Mass Effect 3 - 'Extended Cut' June 26

[solidsnakejej]

Commander Shepard has already saved the galaxy twice, but the final entry in the Mass Effect trilogy could be either the hero's last stand or finest hour. Earth is in jeopardy, entire civilizations are at risk, and we've got all the details. Our latest issue has 12 pages of exclusive info, screens, and art that no Mass Effect fan should miss.

Subscribers should be receiving their issues in the coming days. After you finish reading up, don't forget to keep checking back with gameinformer.com throughout the month, since we'll have plenty of updates delving into Mass Effect 3 and the franchise as a whole.

In addition to explaining Shepard's latest mission, the May issue includes an in-depth look at Spider-Man: Edge of Time, a status report on upcoming Kinect software, and an examination of rumors that Activision might buy Take Two.

While you're waiting, you can marvel at the image you'll see adorning the issue when it's in your hands.

Front:

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/a...00_789055.aspx

[AC!D]

[AC!D]

POSSIBLE SPOILERS WARNING!!!!



Mass Effect 3: First details

As promised, the first Mass Effect 3 details have arrived in US retailer mag Game Informer.

According to the mag, BioWare's third and final sci-fi instalment kicks off with Shepard on Earth, facing trial for the events that occurred during the recently released Arrival DLC for Mass Effect 2.


In the middle of the trial, the Reapers invade, and it all kicks off. Mass Effect 3's prologue involves Shepard's escape to the Normandy, and subsequent mission to yet again gather allies to battle the Reaper troops.

Confirmed squadmates from the GI article include Liara, Ashley/Kaiden, Garrus (if he's alive) and a man called James Sanders, who we're not familiar with. Wrex, Mordin, Legion, and Anderson will also appear in the game (if they're alive), but aren't confirmed as squadmates.

Mass Effect 3's set to include numerous endings, BioWare's confirmed, and just like the last game who you have in your squad and which allies you recruit will have a drastic effect on which ending you get.

The Illusive Man also plays a prominent role in the third game, and Cerberus is out to kill Shepard for reasons unknown, says GI.

In the gameplay department, RPG elements are being beefed up for the third game, says BioWare, offering players more freedom with character skills. Skill trees are said to be larger, and powers will evolve several times instead of just once, offering players even more freedom.

Weapons are similar to those in Mass Effect 2, except mods make a return, allowing you to swap out different parts such as barrels, scopes, and so on, which effect both the weapon's combat performance and appearance.

All classes can wield all weapons unhindered now, but will have limited slots to carry them. For example, only the Soldier can carry all weapons at once.

Finally, for those who've missed out on the series so far (shame on you) GI says Mass Effect 3 will feature a "previously on Mass Effect" comic to make decisions from scratch.

Good stuff. EA says to expect Mass Effect 3 this year. We'll hopefully have more for you soon.

It sounds like game of the year material right there. Every fiber in my being wants to play this game as soon as possible buy my head tells me to hope for a 6 month delay. You get the feeling with Dragon Age 2 and the Arival DLC that EA are rushing Bioware a bit too much these days. Im glad to see they listened to their fans and added weapons mods and more RPG elements.

[masteratt]

Is it just me or is the term "RPG" becoming an hazy one. They say it's more RPG and follow that up with weapon customisation that change stats and looks of weapons. Well, if that's an RPG element, Black Ops is the biggest RPG of the year lol.
Is the word "choice" RPG nowadays? I don't know. I for one am getting confused to be honest. Like ME2 felt much more like a 3rd person shooter to me than an RPG. Yet people say it's an RPG because it has dialogue choices? I just wanted clarified if anyone knows how that all works.

Game sounds good, never doubted the story (and actually kinda regret reading that, maybe spoiler warning?).
Weapon mods and bigger skill trees are welcome. Wondering if there's any beefy changes to gameplay though, like how we collect resources and how is the mission structure. As you said, if EA is rushing them, I doubt we'll have any substantial changes and even worse might end up with recycled stuff like DAII.
I hope EA doesn't miss the days of being public enemy #1 and give these guys some room and time.

