Mass Effect 3 beta leak reveals campaign game modes

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 7 November, 2011

Action Mode, Story Mode and RPG Mode spotted.

Mass Effect 3's three campaign modes were revealed over the weekend after an early version of the game was accidentally published to some Xbox 360 owners.

Microsoft published the Mass Effect 3 beta to those who were in the new Xbox Live dashboard preview. The beta was quickly removed, but not before gamers published spoiler-filled gameplay videos via NeoGAF.

Revealed are three ways to play Mass Effect 3's campaign: Action Mode, Story Mode and RPG Mode.

Action Mode, according to the beta, is "for those who want to emphasise action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty".

Story Mode is "for those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty".

And RPG Mode is "for those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty".

Responding to the leak, BioWare said the three game modes were still in development, and the beta was not representative of the quality of the finished product.

"As most of you know by now, this evening an accidental leak occurred of some early Mass Effect 3 beta code," wrote Jesse Houston on the BioWare forum.

"Microsoft has advised us that through human error at their end, content which was meant for internal beta testing was flagged incorrectly and released to individuals who had signed up for the beta of the Xbox Live dashboard update. It has since been taken down and deactivated.

"We'd like to stress that the leaked code is in a rough, unfinished state and was not meant for public release. The content is not final, and is not reflective of the quality of the finished, polished game due for release on March 6, 2012 (March 9 in Europe).

"One feature that was present in this early build is a set of game play modes that are in development. In the beta code they are referred to as 'action mode', 'story mode' and 'RPG mode'. We want to stress that these features are still in the early stages of development and will receive considerable iteration and refinement. These modes are designed to give players an even finer degree of control over their game experience than ever before.

"Whether it be someone who finds the combat difficult but wants to experience the amazing story, someone who wants to focus on the action and combat game play, or fans who want the rich, story-driven RPG Mass Effect experience they've come to love - Mass Effect 3 will support all of these options. We'll have more info in the days ahead!"

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About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (113) Latest comment 6 months ago

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  • Benno #1 7 months ago

    So RPG mode then.

  • StuDevo #2 7 months ago

    Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation "
    Oh god.

  • TechnicPuppet #3 7 months ago

    RPG mode for me as well

  • Ultrasoundwave #4 7 months ago

    "Revealed are three ways to play Mass Effect 3's campaign: Action Mode, Story Mode and RPG Mode."

    Maybe im wrong, but i always thought Mass Effect was about blending all these modes together?

    If MW3 comes out tomorrow with "Shoot Mode, Run Mode and Stab mode" im going to be very angry!.

  • Red_Bool #5 7 months ago

    I like the idea - it expands the target audience. Hopefully they can make both the action and story modes strong enough as separate entities. For me the combination of story and action was the main attraction though, so RPG mode it (still) is :)

  • StooMonster #6 7 months ago

    At this rate Mass Effect IV will drop the Story Mode and RPG Mode elements and the franchise will complete it's episodic transition from RPG to FPS.

  • repeater #7 7 months ago

    And RPG Mode is "for those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty".

    So what was in 2007, when Mass Effect was released, an enjoyable but fairly lightweight action RPG experience is now considered "RPG mode" and completely optional if you're just in it for teh headshots?
    I am so out of touch with what companies like EA think the general public wants..

  • bobfish09 #8 7 months ago

    Better known as COD Mode, Movie Mode and Mass Effect Mode :)

  • marmaduke #9 7 months ago

    Well, some people clearly don't want too much combat, and have been pretty vocal about how all the trailers have been emphasising that over the more talkative elements.

    Complaining about being given what you've asked for seems pretty stupid.

  • afghan_jones #10 7 months ago

    Sounds horrible. Nothing like watering down a game to pander to as broad a mass market as possible.

  • bad09 #11 7 months ago

    Why didn't they just make an RPG like ME1? I see little point in trying to expand the audience in the 3rd game in the series.

    Not that I'm bothered, I'll just go for RPG mode.....IF they don't force you to use Origin...

  • hiddenranbir #12 7 months ago

    I just know that on the scheme of things, it will be a good game but also incredibly underwhelming.

  • JahB #13 7 months ago

    Fine by me, I liked me2's story, but the combat was atrocious.

  • rob_of_the_robots #14 7 months ago

    I don't see what the problem is. Most people will play the RPG mode but it at least gives a choice to the more shootery people out there. That is if these modes are implemented this way.

  • shadowmind #15 7 months ago

    Why does it feel as if ME3 is more action then RPG

  • Glück #16 7 months ago

    With each new Mass Effect I see less roleplaying, less options and less difficulty. These new modes are just another step in this direction.

  • arcam #17 7 months ago

    This is truly tragic. You cannot be all things to everyone all the time. Mass Effect has lost its way.

  • coomber #18 7 months ago

    Nobody planning on seeing how it turns out before judging it then? OK.

  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #19 7 months ago

    I can't believe how many people are pissed off by this. It's not as if anything will have changed for the majority of people on here, they've just added new features for people who might want to experience it a little differently. Sheesh.

