Mass Effect 3 - The Arrival Thread!

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I didn't get very far into the game. Got home last night, and wound up spending a little over an hour (probably more, not sure) downloading and installing everything. Installed both discs, downloaded "From Ashes" DLC, downloaded the Online Pass/Collector's Edition code thing, downloaded the Normandy avatar item. I need to play the KOA demo to get that pretty cool looking gear.

Just got to the Citadel, where for the first time in the game I'm allowed to walk around. Stopped by the hospital for a cool scene. And talked to Jessica Chobot. She didn't seem so bad, but it could go either way though. I really, really like Ash's new look. The blue armor is a nice fit, and her hair looks great. I like the change.

Vega seems fine to me. Yeah, he's obviously an emotional, hotheaded latino character. But, that seems appropriate for me. I liked the "loco" he tossed in there. Just cool for me that there's a little bit of spanish still being used even in this galaxy traversing future. But, I have a latino background...so maybe that character is hitting the mark with me because of that? I don't know.

I'm also going to go ahead and say that Vega is probably on the juice. I read his comic, which helped make sense of how Shep and Vega know eachother at the very beginning. That dude had some rage issues in that comic.

I thought the opening was good. Not as good as 2 (but how could it be? that one had the obliteration of the normandy AND the horribly slow death of your character), but better than 1. The tutorial was annoying...but I believe that was because I've just recently played alot of Mass Effect 2.

There is certainly a nice consistency too. Right before getting to the Citadel, after the opening sequence, it really felt just like Mass Effect 2 but with tighter shooting.

Too early to call, but I'm really enjoying what I've played. Can't wait to get back in tonight, when I get out of work.

Oh, and something I was VERY worried about concerning the storytelling was nicely defused. There's a few I'm still worried about, but one of them was how they would handle having MY Shepard now be in opposition with The Illusive Man. I finished my ME2 save mostly on good terms with him, but still warning him to put that Collector ship to use against the Reapers. I was worried it'd be contrived in how they would put me against him...but I thought the way it was handled, and the way TIM opens up about his intentions made the opposition against him make a ton of sense for my character.

I'm just happy that story part worked out for me.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

so.....if you didn't romance anyone in ME 1 and 2, do you get a chance to romance a squadmate in 3 (like Tali)?

My understanding is, yes. How that works out, I'm not sure.

But, Bioware seems to be vague with it for the most part. I think, as far as the lead writer is concerned, they want us to just play the game and figure it out like that.

Which, I actually think is the best way to play it. I'd say complete a playthrough, then let's pop the hood and see the mechanics and structure of it.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Thats pretty cool man. I left on pretty bad terms with TIM and we picked up right where we left off.

 

[El Bastardo]

People really will complain about anything.

 

[Iceman]

So how does the game compare to ME2 in terms of graphics & gameplay mechanics so far?

 

[Soapy]

Graphically...it looks like Mass Effect. Gameplay-wise, it's a moderate improvement. It's not the big jump that you saw from 1 to 2, but there are a lot of good changes.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Yeah, I'm eager to see the weapon modding. The upgrading system is a little nicer by having a split in a given set (ie: if I was leveling up my fitness in 2, I had to get the the final one to choose between a squad bonus or one for myself, in 3 that split occurs earlier in the upgrading tree).

 

[The_Shadow]

Did they make Shepard bigger? I swear my guys is 2 inches taller and more built

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

I dunno. He was pretty built in 2.

He was a little skinnier in 1, though.

Oh, and speaking as an N7 Edition buyer. I thought the packaging was nice. The case is cool, alot like the one for 2. In fact, the packaging is pretty much exactly like the CE for 2, only it slide out from the side, rather from the top.

Hands down, the worst thing is the Normandy lithograph. I new the thing would be small. But the lithograph is pathetically small.

Aside from that, though. pretty damn happy with what I got for my $85 bucks. Looks great next to my other Mass Effect Collector's Editions. I almost wish they had stuck the N7 logo on the first one to match the other two.

 

[Master Chief]

I wish I got the CE for Mass Effect but at the time I didn't even know it existed. It's funny seeing the cases stacked up coz the casing gets bigger with each hahaha.

