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[Tomat]

And now I wait to see whether GAF says it's truly worth of these reviews, or another GTAIV.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

The Edge review has been up all morning:

http://www.edge-online.com/features/mass-effect-3-review

"It’s off-putting to new players"

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Anybody who buys the third instalment of a heavily story based RPG that isn't Final Fantasy and expects to be accommodated for is a fucking moron.

 

[phosphor112]

And now I wait to see whether GAF says it's truly worth of these reviews, or another GTAIV.

It'll be a few months.

 

[Karak]

That's pretty presumptuous to say about fans of ME. I can definitely tell the flaws in each game. Some things even pissed me off. Doesn't for one second take away from the overall great package that they are. Every game has flaws. Show me one game that is absolute perfection, they don't exist.

It's what the game still gives the player despite its imperfections. Despite whatever flaws ME1 and ME2 have, I still have a shit ton of fun playing them because I love the universe they built, the characters, the lore, the combat, etc. Some mediocre animations or an oddly designed inventory don't damage the game anywhere near enough to put me off from it. It's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

This is the way I feel for sure. ME3 is easily an 8 maybe an 8.5 to me. Which is very high. I see the weaknesses and bugs and issues. But its still fun.

 

[Mr. B Natural]

It'll be a few months.

If ever. Gaf is just as subject to hype and marketing as journalists, but at least journalists have an economic motivation for their predictability. You take a random gaffer, have them write a review for any AAA title, and you'll find yourself unable to tell the difference.

 

[Riposte]

"It’s off-putting to new players"

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Anybody who buys the third instalment of a heavily story based RPG that isn't Final Fantasy and expects to be accommodated for is a fucking moron.

Unfortunately Bioware is all about accommodating to people who are treating this like the only game in the trilogy (like they did with 2).

 

[Mr. B Natural]

"It’s off-putting to new players"

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Anybody who buys the third instalment of a heavily story based RPG that isn't Final Fantasy and expects to be accommodated for is a fucking moron.

Well new players are immediately immune to the excessive marketing schemes of games. And of course, they would know everything about mass effect (and whether it's new player friendly or not)because...um.
Logic, try it some time.

 

[inky]

"It’s off-putting to new players"

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Anybody who buys the third instalment of a heavily story based RPG that isn't Final Fantasy and expects to be accommodated for is a fucking moron.

The thing is, the marketing has been all about how this is the best installment for new players.

The reviews are in the range I expected, but I'll only read the RPS to see if they mention some of the stuff I'm wary about. I think the best opinions come when everybody has had some time to settle down.

 

[Psychoward]

uhidfoiudshfusdhfjhsdfg


it should have gotten a 10 everywhere


daskfjhadskjfhdsajpkhfjasdhf


something something uncharted 3


dsofds;oifjsd

 

[megalowho]

I've really distanced myself from ME3 but I think there's a "moral gray" area you can choose, so you can feel free to play how you want to play without thinking a paragon situation can net you renegade points and vice versa.

Yeah, the decisions you make affect an overall "reputation" no matter if it's paragon or renegade (or neither). I still feel like not picking a direction could come back to bite me late game, but it's a good change to the system.

 

[i-Lo]

All these positive reviews are certainly good to see but some of the over the top snippets from certain reviews make me sceptical. I wonder if like GTA IV, MGS4 a few years down the line I'll be hearing podcast from some of the outlets where they mention they over-rated it at the time. But if I enjoy the game then I wouldn't care.

That said, what's with all the excess garnish in IGN's presentation of the written review page?

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Video Game Writers = 5/5

Mass Effect 3 closes out one of this generation’s greatest trilogies in grandiose fashion. Epic storytelling with impactful decisions throughout makes this a masterfully written tale of heroics in the face of a daunting foe. Despite its early 2012 launch, improved gameplay and RPG elements guarantee this experience will come back into the picture when Game of the Year deliberations begin.

The also have a review podcast
Direct Link

Brian as the lone VGW staff member, as he discusses his experience with the title. He is joined by special guest, Max Parker of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who has also reviewed the title.