  • tengblad #20 7 months ago

    Why are people upset by this? The 'RPG Mode' is the one that appeals most to me, but the inclusion and existence of the other modes does not in any way indicate that the RPG experience of Mass Effect 3 has, or will, be watered down. If anything, having dedicated ways of experiencing the game like this would allow Bioware to put a greater focus on the RPG elements for those players who want it, and then simply disable dialogue responses for the players who are more into the action and just want to get back to shooting at aliens. Seems like a win-win scenario to me.

    Seriously, people are never satisfied!

  • Grayvern #21 7 months ago

    This lacks integrity you make the game you make and if people don't understand it you settle for who you appeal to or try and educate people better.

    People who would buy Mass Effect 3 and played 1 and 2 and know about games will be concerned by this.

    People who buy Mass Effect 3 because of advertising aren't going to know about the modes and will have no real idea what to choose when they play the game.

    This is meant to be the end of a trilogy you could argue Bioware wants to set up a broder franchise base for continued stories, but a new player with no experience of the other games will be way more put off by not knowing what the hell is going on.
    Edited by Grayvern at 07/11/11 @ 11:14

  • yoomazir #22 7 months ago

    Looks like ME3 is turning to be a good joke when it comes out.

  • arcam #23 7 months ago

    Do you think the Godfather would have been a better film if there was an optional "comedy mode" for people who don't like too much talking in their movies? If you don't like drama you should watch a different movie.

    The way to make the best possible game is to have a clear vision of how it should be and focus on delivering the best experience possible.

  • Ternon #24 7 months ago

    WTF?

    OK, after bizarre decisions in game design with Mass Effect 2(Resident Evil 5 had more RPG customization) and Dragon Age 2 I suspected that Bioware was losing the plot, but now we officially KNOW that Bioware actually lost the plot.

    We can only count on Bethesda now...

  • Widge #25 7 months ago

    Failing to see the issue here. Gamers in "complaining over nothing" non-shock.

    My boss will like this, he found the constant dialogue trees tiresome. I'll like it because I can play the game like previous ME without having it forcibly altered to cater for the market like my boss is part of.

    This move should actually be applauded for its flexibility. But no...

  • kinky_mong #26 7 months ago

    Pahahaha! Bioware should just drop the pretense and call the modes "Shooty Shooty Bang Bang Mode", "Interactive DVD Mode", and "The proper mode that fans want but is an after thought as far as we're concerned".

  • Zizou97 #27 7 months ago

    As much as I don't get why you would put so much effort into creating 2 such substantial parts of a game just to let the players have the opportunity to skip 1 of them altogether, I'm at the same time not complaining about it as long as I'm not FORCED into choosing one of them. If RPG mode delivers all the way I can not care less if there are people who are fine with just "half" the experience. However, when you are obsessed with catering to everyone to maximise your sales, there's a big risk that you end up with a product that a lot of people will think is fine but no one will think is great. Not worried at the moment, but monitoring the situation...
    Edited by Zizou97 at 07/11/11 @ 12:01

  • Skyclad #28 7 months ago

    Bioware has lost it. It is official now.

    What next?
    Will GTA V have a "sandbox mode" without story to mess around, a "story mode" which is a movie, and a "GTA mode" which is the actual game? Alternatively, there is also the "SIM mode" where you have a small house and a family and work each day without thinking about crimes.

    I dream of FIFA 13: If you can't be asked to compete you can win by playing fair in the "fairness mode", or if you just want to score goals you play the "goalkeeper free mode".

    The possibilities are endless!

  • Widge #29 7 months ago

    I think it's a great solution. As I said, there is a market out there who like and want the story, but don't want to drive it. Bioware say "fine, play it like this", on the flip you have it so it's just Mass Effect as usual.

    Losing touch would have meant Bioware just said "ok it's auto story from now on, no choice". Rather than dictate a creative decision, the option is now in our hands... and a much better way to deliver to a wider market than just forging one direction. Considering we are constantly berating PC devs for shutting off options for graphics, you are now complaining for having customization opened up to you.

    Anyone who is against this, please state how this is going to negatively impact on you playing Mass Effect 3.

  • ozthegweat #30 7 months ago

    Oh noes! They broaden the target audience without affecting gameplay for seasoned ME players! Abso-effing-lutely nothing will change for me, but man, I'm sooo pissed that more people who were previously put off by the RPG elements or the complex (well, more complex than COD) combat now get to enjoy one of the greatest game franchise of this generation.

    Come on, guys. If this elevates the popularity of the Mass Effect franchise to stratosphere levels, so much the better.

  • Grayvern #31 7 months ago

    As I said I have severe reservations it doesn't mean I'm not really excited for ME3 It looks as if it will stay awesome, I am however concerned about the future of the CRPG if Bioware continues down the path it seems to have chosen.

  • Widge #32 7 months ago

    Trying to apply this model to incomparable genres just highlights an epic lack of understanding and a large amount of toy throwing. Shall we demand Fifa have a story mode ENFORCED so it's not dumbed down? No. Because that would be stupid.

  • Bulbatron #33 7 months ago

    I like the sound of Story Mode. I was OK with Mass Effect 1's combat, but I wasn't a fan of the combat in Mass Effect 2.

  • rob_of_the_robots #34 7 months ago

    Seeing as you are all complaining about this why not get rid of difficulty options whilst you are at it, that must take up so much effort to implement. Just have the normal difficulty, if you want to play it on easy or hard then tough, go and play something else. And whilst you are at it why not get rid of the choice of classes, just have one class because completely optional choices are rubbish.

