Huh. One thing to give a piece of art shit. It's another thing to shit on people directly.
Mass Effect: Andromeda - EA/Origin Access trial coming March 16th - 10 hour trial
- Thread starter Theorry
- Start date
Huh. One thing to give a piece of art shit. It's another thing to shit on people directly.
Elven_Star
Member
Been hearing and seeing worrying things about this game in the last couple of days. Bad writing, poor presentation, meh graphics (animations, PC performance, and let's face it, Battlefield 1 looked much much better). I've been waiting so long for this game 
I'm so deeply disappointed in the character creator. In any game that has one, I love spending as much time as it takes to come up with a face that I like. In most editors, even weird/bad ones (like Dark Souls) I can still come up with something good. Even in past ME games I could come up with something good.
This is the first time I'll be using the default appearance. The editor has no free form customization. You get a handful of premade faces you can make limited adjustments to, and in the case of female Ryder, all of the faces are some variation of hideous, goofy, or bizarre. I tried making something good out of some of them but there just aren't enough options to take any of them very far. A couple can be made almost okay looking, but that's not enough for me.
Unlike some people I actually think the default FemmeRyder is fine. She's cute and distinctive. I just wish I could make some edits. They won't let you chance a single thing on default Ryder.
This is the first time I'll be using the default appearance. The editor has no free form customization. You get a handful of premade faces you can make limited adjustments to, and in the case of female Ryder, all of the faces are some variation of hideous, goofy, or bizarre. I tried making something good out of some of them but there just aren't enough options to take any of them very far. A couple can be made almost okay looking, but that's not enough for me.
Unlike some people I actually think the default FemmeRyder is fine. She's cute and distinctive. I just wish I could make some edits. They won't let you chance a single thing on default Ryder.
I'm about six hours into the trial, mostly on the game's single player and I must say that I am really enjoying it so far. I will say that I'm sad you couldn't simply customize the two default Ryders with a few adjustments in the character creator. I really wanted to do what I did for ME1-3 and that was change the female character's hair to red and maybe make some small adjustments. You can't do that here, which was a bummer, so I just kept it defaulted to the regular Ryder.
There are some glaring plot loopholes but maybe those will be explained as the game progresses. I'm also down on the first planet once you're able to freely explore and wow, it's rather impressive. Even on Medium settings for most everything I'm quite happy with how the game looks. I'm sure I'll be even more happy once I get my new video card and crank things up.
There are some clipping issues here and there but I haven't seen anything too egregious yet. There are also just a few issues with depth of field in some cases, namely when talking to others. It's very clear where the "outlines" for the DoF to kick in are located on some models/world geometry. I did see how to replicate that weird issue with the bow legged running animation that popped up (just run and spam alternate left and right strafe), but it's not something that will pop up when playing normally.
I also really feel as though the lip sync animations (with default female Ryder at least) are actually pretty damn good. I'd put them above Horizon since Horizon's lip syncing, in many cases, just came across as odd (clenched teeth talking, little lip movement, etc.). I've not seen any of that "nootnoot" thing that popped up in that gif. It seems as though emotions are convincingly shown on character's faces. There might have been a few amusing animation moments but it's really nowhere near as bad as some gifs make it out to be.
I also noticed that the eyes don't seem as bad as some videos show either? I'm on PC so maybe that makes a difference? There are some lighting conditions and some characters that make it so the eyes appear quite white. Other times they look a lot closer to the initial reveal with the more muted white tones. I'm sure there will be some modders out there that completely overhaul all of the eyes anyway, but for now they really don't seem to be as bad as some images I've seen.
As for multiplayer: It's still a lot of fun. It's somehow more frantic than the MP in ME3, which is honestly fine with me.
There are some glaring plot loopholes but maybe those will be explained as the game progresses. I'm also down on the first planet once you're able to freely explore and wow, it's rather impressive. Even on Medium settings for most everything I'm quite happy with how the game looks. I'm sure I'll be even more happy once I get my new video card and crank things up.
There are some clipping issues here and there but I haven't seen anything too egregious yet. There are also just a few issues with depth of field in some cases, namely when talking to others. It's very clear where the "outlines" for the DoF to kick in are located on some models/world geometry. I did see how to replicate that weird issue with the bow legged running animation that popped up (just run and spam alternate left and right strafe), but it's not something that will pop up when playing normally.
