Franchise VideoGame Disscussion: Mass Effect or Dragon Age?

[Proofpoochie]

^ Alpha Protocol? Now THAT is a pathetic game.

[Biollante]

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showth ... id=3423015

Read up to understand why you're wrong.

Q:I heard this game sucked! Why should I buy it?
A: Alpha Protocol was released to fairly divisive reviews, mostly because the actual shooting gameplay isn't very good. I didn't really mind it, but some people really hated it, and it was enough to piss off a lot of reviewers. The reason this thread is still around is because as an RPG, Alpha Protocol is completely unmatched in terms of choice within the story. It might be essentially a linear game, but everything you do has consequences. This isn't phoney Mass Effect-style choice; AP even reacts to the tiniest details of how you talk to people. If you act completely professional towards someone, then flip out and get angry at them they'll notice the change in your attitude. They might even accuse you of bluffing. If you have a high martial arts skill, some cutscenes change to reflect that and show you slamming heads together like Bruce Lee. In short, Alpha Protocol is great because if you can look past the flawed gameplay you'll find one of the most reactive RPGs ever made.

[Crocodile]

Alpha Protocol is great because if you can look past the flawed gameplay you'll find one of the most reactive RPGs ever made.

Too bad it wasn't fun to play, thus failing at what a game should be.
Oh Sega, you're always close, but never quite there.

[Biollante]

Too bad it wasn't fun to play

After the Saudi Arabia tutorial the game actually opens up, A LOT.

Of course I know you're just piggy backing every other paid reviewer and haven't actually played the game. This may shock you, but some people find the RPG aspect of Alpha Protocol fun.

[Crocodile]

Too bad it wasn't fun to play

After the Saudi Arabia tutorial the game actually opens up, A LOT.

Of course I know you're just piggy backing every other paid reviewer and haven't actually played the game. This may shock you, but some people find the RPG aspect of Alpha Protocol fun.

That's a hell of an assumption sonny boy. With no basis, weak debating.

I did play Alpha Protocol. Borrowed it from a friend, disagreements over it's quality were had. I didn't find it fun, he does. So no it doesn't shock me, but as you yourself implied some people do not find it fun. I am one of them.

But if you wanna go attacking that too, feel free. I'll just keep making snarky remarks at the expense of a game you liked. It's fun.

[Kaiju-King42]

Now now, everyone is entitled to their own opinion of a game. Let's not squabble over such trivile matters.

[Biollante]

Buddy this is serious business. I have to defend the honor of my favorite video game.

[Kaiju-King42]

I shall now use a common saying used by school children: You started it!

[GodzillavsJason]

Come on guys lets stop talking about Alpha Protocol and talk about Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

[Crocodile]

Come on guys lets stop talking about Alpha Protocol and talk about Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

Protip: It's already over.

[Gorosaurus Rex]

The Mass Effect series is not "awful". Both games are fantastic. The second one was easily the best game of 2010.

Mass Effect 2 had an awful, pointless plot. The dialog was also really bad (granted DA2 was much, MUCH worst). There was ZERO advancement from the Mass Effect story. Mac Walters should not be writing the franchise, he's a complete hack.

Then there's the incredibly casualized, cover shooting gameplay that feels like Gears of War in space. It hardly even feels like an RPG, and in all honestly, giving how both shallow and simplified both the combat and "choices" are in this game, it would be a compliment to even call it a TPS with RPG mechanics.

Speaking of choices, lets also not forget the hilarious black and white alignment that amounts to either "Blow up an orphanage" or "Solve world hunger." The alignment system is incredibly shallow, especially compared to choice based games like Alpha Protocol.

It's a very pathetic game, I can't fathom why people are so forgiving (or oblivious) to all of the issues that will probably return in Mass Effect 3. Luckily I already uninstalled Mass Effect 2 and have no urge to play any more Bioware games after that, I just wish I would have realized how dead Bioware was before buying Mass Effect 2.

I disagree entirely. The gameplay itself ran smoother than the original Mass Effect, which was fun and featured great RPG features but also had clunky combat and a bloated inventory system. Again, I find this to be an example of RPG player superiority. There is nothing wrong with other gameplay styles. This type of argument is rampant on the BSN, and it's obnoxious as all hell.

As for the story? How about the numerous well crafted character driven missions? I never found an issue with the dialogue. There are some pretty powerful moments throughout. The main plot may seem trivial, but at the same time, can we really judge that until we see how it plays out in Mass Effect 3? If you don't like the game, that's fine. But it by no means is a terrible game.

