When I reflect on this console generation of games, I think about experiences that have set new standards for the gaming industry. Games like Uncharted 2 and Red Dead Redemption set bench marks in storytelling and immersion in games. Perhaps the best example of creating immersion in a game comes from the Mass Effect series. Mass Effect 2 was not only one of my favorite games of this console generation, but also one of my favorite gaming experiences of all time. The original blend of RPG elements, combat and storytelling choices that continue across and entire trilogy, have made Mass Effect a top notch gaming series. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that I was eagerly anticipating playing the Mass Effect 3 demo on valentines day. I am happy to report that Mass Effect 3 looks to be one of the best games this year based on improved game play, continuing character development and what looks to be an epic conclusion.
The first equation of the Mass Effect 3 formula was the combat overhaul. If there was one criticism I had of Mass Effect 2 it was that the combat was not up to par with other shooters of the time. Character control was certainly tolerable, but the character animation was somewhat stiff. It felt like controlling a robot more than a human character. With this in mind, I fired up the demo and the combat was the first thing that stood out as a dramatic change. Character models no longer have a robot feeling to them, but rather the way Commander Shepard moves from cover to cover feels fluid and responsive. Even the shooting mechanic feels more refined. Aiming is tighter without resorting to twitch shooting, which makes the overall combat feel tight but not cheesy.
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| Thane Krios - One of my favorite characters |
If game play is the one thing that changed for the better, characters were the one thing I was happy remained the same. Of course there were new characters in the demo such as James Vega, but that is the thing about the Mass Effect universe, each character feels fleshed out and useful to the overall experience of the game. Every person I have talked to who has played Mass Effect games have different favorite characters. It is the equivalent to choosing a favorite character in a really good TV show, which in my opinion is where the characters of Mass Effect succeed. For me seeing returning characters that have lived because of my decision in previous Mass Effect games, makes ME3 a truly unique experience. In the early stages of the demo, I see Ashley a person who based off of my decisions was alive, and Kaidan who died in the original Mass Effect is no longer apart of my story arch. All of this is what makes the Mass Effect universe great. The ability to craft a story through use of player choice in characters makes for an awesome game, and it makes for a remarkable trilogy.
The final part of the demo that really stood out for me was the sense of desperation for the universe. Earth is under attack, and it is up to Shepard to save the galaxy. This intro to the demo was the start of a massive war against the reapers (Alien life forms that every 50,000 years return to erase every species in the universe) and it looks to be a promising finish to the trilogy. My excitement for an epic ending is based off of just what I have played, but in every aspect of the game, it seems to be shaping up for a good ending to the trilogy. There is desperation, unification and various other human emotions that the game will task the player with dealing with. Also, I base my excitement for the ending of ME3 off of ME2’s suicide mission. Epic does not begin to describe the final mission of ME2, and Commander Shepard uniting the galaxy to fight a common foe promises to make Mass Effect one of the best gaming trilogies of all time.
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