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Why is Mess Effect 1 remembered so fondly by the community?
- Thread starter Imp the Dimp
- Start date
Anuson.Phan
Banned
For me it was the story and the mystery.
Optimusdouche
Banned
Because the hobbled gameplay made it much more tactical and fun. Gameplay was almost too smooth and conventional in the next one. Story was also the best, I think?
And, imo, it didn't have a game killing mechanic like resource gathering by manually scanning every inch of a planet.
Yea, its the one I enjoyed the most.
And, imo, it didn't have a game killing mechanic like resource gathering by manually scanning every inch of a planet.
Yea, its the one I enjoyed the most.
Airola
Member
It actually was the first ME game I've ever played
Bought it for the Wii U, thought to give it a chance. It had this recap comic thing which was supposed to tell the story so far. I can't remember a thing from it. I guess the recap was basically made quite well, but it just wasn't interesting at all. I thought this is sci-fi at its most boring form. Then the gameplay started and oh god it was boring to run around and take cover and shoot and take cover and shoot and run and shoot and take cover and shoot.
Then, I had bought ME1 on Steam from some bundle. I thought maybe the first game might be good. Didn't remember anything about the ME3 story recap so nothing was spoiled.
Well, I guess it was a bit more likeable, but in the end I got bored really fast.
RespectThySole
Member
Great Worldbuilding
Great Atmosphere
Good Characters
Nice Music
Decent plot
Mediocre writing
Bland choice system
Terrible combat
Barren environments
There's a lot of good in ME1, but the negatives really drag it down for me. I'll never replay it. Mass Effect 2 is the better game.(great cast, combat is actually tolerable)
However, there's still a ton of room for improvement in that game as well.
Great Atmosphere
Good Characters
Nice Music
Decent plot
Mediocre writing
Bland choice system
Terrible combat
Barren environments
There's a lot of good in ME1, but the negatives really drag it down for me. I'll never replay it. Mass Effect 2 is the better game.(great cast, combat is actually tolerable)
However, there's still a ton of room for improvement in that game as well.
PooBone
Member
This is the most confusing post I've ever seen on GAF.
Savinowned
Member
What the
That's what indoctrination does to you
I dunno even about that tbh.
psychotron
Member
The atmosphere and story in ME1 was incredible. Frame rate and combat issues held it back. Other than that it felt like an 80's sci-fi epic, which made it great to me.
The Lamonster
Member
I disagree with almost everything in the OP. Mass Effect 1 is a near masterpiece, IMO.
I'm currently playing through it again on PC with controller support on Steam Link and a texture enhancement mod. Still holds up very well, and my wife is freaking loving it.
I'm currently playing through it again on PC with controller support on Steam Link and a texture enhancement mod. Still holds up very well, and my wife is freaking loving it.
It was amazing at building this brand new world. Right off the bat the story was engaging and the world felt lived in. Every species is unique and it did a great job of making humanity the rookie just finding our place in the stars. Dat music and the film grain was fun. It also came out at the right moment, 2007 was a great year for the 360.
BRocknRolla
Member
This rings true for me.
I think though that ME1 is a masterclass in that final point, and that's why it is so fondly remembered. (I'd argue 2 is similarly a masterclass in its own category, but ME3 fall sunder just "good" in its particular strength and really collapsed under the weight of the rest of its flaws.) ME1 built one of the most rich scifi universes I've ever seen in a video game, and did it in a believable manner. (DA:O dos this similarly for fantasy.) It's what I came to expect from Bioware. Unfortunately, they seem to have largely lost that.