I also really feel as though the lip sync animations (with default female Ryder at least) are actually pretty damn good. I'd put them above Horizon since Horizon's lip syncing, in many cases, just came across as odd (clenched teeth talking, little lip movement, etc.). I've not seen any of that "nootnoot" thing that popped up in that gif. It seems as though emotions are convincingly shown on character's faces. There might have been a few amusing animation moments but it's really nowhere near as bad as some gifs make it out to be.
I also noticed that the eyes don't seem as bad as some videos show either? I'm on PC so maybe that makes a difference? There are some lighting conditions and some characters that make it so the eyes appear quite white. Other times they look a lot closer to the initial reveal with the more muted white tones. I'm sure there will be some modders out there that completely overhaul all of the eyes anyway, but for now they really don't seem to be as bad as some images I've seen.
As for multiplayer: It's still a lot of fun. It's somehow more frantic than the MP in ME3, which is honestly fine with me.
amiablepercy
Banned
Because... people don't create art? Let's assume video games are an art form. People spend years working on said art. Art is released into the ether for public consumption. A free (not counting the Origin Access subscription) taste not requiring a commitment to anything. Forum juveniles go buck wild not only addressing things they don't like about the slim slice of the product but also disparaging the developers from the top down. Basically... as you put it... Shitting on people they don't know and who did nothing to them.
When these trolls say obnoxious things and get mean spirited I'm going to call it like I see it every time. I don't know what to tell you. I work in the entertainment industry and I have my own take on this matter. You are definitely entitled to your own opinion and I'm not being combative but don't know what else to say other than that.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
It's literally impossible to achieve, really, just forget it.
I'm 5 hours in and everything just feels so old .... it's super meh and disappointing.
Well they are 600 years behind as they slept through it /s
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
That's my biggest gripe with gamers, the dog piling gets borderline obnoxious to where as you said the broader scope is overlooked.
I just want to fire it up with no distractions and see what's up.. If the animations suck the only thing I can say is alot of games can have weird animations and I just hope the feel, atmosphere, combat, missions etc.. Are fun.
AusRoachman
Member
If the facial mocap is worse then horizon I don't think I can get into this game. I love the world of horizon I am struggling to continue since every human encounter is so wooden and badly acted .
Well as shown by alot of the animinations, dialouge, etc, theres plenty for this game to be criticiised on. Many of us ME fans have been waiting a long time for this and its pretty obvious its not very polished.
Games are put out there to be criticised, deal with it.
Huge ME fan. I'm sure I'll still enjoy this but the first two hours were kind of rough. Movement with m/kb feels janky af and fps varies between 50 and 110 so it doesnt feel very smooth at all. Animations are shit. VA ranges from good to bad. Sound effects and music are very good though and the game CAN look amazing. But it can also look really bad at times. Combat is a clear upgrade but some of the biotic lack the 'punch' of previous games. It just feels very inconsistent. I feel this game couldve used another year in development. It's not gonna review well thats for sure.
amiablepercy
Banned
Right on. The Witcher 3 had weird animations and any non-major NPC looked less than great and The game is still amazing. I just don't get it. People are reviewing and dismissing a 10 hour and story locked demo. To what end? Writing is a matter of taste but as a younger guy I read 12-14 scripts a day and I feel the writing is perfectly fine and suits the subject material yet people are deriding the plot and story which are both indiscernible from what's available for the most part.
Art may represent the work of a person or people, but a work is also the representation of its environment, and of the resources available to create it. Criticism doesn't necessarily exist to hurt the creators. If someone ran out of paint halfway into their painting and then released it into the wild, it's not unfair if someone sees this discrepancy and deems the work unsatisfying or bizarre.
So that being said, I think it's good to separate genuine criticism from mean-spirited attacks. That's a reasonable distinction. I think intent has an impact on observational criticism. Not everyone in this thread intends to defame the artists involved. I've seen a few people calling them shit, but I don't think it's the majority. So I think it's maybe a little unfair that you call those participating in all related discourse uncivilized, unoriginal antagonistic children.
