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[Phonomezer]

Because it's different, arguably less exploitable, and you're not used to it.

Yep, feels like it'll allow for much more tactical combat than the previous games.

Could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how enjoyable the combat scenarios are.

But I don't think it gels well for the multiplayer, as far as the demo is concerned anyway.

 

[EatChildren]

This is a HUGE warning sign to me.

The crap graphics and stuff I can overlook, but if they butcher the story as bad as they did in 2, well... it won't be far behind MGS4 in terms of ruining a series.

I was going to avoid this demo but I have to play it now.

It's just...boring, I guess. Others have mentioned the issues, but mostly it boils down to Arrival-esque half arsed rushing over big plot points. Vega is introduced as being familiar with Shepard. Shepard's trial is finished, and not mentioned at all. The board of whatever that Shepard talks to basically goes "Oh there's Reapers coming what to we do?", and then suddenly! Reapers!

Que heavily scripted and short lived escape sequence. Big booming Reapers overhead look and sound cool, knocking over buildings and blasting ships. But the total lack of civilians, panic, and thick audio ambience makes for a pretty quiet and underwhelming alien invasion. It just kinda happens and then it's all over.

MGS4 was abysmal for a host of reasons that I don't think ME3 will reach, but yeah, a boring intro it is.

 

[sp3000]

Dialogue's good

THE REAPERS ARE HERE. /everyone turns around surprised even though Shepard has been utterly raving like a lunatic for the past 2 games about them

How should we stop the Reapers Shepard, what's our plan.

WE STICK TOGETHER

 

[HarryHengst]

Yep, but there's a lot of posters in here that I trust the opinions of and the criticisms sound like things I'll hate.

For all the "LOL PC TROLLS" going on in this thread, it's the PC centric people I trust the most to be honest.

You are trusting people who are crying over the fact that the game has no AA but FXAA or whatever acronyms those people use. They dont really talk (or care) about if the game is fun, only if it can out-crysis Crysis in the graphics department.

 

[Des0lar]

Console impressions: Yay, this is great - I'm having fun blah blah.

PC fan base comes in: FUCKING HELL THIS SUCKS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. GOOOOODDDDDDDDD. MASS EFFECT 1 HAS BETTER GRAPHICS. THE BURNING RAGE INSIDE ME MUST BE UNLEASHED ON BIOWARE.

I can't like a game because its a shoddy port?

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

It's just...boring, I guess. Others have mentioned the issues, but mostly it boils down to Arrival-esque half arsed rushing over big plot points. Vega is introduced as being familiar with Shepard. Shepard's trial is finished, and not mentioned at all. The board of whatever that Shepard talks to basically goes "Oh there's Reapers coming what to we do?", and then suddenly! Reapers!

Que heavily scripted and short lived escape sequence. Big booming Reapers overhead look and sound cool, knocking over buildings and blasting ships. But the total lack of civilians, panic, and thick audio ambience makes for a pretty quiet and underwhelming alien invasion. It just kinda happens and then it's all over.

MGS4 was abysmal for a host of reasons that I don't think ME3 will reach, but yeah, a boring intro it is.

I think our discussion in the ME replay thread about 3 being that great conclusion to the narrative was a bit hopeful now. I hope it's just a weak start and not a sign of what the entire game will be like.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

I can only assume it's people struggling to adjust to the extra mobility and more aggressive AI. ME2 was an easily exploitable game of whack-a-mole in the most basic form. At it's worst, ME3 is exactly like it, only a little faster. At it's best, you have extra mobility and new attacks. People are very quick to write it off as worse when they're still trying to adjust.

ME2 was a decent at best TPS with cool powers, so I'm surprised to see people writing off ME3 combat when it seems it brings to the table what the combat needs to face some of the best TPS out there.

If ME3 is too fast and chaotic they better never play Vanquish.

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

True, it does kinda feel like a part has been skipped. Have to wait until the release to see if this really is the intro or not.

I have a feeling this is the total intro (hope I'm wrong). It seems like it's one of those deals where you have to read the outside material (books, comics) to entirely get what's going on at the beginning. The game just gives you the bear minimum to get by. Hope this isn't so because I have no intention of doing any outside Mass Effect reading.

I can forgive the rushed opening as long as the rest of the game makes up for it and shows me that the series hasn't just become a mediocre corridor shooter with a few cutscenes in between.

 

[Demon Ice]

How do you assign powers to the shortcut bar? Clicking and dragging does nothing D:

Anyone?

