The Revisiting: Mass Effect 1

 Analysis, Video Games  6 Responses »
Apr 192013
 

Today I’m shaking things up a bit in my weekly “Retrospective” column. Instead of looking back at a game I never played, fitting it into a modern context, I thought I’d play a game that I did play and loved again after nearly five years. Instead of evaluating its validity without an ounce of nostalgia, I thought I’d use nostalgia this week a a vehicle to drive my analysis of design. After all, Mass Effect as a franchise has exploded since this first effort, and what started out somewhat humble has since grown into a behemoth in the gaming spectrum.

Mass Effect - Travis - 3

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Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut DLC: Is It Enough At This Point?

 Commentary, Video Games  3 Responses »
Jun 272012
 

It’s a widely known fact that Mass Effect 3 kicked up arguable the largest controversy among gamers in quite a while.  Funnily enough, Bioware initially stood by their original endings, but as time went on, they couldn’t ignore the complaints much longer, and decided to meet the fans halfway by giving them clarification.  They promised to expand on the endings, and even throw in some results of player choice, but they weren’t going to change the endings.

While fans who thought the ending was fundamentally wrong probably weren’t going to enjoy this, even from the very beginning (and Bioware admitted this), other fans are probably still curious about these expanded endings.  Let’s face it though; they couldn’t get any worse than the original endings.  Funnily enough, while I myself couldn’t bring myself to really even care about the original endings in the slightest, I feel like the new ones approach decency.

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Second Opinion: Mass Effect 3

 Review, Video Games  No Responses »
Apr 022012
 

Greetings Moar Powah, since I’ve finished reviewing the older sci-fi RPG trilogy, and finished playing this recent one, it’s about time for me to review the game! Anyway, so Mass Effect 3 is the third game in the series, and concludes the story, supposedly. You may have noticed that it was reviewed by another writer earlier. It’s also got some massive fan backlash over a few particular things (I’ll expand on that later). So how does one of this year’s most anticipated games play out?

This cover is kind of funny, given Shepard's track record with atmospheric reentry.

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Top 5 Live Action Video Game Trailers

 Analysis, Video, Video Games  1 Response »
Mar 252012
 

Judge here. Been out of commission this past week with a bad cold, but I’m back (somewhat). I got the chance to watch The Raid: Redemption earlier today, and let me tell you, it was the most kickass thing I’ve seen in a while.  It got me thinking about the Sleeping Dogs live action trailer, which in turn got me thinking about doing a “top (insert number) live action video game trailers” list.

I’ve done a few other ones before like “Top 10 Zombie Games” and “Most Useless Pink-haired Anime Girls.”  Lists are cool because 1) they’re fun, 2) they make me think about how much I value (or not value) something, and 3) they usually cause people to leave some…interesting comments.  So without further ado, here’s my “Top 5 Live Action Video Game Trailers.”

Honorable Mention: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

I loved all the futuristic tech they incorporated in this trailer, but I wasn’t exactly keen in putting a military FPS in my top 5. Continue reading »

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Review: Mass Effect 3 (SIYM’s Farewell Included!)

 Review, Video Games  1 Response »
Mar 162012
 

“Let’s do this . . .”

NOTE: Sad but true, this post will mark the end of my involvement with the site. Long story short, I am no longer in a position (and will not be for some time) to provide the best content that you guys and this site truly deserve. Fortunately, there’s plenty of passionate talent to find here and I wish all of you the best as the site continues to grow in the coming months. I’d also like to give a special thanks to Judge for allowing me the privilege to be a part of Moar Powah! and giving me the opportunity to post what I’m most passionate about. You’ll find the Mass Effect 3 review below. Fair warning, the review is nothing spectacular but I did my best not to spoil anything so forgive me if it seems a bit brief. On that note, it’s been real! Adios!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here’s MY warpath!

