BIOWARE: CREATORS OF NEW UNIVERSES AND LORE!
On completing the original Mass Effect, I waxed lyrically about Bioware's ability to create a universe that was both interesting, and rather thrilling. Now unlike their past work with the original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic game, in Mass Effect they no longer had a backbone of lore for which they could fall on when times got a little tough. Yet in my personal opinion, the universe and lore created within Mass Effect is twice as interesting as that offered by everything Star Wars. Now some of you might think me a little mad for saying that, and maybe it is heavily dependent on opinion. But one couldn't help but be impressed with the depth the Canadian developer went to flesh out their own personal universe.
But it's not just in the books, oh no. Mass Effect came with it's trusty codex which was filled with information for you to read or listen to, it's a key aspect of Mass Effect that worked amazingly well. After all, Mass Effect being the RPG styled game that it was, depended heavily on a universe that would immerse the player and keep them playing. I loved reading up on every small detail of certain planets, or how and why the Normandy was built. It was all done so well, and one thing that Bioware have built upon in their most recent release Dragon Age: Origins.
Let me be honest for a moment, the lore and medieval setting of Dragon Age: Origins really never captured me. Looking very much like your old fashion (and overused) medieval sword slashing kill demon monsters styled affair, Origins could have suffered badly for this. But yet again Bioware proved me wrong, creating a universe that I quickly became interested in. I'm not sure why Bioware have become so good at creating new lore and universes for their games, there is probably a simple reason why they decided to go in this direction. When one considers the Kotor franchise, one mustn't forget that everything requires the green light of Mr George Lucas. So making your own universe makes a lot of sense.
Thinking about it, probably wouldn't make a damned bit of difference. But creating a deep and interesting universe can work wonders for a franchise. I still think not enough credit was given to Bioware for their work in creating the universe in which this fine game was created, it's something that I hope is more appreciated in the sequel released in early 2010. Sadly not all developers understand the great benefit of a well built back story, while I might upset some Halo fanboys and girls here, the Halo franchise as always seemed like a world with great storytelling potential, but Bungie have never gone about it the right way. I actually rather enjoyed the small tale told by the recent Halo: ODST, but for the most part your stuck as Master Chief and his backstory as become rather dull in my own personal opinion.
Not all developers are ignoring these benefits though, Bethesda used the past lore of Fallout rather well in their 2008 release of Fallout 3. Plus it's not a must have feature, but when your creating a franchise which is built on longevity, it's important to build the groundwork before you build the house. Many recreations of older classic games have suffered because of this, Bionic Commando for example fact while also being a rather poor quality game. But with care, a lore and backstory can be a precious achievement for a franchise, Ubisoft's Assassins Creed, Epic Games's Gears of War and Sony's God of War franchises are three in particular that have for the most part been handled with care. Though there as been some rather poor portable versions of the Assassins Creed franchise, the recent Assassins Creed Lineage videos have gone to show the interest the French publisher as in creating a deep universe.
But it's still Bioware that I shall most happily speak of when discussing this matter, there isn't much else I could write concerning my thoughts on the matter. Well there is but I've written enough already. The fact that I've had more interest in the story and world created around Mass Effect, then I've ever had in Star Wars franchise, I hope that best describes my appreciation for the hard work done by the Edmonton based developer. May it continue in Mass Effect 2.
What gaming franchise do you think as underappreciated backstory and lore?
Thanks for Reading!
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