When did Gok Wan join Bioware?
Not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to getting back into the Mass Effect universe!
Well isn't this a nice bit of news :)
I'm trying to be very cautiously optimistic.
I can only hope they've learned from the backlash and won't hype the game beyond what it its eventually cracked up to be. ME3 was a very nice cinematic, relatively linear shooter with an MP that I still play. As long as Bioware lays off the "You decide the faith of the universe because your choice matters." advertisement, I think I can bury the hatchet and take ME4 for what it is. Maybe even enjoy it when its out for a few months and the verdicts are good.
Looking forward to some more Mass Effect. Really enjoyed the original trilogy.
Ahhh Mass Effect, best trilogy of anything ever.
Well, as long as they actually decide to make native joypad support for PC this time, I'll rather enjoy this.
I hope they manage to continue the storyline well, be intriguing to see how.
Still think that they should step it back to the Prothean war against the Reapers, although not sure how the general gaming populous would take to a game with non-humans in it.
If it happens AFTER, then that will be confusing. They'd effectively have to say that one of the endings was canon.
Realistically, I don't mind a branching trilogy again, I know that it is FINE for the game to converge on a single endpoint at the end of it as long as the journey getting there is multifaceted.
Enkindle this!
I hope they really do bring the Mako back...I much preferred driving around on planets in that then the firing probes off and mining for ore malarky. Ugh...no more of that please!
@Widge I dunno - each of the endings could be added in as some kind of 'option' - with certain paths being blocked off or with different characters if you chose one ending or another - they did that with ME3 by having different characters if some of your ME2 squadmates died in ME2. For one ending in particular it would be even simpler - give each character an extra 'power'
Please bring back the Mako, because
"It's the idea of exploring a vast universe,"
that I felt was missing from 2 & 3 and why ME1 felt so epic.
Cant wait to see what they manage in the next instalment of ME now the shackles of the previous gen are removed.
Until BIOWARE tell EA to piss off and start making RPG's again they can just do one.
@I They just need to make the mako sections interesting. I didn't feel the loss of them because of the copy paste nature.
Layout 1:
Big square collection of mountains - some buildings
Layout 2:
Windy corridor road full of enemies - main quest related
Seen one, seen them all. Preferred the customised side missions of ME2 in that respect.
@JDFreeman Surely the next Dragon Age will fill that niche?
"These are my favourite shots on the Citadel..."
I just cannot muster up excitement after the drek that was ME3. If they're going to aim for that kind of a trilogy-ender again, you won't know until in 5 years... ugh.
@Skirlasvoud; Indeed. It's not really just Mass Effect though; Dragon Age and other games from other developers have been pretty cavalier about "choice" this generation, but it's rarely been focused on meaningful choices. I don't tend to get on well when the choices are Mother Theresa Good, or Pantomime Villain Evil (edit; or when the ending is just a series of random choices and events with no correlation to your progression - perhaps should make that clear).
BioWare need to focus on a competent, strong story. And if they means no moral choice, fine. And if they also means no sex, great! Even better. Not seeing the attraction of two digital things getting their jiggy on. Never have. Not being a prude; just... I don't understand the point.
Like so much, they could do it so they did it. And frankly, I could do without it. Post-ME3, or even pre-ME1 - however they plan this - the story is kind of set on a path. I'd be quite happy for them to tell me a story, rather than be given a loose theme to work my way through.
I may be alone in that though. I'd much rather the resources went to making it a solid, competent story with great RPG elements akin to ME1 than making alien sex "anatomically correct", or giving us "meaningful choice"... I just want a great game first. No gimmicks.
Is that really so hard?
Whilst I do welcome another episode in the Mass Effect universe, I am also a little disappointed. I have the same mixed feelings about Assassin's Creed. Both are series that were touted as a trilogy (if I'm not mistaken) and then had other episodes 'tacked' on (I don't necessarily mean they were half arsed though). There is something reassuring about a finite storyline for me. It's probably a case of Star Wars-phobia to a degree - the fear that subsequent episodes will diminish the brilliance of what was once an amazing set of games/movies.
Oh well! Here's hoping it's great!
One last thing of note - and something that might back up a return to Mass Effect 1's planet exploration: lead BioWare designer Ian Frazier's contribution to the Twitter conversation was this impressive piece of wall art featuring the Mako, your planet-bound vehicle in Mass Effect 1.
I wouldn't get too excited. Barrett Rodych, QA Analyst for Bioware already leaked its true meaning. ;)
So many of these comments echo the hopeful optimism ahead of ME3; an optimism that was betrayed. Bioware need to win back the trust of a lot of their fanbase. I, for one, will hold off a good long while before I decide if this will be worth my money.
Maybe I'm in the minority but the ending of ME3 didn't leave me with a bad taste in my mouth. I loved each game from the start until the very end. Saying that.. The Mass Effect games are the only games I've completed several times over this generation. Played through ME1/ME2 3 times each and i'm on my 2nd with ME3
@kev83 I'm confused, what have you done? :D
@x5115x I'm really not.
