squad. Would it hurt to give your friends the ability to drop into your game and control the other characters during combat? I think not.

Reference:
http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/mass-effect-2/1093813p1.html

Yes. It would fuck over the conversation system.

Co-op would nearly destroy my interest in ME3. If they're going to do multi, just do a deathmatch whatever on the ruined Earth that has nothing to do with the single-player.

Let me just say: I'm not saying there can't be a co-op Mass Effect, but not the Shepard trilogy.

 

[Broadbandito]

Yes. It would fuck over the conversation system.

Co-op would nearly destroy my interest in ME3. If they're going to do multi, just do a deathmatch whatever on the ruined Earth that has nothing to do with the single-player.

Let me just say: I'm not saying there can't be a co-op Mass Effect, but not the Shepard trilogy.

This is true. If they made them like a ghost character that could do everything except for conversation could work though. But I think that would be boring for that player.

 

[LCfiner]

you know what would be funny? If Paragon choices meant allowing earth to be destroyed — in order to save the rest of the galaxy.

lesser of two evils and all that.

that would mess some folks up.

 

[Patryn]

Another question if they do co-op: How do you handle pausing? And who controls the third character? Or do you just remove all that functionality, jettison the last RPG remnants and go full third-person shooter?

If that's the case, ME3 goes from MUST HAVE to maybe when I have time and it has a price drop.

you know what would be funny? If Paragon choices meant allowing earth to be destroyed — in order to save the rest of the galaxy.

lesser of two evils and all that.

that would mess some folks up.

I'm fully expecting that to be the case. Bioware will make it a case of humans vs. everybody else, thus painting saving Earth as the selfish choice.

I'm totally expecting that my paragon Shepard will let the Earth burn.

 

[Kurtofan]

Yes. It would fuck over the conversation system.

Co-op would nearly destroy my interest in ME3. If they're going to do multi, just do a deathmatch whatever on the ruined Earth that has nothing to do with the single-player.

Let me just say: I'm not saying there can't be a co-op Mass Effect, but not the Shepard trilogy.

.
Mass effect wouldn't feel right without all the banter.

 

[Red]

Big decision: Save Earth, or save the rest of the universe.

But who gives a shit? Intergalactic space travel is a real and easy accessibility during ME's story arc, so why bother with saving Earth at all? I mean, yes, it's the human's home world, and there's all that history and whatever, but it's not like Earth is vital to the survival of the species. The council is practically bending over backwards to integrate humanity into the galactic community, whether humanity is willing to admit that or not.

And frankly, I don't think Bioware will be able to do justice to drama on that large a scale. The writing in ME1 and 2 was so much stronger for individuals than societies, so much more personal, less analytical and dry.

It all depends on the implementation, obviously, and it's clearly too soon to start making snap judgments. But the focus on Earth is a little bit frustrating, considering how rich a universe they've built. It's the same old thing we've seen over and over again. Hopefully it's just a marketing ploy, and there's still more at work. I'd hate to leave all the Cerberus threads unfinished in favor of the cliche "save Earth" plot.

Anyway, just rambling. I have faith in Bioware to deliver, regardless of complaints.

 

[Rufus]

.
Mass effect wouldn't feel right without all the banter.

I'm sorry, but are you confusing Dragon Age and Mass Effect here? There's not a whole lot of banter between team mates in either ME.

 

[TheKaeptain]

you know what would be funny? If Paragon choices meant allowing earth to be destroyed — in order to save the rest of the galaxy.

lesser of two evils and all that.

that would mess some folks up.

I would enjoy that but nope he will save earth and the galaxy.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

I'm sorry, but are you confusing Dragon Age and Mass Effect here? There's not a whole lot of banter between team mates in either ME.

Yeah, there was practically none in ME2.

 

[Diablohead]

I would love that, Shepard must sacrifice the earth and himself/crew to save the galaxy from being wiped out, lol.

 

[Patryn]

But who gives a shit? Intergalactic space travel is a real and easy accessibility during ME's story arc, so why bother with saving Earth at all? I mean, yes, it's the human's home world, and there's all that history and whatever, but it's not like Earth is vital to the survival of the species. The council is practically bending over backwards to integrate humanity into the galactic community, whether humanity is willing to admit that or not.

And frankly, I don't think Bioware will be able to do justice to drama on that large a scale. The writing in ME1 and 2 was so much stronger for individuals than societies, so much more personal, less analytical and dry.

It all depends on the implementation, obviously, and it's clearly too soon to start making snap judgments. But the focus on Earth is a little bit frustrating, considering how rich a universe they've built. It's the same old thing we've seen over and over again. Hopefully it's just a marketing ploy, and there's still more at work. I'd hate to leave all the Cerberus threads unfinished in favor of the cliche "save Earth" plot.