[AC!D]

Is it just me or is the term "RPG" becoming an hazy one. They say it's more RPG and follow that up with weapon customisation that change stats and looks of weapons. Well, if that's an RPG element, Black Ops is the biggest RPG of the year lol.
Is the word "choice" RPG nowadays? I don't know. I for one am getting confused to be honest. Like ME2 felt much more like a 3rd person shooter to me than an RPG. Yet people say it's an RPG because it has dialogue choices? I just wanted clarified if anyone knows how that all works.

Game sounds good, never doubted the story (and actually kinda regret reading that, maybe spoiler warning?).
Weapon mods and bigger skill trees are welcome. Wondering if there's any beefy changes to gameplay though, like how we collect resources and how is the mission structure. As you said, if EA is rushing them, I doubt we'll have any substantial changes and even worse might end up with recycled stuff like DAII.
I hope EA doesn't miss the days of being public enemy #1 and give these guys some room and time.

I think they meant RPG elements in terms of the skill trees which are bigger and more flexible. Powers also evolve over tiers if i understand what im reading correctly so say you use pull a lot or get some kind of unlock points as you level up then you can upgrade pull 4 or 5 times to allow for different or more powerful effects.

Also yes weapons mods are rpg aspects added to FPS games just like swords that can be upgraded with different effects. I think we had a massive discussion about PS2 VS PS3 variety in games and my argument was that genres are converging which gives you RPG aspects in shooters and shooter aspects in RPG's e.g Fallout, Mass effect and COD. Hell even Dragon Age has GOW like hack and slash while Castlevania almost feels like an RPG. Just look at LA Noire which has apects of a detective game like Heavy Rain and CSI in an open world game like Mafia. Thats why i have a massive laugh when ppl make bold claims that PS2 games had more depth and were better.

Think about it what does COD online remind you of when you level up and choose perks and weapons modifications? Easy an RPG. I guess thats why im starting to enjoy online shooters a bit these days. Just like RPG's though they need to keep evolving which is my biggest problem with online shooters currently. Thats why only one or two will ever remain interesting for me while others will just keep recycling the class or COD based multiplayer systems over and over.

[OmniStalgic]

Well said^ Although ME2 felt almost completely void of true "leveling up", it still had RPG elements, and I'm glad more are making a return.

I agree that this gen genres are mixing a lot, but the issue in that thread was that the PS3 had more variety, or more different types of games to play, somehow making it superior/better/more fun console or whatever, I think that's where most users disagreed. PS2 having more depth is nonsense, but I do recall many of my favorite franchises born on that system, and also having a lot of different games to choose from, which is why I stuck up for my favorite last gen console. Seems like it was getting picked on just because it suffered from the "Wii-like" casual shovelware problem. And a lot of the newer genres that PS3 has this gen (arcade shooters/RTS) people weren't even asking for in PS2's life cycle anyway

That aside, ME3 is one of the few games I'm buying new this year, sounds like it's gonna be amazing.

[AC!D]

Well said^ Although ME2 felt almost completely void of true "leveling up", it still had RPG elements, and I'm glad more are making a return.

I agree that this gen genres are mixing a lot, but the issue in that thread was that the PS3 had more variety, or more different types of games to play, somehow making it superior/better/more fun console or whatever, I think that's where most users disagreed. PS2 having more depth is nonsense, but I do recall many of my favorite franchises born on that system, and also having a lot of different games to choose from, which is why I stuck up for my favorite last gen console. Seems like it was getting picked on just because it suffered from the "Wii-like" casual shovelware problem. And a lot of the newer genres that PS3 has this gen (arcade shooters/RTS) people weren't even asking for in PS2's life cycle anyway

That aside, ME3 is one of the few games I'm buying new this year, sounds like it's gonna be amazing.

There were a couple of discussion about PS2 vs PS3. Im mostly talking about some posters like Hisham who think PS2 games had more depth in gameplay and design while these days games are just pretty tech demos. Obviously i disagree heavily.

As for the PS2 VS PS3 debate you are talking about this discussion has merit if we are talking about variety in genres while zero merit if we are talking about amount of choice in games within a specific genre on PS2. PS2 wins hands down in choice but loses badly in variety in my opinion.