 

[EatChildren]

You are trusting people who are crying over the fact that the game has no AA but FXAA or whatever acronyms those people use. They dont really talk (or care) about if the game is fun, only if it can out-crysis Crysis in the graphics department.

The whole "criticisms not relevant to me = all criticisms invalid" whine should be bannable I think.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

You are trusting people who are crying over the fact that the game has no AA but FXAA or whatever acronyms those people use. They dont really talk (or care) about if the game is fun, only if it can out-crysis Crysis in the graphics department.

Yeah it's all about the aliasing and graphics, not the gameplay and story comments.

Grow up mate. The PC impressions aren't ruining this thread, it's the retarded complaining about the PC comments that are.

 

[Castor Krieg]

Ah, glorious 60FPS, the way the game is meant to be played.

Did SP part, nothing special so far, tommorow Insanity run.

 

[sp3000]

You are trusting people who are crying over the fact that the game has no AA but FXAA or whatever acronyms those people use. They dont really talk (or care) about if the game is fun, only if it can out-crysis Crysis in the graphics department.

Isn't this kind of idiocy bannable? "Those people"? Really, are you 12? This is like a post I would expect on IGN.

If this isn't bannable then I guess blatant trolling is allowed now

 

[Kurtofan]

I dunno, Anderson was great in the intro, I'm hoping for a bit more presentation in the final game, perhaps save transferred game will get more conversation?

 

[PjotrStroganov]

The game does look a bit clinical. It could use some more post processing effects and AO.

 

[mxgt]

You are trusting people who are crying over the fact that the game has no AA but FXAA or whatever acronyms those people use. They dont really talk (or care) about if the game is fun, only if it can out-crysis Crysis in the graphics department.

What the fuck is this

 

[Vire]

PC fan base has higher standards? (I play on PC and am loving the game)

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

 

[Lifejumper]

I dunno, Anderson was great in the intro, I'm hoping for a bit more presentation in the final game, perhaps save transferred game will get more conversation?

A developer twittered that the main game will have expanded dialogue in the intro.

 

[jcutner]

Was the demo supposed to read your ME2 save? I had to recreate my Danny Trejo cmdr Shepard and then choose answers to questions about his past. I thought having the ME2 save would cover this - unless that's just for the full game (which makes sense though)

 

[Metalmurphy]

Is the weapons screen on multiplayer bugged for anyone else? It keeps asking me to choose a second weapon, over and over.

 

[shinobi602]

THE REAPERS ARE HERE. /everyone turns around surprised even though Shepard has been utterly raving like a lunatic for the past 2 games about them

How should we stop the Reapers Shepard, what's our plan.

WE STICK TOGETHER

What would you suggest?

"Shepard what's our plan?"

"Ok, while the Reapers are leveling shit, let's go over this battle plan for next 5 hours and review what we've learned, mmkay?"

 

[Derrick01]

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

I like how you decide that I don't like anything just because I'm critical of everything. It's not my fault so many of today's games feel watered down.

 

[Kurtofan]

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

Yeah plus I never thought demos were great to judge of the quality of a single player game.I don't know demos feel disjointed and you want more at the end.Feels frustrating.

I prefer to experience the full package personally.The only demo I ever liked was Dead Rising Case Zero, but it was more of a pre-extension than a demo, with original content and all.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

What would you suggest?

"Shepard what's our plan?"

"Ok, while the Reapers are leveling shit, let's go over this battle plan for next 5 hours and review what we've learned, mmkay?"

Better than:

"Shepard, what's our plan?"

"I clearly know that reapers are the most destructive and advanced race in the universe, they destroyed all our defensives forces in just a few minutes, I mean one of them was powerful enough to destroy several of our best ships, so the plan is clearly fight back and stay together, all alone. lol"

 

[Midou]

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

Well personally speaking, I do have a high-end PC, and prefer to max games out, but I do mostly play for gameplay.

The problem is, some efforts feel massively lazy. There are smaller teams on 8 million dollar budgets like The Witcher 2 team who made an amazing looking and running game. There are few publishers with deeper pockets than EA, they even went to the trouble of trying to startup a steam competitor. You would think they could put the time and money into making it great on PC.

I haven't played the demo yet, so I can't comment, I'm sure it will look fine.

On the topic of dialog and plot:

There is no way they are going to end this without the use of a deus ex machina or edgy 'everyone dies' sort of ending. I really don't expect much.

