After playing ME1, and ME2 for about 50hours each i have no desire to play ME3. Listening to all the changes, and the mediocrity of ME3 doesn't help either. Also my experience with Bioware post ME2, from DA2, SWTOR, and the general tone of Bioware forums have really soured my view of the company. I can't believe it really, if you asked me about Bioware and its games after finishing ME2 i couldn't of imagined saying such things. I think i'd rather remember the ME series as ending with ME2 then ruining it for myself with ME3. I might pick it up when it hits $10 on sale, but since its not on steam, and my experience with origin has been quite poor as well i probably won't end up playing it at any price point.

I remember Dave saying that; "Bioware is a different company now form the days of kotor.", and this obvious truth has finaly smacked me in the face. The sharp decline of Bioware post DA:O can only be attributed to its changed relationship with EA. Hopefully we get some new developpers to carry on the legacy of the old Bioware Games, cause at least to me Bioware is now jsut a PR term praying on memories of past fondness, and integrity.

P.S: Hey Bethesda your next project should not be Fallout related, make it a space scifi setting and i'll buy three copies day one. Cause after Skyrim its hard to imagine you guys screwing anything up, or selling out to a publisher *cough*, *cough* . Oh wait! Fallout in a space scifi setting! Hmm.

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

@Beaudacious said:

After playing ME1, and ME2 for about 50hours each i have no desire to play ME3. Listening to all the changes, and the mediocrity of ME3 doesn't help either. Also my experience with Bioware post ME2, from DA2, SWTOR, and the general tone of Bioware forums have really soured my view of the company. I can't believe it really, if you asked me about Bioware and its games after finishing ME2 i couldn't of imagined saying such things. I think i'd rather remember the ME series as ending with ME2 then ruining it for myself with ME3. I might pick it up when it hits $10 on sale, but since its not on steam, and my experience with origin has been quite poor as well i probably won't end up playing it at any price point.

I remember Dave saying that; "Bioware is a different company now form the days of kotor.", and this obvious truth has finaly smacked me in the face. The sharp decline of Bioware post DA:O can only be attributed to its changed relationship with EA. Hopefully we get some new developpers to carry on the legacy of the old Bioware Games, cause at least to me Bioware is now jsut a PR term praying on memories of past fondness, and integrity.

P.S: Hey Bethesda your next project should not be Fallout related, make it space scifi setting and i'll buy three copies day one. Cause after Skyrim its hard to imagine you guys screwing anything up, or selling out to a publisher *cough*, *cough* . Oh wait! Fallout in a space scifi setting! Hmm.

I agree with you on all points, but if Bethesda's next game is anything besides Fallout 4. I'll be pissed.

Mass Effect 3 is a fantastic game, not mediocre in the slightest bit.............now that ending. That's a whole other story.

I felt the same way, then I bought it. I played for about an hour, now I feel the same way. I'm gonna get through it though.

@Beaudacious: It can be argued it's the best game in the series if you don't count the last 10 minutes.

@jelekeloy said:

I felt the same way, then I bought it. I played for about an hour, now I feel the same way. I'm gonna get through it though.

The first few hours aren't very good. But after a while you start doing regular Mass Effect stuff and it gets great.

If you're invested in the story of Mass Effect and aren't playing Mass Effect 3 because of what people on the internet are saying then that's stupid, simple as that. I haven't finished it yet but I'm near the end and I've loved nearly all the story beats so far. The ending will have to be a true travesty for me to not end up loving this game.

Yeah it has its fair share of problems, but so have all the other Mass Effect games.

Im about 8 hours in and im still really loving Mass Effect 3. Sure its a bit contrived at points and somewhat silly in order regards, but so was Mass Effect 2 and 1 in their own respects. Im really digging it, and I *think* that if you liked 1 and 2, you'll still dig three.

I feel like Mass Effect 3 evokes a much better emotional immersion in the universe than Mass Effect 2 did. Some people see design decision made with sidequests as a large step back complaining that there is little to no tracking of them... but for me it pulls me in to the universe in a similar way to what Morrowind did for me. Sure, the mechanism for receiving sidequests is a bit bunk... but that hasn't broken anything for me. Mass Effect 3 has pulled me into a universe better than either of the previous games did, though the first one did do it better than the second.

It's not a super refined experience but it feels like a living, breathing, and developing world. You're not playing "go to the next triangle waypoint" like Oblivion or Skyrim, or following the Mass Effect 2 paths, you're forced to pay very close attention to what someone is looking for and whether or not you have picked it up. It promotes a lot of reflection by the player. It's a great experience and so far each quest has paid off. I'm nervous about approaching the end, but I'm loving the game. This is only my experience, though, and I have heard a lot of valid complaints about the game that for whatever reason just haven't really effected me in the same way.

