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[Foliorum Viridum]

I haven't reached his justification for it yet, I'm still halfway through the podcast.

But ME3 is definitely in my top 10 for this year. I'd play it over that piece of shit 2 any day. Still not a patch on the first, though

 

[megalowho]

The

Spoiler

white phosphorus

moment in Spec Ops got fucking robbed. What a fantastic gameplay commentary on stuff like the AC-130 mission in CoD 4. See the MC's

Spoiler

reflection in the laptop screen

was such a nice touch.

It was a gnarly scene but I came away feeling the game was far more pleased with itself for making commentary than I was affected by it. The "Isn't war bad, aren't you bad" stuff in Spec Ops is a little thick at times, and I could see where that instance was going as soon as they set it up. Really dug the ending, though.

 

[Data West]

The way that ME3's ending clouds the rest of the game is sad. 3 is MILES better than 2 in pretty much every way, ending aside.

Aside from the false sense of urgency, bad side quests, turret sequences, and poor party selection.

 

[inky]

LOL, Brad. Why am I not surprised.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Aside from the false sense of urgency, bad side quests, turret sequences, and poor party selection.

<list of 1000 more issues in ME2 which is way worse than those>

I'm not having this debate for the billionith time. ME2 does pretty much nothing right. ME3 is far from perfect but it rights so many of the wrongs of 2.

Regardless, when it comes to Mass Effect, I'll only ever be replaying the first game. Over and over and over. 2 and 3 won't exist in my mind after a while.

 

[demidar]

I was wondering if in ME3 you could run a pure biotic carrying NO weapons whatsoever for maximum cooldown reaction. I was gonna test it before the game bored my brain out. Biotic charge into Nova was pretty cool I'd admit.

 

[derFeef]

LOL, Brad. Why am I not surprised.

Why aren't you?

 

[Felix Lighter]

The reason the DLC is not in the game is why it's not a great game.

If Leviathan was created during ME3 development, then excised due to EA DLC demands, I would feel bad for Bioware but overall my opinion of the game would rise. However, that's not the case. Bioware obviously didn't feel the game needed the extra exposition during their creative process and were only able to see this mistake with hindsight.

I think it's completely valid to judge the games solely on how he experienced them and for Brad that means ME 3 gets the benefit of the additional content. I also understand the frustration from others that hate to see decisions like those made by EA and Bioware surrounding ME 3 get validated by a critic who is watched by many thousands. It's the anti-consumer stuff that makes it more than just a differing of opinions for some people.

 

[derFeef]

I think it's completely valid to judge the games solely on how he experienced them and for Brad that means ME 3 gets the benefit of the additional content. I also understand the frustration from others that hate to see decisions like those made by EA and Bioware surrounding ME 3 get validated by a critic who is watched by many thousands. It's the anti-consumer stuff that makes it more than just a differing of opinions for some people.

Plus Leviathan being pretty great is even more painful.

'cause I totally expected him to pick that terrible game.

Great explanation.

 

[inky]

Why aren't you?

'cause I totally expected him to pick that terrible game.

Great explanation.

Ya. Remember a time when I owed you an explanation of every comment I make? Me neither, but keep trying.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

lol

hold dat shit, emcee

wtf is frog fractions

 

[Tucah]

lol

hold dat shit, emcee

wtf is frog fractions

http://twinbeardstudios.com/frog-fractions

 

[FStop7]

Skyrim Boy's Top 10

http://www.giantbomb.com/news/justin-mcelroys-top-10-games-of-2012/4481/


It's a story about survival between a group of people. If you already know who's going to die, it ruins a fair bit of the drama.

That's a pretty damn solid list.

 

[Killer]

The reason the DLC is not in the game is why it's not a great game.

If Leviathan was created during ME3 development, then excised due to EA DLC demands, I would feel bad for Bioware but overall my opinion of the game would rise. However, that's not the case. Bioware obviously didn't feel the game needed the extra exposition during their creative process and were only able to see this mistake with hindsight.

I think Leviathan was planned during development. From Ashes is a perfect example. They want DLC money on the expense of the franchise reputation.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

He gave some great reasons why it was number 1 on his personal list. Are people really upset about this, or the fact that ME3 launched basically broken story wise?

 

[justjim89]

I'm wondering if Hitman will get any love. Seems like Alex is the only one that really gave it a fair shake.

 

[Felix Lighter]

I think Leviathan was planned during development. From Ashes is a perfect example. They want DLC money on the expense of the franchise reputation.

Based on the original state of the ending, I say that gives them far too much credit.

 

[DaBuddaDa]

Finally watched the recap video. Jeff is a god amongst men.

 

[Gestahl]

Aside from the false sense of urgency, bad side quests, turret sequences, and poor party selection.

And Cerberus, Kai Leng, the Geth bastardization, the entire 2-3 hour opening barely anyone likes, Udina's shit payoff, Chobot, and just incredibly poor writing in general. I can't count the number of times a line in that game made me squirm uncomfortably upon hearing it.