Anyway, just rambling. I have faith in Bioware to deliver, regardless of complaints.

Oh, I agree with you. The positioning of Earth as in danger is to tug the heartstrings of the player. I'm sure that if you let Earth die, humans will still survive as there are millions out there in colonies and the like.

But I'm sure if you let the universe die, you'll be damning several, if not all, other species to extinction.

I'd also like to think that maybe you can mitigate the disaster based on your actions in the previous games. So, for instance, a paragon should have a galaxy that is much, much, MUCH more equipped to combat the Reapers. But to reward a player for playing paragon would mean they punish players for playing renegade, and I don't think they can do that. Because that would mean that playing renegade is playing "wrong."

 

[Dilly]

I'd say from a commercial point of view it would make a lot more sense to just develop a Single Player trilogy with Shephard and a decent Mass Effect shooter spinoff.

And I'd say it's probably the best idea. I'd rather pay twice to get 2 finished products than once for a product where multiplayer doesn't fit right.

 

[Mdk7]

i just got a boner, that's it.
:Q___ _ _ _

 

[Kurtofan]

I'm sorry, but are you confusing Dragon Age and Mass Effect here? There's not a whole lot of banter between team mates in either ME.

Comments then, banter wasn't the right word.
I'm talking about stuff like when Grunt says something and Garrus replies or when a Blue Sun merc recognizes Zaeed or when they comment a particular thing.

Considering the number of companions compared to ME1 I'm quite surprised at the amount of this stuff.

 

[Red]

Oh, I agree with you. The positioning of Earth as in danger is to tug the heartstrings of the player. I'm sure that if you let Earth die, humans will still survive as there are millions out there in colonies and the like.

But I'm sure if you let the universe die, you'll be damning several, if not all, other species to extinction.

I'd also like to think that maybe you can mitigate the disaster based on your actions in the previous games. So, for instance, a paragon should have a galaxy that is much, much, MUCH more equipped to combat the Reapers. But to reward a player for playing paragon would mean they punish players for playing renegade, and I don't think they can do that. Because that would mean that playing renegade is playing "wrong."

Regenade Shep seems to be canon, going by the default choices in ME2, so it may get even more complicated.

I don't think losing the other species will really be "punishing" renegade players, since renegade Shepherd is basically looking out for humans only. The basic idea there is "win, at any cost," but what that amounts to is a lot of siding with Cerberus and foregoing altruism and friendliness toward other species. A galaxy wherein only humans survive seems the right outcome for a renegade player. Maybe if they want to make Shepherd a real bastard, they'll have humans replace Reapers as enslavers.

 

[Patryn]

I'm sorry, but are you confusing Dragon Age and Mass Effect here? There's not a whole lot of banter between team mates in either ME.

That definitely is something I hope they borrow from Dragon Age. I know a lot of people found the banter triggers bad, but I thought it helped give a lot more personality to your team in Dragon Age. Sure, you got a lot of information about your ME2 squad, but once you're done with a squad mate's two missions, they basically become non-existent as characters.

 

[Joel Was Right]

The real sequel to the amazing Mass Effect? Let's hope so

 

[Wiggum2007]

Regenade Shep seems to be canon, going by the default choices in ME2, so it may get even more complicated.

They've repeatedly stated that there is no canon. The reason the default choices are stuff like Wrex being dead etc. is that they were just the choices that made things less confusing for people who hadn't played ME1, not because Renegade is the canon storyline or anything. For example, the default ME2 Shepard didn't do any sidequests in ME1.

 

[KingJ2002]

as much of a fighting fan as Iam... this is my game of 2011. I almost screamed in excitement over this game. Can't wait to take it to the reapers.

Yes. It would fuck over the conversation system.

Co-op would nearly destroy my interest in ME3. If they're going to do multi, just do a deathmatch whatever on the ruined Earth that has nothing to do with the single-player.

Let me just say: I'm not saying there can't be a co-op Mass Effect, but not the Shepard trilogy.

I'm with you man... leave the single player experience alone... if there's going to be co-op missions make them side quests that tie in to the events of the game... but dont gimp the single player experience by shoehorning co-op or multiplayer.

 

[webrunner]

They've repeatedly stated that there is no canon. The reason the default choices are stuff like Wrex being dead etc. is that they were just the choices that made things less confusing for people who hadn't played ME1, not because Renegade is the canon storyline or anything. For example, the default ME2 Shepard didn't do any sidequests in ME1.

