BioWare Won't Be Skimping On ME3's Single-Player
See Full ImageWith all the rumors circulating about the possibility of multiplayer in Mass Effect 3, the hardcore fans are a touch concerned.
Thing is, role-playing games like Mass Effect are about the story and the characters, and not about multiplayer gaming. The latter might be a nice addition to the formula but if it's a particular focus, and BioWare sacrifices that which makes this franchise great, the followers will be severely irritated. Not everything requires multiplayer these days. But project director Casey Hudson has recently left a Twitter update that should pacify the skeptical:
"Like Ray said, we evaluate lots of tech/designs but as you saw at E3 we're focused on the best SP experience in the series."
See, that's what we're looking for right there- "the best single-player experience in the series." That's what these games are about. Sometimes, we wonder why developers replace tried-and-true formulas (the very formulas that get them their fans) with experimental things, or features designed to appeal to a "wider audience."
Why "replace?" Why not just add? It seems BioWare is going to do just that, though: add.
Related Game(s): Mass Effect 3
Tags: mass effect 3, me3, bioware, me3 multiplayer
6/17/2011 10:54:24 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (32 posts)
PorkChopGamer
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:22:53 AM
It really depends on how you, Highlander, define an RPG. If a very high level of customization is what you require, then Mass Effect 2 will let you down. If you enjoy being part of an an absolutely amazing story where every decision you make dictates how it is told along with some decent customization, then you will like Mass Effect 2.
But RPG or not, the game deserves to be played. It's one of the best series this gen.
Edit: It REALLY helps playing ME1 in full, though. EVERY choice you make in the game, down to the NPCs you interact with even briefly, is carried overto ME2. That is an absolutely amazing experience that has never been done in gaming before.
Last edited by PorkChopGamer on 6/17/2011 11:28:01 AM
7 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:29:25 AM
1 up, 2 down
Eld
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:55:06 AM
I would say It's mostly comparable to Deus-Ex.
It's not a bad game, but RPG element is weak.
1 up, 3 down
Claire C
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 12:00:52 PM
Highlander, you absolutely should get Mass Effect 2 though no matter what 'type' of game you would describe it as. I've played through it 3 times and got 3 different experiences. It's worth your time. Trust me. =D
Last edited by Claire C on 6/17/2011 12:01:41 PM
3 up, 3 down
cLoudou
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 12:15:51 PM
I only label them (FO and ME) as Shooters because, to me, it really isn't an RPG unless it is a JRPG.
0 up, 5 down
Highlander
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 12:35:45 PM
2 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 12:46:47 PM
2 up, 1 down
FM23
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 1:18:40 PM
2 up, 2 down
Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:24:59 PM
What's missing is the micro management typical for RPGs, and one might argue, the exploration. But is that really what RPG *truly* is all about? I'd say NO!
It is a RPG because the *soul* of the game is firmly placed in the RPG category. The storyline, side quests and choices are all that of a RPG. The characters, relations and dramas between characters are entirely RPG.
The pausing mid battle, issuing of the commands and strategies of teammates, is all 100% true RPG.
So it's not a "hardcore" rpg, but it's not a shooter either, damnit! *cries*
Last edited by Beamboom on 6/17/2011 2:28:41 PM
3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:26:23 PM
Now, customization and tool creation are pretty light, but still kinda cool.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 6/17/2011 2:27:05 PM
4 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 3:17:39 PM
Picture Star Trek, there's the story an character interaction and then the segments of engaging combat.
But there is no doubt, at your preference, the game can be played more action gamer centric, if so desired. As much of the side stories and plot points can be ignored and a persons real time shooting abilities can heavily influence the success or failure of combat.
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 3:41:30 PM
Many games have moved past these archaic type caste terms. Such terms invite false attributions and erronious preconceived notions. As the term "RPG" alone can not encapsulate all the many modern things something like ME is doing.
These Interactive visual experiences are redefining the way we think about entertainment.