 

[I speel my dreenk]

I can't believe they didn't know that in Spec Ops you can

Spoiler

TOTALLY kill all the dudes who come to take you in the epilogue, it's not an unwinnable situation at all!

That was the first ending I got, and it blew me away. Fuuuuuuuuuu

 

[MuddyDonut]

I was probably one of the only people who wanted Minerva's Den to win last year. Go brad lol

 

[darkressurection]

I am still not seeing this great justification of Brad's ME3 pick, I could maybe understand his whole Return of the King thing had Mass Effect 2 not won GOTY previously. I don't really feel that anything he said in the video was all that strong of a point towards the game. It is also weird when he had many more games on his list that he said very stronger things about, Journey and Walking Dead in particular, which he called almost transcendental and a watermark in games respectively and then for those to lose out to ME3.

 

[vitaminwateryum]

I can't believe they didn't know that in Spec Ops you can

Spoiler

TOTALLY kill all the dudes who come to take you in the epilogue, it's not an unwinnable situation at all!

That was the first ending I got, and it blew me away. Fuuuuuuuuuu

Wait, what?! I need to play through it again. All the recent LTTP threads have got me jonesing for it.

 

[Jibbajabbawockky]

I think Leviathan was planned during development. From Ashes is a perfect example. They want DLC money on the expense of the franchise reputation.

Thats kind of the main problem I have with so much BioWare DLC. On one hand, I'm sympathetic to them wanting to have a DLC premise thats interesting and worth buying, so thats why they have something like Javik or Leviathan. But on the other hand, in both of those cases they're going too far- that's material that should be in the base game. That's too important story wise at a glance to not be in the main game.

Furthermore, the way the DLC is integrated in the game is great if you're playing the game for your first time, but it more or less sucks if you've already played and finished the game- which is probably most people interested in DLC in the first place. Just going back to some save before the game is over to play a mission is weak, when you already know the ending.

All BioWare's recent DLC shenanigans makes me want to do is not buy any of their games on day one, since they're cordoning off interesting story content as Day 1 DLC or using post release DLC to try and fix their screw ups in the main game, either from game mechanics (Dragon Age 2 DLC) or to act as a band aid for story screw ups (Leviathan).

 

[derFeef]

'cause I totally expected him to pick that terrible game.



Ya. Remember a time when I owed you an explanation of every comment I make? Me neither, but keep trying.

Why so offensive? I asked you why you expected him to choose it, then you answered me with "I expected him to choose it" and I don't think that's a great response. If you do not have any response/explanation then okay, but there is no reason to be mad now.

 

[StevePharma]

Man I was screaming at my phone when I was listening to "Best Moment" picks. Pretty solid picks from the crew but man what about MAX PAYNE 3 AIRPORT SCENE + TEARS song? Not a lot of stuff gave me goosebumps this year but Journey and Max Payne 3 nailed that.

 

[firehawk12]

I can't believe they didn't know that in Spec Ops you can

Spoiler

TOTALLY kill all the dudes who come to take you in the epilogue, it's not an unwinnable situation at all!

That was the first ending I got, and it blew me away. Fuuuuuuuuuu

Wait, Jeff got all the achievements... how did he miss this?

 

[mattiewheels]

Where the hell is Fez PC, man? Is this a Microsoft exclusivity issue?

 

[Megasoum]

Wait, Jeff got all the achievements... how did he miss this?

It's Patrick who said that during the podcast, Jeff probably didn't catch it in the middle of the conversation.

 

[chubigans]

Where the hell is Fez PC, man? Is this a Microsoft exclusivity issue?

Probably. The game has been in development for so long that they probably signed the old XBLA exclusivity clause that gives the game one year on 360 before ports are allowed. (I think current XBLA contracts are for 3-6 months?).

 

[Zaph]

I think it's completely valid to judge the games solely on how he experienced them and for Brad that means ME 3 gets the benefit of the additional content. I also understand the frustration from others that hate to see decisions like those made by EA and Bioware surrounding ME 3 get validated by a critic who is watched by many thousands. It's the anti-consumer stuff that makes it more than just a differing of opinions for some people.

And that about perfectly sums it up.

I absolutely see where's he's coming from with the 'appreciation of the whole' arguement (even if his LotR analogy doesn't really fly because, unlike The Two Towers, Mass Effect 2 was lauded upon release with numerous GOTY awards), but ultimately it's just disappointing to see a veteran game critic reward retroactive storytelling - I would like to think their critical judgement should override sentimentality.

 

[I speel my dreenk]

Wait, Jeff got all the achievements... how did he miss this?

I'm assuming he didn't know, but maybe he just forgot about it. When Patrick says that when you

Spoiler

aim at or open fire on the soldiers, they blow you away and you can't win, no one counters that.

Dunno!

 

[inky]

Why so offensive? I asked you why you expected him to choose it, then you answered me with "I expected him to choose it" and I don't think that's a great response. If you do not have any response/explanation then okay, but there is no reason to be mad now.