MrRudiMentary
Member
I honestly think it was the promise. The world building in Mass Effect 1 was incredible and while the characters weren't top BioWare quality (I personally believe most of the ME1 cast didn't become interesting until the sequel), they were pretty solidly written and performed. The game had an incredible cast of beloved voice actors. The plot was intriguing if not particularly well written, like KotOR before it. Mass Effect 1 had those going for it, but what it really had more than anything was it's scope. "A whole universe to explore". A lot of people will look at that and like the game before they've even played it. See: Bethesda games. And narrative choice systems. A lot of people look at that and love a game no matter what. See: David Cage or Telltale games. Add on top of that that the game at least attempted RPG mechanics and the size and scope of the game is far beyond that of the sequels and a lot of games around at the time.
Of course, the reason The Witcher 1 isn't as universally loved is simply because it was a Polish fantasy RPG exclusive to the PC, whilst Mass Effect was a AAA Microsoft published Western Space Opera RPG for the most popular gaming system at the time, as well as the PC. Most people probably haven't actually played The Witcher 1.
Of course, the reason The Witcher 1 isn't as universally loved is simply because it was a Polish fantasy RPG exclusive to the PC, whilst Mass Effect was a AAA Microsoft published Western Space Opera RPG for the most popular gaming system at the time, as well as the PC. Most people probably haven't actually played The Witcher 1.
TW1 isn't loved because the combat was total ass. It had the worst RPG combat since Planescape Torment imo. Like the combat was seriously so not fun that I stopped playing eventually, just because of it.
When they turned it into an arcade shooter? figures lol.
GlamFM
Banned
Good list. May I suggest a little something:
Combat:
ME3 > ME2 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ME1
Characters and dialogue:
ME2 >>>>>>>>>>> ME1 = ME3
Story:
ME1 >>> ME2 >>>>>>>>>>>>> ME3
RAIDEN1
Member
That game (ME1), had one of the most annoying game-breaking bugs I ever encountered, I can't remember the exact location, but I think it was at a remote outpost, invaded by these bug like creatures, and I went into one room, to clear them out couldn't get out the room till I cleared the enemies, yet even when I did that I just could not get out the room, I was practically locked in there, no matter what I tried. though fortunately it was just a case of re-starting the mission and avoiding that room as it wasn't mission critical but even so...soo frustrating...
Aside from that overall great game, the whole series for me till date has been like a new Babylon 5!!!
Aside from that overall great game, the whole series for me till date has been like a new Babylon 5!!!
Hell naw. Only Wrex resembles a good character in ME1.
Gameplay: ME3>ME2>ME1
Story/Characters: ME2>ME3>ME1
Intangibles: ME2>ME1>ME3
Imp the Dimp
Member
I found it better than in Witcher 2 and particularly 3 lol. But that's probably just me. I thought Morrowind's combat was better than the combat in the sequels as well. I'm fine with dice-y combat because poorly done action combat actually hampers my enjoyment whereas I tend tolerate stuff like Witcher and Morrowind.
Exploratory
Banned
Thread really should've ended here because this sums everything up.
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
Despite the clumsy gameplay it's a masterpiece of atmosphere, story, and characterization. And it set the stage for the superior Mass Effect 2.
Prisoner KSC2-303
Member
The atmosphere in the original was the high point of the series for me. ME2 felt less like the fat was cut and more excessively streamlined to the point that I could largely play sections as a cover-based shooter rather than being forced to play a role amongst a team. The lack of inventory options was so stark that I thought I must have missed something, and for all the haters of the Mako, I still think it was preferable to planet scanning for resources.
Exploratory
Banned
Lol don't be ignorant. Just because you think (wrongly I might add) that ME1 is far superior to the sequels doesn't mean it's true and everyone should be agreeing with you. Same can be said about ME1 vs other RPGs. It resonated with people far more than the other games you listed it's that simple.
Moon_frogger
Member
Witcher one was an unplayable piece of shit. It might have better characters and writing then mass effect 1 but not really by that much and the actual gameplay in mass effect is exponentially better. Not sure how op can really compare it to witcher so unfavourably.
Agree with all of this. Traversing planets in the Mako was like a puzzle meta game where it was rewarding to run into some strange base being used for nefarious things.
