Mass Effect

Status
Not open for further replies.

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by callaway:<BR>Even though they might not focus on a race, it's hard to hide them in a multi-alien society as pictured in the book. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I only just started reading the book, but is it possible Batarians are mostly/only found in outskirts where the beginning of the book is set? Most likely the game takes place near earth/ the 'centre' of things.
 

krimhorn

Ars Legatus Legionis
39,865
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">originally posted by callaway:<BR>The far right is a Salarian, not a Batarian, which have four eyes on their head. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>When I was looking at the picture and reading the description in the book, it seemed to me that the second set of eyes would be barely (or not at all) visible just under the hood. <BR><BR>It does seem odd then that a major galactic race would be completely absent from the game, but given that it's set 18 years after the book, who knows what Saren may have done to them. They may be as rare as the Quarians now.
 

wireframed

Ars Legatus Legionis
17,268
Subscriptor
Maybe I missed it, but where are you guys getting this extra story material from? Is there a published book out in hard-copy, or is it an e-book or PDF from somewhere, or is it just a webpage with expansive info on it? I'm kinda curious, because I'd like to read up on their universe - MassEffect is one of the 3 titles this year I'm REALLY looking forward to!<BR><BR>L.
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Lestat:<BR>Maybe I missed it, but where are you guys getting this extra story material from? Is there a published book out in hard-copy, or is it an e-book or PDF from somewhere, or is it just a webpage with expansive info on it? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, yes, yes, yes.<BR><BR>Mass Effect: Revelation<BR><BR>If you're in the UK and want the paperback version, I ordered mine from Amazon.com.
 
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Unforgiven:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<br>I would love to see a Korean developer completely mangle an RPG set in rural America, full of offensive stereotypes and the rest. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Something between Redneck Rampage and The Hills Have Eyes, with lots of John Woo style shit. Slow-motion chickens fluttering past while you shoot...kung fu garden-hoe-weilding boss... -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif -- </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Ok, that was funny, I'm crying.
 

onkeljonas

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
8,703
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hello world:<BR>of course I'm eagerly anticipating the game. It's a bioware game, and is more or less KOTOR 3. <BR><BR>yeah, the original post wasn't written very well. I was watching the NBA finals at the time (multitasking...) Suffice to say, I was underwhelmed by the preview trailers, the world seems sterile, it isn't vibrant the way other game worlds like star wars or firefly are. star wars had the cantina and prissy golden androids... firefly had a good dose of irony... mass effect so far looks like it takes itself waay too seriously. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I think you're right about it being a more "serious" universe. Time will show if they can pull that off well (I trust them, almost).<BR><BR>Some of the scenes they've shown are very lifeless, but since a lot of uninhabited worlds are at your disposal that shouldn't surprise. What they've shown from spacestations look pretty cool and not at all lifeless, so I wouldn't worry.<BR><BR>Yea your first post kind of sucked, but your points are valid enough. And debate on game-worlds are very much GESC territory imo. If people are incapable of contributing to that debate, why mess around with that 'reply' button at all?
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by synergia:<BR>I just got the book yesterday and started reading. Don't think it's a good sign when they refer to a research facility with 18 marines as heavily armed/defended. I just get the feeling that Mass Effect will be more Star Trek-like than Star Wars-like. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, each battle will undoubtedly be on a small scale. This won't be an army-battle game where you beat up on endless hoards of 1000s of enemies.<BR><BR>As for a few marines == heavily defended, just consider the number of other people in the facility (ratio of researchers to defenders) and its size. It wasn't 18 marines defending a whole planet, but essentially one <I>doorway</I>. I'd call 18 marines overkill for that situation.
 

callaway

Ars Tribunus Militum
1,778
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by senduran:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by synergia:<BR>I just got the book yesterday and started reading. Don't think it's a good sign when they refer to a research facility with 18 marines as heavily armed/defended. I just get the feeling that Mass Effect will be more Star Trek-like than Star Wars-like. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yes, each battle will undoubtedly be on a small scale. This won't be an army-battle game where you beat up on endless hoards of 1000s of enemies.<BR><BR>As for a few marines == heavily defended, just consider the number of other people in the facility (ratio of researchers to defenders) and its size. It wasn't 18 marines defending a whole planet, but essentially one <I>doorway</I>. I'd call 18 marines overkill for that situation. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Due to Sidon's nature, the facility wasn't supposed to look high profile at all. Hence the secret underground cave which led to the "real" complex.
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by callaway:<BR>Due to Sidon's nature, the facility wasn't supposed to look high profile at all. Hence the secret underground cave which led to the "real" complex. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I think it was abundantly obvious what Sidon's nature would be, but on principle, if we're going to discuss 'secret' things, spoiler alerts or obfuscation seem in order.
 