  • Grayvern #35 7 months ago

    @Widge But how will advertising convey to potential consumers that the game has 3 modes and that players who don't like RPG's shouldn't be put off.

    For those more in the know, visitors of gaming sites forums etc, how does this convince those who haven't jumped in that they can enjoy it without playing at least 2.

    Also as I've said it's not about choice it's about what it implies for Bioware going forward. It shows a lack of faith in their ability to broaden the market for choice based gameplay. Compromise in this case is the small death that could lead to the larger one.
    Edited by Grayvern at 07/11/11 @ 11:35

  • RexRunti #36 7 months ago

    So people are upset that the game has become too action orientated because of an option that includes the ability to remove the action element. Most of the complaints on here boil down to "this won't affect me at all, but it might mean that twat from down the road will enjoy the game too".

  • Ternon #37 7 months ago

    @Grayvern "I am however concerned about the future of the CRPG if Bioware continues down the path it seems to have chosen. "

    Exactly.

    Implementation of this very concept inherently dilutes and downgrades the game.
    Edited by Ternon at 07/11/11 @ 11:46

  • Kikizosan #38 7 months ago

    Some perspective, please - they are OPTIONS.

  • Gecks #39 7 months ago

    eventually all games will come with the option for a mode where every button cycles through various images of cute cats, whilst uttering words of encouragement to the 'player'

  • Grayvern #40 7 months ago

    Post deleted at 09:51:35 12-12-2011

  • ozthegweat #41 7 months ago

    @Ternon: how exactly does it downgrade the game? I think we can agree that it does not for those playing in RPG mode, as it is the "normal" game mode without simplification of combat or dialogue.

    How is it downgraded for those who play with those simplification mechanisms? Perhaps I'm not seeing your point, but I see it as an entry point for those who have never tried RPGs. Those people don't know that there's a more immersive mode built right into the game, so in a sense of "ignorance is bliss" won't miss a thing, but still get to enjoy the game.

  • Yossarian #42 7 months ago

    I read the spoilers for this. They were bad. Like, really bad. 'Bioware', if it wasn't obvious already, are done.

  • stegabba #43 7 months ago

    rpg mode for me :)

  • gott_sei_dank #44 7 months ago

    Strangest thing for me is that people signed up to beta test, too spoilery for me.

  • Grayvern #45 7 months ago

    I don't question the idea of broadening the appeal of these types of games however I question it's inclusion in the third game of a story lead series.
    Edited by Grayvern at 07/11/11 @ 12:38

  • robbiejc85 #46 7 months ago

    Maybe it's just because I don't play many RPGs, but I don't understand a lot of the 'they've taken ME3 away from the RPG fans - TOO MUCH ACTION!!' stuff on here

    Role-playing is just that - why does it have rely on the same tried and tested 'rules' that were formed in the days of fantasy tabeltop and handwritten RPGs? Why can't an RPG be packed full of action? Why does it have to rely on stats and levelling? Why can't it be more dynamic and why can't tactical combat be weaved from ever-growing powers and upgraded items/body parts?

    And it's not ME or even RPGs that have a stranglehold on great narrative either - I treat Dead Space and Bioshock as brilliant 'lite' RPGs - fantastic stories, character and the ability to tailor your character to your own play style.

    As I said, I rarely play 'traditional' RPGs, but I did play ME2 and thought - 'this is bloody great - I should play more of these things!!' Surely opening up options and encouraging more players is a good thing??

  • Inmediasress #47 7 months ago

    @arcam

    That's why I said that it's really creepy how Bioware seems to have made this "broadening the audience" crap their relegion, it's like they were competely brainwashed and conditioned to repeate these phrases.

    Just when I tought ME can't get any worse and saying stuff like they "didn't sold out" is pretty ridiculous now.
    They are sold out so much that you could say that EA made them their bitches to live with the words of Jhon Romero.

    I mean come on how far can you push this mass appeal shit.
    If you make an RPGs you can't cater to every gamer out there because there are people who don't like RPGs just like there are people who don't like COD.
    I don't even get why people wan't to play this if they are bored by conversations why not play COD or whatever else????
    Why in the nine hells do people want to play RPGs if they don't like RPGs??

  • robbiejc85 #48 7 months ago

    @ozthegweat EXACTLY!!

  • Grayvern #49 7 months ago

    @robbiejc85 RPG's aren't necessarily about great narrative they are about player driven or affected narrative.

  • photoboy #50 7 months ago

    Sounds interesting, although I can't imagine why anyone would want their conversation replies automatically chosen for them. How does it pick a reply anyway? Is it random? Could be quite funny if one minute Shepard is wooing Tali and the next he's telling her to shut up and do her job...

  • jonfon #51 7 months ago

    @Ternon "We can only count on Bethesda now..."

    Obsidian and CD Projekt Red are waiting outside for you with some pointy sticks (which they crafted themselves from various bits of loot they found lying around in barrels) :)

    Story mode just sounds like a rename of "Easy Difficulty" to be honest. Action mode has me confused though.

    The most worrying thing for me would be if they continue down the same trend between ME1 (bewildering amount of weapons and add-ons, horrible Inventory) and ME2 (bugger all weapons with no real choice or upgradablity. Armour choices rendered pretty obsolete).