[Biollante]

Mass Effect 2 has smooth gameplay? Are you joking? The combat was incredibly stiff and far too reliant on duck and cover, which completely nullifies any reason to use your tacked on power system since you can just kill everything (bosses included) by duck and cover shooting. Speaking of duck and cover mechanics, attempting to sprint when next to a wall causes the character to hide, which is VERY bad when attempting to run away from enemies but end up ducking in front of them, causing the camera to change, and getting killed trying to leave the wall, which in Mass Effect 1 happened very rarely because the level design wasn't completely made for a linear duck and cover system. Bloated inventory system? The things you could do with equipment set ups alone in ME1 outclass every single RPG lite feature that remained in ME2), take away the inventory system and what was left? Waist high barrier cover shooting that was already old when Gears of War 1 came out one year before even the first one. The only thing that distinguishes Mass Effect 2 from Gears of War 1 is there's a lot more solving people's dad issues so you can gently caress them. (Such well crafted missions )

I never found an issue with the dialogue. There are some pretty powerful moments throughout.

The dialog is so hamfisted and goofy, there's no reason for you to not notice. I would say one of the pieces of poorly delivered and written dialog goes to Shepard's big "speech" before the final mission. If you think that's powerful, you need to go play Planescape Torment or read a book.

If you don't like the game, that's fine. But it by no means is a terrible game.

I'm going to be quite frank. There's rarely a time when I'm arrogant about how a feel regarding a topic, but when it comes to Mass Effect 2 (and recent Bioware games really) I will dislike them and say they're terrible games, because they are. I can go on about this or you can read up the millions of threads online about how dissatisfied people are with ME2 and recent Bioware (There's a good thread up on Somethingawful), but there's absolutely no reason to white knight a company that once took pride in their writing just so that they can take advantage of easily impressionable gamers by making Gears of War with Pseudo-choices. It's a pathetic, overrated, terrible game from a, now, soulless dev.

[Gorosaurus Rex]

Again, these are arguments that I've heard thousands of times before, and I simply don't agree with them. I've never really encountered any of the issues that you put forward in your post. Again, if you don't like it go ahead, but lambasting the game as being a piece of shit seems silly. The multitude of excellent reviews speak differently. Yes, people will dismiss video game reviews as being biased etc, but its hard to deny the near universal acclaim that the game gathered from people who are familiar with video games and critique them for a living.

Again, I get enough of this annoying shit over at BSN, so I'm not going to bother arguing it with you any further.

[Biollante]

Again, if you don't like it go ahead, but lambasting the game as being a piece of shit seems silly.

I lambasted the game because it is a piece of shit. What are you doing aside from saying you've heard these arguments before and don't feel like responding?

The multitude of excellent reviews speak differently.

The fact that you even trust the integrity of paid, gaming journalist speaks volumes. Learn to be critical and articulate your opinion, not say a game is good because IGN gave it a good score.

[Gorosaurus Rex]

Again, if you don't like it go ahead, but lambasting the game as being a piece of shit seems silly.

I lambasted the game because it is a piece of shit. What are you doing aside from saying you've heard these arguments before and don't feel like responding?

The multitude of excellent reviews speak differently.

The fact that you even trust the integrity of paid, gaming journalist speaks volumes. Learn to be critical and articulate your opinion, not say a game is good because IGN gave it a good score.

Were they also paid to give Alpha Protocol a bad review? Strange business these game reviews.

[Biollante]

Were they also paid to give Alpha Protocol a bad review? Strange business these game reviews.

Grasping at straws, are we?

[Gorosaurus Rex]

Were they also paid to give Alpha Protocol a bad review? Strange business these game reviews.

Grasping at straws, are we?

Seems I hit a nerve. I just would rather not argue about a game with you when any point I make will simply be labeled as part of my "idiocy, lack of taste, inability to see" etc.

[HeiseiGodzilla117]

See, this kind of stuff is what I hate about the gaming community (and pretty much any form of entertainment.) People discredit a game because they don't like it, or give it too much credit because they do like it. Most of the time someone says something is "bad", it's because of their personal preference (and vice versa.) I don't care whether haters or fanboys want to admit it or not, that IS what it boils down to. You can try to justify it beyond personal preference, but that's still what it all comes down to.

EDIT: Fixed spelling mistake.

[Crocodile]

You can try to justify it beyond personal preference, but that's still what it all comes down to.

Not if you take the extremely sophomoric route, of considering yourself "more enlightened" as to what qualifies as good than the person you're debating.

[Gorosaurus Rex]

See, this kind of stuff is what I hate about the gaming community (and pretty much any form of entertainment.) People discredit a game because they don't like it, or give it too much credit because they do like it. Most of the time someone says something is "bad" because of their personal preference (and vice versa.) I don't care whether haters or fanboys want to admit it or not, that IS what it boils down to. You can try to justify it beyond personal preference, but that's still what it all comes down to.

Honestly, this is what I agree with. I just get defensive when I see people being so hyperbolic with their criticisms. Whatever, I should learn to avoid these types of topics. They don't lead anywhere good.