[Megathread] Mass Effect 3

[Leonard McCoy]

I must say I've thoroughly enjoyed the co-op as well. A few friends and myself decided to hit up the local internet cafe and play with the co-op mode for awhile and it was a blast. The weapons feel a bit under tuned though, I suspect cause we only had the rank 1 weapons. It also took awhile for people to join, their was only 3 of us and a 4th would have been extremely helpful. I wonder would it be better to purchase the game on xbox for a bigger pool of players?

[Deleted]

Didn't see too much "AAR PEE GEE" in the demo, very few dialogue choices (I guess they cut some out to avoid spoliers?), but damn the combat was satisfying.

In the future however I want Bioware to use Frostbite 2 engine, some things in the game looked a bit jarring actually. Facial textures are good and all but facial movements eemed a bit "behind". But maybe I am just spolied with TW2, BF3 and Deus Ex.

[Deleted]

From what I understand, even manually fixing the save bug with Conrad, you'll still get the Renegade result (as in, he always remembers you shoving a pistol in his face). Seems the save bug is two-way.

I've had different conversations with people on Illium by changing it.

The owner of the bar punched me as I walked past because of Conrad then he was himself in awe of me rather than trying to be badass and didn't mention the gun.

[OrcsRLame]

@Raphtheone You don't know for certain that Jack Harper was indoctrinated when he came into contact with the Reaper artifact. That was a long time ago, and if he was indoctrinated, you'd think he would have just given Shepard's body to the Collectors. It's highly possible that during the year since ME3 Cerberus has moved on to other projects. While their ultimate goal is the same as Shepard's, (stopping the Reapers) their short term goals likely end up at odds with Shepard's various missions. Cerberus seeks the same end, but they seem like the type to tell you to piss off if you disagree with their means.

[Raphtheone]

@Laurcus Three words. A loop hole.
TIM's glowing eyes. This is a sign of the first stages of indoctrination, if the websites making the quick-versions of the lore are to be believed. While yes, I don't know for certain, based on what we've got prior to ME3 launch, I think that is what fit with the 180 Cerberus did best. It doesn't explain for instance how the entire Cerberus got indoctrinated, but if TIM was, and it eventually got the better of him, it wouldn't be a stretch that he's the man who had the power to send Cerberus personell to be indoctrinated.

But you bring a fair point, it's entirely plausible they act on short-term priorities. Just remember, TIM is smart enough to realize the threat the Reapers are, and would in his right mind deal with them first, no matter the cost. At least we know he's that kinda guy. In ME3 he's actively working against Shepard uniting the galaxy, crippling the defenses against the Reapers. TIM is smart enough to realize that humanity alone doesn't have the oomph to stop the Reapers, probably best shown with his recommendations to add alien crew aboard the Normandy SR2 in ME2. Even if humanity could stop them on their own, I wouldn't put it past TIM to use aliens as cannon fodder if he had the chance!

^Added some art to the blocks of black text.
edit: At the expense of readability. >.<

[OrcsRLame]

You make a good point, but we won't know for sure until ME3 is actually out.

[Nesingwary-Eliada]

Oh, and regarding the Rachni, I always save them because I always figured it won't hurt having a powerful friend. However, they were brain washed once, there's nothing saying they won't be again. Choose carefully!

I'd actually be 100% okay if saving the Rachni turned out to be a bad decision, despite the seemingly "good' results, which comes back and bites me in the ass, would be a really cool wrench tossed into the narrative.

Oh, and why are we all covering spoilers for the first 2 games lol? REAL discussion of ME3 can't happen without throughouly discussing things that occured in earlier games and somebody who hasn't played the first 2 really shouldn't be entering a discussion on the 3rd game in the first place. I NEVER read the any movie or game forums if I don't want something spoiled. Reader beware, internet users should be more than aware of the fact that forums are riddled with spoilers and it's their own fault if they ruin something for themselves. That's just the way the net has always worked.

[Raphtheone]

I just blur out info gathered from outside playing the games (edit: to a certain extent anyway). This thread is about the third and final installment of the trilogy, and I don't mind discussing it. But since I've no idea to know what ME3 will reveal, and how (presentation is everything! ), I'll blur out lore-based stuff gathered from forums, websites and comics. Just a sign of respect to my fellow gamer.

If others don't blur their text, it's their call. The line that separates spoilers and not is extremely diffuse, as Nesingwary-Eliada pointed out, and much posted is probably mostly speculation. Speculation mixed with actual information becomes blurred statements, someone reads it without the ability to separate the two (lets be frank - this includes most of us), quotes both as truth to another source, and misinformation spreads. I fight misinformation and ignorance relentlessly with an unsatiated passion.

Btw, bummed out that Dr. Solus isn't covered by his original VA. While many beloved ME1 companions return in ME3, they forgot to show love to one of the best companions in ME2. I'm also looking forward to see EDI in her physical body. I just hope it'll be for more than a mission though. That'd be badass.

[Wogglefek]

At least we get to see Mordin. I'd really like to know what happens to thane. I haven't seen anything related to him in me3 stuff I've looked at, but to be fair I haven't exactly looked very hard. Trying not to spoil anything by avoiding a bunch of stuff.

[omglazor]

Just finished up the PC Demo on 'RP' mode. I think it is in every way inferior to ME1/2. It certainly plays like a clunkier cheaper version of either.

The demo feels very much 'on rails'. This new Action-oriented approach leaves significantly less room for improvisation with powers. The dialogue is bland and contrived. The whole story of a scared little boy hiding in a vent from monsters and then having his ship blown up feels forced.