In this episode, Brian and Max talk Mass Effect 3 and debate how to go about reviewing games like it. Brian goes on a rant about Final Fantasy XIII-2, Max defends Star Wars: Episode I, and the podcast gets derailed more times than we can count. As an added bonus, hear Brian proudly proclaim that he won’t be giving Mass Effect 3 a perfect score, then proceed to slowly back down from that statement. Fear not, however, because it all leads back to Brian again mentioning his disdain for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Kind of a terrible podcast to be honest. As you can see in the description they want to talk about everything except the game. When will journalist learn no one care about a "debate how to go about reviewing games." Well I guess some budding young game reviewers must care :/

Podcast has some minor spoilers

 

[zroid]

That said, what's with all the excess garnish in IGN's presentation of the written review page?

Looks like they're using ME3 as a test dummy for a new review layout. Looks very similar to The Verge, actually. I like it. (didn't read the review though -- not reading any)

 

[Psychoward]

Looks like they're using ME3 as a test dummy for a new review layout. Looks very similar to The Verge, actually. I like it. (didn't read the review though -- not reading any)

Yeah, I like it, but they didn't have any cons. lol

They had the pluses, but no minuses

 

[Takamura-San]

Glad to see that the game is reviewing well.

I'm enjoying the game.

 

[Ken Masters]

Did EA sponsor IGN's review? what's up with the page?

 

[The Technomancer]

I find it odd that the GT review gave the gameplay a 9.7.
The review basically says that even new combat elements are familiar from other TPSs, and brute force tactics make relying on more sophisticated abilities unnecessary.

I'm fine with praising ME for being a cinematic and engaging space opera, but I just can't see how the core gameplay could be considered such a great achievement.

I'm convinced that most major review outlets have some kind of cognitive disconnect between text and score. I mean, its arguable if you're just doing a blanket score at the end, but if you break things down like GT or IGN do then there's no excuse for the number you assign to "sound" or "lasting value" being a complete mismatch with what you said on the subject two paragraphs ago.

 

[bigdaddygamebot]

The Verge - 10/10

Arthur and I are usually on the same page with games.

These scores though...it's possible that Bioware put their B squad on Dragon Age II and their A Squad on Mass Effect?

 

[ScreenSplitter]

Arthur and I are usually on the same page with games.

These scores though...it's possible that Bioware put their B squad on Dragon Age II and their A Squad on Mass Effect?

Say... that's completely possible. Maybe like, as human beings, they aren't infallible, and make mistakes.

 

[i-Lo]

Looks like they're using ME3 as a test dummy for a new review layout. Looks very similar to The Verge, actually. I like it. (didn't read the review though -- not reading any)

Ah, I see. Thanks.

off topic: Looks neat but I wonder how resource intensive it will be for older systems...

 

[inky]

Did EA sponsor IGN's review? what's up with the page?

They gave them access to it and allowed them to talk about it first. The review came up before anyone else and they even have an IGN employee in the game. What do you think?

 

[phosphor112]

Yeah, I like it, but they didn't have any cons. lol

They had the pluses, but no minuses

Cuz it's perfect.

 

[Ken Masters]

They gave them access to it and allowed them to talk about it first. The review came up before anyone else and they even have an IGN employee in the game. What do you think?

Money well spent on EA side, buy of the big review sites and get as much week 1 purchases as you can before the price falls

 

[AppleSmack]

I don't trust these reviews at all. Especially at gamespot's review that states the game had them "shivering with emotional impact". OH PLEASE. I like Mass Effect's universe and story, but I don't like its gameplay enough to come back to it after I finish the game even once. Thus, I'm going to wait for 19.99 before I buy it.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

I don't trust these reviews at all. Especially at gamespot's review that states the game had them "shivering with emotional impact". OH PLEASE. I like Mass Effect's universe and story, but I don't like its gameplay enough to come back to it after I finish the game even once. Thus, I'm going to wait for 19.99 before I buy it.

Your logic is just... just fantastic.

 

[Ken Masters]

I don't trust these reviews at all. Especially at gamespot's review that states the game had them "shivering with emotional impact". OH PLEASE. I like Mass Effect's universe and story, but I don't like its gameplay enough to come back to it after I finish the game even once. Thus, I'm going to wait for 19.99 before I buy it.

Oscar worthy story, never forget, this is game "journalism" folks. Fanboys who have been salivating over hyped games and blow their load before even starting the game. There is no such thing as objective reviews in gaming reviews.

 

[Sephiroth503]

They gave them access to it and allowed them to talk about it first. The review came up before anyone else and they even have an IGN employee in the game. What do you think?

What???