The Citadel nailed the sense of wonder with its theme song and vastness. It was a fantastic living and breathing hub world. The Normandy was a treat to explore and speak to all the characters in their respective locations.
As for me, I think it was the fact that there was a mystery theme to the world/plot in addition to feeling Captain Jean Luc Picard that cemented ME1 for me. Little things like coming into and out of the Normandy from a place, dancing in the club, and the quiet moments between combat where one is exploring did it for me. I'm a huge sucker for exploration style games that bust me loose and let me go places.
Heck, even some of the sidequests were memorable. Who can forget the Rogue VI sidequests where you're on Earth's moon or the quest where there's an indoctrinated cult? Heck even the worlds had their unique feel and mystery. It felt like a homage to Star Trek and other sci-fi pop culture. It was the one game I invested well over 300 hours on several playthroughs to get all the achievements and do different backgrounds which shows I loved it.
This. It was the best mass effect game for me if a game is supposed to entertain.
i mean unless you think every AI in the room bumrushing you was completely intentional behaviour; yeah, borderline broken.
Mass effect 1's opening scene is the only time in a game I ever felt like I had entered a movie and was about to play it out with me making the choices along the way. It had an atmosphere that both it's sequels lacked. They also tried their best to maintain this through out the entire game with planet explorations, elevators and minimal loading screens. Not all of it were perfect but it was a nice try.
Also as much as people rant about them I liked the companions most in ME1. They were more grounded and felt like actual people. Wrex was a mercenary instead of the king of the Krogan, Garrus a disgruntled cop and Ashley and Kaidan are regular soldiers, both unique in their own ways instead of just one character like they were merged into as the series progressed. There where none of this silly mass assassins, justicars or "perfect" characters like Miranda.
Beyond that Sovereign was the only real reaper seen in the series in my opinion. None of what came after ever was close to the first encounter we had with him/it.
Also as much as people rant about them I liked the companions most in ME1. They were more grounded and felt like actual people. Wrex was a mercenary instead of the king of the Krogan, Garrus a disgruntled cop and Ashley and Kaidan are regular soldiers, both unique in their own ways instead of just one character like they were merged into as the series progressed. There where none of this silly mass assassins, justicars or "perfect" characters like Miranda.
Beyond that Sovereign was the only real reaper seen in the series in my opinion. None of what came after ever was close to the first encounter we had with him/it.
There's something special by being the first one. Walking around the Citadel for the first time, seeing all these new alien species, the galaxy map and the dialogue wheel. At the time the graphics were pretty good too. The art style, concept art, overall design of the space ships, characters, and architecture is pretty well respected. And it was NEW. I can't stress that part enough. It wasn't Star Wars or Star Trek or even Battlestar Galactica. It was its own thing and that in and of itself was pretty special. Yeah it borrowed a lot from other science fiction, such as Babylon 5, but it felt unique and that is a powerful feeling.
The two examples you listed are also PC only games, Witcher 1 and Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer. I'm going to guess there's also quite a few players on this forum, as well as others, that come from a part of my generation, ages 18 - 28, where the early Xbox 360 years, 2005 - 2007, played a huge part in influencing our gaming habits. Games like CoD 2, PGR3, Geometry Wars, Oblivion, Dead Rising, Gears of War, Guitar Hero 2, Rock Band, Bioshock, Halo 3, CoD 4, Assassin's Creed, and yes Mass Effect played a large role in defining certain aspects of video games for many of us. So any game I just listed will have it's pocket of diehard fans somewhere.
Here's also a couple of OG Mass Effect trailers for the heck of it.
Mass Effect X05 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVF8Mpte0Ww
Mass Effect E3 2006 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Li2MIGxOww
The two examples you listed are also PC only games, Witcher 1 and Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer. I'm going to guess there's also quite a few players on this forum, as well as others, that come from a part of my generation, ages 18 - 28, where the early Xbox 360 years, 2005 - 2007, played a huge part in influencing our gaming habits. Games like CoD 2, PGR3, Geometry Wars, Oblivion, Dead Rising, Gears of War, Guitar Hero 2, Rock Band, Bioshock, Halo 3, CoD 4, Assassin's Creed, and yes Mass Effect played a large role in defining certain aspects of video games for many of us. So any game I just listed will have it's pocket of diehard fans somewhere.