How does it present itself? Just like it feels. Huge. Everything about Mass Effect 3 is centered around the premise of “all-out galactic war.” And it shows. Bioware (known for their mastery of large-scale adventures) and EA (always impressive with presentation) deliver an action-packed, emotionally-charged experience that even its most explosive peers (*cough* MW3…BF3) could never match up to. The writing is classic Bioware. Well-written and relevant. The dialogue is just as impressive with an incredible line-up of true voiceover talent. At first, I feared that the franchise would go too big with its moments just for the sake of shock and awe; however, upon further inspection you’ll see that these huge moments aren’t just moments: they’re meaningful. Bright, beautiful, and too damn fun. Continue reading »

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SIYM Presents: Mass Effect 3 Demo

 Analysis, Preview, Video Games  No Responses »
Feb 172012
 

3 / 6 / 12

Wow, I am NOT a happy camper at the moment. I had an awesome “First Impressions” video all ready for you guys and then . . . BAM! I lost all my editing that I spent almost an hour getting right and (long story short) Apple failed me. Hard! Anyway, back to business . . .

This week, I had a chance to check out the Mass Effect 3 demo (available on all three platforms now!) and  trust me when I say that it does not disappoint. Right now, I’m going to go over my Top 3 and Bottom 3 impressions I had with the demo. First up, let’s talk Tops:

1) Moar Emotion: One of the all-time complaints I hear people say about the Mass Effect franchise is how Commander Shepard (primarily the male version) seems to have no personality whatsoever. Regrettably, the character is not the most colorful role in video gaming. Even Jennifer Hale (female Shepard) is guilty of the same thing. However, with Mass Effect 3, that all changes. Yeah, being an N7 Marine doesn’t exactly qualify somebody for broadway, but the enhancements done to the facial animation and increased persona in the scripting serve the game well.

2) Commandeering the Commander: Although not everyone is disappointed with the franchise’s playability, it must be said how much the controls have improved for Mass Effect 3. Most everyone is already familiar with Shepard’s newfound maneuvers (dodging, rolling, omni-blade) but the real treat is how fluid the gameplay feels. Despite the addition of new mechanics, Mass Effect 3′s combat works beautifully and it must be experienced first-hand to believe it. To top it all off, depending on your class, certain maneuvers will behave differently. For instance, the omni-blade for the soldier performs differently than in other classes. Check it out!

3) MULTI-tude of fun: I never thought I’d say this but, after a night of endlessly cooperative chaos, the multiplayer is for real! Initially, the inclusion of multiplayer functionality was a controversial move for the franchise. Not without reason. To have any kind of decent multiplayer system, a significant amount of focus must be shifted in its direction. Consequently, time and attention (9 times out of 10) falls away from the single-player which will no doubt produce a sloppy, unrefined, half-assed experience. Not so with Mass Effect 3. The single-player portion (although brief) gave me a glimpse of what is to come and I must say that I’m very impressed. To add even moar icing on the epic Shepard-cake, the multiplayer is awesome and all of you should try it. Expect a full review of both the single-player and multiplayer shortly after the launch of Mass Effect 3 on 3/6/12.

Warpath, we’re comin’ for ya!

Bottom 3:

1) “Frickin’ Framerate!”: Self-explanatory. While the multiplayer was fine, the single-player had numerous cases of framerate drop. The presentation was often inconsistent and would occasionally drop below the standard 30fps. Thus, the experience was borderline un-immersive and horridly detached. Of course, I have incredibly strong ties invested in this series so I’m aware that not everyone will think this is an issue. Although not game-breaking, I hope to see the framerate get smoothed out by launch.

2) The Bioware Face: You know those times when you’re walking around, minding your own business, and then something catches your eye. You wonder to yourself “Why is everyone looking at me funny?” Then you realize “Oh yeah, it’s Bioware. No wonder everyone looks like they’re deep in thought or . . . want to kill me.” Jokes aside, the facial animations of Bioware games have never been top-notch. Certainly improved in Mass Effect 3, but play a game like Uncharted 3 and tell me with a straight face that Commander Shepard is more expressive than Nathan Drake. Again, nit-picky, but worth mentioning.