I do have one, don't get mad just because I don't want to discuss it with you

And I'm offended by your post too, but like I said, keep trying.

 

[KingKong]

Brad's beard looks like crap

 

[firehawk12]

It's Patrick who said that during the podcast, Jeff probably didn't catch it in the middle of the conversation.

I'm assuming he didn't know, but maybe he just forgot about it. When Patrick says that when you

Spoiler

aim at or open fire on the soldiers, they blow you away and you can't win, no one counters that.

Dunno!

Weird. Gotta listen to the podcast later today then!

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Udina's shit payoff.

Speak for you in that one.

 

[derFeef]

I do have one, don't get mad just because I don't want to discuss it with you

And I'm offended by your post too, but like I said, keep trying.

I am not even sure what I am trying to do. If you mean that if I like to get reasons for suchs posts then I am guilty.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Alright, Brad's justification for ME3 is a bit odd considering the things he said about Journey, XCOM and Walking Dead.

But hey, if he wants to do it that way, it's not really an issue.

 

[sixghost]

It was a gnarly scene but I came away feeling the game was far more pleased with itself for making commentary than I was affected by it. The "Isn't war bad, aren't you bad" stuff in Spec Ops is a little thick at times, and I could see where that instance was going as soon as they set it up. Really dug the ending, though.

Cutting back to the

Spoiler

charred corpses of the mother/child

about 5-6 times in that scene was too heavy handed, but we're talking about video games here. It's not saying anything that hasn't already been said in other mediums, but for games, it's great. The thing that about that sequence that really got me was the fact that

Spoiler

I realized that the last group of heat signatures might have been civilians right after I fired the last shot. Walking across the carnage hoping I was wrong was such a good moment.

 

[MuddyDonut]

Man I was screaming at my phone when I was listening to "Best Moment" picks. Pretty solid picks from the crew but man what about MAX PAYNE 3 AIRPORT SCENE + TEARS song? Not a lot of stuff gave me goosebumps this year but Journey and Max Payne 3 nailed that.

That Airport scene was just a corridor and a song playing. Nothing special at all!

 

[funkystudent]

I think Brad and Jeff will be the deciders but so far it totally looks like its going to be a showdown between X Com and TWD.


I feel sorry for X com.

Firaxis should move to SF and start hanging out with game journos more.

 

[firehawk12]

Alright, Brad's justification for ME3 is a bit odd considering the things he said about Journey, XCOM and Walking Dead.

But hey, if he wants to do it that way, it's not really an issue.

If he wants to do a "ROTK" style award by giving ME3 the best game of the year, whatever.

As long as it doesn't infect the site's GOTY list, I'm fine. That's what the personal list is for!

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

That Airport scene was just a corridor and a song playing. Nothing special at all!

Spoiler

Duck's death

in TWD was you choosing from a text prompt and pressing a button in a glorified QTE.

Being reductive works for everything. The atmosphere and design of that sequence in MP3 was fucking awesome.

 

[sixghost]

Being reductive works for everything. The atmosphere and design of that sequence in MP3 was fucking awesome.

you should edit that first bit

 

[SerRodrik]

Not finishing The Walking Dead yet was a huge mistake that I knew was coming.

I think I'll just skip the podcasts altogether until I finally play Walking Dead. If I don't get it for Christmas I'll just pick it up sometime in the next few days.

In the mean time, Brad's tastes continue to baffle me.

 

[derFeef]

Duck's death was you choosing from a text prompt and pressing a button in a glorified QTE.

Being reductive works for everything. The atmosphere and design of that sequence in MP3 was fucking awesome.

Way to simplify that scene in TWD down to game mechanics. I guess the scene in MP3 is just pressing the stick and pulling the trigger.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

Speak for you in that one.

Nah, he's right. It was a lazy path to take. Udina ends up Councilor in ME3 no matter what, and only hours after they seemed to be trying to make him less of a stereotypical Bad Politician

Spoiler

they unceremoniously have him turn into a bad guy and killed off, and then retroactively reveal through a Codex entry how and why he started working with Cerberus.

 

[Felix Lighter]

I think Brad and Jeff will be the deciders but so far it totally looks like its going to be a showdown between X Com and TWD.


I feel sorry for X com.

Firaxis should move to SF and start hanging out with game journos more.

You've expressed this idea many many times. You have such a low opinion of these guys. I don't understand why you continue to stay tuned in.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Oh god I was dreading what his number 1 would be and it actually happened. Well whatever, if thats how he feels, thats how he feels.

 

[firehawk12]

I think I'll just skip the podcasts altogether until I finally play Walking Dead. If I don't get it for Christmas I'll just pick it up sometime in the next few days.

In the mean time, Brad's tastes continue to baffle me.

For what it's worth, beyond spoilers, TWD is ruined when you hear other people talk about it. I'm glad I stayed out of the spoiler thread until episode 5, because seeing the choices that other people made and the consequences of those choices was... well, I can see why some people would be disappointed.