Gaming

Mass Effect Andromeda is mostly hated, but hot damn, it's disappointing that it was, because it brought back all the best aspects of the original Mass Effect and iterated upon them greatly. Open world planets to explore with a big, fun to drive vehicle.

I would say it's main failing was the story and the companions, which was generally forgettable, but the world building was quite good and the environments were beautiful.

For all the failures of the facial animations and dead eyes upon release, the actual game itself is really beautiful when it comes to scenic vistas and so on. Part of the trouble is you spend a large mount of the early game stuck inside samey indoor environments with these dead eyed NPCs, so when it came out, the opening of the game gave people a bad view by focusing you on the games worst offenses right out of the gate. That's a hard hill for a lot of people to climb over, understandably so.

I just think it was incredibly disappointing because it was in many ways a way stronger game (gameplay-wise and environment-wise) than Mass Effect 2/3. It was a huge step up in quality for the franchise, but because of a botched story and facial animations, it nearly killed the franchise entirely.

It was also one of those games that suffered from Gamergate bullshit. Complaints of Sarah Ryder not being attractive enough and complaints too many LGBT characters. I remember when I used to think EA was lying that they thought they won Worst Company from The Consumerist because they had anti-LGBT people doing write-in campaigns against them. I believe them now, even though it felt like they were hiding behind that at the time. Because those are bullshit complaints.

Also, is it just me or did Baldur's Gate 3 prove you could do a modern version of one of these games in the classic isometric overhead view style?

I'd love to see a Mass Effect style game in a modern isometric overhead view turn-based tactical combat type situation, like X-COM but more like an RPG than a tactical combat game with minor RPG elements.

Mass effect is one of my favorite series ever! I've played through the trilogy at least half a dozen times now. It's my cozy game I always have a playthrough going in.

Mass effect 1 was incredible for its time, and still pretty good today. The biggest mistake I see people make is not talking to everyone on the ship in between missions (this is true for the whole series); if you don't you'll miss the best part of the game. Also make sure to pick an interesting class, probably something with biotics. Infiltrator and soldier are boring to play compared to sentinel or biotic.

Mass effect 2 was the game that shifted the series from an RPG to a cover shooter. The mechanics were much better, but it removed some of the fun. I remember the first time I played it I was heartbroken the citadel was so much smaller than in the first game. I'd say 2 has the best DLCs of the trilogy (Shadowbroker is unrivaled). I love the structure of 2 as well, but there's definitely a few gotchas where if you do a mission too soon it'll lock you out of finishing important side quests if you want a good ending.

Mass effect 3 is great, the mechanics are more mature than 2, the story and "omg" moments are the best in the series; and (especially with the DLCs) it really fleshes out the backstory of the galaxy and races in a way the first two games didn't. I do wish the team on the ship was a bit bigger, but the citadel dlc is definitely a close second best in the series; and makes up for it imo.

As for the ending of 3 (mild mood spoilers):

So all in all, I think the trilogy is incredible, and everyone should try it. That said you've gotta go in with an idea of how to play it (this is true for all the games, but especially 1), because the games will let you miss a lot of stuff (like crew interactions, important side missions that affect the ending of the game and encounters in later games, etc.). It's definitely a trilogy that's better the second time through bc of it, or just find a good non spoiler guide/video for tips.

First game in the series despite very rough clunky gameplay is my absolute favorite. The story hooked me with the sovereign reveal and the plot is the best of the three entries. And the music felt the best with how atmospheric and less Hollywoody it was, so added to the scifi other world vibe. And I liked how the lighting was darker in places like the Normandy adding to the feeling of being in space.

I've only played mass effect 1. I completed it around five years ago and absolutely loved it. I always have difficulty completing games, but for this one I read all the codex entries, completed all the quests I could find and really absorbed it all.

The opening is so memorable, it immediately gave me this epic sense of scale and importance and this lasted throughout the game.

I'm thinking of maybe playing it again as femshep and then continuing on with 2 and 3, although I'm not sure if it will match my original experience.

Can it wait a moment? I'm in the middle of some calibrations.

Garrus is bae and both Sheps are awesome. I regret not leaving Ash behind.

