Less then 66 days until Mass Effect 3 comes out, cant' wait.

[dsheinem]

Gamerforlife I've read your comments and am surprised how much you are hating this game. I've certainly a few gripes with it, but overall it felt more polished than ME1, had a better second half (minus the ending) than ME2, and was generally a lot of fun. I encountered a bug only once or twice throughout the entire campaign, thought that the character and mission writing was on par with or better than it was in previous entries, and can say that I have zero regrets about pre-ordering it.

I wonder to what extent one's experiences in the previous games (including the data in your save files) shape both your narrative and gameplay experiences in ME3.

[dsheinem]

Gamerforlife I've read your comments and am surprised how much you are hating this game. I've certainly a few gripes with it, but overall it felt more polished than ME1, had a better second half (minus the ending) than ME2, and was generally a lot of fun. I encountered a bug only once or twice throughout the entire campaign, thought that the character and mission writing was on par with or better than it was in previous entries, and can say that I have zero regrets about pre-ordering it.

I wonder to what extent one's experiences in the previous games (including the data in your save files) shape both your narrative and gameplay experiences in ME3.

[Gamerforlife]

Gamerforlife I've read your comments and am surprised how much you are hating this game. I've certainly a few gripes with it, but overall it felt more polished than ME1, had a better second half (minus the ending) than ME2, and was generally a lot of fun. I encountered a bug only once or twice throughout the entire campaign, thought that the character and mission writing was on par with or better than it was in previous entries, and can say that I have zero regrets about pre-ordering it.

I wonder to what extent one's experiences in the previous games (including the data in your save files) shape both your narrative and gameplay experiences in ME3.

I don't see how it's more polished than ME 1. I have encountered tons of bugs, many of which are even discussed by players on Bioware's forums and a few have even been acknowledged by Bioware itself. I think the cover system is less reliable and more flimsy, and I could complain about other little things too like my biotics often ignoring my intended targets and flying past them, or Shepherd frequently standing straight up out of cover for no apparent reason. As a shooter, it definitely lacks polish. It's not unplayable by any stretch of the imagination, but does seem a bit sloppy. Looking past those complaints, the combat is about the same as ME 2. The only real changes being grenades, smoke bombs and the new role move. Two out of those three things I actually hate. So I don't consider combat to be improved personally.

I don't really know about the second half, as I don't know if I'm there yet. However, I certainly agree about the writing. So far, I have been loving it, for the most part anyway. I'm intrigued by how Bioware could have pissed off so many fans with the ending given how good the writing and dialog has been so far. In terms of characterization and dialog, ME 3 wipes the floor with ME 1 and 2. It lacks a strong enemy presence though, something the series has lacked since the first game. Cerberus are just a bunch of faceless, nameless thugs, Kai Leng seems like a Final Fantasy reject who doesn't belong in this type of game, and the reapers don't have a real presence or voice. Remember how you could actually speak with Sovereign in ME 1 and hear him threaten you? That just doesn't happen in this game. Reapers are just things in ME 3, not actual characters like Sovereign, and there are no other cool villains like Benezia or Saren. So far, I have only encountered the Illusive Man one time

However, the game does a great job of creating a real genuine sense of an intergalactic war happening, the war asset thing and Effective Military Strength rating are both pretty cool

If my posts are mostly negative, it's probably due to me being a big fan of the franchise. That probably makes me more critical than other people. I am enjoying though, I mean I haven't stopped playing it for days. It's a great game, but still disappointing to me in some ways.

For anyone wondering, I'm playing through the Geth Dreadnaught now. I brought Edi with Tali and I am enjoying their interesting conversations. The two of them together bring interesting insights into the Geth. It's always fun pairing up Tali with a non organic just to see her reaction. I used to take her and Legion on many missions in ME 2.

[ATARI800XLfan]

Gamerforlife I've read your comments and am surprised how much you are hating this game. I've certainly a few gripes with it, but overall it felt more polished than ME1, had a better second half (minus the ending) than ME2, and was generally a lot of fun. I encountered a bug only once or twice throughout the entire campaign, thought that the character and mission writing was on par with or better than it was in previous entries, and can say that I have zero regrets about pre-ordering it.