You can choose to not play the game because of the company that made it... but I recommend checking it out if you are at all interested in Mass Effect. I'm playing on the 360, btw, and certainly don't recommend Origin... it's a shame that's the PC requirement.

@handlas said:

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

You say that now, my friend. I too was once like you. I loved the game so much. It's far better than the other two. And then the ending. Once it happens, you'll understand.

I'm already burned out on ME3, and I've only played 5 hours of it. All the shit I've been hearing, as well as the poorly chosen thread titles that just reveal spoilers, I've been finding it hard to get in to.

@TheHumanDove said:

@handlas said:

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

You say that now, my friend. I too was once like you. I loved the game so much. It's far better than the other two. And then the ending. Once it happens, you'll understand.

You speak the truth. I actually prefer Fallout 3's ending compared to the ME3 one and that's saying something...

I beat it in two days, I really was enjoying it.

I'm not done with the game yet, so I can't speak to the ending, but the gameplay is strikingly similar to Mass Effect 2, with some of the aspects of Mass Effect 1 (weapon mods) added in as well. If you liked previous Mass Effect, especially 2, playing 3 seems a no-brainer. I don't see why so many people seem up in arms over it.

I am 15 hours in and it's pretty awesome.

I feel like ME2 and ME 3 are for two different audiences. If you liked the freedom, choice, and customization that 1 and 2 provided, If you played renegade, or if you brought Shadow Broker because you wanted to see what happened to your relationship with Liara. You will likely be disappointment with the design choices made in ME3. ME 3 is basically an action game. Your choices don't effect much of anything and the story more or less plays itself. It's very similar to Dragon Age 2 in execution. Not so much in the quality but in the shift in focus to something more "accessible". I've been playing it for hours..and I can honestly say I have very little desire to continue. I will..but only to get it over with. It's not bad...but it took out most of the things I loved about the series.

Yeah, I'm the same way; I really loved the first one and would consider it up there with some of my favourite games. However, I just can't muster any interest for ME3 - I suppose if and when it's on Steam for <10.

Me too. Which is crazy because I was all in with ME1 still one of my favorite games. Than ME2 didn't really capture that same feeling but I still liked. I was really hoping ME3 would make the story as interesting as it was in ME1 but everything I've seen doesn't make it seem that way. I'm not judging it yet because I'm still gonna play it when it gets cheaper, but I really have no desire to actually get it. I was more excited to get Super Stardust Delta on my vita than to play ME3 which is sad.

I'm still interested in what Bioware does after this. ( Not Dragon Age 3 )

I feel similarly, though I do intend to buy it eventually, just not at full price.

@msavo said:

@TheHumanDove said:

@handlas said:

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

You say that now, my friend. I too was once like you. I loved the game so much. It's far better than the other two. And then the ending. Once it happens, you'll understand.

You speak the truth. I actually prefer Fallout 3's ending compared to the ME3 one and that's saying something...

What's so bad about the end of Fallout 3? If you're talking about what I think you are, they did "correct" that in the Broken Steel add-on. I played that game for a good 130 hours.

@Beaudacious: I definitely know what you mean about being hesitant; I was really pissed at how bad SWTOR turned out, and I have heard to not even bother touching DA2. Regardless, I rented ME3 and have been having a blast so far, as are most people (other than the ending, apparently). It's worth at least a rent, and in a few months, I'd say get it from Steam or a used copy online.

That being said, I'm probably about done with bioware after this. SWTOR was really that shitty, and I have been receiving the feeling they just don't care anymore (that tali stockphoto thread and the "space winter" image both come to mind). With the "more action, less input" thing going on, I'm actually wondering if this is more EA's fault?

ME3 really isn't mediocre. Some of the parts leading up to the ending were some of the best ME moments in any of the games, and the gameplay feels a lot better than ME2, at least to me. 
Playing through ME3 was in many ways exactly what I wanted, with some shortcomings in a few spots, but still a great experience. Then the ending happened and I was extremely disappointed, but after thinking it through I guess it really isn't as horrible as I first thought, but it could still have been a lot better. 
I still don't think the last 10 minutes of the game should stop you from experiencing the things that precede it, many of which, at least in my playthrough, were really amazing.

I spent the first few hours of ME3 as a confused and angry man. Angry over the whole DLC debacle and confused as to how certain features were omitted or made worse. But it did slowly turn into the Mass Effect I knew and loved. Plus the multiplayer turned out to be really fun. But after the 32 hours spent in the campaign and hundred or so spent across the other two games, that ending was beyond disappointing. Actually it was utter shite. So help me, if the real ending is in a DLC I am done with Bioware forever.