 

[doubleplusgood]

From what I'm seeing, I think I'll just skip the demo all together. Going to buy the game and I'm probably going to enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Kem0sabe]

Just finished the demo... animations and graphical fidelity are actually worse than the were in the previous game... how?

Combat was about the same as in ME2, only a bit faster and with a new stupid cooldown mechanic.

What actually turned me off about the whole thing was the writing, who the fuck got paid to write this drivel? seriously.

 

[Lime]

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

So because PC one user presumably criticizes every contemporary game, every PC user is never satisfied? I think you're painting with pretty broad strokes here.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I don't know, I liked it. Felt good fighting those bastards in the second part.

I laughed though when the Krogan

Spoiler

female was shaking her thang

 

[shinobi602]

Just finished the demo... animations and graphical fidelity are actually worse than the were in the previous game... how?

Combat was about the same as in ME2, only a bit faster and with a new stupid cooldown mechanic.

What actually turned me off about the whole thing was the writing, who the fuck got paid to write this drivel? seriously.

Wait, what? How are the animations worse? At the worst, they're the same as ME2. What is worse about them?

The cooldown mechanic is one of the best additions. It makes you strategize what weapons you want to bring with you and the ratio of weapons/powers. The more weapons you carry, the longer cooldown between powers. A lot of room for experimentation.

 

[Corky]

*chooses : "COME WITH ME!" - dialogue option*
*shepard says : "We're in this together"*


Roleplaying.

 

[SalomonA]

Console impressions: Yay, this is great - I'm having fun blah blah.

PC fan base comes in: FUCKING HELL THIS SUCKS I WANT MY MONEY BACK. GOOOOODDDDDDDDD. MASS EFFECT 1 HAS BETTER GRAPHICS. THE BURNING RAGE INSIDE ME MUST BE UNLEASHED ON BIOWARE.

It's just that I wanted so much, and now it's gone. The hype. The everything.

The story is so great, one of the best out there actually. I loved ME1 and ME2, they're great games. For me, Mass Effect has always been about story ans choises. And now, I feel like Bioware has ruined that to me. This demo doesn't feel like Mass Effect. And im begging that the final product will be nothing like this. The combat was fine in ME2, why change it?

Oh, and the animations are, once again, awful. They gotta fix this.

 

[Kurtofan]

From what I'm seeing, I think I'll just skip the demo all together. Going to buy the game and I'm probably going to enjoy it for what it is.

I think that's a good decision, I couldn't resist it and overall I enjoyed the demo, but it's hard to appreciate the story in a demo where there's no transition at all between the intro and the random mission.

There's still multiplayer though, I'm eager to try that out.

 

[EatChildren]

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things.

And again, this argument revolves around "these issues don't concern me so I don't want to hear about them". I wouldn't bat an eye about an 360/PS3 player grumbling about a shitty port (hello early UE3 PS3 games), clumsy controls (eg: rough analogue aiming), severe framerate dips and tearing, or online connection and stability problems. These are issues that sometimes effect games, and people vocalise disappointment.

So, naturally, people do the same thing with PC games. There's a certain expectation given the hardware architecture. Annoyingly everybody has different stands, so I agree the arguments from multiple camps can be frustrating. But when a PC game releases with only one shitty antialiasing option, despite numerous other games built on the same engine offer more, it warrants criticism. When a PC game is forced to adopt a feature change simply because of archaic console hardware restrictions, it warrants criticism. When the main graphics menu has only two changeable options, and the main tweaking panel is buried in folders without a word from the developer, it warrants criticism.

A bad 360 port and a bad PS3 port deserve to be criticised. Same goes for PC.

The combat was fine in ME2, why change it?

I rarely do this, but okay, here goes; you're not very good at this game. The problem is you, not the game, because the combat is largely exactly the same, with extra options and enhanced mobility. If you had no issues playing ME2, yet are having issues with ME3, the problem is your failure to adapt to the expanded moveset. It is a skill problem, because you should be able to easily, very easily, transfer your ME2 skills to this game. I did, and it worked fine, because the games play almost alike.

 

[Vire]

So because PC one user presumably criticizes every contemporary game, every PC user is never satisfied? I think you're painting with pretty broad strokes here.

From my reply:

I don't think it's that. They just never are content - ever.

It's only great if it's from 10 years ago. Sometimes you need to take off the rose tinted glasses and enjoy the ride.