I wonder to what extent one's experiences in the previous games (including the data in your save files) shape both your narrative and gameplay experiences in ME3.

I don't see how it's more polished than ME 1. I have encountered tons of bugs, many of which are even discussed by players on Bioware's forums and a few have even been acknowledged by Bioware itself. I think the cover system is less reliable and more flimsy, and I could complain about other little things too like my biotics often ignoring my intended targets and flying past them, or Shepherd frequently standing straight up out of cover for no apparent reason. As a shooter, it definitely lacks polish. It's not unplayable by any stretch of the imagination, but does seem a bit sloppy. Looking past those complaints, the combat is about the same as ME 2. The only real changes being grenades, smoke bombs and the new role move. Two out of those three things I actually hate. So I don't consider combat to be improved personally.

I don't really know about the second half, as I don't know if I'm there yet. However, I certainly agree about the writing. So far, I have been loving it, for the most part anyway. I'm intrigued by how Bioware could have pissed off so many fans with the ending given how good the writing and dialog has been so far. In terms of characterization and dialog, ME 3 wipes the floor with ME 1 and 2. It lacks a strong enemy presence though, something the series has lacked since the first game. Cerberus are just a bunch of faceless, nameless thugs, Kai Leng seems like a Final Fantasy reject who doesn't belong in this type of game, and the reapers don't have a real presence or voice. Remember how you could actually speak with Sovereign in ME 1 and hear him threaten you? That just doesn't happen in this game. Reapers are just things in ME 3, not actual characters like Sovereign, and there are no other cool villains like Benezia or Saren. So far, I have only encountered the Illusive Man one time

However, the game does a great job of creating a real genuine sense of an intergalactic war happening, the war asset thing and Effective Military Strength rating are both pretty cool

If my posts are mostly negative, it's probably due to me being a big fan of the franchise. That probably makes me more critical than other people. I am enjoying though, I mean I haven't stopped playing it for days. It's a great game, but still disappointing to me in some ways.

For anyone wondering, I'm playing through the Geth Dreadnaught now. I brought Edi with Tali and I am enjoying their interesting conversations. The two of them together bring interesting insights into the Geth. It's always fun pairing up Tali with a non organic just to see her reaction. I used to take her and Legion on many missions in ME 2.

Mentioning Legion

[Gamerforlife]

Geth Hunters are cheap

One more thing for me to hate about this game's combat, which seems filled to the gills with cheap

[Gamerforlife]

Great story, crap combat. If I were to sum up ME 3 as succinctly as possible

[Gamerforlife]

Well, found Legion. Great dialog from Edi in this part. This mission would have been so much less fun without her.

[Gamerforlife]

Just got myself some renegade points for punching that douschbag admiral in the gut. Not often my paragon Shepherd does that sort of thing.

[dsheinem]

Gamerforlife I've read your comments and am surprised how much you are hating this game. I've certainly a few gripes with it, but overall it felt more polished than ME1, had a better second half (minus the ending) than ME2, and was generally a lot of fun. I encountered a bug only once or twice throughout the entire campaign, thought that the character and mission writing was on par with or better than it was in previous entries, and can say that I have zero regrets about pre-ordering it.

I wonder to what extent one's experiences in the previous games (including the data in your save files) shape both your narrative and gameplay experiences in ME3.

I don't see how it's more polished than ME 1. I have encountered tons of bugs, many of which are even discussed by players on Bioware's forums and a few have even been acknowledged by Bioware itself...

If my posts are mostly negative, it's probably due to me being a big fan of the franchise. That probably makes me more critical than other people.

I didn't say there were no bugs or doubt you were encountering them, I suggested that certain play styles/save files/etc. may prompt one to see more. I played 40 hours and encountered only 2 or 3 in total.

I'm sure you just must be "more critical" because you're such a big fan of the franchise. Maybe if I were a better/bigger fan I'd have more negative things to say.

[ATARI800XLfan]

Just got myself some renegade points for punching that douschbag admiral in the gut. Not often my paragon Shepherd does that sort of thing.

How far are you now? He deserved it.