PAX 2007: Mass Effect is disappointing, but nice looking

Watching the first 20 minutes of Mass Effect played by a BioWare representative, one couldn't help but be reminded of a the ventriloquist seen on America's Got Talent a few nights ago.

Now, the thing about Mass Effect is that it seemed, more or less, like a ventriloquist's dummy. Of course, it was a very nice-modeled, well-rendered dummy with nice textures, but nothing more. The game, much like Pinocchio, lacks life.

[Frances-the-Mute]

every one has been raving about how impressive its graphics and facial animations were.. but nothing on gameplay or fun factor IMO

[4542125]

Watching someone else play, is potentially boring in general. I am stocked about Mass Effect, and judging by Biowares previous games the fun factor in this game is going to be high.

[SlappyMcTaint]

I'm really worried. I mean this is one of those games all xbots frantically list in console-war threads. What to do if it isn't all that?!?

What next? Halo 3 gets rated a 7.5

[Rhaigun]

Last I checked this site was run by gamers, much like N4G. It's not run by actual journalists.
To me, this sounds like a bitter PS3 fan. First off, he insults the facial animations. Sites such as GameSpot and IGN have said that the animations and conversation choices are stellar. You can go anywhere and watch a video for yourself.
Secondly, he calls it an FPS. We all know it's an 3PS/RPG. Where does this guy get off making this stuff up? How do you supposedly watch 20 min. of gameplay and still call it an FPS?

[bung tickler]

what i'm not surprised about is the sony trolls out in force TRYING ever so hard to down play the 360's big hitters this fall since all of sonys are turning into crap. I'm sure I could go around the internet and find a dozen 'bloggers' that give a negative opinion about any game due out this holiday... however this is just a PREVIEW done over someone elses shoulder by some tard no one has ever heard of, a tard that didn't even PLAY the game... yet people are pretending that this is valid in some way.

This is BioWare for gods sake, everything they touch is gold. I paid my pre order in full over a year ago just cuz it has thier name on it.

[AngryTypingGuy]

@Slappy McTaint - I don't know what on Earth I'd do if Mass Effect isn't "all that". I'm not used to games being disappointments on the 360. I think I need some advice. So tell me, how are you going to handle Lair?

[SlappyMcTaint]

I'll wrangle it like the dragon in my pants.

[AngryTypingGuy]

I'm sure you will.

[FordGTGuy]

They got this from watching a guy play the game?

[Frances-the-Mute]

i havent heard anything on what the story is about....anyone? plz i want to know......i know its part 3rd person shooter/rpg

[Adamalicious]

They're are, wisely, keeping the story under wraps. We know that something happens that give your character what are essentially "force powers" - perhaps that's the Mass Effect - I don't think we know for sure. Bioware is all about story so expect that to be one of the big draws in the game. I tend to like story-driven games best so I'm looking forward to this one.

[hazeblaze]

Yes, from watching 20 min of gameplay. They reserved comment on what it felt like to actually play the game since they didn't play it themselves and merely commented on what they'd seen.

I have to agree. The game looks pretty good. But all of the facial animations are pretty stiff & the voice acting certainlly isn't fluid... But to be fair, what they're trying to do is pretty ambitious... so I could forgive both of those.

My only complaint from watching the vids is the gameplay & the environments. Just like the review said, the shooter gameplay LOOKS pretty bland (may be fun once you actually play???)... I don't think the translation of fps into an rpg looks very good. And although the game looks good, the environments also look pretty bland (but that's excusable too considering there are so many worlds).

All in all, it'll still be worth playing... just not as great as some have hyped it up to be.

