[expletive]

Part 1
http://www.cgonline.com/index.php?op...id=1&sectName=

Part 2
http://www.cgonline.com/index.php?op...d=534&Itemid=1


Quick blurb on the combat system since i know a lot of people were interested in that...

Originally Posted by CGO

What features and improvements have you incorporated into Mass Effect from games like KOTOR and Jade Empire?

One of the most obvious differences is the combat system, which is a fully real-time, 3rd person tactical shooter format. You’ll be able to fight as a squad of 3, either allowing your squad members to fight alongside you using their own AI, or by giving specific orders. You’ll be able to have extremely satisfying control over your squad in the battlefield, cooperating in really interesting ways.

[scooby_dooby]

Awesome, thx dude

Casey Hudson was project lead for the original Kotor, so hopefully he works his magic a few more times.

Another major area of innovation is in the story experience. Because we’ve placed such a strong emphasis on advanced digital actors, you’ll be able to interact with other characters in ways that were never before possible. In particular, we have a new interface for conversations that allows you to react instantly to other characters, maintaining the pace of a real-life conversation. And since the player now has full voice along with all the other characters, for the first time you can have a real-time conversations (and arguments!) with people in the game.

No more dialogue trees, sounds interesting.

[czekon]

sounds great

[Nicked]

So ME doesn't have an RPG combat system (either realtime or semi-realtime?)...thats disappointing to say the least. KoTORs was awesome.

Still, most third-person squad-shooters have been pretty dull, and I think Bioware has the talent to change that.

[Inane_Dork]

Originally Posted by Nicked

So ME doesn't have an RPG combat system (either realtime or semi-realtime?)...thats disappointing to say the least. KoTORs was awesome.

Huh? What is an "RPG combat system"?

ME's combat is real time. Not sure if that helps.

[czekon]

Originally Posted by Nicked

So ME doesn't have an RPG combat system (either realtime or semi-realtime?)...thats disappointing to say the least. KoTORs was awesome.

Still, most third-person squad-shooters have been pretty dull, and I think Bioware has the talent to change that.

i was thinking the same but after reading a whole interview i changed my mind, it can be really cool after all it will not be an arcade shooter

[scooby_dooby]

Originally Posted by Nicked

So ME doesn't have an RPG combat system (either realtime or semi-realtime?)...thats disappointing to say the least. KoTORs was awesome.

Still, most third-person squad-shooters have been pretty dull, and I think Bioware has the talent to change that.

I think it's like this: Take KOTOR and make the aiming/shooting realtime, keep the "pause" functionality, and the ability to 'set-up' all 3 of your characters, and then ADD the ability for tactics (not sure what they mean here) on the battlefield, and that's the fighting system for Mass Effect.

So, with the exception that it's realtime, it basically sounds like KOTOR+tactics. And really, Kotor was psuedo realtime anyways, you'll just have to aim now, the only difference was you could Q commands, which I hope they keep. I don't see how you could command all 3 characters without being able to Q.

You have 3 character types, Tech which can do things such as sabotage enemy weapons and other tangible effects. Biotics is like magic in FF, then there's the soldier that uses projectiles.