Anyways, so many things have made me smile so far. And I know the storm is coming but I'm enjoying all the little reunions. Getting to wander around the Citadel again is amazing, and helping out random people by butting into their conversations is a little awkward but, ok. The best one so far:

Spoiler

I finally helped that poor bastard get a refund.

 

[Havok83]

Not sure about the 360 but I like that for the PS3 version it's a reversible cover with the femShep

 

[Master Chief]

They did that with all the covers, I thought it was cool of them to do.

So how does the game compare to ME2 in terms of graphics & gameplay mechanics so far?

The graphics are slightly better, but the gameplay... I only play as a soldier and it's way more fluid. The core mechanics are the same but sprinting and rolling make it feel a lot tighter and faster. Plus with the weight/cooldown bonus implemented it's insanely fun since I'm walking around with only an assault rifle and pistol, fully upgraded which left my bonus at +200%.

Now I can go into adrenaline burst, gun folks down, fire off a concussive shot that will freeze/inflame/disrupt whoever it hits, go back into cover and do it all again as soon as I reload. It's insane. And yet still tough coz Cerberus don't stop flanking and husks can easily overwhelm when they're coming from every direction. So much fun.

 

[Donut]

The Citadel still seems small to me ? I can only find the Hospital & Udina's office. Where else can we go ?

 

[Nightmare]

is the 800 points for the alternate costumes that comes with the collectors edition worth the price?

 

[Benstamania]

I'm finding one thing odd and it's of my own doing. I decided to go Vanguard this time and I never play anything other than soldier class.

Anyway, it just feels weird.. Not because it plays bad.. Just because for two games I was boring old soldier Shepherd... Now I move stuff with my mind.

And everyone is OK with that, haha.

I guess my Shep learned the Force when he was grounded.

 

[Master Chief]

The Citadel still seems small to me ? I can only find the Hospital & Udina's office. Where else can we go ?

Later on you can go to the holding deck, Purgatory, and the Presidium commons.

is the 800 points for the alternate costumes that comes with the collectors edition worth the price?

Nah, not really.

 

[Donut]

Later on you can go to the holding deck, Purgatory, and the Presidium commons.

Ah okay

 

[Tanin]

Not sure about the 360 but I like that for the PS3 version it's a reversible cover with the femShep

I have the 360 and it is the same. I am very happy about that too as I am a femShep player.

 

[Wolvieboy17]

Who knew that Vega was pretty cool as a character? Loved the 'dance' scene.

 

[Tanin]

Vega is my favorite squad mate this game. At least so far!

 

[Benstamania]

I still vote to send Vega out to feed the Thresher Maw.. I've never hated a character so much.

 

[Benstamania]

Also.. I thought we could toggle helmets off in this? Is that only for cut scenes?

Lame.

 

[Soapy]

I'm finding one thing odd and it's of my own doing. I decided to go Vanguard this time and I never play anything other than soldier class.

Anyway, it just feels weird.. Not because it plays bad.. Just because for two games I was boring old soldier Shepherd... Now I move stuff with my mind.

And everyone is OK with that, haha.

I guess my Shep learned the Force when he was grounded.

I changed my class from engineer in Mass Effect 1 to sentinel in Mass Effect 2 and I like to imagine that Cerberus gave my Shepard some biotic implants while they were rebuilding him.

Who knew that Vega was pretty cool as a character? Loved the 'dance' scene.

I've seriously never understood what people dislike about him so much. Especially now that the game is out and surprise, surprise he's actually kind of cool.

 

[Soapy]

Also.. I thought we could toggle helmets off in this? Is that only for cut scenes?

Lame.

You can do that in the options menu.

 

[TX85]

I'm mixed on Vega,The"dance"scene was great to me,I overall prefer the other Latino in the armory..He's cool/nice/still seems tough and plus I love the fact that he's GAY!!!!

I was caught off guard with"and my Husband"But I f'n love that there's a male gay character and that he's not a stereotypical girly guy But just a regular guy who happens to be gay,Even when he has tears for his husband he still toughens up!!