[i Shank u]

alot has been revelead about the story. to sum it up, every 1 million years or something like that, a sentient machine race is awakened, a race that destroys and consumes everything in the universe. in mass effect, the main character, a captain of an elite military team comprised of several different alien species, finds a beacon, which gives captain shepard a grave warning about the coming danger. it may also give him "Force" like powers (in this universe, "the force" is called "mass effect") and after this, its your job to figure out whats going on and save the galaxy, traveling to about 200 different planets, stars, moons, etc. in the process. theres also been at least 1 mass effect book already written, on store shelves. i dont know how good the book is, but the game's story sounds pretty damned epic. the story in KOTOR was great, this
game should offer an even greater one
guys. this game will NOT be a shooter. no no no no no. no shooter damnit. yes, you fire guns. you also use a ton of magic, mana and the like. so is it a magical magicians game too? no, its not a shooter and its not a magician game. its an rpg, with crazy acting and story skills. and mad bow skills (napoleon dynamite)

if you all want a general idea of the combat system in Mass Effect, try KOTOR for xbox.

[Violater]

ho hum KOTOR

[soccerstar]

do we have another game to join lair and heavenly sword with the nice graphics but ok gameplay club?

[Venom_Blood]

I guess the hype kill the fun

[Bloodmask]

He watched somebody else play the game and didn't like it??? Because he thought the cut scenes were lifeless and boring. It is not very fun to sit and watch somebody else play an RPG. Unless you are a true fan.

Then he describes it as a FPS. The action scenes are turn based. Or partially so like KOTOR.

[ISay]

but thats the thing he admits that he hasn't actual played it and that he would reserve judgement 2nd by bioware's own admission the game is more action than turn based i dont believe every thing i read but this guy might have a point here

[medziarz]

using the language of all the biggest xdroids on n4g like you and TheMart:

get over it, it sucks, it was supposed to be a perfect storm, but it just didn't deliver

[SofaKingReetodded]

to xbots about the dangers of talking out of your arse about Ps3 games.

sucks when your comments comeback to bite you in the ass.

and once again it's the story with the 360's unoptimized hardware.
few enemies on screen, lifeless boring worlds, all polished to a nice shine by your vaunted ATI GPU....lol

this generation has really shone a light on who does and doesn't know what they are talking about when it comes to next gen technology and right now xbots are looking pretty ignorant and stupid.

[Ri0tSquad]

I become less interested in this game. KOTOR was so boring IMO but some ppl thought it was good.

[ktchong]

not a review. The game is still three months away from release.

Halo 3 Preview (Beta) was a huge disappointment. Look at where it is now.

Assassin's Creed got a terrible preview at E3, but it's only a preview.

IF Mass Effect is getting a bad REVIEW like Lair and Heavenly Sword are, then I'd be worried.

[ISay]

thats about as true as it gets

[JokesOnYou]

Every other preview I've seen all of them who had time with the game they all had great things to say, but then you never know, alot of early previews for sony games had great things to say too yet they didnt deliver, but then again I've actually seen short gameplay vids and also downloaded the trailer on my 360 and the gameplay looked nice too, still with games you just never know for sure how they will turn out until you can actually get an impression from a few creditable sites that actually reviewed the final copy=

I just don't believe Bioware will not deliver a kick@ss game, its in their gene's, they always make awesome games. yeah and you're right round peg everybody talked shiii about Halo3 beta and now look at all the sites eating their words=

JOY

[PS3Rebel]

i watch the halo3 trailer to put me 2 sleep because its boring

i watch the mass effect trailer to put me in a comma - this games gameplay is simply is dreadful

[Gil]

Very odd, I've heard of people being in a coma, but never a comma. Wonder if that is better or worse than being put into an explanation point, or even a period. Thank God you weren't put into a semi-colon.

[nomad117]

that was great man bubble for you

[sanderFVCKINcohen]

that shet was hella funny....PS3rebel,lololol what a vagina!!!! bubbles for U maen

[tfur]

"Very odd, I've heard of people being in a coma, but never a comma."

LOL... good one... hehe...

[iceice123]

Oh yes, that's what every PS3 game does for everyone else.

[4542125]

STOP! Being such a fanboy before it`s going to put your bubbles in coma.

[Ugly American]

Comma, coma, whatever... I pray that you go into a coma so that I do not have to see your asanine posts anymore...

Oh wait, I forgot there is an ignore button.