The game itself is pretty good, though I wouldn't recommend playing it without at least an ME2 save. The ending is garbage, I've played through a second time and stopped once I had to start the last mission. Everything before that is really good, the game is fun and so are the stories.

I hear ya, but ME3 has pleasantly surprised me, the story and action is superb, its a great Mass Effect game.
 
Still, the lack of choice leaves something to be desired.

Bad endings don't invalidate all the fun you had getting to that ending.

@handlas: ME3 is easily the best in the series, except for the last 5-10 minutes, which ruins everything.

@Liquidus said:

Mass Effect 3 is a fantastic game, not mediocre in the slightest bit.............now that ending. That's a whole other story.

I wouldn't go as far as to call it fantastic, but I had a lot of fun during the majority of my hours spent playing ME3. I enjoyed nearly everything prior to the ending quite a fair bit, and I dare say it could of become my favourite of the trilogy. It had problems, though, like both previous ME games. The increase in automated dialogue I really disagreed with as a way to move Shepard forward; the 'gotta fetch 'em all' side-quests imported from DA2 simply lazy and a terrible replacement for all the cool chain quests in ME2/ME; galaxy exploration was largely pointless, with very few actual rewards to be found; the reapers in the galaxy map were entirely pointless as well, with zero consequences should they even catch you, and they'd only impede your exploration by just leaving and entering systems again. And that ending... man oh man. Never has a franchise so swiftly turned me off a series. I feel downright depressed the more I think about it. The actual ending Earth missions was underwhelming as well. I never got to feel the scope of the climatic battle and my own choices about which races joined me and what have you didn't amount to anything significant. In DA: Origins, you got to see your army preparing to march. I would of better liked to see alternating perspectives across the battle, instead of me just running blindly through London like it was basically just another mission.

But--and that's a big Miranda but--the shooting gameplay is vastly improved and stayed fun throughout my time; the amount of varying weapons in ME3 was impressive to say the least (Geth Sniper Rifle that can shoot through cover *instant-boner*). The overall customisation options for your weapons and levelling up were a solid mix of both ME1 and ME2. The party interactions actually benefited from the smaller number as well. I loved seeing my party members in different areas of the ship talking amongst themselves, and there's a lot more opportunities to talk with them. Plus I noticed that there's a lot more dynamic dialogue between who you choose to pick to roll with you. And I also can't deny that there were ''moments'' that briefly made me irrefutably adore ME3; most of which involved Garrus. Like the ''bottle shooting moment'' if you decide to miss on purpose, or when you catch Garrus & Tali about to get it on interspecies style before you leave for the Cerberus base. Listening to Cortez and James argue over which was better, the mako or the hammerhead, was brilliant as well. Overall a lot of awesome winks and nods to fan feedback and memes which I thought was clever of 'em.

ME3, more over ME2, actually felt like my decisions were actually read and lead to something worthwhile. Naturally nothing of great importance was altered, but virtually everything you've done or didn't do is brought up at one time or another. One of the best examples was reading over the video logs in The Illusive Man's base, and how one of the scientists asks ILM (feels weird using that acronym for something other than I Love Mondays) why would Shepard ever join Cerberus when they murdered her squad on Akuze.

The ending is vehemently disappointing, though, and it definitely speaks for a lot of where the game falters. I was all but ready to slap a 4 star user-review on ME3; actively flawed, but so much damn fun all the same. And then the ending... now more than ever I feel I need to distance myself from this series for a little while =/

@Beaudacious: One of these days Obsidian is going to get their head out of their ass and really capitalize on their potential.

ME3 is not mediocre, it's a good game but you might just be disappointed in the ending like I was.

@handlas said:

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

Just wait until you see the ending. Your opinion will change..for better or worse. Other than that. Most enjoyable ME experience ever.

That's how I felt, then I started playing the game, and I love it, incredibly surprised about how much fun I am having with this game, guess I'm about 70% in now and at this point I'd say it is my favorite game in the series by far, so much better than the disappointment that was Mass Effect 2 (yet, it was still my runner up for GOTY 2010).

I kinda know what you mean. The hype about ME3 made me curious about the franchise, so I just recently buyed ME2 even though I hate shooting. Well, default Shepards handsomeness makes up for it *ahem*.

I'm only 10 hours into ME2 but so far I'm really liking it, I especially like the atmosphere and depth. But reading all the bad stuff about the ending of ME3, I feel kinda demotivated to continue with the franchise.