(See the Deus Ex/Skyrim/BF3/ME2 threads.)

I'm not saying all PC gamers are this way, it's just annoying. They find a way to complain about the littlest of things. I don't think I've ever seen Derrick01 say anything positive about any game ever. It's just like, why are you so angry about everything. Can't you just enjoy the hobby? ( Has nothing to do with the quality of ME3 or the intro, just in general. I didn't think it was that mind-blowing either. )

And yes, I certainly could name more than one person on here who falls into this category. Don't make me start naming people. I know you guys all too well.

I say that in the best possible way. I still love you guys, it just gets grating to hear only complaints from some people.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

*chooses : "COME WITH ME!" - dialogue option*
*shepard says : "We're in this together"*


Roleplaying.

So fucking true.

 

[Mr_Zombie]

What would you suggest?

"Shepard what's our plan?"

"Ok, while the Reapers are leveling shit, let's go over this battle plan for next 5 hours and review what we've learned, mmkay?"

No, it should rather be:
"I dunno, you're the board, I'm just a soldier who is no longer even a commander and who was warning you about this shit for over two years and you did nothing!".

The way everyone acted surprised when Shepard (for the nth time) said "it's the Repears!" was almost comical.

 

[sp3000]

What would you suggest?

"Shepard what's our plan?"

"Ok, while the Reapers are leveling shit, let's go over this battle plan for next 5 hours and review what we've learned, mmkay?"

That would have actually sounded better than the line they put in. The best part is that both options that you can say lead to the alliance guy saying the exact same thing either way.

 

[Dark Octave]

Just finished the demo... animations and graphical fidelity are actually worse than the were in the previous game... how?

Combat was about the same as in ME2, only a bit faster and with a new stupid cooldown mechanic.

What actually turned me off about the whole thing was the writing, who the fuck got paid to write this drivel? seriously.

Can you give us some examples of the animation and writing horrors you're speaking about? I never even noticed.

 

[El'Kharn]

Am undecided about the multi player....hard to get into a game with randoms (am playing it on the 360)and the graphics look kinda shitty.

are you 12?

this kind of comment should be bannable imo

 

[MasterShotgun]

I quite enjoyed the demo, and I was thoroughly happy that the game ran well enough on my meager laptop. Most of the issues I have with the demo could just be a byproduct of this not being the final build.

- The lip animations were total shit in the intro. Animations in general were a little off at times. I swear Anderson was replaced by a poor animatronic puppet in between games. This is the main thing I hope they fixed in the final build.
- The lighting was weird in spots, but that may have been because I had dynamic shadows off. I'll try it with them on and see if my laptop can handle it. (I really want a real gaming computer.)
- Black crush has returned. I'm gonna be pissed if some of the engine files are encrypted at release. I was able to get rid of most of the black crush in ME2 by editing a file, and I want to be able to do it again with ME3.
- The sound dynamic was pretty bad when on high. Hopefully putting it on low will make it better.
- Some low-res textures that were worse quality than in ME2.
- The new canon Fem Shep doesn't look good at all. (Well, except for maybe dat ass.)
- The full release is still 3 weeks away.

+ DAT MUSIC. I'm glad to hear the return of the synth.
+ The god rays looked freaking nice in the intro.
+ The option to remove helmets in conversations is back.
+ Skill trees are the best yet. Bioware seemed to hit the sweet spot. With my imported characters, I'm going to be a god at the end of the game. (Provided their skills / skill points really do transfer over.)
+ Vaulting over walls is much easier now. I fucking hated how it was implemented in ME2.
+ Most everything else that I haven't mentioned but can't think of at the moment.

~ I like the faster combat, but they may have turned it up a bit too much. I'll see if a harder difficulty makes it seem any better.
~ Few options in the conversation wheel, but I'm almost certain that was due to this being a demo.

 

[Red Blaster]

Guys this isn't about FXAA or 360 controller compatibility; this is about FUN

 

[Bisnic]

*chooses : "COME WITH ME!" - dialogue option*
*shepard says : "We're in this together"*


Roleplaying.

Welcome to what Mass Effect is since the first game.

 

[Wonko_C]

For those comfy couch PC gamers out there with wireless xbox 360 controllers (not sure if it works with wired controllers too, I guess it should with a few tweaks, maybe?) I channeled Bioware's spirit and did a quick and dirty port of my ME2 Pinnacle controller profile and it worked flawlessly with the ME3 demo.