I loved the trilogy, it finished perfectly (after the director's cut) but I enjoyed Shepard's story and the continuity of it. But now they have come out and said it won't really be related, I'm not too bothered.
It's like Gears series, I enjoyed the trilogy and that's all it needed to be. Anything after that I'll pass, I want a new fresh universe to get obsessed with.
Something new and at least semi original please.
/sigh
@Kami
Dragon age is kinda from the same developer, but yeah.
Admittedly, all of this was the fault of the fans (and me) as well. I don't think the developers ever wanted to make their story this player- oriented or choice-branching. I and others saw the incredible potential in the fact there were three sequals and a fascinating universe that was capable of this however and simply hoped it would. It was EA/Bioware PR that hooked in on that and reinforced those assumptions to raise sales and expectations even moreso.
Try Witcher 2 if you don't want pantomine evil or good. Its also a very good example of how to do the same thing as Bioware, but right. Witcher didn't have amazing branching pathways (although a completely different act 2 was impressive), but they didn't hype it as much, the mature setting and a protagonist that has a strong predefined character do not promote the player feeling in charge and although the choices were relatively isolated events, the consequences really did matter within that event, if not to the greater story.
If anything, Witcher 2 also had a pretty crappy ending, but not for a moment did I have the feeling I should have been in charge of it. The rest of the game was simply too well wrought, as compared to ME's - as you say - loose themes.
As for Bioware's pixelated relationships: I have the feeling this is another case of Bioware's Developer right hand not knowing what the PR left hand is doing. The romances were a selling point. Just look at the damn Origin achievements. At the same time, the developers said there was too much focus on it. To me, that's just bonkers and the end-result, just sloppy. Their hearts weren't in it and it showed by how simple those relations were.
To me, they were a bonus however. One of the things I enjoyed most about ME, was following the growth and reactions of all those strong characters. This means I would have loved to have more influence and background on their eventual fates, but I digress. Romance, I think, and how a characters acts within it, is just another way of giving Tali, Garrus, Liara, whatever a way of showcasing themselves, so I welcomed romance as yet another chance of learning more about them or seeing them in a different light. Its exactly the reason why I love character development in a story too. The sex bit doesn't do so much on that, so yes, I'd like to see stronger, deeper relationships and if that means less focus on the sex, than I'm also fine with that.
That said, I'm not adverse to the sex scenes. If done right - which is probably a few grades above the ME's writers' abilities with the way they look on them - it can still add something. I like the theme of passion in itself, with its problems and notions. That Tali had the entire problem of not being able to take her suit of for instance, was very interesting thematically and theatrically.
And I take this theme wherever I can find it. It is a feeling and interest that any creative medium can place in your head as long as your receptive to the notion and concept itself, be it in the language of pixels, bookpages, a moviereel or any real-life event.
@Gambit1977
he did a while ago. Where do you think all the gay scene ideas come from?
It's published by ea which means forced mp,day one dlc,origin and micro transactions
It has no chance.
I loved the planet exploration in the original. Hopefully they bring that back along with space frontier towns and more content. I'd love it if the game was just three large open worlds on three planets, for example.
Fuck the Mako. I want the Hammerhead instead.
@Widge @I They just need to make the mako sections interesting. I didn't feel the loss of them because of the copy paste nature.
Yeah, I do agree that they would need to stop the copy-paste thing; as long as the sense of exploration across different terrain and landscape is brought back then I'll be happy
Obviously pessimistic about this one. I'll await more news to see whether this is a return to form or just another gears in war in space but with some on rails mako section or something.
@Widge
I seriously doubt pad support, despite being in a tiny minority they have refused with every game despite requests from their customers. i cannot see that changing.
They need to a hire a new level designer, one who doesn't feel the need to signpost fights by filling rooms with waist high obstacles.
I think they should leave it alone after ME3
Mass Effect 2 was the best in the series imo. Make ME4 more like that.
With regards to the mako and ME1 exploration imo it wasn't very good. Just because you could land on lotsa worlds(more teeny tiny tiiiiny barren areas)doesn't make it ME1 more epic. This idea that epic = bigger is a fallacy. In ME1 all those bits of rock were just pointless, uniteresting bits of fluff, copy n pasted with no hand crafted detail, no variation it was tedious and boring. I think ME2 handled it better. Sure the universe was a bit smaller in a physical sense, but it was more varied, felt much more interesting place to explore, felt much more lived in/real and better realised too imo. I hope EAware don't regress back to ME1 style exploration to please a the whining RPG snobs that say ME1 was the best handsdown, it had awesome, proper exploration or that it was the only one that was an actual RPG and carry on like everything after was total shit. Yes ME3 left alot, a hella lot to be desired. But it had one or two redeeming qualities imo(Tuchunka, Rannoch. The combat system etc). But i do think ME 1 & esp 2 were better.
Mass Effect still has alot of potential imo. I just hope they don't mess it up(again). But knowing EA are behind this, im being cautious & skeptical.
The first Mass Effect, at that time, blew me away. Loved the universe.
best trilogy ever, really hope EA dont force Bioware into making shooter levels
Please Bring Back Planetary Exploration!