I can play something like Super Stardust HD and clearly see how it's a simple classic formula presented in 1080p premium visuals and clearly define it's purpose as an arcade action shooter. But I can not look at more progressive entertainment like Heavy Rain as an evolution of Dragon's Lair.
These terms born out of the golden age of game design are simply out of date.
3 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 3:56:16 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 4:08:28 PM
"...archaic type caste things..."
"...terms born out of the golden age of game design are simply out of date."
"the term "RPG" alone can not encapsulate all the many modern things"
Sorry, but you're raining on my parade, and that of a lot of others with those comments. Much like SuperStardust is a classic arcade shooter with some modern elements, there is no reason for any RPG - even a classic archetype of the genre - to endure wholesale change for the sake of being modern, or to avoid the label "out of date". SuperStardust is a great game that is extremely familiar to anyone who played arcade shooters in the 'golden era' of the arcade game. It's like a combination of Asteroids and Sinistar, on steroids, and with dual stick control. But the thing is that the core attributes of the game remain true to the arcade shooter genre.
It's not necessary to make wholesale changes to underlying game mechanics or strip previously standard features from RPGs to make a 'modern' RPG. Yet that seems to be what you are saying in your posts. I reject that completely. By the same token, should we modernize platformers by removing the climbing and jumping because it's archaic? After all, it's no longer necessary to arrange the game to follow the archaic form laid out by the 2D platform games of old, is it?
Seriously, this throwing the baby out with the bath water mentality that comes with the urge to 'modernize' specific genre is frustrating in the extreme, and in my opinion depends on false reasoning. the false reasoning being that the very things that define a genre's core gameplay must be thrown away in order to make a modern game.
Last edited by Highlander on 6/17/2011 4:08:41 PM
1 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 5:12:51 PM
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 8:24:37 PM
It's really quite simple to understand. I'd hope anyway.
My comment, in response to FM, was in agreeance with his suggestion that whatever you want to call it, RPG, shooter, porn simulator, doesn't matter. It's the wholeness of it's offering is what counts.
Much of this confusion can be traced back to people wanting to categorize their games into genre terms invented in the "golden age" of gaming.
The term is simply too broad in scope to tell you much of anything specifically.
Hence the reason of your original ME inquire. Right?
So Highlander I'm sure you've noticed by now, there is a massive identity crisis encircling the format that Mass Effect follows after the manner of.
Quite honestly, it seems to me,
3 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 8:28:02 PM
So as I was saying, quite honestly it seems to me the term RPG causes more confusion than it helps to define in newer games like Mass Effect.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:32:21 PM
I agree that the term or label RPG is used in an over-broad manner. As I've said before, depending on how you define Role Playing Game ,literally almost any game can be an RPG because the player takes on a role of some sort while playing the game.
Can you tell that TheHighlander likes his RPGs and is saddened and frustrated by their demise?
1 up, 0 down
CrusaderForever
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:59:55 AM
Reply
Mass Effect 2 expands on that but I have to say is more on the shooter side compared to ME1. I have ME2 on the PS3 but have held off due to some technical issues. I have played for a couple of hours but stopped. From what I have read and played it is very good! There is a new patch coming out but not sure if it's out yet. If I were you I would go to the ME2 forums and spend 15 minutes reading up to make sure you are ok with any of the unfixed problems ME2 has. I will go through ME2 but just have so many games to play that I can be patient for Bioware to fix all the problems.
2 up, 0 down
FM23
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 1:22:40 PM
Reply
1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 2:28:53 PM
Reply
1 up, 2 down
FM23
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 8:00:02 PM
1 up, 0 down
Alienange
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 6:48:07 PM
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2 up, 0 down
Jonesy555
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 7:29:27 PM
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3 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Saturday, June 18, 2011 @ 4:52:31 AM
There is nothing more sexy than a female hero! :)
1 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, June 18, 2011 @ 4:43:48 AM
Reply
ME is my new favorite IP of this generation, if EA were to destroy it and do what ubisoft did to AC......... well im sorry but i cant be held responsible for my actions!
0 up, 2 down
Highlander
Reply
Friday, June 17, 2011 @ 11:08:11 AM