Except manshep

 

[Mr_Zombie]

I'd say from a commercial point of view it would make a lot more sense to just develop a Single Player trilogy with Shephard and a decent Mass Effect shooter spinoff.

And I'd say it's probably the best idea. I'd rather pay twice to get 2 finished products than once for a product where multiplayer doesn't fit right.

But how would a pure ME shooter work? Part of the ME charm is its story and all those conversation; the shooting mechanism, even in ME2, is just a so-so part of the game. It's fun and all, but I don't think I could play a Mass Effect game that is 100% just action sections.

 

[Patryn]

But how would a pure ME shooter work? Part of the ME charm is its story and all those conversation; the shooting mechanism, even in ME2, is just a so-so part of the game. It's fun and all, but I don't think I could play a Mass Effect game that is 100% just action sections.

Bioware is undoubtedly trying to go after the CoD audience, of which many probably have little patience for the dialogue sections. I have little doubt that the next ME games after ME3 will be a straight shooter.

The structure is already there. The game will just be missions, with story segments at the start and end of each one. All you do is remove the explore/talk sections in between and convert them to a cinema.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Except manshep

Oh come on, the game is supposed to be your experience. Why let what marketing decides is the best way to portray the game affect what you see in the game? Be reasonable.

Bioware is undoubtedly trying to go after the CoD audience, of which many probably have little patience for the dialogue sections. I have little doubt that the next ME games after ME3 will be a straight shooter.

The structure is already there. The game will just be missions, with story segments at the start and end of each one. All you do is remove the explore/talk sections in between and convert them to a cinema.

Starring Jason Statham's cousin.

 

[TheKaeptain]

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/vga-10-mass-effect/708363

Ok I am fucking pumped! Real (Female) Shep is going to kick reaper ass.


I'm getting two ME games in one year.

 

[Dilly]

But how would a pure ME shooter work? Part of the ME charm is its story and all those conversation; the shooting mechanism, even in ME2, is just a so-so part of the game. It's fun and all, but I don't think I could play a Mass Effect game that is 100% just action sections.

Same universe, different genre. It would be weird but I rather have it that way.

 

[Lostconfused]

Anyone else think that the generic soldier guy is going to end up being a potential party member? He spent too much on screen for me to think that this trailer is the only time he will ever make an appearance.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

Fuck Yeah!

I'm not a Mass Effect 2 hater, the story was a bit of a let-down in that it sort of put the reaper threat on the back-burner and suddenly introduced the Collectors as if from nowhere. So at least ME3 is pretty much guaranteed to give them centre stage this time.


The third just needs to combine the best of the two previous games, and make it more epic than a dinosaur dragon-punching a shark into a burning pit of motorbikes.



Oh yeah, I'm well up for a co-op orientated Mass Effect TPS, but lets concentrate on ME3 first please. Thanks.

 

[Patryn]

Anyone else think that the generic soldier guy is going to end up being a potential party member? He spent too much on screen for me to think that this trailer is the only time he will ever make an appearance.

If that's Sean Bean voicing the dude, then I say there's a good chance. But I think that's just a guy that sounds a lot like Sean Bean.

 

[Fitz]

Nah, that definitely wasn't Sean Bean.

 

[Randy Lanzarote]

That was Jason Statham's cheaper, non-union equivalent.

Or as we call them in Britain, 'Cockneys'.

 

[alerus]

Oh, I agree with you. The positioning of Earth as in danger is to tug the heartstrings of the player. I'm sure that if you let Earth die, humans will still survive as there are millions out there in colonies and the like.

Millions isn't a compelling number, Earth holds billions by itself. The loss of Earth would be pretty devastating to humanity as species, even putting aside the emotional attachment.

 

[Zen]

I surely did. However, ME2's world and fiction don't try to make sense anymore. Bullshit about humanity's genetic diversity, instant communication using quantum entanglement, aquarium in a military spaceship, fucking disgusting interspecies sex etc.

What about the interspecies sex in ME1 :lol I agree about the genetic diversity bit, but seriously man, interspecies romancing has been in the game from the very beginning (did you ever read the Asari codex information, or pay attention to anything to do with Asari in ME1? :lol).

Entire shipcrew comprised of different genders and species hitting up on my character is disgusting and does not make sense at all.

Well if we're talking about how unnatural it was than every character you could possibly have a romance with would turn flirtatious/amorous for no reason if you talked with them more than three times, yeah that makes no sense and really got in the way of the experience. I basically had to stop talking with certain characters because the game designers assumed that you displaying any interest in a character automatically meant that you wanted to bone them. :lol

I don't think you're going to get many people in a Mass Effect thread agreeing with you that sexual relations between two consenting sentient species is disgusting. :lol

 

[MNC]

Huh? People are hating on Mass Effect? Fill me in please. What went wrong with the games?

