Mass Effect: Preview at UGO

[Farid]

http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/masseffect/default.asp

Due out later this year, Mass Effect is BioWare's futuristic RPG that's exclusive to the 360. The game takes players to the 23rd century on a galactic adventure. The narrative behind it spans across much more than just this one game, as this is merely the first offering in an eventual trilogy of games. Amazingly enough, the story's development won't stop between the releases. Those with an online setup can continuously watch the episodic adventure progress through systematic updates.

Mass Effect's story unravels similar to most RPGs, but the game is not necessarily played like a typical RPG. Those who hate constantly running into random enemies, waiting for a combat mode to load, and taking turns with the enemy smacking each other, will thankfully not have to deal with any of that nonsense here. Play and fighting work similarly to Knights of the Old Republic's action adventure style. All battles transpire in real time; so aiming in combat is now more vital, as fighting is no longer a back-and-forth match.

Did Bioware explain the battle system, will it be like Baldur's Gate/Kotor's or will it be more action oriented (The aiming part)?

 

[scooby_dooby]

They've described it as action oriented, but very tactical.From oxm:

"Fans of KOTOR may have some deja-vu over some of the similarities in combtat between that games .. fights and Mass Effects tactical battles, but there's much more here than meets the eye.
...
Know this, you'll travel in a squad of 3 members throughout the game. Each character will have a choice of specialty-class skille: biotics, tech or soldier. biotics work alot like magic in, say, a final fantasy game - but with a sci-fi twist. casting spells can result in offensive attacks like putting up a force field that pushes your enemies away. Hudson likens it to being able to control "the fifth physical force" - wielding unseen powers to your advantage,

The tech skills class is much more grounded in tangible, tacticle effects - get your level up enough and you'll be able to turn the tide of battle by sabotaging enemy weaponry. And the attack soldier class remains Mass Effects most traditional - you'll build up your attacks and firearms and other projectile weaponry in order to tank your way through a battle. Each skill is balanced by the others, but you'll have to think tactically to survive."

It's cool to know it's still on track for this year. I like how you can import your upgraded abilities into the game sequels as they come out:

"Characters can utilize both weapons and supernatural powers. Character abilities and skills will increase as the story develops, and any such improvements can be imported into the two future installments in the series. And, as we said earlier, story updates and extras will purportedly be provided for online players."

 

[Lysander]

I do hope that battle system will be improved from kotor, otherwise it could take away beauty of the game. And perhaps some graphically wild eco-systems

 

[Farid]

Kotor is easily one of the best RPG on this generation of Consoles...

Bioware did an exceptional work with it, that's why I'm looking forward to Mass Effect.

Althought I do hope they do not go full action RPG, though. It can be interesting if done right, but I'd still prefer the Real Time/ Turn based mix found in the other Bioware games, since it's already a good mix between action and turn based as it is.

 

[Corwin_B]

I loved both Kotor and Jade Empire, so I'm waiting for this with bated breath.

 

[Shark Sandwich]

I just hope the battle system is more fun than Jade Empire's. I am still amazed that they had a kung fu RPG, with ~30 fighting styles and real-time fighting, and managed to make the combat boring. Come on Bioware! Please learn a lesson from Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Star Ocean 2, Diablo, System Shock, Secret of Mana, X-Men Legendsor any of the other RPGs that actually made real-time combat FUN.

 

[scooby_dooby]

The fighting in JE wasn't boring if you transitioned from style to style with your combos.

I could see how it could get boring if you're just throwing one style at a time, but the styles were meant to be combined, so when you go thousand cuts + leaping tiger + storm dragon + legendary strike all in one smooth 16 hit combo, it's pretty cool.

I really loved JE, I had a total blast with the fighting system, but it was just too short, that killed me about it. Also, they dragon storm style was way too powerful, letting you freeze all humans, including the final boss, and it totally unbalanced the game.

 

[Shark Sandwich]

I beg to differ about JE's combat. While I had fun for a while trying to combine styles strategically, systematically disabling my opponents and finding their weaknesses, the game discourages you from doing so. The best strategy was simply to pick a direct-damage type style and keep pressing attack over and over. It had a lot of potential but it fell short, IMO. It felt like what it was: Bioware's first attempt at an action-based hand-to-hand combat system. I think they can, and will, do better.

 

[scooby_dooby]

I found the game much easier when using a support style to stun or slow them, mixed in with a 2 or 3 attack styles. Continually attacking, throwing in a support style every 3r or 4th combo. That was by far the most effective strategy, especially when using storm dragon which literally froze most enemies. You basically hit non stop(transitioning from one style to the next, keeping them stunned) until they're dead.

 

[AlNom]

I just hope the battle system is more fun than Jade Empire's. I am still amazed that they had a kung fu RPG, with ~30 fighting styles and real-time fighting, and managed to make the combat boring. Come on Bioware! Please learn a lesson from Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Star Ocean 2, Diablo, System Shock, Secret of Mana, X-Men Legendsor any of the other RPGs that actually made real-time combat FUN.

Well, it's not quite a terrible thing if a developer wants to try to be different rather than having the same thing regurgitated over and over. The idea might have failed, but now they can try to improve those ideas with feedback...or give the people what they want only to hear them complain that it's nothing new.