    Personally I like buggering about with bits of armour and messing about with weapons, it's one of the things which defines an RPG for me
    Edited by jonfon at 07/11/11 @ 12:53

  • munki83 #52 7 months ago

    As long as the story is still great I'll be happy. I'll of course be playin in RPG mode for the fun and challenge.

  • berelain #53 7 months ago

    action mode sounds horrendous, whilst 'story' mode sounds like the normal game modes of ME1 and ME2 if you turn the difficulty down. Does this mean we won't have a difficulty setting in the game??

  • username84 #54 7 months ago

    They all sound like "tap x to complete game" mode.

  • Widge #55 7 months ago

    @photoboy I'd imagine it would by Bioware's "correct" vision of the story. Like how if you start at ME2, certain things are decided from ME1.

  • UncleLou #56 7 months ago

    What a strange decision. I can imagine that this can be implemented quite effortlessly, but in general, trying to please everybody is a recipe for disaster. I am also not aware of any complaints regarding the dialogues in ME, did anyone really suggest that this should be automated?

  • Widge #57 7 months ago

    Anecdotal but I mentioned that I got my boss into mass effect. He loved it but got fed up of driving the dialogue all the time at points. That's the market there.

  • Zizou97 #58 7 months ago

    @unclelou

    My thought exactly. Every complaint I've read about the franchise was about ME2 tilting too much toward the action side of things. Personally I'm struggling with how the game will play in story mode? Given that we are on the right track and that story mode actually excludes the shooter parts of the game and just not makes it easier/scaled down.

  • rtk79 #59 7 months ago

    @UncleLou I imagine most players settle on a morality stance at the beginning and stick to it (the first game rewarded you for it). In action mode, Bioware's only applying the player's automatisms itself.

  • 32768Colours #60 7 months ago

    Like so many other ME3 features, this is a good idea in a way, but I do wonder whether its worth introducing these things to the 3rd and final installment of a trilogy.

    As long as RPG mode isn't compromised in anyway its not really going to be a problem.

  • CaptainKid #61 7 months ago

    I'm gonna laugh my ass off if they forget to add a difficulty selector in the game. No you can not play on hard mode. haha

  • icematt12 #62 7 months ago

    Where do I fit in then? I want the RPG mode but a difficulty selection. Veteran as standard with the option of Insanity and Normal depending on how I feel (and after my 6th playthrough wanting something more casual) and what achievements are available.

  • Bulbatron #63 7 months ago

    @RexRunti I think you've hit the nail on the head there.

  • rtk79 #64 7 months ago

    @icematt12 The neogaf screenshots the article links to show a full regiment of options (combat difficulty, conversation mode, etc.) : nothing to worry about.

  • Darren #65 7 months ago

    The modes sound fine to me if they help sell the game to a wider audience. Me, I'll be playing the RPG mode myself! :)

  • Hindle #66 7 months ago

    Post deleted at 23:04:43 04-04-2012

  • anomagnus #67 7 months ago

    And they're off! Hysterical bioware whingers race to the articles, to post their two cents on something they know nothing about it.

    Firstly, as i have said multiple times, and not one of the usual crowd has been able to answer, what difference does it make to you, the great RPG players, if Bioware makes the game more accessible? You're going to select RPG mode anyway!

    Why are you, the great and powerful RPG 'fans' suddenly the gate keepers on what is and is not an appropriate game for anyone but you.

    This may come as a shock to some of you, but there are people who enjoyed ME1&2 in SPITE of the RPG elements. The action mode may be perfect for them, who the hell are you to say to them they're not worthy to play it?

    Conversley, there were enough people bitching about it having too much action. There are people who don't want a lot of fighting in their RPGs. Story mode might be the best thing ever for them. Again, who the hell are you to say they can't have that?

    If this is anything, it is nothing more than an additional granularity in difficulty control. What was the Witcher 2 on easy if not story mode?

    Aside from the inane bitching over a leaked beta build, it amazes me that the vocal minority cannot, CANNOT get past the fact that their RPG is been given a wider audience. When you come on to these articles and post, how do you think you sound? Do you think maybe its time to re-evaluate what is actually important to you.

    More than that, is it beyond to wait until the game is out before judging it?

    @arcam - no offence, but using movies is a shit analogy, and you know it. There is no skill required to watch a movie, besides the abilty to sit down for 2 hours and stare. Anyone could go in and watch the Godfather, and enjoy ir, regardless of their tastes in movies. The same can't be said of games. An RTS fan might be able to make the change to an RPG, but someone thats only played COD might not. Its not a reflection on their intelligence, but simply their skill set and skill level.

    This isn't about the genre of the game, but the abilty of the gamer. There is a skill level required to enjoy the game, but not every gamer has the same skill level, or skill set.

    Bioware are not comprimising the story, they're altering what you do with the gamepad.

    It seems so sad, that some of you are unable to move past the g in RPG. Many of you seem to forget what RPGs are. They're about taking up a role, and working through a story. But some of you are so fixated on the combat, you can't see it.

    When i look back in my dozen or so playthroughs of both ME1&2, its not the combat that stands out, but the choices i made, the places i went, and the things i did.