Please Bring Back Planetary Exploration!
Please Bring Back Planetary Exploration!
I also wouldn't mind Procedural Planets as well.
Bring on the Mako :)
A return of planetary exploration might bring me back to Mass Effect.
This should be good . In my opinion the mass effect series from great to good- 2,3,1 .
Am just considering running through all three again!
It would be nice if I could modify that running order to 4,2,3,1.
I cannot wait for this game!! The original trilogy was epic... i hope they give you a chance to play as a different species this time.
I cannot describe just HOW much I'm looking forward to this! I loved the Mass Effect trilogy and it just proved to me how epic Bioware are at crafting a game and a story. Very excited!
I'm quite excited by this, I love the Mass Effect Trilogy. It intrigues me how they go next, but yeah I got every achievement on all 3 so far, so this is a Day 1 purchase for me
"As we celebrate N7 day, we look back at the talented people who worked on the Mass Effect trilogy," Mass Effect boss Casey Hudson wrote on Twitter..as they posted teaser images for MASS EFFECT 4..FOUR
having choices that matter.
Suuure... I'll believe it when I see it.
Looking forward to this, as long as I can play it alone and offline without having a crippled experience. This seems to be asking too much nowadays, so I'll wait for more information before I get hyped.
I hope they're going to do a trilogy again where your choices carry through to the following games. I know the very final outcome didn't get effected that greatly but a lot of other parts did.
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Yes, yes, yes fuck yes and yes! More open world bioware please, and do it good this time. Mass effect 1 love all the way baby!
The planetary exploration in the first one was shit: Same thing over and over again. The focused approach of the sequels was much more enjoyable. But the idea of heading down to a random planet and finding something new and amazing is enticing and I guess what most people want?
Guess we're not seeing anything for a couple of years though.
@Skirlasvoud; I'm just not into that sort of relationship, it's kind of shallow. "Do this for me and I'll put out" is not exactly much of a 'relationship' - frankly, most mediocre porn can do better than that!
But it's an aside. I just think it's a distraction, a gimmick and one that I don't think BioWare have done terribly well either, alongside the choice thing.
You're right on The Witcher though. And in an ideal world, that's what BioWare should be learning from; that choice doesn't need to be grand. We always make choices in games; choosing weapons, choosing our teams, choosing who to upgrade first etc. Choice is always in these games; and it's kind of sad that BioWare doesn't make more of the more meaningful mechanical choices we make throughout the game.
It's all personal preference and I am interested in seeing what BioWare come up with for ME4; I just hope they don't get caught up in this "mature" thing again.
If ME3 taught us anything, is that this time, they need to be very careful how much power they put in our hands in terms of choice. Because no-one likes a bad deus-ex machina...
Ther return of the Mako would be great!
It's weird how you just love some series or feel an attachment isn't it?. Some love mario, COD, Halo, zelda, metroid (guilty) and so on. But Mass effect despite all the furore surrounding it and Bioware in general(a company I increasingly dislike). Mass effect is that series for me. Just get a genuine sense of anticipation when I hear a new ones coming. Sunk at around 140-200 hours into the original trilogy and loved the majority of it despite its flaws.
If there is one area that needs massive improvement its the choices, make them meaningful and difficult. Not either Jesus come again or Lucifer himself, that's far to black and white. The choices that affected crew for example (mordin & wrex for example) were often more meaningful than entire plot points ever were, as they had real consequence and weight.
First time in a while i've seen a dev using anything other than a PS4 controller, seems he's using the 360 one on a pc build?
Makes sense.
I feel so horrible for the skilled visual artists at Bioware who work tirelessly to bring the staggering incompetence of Mac Walter's writing to life
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Very excited. ME is one of my fave game series of all time. Sorry there won't be femshep though, Jennifer hale was masterful
@Brucelong Unless shenmue 3 is ever released, you're right.
I just hope its an more like the first ME and less like the later two especially ME3 were the transaction to TPS was complete.
Ignoring the punch in the face ending (Which the eventual extra ending did help with somewhat) The ME trilogy was very very good but...
It's over. It ended. Know when to stop.
@spliffhead oh yeah of course, 360 controller on a PC! Phew, was real worried there this was gonna be another one of those cross gen titles. Hehe,right? It's not, right?!
What's up, Bioware?
Starting to hype your next game up...
@The-Bodybuilder LOL good point
@TheGoon It's still a trilogy in the sense that this is not part of Shepards story. It's the same universe built from the lore and rich background we got from the original series bit it will be it's own story seperate from the reapers.
Hell just a game of being a spectre and having multiple cases to work on would be great. No huge case just many sizeable ones.
So in other words they don't have anything to show us yet.
I found Mass Effect to be an incredibly disappointing and lightweight role-playing game after the depth of KotOR.
I don't hold out a lot of hope, but the Mass Effect universe WAS wonderful and had plenty of scope for new stories. Just PLEASE make it more like the space adventure of the first with the tightened controls from the second and the.....box art from the third.
As long as Bioware doesn´t remove any of the races or the atmosphere from the earlier ME games it is going to be awesome really looking forward to it.
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Sweet :)