Mass Effect 2 is a perfect example of genre convergence. You have half RPG and half shooter which for a first attempt is great. Obviously it ended up being RPG and shooter light but now that they know it can be done successfully we are getting more weapons mods for the shooter side and RPG aspects on the leveling and abilties side for ME3. It might not be a lot more but as time goes by developers will learn more about converging genres without diluting specific aspects of those genres that make them so great. At the same time they can also try and remove things from shooters and RPG's that are filler in those respective genres. Its a fine line to balance and obviously accessibilty also becomes an issue with developers trying to attract new users.

Anyways this is where i see the future of gaming going along with the play create and share genre. Hopefully LA Noire will be another massive step forward in genre convergence. You are going to get those that complain that LA Noire doesnt have enough to do in its open world like a GTA does or that the murder cases might not be as dramatic/cinematic as in Heavy Rain but as developers continue to experiment they will get there in time. Im one of those gamers that tries to understand what developers are aiming for in a games design which allows me to enjoy my games that much more. I guess maybe thats why im one of those posters who isnt as critical about games as most on e-mpire.

[OmniStalgic]

^agreed...

I'm only critical because devs forget to make things fun sometimes, and I also loath hype...

[solidsnakejej]

More details

- Most, if not all, major characters will return in some form. There will be select major characters for squadmates, while other characters will be temporary squadmates for singular missions (think like Liara in Lair of the Shadow Broker). Others will return in other roles
- Because of the above, those 'confirmed' characters (Liara, Garrus, etc) are not confirmed as permiment squad members. It just says they are playabe to some extent, so they could be for singular missions.
- 'Full scale war' feel to the game, about as 'dark' as ME2, though they consider ME2 to be 'sylised' dark or whatever the hell that means, while ME3 will be 'dark' in the sense that there is a huge war and a sense of hopelessness.
- Some key plot element that will reveal why the Reapers can be defeated. Dont want to reveal it until the game is out. Dont want the way the Reapers can be defeated obvious from the start. Want the progression of the game to give red herrings and a flow of information, so it starts hopeless but you slowly work out what needs to be done.
- As with the above, the reason TIM and Cerberus are after you is another plot element they want kept secret.
- Recruit the races woop woop. Most races dont want to join because they dont want to be ruined by the Reapers. Most races caught up in their own shit. EG: Visit Salarian homeworld, they're stuck in a conflict regarding the Genophage. Quarians trying to take back their homeworld. Shepard must try and find a way to resolve these conflicts to get the best support.
- Solutions to the above wont be easy or obvious, and based on past choices may even be impossible.
- NG+ sound similar to ME2. Can continue playing, but can also 'loop back around' and do stuff over again.
- Shepard can roll, and can vault over obsticles without going into cover first. 'Peak' feature tweaked. Ladders for climbing up to higher areas. Bigger battlefields.
- Smarter AI that can 'plan' certain attacks on Shepard. BioWare feel that with the way ME2/ME3's combat is they need to compete with all the other shooters in the market, so improvements have to be made.
- Game cinematics want to focus on the sense of scale, of both the Reapers and the war. Lots of big moments. Aforementioned Thresher Maw Vs. Reaper is an example.
- Vehicles will be similar to ME2; not built into the main path of the game, but may return in some form as extras.
- Scanning is back but 'wont be at at all like ME2'.
- Dynamics of how choices effect the flow of the game more like the ending sequence of ME2 rather than the actual ME2 game, as in you'll make choices and see the differences quicker (or so they're promising). Quicker referencing of choices in the engine.
- People still dont believe Shepard that the Reapers are coming. They attack New York, London, Japan and others first.
- Earth is basically the first place the Reapers lay the smack down too, but they're spreading to other areas and shitting on everyone's parade.
- New Normandy, which is really a stripped and altered Normandy 2 by the Alliance.
- Dont feel that there is a 'missing out on content' feel to the game if you happen to make decisions in previous games. No one play through necessarily 'better' than the other, just different.
- ME3 will be more difficult than ME2.
- BioWare want to make a Mass Effect MMO.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...postcount=1101

[AC!D]

All of that sounds incredible and just as i thought i think my Geth decision will screw my relationship with another species completely. I might have to go and have one last playthrough of ME2 before November.