    Some of you need to spend less time being judgemental moaners, and wait for the game to come out, because seriously, you sound pathetic.

  • bobfish09 #68 7 months ago

    On a side note, at least we'll know for sure what BioWare canon is this time, as Action Mode is going to not let you make choices it will just follow how BioWare want the story to pan out. ;)

    I couldn't care what they do, as long as the story is good and they keep some freedom of choice in it.

  • stryker1121 #69 7 months ago

    @UncleLou I suppose this is ultimately harmless and bitching about what amounts to extra options for gamers is the worst kind of fanboy hair-splitting, but I agree with you just the same. EA/BioWare is so busy trying to appeal to everyone who's ever played video games that I worry they'll lose the plot entirely. I'm one of those people who was underwhelmed by ME2's streamlined gameplay, and this news makes me wonder if ME3 is headed down the same path, 'RPG mode' or no.

    Because you don't see Bethesda fiddling about with different modes and multiplay for Skyrim. Sure, there have been changes to the gameplay since Morrowind (my first foray into ES), but overall they have confidence in the integrity of their core product, a way of doing business that I'm not seeing right now w/ EA/BioWare.
    Edited by stryker1121 at 07/11/11 @ 15:18

  • orpheus #70 7 months ago

    @anomagnus

    Well said. It's an option, ffs. It gives you more control over your experience of the game; if you want to tone down the RPG aspects for a more action experience then you can.

    IMO this is actually a decent way of solving the controversy over whether ME3 will be skewed towards action or roleplay, assuming the RPG aspects in RPG mode are fully featured (and that's the only thing the RPG-players should be concerned about, not a bloody game option).

  • Centrifugal #71 7 months ago

    Also, the game's script has been extrapolated from the beta. Unfortunately, revealing several major plot points in the game; I'd be careful when looking around the internet lest you be inadvertently spoiled.

  • Madder-Max #72 7 months ago

    @Anomagnus.

    perhaps Bioware should not be trying to please everyone and perhaps they should not 'leak' (ahem) a trailer as they actuall inviting comments from various gaming groups. We post on here because gaming is important to us. It is obviously even more important to you going by the time and effort you put into your post.

    Some people like to feel engaged in a process and gaming is the only media outlet that enables this.

    if commenting on games and expressing views is a negative thing then perhaps it is you that needs to re evaluate things, going by your Daily mail reaction and the length of your post.

  • yoomazir #73 7 months ago

    http://pastebin.com/8skNMSMk

  • sharky_ob #74 7 months ago

    Two mong modes and one proper mode.

  • arcam #75 7 months ago

    @anomagnus

    This isn't about the genre of the game, but the abilty of the gamer.

    No it's not, selecting easy, medium or hard is about the ability of the gamer. Selecting Action, Story or RPG is about appealing to the preferences of the gamer - it takes no gaming skill to choose a dialogue option, but that's what the Action setting would remove.

    Therefore I don't think a movie is a bad analogy - it just shows the difference in artistic integrity between FFC and Bioware.

    It is the same as FFC providing an alternate cut that focussed on the killings and the car chases. The difference is that FFC would not do that, not in a million years, because he has respect for the film he has produced and because by skipping the family drama of the film you would be missing the entire point, even if it made the film shorter and more easily acceptable to a 21st century movie-goer. This is the literal definition of selling out - compromising your artistic vision in order to scrape up extra sales.

  • jonfon #76 7 months ago

    @anomagnus
    Given the massive "streamlining" which occurred between 1 and 2 in terms of outfitting your team and setting up your party (and given how much of a cheap cash-in Dragon Age 2 was) I think it's reasonable for people who liked the older Bioware style to be slightly concerned about what changes like this might signpost for ME3 and for Bioware in general.

  • _Price_ #77 7 months ago

    As with many others: here's hoping RPG mode = Mass Effect (1) mode.

    We can but dream.

  • spekkeh #78 7 months ago

    I'm okay with this, and comparing ME1 to ME2, I might even be tempted to choose story mode over RPG mode. (I couldn't care less whether I had sniper mark iv or mark v other than I just wanted the best one). But it's a difficult choice, at it does feel like limiting your possibilities. I wonder how many people will do it.

  • VibratingDonkey #79 7 months ago

    I'm protective of retaining and nurturing the primary draw of the series for me. That Bioware are spending resources on trying to expand the appeal of the game in these ways (pew-pew mode and multiplayer) may not necessarily end up being detrimental to my experience, but it is kind of a bummer that this is a priority to them. These are not the sort of improvements I would like to see. I don't even consider them improvements. It is a worrying direction. A step towards the wrong one as far as I'm concerned.

    Also, I love pew-pew and multiplayer. Battlefield is my favorite series. But since that's already a thing I don't really need Mass Effect doing that. As well. There are a lot of games doing that.

    Oh well, Mass Effect 3 will probably end up pretty great. After they've collected the campaign data though, I dunno about Mass Effect 4. More like Mass of Duty! Get it? Massive doody!