Here's also a couple of OG Mass Effect trailers for the heck of it.
Mass Effect X05 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVF8Mpte0Ww
Mass Effect E3 2006 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Li2MIGxOww
ME1 had a far bigger impact on me. The story and world felt so much larger and mysterious then the sequels. Taking down
The story never delivered on that promise in the later games, even the reapers felt pretty weak and non-threatening compared to the ending of ME1. The size of the universe seemed to shrink after that first game too, even if most of the planets were all very similar, at least they were trying to make an expansive universe. The sequels became much easier to play and smoothed the edges out, but it traded off the scale and charm, which made them disappointing for me. I still really enjoyed the sequels though, as they had plenty of great character moments. Having my renegade Shepard
was particularly stand out and gut wrenching.
Sovereign felt like a like winning one in a million shot alone, that the impeding reaper invasion would be totally impossible to win.
save Wrex in ME1 only to kill the poor bastard in ME3
crazyrabbits
Banned
The problem is that all of the bases had the exact same layout and design - like, literal copies of one another. Any sense of discovery or exploration is marred by the fact that a lot of it is absurdly repetitive.
Every mine is the same way - descend the tunnel, go into the wide open room with all the rock shards, check the couple back rooms for a handful of items. Rinse, lather, repeat.
I didn't think the sidequests in 1 were that good. It just all blends together into a big pile of nothing.
I agree with these rankings.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
Because it felt personal. It felt like Star Trek command deck and we got to be best friends with our crew. We have a lot of sci fi, but somehow not a ton of that?
ShadowSoldier89
Member
i dont get saying ME3 had better combat. Like at a base level it is an improvement over ME2, but the encounter design is complete ass to the point where the improved mechanics dont matter
Man Called Aerodynamics
Member
Man, reading some replies here make me really want to play ME1 again for like the ninth time.
kinoki
Illness is the doctor to whom we pay most heed; to kindness, to knowledge, we make promise only; pain we obey.
Mass Effect was a game that focused on the joy of exploration. That was lost as the series moves on. There was some of it at the very end of the second one. In what feels like parody the third one ends on Earth. Which is basically the most boring place to end the trilogy. They made the same mistake Star Trek: TNG made with the movies. They went from science and exploration to action that became more and more stupid. I still get giddy when I arrive at the Citadel in the first game.
Yup, the first one also had a great soundtrack that harkened back to 80's sci fi with it's use of synth.
Poodlestrike
Banned
ME2 definitely has it beat in the character writing department, though.
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OT: It actually isn't. It's got an extremely dedicated and vocal fanbase, but most people prefer 2 and even 3 to 1.
ForsakenLotus
Member
People who prefer Mass Effect 1 do so generally because the writing and/or villain is the best in the trilogy (I'd agree), or because it has the most RPG mechanics. Preferring the writing is entirely understandable, but the RPG mechanics aren't.
Don't get me wrong, I wish the series didn't progressively get more streamlined, but there were plenty of negatives with ME1's mechanics. The hidden dice roll in a shooter does not work - it's too frustrating. And that inventory system was an absolute mess. Not to mention the game was pretty janky.
Don't get me wrong, I wish the series didn't progressively get more streamlined, but there were plenty of negatives with ME1's mechanics. The hidden dice roll in a shooter does not work - it's too frustrating. And that inventory system was an absolute mess. Not to mention the game was pretty janky.
Coffee Dog
Banned
It's hard to call the characters in ME2 well written when they aren't used in any real way that engages the player. The player butting heads with Ashley and Wrex are far more memorable than the endless favors of the ME2 squad.
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