[masteratt]

All of that sounds incredible and just as i thought i think my Geth decision will screw my relationship with another species completely. I might have to go and have one last playthrough of ME2 before November.

LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CHOICES!

[AC!D]

LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CHOICES!

Listen guys im not going to use spoiler tags. If you havent played ME 2 then just stay out of this thread. Use common sense because 90% of this thread is going to be spoiler based!!!! You have been warned!!!!


What makes you think my other choices were perfect? Bioware have a a way of twisting everything you thought was right and flipping everything on its head. I just love the Quarians and i dont want to screw up that quest line. I might finally also get to see what Tali and her species looks like if i romance her again. Biggest mystery in the ME universe at the moment. So screw the Geth ill take my chances with the Flotilla!!!

Also Claudia Balck's role was way to weak for her kind of clout in the gaming world. I loved her as Morrigan in Dragon Age and i loved her as Chloe in Uncharted 2 not to mention Stargate SG1 on TV. You can clearly see they are setting her character Admiral Xen up for something big in ME3 after you play the Tali Loyalty mission.

[masteratt]

That's what I mean though. If choices means you miss parts of game, that's the fun of making choices for me.
Do you think I'm happy I skipped the loyalty mission for the geth to rush after my team? No. But I made that call and even though it made me miss stuff or go a route looking back I didn't want to go, I find it much more fun to stick with it.

But of course, if it ruins your enjoyment of the game, by all means replay until satisfactory results.

And wouldn't be awesome if Tali removes her mask and you see the troll face? lolol.

[OmniStalgic]

Screw tali's people...they made the Geth, then tried to kill em and got whooped...

I'm with the GETH Baby! Although, I do hope, peace can come between them, I like that one Quarian that said the geth are there children.

I usually do a pause, before big decisions and just stick with it after that, I only retried the ending a few times because I knew there was a way for no one to die and I had to accomplish it! lol...

Miranda better be in ME3 though, that's my boo, I don't want no blue chick that lives for 1000 years

what happens when I die slut bunny

[SadPanda]

hum maybe i should play that copy of ME i bought on Steam for cheep...

[AC!D]

Mass Effect 3 details: SWAT moves, dynamic damage and Mars

New Mass Effect details have emerged via a Spanish games magazine.

According to the ladies and gents over on the BioWare forums, the unnamed mag reveals new details on the game including plans for dynamic enemy damage, Shepard SWAT moves and possibly even space combat.

Here are your bullet points:


•The reason that Cerberus is now against Shepard is explained at the beginning of the game.

•Cerberus' troops include mecha, assault units and ninja-style shock troops.

•Reapers come in different sizes ranging from 500-600 meters of the smaller ships to 2km for Herald.

•New skills for Shepard: He can dive in search of cover ala Max Payne, roll, perform a SWAT turn and strike the enemy with greater variety of melee attacks. The mag specifically mentions a new class, "Heavy Melee" that takes advantage of these capabilities.

•New skills: Engineer can build turrets.

•Customize weapons with sights etc - there are five variants in each section.

•More items to "loot."

•Space Battles? Perhaps, but unconfirmed.

•Locations include New York, London, a moon of the Krogan world, a Salarian world and Mars, among others.

•Enemies can suffer dynamic damage. The Cerberus mecha, for example, require that you shoot a weak point - the glass cockpit - in order to destroy them. In other enemies you can cut off their arms and break various pieces of their armour.

•Fighting is more dynamic, forcing you to move more frequently. Game speed is said to be 15% faster.

•Exploration: You won't drive vehicles seen in previous games. The main gameplay is designed without them and will continue so. This does not mean that there are no vehicles in the game.

It really is an incerdible year for great quality games!

I hope they merged the vanguard class with this new melee class because im thinking force slam + melee = good times and 100% win!!!

Oh and Salarian homeworld for the win!!! That should be a good one.

[solidsnakejej]

[Segitz]

PC version looks okay, I guess...

[masteratt]

*start drooling process*
*steadily grow drooling until release*

[JasonXe]

Ehh if one thing I don't like is reusing the same damn environments. I was hoping we would be taking the fight to the reapers, not the other way around.