[WilliamRLBaker]

I saw KOTOR 1 and 2 first footage...and it was much the same way...and look how that turned out....Much of the life, and spirit of stuff is 20% graphics, lip syncing, And 80% voice acting.

[Why_So_Serious]

are words that should never be used in the same sentence

[Frances-the-Mute]

i've seen many games that looked boring, but when i played them (demo or friends house) i was completely blown away....games like Ico, shadow of the colossus, fable, prince of persia: sands of time, halo at time before its release and Zelda in my experience

[7ero H3LL]

(watching the game is not going to help you feel aroused) play the game or demo when it comes out.

[Mike Ox Big]

Is this guy serious? I haven't played the game so maybe I shouldn't judge but the guy thinks it's an FPS. What a duesch

[DrPirate]

Hey 360 fans, when you mocked me about Heavenly Sword and all that. I took it and said nothing.

here's what I say because I'm actually better then most of you people (just the ones who bothered to flame us without purpose)

Look dudes, impressions mean nothing. Heavenly Sword got great impressions and people raved how fun it was, and then it got crap reviews.

I know this game will turn out great :).

[Rybnik]

I agree with Dr. Pirate. Just because these guys think the game is shallow doesn't mean a thing....And seriously, given all the stuff I have seen of this game I am pretty sure it will be fantastic!

Just watching the nav map on board the Normandy shows how crazy in depth this game goes. The branching of the conversation system is extremely promising for potential replay value and of course, no one in their right mind can fault the visuals.

I bet the majority of reviews will be positive--as has been the case with Heavenly Sword so far. In the end it may rate overall a little higher, or lower than HS, but really, who the F-- cares!! they both look like really good games for their respective genres!

Edit:
Thanx AngryH, same:)

[AngryHippo]

bubble for you dude, for not be a idiot fanboy and making a decent respectful comment, which is something that alot of people on this site can't seem to manage.

[jay3]

Aww!

You can't NOT give bubbles!

[ShiftyLookingCow]

Mr Bubbles would like to pay you a visit

[ktchong]

Bioware games have NEVER not won most major GOTY awards for the year they came out.

Every single one of Bioware games -- MDK, Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Night, Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic, and Jade Empire -- each and every single one of them has won most of the major GOTY awards for the years they were released.

[_insane_cobra]

True, although Bioware made MDK 2, the first one was developed by guys at Shiny who later became Planet Moon Studios.

[MK_Red]

Mass Effect may be disappointing in short term, but after longer and deeper gameplay sessions and delvinh into the story, it should shine as previous great RPGs by BioWare. At least that's what I hope for.

[Salvadore]

Kotor felt in the beginnning very boring, but once I became a Jedi and got more involved to the story, I basically loved the game.

[InMyOpinion]

It sounds very strange since Bioware has'nt made a bad game in years, if ever. I've also watched gameplay of it and I thought it looked amazing.

[GRAMPAGAMER]

there has never been nothing like Mass Effect,.. either this bum has had to much to drink or he's late on his child support payments

these sad wannabe critics kill me trying to paint a negative experience on a game that is not even finished

find me one person who has actually had access to the game and agrees with you ( I though so)

I make my own judgements and decisions son. I'll see for myself.

[FirstknighT]

Bioware knows how to make RPGs. KOTOR and Jade Empire are one of the best rpgs ever. This game is a sure thing.

[_insane_cobra]

Hahahahahaha!! What is this guy on?

"The gameplay looks like your standard FPS fare, which is to say that I didn't see anything great or remarkable."

Weird, because the game is a RPG with TPS combat, no FPS in sight...

"Where the presentation really fell short, however, is in the emotionless voice acting and subpar facial animations. Not only did the conversation lack the natural ebb and flow to which we were all looking forward, but it was as if the voice actor's took commas, question marks, and exclamations points out of their repertoire. The dialogue has about as much emotional engagement as a grocery list. Even worse, the facial animations match the shoddy voice acting: the mouths move, and that's about it. It'd be great for a Joan Rivers botox sim, but it doesn't really make for a compelling video game."

