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[JeremyEtcetera]

This quote from the IGN review is pretty great



I think there is definitely a point where devs can go a bit too overboard on fanservice and this is one of them. If it reaches the point where someone else watching the game is saying "this is weird and creepy" then you've probably made a wrong turn somewhere.

We can't move forward when it comes to relationships in games unless we come to terms with the fact that some developers will mess it up or make it look goofy sometimes.

 

[Ryzaki009]

seems like it is the first ME to be reviewed fairly

God I thought I was the only one thinking this.

 

[Kusagari]

And people were expecting this year to be a repeat of 2010 with a showdown between Mass Effect and Red Dead for most GOTY awards.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure no one expected that.

 

[watdaeff4]

Glad we are blasting one of our (much better than average) posters here because he gave his admitted early impressions about a series he loves.

 

[Jarmel]

I think there is definitely a point where devs can go a bit too overboard on fanservice and this is one of them. If it reaches the point where someone else watching the game is saying "this is weird and creepy" then you've probably made a wrong turn somewhere.

Nah. Bioware knows why we're buying their games.

 

[sabertoothzombie]

If this really is the case then I'll be just fine.

Yeah looks like I will too. I'm disappointed with the reaction, and the criticism seems legit, but I'll still play and probably enjoy it in the end.

 

[brandonh83]

Let's make the most of this trainwreck.

It's only a trainwreck because people are trying to turn it into one.

 

[Tecnniqe]

I'm still trying to understand some of the scores




Anyways, hopefully some of the good aspects of the game won't be excluded from the sequel.

Yeah most of them don't read like the score set

 

[prwxv3]

It's only a trainwreck because people are trying to turn it into one.

It's embarrassing.

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Not shocked by this.

Game always looked passable, it looked like it was half a generation behind on almost everything, not to mention the story sounds to be horrid.

 

[Bedlam]

yeah, i've been thinking about 2 games i loved this gen: mafia 3 (68) & mad max (69) ...

Always depends on what you're after. I don't think those scores (and Destiny's) were undeserved. But if you love collectathons in games, don't mind repetitiveness and don't need great dialogue/plot, then yeah, ME:A probably is for you as well according to player impressions and reviews.

It doesn't mean the reviewer consensus is wrong though. It just means you have different priorities.

I don't get "Preorder culture" personally. This isn't 1998 where EB Games would get 15 copies of a game from poor retail channels. There's.literally no reason to preorder a game unless it's a slam dunk sure thing you want. We don't buy release night tickets months in advance for any movie we have a inkling to see, and there's some actual scarcity there since theaters are finite physical locations. Why do for games?

As for reviews, 75 is just "not for everyone". Find someone who's reviews on science fiction and RPGs you trust, and defer to them.

An example, my view don't align much with Jim Sterling on anything but survival horror. So when he has an opinion on something in that genre I listen. When he has an opinion on a different genre, I tend to hold the opinion lower because I know we can wildly differ.

That's the kind of levelheaded-ness that I like.

Thank you!

 

[Heckler456]

What I get out of this thread so far is that shinobi is the only player alive that liked the game, all the reviews are dire and that there sure is a lot of people, without having played it themselves, are wallowing like gluttons in their own confirmation bias.

I'm sure the game is problematic but damn, it's always a drama scene with this shit.

Yup.

I'd also like to point out that some types of people that generally post in these types of threads, and the way they behave, keep a lot of sensible people from actually participating. I mean hell, Shinobi was right on the money when he said he was done with this place, given what you guys are saying about him merely sharing his opinions. It's getting to be a bit dire.

 

[Unaha-Closp]

I was out when I learned it was in a new Galaxy but humans and turians and krogans and salarians are all there front and centre. The Milky Way is big enough to support a side story with the same races from the previous games - taking it to a whole different Galaxy and having so much of the old races be there was a bummer to me. Tell me its a new Galaxy and I think ALL NEW not 90% the same. Still enjoy this game if you enjoy it. Everyone has their own right to enjoy or not enjoy something as they see fit

 

[TyrantII]

I learned my lesson with Brink back in 2011, never preordered since. I wish more people learned their lesson earlier.

I don't get "Preorder culture" personally. This isn't 1998 where EB Games would get 15 copies of a game from poor retail channels. There's.literally no reason to preorder a game unless it's a slam dunk sure thing you want. We don't buy release night tickets months in advance for any movie we have a inkling to see, and there's some actual scarcity there since theaters are finite physical locations. Why do for games?

As for reviews, 75 is just "not for everyone". Find someone who's reviews on science fiction and RPGs you trust, and defer to them.

An example, my view don't align much with Jim Sterling on anything but survival horror. So when he has an opinion on something in that genre I listen. When he has an opinion on a different genre, I tend to hold the opinion lower because I know we can wildly differ in opinion.