VlaudTheImpaler
tl;dr
Thanks for that. All these people saying that she isn't bangable or is too unattractive is getting to me. I have a friend that is dear to me that looks just like her to me. It's like everytime someone says something about how bad she looks it kinda feels like they would be saying the same about my friend as well. I know it may sound weird and maybe I shouldn't be taking it this way but I can't help it. I've tried to stay away from the conversation because it's hard to deal with and I'm just trying to not let it get to me. But when posts like this happen,
It adds up.
Anyway, again, thanks for that. And yeah, I agree with the rest. I was really looking forward to the character creator. I asked about it like about a dozen times before the Origin access happened lol.
amiablepercy
Banned
Oh I'm dealing with it and I replied very nicely. I am not experiencing the animation issues. I think the dialogue is great. I'm a long time Mass Effect fan too. There is a difference between substantiating your critique and expressing and delivering your legitimate gripes in a mean spirited and dicky package.
I'm sorry but I have really limited time so cant read the previous pages. Can someone tell me is this actually 10 hours of the full game or is it limited in any way? I've already purchased it but would love to start today but not if I can only get like to a certain point and have to stop. Thanks.
texasairhead101
Member
Not to derail the thread about the trial but at what point does the return not equal the work required for a completely realistic presentation?
The main focus and idea being sold is clear enough I believe for what's there. Does having perfect realistic character make it better? The post quoted I think is saying that and that there is an unrealistic expectation that this and other games never sought to achieve.
Tldr there's enough meat on the bone to chew on even if it's not "perfect"
/ to the person above, there is a wall. I hit it in about 4 hours but I didn't really do side quest or deeply explore
amiablepercy
Banned
I really appreciate your take. If I came off like I was declaring the entirety of NeoGaf uncivilized I apologize as that is a declaration that has been proved inciting and ultimately a waste of time. This thread for instance, has been pleasant and the insights interesting. The other ME thread I came from earlier was a bit much for me to take. Probably another example the minority of users being the loudest and most unproductive.
It's gated, you c an't play past the first planet but you can continue your save when the game launches.
The single player mode is gated to a specific point in the story (you get access to one planet; although I'm not sure how many hours of gameplay this gives you); full access to multiplayer.
amiablepercy
Banned
Stylized productions, in most media, have always proved the most enduring and age proof. The pace of technology gains will always render today's "ultra real" more and more archaic looking. The old diminish returns lot.
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
Exactly, and we're talking a game that might be upwards of 60 to 80 hours... Seeing a few snippets of terrible animations doesn't tell the whole story, there's a lot to be seen still.
Most game dialogue I find passable to decent at best, nothing jumps out to me and captivates me to the extent where something like this is just omg bad.. Is it good? Not particularly... But I'm not here for monumental writing, I just want a good game to explore and do things in.
GinoFelino
Member
Wannabe Yahtzees? Mass effect is blatantly shit? Wait, what year is this
GGNKovalski
Member
I feel like I'm the only one that finds Default Fem Ryder cute as hell.
amiablepercy
Banned
No she is cute. Cora too in her way.
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
The thing that will never cease to amaze me tho are the ones who will dismiss the game based on this stuff.. I couldn't do that, in fact it makes me even more anxious to get in there and see what's up and hope that at the end of the day I can say not the best animations but damn that game was fun as hell to play
OmegaTreeFish
Banned
Does the demo give you an idea of there side quest structure?
Are we talking DA:I design or something else? Thats my biggest concern.
Are we talking DA:I design or something else? Thats my biggest concern.
played about 4hrs and am now commanding the Tempest. Just landed on the first planet.
I can honestly say I am enjoying the game so far. I think the environments and lighting look rather nice playing on pc. The first planet map seems massive as well, so lots to explore
combat is fun especially jet packing around.
music is also good.
While some of the facial animations can look a bit weird from time to time, it has in no way stopped me from enjoying the game
I think the backlash against this game due to the animations is ridiculous imo.
def buy for me.
I can honestly say I am enjoying the game so far. I think the environments and lighting look rather nice playing on pc. The first planet map seems massive as well, so lots to explore
combat is fun especially jet packing around.
music is also good.