This is ridiculous, as anyone who's seen videos of Mass Effect's dialogue sequences can testify. I truly believe this guy just had a bad dream and mistook it for reality.

[PS360PCROCKS]

SH!TTY!!

[Sovannah Phum]

the game-play seemed pretty stale to me. then again I don't like western rpgs for the most part, or fps or games that are tps but could easily be fps.....lost planet....

[power of Green]

I knew something was wrong because Rowland post this.

FPS?.

[Captain Tuttle]

That's been in the back of my mind for awhile...the footage I've seen of Mass Effect has been a bit sterile. If the story is good and the characters fleshed out (and I don't mean Heavenly Sword type over-the-top stuff) with good writing it'll be a great game. That's why KOTOR was great...you really felt like you KNEW the characters.

[Violater]

why is HS "over the top" as you so put it?

[Captain Tuttle]

the scene that was posted with the bad guy and his generals...over the top acting (technically impressive btw) to the point of silliness. Really campy. I understand that's the style but I think it's over-the-top.

Don't be so defensive.

[N4GayFanturds]

Question: Who is this guy? When, & where was he 'invited' to watch (not play) Mass Effect? Who invited him? How long did he WATCH the game? Why couldn't he provide unreleased pics of the gameplay?

In other words; what's his source?

The big hint on BS (and that he's prob a Sony Fa6boy) is that he said it was standard FPS. The dumm@ass doesn't even know it's an RPG game.

[Testo]

This is a dudes opinion, this is what he noticed.

Like everyother game "review" out there ignore it and try the game yourself.

I hope its good because its one of the games I want for the 3fixme when I buy it. (lol)

I want Gaylo, MF, and Conviction... 3 of my personal reasons to buy a 360! (/no sarcasm)

[darkequitus]

you are an equal idiot to the fanboys

[emogen]

...and I don't even have a 360. A Ps3 that's it. But I guess what grabbed me the most was the graphics. I do somewhat agree, with what the guy is saying about the dialogue. I think it's because of the structure and how the dialogue is broken down so that you have the option of choosing a response ala choose your own adventure. I think it tends to break that ebb and flow of the conversation and thus the emotions are thrown out. It's like having a conversation with a computer.

[segasage]

"Gameplay is kind of hard to judge without an actual controller in your hands, so I'm going to reserve judgment on that."

This is not review..anyhow, just opinions, and looking at that quote up top, how can you get a feel for the game.

Personally there are some games I can give the same opinions about just from watching them, but would anybody take me serious...haha probably not.

[Bolts]

Its a RPG game. Last I checked games like KOTOR and those crappy jap RPGs like FF didn't have perfect life like animations.

[eagle21]

I told you about big fat doofus's. I warned you about certain reviews/opinions. This doofus obviously has not played the game, just a fat doofus. A big dirty fat doofus. He comes from a line of Doofus's. The Doofus's have land in Doofusville. He is Paul Doofus the 13th. I hope his kids inherit the beautiful family name. They are some of the best Doofus's I know. I just love dem doofus's.

[Numark]

this comes for a guy that was hyped at for blue dragon and said that was amazing from the previews.

[snoop_dizzle]

quote from the article "Gameplay is kind of hard to judge without an actual controller in your hands, so I'm going to reserve judgment on that."

don't you find that just a little strange?

[i Shank u]

and so from this, the title "Mass Effect is disappointing" can be derived? the guy didnt even PLAY it, which is the most important thing. my girlfriend cant watch me play bioshock for 10 mins without b!tching about how shes bored, so should i take that as a valued impression of how bioshock is? hell no

[Numark]

yea, its more than strange. It is a joke. Some blogger who didn't even get to play the game said its disappointing.

He just wants attention, we all really know that.

[ParaDise_LosT]

BioWare
Always
Delivers...

[jcgamer]

Bioware has a flawless track record...the atmosphere in this game is incredible...I'm sure at whatever point in the gameplay this game sucks you in, it will never let go...