 

[gossi]

He's an influencer on the biggest enthusiast gamers board and on his personal and very successful twitter. Integral to the promotion and hype creation on the game here for a long time. I know it, you know it, Bioware knows it.

I'm sure he's not a paid shill, but how close you have to be with a developer to draw a line between "a fan" and "a marketing tool"? Draw a line, everybody sticks to it, I'm fine with whatever.

Let's make the most of this trainwreck.

Varth, that isn't your line to draw.

 

[10k]

1) People are quick to blame EA which is the easy thing to do but this one's on Bioware. EA gave them the funding, five years of development time, Bioware Edmonton staff who worked on the trilogy, a whole new engine, and no marketing hype or early reveals to keep expectations in check.

Bioware Montreal shit the bed.

2) Shinobi is a Mass Effect fan who in no way should be influencing your expectations for this game. He likes it and you don't. He didn't sponsor the game, he didn't sell you it, he doesn't work for EA. Your expectations falling out of line are your own fault. Stop looking for a scapegoat.

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

The villian in Mass Effect Andromeda feels a lot more determined and passionate than any of the main characters.
He feels like a convincing individual with motivations and beliefs.
If you ask me I would rather be on his side, even that means I am the bad guy.

At least it's a lot more interesting than these generic, tryhard, bland, soulless teenage movie stars.

He has a basketball hoop on his head.

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

This quote from the IGN review is pretty great



I think there is definitely a point where devs can go a bit too overboard on fanservice and this is one of them. If it reaches the point where someone else watching the game is saying "this is weird and creepy" then you've probably made a wrong turn somewhere.

I think in general, it doesn't need to be in gaming at all where it's explicitly shown. Mostly because we've survived so many gaming years and generations without it, and secondly for the exact reason the IGN reviewer stated. I don't want to be playing games and have that happen with a significant other watching me play and it turning into an awkward experience.

 

[Garlador]

I think the Destructoid review was the hardest one for me to read so far.

This is a Mass Effect game in name only.

Mass Effect: Andromeda spends a lot of time not really feeling like a Mass Effect game. If anything, it feels like a spin-off -- the sort of thing created by another studio that's unsure about what direction to take it.

Mass Effect: Andromeda's flaws are noticeable and hard to ignore.

Again, it doesn't matter much. There's so little pretense that Ryder's decisions will set off a political firestorm. It all feels like the means to the same end rather than wildly different ends (or at least different ends that you'll actually notice).

Gone is the classic Paragon and Renegade dialogue options to firmly establish your character as a good guy or bad guy. Replacing it is a more nuanced system of answering either logically, emotionally, casually, or professionally. Rarely does it feel as if it'll make a difference. Often, all the answers seem functionally the same. It's so hard (maybe impossible) to make Ryder into an asshole. It's more about how sappy or dopey you want them to be.

Tonal issues are a major problem until Mass Effect: Andromeda narrows its scope enough to focus on one thing. (I can't get over an early talk where a Krogan essentially hand-waved the Genophage away under the logic that it was a long time ago and let bygones be bygones.) Unchecked optimism permeates too much of this game. It's all so vanilla.

It's just that driving across miles of barren desert in hopes of finding something interesting is inherently uninteresting.

It's also all very dull.

Commendable as it might be, Mass Effect: Andromeda may have been wise to take more cues from previous games.

That's tough for me to read as an ME fan.

... But at least Cora's butt looks fantastic in Frostbite.

 

[butman]

After the biggest impact that the original trilogy was for the industry. Can we say that Andromeda can join the list of failed titles of a franchise?

Crash Bandicoot The Wrath of Cortex
Sonic 2006
Gears of War Judgement
Banjo & Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
God of War Ascension
Metal Gear Solid 4

I'm so sad for the fans that waited for a Resident Evil 4.

 

[Jarmel]

I don't get "Preorder culture" personally. This isn't 1998 where EB Games would get 15 copies of a game from poor retail channels. There's.literally no reason to preorder a game unless it's a slam dunk sure thing you want. We don't buy release night tickets months in advance for any movie we have a inkling to see, and there's some actual scarcity there since theaters are finite physical locations.

Best Buy Visa Checkout Deals.

 

[cleveridea]

Looking forward to playing the final game

Like horizon which reviews 10 points lower than zelda, I guess my priorities are different from reviews

 

[SomedayTheFire]

More like his head is too big, but hey he's an alien, let's not be racist
At least he doesn't have soulless eyes.

The space between his nose and eyes is tiny. He's actually really cute. He looks like a child that's pissed off at something inconsequential, I want to give him a pat on the head.

I really hope he's a misunderstood big bad rather than a destroy everything angry big bad

 

[ironcreed]

Machinima likes it and basically says "buy it".