While some of the facial animations can look a bit weird from time to time, it has in no way stopped me from enjoying the game
I think the backlash against this game due to the animations is ridiculous imo.
def buy for me.
May have already been said but please don't tell me the insignia/patch on her arm is clipping into her arm.
Please.
It's clipping.
texasairhead101
Member
Like I'm feelin that but risk coming off as apologetic bc I like it. Voicing concerns or upsets and rebutting them is a double edge sword. A thing I notice I do is obsorb things I read that I may not even agree with but bc I read it multiple times I start to defer to that as an answer. The shibobi thread was kinda disheartening as far as bad posts
An echo chamber is no good also. People that take the time to write out in detail rationally their complaints. ThankYou that really does make the conversation go somewhere instead of a back and forth.
Elven_Star
Member
That's a great attitude, but not everybody has unlimited time and money to get in every game and see what's up
Also, poor animations is just one of the problems this game faces, apparently. To me personally, writing is the most important aspect of a game, and if it's lacking in some way, that game is pretty much dead to me. I hope what people are complaining about is limited to some isolated instances, because I really really want to play this game. Gonna wait for reviews from sites I trust before making my decision *fingers crossed*
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
This is the type of impression I like and not just because I want the game to succeed but because it sounds reasonable.. You're not sitting here saying it's the greatest game in all of history, but that it's enjoyable even tho not perfect.
Animations aside, do you think the game feels meaty and could pack 60+?
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
That's a great attitude, but not everybody has unlimited time and money to get in every game and see what's up
I get that but im referring to games people "are" initially excited for. Those games imho should at least be given the chance.. I'm the type that buys everything and I understand alot can't but I think big named titles are games where if someone is planning to buy it they shouldn't not let anything sway them, it's always better to find out on your own.
Martinski43
Member
Played about 1h - 1½h before i had to go to bed. Liked what i saw and played, was hesitant about the game and had low expectations before going in.
The graphics arent nearly as bad as people are speculating about in the downgrade thread. Maybe it is a console issue or people has recorded clips with lowest settings possible. Looks crisp and good and runs at 80+ fps @1440p Ultra on my 4790K 4,4GHz, GTX 1080, 16 GB DDR3 rig.
The graphics arent nearly as bad as people are speculating about in the downgrade thread. Maybe it is a console issue or people has recorded clips with lowest settings possible. Looks crisp and good and runs at 80+ fps @1440p Ultra on my 4790K 4,4GHz, GTX 1080, 16 GB DDR3 rig.
Alter_Fridge
Member
I'm all for pointing out flaws in the hope that they get fixed but It's crazy how we have so much material floating around that people cant stop posting more of that showcase the games flaws and yet not much at all that showcase how beautiful it can be. I mean, look at this!
(Not my screenshots)
Granted, these are PC Ultra. I think that for some reason even faces look much more tolerable here.
Dude these look completely awesome and the faces look good!
arhra
Member
Finally made my way off the Nexus and got the ship. Who the FUCK gave this galaxy map interface the OK? Going from a fixed perspective 2d cluster map navigation to the forced non-inverted perspective camera control of the system view is going to drive me insane. Best part: the fine control you get with the right stick is inverted. In both of them, even the fixed-perspective 2d cluster map!
There's a big difference between "general graphic" and "character animation".
You won't find that many people saying the game isn't good looking. But a lot of people are concern with how bad the character models and animation are.
GGNKovalski
Member
Hollywood Hitman
Gold Member
Yea it's over, might as well wait til 2018 to buy our next game
amiablepercy
Banned
That's a great attitude, but not everybody has unlimited time and money to get in every game and see what's up
The writing is fine and on par with similar genre fare and certainly the previous Mass Effect games. I am no Bioware apologist and loved Dragon Age but did not enjoy Inquisition at all. Waiting for reviews of people you trust is definitely a sound move. I tend to ignore comments on writing and plot because people's reason limit usually stops at "it sucks" and the possibility of nuanced critique fades away.
As to your point about people's means or disposable income or time, it is certainly understandable. I just think sometimes being forced to choose motivates people to then bag on something because they can't justify the purchase. Not all people, some people.
SAM, he is used to crack / learn new languages as fast as possible. He then works as translator for AI crew.