 

[Patryn]

Huh? People are hating on Mass Effect? Fill me in please. What went wrong with the games?

Mass Effect 2's story was terrible. It did nothing to further the over-arching series plot, it began positioning humanity as SUPER SPECIAL.

It also reduced the RPG elements, and did a lot to take players out of the world with things like the mission complete screen.

For further information, read this thread or the ME2 story thread.

 

[scoobs]

so is it safe to assume this will come to PS3? I was planning on gettin ME2 in january.

 

[Patryn]

so is it safe to assume this will come to PS3? I was planning on gettin ME2 in january.

I guarantee it'll come out day and date with the 360 version.

 

[Reilly]

I guarantee it'll come out day and date with the 360 version.

It is

Mass Effect 3 Launching on PS3
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/113/1139850p1.html

 

[Zen]

I really think the mos dissapointing thing of the trailer is not that the focus seems the Earth, it's the "recruit shit for ultimate battle" they did in ME2 seems back..., so the chances of improving the universe that surrounds ME and ME2 forgot is slim....

You could see "get all the races in line to attack the Reapers" coming from a mile away in ME2 (not that things could have played out much differently if 3 was always to end with the Reapers invading).

I was hoping that this element would be more along the lines of freeing the Rachni in Mass Effect 1, things that you did in the course of doing other things that had a profound effect. Sure the Krogan in ME2 can count as that, but everything else is fairly on the nose with the whole "but the Reapers are coming, guys!".

With the way that Mass Effect 2 handled recruitment, I feel like it's going to be that much more blatant in 3, because instead of dealing with single characters, you're recruiting and reshaping the entire balance of power in the terminus systems to go kick some Reaper ass.

Like a Sheppard!

 

[Merguson]

Mass Effect 2's story was terrible. It did nothing to further the over-arching series plot, it began positioning humanity as SUPER SPECIAL.

It also reduced the RPG elements, and did a lot to take players out of the world with things like the mission complete screen.

For further information, read this thread or the ME2 story thread.

Uh.. the positioning humanity as "SUPER SPECIAL" started in Mass Effect 1.

 

[Yasae]

But who gives a shit? Intergalactic space travel is a real and easy accessibility during ME's story arc, so why bother with saving Earth at all? I mean, yes, it's the human's home world, and there's all that history and whatever, but it's not like Earth is vital to the survival of the species. The council is practically bending over backwards to integrate humanity into the galactic community, whether humanity is willing to admit that or not.

And frankly, I don't think Bioware will be able to do justice to drama on that large a scale. The writing in ME1 and 2 was so much stronger for individuals than societies, so much more personal, less analytical and dry.

It all depends on the implementation, obviously, and it's clearly too soon to start making snap judgments. But the focus on Earth is a little bit frustrating, considering how rich a universe they've built. It's the same old thing we've seen over and over again. Hopefully it's just a marketing ploy, and there's still more at work. I'd hate to leave all the Cerberus threads unfinished in favor of the cliche "save Earth" plot.

Anyway, just rambling. I have faith in Bioware to deliver, regardless of complaints.

They've never been able to do that with Mass Effect.

Who was Saren? Some Spectre rogue who hated humans. That's about as far as they go with his character, and after his death in the first game he's little more than a foot note. He's mentioned so little, it's almost as if he never existed. Do you find out about his involvement with the Geth? Not really. What about those implants on his jaw? Nah. Okay.. Is there anything in his history that might make him a believable character? No.

What about the flotilla? Tali goes on about it for ages in the first game, yet you're there for an hour and then leave in the second. What the fuck's so amazing about it? The game hardly touches on it at all.

Benezia? Old Asari matriarch who went under Saren's mind control (way too easily.) What did she do? Who was she? Nobody knows I guess.

The volus? Token merchant race who are repeatedly refused entry into the council.

Turians? Defeated some Krogans way back when, essentially won their seat on the council.

Tuchanka? A challenge-mode world.

It's just one footnote after another, after so many places and people are hyped up in dialogue.

 

[szaromir]

It's just one footnote after another, after so many places and people are hyped up in dialogue.

Sadly, ME games aren't really standalone. I read the first ME novel before playing the game and knowing some of the characters and backstory (mainly Saren and Anderson, some stuff about human-Turian war) added a lot to my experience. I know the novel before ME2 covered a lot of stuff about Cerberus and Illusive Man, but I never read it and I feel I missed a lot because of that.