It's interesting how some sites actually say most is very good here and those same things are shitted on in other reviews.

Well, 75 is not a bomb by any measure. But it is of course a lowered bar than expected for Mass Effect. It's just one of those divisive games that some will love and others will hate. Can't wait to play it, myself. I can't recall the last time I was so curious about a game.

 

[MosquitoSmasher]

Rockstar don't care, it'll be out when it's out. If it needs more polish and time, 2018. Unlike EA who clearly thought ME:A should ship like this.

To which most of us go...

Or the average gamer at an EA meeting where they're saying yes, lets ship it

MGS5 might have shipped unfinished, but at least it was polished.

Hahahaha wtf is that? Someone actually made that with the creator in the previous games?

 

[MAX PAYMENT]

I think the Destructoid review was the hardest one for me to read so far.











That's tough for me to read as an ME fan.

... But at least Cora's butt looks fantastic in Frostbite.

It burns.

 

[oneils]

Man, I don't get the animosity. Liam is better than Kaidan and Jacob, Cora is better than Ashley, PeeBee is better than Liara from the first game, Vetra is better than Garrus from the first game, Drack is on par with Wrex.

It think it's from the fact that they are basically replacements for all of those characters you mentioned. We played them for over three games and now it's seemingly more of the same. It looks like they barely even tried to do anything different. Even if Liam is better than Kaiden he is Kaiden. Why trAvel 2 million light years to just give us the same squad?

 

[LiK]

Read the reviews you are underselling how negative they are

i heard the impressions on most podcasts. def not good for some. i'll just need to judge it for myself.

 

[Metroidvania]

Oh god, everything, EVERYTHING, I hate about Bioware's writing (when it's bad) is here.

Seriously, if this (and other examples in the thread) are just gonna take away the illusion of choice, or boil it down to 'you're right/you're wrong.....

Gah. If you're going to get rid of the actual decisions made via paragon/renegade, you actually have to make them....you know, interesting.

I can forgive janky animations til the cows come home, and I can take or leave exploring some mediocre side quests in terms of go here, do x, get y reward....

But between examples given in here and throughout the reviews, and the 'so awkward it's not even endearing' flirting dialogue and other stuff I've seen, I don't know what Montreal was thinking with its writing staff.

Extremely sad to see that the 're-tread' issue is such a prevalent concern, as well.

I think the most disappointing thing is that it looks like the only reason this is taking place in Andromeda is because they didn't want to deal with the ME3 ending.

They've basically wasted a reboot.

TBH EA probably just wanted another Mass Effect game, and this was the only way Bioware could get around the ME3 ending. Doesn't really seem like there was any key 'inspiration' for making the game otherwise, going off of how little 'new' stuff there is.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

I think the most disappointing thing is that it looks like the only reason this is taking place in Andromeda is because they didn't want to deal with the ME3 ending.

They've basically wasted a reboot.

 

[nOoblet16]

I don't get "Preorder culture" personally. This isn't 1998 where EB Games would get 15 copies of a game from poor retail channels. There's.literally no reason to preorder a game unless it's a slam dunk sure thing you want. We don't buy release night tickets months in advance for any movie we have a inkling to see, and there's some actual scarcity there since theaters are finite physical locations. Why do for games?

As for reviews, 75 is just "not for everyone". Find someone who's reviews on science fiction and RPGs you trust, and defer to them.

An example, my view don't align much with Jim Sterling on anything but survival horror. So when he has an opinion on something in that genre I listen. When he has an opinion on a different genre, I tend to hold the opinion lower because I know we can wildly differ in opinion.

Digital preorder lets you preload and play right when it unlocks.
For physical pre orders there are some online stores like Simplygames in UK who ship the game early and 99% of the time you'll end up getting the game before release. Sometimes even upto a week before release.. I got Halo 5, MGSV, Mankind Divided from them a week before launch.

 

[GeoramA]

Sad that they couldn't capture the same magic that ME2 had. Still interested in playing, once they fix some of the issues.

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Pretty much what I expected coming from the previews. I had fun with the trial and I'm still getting it day zero.

 

[Jarmel]

Travel to a different galaxy to hang with Kaidan Mk.2.

"When do we go back?"

 

[10k]

Well, not quite there yet.

But only 22 reviews counted for Andromeda so far, let's see where it goes from here.

https://twitter.com/Tenkay23/status/843824696584036354?s=09

 

[TyrantII]

Best Buy Visa Checkout Deals.

Amazon with prime gives you a discount up to two weeks after release.

I still don't think it's worth it. Especially with pricing over time collapsing lately.