 

[shinobi602]

I don't trust these reviews at all. Especially at gamespot's review that states the game had them "shivering with emotional impact". OH PLEASE. I like Mass Effect's universe and story, but I don't like its gameplay enough to come back to it after I finish the game even once. Thus, I'm going to wait for 19.99 before I buy it.

Yea, I didn't feel that way, so it's impossible other people do!

 

[Cobano]

I'm one of those people who still to this day thinks that the first game is much better than the second. That Mass Effects 2 story was basically:

Spoiler

*Gather your team
*Here's one story mission
*Half your team dies
*End credits

I'll very much remain a sceptic until I've played it. It'll probably be a good game but I wont get sucked in to the review hype-machine. At least this time I know not to expect a RPG, so I know I've got a good shooter ahead of me.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Great to see all these good reviews.

 

[Grisby]

Great scores. I'm enjoying it.

 

[pakkit]

Oscar worthy story, never forget, this is game "journalism" folks. Fanboys who have been salivating over hyped games and blow their load before even starting the game. There is no such thing as objective reviews in gaming reviews.

There is no such thing as objective criticism, period. You're always taking one man's opinion. But thanks for coming into a review thread and reminding everyone that it is, in fact, a review thread.

 

[spirity]

They gave them access to it and allowed them to talk about it first. The review came up before anyone else and they even have an IGN employee in the game. What do you think?

Whats this?

 

[Seanspeed]

I think I'm gonna hold out on this for a while. Sounds like side-quests and exploration have taken a further backseat than before. I'm interested in the Mass Effect story, but not enough for it to be a major reason to buy it.

 

[Ken Masters]

There is no such thing as objective criticism, period. You're always taking one man's opinion. But thanks for coming into a review thread and reminding everyone that it is, in fact, a review thread.

Thanks for not understanding the difference between an honest review and spinningreviewerwithcopyofSkyrim.gif

 

[Reave]

Yea, I didn't feel that way, so it's impossible other people do!

Exactly.

This thread, man. This thread.

 

[MuddyDonut]

Release: "RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. REDEFINES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ALIVE. NEVER AGAIN WILL I FEEL THIS WAY."

9 months later: "It's pretty good, but has a lot of flaws. GotY maybe"

1 month before Mass Effect 4: "Eh, I hope they do better this time. The writing in the last one was fucking terrible, they simplified it so much, and the combat was so behind other games in the genre."

(You can call this the "GTA4 Effect" if you want.)

I'm quoting this because it made me have feels.

 

[disappeared]

Whats this?

Jessica Chobot.

 

[K' Dash]

I'm one of those people who still to this day thinks that the first game is much better than the second. That Mass Effects 2 story was basically:

Spoiler

*Gather your team
*Here's one story mission
*Half your team dies
*End credits

I'll very much remain a sceptic until I've played it. It'll probably be a good game but I wont get sucked in to the review hype-machine. At least this time I know not to expect a RPG, so I know I've got a good shooter ahead of me.

Not one member of my team died, I didn't know they could actually die until I came to discuss the ending here and saw people asking for tips to get the cheevo.

Granted, I had the Normandy upgraded to the max, explored 100% of every planet and had everyone loyal to me, except Jack, because I did a Paragon run, to this date I don't know if that matters, anyway.

 

[inky]

What???

Whats this?

Sorry if I spoiled anything, but it was revealed a while ago by Bioware that Chobot was in the game, both in voice and likeness.

 

[AkuMifune]

There is no such thing as objective criticism, period. You're always taking one man's opinion. But thanks for coming into a review thread and reminding everyone that it is, in fact, a review thread.

Just because I'm sick of this line of thinking doesn't make it untrue, but there are certainly aspects of the game that can be quantified objectively. What the inventory system is like, how are the shooting mechanics? Does it tie up all the loose ends? The larger questions (is it the worthy conclusion to 6 years of investment we have in this series?) is objective though, as is where it ranks. Count me among the small small group who liked ME1 better than ME2 anyway.

As long as this isn't DA2 all over again I'll be happy.

 

[PrinceOfApathy]

That is the main problem. Reviews aren't opinions. This isn't a food test. It is an indepth analysis and breakdown of the titles gameplay, design choices and flaws, mechanics and overlay and how they all tie together from a logical perspective within the games set out structure.

Opinion only comes into play when you are talking about graphics and sound because musical taste will vary.