3) MOAR! MOAR! MOAR!: If you can’t tell, I’m having a really hard time coming up with criticisms for the Mass Effect 3 demo. First of all, it’s not the complete game. Secondly, my first impressions are done from a fan-perspective so I’m more interested in discussing the good things about the experience instead of the bad. So, the final problem I have with the demo is this: IT’S NOT ENOUGH!!! 3/6/12!!! Get here ASAP!!!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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SIYM Presents: Final Mass Effect 3 Pre-Launch Item

 News, Preview, Video Games  No Responses »
Feb 102012
 

You heard it folks, this post will mark the end of the Mass Effect pre-launch items. Starting next week (also the week of the Mass Effect 3 demo!) SIYM Presents will return to normal posting. Substantial or not, I plan on bringing some more variety to you guys instead of just Mass Effect news. However, don’t think this will be the last time you hear from me about this epic franchise as we draw nearer to March 6th. In other news, I finished the Mass Effect novel “Deception” and it was definitely a good read. As for the “oversights,” I hardly noticed any. In fact, I actually had to do some research to figure out what the fans were upset about. Turns out that a location (Chora’s Den) that was closed off permanently had been accessed by a character. Oops! There was something else about a Volus not having a completely enclosed enviro-suit but, at that point, I just rolled my eyes at how much of an issue had been made over such trivial matters. Yeah, I’m passionate about Mass Effect too but the errors made were so minor that the fact that Bioware had to make a formal response to the uproar is just ridiculous.

Also, today is supposedly “Fem Shep Friday!” A day created to celebrate the default, kick-ass, red-head Spectre ready to unleash total girl-power on the entire Reaper fleet. The festivities also included a brand-new trailer featuring female Commander Shepard. While I have experimented with the female Shepard in the past (Biotic Renegade!) I don’t normally play with her. Despite my preference for John over Jane, this trailer also happens to include footage not seen in other trailers. Even new character appearances! Including Miranda!!! Well, for like a split second. But still, it’s awesome! Anyway, I hope you’ve enjoyed the pre-launch items for Mass Effect 3, expect to see a first impressions of the demo next Friday and I’ll catch ya later.

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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SIYM Presents: Mass Effect 3 Pre-Launch Item #15

 News, Video Games  No Responses »
Feb 032012
 

Although I’m no fan of delays, it’s at least commendable of Bioware to be giving the fans little teasers like the one above. This time, a voice cast reveal highlighting some of Mass Effect’s key players and fan favorites. Unfortunately, Yvonne Strahovski is still nowhere to be found. I’m sure I’ll soon realize why her role is being kept so hush-hush (among others) but it sucks to consider the possibility that one of your favorite characters could end up being sidelined and existing only for support. Still, being the loyal fan that I am, I trust Casey Hudson and his team to do everyone justice in Mass Effect 3. Shepard couldn’t do it without ‘em . . . well, maybe not ALL of them. Seriosuly, what else does Garrus do besides calibrations? And Kelly? She basically exists to make you feel better about yourself. Legion? It practically thinks at the speed of light. How long could it take to build a consensus? ^_^ I kid, I love them all.

Also, I’ve recently been reading the latest Mass Effect novel “Deception” and loving every minute of it. However, I found out today that some fans haven’t been too happy about it. Apparently, the book (understood to be canon) had some “over-sight” errors and fans suggest that it be corrected or simply taken as “alternate universe.” I haven’t finished the book so I’m not entirely sure where the inconsistencies are but I may put up a review in the near future once I finish it. Here’s the apology from Bioware. Cheers!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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SIYM Presents: Mass Effect 3 Pre-Launch Item #14 (Project Warpath Update Included!)

 Analysis, News, Video Games  No Responses »
Jan 272012
 

In case you’re wondering, no, I don’t plan on every Friday until March 6th to be Mass Effect related; however, being a hardcore fan (as in, MULTIPLE 100% play-thrus of both 1 & 2) makes it difficult to deny the increasing proximity of Mass Effect 3′s inevitably successful launch. Still, I’m very much aware of how many other awesome games are out there and worthy of your time. For instance, I recently bought Arkham City and I’m having a great time with it. I considered having it on Project Warpath but (at this point) I’m content with the 4 that will be battling for #1 on my list. In case you need refreshing, the contestants are: Saints Row the Third, Modern Warfare 3, Mass Effect 3, and Bioshock Infinite. So far, Saints Row the Third is holding the top spot simply for its mastery of free-play and limitless opportunities to have fun. MW3 is a good game but has no place competing for the top spot of anyone’s list. As much as I play it, it’s nothing more than COD 4 on steroids. For Mass Effect and Bioshock, their biggest strength will/should be narrative immersion.