Agreschn

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
6,693
Subscriptor++
Just finished the book yesterday and was mightily impressed. I LOL'd long and hard at the author bio where he "lives in Canada's hinterlands"... wtf?! Edmonton is Alberta's freaking capital and only <I>just</I> in the north part of the province...<BR><BR>That aside, I liked the backstory. Want more... or the game. I'm not picky. Game preferrably, but I'd take more story too.<BR><BR>And with that, seems that IGN has a preview up of the Krogan and are going to be getting more info from BioWare on the race every Wednesday.<BR><BR>Linkage to <STRIKE>Battle Master Skarr</STRIKE> the Krogan
 
Just from a cursory glance at the Krogan pic, he looks like Admiral Ackbar without the fish eyes. <BR><BR>For such a hardcore guy in the book, I think I'd laugh if I ever saw Skarr. Of course, by the time I'm done laughing he'd probably have punched my guts out of my body.<BR><BR>Just out of curiosity, what type of character are you all going to make your Shepard? I think I'll do the Vanguard class, because I want to feel badass like a Jedi but also shoot guns.
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mastertonberry:<br>Just from a cursory glance at the Krogan pic, he looks like Admiral Ackbar without the fish eyes. <br><br>For such a hardcore guy in the book, I think I'd laugh if I ever saw Skarr. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Well, the 4th picture on page 1 of this thread shows you a Krogan with nasty battle scars across his face. To be honest, I don't think I'd laugh in <i>his</i> face -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --
 

Agreschn

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
6,693
Subscriptor++
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mastertonberry:<br>Just from a cursory glance at the Krogan pic, he looks like Admiral Ackbar without the fish eyes. <br><br>For such a hardcore guy in the book, I think I'd laugh if I ever saw Skarr. Of course, by the time I'm done laughing he'd probably have punched my guts out of my body.<br><br>Just out of curiosity, what type of character are you all going to make your Shepard? I think I'll do the Vanguard class, because I want to feel badass like a Jedi but also shoot guns. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Infiltrator or Sentinel for me. And I think I might actually play through as a female Shepard, too.... -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif --
 
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Agreschn:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mastertonberry:<br>Just from a cursory glance at the Krogan pic, he looks like Admiral Ackbar without the fish eyes. <br><br>For such a hardcore guy in the book, I think I'd laugh if I ever saw Skarr. Of course, by the time I'm done laughing he'd probably have punched my guts out of my body.<br><br>Just out of curiosity, what type of character are you all going to make your Shepard? I think I'll do the Vanguard class, because I want to feel badass like a Jedi but also shoot guns. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Infiltrator or Sentinel for me. And I think I might actually play through as a female Shepard, too.... -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif -- </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>I would actually choose a female Shepard as well, but I can't tell what that sort of character would look like. <br><br>It seems as if all the female humans in the game were always wearing those weird looking helmets, although they could just be extra characters in the group or NPCs, and we just haven't seen any shots of a female Shepard. <br><br>I just don't want my character's face to be covered by a helmet all the time, it'd be nice if the female was done as well as the male Shepard.<br><br>(As I keep typing Shepard, I can't help but wonder if they got that name from LOST...heh)
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by mastertonberry:<BR>It seems as if all the female humans in the game were always wearing those weird looking helmets, although they could just be extra characters in the group or NPCs, and we just haven't seen any shots of a female Shepard. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I think I'm right in saying no female Shepard pictures have been released - Bioware want the marketing to be consistent and for people to associate one particular (male) Shepard with the game.<BR><BR>I think I'm also right in saying 'all' the female humans we've seen are the NPC called Ashley.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I just don't want my character's face to be covered by a helmet all the time, it'd be nice if the female was done as well as the male Shepard. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Well, that'll be up to you: the faces will be customisable.
 

FrankCaron

Ars Scholae Palatinae
671
Subscriptor++
I've been reading through the Mass Effect novel "Revelation" in the last few days. I'm planning a little mini-review for OT, but I figured I'd mention that if anyone really wanted to get a feel for the different races and the state of the universe/galaxy in the game, it's a great book thus far that fleshes out the details in an engaging manner. How relevant the entire plot is to the general flow of the game is obviously hard to judge, but the background information has already led me to better understand the E3/X06 trailers: knowing who is who, and what race, and why certain tensions exist, is of great help. The geth, in particular, are fully fleshed out in the novel though remain mysterious nonetheless.
 