I enjoy the mystery around the galaxy in ME1. I enjoy the interactions in ME2 the most. However it's a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE sequel. ME3.. Honestly It's disappointing compared to what came before, however the multiplayer was some of the best fun I ever had. Then they come out with Andromeda which has some weird retcons or interference with ME3s lore which boggles my mind. Pick a lane Bioware!

Honestly I'd reccomend the original trilogy. After more than 10 years I have learned that if you are super into ME then its best off not digging too deep if you enjoy it! I dont even go into detail pointing out the problems anymore as I dont want to spoil anyones fun! lol

Mass effect 2 is one of the few 10/10 games ever for me. Playing vanguard there was just so fun in every way. The first game has some weird mechanics and the third is ruined, it was a single player game that required online play to unlock all endings (the readiness system), day one DLC. Terrible story too, after all the build up

Truly once a company creates an mmo it becomes a cancer that spreads and is forced everywhere.

If it weren't for the last season of Game of Thrones, the last 35 minutes of Mass Effect 3 would still be #1 on my list of "fastest ways to rapidly obliterate everything your fans love, retroactively, forever." Somehow the Star Wars Prequels are #3.

I had never played any Mass Effect games before playing Outer Worlds. I loved the companion aspect of that game, but it was a pretty short, small game. So when I played Mass Effect, I was blown away. I don't have the same complaints people had for Mass Effect 3, because my experience was with the legendary edition. Yeah, the 2000 Space Odyssey ending was weird but it didn't ruin the whole trilogy. I'm now playing Andromeda and sadly not enjoying the companions as much. Hopefully that changes as I progress through the game.

So many story telling memories. ME is still a treasure to me despite its challenges and missteps. ME2 is among my favorite game of all time, right behind Dragon Age: Origins.

But ME3 has a scene that was so well executed that I don't think anything has ever topped it, for me, in video gaming storytelling. From his decision to rectify what he now believes is a past wrong, do it alone, to his final remark about seashells.

It, to me, is extremely emotional and in the best way that a good story can be.

I consider myself a pretty big science fiction fan. I've read a ton of science fiction novels, both old and new. I enjoy Star Trek. Love Star Wars. I like a lot of science-fiction themed video games, like Zone of the Enders, the original Bioshock, Borderlands, Prey (both the original and remake), Halo, Metroid, Half-Life, Fallout, etc.

I utterly loathe Mass Effect. I consider it one of the worst pieces of science-fiction ever created. I consider the overly sleek aesthetic of everything, from the ships, to the weapons, to the armor hideous. I consider the characters underwritten. The political entity that runs the galaxy is an uninteresting and derivative bureaucracy. The conflict between the various member races and their respective histories are far more interesting than the looming conflicts of the giant undead space robots looking to destroy the galaxy. And as a game, the gameplay is repetitive and uninteresting. Many of the enemies eventually just become damage soaks. The weapons and abilities are generally forgettable. I don't think I've ever had less mentally impactful combat in a game before (as a note, I consider this a general issue with third-person shooters). And the inventory management in the first game was painfully terrible. I remember getting to the end of the game and having to spend an hour to manage my fucking inventory right before the last fight because I literally ran out of space and at a certain point all the crap you've collected just becomes worthless and pointless to have.

I played the first two games. I hated the first one when it came out and still hated it when I revisited it years later. I did like the incredibly janky Mass Mobile, as it was so poorly implemented that it was hilarious to watch it bounce off of random pieces of landscape like it was made of rubber. The second game I also really disliked because of the bifurcated Paragon and Renegade oppositional morality system that seemed really popular with that era of RPGs. And I didn't even bother with the third. The games are just dull and frustrating, and I've never understood the love people have for them.

I liked Mass Effect 1 a lot, thought 2 was alright, and liked a lot of 3 but hated the movement and journal system

Mass Effect 2 and 3 are up there with some of the best shooters I've played. It's just so smooth. And the weight/CDR system is incredibly simple yet impactful. I've played through 3 several times. Yes, the story beats weren't always great. Still fun.

EDIT: Since we're posting favorite builds: Sentinel gang. What's that, I have access to literally everything you need to beat any enemy? Yes please.

Gonna be playing this eventually. Bought the full series in the winter, and it's on my shortlist.

Anyone got mod recommendations?