  • Rajin #80 7 months ago

    @arcam

    When was the last time you played a shooter with no rpg elements that had a life duration of 30+ hours on a single playthrough? Awnser is i haven't and most likely you haven't, and in my opinion it has to do with:

    Simple statistics negate the feeling of routine that;s slowly creeps in around 10 hours of shooting. Shooting without a purpose besides story/mission progression doesn't work for much longer then a set amount of time. After that you'll need something else to keep people interested.
    Edited by Rajin at 07/11/11 @ 16:29

  • Morte-360 #81 7 months ago

    This sounds like a waste of time, they dont need seperate modes to give 'an even finer degree of control over their game experience than ever before' they need an options menu witch are not exactly a new concept, for example

    Story Elements- Automatic or Manual (maybe with a preference diplomatic-aggressive response so forth)

    Combat Difficulty- Casual,Normal etc

    Would this not be far simpler and allow more 'control' than seperating it into three modes. I mean these modes basically boil down to them 2 options. I understand the principle because theirs RPG fans that want the story, and shooter fans that dislike the conversations and want combat, and people who aint fussed either way like me. Just seems their going the wrong way around it. I thought the same thing with Deus Ex. Unless its easier to implement the modes vs options I'm not a developer so I dont know.

    I think most people will choose RPG mode.But I'm getting the impression ME3 is more TPS than anything else, because you know its not like their is already a megafuckton of bad/good/great all very similar FPS/TPS shooters we play on all systems is their? (witch do the combat a lot better than Bioware are going to be able to). Where as theirs less RPG's but many are still fantastic I think if ME3 is going to be great it has to be a great shooter and a great RPG that sounds... difficult.

    I brought Mass Effect/Elder Scrolls/Dragon Age/Fallouts BECAUSE I wanted an RPG and GOW/Resistance/Crysis because I wanted a shooter theirs plenty of games I dont buy in both genres because their not as good as their rivals, I just dont see how this will be a realy great game unless both elements are exceptional. Either way unless it gets utterly panned review time I'm going to buy it I'm already two games in after all. :S This comment did not look this long in the little box
    Edited by Morte-360 at 07/11/11 @ 16:37

  • Shinetop #82 7 months ago

    I absolutely don't get what people are complaining about. If you want the Mass Effect 1 and 2 experience you obviously select RPG mode.

  • TazerFan #83 7 months ago

    I reckon this will be troubling to those of us who preferred ME1 to ME2, as Mass Effect 2 already showed some signs of being a watered down RPG experience relative to the first installment.

    It's not the fact that they are broadening their base that's worrisome, it's just a continuing shift in their overall design philosophy that I find unwelcome.

  • RevanNL #84 7 months ago

    BioWare and EA should get some kind of reward, it takes great effort to ruin two great franchises (DragonAge and Mass Effect) within one year.

    I mean, it was fine if they just took the gameplay of Mass Effect 2, added some RPG elements from Mass Effect 1, came up with a decent conclusion of the story and put it on shelves.

    But nooooo, it had to be a third person shooter with multiplayer because there aren't enough of those on the market.

    And yes, I'm aware of the fact that no one has played Mass Effect 3, but so far BioWare hasn't shown a single video focussed on story or the RPG elements (aside from the Kinect stuff shown at E3).

  • organica #85 7 months ago

    @anomagnus

    If I could +1,000 you I would. RPG gamers (of which I am one - tabletop, PC and console) seem to take a massive amount of pleasure from throwing their toys out of the pram at the first sign of a franchise or software house moving ever so slightly further away from games they spent an unreasonable amount of time playing in the mid-to-late 1990s.

    Even if, as in this case, nothing has actually changed whatsoever other than someone else being able to get a different experience when they play.

    But please do carry on, folks. Your entitled ego-tantrums make the rest of us look great. I hope that hitting that neg button by my comment feeds the nerdrage inside you.

    More nerdrage. Moooore. It tastes like fine cheeses.

  • arcam #86 7 months ago

    the first sign of a franchise or software house moving ever so slightly further away from games they spent an unreasonable amount of time playing in the mid-to-late 1990s.

    I'm not comparing it to games from the mid-90s, I'm comparing it to Mass Effect 1. I said on Eurogamer after playing Mass Effect 1 that it was the best new sci-fi franchise since Battlestar Galactica, and one of the most original and refreshing RPGs I'd ever played. I love ME1. I didn't finish ME2. Unless Bioware have done a u-turn and started driving in the other direction, I probably won't buy ME3.

  • Kaonazhie #87 7 months ago

    Kitchen sink weapon is DLC?

  • anomagnus #88 7 months ago

    @arcam

    No offence though arcam, thats not how you're coming across.

    Again, i don't see this almost pathelogical need to for people to be pissing on things they don't like.

    I'm a massive rpg fan. But i didnt want demon souls. It wasnt for me. But at the same time, i was pleased for From software, i like them. I liked seeing Demon Souls doing well, and honestly, its good that there is a game that caters to people that want ultra hard core RPGs.

    But i didnt post on every EG demon souls article going, 'this game is wank' because i didn't like it.

    You liked ME1, great. You dis liked ME2, ok, sorry to hear that, i did like it, and so did many others.

    How about waiting until ME3 comes out before judging it.

    Regading the movie analogies, its still a bad analogy. Before i even discuss it, you literally don't know what action mode removes. You're just guessing. So how can you judge it?

