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Feb 7th, 2008 at 21:44:46 - Mass Effect (360) |
Gameplay
After having some more time with Mass Effect, I am very pleased with this game as a whole. It has some pivotal RPG elements combined into a shooter game, and it works well. There was never a dull moment while I was playing, whether during some of the intense fighting sequences or some of the longer dialogues, because you are in complete control the whole time. You can really shape your experience with the game through conversation, and many of your choices affect the rest of the plot hugely, so that you can feasibly replay the game multiple times and never have the same end result.
Design
From a design perspective, I am completely thrilled with Mass Effect. The incorporation of two distinct genres into a functional title is a rare feat, and yet Mass Effect has no flaws as far as I can tell. The experience system for leveling up is interesting, and characters are customizable as much as one could expect. Having 6 different possible party members makes for many possible combinations of skills that directly affect combat, and I am really looking forward to going back and trying some of the combinations that I missed the first time through.
Mass Effect, simply put, works. It is an exceptionally ambitious title that makes very bold claims: an open, customizable world that combines both RPG and shooter elements seamlessly makes for a great tagline, but is significantly difficult to execute. Bioware accomplishes this handily, and Mass Effect comes out with both an incredibly strong and engaging storyline as well as fast-paced combat that keeps players on their toes between battles. This game is evidence that there is still room for innovation in games, and it opens new doors for possible combinations of other genres in the years to come.
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Feb 6th, 2008 at 20:32:34 - Mass Effect (360) |
Summary
Mass Effect is an expansive role-playing game akin to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (and sequel). The player controls Commander Shepard, and can dictate Shepard's personality via an initial set of descriptors and dialogue throughout the game. Shepard gains allies and progresses through levels in a 3rd person shooter style play with the ability to use skills outside of standard shooter parameters, dubbed Biotics. Mass Effect hinges on its flexible storyline, and play is determined by the choices players make as they progress.
Gameplay
My first experience with Mass Effect was very enjoyable. Immediately after starting, I noticed the parallels between it and Knights of the Old Republic, but can’t complain since I really enjoyed that game when it was released. The combat is simple enough to not be frustrating while challenging enough to stay interesting, a hard combination in role playing games.
I am not sure that I can classify this experience as a Shooter or an RPG, it acts as a fusion of the two really. While the combat from my style has been mostly shooting, the story elements and customization of characters alongside the leveling system with XP add too many RPG elements for me to say that it is simply a shooter with some RPG twists. Really, Mass Effect looks like a combination of my two favorite kinds of games, and I am really looking forward to playing more of it.
The story also looks incredibly complex based on my first session with the game. I can already tell that it will be a long game, and anticipate several interesting twists along the way. Because I am familiar with the function of these kinds of games, I have been carefully making my decisions to craft the experience I want out of it, but am definitely already looking forward to going back and seeing where making different choices will take me. After only an hours of Mass Effect, I am hooked and ready for more.
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Jan 25th, 2008 at 02:53:16 - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (XBX) |
Gameplay
This game is hard to describe. You run around a lot, you steal a lot of cars, you shoot a lot of pimps. What else is there to say? The mechanics are all artificial, there is no real incentive to keep going. The story is plain and not compelling, and none of the gameplay feels fresh or innovative. Simply put, it's a game to vent with. It succeeds at that, certainly, but has little other value at all.
Design
From a design perspective, I consider this game a failure. There is nothing in it that I haven't seen, and most of it I have seen in better games, with better execution. The function of this game appears to be to present itself as controversially as possible to gather a fan base. And according to the rave reviews and prestige surrounding the title, it did in fact succeed at that. I suppose there has to be some value in a game that does nothing new but garners attention worldwide, even pulling out all the stops with the "Hot Coffee" scandal. As such, this game succeeds in creating a Culture, but fails at creating valuable Play or interesting Rules.
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Jan 25th, 2008 at 02:41:36 - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (XBX) |
Summary
It's Grand Theft Auto. Again. This just feels so overused and overhyped, I am so stunned by the fact that people continue to play these games. There just isn't anything compelling about the mindless acts of violence and illegal activities that make this game worth playing. It just doesn't do anything for me that I can't get out of another game. How disappointing.
Gameplay
Mechanical judgment aside, the humorous dialogue and ridiculous situations make it worthwile to keep going, just to see what I can get myself into next. Simply being able to do any number of things with no real consequences (dying simply results in spawning to a hospital and losing $100) means you can leap off of cliffs in stolen cars among other crazy hijinx. The fact that I can use "hijinx" to describe a Grand Theft Auto game is a testament to the humorous potential of this game. It is not to be taken seriously, but mocked. In this way, GTA: SA is a fun and entertaining play.
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TDouglass has been with GameLog for 16 years, 10 months, and 9 days |
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