Ajar

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,571
Subscriptor++
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR>Just release the fucking game!!! I'm already sold. I was sold when you said, "Hi, we're bioware, and we're making another Sci-Fi RPG." At this point, you're just fucking with me. Stop it. Give me the game! Now!<BR><BR>We wants it! It is precious... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>++
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR>Just release the fucking game!!! I'm already sold. I was sold when you said, "Hi, we're bioware, and we're making another Sci-Fi RPG." At this point, you're just fucking with me. Stop it. Give me the game! Now!<BR><BR>We wants it! It is precious... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>+++<BR><BR>I'm such a discerning consumer!
 

gsb445

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,392
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Origianlly posted by senduran:<BR>I think I'm also right in saying 'all' the female humans we've seen are the NPC called Ashley </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I misread this and thought you said all the female humans were NPCs called Ashley, and had this horrible thought that the Mass Effect universe was populated entirely by the descendants of interstellar colonists from Beverly Hills.
 
I don't know how reliable this information is, but I went to a Gamestop and asked when it was going to be released. <BR><BR>They had a bunch of the empty boxes on display as "coming soon" and were trying to get me to pre-order it as some kind of "limited time" BS, but the employee I asked said it was releasing in September?!<BR><BR>I know that Gamestop's not the greatest source on release dates. But why does BioWare keep saying null on any release dates while Gamestop is saying September? Where is this info coming from, I wonder.<BR><BR>September is just too far away. If it comes out around Halo3, I don't know what I'll do. Well, I'll probably just be playing both games.<BR><BR><BR>lol at gsb445.
 

Hat Monster

Ars Legatus Legionis
47,680
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR>Just release the fucking game!!! I'm already sold. I was sold when you said, "Hi, we're bioware, and we're making another Sci-Fi RPG." At this point, you're just fucking with me. Stop it. Give me the game! Now!<BR><BR>We wants it! It is precious... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>My little brother's 360 is going to strangely disappear when Mass Effect is released.<BR><BR>I will have no knowledge of it, because I'll have disappeared too.
 

pToast

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,712
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dantesan:<BR>Of the people that have read the book? (Please tell me the book gets better after the prologue) I read the prologue in the Official Xbox Mag and was NOT impressed. (I guess I'm a little spoiled by the Halo books) Does the writing quality get better as it goes on? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Not really, no. :/<BR><BR>I read it for the backstory, but as a novel it was pretty eh. The author has no writers voice whatsoever. Maybe Im just spoiled by Stross, Reynolds, and Banks.<BR><BR>He is the lead writer for the game, but it doesn't worry that much, as writing for a (openendish) game vs. a book is pretty damn different.
 

senduran

Ars Tribunus Militum
2,927
Subscriptor
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dantesan:<BR>Of the people that have read the book? (Please tell me the book gets better after the prologue) I read the prologue in the Official Xbox Mag and was NOT impressed. (I guess I'm a little spoiled by the Halo books) Does the writing quality get better as it goes on? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I also didn't think much of the proglogue, but contrary to the other posters, I thought the book got much much better once the main plot kicks in. My only complaint was that it was abruptly short.
 

Ajar

Ars Tribunus Angusticlavius
9,571
Subscriptor++
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dantesan:<BR>Of the people that have read the book? (Please tell me the book gets better after the prologue) </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>No. Read it only if you're interested in the background of the game's setting. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's outright terrible, but it's basically Tom Clancy in space.
 

rafadavidc

Ars Legatus Legionis
10,024
Subscriptor
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by twinky:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dantesan:<br>Of the people that have read the book? (Please tell me the book gets better after the prologue) </div>
</blockquote>
<br>No. Read it only if you're interested in the background of the game's setting. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's outright terrible, but it's basically Tom Clancy in space. </div>
</blockquote>i <i>like</i> tom clancy. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif --<br><br>(except the preachy, whiny president ryan.)<br><br>--RC
 

Benjy

Ars Praefectus
5,949
Subscriptor
<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MichaelC:<br>I'll still have to wait for the PC release. I'm not convinced they are doing one even though all their other (console) games were ported to PC. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>This game may actually persuade me to buy a 360. Guess it depends on when it comes out and how much I've splurged on other hobbies around then. -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --
 
Haven't seen it yet, but I will be downloading it on Marketplace soon enough (damn Blue Dragon demo is taking forever).<BR><BR>But, I'm quite the sadness at the November release date. I was hoping it would actually be before September, stupid me.<BR><BR>I guess they'll take the time to make it the best they can, and also not try to compete with every other goddamn game coming out this fall.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.