Essentially, a good story that sucks you right into the thick of things and makes you care about what’s happening is how Mass Effect and Bioshock can dominate the Warpath. In fact, our Moar Powah! chieftain Judge once said that gameplay comes before graphics. Couldn’t agree more. With that said, I think it’s possible to go further and say that even the best gameplay is useless without a strong, narrative backbone supporting the action. Storytelling is something that Mass Effect does incredibly well. Not simply telling a good story but allowing the player to be a part of how it unfolds. Anyhoo, Project Warpath will certainly be interesting in the coming months as Mass Effect 3 and Bioshock Infinite wrap things up. As for the above video, Bioware releases another reveal of the multiplayer feature that Mass Effect 3 is boasting along with its anticipated single-player campaign. With 4-player functionality and plenty of races to choose from, this “controversial” addition just looks better and better. 3/6/12 come soon!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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SIYM Presents: Mass Effect 3 Pre-Launch Item #13 (Rant Included!)

 Analysis, News, Video Games  No Responses »
Jan 202012
 

As preluded in the last SIYM Presents, you can expect nothing but moar Mass Effect from yours truly. With the launch of Mass Effect 3 getting nearer and nearer, there’s literally nothing else on my mind right now. Well, not exactly. There is the fourth Mass Effect novel “Deception” that comes out on January 31. Not to mention the Mass Effect 3 demo releasing on February 14th. Yeah, I’m hopeless. At any rate, early this morning (as in 12:00 am) I turned on the television and found out that GTTV was covering some “brand-new, never-before-seen” footage of Mass Effect 3. Being the fanboy that I am, I was “glued” for the next 30 minutes. Interested? Check the video above for an inside look into what is being considered “the most anticipated game of 2012!” The footage is broken up into parts so just follow the “related videos” for moar.

*rant time!*

I don’t normally troll about video games. Partly because it’s pointless and contradicting to the whole idea of electronic entertainment. However, Bioware has been pissing me off lately. It was bad enough having to hear that Mass Effect 3 was going to be delayed a couple of months but I eventually got over that. We (the fans) knew it was better to wait for a polished product than one rushed to meet a deadline. But was it really? Everyone’s pretty much figured out that the delay was for no other reason than to implement multiplayer and (*sigh*) Kinect. I have seen the footage of Kinect in action and I believe that it really does work, but seriously, is this enough reason to stall a game’s release? Especially one that’s as acclaimed and “anticipated” as Mass Effect 3? For the record, I’m not sold on motion-tecnology. Not because it doesn’t work. It’s just repetitive. Unless we find a way to COMPLETELY implement our bodies into gaming then there’s only so much we can do to have fun with it. More importantly, we don’t come home from a long day at work to jump and flail in front of a television. We come home to plop on the couch and scream at noobs online. As for the multiplayer, I’ve seen enough footage to realize that it’s not that bad. Again, still not worth stalling a game as huge as Mass Effect 3 for. But yeah, co-op with friends is never a negative.

Aside from the game itself, the Mass Effect universe has been plagued with delays. The fourth Mass Effect novel “Deception” was slated for release late 2011. Only when we (the fans) finally got to December did they (the corporate) finally inform us that the novel got pushed to Jan 2012 . . . LATE Jan 2012. I thought I was losing my mind. How could this uber-succssful franchise be so unorganized with release dates? I know things don’t always go according to plan but you can’t just make promises and never keep them. It makes you look unreliable. And I hope everyone agrees with me when I say that NOBODY likes unreliable (I’m looking at you PAYDAY). To make matters worse, the demo got hit by this nonsense too! Mass Effect 3′s singleplayer/multiplayer demo was announced for a January 2012 release and we were told to “get excited for the new year!” That we did . . . while it lasted. It wasn’t until yesterday that I found out that the demo had been kicked to February! What the hell?!? Next thing we know Bioware is going to scrap the demo entirely and push the game back to summer. Oh well, as much as we’re being told that Mass Effect 3 will be worth the wait, we can only hope that it’s true. If not, I’ll just call up Harbinger and his army of Reaper drones, have them join forces with the Transformers, give them Bioware’s address, and watch the fireworks!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

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