 

[pipo]

Some info...

FiringSquad: Late last year BioWare officially announced Mass Effect, their Xbox 360 sci-fi RPG. Can you give us an overall status report on the game and how it is coming along?

Greg Zeschuk: Mass Effect is looking terrific! In every way we’ve made steps to innovate and improve our approach to creating an interactive game world. So experiencing it all together is an incredible, truly “next-gen” experience. The atmosphere of Mass Effect is surprisingly immersive and emotionally gripping, making the gigantic story concept all the more compelling - it’s like a spectacularly beautiful science-fiction painting brought to life.

<snip>

Mass Effect’s combat is quite unique and innovative for a story-based action-RPG; it is real-time squad-based combat played in a third person format. You’ll be in command of a squad of three (your main character included) and each character will have a choice of specialty-class skills that will offer different and compelling tactical advantages in combat. Combat is very tactical, as you can allow your squad to use their own AI or give detailed commands that allow your team to coordinate their actions on the battlefield.

<snip>

Speaking of characters, the virtual actors in Mass Effect are truly state of the art – they have to be seen to be believed. Detailed, incredibly realistic facial movement with full lipsyncing and dialog (including dialog from your main character) and smooth, realistic animation help convey the feeling you’re interacting with real personalities in the game, and help move the story along in a very natural way. And we’re innovating in dialog a lot too, to make the story that much more compelling. We plan to share some exciting new details about the game at E3 2006 and show off all these cool features in person there – Mass Effect is BioWare’s main focus at the E3 show this year.

From a new interview: http://www.firingsquad.com/games/bioware_pre_e3_interview/page2.asp

 

[dukmahsik]

really looking forward to this and too human

 

[Platon]

Vysez thanks for the preview and pipo thanks for the interview link.

I am really looking forward to this game. KOTOR was one of my all time favorites, and that is quite a sensation concidering that I hate turn based battles with passion, but this game seems to be trully amazing and a bit similar to KOTOR, with the travelling to different worlds.

This and Too Human are the games I am looking forward to the most, but I have to say that I will be extremely surprized if both those games make it out this year and with Gears of War comming out towards the end of this year as well, there might be quite "crowded" and the games might not perform as well as they should. Will we see some strategic release date changes?...

 

[AlNom]

So... is there an option for those who don't have an online setup, or do they just skip the story?

 

[pipo]

This and Too Human are the games I am looking forward to the most, but I have to say that I will be extremely surprized if both those games make it out this year and with Gears of War comming out towards the end of this year as well, there might be quite "crowded" and the games might not perform as well as they should. Will we see some strategic release date changes?...

I don't think so. I suspect MS wants to make a big splash and there's enough in the pipeline for later too...

Edit - Although I'm not sure it is announced for 2006 in the first place (like TH and GoW) - so with regards to both ME and TH you might have a point.

 

[Platon]

So... is there an option for those who don't have an online setup, or do they just skip the story?

Intresting question, I was wondering that my self, although I don't really care since most probably I will have xbox Live. Those episodes could come on a DVD as well for really cheap, like an expansion pack. On the other hand maybe non Live subscribers will not be able to get those, I mean live subscribers should have some "benefits" and MS want to have stuff to push Live with...

 

[Platon]

I don't think so. I suspect MS wants to make a big splash and there's enough in the pipeline for later too...

Edit - Although I'm not sure it is announced for 2006 in the first place (like TH and GoW) - so with regards to both ME and TH you might have a point.

It is true that MS will want to make a splash and in that regard they will really need some high profile exclusives, so I guess we will see these games towards the end of 2006, IF they actually get ready. It wouldn't be the first time the release of a game is being pushed back. The things is though they might need 1 or 2 high profile games for spring next year. We will see if the have something for that time line a bit later I guess.

As for the 2006 date for MS, that is true, has it been confrimed?...

 

[pipo]

As for the 2006 date for MS, that is true, has it been confrimed?...

For both TH and GoW it's more or less confimed in a lot of interviews. Like I've said before, I can't recall an 'official' date for ME (other than seeing it pop up in shady release lists).

Edit - found something from december 2005:

BioWare doesn’t expect “Mass Effect” to be ready for another year or longer, but we’re already looking to the future and gazing at the stars dreaming of adventures beyond our imagination.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/13350851.htm

 

[Platon]

For both TH and GoW it's more or less confimed in a lot of interviews. Like I've said before, I can't recall an 'official' date for ME (other than seeing it pop up in shady release lists).

Edit - found something from december 2005:



http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/13350851.htm

Yep, I knew about TH and GOW, but ME hasn't been as much talked about as the other two. Well it seems that in the best case senario the game will be out this year, but best case senarios dont occur to often during game development...

 

[scooby_dooby]

Yep, I knew about TH and GOW, but ME hasn't been as much talked about as the other two. Well it seems that in the best case senario the game will be out this year, but best case senarios dont occur to often during game development...

Well if it's any consolation, there have been very recent interviews where they confirm the 2006 status, so I guess that's a good sign that things are still on track.