Important: For this to work properly you have to go into the game's options and change walk to the N key. It's the only change you need to make.

I played the demo through completion with it once and didn't find any problems, but it hasn't been really tested, your mileage may vary. Controls mostly like the Xbox 360 version but with some changes/enhancements:

-To open the command menu you just have to push RB, and push it again to close it. No hold button needed.
-Y button is used to order your squad to attack.
-Hold X to switch between your previous/last weapon.
-Conversations are controlled with the right stick to move the cursor and the right trigger to select a response (I think A works too).
-Tap left on the d-pad for previous weapon, hold left to command your 1st squad member to move to where you're aiming. Tap right on the d-pad for next weapon, hold it to command your 2nd squad member.
-All 8 slots of the power bar are mapped to combinations of LB+ABXY for the first four powers and LS+ABXY for the last four. 1234=XYBA respectively.

And the profile in question, hope you like it!

http://www.mediafire.com/?mdqxrn8ns0ubp9w

 

[inky]

It's just...boring, I guess. Others have mentioned the issues, but mostly it boils down to Arrival-esque half arsed rushing over big plot points. Vega is introduced as being familiar with Shepard. Shepard's trial is finished, and not mentioned at all. The board of whatever that Shepard talks to basically goes "Oh there's Reapers coming what to we do?", and then suddenly! Reapers!

It's pretty clear that they wanted to jump straight into the action, so a trial prologue would've slowed the beginning considerably (they could've made it optional at least). Also, they've been telling us how this is the perfect game to jump into the series if you haven't before, so I guess wasting time on events only people who played the previous games understood is not ideal. Bottom line: Earth gets attacked -> you are shown as humanity's only hope -> go save the galaxy I guess.
I noticed that if you played "action mode" they don't even bother letting you modify your character. Why would they do that?

I can't get over how hilariously bad the running animation is. It seriously looks like a monkey jumping in place, and the way Shepard moves her arms is so unnatural. The rest seems alright I guess. Good chance to show off my lady Shep. Gonna take some screens.

 

[Kurtofan]

Can you give us some examples of the animation and writing horrors you're speaking about? I never even noticed.

I didn't notice any writing horrors myself,it's pretty on par with usual Bioware dialogue: sometimes great, sometimes less so.
Wrex made me chuckle a couple times.

Welcome to what Mass Effect is since the first game.

Truth.

 

[SalomonA]

I rarely do this, but okay, here goes; you're not very good at this game. The problem is you, not the game, because the combat is largely exactly the same, with extra options and enhanced mobility. If you had no issues playing ME2, yet are having issues with ME3, the problem is your failure to adapt to the expanded moveset. It is a skill problem, because you should be able to easily, very easily, transfer your ME2 skills to this game. I did, and it worked fine, because the games play almost alike.

But I don't die. It's not hard. It's just too fast. And the weapons have no power in them. Maybe it's the sound, I don't know. Still, you can't deny the fact that changes have been maid. And it's just a matter of taste really. Obviously, you like it. I don't.

 

[GSR]

Intro was very underwhelming and felt way too rushed. ME2's escape from the Normandy was much more intense than Earth in the demo, and it had the added bonus of the Cerberus base follow-up introducing new characters as new characters, rather than best-buds-from-off-screen. You can also add me to the camp hoping there's way more dialogue choices in the final game; there were a few minor, pointless things you could say and then the other 90% of the time it was JOHN SHEPARD, BAD-ASS SAVIOR OF THE GALAXY. Don't get me started on the kid.

Graphically I'm not in the best place to judge, running this thing on a laptop, but I don't really expect that much in terms of graphics after ME2.

Combat felt a lot like ME2's, sped up and with a few additions. This was the first time I've played soldier, so I was doing a lot more weapon use than in previous runs. I do have to say the audio on the guns is much improved, though.

Still grabbing it day one because I know there's so much more to the game, but this was definitely a pretty underwhelming demo.

 

[HarryHengst]

- The new canon Fem Shep doesn't look good at all.

This was my biggest disappointment. What have they done with my femshep?!

 

[Bowdz]

No, it should rather be:
"I dunno, you're the board, I'm just a soldier who is no longer even a commander and who was warning you about this shit for over two years and you did nothing!".

The way everyone acted surprised when Shepard (for the nth time) said "it's the Repears!" was almost comical.

The Alliance Committee was an insult to the collective intellects of military committees everywhere.