I don't mean to sound overly critical, because when push comes to shove. KOTORI and II, and Jade Empire have been amongst the best games I've _ever_ played. I just can't help but to notice the similarities between those games (despite the awesome-ness) and what I've seen of Mass Effect so far (sure it looks better, but it still has that same KOTOR/Jade Empire feel to it) and I'm just fearful that it will get stale.
That's my general complaint I have regarding Bioware, they do solid enjoyable games but a lot of themes do get recycled in all of their newer games.
I don't see it. This game has tactical elements similar to a cross between Full Spectrum Warrior and GRAW. As well as a real physics engine. Those things alone separate it from KotOR and Jade.
Like was said earlier, there's a lot more to western RPGs than their combat. There's a lot more to be similar.
So I was reading some stuff Bioware has up on their site and came across this:
Did you know there are six distinct character classes in Mass Effect, each with a different package of starting and unlockable talents? In addition, if you play well enough to survive the physical and political dangers of the galaxy, you will gain the ability to unlock six more specialization classes later in the game. Your elite recon squad must win an impossible race to stop the return of a brutal enemy. It is imperative that you build and play your character to the best of your ability.
What are these other six classes? Are they just simple upgrades or is it something grander?
So I was reading some stuff Bioware has up on their site and came across this:
Did you know there are six distinct character classes in Mass Effect, each with a different package of starting and unlockable talents? In addition, if you play well enough to survive the physical and political dangers of the galaxy, you will gain the ability to unlock six more specialization classes later in the game. Your elite recon squad must win an impossible race to stop the return of a brutal enemy. It is imperative that you build and play your character to the best of your ability.
What are these other six classes? Are they just simple upgrades or is it something grander?
My gues is that it's simply a straight upgrade to the six beginning classes, such as Jedi Consular => Jedi Master.
Bioware said that after you've played for a bit you choose a second specialisation, so you don't have to worry about whether you screwed up with your initial choice. I'm guessing this is what they were talking about.
That looks like a very poor screenie to post in response to complaints of poor graphics. That background is very bland and the lighting doesn't really show anything off... they could've done better...
I think it's silly for them to even defend graphics. I had no complaints with the kotor graphics or jade empire graphics, and even if they somehow managed to revert back to baldurs gate graphics, I liked them too.
I didn't mind the graphics in KOTOR. What I did mind was the movement. Any action other than talking that they attempted to show usually looked stupid.
I don't mean to sound overly critical, because when push comes to shove. KOTORI and II, and Jade Empire have been amongst the best games I've _ever_ played. I just can't help but to notice the similarities between those games (despite the awesome-ness) and what I've seen of Mass Effect so far (sure it looks better, but it still has that same KOTOR/Jade Empire feel to it) and I'm just fearful that it will get stale.
My only issue is that Mass Effect is going to be a trilogy stretched across five years. I'd really like to see the team do something else too...
I don't mean to sound overly critical, because when push comes to shove. KOTORI and II, and Jade Empire have been amongst the best games I've _ever_ played. I just can't help but to notice the similarities between those games (despite the awesome-ness) and what I've seen of Mass Effect so far (sure it looks better, but it still has that same KOTOR/Jade Empire feel to it) and I'm just fearful that it will get stale.
My only issue is that Mass Effect is going to be a trilogy stretched across five years. I'd really like to see the team do something else too...
Dragon Age and the un-named MMO project. They're working on other things.
Edit: And yeah, looking again, it's alright. I just don't think it's that much better than the third one. There are stretched textures, Shepards face looks utterly expressionless and not-animated-yet... I'm not complaining, I just don't think it's much of an improvement.
I don't mean to sound overly critical, because when push comes to shove. KOTORI and II, and Jade Empire have been amongst the best games I've _ever_ played. I just can't help but to notice the similarities between those games (despite the awesome-ness) and what I've seen of Mass Effect so far (sure it looks better, but it still has that same KOTOR/Jade Empire feel to it) and I'm just fearful that it will get stale.
My only issue is that Mass Effect is going to be a trilogy stretched across five years. I'd really like to see the team do something else too...
Dragon Age and the un-named MMO project. They're working on other things.
Edit: And yeah, looking again, it's alright. I just don't think it's that much better than the third one. There are stretched textures, Shepards face looks utterly expressionless and not-animated-yet... I'm not complaining, I just don't think it's much of an improvement.
Well, it is an improvement. And what specifically people were complaining most about was the textures on the alien's clothes. They're all blurry and low-res. Chris Priestly says it's just because it's plain not done yet, but that didn't stop the complaining. You can see the blurriness pretty clearly, though.
June 5th, if you guys didnt catch that little bit of news.
And yes, we caught this. We also caught that Bioware is repeatedly denying that this is an official release date. When there is one, they'll let us know, not anyone else, they say.
In some screens Mass Effect looks like the best game on 360 or PS3 graphically, and in some it just looks good. I like to think that in motion on TVs it will always look incredible.