    Secondly, you're chosen a very narrow field to argue your point. There is a lot more to the RPG elements of the game than just simply selecting your dialogue option. More than that, there is actually a skill in selecting the RIGHT response to get the best out of the game. You should know that. Many gamers out there, don't want to do that. You've no right, and let me repeat this Arcam, NO RIGHT to judge them. Beyond that, what about inventory management, team set up, power set up, leveling up. Yes, you thought ME2 was anemic in its rpg bag, but compared to many games, its a very complex entity.

    For those gamers that want to enjoy ME3, finish the fight, and not worry about the RPG elements, Bioware have given them an option. For those gamers that want a story driven enviroment, it appears they have a choice. And for those RPG fans who want it all, it appears they have a choice.

    Again arcam, you can talk about artistic integrity all your want, but you're not the artist here. You're not even a professional critic. You're entitled to have an opinion, of course, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

    Nothing you've said makes it sound any different to what i said. You're coming across as a self entitled elitest rpg fan, judging others on what they are or are not allowed to play, based on what you decide suits you.

    Theres nothing been said by Bioware that says this game wont be an action rpg. The same as the very first one (and don't even tell me that ME1 wasn't an action RPG). Is it so beyond you to wait, to judge the game on its on merits, be happy if it is a good game that appeals to many gamers? I suspect it is

  • fruitnveg #89 7 months ago

    it doesnt really affect you if you want to play it like previous mass effects - you still get the rpg mode option, so its not taking anything away from the game.

    i dont see why people are complaining. i'll definately do rpg mode and having the other modes in the game wont affect me one bit.

  • fisherpot #90 7 months ago

    As long as the rpg mode is good then I don't mind! Why do people care about action mode and story mode as its not like your going to play them, if you love the series then rpg mode all the way!

  • anomagnus #91 7 months ago

    @Madder-Max

    If you want it nice and short, i'm sick of dick heads bitching about shit that hasn't happened yet.

    People are entitled to post, but if they post shit, they should expect to be brought up on it

  • arcam #92 7 months ago

    @anomagnus

    We've had this conversation before - I'm not judging anyone for wanting to play an action RPG, or a pure RPG or a pure action game. It doesn't make them stupid or wrong. I like games that fall into all of those categories.

    All I'm saying is a I don't like the general direction Bioware is taking. Dragon Age 1 (loved it) to Dragon Age 2 (sadface) was disappointing for me, as was ME1 to ME2. IMO, the downfall of those games was that they tried to appeal to too broad an audience. Instead of improving the things people loved, they tried to attract new fans that were put off by the more complex elements of the originals. I guess it's this that makes me sound like an elitist to you, but I that is how I feel.

    You're entitled to have an opinion, of course, but just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.

    You seem to be saying I'm allowed to be disappointed in Bioware, but I shouldn't express that. I don't agree with that. "Say something nice or don't say anything at all" is a motto for dinner parties, not for gaming websites. I'm commenting on games and companies that I am interested in. If what I say makes you angry, put me on ignore or just learn to let it wash over you like the rest of the crap in the comments sections.

    Removal of inventory, armor and guns in ME. Removal of races and tactical camera in DA. Added multiplayer mode. Removal of multiple origin stories. "Action mode" for the third game in a trilogy. First screenhot of the new game consisting of soldiers and explosions.

    I don't mean to be sarcastic, but surely, if you add up all these things, you can start to see how Bioware have changed focus and are travelling in a new direction? Perhaps if we can agree on that, even if we don't agree about whether it's a good thing, we can stop having this same conversation when a Bioware story comes up?
    Edited by arcam at 07/11/11 @ 18:35

  • Chibi-Kibou #93 7 months ago

    The one serious drawback, from where I'm standing, is now, there's a 'canon' response set as determined by 'Action mode'. Until now, Bioware have done incredibly well at making no single response set canon, but now.. well.
    Edited by Chibi-Kibou at 07/11/11 @ 18:41

  • keops77 #94 7 months ago

    hey guys , check out this video of Mass Effect 3 Beta

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF_KX6U0YDk

    What is your opinion on this ?
    Edited by keops77 at 07/11/11 @ 19:07

  • keops77 #95 7 months ago

    Post deleted at 09:51:35 12-12-2011

  • Lucodeath #96 7 months ago

    Rocket propelled grenade mode? sounds mental.

  • CaoSlayer #97 7 months ago

    I like it because it will allow me to play the first time seriously in RPG and then replay several times with Story mode for trying different dialogue options without having to spend 20 extra hours shooting the enemies I already beat.

  • Ternon #98 7 months ago

    Btw, not mentioning difficulty higher than normal troubles me greatly since I didn't even play ME1, ME2 below hardcore difficulty.

    In fact, they only mentioned easy, minimal and normal, WTF??

    Seriously, what the fuck is going on with Bioware, they are getting more clueless with each game!

  • panathatube #99 7 months ago

    RPG mode. But i wonder; if you try to please everyone in a game won't be repercussions in it's quality at the end of the day?

  • SheffAl #100 7 months ago

    How about EA Casualisation mode?