The all-in-one button to open/roll/sprint/duck is moronic on PC: I have at least a dozen keys available immediately under my left hand, let me use those! Get into cover is sprint+forward against wall, getting out of cover is back. There is no "get out of cover sideways" as would be intuitive: reach the end of the wall, leave cover. Cover system is very sticky in general, unless of course you can't stick to it because you are doing somersaults.

The PC graphics are horrendous, but I imagine that is due to it being a direct Console port at this time with no buffing (as many Demos for multi-platform games are); BioWare did not disappoint graphically with the previous two titles and I am sure this one will be just fine. Running and fast walking animations are way off and look completely fake.

I don't know, may be I am looking at ME1/2 with rose-tinted glasses as it has been a while, or the combat system from Dragon Age: Origins that I have been replaying more recently has tainted my memory of the combat system in ME1/2, but I am thoroughly unimpressed with this demo. The Demo is a shooter on rails with spurts of inane cut-scenes sprinkled throughout.

[Xeones]

There appears to be a meme forming on the gamefaqs forums currently for ME3 on the 360. I've never actually seen the formation of one so I'm not sure...

[Deleted]

Cerberus' main agenda is to ensure the survival, and the dominance of the human race in the galaxy. Cerberus would gladly fight alongside the Alliance (and Shepard) to fight the Reapers, the threat to the human race, as they have done in the past (ME2). There's no way TIM would betray everything he and Cerberus stands for over a personal grudge. Now, the spoiler version: If you read the comics, or browse the internet OCD style, not only do you learn what TIM's name actually is, you also learn about his background and history; what shaped him into what he is today. His future (ME3, that is) is intertwined with his past; TIM, and by extension Cerberus, are indoctrinated, and as such slaves to the Reapers. This is why they attack Shepard, since (s)he's the #1 threat to the Reapers, having thwarted their plans more than once already.

So why would he resurrect the Reapers biggest enemy and have him destroy the collectors and kill a baby reaper?

[inboundpaper]

My only real issue is that Phantoms 1 shot you on Silver+, and that is just a poor design decision.

[OrcsRLame]

My only real issue is that Phantoms 1 shot you on Silver+, and that is just a poor design decision.

Whozawut?

Edit: I suppose I should have been more clear. In the context of ME3, what is a Phantom, and what is Silver+?

/10char

[PACOX]

snipSays something about game being on rails or something

How are people complaining about the lack of dialog options in the game as if the demo is the whole game. The demo is paced the exact same way the ME2 demo was. Their goal in the demo is to show off actual gameplay for people who don't know anything about the game. Dialog is short because they don't want to spoil anything, thats you get a tutorial and a short random mission.

The hybrid skill trees are a welcome change. The only thing someone familiar with the game gets from the demo is a nice teaser. Dammit people, stop treating this like its rocket science, its rather basic. Its a demo for crying out loud.

[Wogglefek]

@ Laurcus: Phantoms are a unit in the multiplayer(for now, I'm assuming they show up in single player at some point, but they are not in the single player demo).
They fuckin hate you. Do not stand close to them.

Also, looking for people to play multiplayer this weekend on xbl, gamer tag is nostalgia cat.

[Raphtheone]

So why would he resurrect the Reapers biggest enemy and have him destroy the collectors and kill a baby reaper?

I'm no lore expert but early stages of something doesn't equal full blown of the same thing. Also, from what I understand, indoctrination is an accumulative effect. I could give a handful of metaphors that would further explain the situation, but I think we both know how often those succeed on a forum.

[Rawt]

At least we get to see Mordin. I'd really like to know what happens to thane. I haven't seen anything related to him in me3 stuff I've looked at, but to be fair I haven't exactly looked very hard. Trying not to spoil anything by avoiding a bunch of stuff.

thane's in a cutscene in the demo. its about 2.5 seconds, but he's there.

[Adhal-Blackrock]

So I've been replaying ME2, since I never actually did the DLC for it, and I wanted a new playthrough that I'm 100% sure is perfect. I have all the DLC except Overlord, and I gotta say, Arrival, most badass DLC ever. If you've never played Arrival, freaking get it, right now. Stop reading this forum post and go do it. Just thinking about it gets me even more pumped for ME3.

Get Overlord, it was good as well. Actually all 3 DLC that added decent sized missions (Shadow Broker, Overlord, Arrival) were extremely well done.

[Raphtheone]

I've had different conversations with people on Illium by changing it.

The owner of the bar punched me as I walked past because of Conrad then he was himself in awe of me rather than trying to be badass and didn't mention the gun.

Sorry for late response, different computers at different parts in the topic. I checked youtube, and sure enough, there's an asari greeting Shepard with a slap in the face, and Conrad doesn't mention anything about a gun in his face. This got me confused, so I double checked the ME wiki, and sure enough, it's still there:

Content within Mass Effect 2 game files suggests that if Conrad was charmed in Mass Effect, he should send an e-mail thanking Shepard and never appear on Illium (news about his foundation would still be heard). However, a glitch in Mass Effect causes the Conrad encounter to be flagged both as "Intimidated" and "Charmed" in the importable save file, apparently leading to Mass Effect 2 picking the former over the latter and triggering Conrad's presence on Illium. Strangely, however, even using a save editor to remove the improper "Intimidated" flag doesn't resolve this bug.

Source: http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Conrad_Verner

Seems the game and that specific wiki contributor doesn't agree on what the contents of the game files states.


edit:
Chris Priestly (Senior Community Coordinator @ Bioware) makes an interesting argument as to why you shouldn't import your Shepard in your first ME3 playthrough. While a part of me is screaming NO NO NO, I'm inclined to agree with him.
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/to.../index/9293402