If anyone cares, there are four new screenshots out today. Bioware has said that while they've just been shown publicly today, they are from a now outdated build since they're coming out with a new one quite often these days as they're wrapping things up.
i, too, reckon the released 'answer' to the critics is a good shot. The textures look a whole lot sharper, and things just look clean and neat. It's not showing vast amounts of details or laser battles, but what it does show looks crisp and good.
It's fun watching Chris Priestly feigning getting worked up on their official forum and claiming it's not them and seeking legal action against whoever is posting those videos on Youtube. I suppose it's possible it's not Bioware, but chances are slim.
It's fun watching Chris Priestly feigning getting worked up on their official forum and claiming it's not them and seeking legal action against whoever is posting those videos on Youtube. I suppose it's possible it's not Bioware, but chances are slim.
I'd love to see someone produce a reasonable explanation for why/how someone would go through the trouble of animating/voice acting something like that if they are not in fact affiliated with Bioware. Because I can't think of one.
Still doesn't look too bad, though (especially considering some of the dodgy earlier shots). As far as plastic looks go, I remind myself that I managed to play through Doom 3 without thinking everyone was a mannequin...
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ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
AxenMy avatar is Excalibur.Yes, the sword.Registered Userregular
edited April 2007
I do hope the game has ballistic weapons. Just my personnel taste, but I don't much care for energy weapons. However I love sci-fi so I am at quite a quandary.
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A Capellan's favorite sheath for any blade is your back.
I haven't been following the thread, but do we have a release date estimate yet?
I don't believe Bioware has given any exact dates, but they have given estimates in which they hope to finish it. If I remember correctly, they're trying for the next few months, possibly even May.
Dashui on
Xbox Live, PSN & Origin: Vacorsis 3DS: 2638-0037-166
I haven't been following the thread, but do we have a release date estimate yet?
I don't believe Bioware has given any exact dates, but they have given estimates in which they hope to finish it. If I remember correctly, they're trying for the next few months, possibly even May.
To be more (less) specific, Bioware has said they know the game will be out before July. Most estimates are estimating May/June with April looking more unlikely, but still possible.
Comments from the devs suggest they still have quite a bit of work to do, but they're getting a lot closer.
Posts
Like was said earlier, there's a lot more to western RPGs than their combat. There's a lot more to be similar.
What are these other six classes? Are they just simple upgrades or is it something grander?
It was apparently in response to a negative reaction from the screenshots present in this article.
The community thought the graphics looked bad, so Bioware took it upon themselves to set them straight.
Man, the community can go suck it.
Fails for first choice being anything other than;
"What you say?!"
That screenie looks worse than any of the ones in the article. Am I alone in this?
Yes, the lighting looks more impressive and compared to the third screenshot in the article, the textures are much sharper.
My only issue is that Mass Effect is going to be a trilogy stretched across five years. I'd really like to see the team do something else too...
Edit: And yeah, looking again, it's alright. I just don't think it's that much better than the third one. There are stretched textures, Shepards face looks utterly expressionless and not-animated-yet... I'm not complaining, I just don't think it's much of an improvement.
Well, it is an improvement. And what specifically people were complaining most about was the textures on the alien's clothes. They're all blurry and low-res. Chris Priestly says it's just because it's plain not done yet, but that didn't stop the complaining. You can see the blurriness pretty clearly, though.
And yes, we caught this. We also caught that Bioware is repeatedly denying that this is an official release date. When there is one, they'll let us know, not anyone else, they say.
1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVIPMuNFn-c&mode=user&search=
2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyFa_8uY2AE&mode=user&search=
3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJqD4TSpg4E&mode=user&search=
Pretty awesome, especially the last one.
It's fun watching Chris Priestly feigning getting worked up on their official forum and claiming it's not them and seeking legal action against whoever is posting those videos on Youtube. I suppose it's possible it's not Bioware, but chances are slim.
Yes, that must be it. Because screenshots taken in finished areas of the game look awful.
High-res: http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/screenshots/2007/masseffect_13_1280x760.jpg
High-res: http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/screenshots/2007/masseffect_14_1280x760.jpg
High-res: http://masseffect.bioware.com/_commonext/images/me/screenshots/2007/masseffect_15_1280x760.jpg
I'd love to see someone produce a reasonable explanation for why/how someone would go through the trouble of animating/voice acting something like that if they are not in fact affiliated with Bioware. Because I can't think of one.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
The screenshots, that is.
I thought the first one was real at first. Damn, I can't wait to play this [on my new TV].
Spoilered for 56k and whatever
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58049/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58050/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58051/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58052/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58121/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58122/Mass-Effect/
http://screenshots.teamxbox.com/screen-hires/58123/Mass-Effect/
fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap
I don't believe Bioware has given any exact dates, but they have given estimates in which they hope to finish it. If I remember correctly, they're trying for the next few months, possibly even May.
To be more (less) specific, Bioware has said they know the game will be out before July. Most estimates are estimating May/June with April looking more unlikely, but still possible.
Comments from the devs suggest they still have quite a bit of work to do, but they're getting a lot closer.