  • spekkeh #101 7 months ago

    @arcam To be honest you are sounding like a petty elitist though, and not as someone with the perspective of a serious game critic (and possibly Bioware). I prefered the game mechanics of ME2 over ME1 (as did most critics), but this had absolutely nothing to do with ME1 somehow being too complex for me to grasp, it wasn't exactly rocket science to begin with. Instead the first game was (from a gameplay perspective, the story was better imo) incredibly bogged down by all the inconsequential mechanics. I think the movie analogy is an apt one; imagine the Godfather lasting six hours and divulging endlessly on the backstory of how the weapons came into the possession of the Corleones. That's perhaps nice as a very niche fanservice on the extended dvd box, but the resultant movie would rightly get panned by any serious critic for a failing direction/editing.

  • spekkeh #102 7 months ago

    @panathatube But i wonder; if you try to please everyone in a game won't be repercussions in it's quality at the end of the day?

    I reckon the only serious choice will be between RPG mode and Story mode, to cater to both sides of the divide, and action mode is just in there to practice for the multiplayer or something like that.

  • Inmediasress #103 7 months ago

    The way I see it the three modes are a clever deception (at least they think so) to try and convince people that this is some sort of extra catering to all the different audiences that they brought in via their "mass-appeal religion".
    I still wonder how many new fans they got and old ones lost but that's another topic.
    The reality of course is that the modes will have probably no real difference at all.
    This does not bode well for ME3 and of course that we haven't really seen anything about the so called RPG goodnes they promised.
    After watching the leaked intro gameplay I even worry about the storyline.
    The whole thing seems like ME2 rehashed which doesn't even surprise me since they did this with DA2 as well.
    That was basically the mage tower quest from DA origins extended to a 20 hour grind.
    Edited by Inmediasress at 07/11/11 @ 23:36

  • WillTheSecond #104 7 months ago

    Story mode and Action mode both sound like crap, what makes Mass Effect great its its mixing of RPG/story/action, not any one of them.

  • Collymilad #105 7 months ago

    Post deleted at 09:51:35 12-12-2011

  • talideon #106 7 months ago

    @spekkeh There's nothing elitist about wanting to play a proper RPG rather than yet another GoW clone with less brown, less steroids, and in space. (And I say that as somebody who likes the GoW games.) It'd be a shame if that happened to ME because it's the RPG elements that in the past made the ME universe so engaging.

    Now onto mechanics.

    The real problem with the mechanics wsn't that they were inconsequential, but that they were half-implemented.

    Take inventory, for example. The problem wasn't the number of possible items you could carry but that (a) they weren't sorted by level and name, and (b) those of the same type but different classes weren't stacked, with (c) stacking order being from highest to lowest when changing character loadouts to aid in equipping with the best kit and from lowest to highest in stores so you could ditch low-level crap you neither needed nor wanted. Those three simple change would've improved inventory management no end.

    Instead, Bioware just threw everything into an unsorted pile for the player to have to sift through *every* *bloody* *time*.

    Thus with inventory, the problem was management, or rather the game's lack of basic management automation. In ME1, the ability to finetune loadouts was essential and added to the game. ME2 didn't need to scrap it, just fix it similarly to the way I outlined above.

    I think the problem that a lot of a lot of RGP gamers have with the series' progression is actually primarily one of frustration with Bioware being lazy about ditching flawed mechanics rather than putting in the thought to fix them.

    BTW, you don't have to read the codex if you don't want to, but it helps. :-)

  • Madder-Max #107 7 months ago

    I'm stuck on Horizon atm in ME2 on hardcore with Zaeed and Kasumi and its bastard hard. to armoured thingys with shockwaves ad loads of zombies. trying to save the missile launcher for the really big boss guy but i have so far failed about 10 times. On previous playthroughs I had to lower the difficulty but refuse to this time.

    the endfight in Overlord was a bit of a bastard too.
    Edited by Madder-Max at 08/11/11 @ 09:41

  • spekkeh #108 7 months ago

    @Talideon It's not lazy though, because a bigger game is not better. The main draw and focus of the Mass Effect games is the interactive yarn it spins, not the strategy inherent in finding the best weapon loadout to confront a certain wave of enemy types. This is why they took it out and went for something else (a greater emphasis on bionics use and cover shooting, as this can be done without getting drawn out of the game world and going into a menu). To chalk it down to laziness, when you yourself have shown how easy it could be improved I find frankly borderline ridiculous.

  • tyrant1 #109 7 months ago

    Any chance COD or Battlefield will come with "Not a brain dead shooter cunt" modes? No? Its just so called "RPGs" that have to bend over and service shit for brains shooter tards?

    Shame. I didnt think the industry bias to dumbassery could become any more obvious.

    Still, at least Skyrim is out this week, something designed for non-COD gamers.

  • metroid455 #110 7 months ago

    oh dear me yet more proof that a really good IP has become nothing more than Gears Of War in space, sigh how very sad indeed

  • metroid455 #111 7 months ago

    @Widge If your boss found the constant dialogue trees tiresome then might I suggest that he play something other than an RPG, a shooter perhaps?....... hang on a minute he IS playing a shooter oh silly me I thought it was an RPG sigh sad

  • bemaniac #112 6 months ago

    so 'super idiot mode' 'slight idiot mode' and 'fans of mass effect 1 and 2 mode' I'll go with the last option

  • bemaniac #113 6 months ago

    and lets be honest skyrim has been made super simple for the console crowd. it has a shortcuts and faves menu for 360 pads on the pc version!