 

[Hari Seldon]

god damn you just went harder on DA:I than I ever did saw anyone. ruthless. all true but ruthless

It is hard to express my disappointment with using DA:I as a template properly lol. I have a boxed copy of Balder's Gate I purchased on launch, with its old school giant manual describing the stupid THACO system lol. I have been a Bioware super-fan since then. I even was OK with DA2. But DA:I was the first Bioware game that I could not finish. It was incomprehensible to me that people liked that game. I could not find a single redeeming quality about it.

 

[sh1fty]

Glad that I made the decision to cancel the pre-order and wait a while before I get it. I had hyped it up so much in my own head and definitely need to go into it with the right expectations..

Judging by metacritic I should be expecting something between Sniper Elite 4 (76) and Styx: Shards of Darkness (74)... yikes.. but OK, I'll get it eventually (maybe in the summer when it's slow for games).

 

[Soul of the Beast]

And people were expecting this year to be a repeat of 2010 with a showdown between Mass Effect and Red Dead for most GOTY awards.

GOTY awards will be mostly between The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Horizon Zero Dawn.
If western awards don't have bias for western games, that is.

As an Asian It always baffles me when western game awards favors western games over Japanese ones, such as the 2015 Game Awards where MGSV and Bloodborne gets mostly ignored consider they have the same Metascore as The Witcher 3.

Or like how Shadow of Mordor (Metascore 84) and Dragon Age: Inquisition (Metacore 89) wins multiple GOTY but Bayonetta 2 (Metasocre 91) gets completely ignored.

You get my point.

 

[Holundrian]

2) Shinobi is a Mass Effect fan who in no way should be influencing your expectations for this game. He likes it and you don't. He didn't sponsor the game, he didn't sell you it, he doesn't work for EA. Your expectations falling out of line are your own fault. Stop looking for a scapegoat.

Amen.

 

[Audioboxer]

Hahahaha wtf is that? Someone actually made that with the creator in the previous games?

lol yeah.

One could say it gives Andromeda's facial expressions a run for their money!! /s

 

[Garrett Hawke]

I think the most disappointing thing is that it looks like the only reason this is taking place in Andromeda is because they didn't want to deal with the ME3 ending.

They've basically wasted a reboot.

They can just go somewhere else again if the series survives.

 

[Varth]

It's only a trainwreck because people are trying to turn it into one.

Honestly, reading the reviews I feel like many are trying to keep this train on tracks by sheer word-bending willpower, cutting the game LOTS of slack because of the big name. If it was a no-name game it would have been torn to shreds. Personal opinion, of course.

Anyway, don't want to turn this into a crusade against a single user. As I said, for me the issue is in rules going forward, since I feel this kind of thing is gonna come up quite often. If nobody sees any problem with that, no issue for me.

EDIT:

Varth, that isn't your line to draw.

I know that far too well, and I'm not trying to. Just pointing out maybe there's the need to, since "not being paid by publisher X" is no longer a suitable line in this era.

 

[Kaizer]

Yep, DEFINITELY waiting for a sale on this one - can't wait for Persona 5 in two weeks though!

 

[Jarmel]

Amazon with prime gives you a discount up to two weeks after release.

I still don't think it's worth it. Especially with pricing over time collapsing lately.

Best Buy Visa deal thing was time limited. I would have canceled long ago but it would have jacked the other preorder up to $48.

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Checked out some of the romance bedroom stuff on Youtube.

... I think I see where a lot of their focus went.

 

[Darkstorne]

The best part of DA:I was the War Room style mission planning and execution, and the side content. Whoever wrote the side content for DA:I should be promoted.

The controversial opinions are flying fast in this thread

I think the huge variety of opinions about which ME game and which DA game was the best, all for different reasons, is a good reason to still check out Andromeda though. I'm the weird creature that thinks ME2 was the worst entry in the series for being the least RPG-like entry, with the blandest over-arching story, but a solid action game with a great cast. And judging by all the reports about the gameplay being great in Andromeda but the story and writing being lacklustre... well that's the same summary Mass 2 has, and most gamers loved it more than the other two entries.

 

[Melchiah]

Promising reviews. I'll probably buy the game a bit later, since I'm still playing Horizon Zero Dawn, and Dark Souls 3 DLC and the last Destiny update will come on the 28th day. The character animations could be better, but it's not like that or clunky combat prevented me from enjoying the 1st in the series.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Man..........WTF Bioware. I'm probably going to keep the preorder intact though.

 

[thumb]

2) Shinobi is a Mass Effect fan who in no way should be influencing your expectations for this game. He likes it and you don't. He didn't sponsor the game, he didn't sell you it, he doesn't work for EA. Your expectations falling out of line are your own fault. Stop looking for a scapegoat.

I think the important thing is having a substantive critique vs. just not liking shinobi's opinion. If people want to take issue with something specific in Shinobi's impressions, or they have a counter example, etc. that would be fine. But going back and forth about whether someone is positive or negative on something is rarely productive.