Bad endings don't invalidate all the fun you had getting to that ending.

if you've take all this internet bollocks seriously and let the vocal minority stop you playing a fantastic video game then the looser is YOU...

and why do people feel like they have to tell us the games there not going to play... what will the internet put you off playing next

@EvilTwin said:

@Floppypants said:

Bad endings don't invalidate all the fun you had getting to that ending.

It just depends on the person. As much as I enjoyed the game, I find it hard to look back at it fondly, and indeed the entire Mass Effect series, after the ending. If you're the kind of person that can, then I'm happy for you.

Same here. For such a fiction-rich franchise, that relied on a continuous narrative as much as it did gameplay, if not more so, the way for this trilogy to end has soured my entire perception of the series.

I was just wondering how the ending backlash, which I'm not yet sure extends beyond a vocal minority, will affect Bioware's bottom line materially. Now I'm looking at a test case right here. The power of bad word of mouth, in corporeal form. Maybe an isolated case, maybe not. Either way, I'll be interested to see some bar graphs regarding sales in six months or so.

@handlas said:

To each their own. I'm finding ME3 to be much more enjoyable than ME2. I'm 8 hours in.

About 6 hours in here maybe, and I concur. I've just played ME2 very recently, and in direct comparison ME3 thus far is a little better.

2 is a better game in every single way, exploration, mission variety (kind of, ME3 has a LOT of wave combat), far and I mean far superior squad mate choice and the ending of 2 doesn't totally rape everything you've came to like about the series.

Edit: To 3's credit, there's a lot of good interactions with some of the past characters, but it's not on the same level as 2.

I loved ME3 all the way through..right until the ending, unfortunately the endings have pretty much sapped any desire to replay what has been my favorite franchise.

I know what you mean. I loved ME1, and I mean loved to the point where I'd consider it my favorite game of all times. However after all the shit that I've heard about ME3, and after how simplified ME2 felt, not to mention the poor business decisions of EA & Bioware regarding DLC and all that, there's literally nothing that makes me want to finish the fight. And as you said, I might pick it up at a sale but what with it being Origin exclusive, I don't really feel tempted at all.

@Abyssfull Just use T(The)I(Illusive)M(Man) TIM!

Also where were the fucking heavy weapons?

If you'd have told me in 2010 that I'd reach 2012 without finishing Dragon Age 2, I wouldn't believe you. If you'd have told me I wouldn't be buying Mass Effect 3, I'd have laughed in your face.

I just want nothing to do with that game right now. I'll probably buy it when the dust has settled, and when the game is a little cheaper. I just am too soured by the whole atmosphere surrounding this game, that I just can't bring myself to get invested in it. I might play it down the road and regret this decision, as I may decide it's a fantastic game, but I'm not sure how likely that is. Mass Effect 1 is a special experience for me, and Dragon Age: Origins has become one of my most beloved and most played games of all-time. Mass Effect 2 was the first sign that things were changing; the way they streamlined the RPG elements almost out of existence, the generic shooting, the chest-high-wall focused action set pieces - it all screamed of a company wanting to make third person shooters. Sure, the story was great, but without compelling gameplay, I found ME2 to be an experience I loved...once. ME1 on the other hand I played at least 3 times, and DA:O I finished with all but one of the Origins.

Such a shame. I would love to be a BioWare fan again, to feel good about supporting them and singing the praises of their deep, nerdy RPGs. For the time being, just like the OP, I guess I'll just have to carry the Bethesda torch.

I may look at these comments and laugh at myself later, but for the time being I'm sticking clear of Mass Effect 3. Too many other games I still need to play. I'll just continue loving the hell out of Red Dead Redemption, and slowly working my way through Witcher 2.

and that my friend is your problem, listening to the Mass Effect hate train who want to nitpick, and complain about every little thing, instead of just enjoying the game. Your loss

I really think that it is the best Mass Effect game...

Until the ending.

I feel allot of people are also missing a portion of my view. It not just the nitpicking about ME3 by the community, its the whole atmosphere Bioware has developed. This leads me to place more value in the communities assertion then Bioware's words.

So it's more of a combination of poor hearsay, mediocre reviews, bioware turning into EA, and then icing on the cake being released on origin and not steam.

Just wait for the price to drop and/or some dlc to help make it better. Overall it's not that bad but ME2 still stands out as the best in the series.

ME3 is good enough it deserves a playthrough.

Bought the game for 60 euros, played untill I reached the citadel, threw the game in my brothers lap and started playing The last story.

Believe the hype, Mass effect 3 sucks.

Mass Effect 3 was amazing. One of the few games I actually sat down and had 8-10 hour play sessions ...until I got to the end. It's been several days since I beat it and I still can't believe how disappointing it was. I'd like to know what the people in this thread who are only a few hours in and "enjoying it" think when they beat it.