No wonder the industry is cesspool of moronic sycophantic drivel because even the fans don't know what comprises a review with integrity and one that doesn't, and willing accept this tripe passed as reviews. Nothing will ever change, if you are happy to live in this morass and bile, so be it. I for one am not.

And anyone feeling shivers from any Mass Effect narrative may be a savant, and I mean that in the nicest way possible not to insult or degrade a savant individual.

 

[Mxrz]

Expected lots of 10s, but the fervent wording of some of this praise makes me suspicious of the some of the reviews.

Minor aside - Does anyone still see EA and Bioware as separate entities?

 

[spirity]

Jessica Chobot.

Ah ok, I haven't been following ME news. Interesting. So Dragon Age gets Felicia Day and Mass Effect gets Jessica Chobot. Did the Star Wars game get someone?

 

[phosphor112]

Oscar worthy story, never forget, this is game "journalism" folks. Fanboys who have been salivating over hyped games and blow their load before even starting the game. There is no such thing as objective reviews in gaming reviews.

When I was editor for my school paper, I did some very objective game reviews. Of course it was subjective as well, as a review should be, but there needs to be a standard that people that aren't familiar with the title can follow.

 

[Seanspeed]

That is the main problem. Reviews aren't opinions. This isn't a food test. It is an indepth analysis and breakdown of the titles gameplay, design choices and flaws, mechanics and overlay and how they all tie together from a logical perspective within the games set out structure.

Opinion only comes into play when you are talking about graphics and sound because musical taste will vary.

Bunch of horsecrap. They may provide an analysis of the gameplay, but they still give their opinion on how fun it is usually. Design choices can be outlined, but in the end, whether a reviewer thinks they were a good design choice is down to opinion. What somebody finds a flaw can be quite subjective, too.

You cant have a completely objective review, nor would I want one. I want to hear people's opinions. A game's components on-paper might sound great, but not turn out very fun in practice. And vice versa.

 

[EatChildren]

That is the main problem. Reviews aren't opinions. This isn't a food test. It is an indepth analysis and breakdown of the titles gameplay, design choices and flaws, mechanics and overlay and how they all tie together from a logical perspective within the games set out structure.

Opinion only comes into play when you are talking about graphics and sound because musical taste will vary.

No wonder the industry is cesspool of moronic sycophantic drivel because even the fans don't know what comprises a review with integrity and one that doesn't, and willing accept this tripe passed as reviews. Nothing will ever change, if you are happy to live in this morass and bile, so be it. I for one am not.

And anyone feeling shivers from any Mass Effect narrative may be a savant, and I mean that in the nicest way possible not to insult or degrade a savant individual.

A good review balances an opinion with an objective, critical argument to back it up. The notion that video games, a source of entertainment, are not, as whole products, built on a very significant variable of subjective enjoyment, is ludicrous.

Dribbling reviews that pander to fanboy wetdreams, while effectively marketing the game. devoid of any insightful critical analysis are repulsive, and yes, we need to encourage change in this area. But trying to scientifically dismantle components of what are, ultimately, products aimed at entertainment, is foolish.

So yes, we need to call for more structured, analytical insight into video games from our reviewers. But we also need to stop treating every review like a thesis and realise that yes, for some people, a video game is a 10/10 worth of enjoyment and entertainment.

 

[PrinceOfApathy]

Bunch of horsecrap. They may provide an analysis of the gameplay, but they still give their opinion on how fun it is usually.

This is the problem, they shouldn't give an opinion about fun because you cannot experience fun through words. You can only read, process and understand the mechanics laid before you in depth and you the user/purchaser must decide mentally or by purchase if the game is structured in such a way will it be enjoyable to you.

It is madness to think otherwise, and why we are stuck in the basement. I can't imagine writing some of the garbage these editors write, I would lose my job!

 

[Kaizer]

Unsurprising Review Scores aside, I'm really excited/interested to play this when UPS drops off my PS3 CE today. I only entered into the ME franchise with ME2 on PS3, but I still love this series regardless of playing ME1.

 

[Zia]

This is the problem, they shouldn't give an opinion about fun because you cannot experience fun through words. You can only read, process and understand the mechanics laid before you in depth and you the user/purchaser must decide mentally or by purchase if the game is structured in such a way will it be enjoyable to you.

It is madness to think otherwise, and why we are stuck in the basement. I can't imagine writing some of the garbage these editors write, I would lose my job!

Uh... wow.