Mass Effect 2 like a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book
Mass Effect made a huge splash when it came out in late 2007. The story and atmosphere was engrossing with a dialog tree that was praised for its inventiveness. Bioware ups the ante with Mass Effect 2 by making the game even more like a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book.
Mass Effect is one of my favorite RPGs released in recent memory. The game was so engrossing I must have logged close to 60 hours. In some ways I feel like Mass Effect was better than Fallout 3, like the story. However, from a strategy and content perspective, Fallout 3 takes home the prize.
The thing I liked about Mass Effect is the super slick dialog tree that actually forced you to think hard about the response you give. One of the things I disliked about Fallout 3, was the fact that what you said made very little game changing impact. However, the game did hinge more on your actions rather than talking.
The feature I am most excited about Mass Effect 2 is the ability to bring over your saved file from the first game. All of your stats and character customizations can be brought over to the sequel to make it feel like one long continuation of the game.
Mass Effect 2 takes the immerse dialog tree one step further by increasing the number of actual outcomes from your selection. You can even interrupt a conversation quickly by knocking someone over during mid-sentence as well. Bioware tried hard to make the conversation sequences less artificial and more natural.
The cover system in the first game did suffer from robotic and stiff looking movements. However Bioware increased the number of animation sequences by ten times the original, totaling it up to 200 sequences.
My biggest complaint from the first Mass Effect game was the lackluster side planets. Even though many of the side planets looked like the developers took one texture map and stamped it across one planet, I still explored every inch of the universe. To my delight, Bioware took a different approach with Mass Effect 2 by going for quality rather than quantity this time around.
Mass Effect 2 is definitely shaping up nicely from what was shown at E3 this year. Make sure to keep a sharp eye out for more details around this intriguing game, hitting the Xbox 360 and PC early 2010.
Related Posts:
18 Responses to “Mass Effect 2 like a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ book”
Leave a Reply:
You must be logged in to post a comment. Don't have an account? Register today!
June 11th, 2009
I think Mass Effect sucks i hated the first one a wannabe shooter and FPS with third person shooting omg this game can’t be define to one genre.
June 11th, 2009
At first I really got into it but there was so much talking which was not all that bad because it made you want to find out the next piece of the story. I stop playing for a while and when I came back I could not figure out where I was. It was a rental and have have never played it since. At least I got an alien lap dance.
June 11th, 2009
By the way have you guys ever paid for mulitple lap dances in GTA 4. Boy does that get interesting. If they could only push the limit just a little bit more. For those who have not done it I’ll let you find out on your own.
June 11th, 2009
this sci fi crap doesn’t interest me at all.
June 11th, 2009
I rather play a traditional JRPG.
June 11th, 2009
Loved the first game, can’t wait for the next one.
June 11th, 2009
Ghey! Not a fan of Bioware’s RPG with guns thing. Factor in the long boring dialog trees and I’m really glad this isn’t coming my way.
June 11th, 2009
Mass Effect is still one of the best video games on any next-gen console right now. An action-based, sci-fi RPG with a ton of player freedom? HECK. YES. And they really NAILED the sci-fi setting, too. It’s hard to create a brand new mythology of science fiction and make it truly interesting, but they hit a home run with Mass Effect.
-Arvis
June 11th, 2009
I added mass effect to the ‘games that are popular but I don’t understand’ list.
Because some people say exactly what has been said here, that its an awesome game. For example, I think i mentioned before that my buddy basically completed it in a single sitting (no side quests tho) because he just loved it that much.
Ill still give the second one a shot tho!
June 11th, 2009
SW,
What’s not to like about the game? I can’t think of a single thing to complain about.
-Arvis
June 11th, 2009
I just didn’t enjoy the gameplay. Its been a while since I actually played the game at this point so I can’t give you specifics, but it just didn’t light my fire.
Just like gears doesn’t, but theres a army of players that will swear by gears. But again, just doesn’t light my fire.
June 11th, 2009
I didn’t like Mass Effect or Gears that much either, though they were fun to play through, both were really bland at times.
June 12th, 2009
I’m glad to see we all hated Mass Effect it was awful.
June 12th, 2009
Mass Effect is not a bad game. its just not for everybody. but from my expirience i hated it.
but I know many who liked it
June 12th, 2009
Ok, I thought of something I don’t like about Mass Effect: It’s a 360 console exclusive.
-Arvis
June 12th, 2009
Thats why you man up and get it for PC!
June 14th, 2009
Speaking of PC, anyone played Sims 3 yet?
June 15th, 2009
SW, my roommates are currently using all available PCs in the house to make a movie. So… i feel weird playing games on their editing stations…
Harry, my little sister bought the game, only to have her PC crap out on her. So… no, I haven’t been able to try it yet.
-Arvis