[calderra]

"Gameplay is kind of hard to judge without an actual controller in your hands, so I'm going to reserve judgment on that."
[/end]

[TheXgamerLive]

The first hour/s is comprised of setting up the character, getting history, learning to use tools of the game, nothing too thrilling abd we all know that the voice acting and animations are unlike anything else, so I'm gonna go with this fool from Destructiod is a sad and vengefull sony fan.

[i Shank u]

guys. this game will NOT be a shooter. no no no no no. no shooter damnit. yes, you fire guns. you also use a ton of magic, mana and the like. so is it a magical magicians game too? no, its not a shooter and its not a magician game. its an rpg, with crazy acting and story skills. and mad bow skills (napoleon dynamite)

if you all want a general idea of the combat system in Mass Effect, try KOTOR for xbox.

[riqued]

I hope it's not really bad, I was going to buy a 360 for this game =(

[unsunghero28]

All of these amazing looking games have been getting such negative previews/reviews... At this rate GOTY will be between Metroid Prime 3 and BioShock...

[Whoooop]

It's funny how fanboys say: He didn't even play it... BS article...
etc.etc.

When 3 guys "WHO didn't play the game" gave their opinion on how painful and repetitive LAIR was based on what they saw, the article(podcast) got to the top 3 stories with a hurricane of trash comments from the same fanboys that are desperately defending something which might be true (or not). The point is fanboys in this site are the WORST..

Now I'll write the same thing much of you guys have written:

Did it ever occurred to you that MAYBE just MAYBE Mass Effect won't live up to the hype??? It's that impossible for it to be a game like LAIR(which you guys have trash constantly)?? a mixbag of reviews??

The game isn't out yet and I hope this game comes out good, because if there's a game (exclusive to the 360) I would want for the PS3, is Mass Effect...

BUT if this game comes out decent and not AAA with 7 to 8 reviews, A LOT of people in here are going to need a good dressing to eat their words.

Like I said I HOPE this game meets the expectations just as much as I wish LAIR meets mine when I give it a try..

[Charlie2688]

Welcome to N4G dude, house of the irrational fanboys and were people conveniently forget what they say to meet their agendas

have a bubble for your troubles :)

[Vip3r]

Just what I was thinking. Bubbles on the way.

[razer]

between actually having a review build of a game and playing it and giving your opinion and standing in the back of a room while someone else plays a whatever pre-launch build of a game.

What LAIR and the like are getting are true reviews.. this is like one guy who isn't important enough to even get a chance to play the games opinion..

Don't compare the crappy scores from reviews to what this guy thinks, it's not a fair comparison.

[Whoooop]

It's a FAIR comparison.. The 3 editors from IGN GAVE THEIR OPINION based on what they saw.. They didn't play the game..

Exactly like this situation..

Who's talking about reviews?? not me..

If you can't understand something as simple as this, then you're another fanboy.

[Raptors]

Destructoid???? Is this another NextgenIreland??

[deadeyes99]

mass fx rox

[PimpHandHappy]

I thought Mass Effect was more like KOTOR and that it was a third person game with the shooter game play!

All you ppl need to relax on ur hating just because this game isnt even out yet!

Let me say this! I can enjoy watching a person play a game if they are good and know what they are doing.

that being said

I was really hoping this game was the game to make me buy a 360! I have been waiting for a long time for them to fix the problem(overheating meltdown RROD) and now that i hear they are going to fix it i was pumped about this game! I have never looked at anything about this game, i just knew it was something like KOTOR and that alone makes me drool!

but now i hear its a FPS shooter! WTF

I dont really like FPS unless it has a killer story and killer online play! You dont realize how much this gen of games needs the voice acting and story to make a truley nextgen game! Look at GOW! That game was short but the voice acting made u feel more part of the story and with its online gameplay u had a game that will be hard to top on ur 360!

I hope this games is killer cuz i want that fixed up 360!

[Dr Pepper]

This game is not a FPS.

[Numark]

stop worrying.

If you all worry about mass effect, you are just silly. This game will deliver and be one of the most epics games in history. This is the first negative viewpoint, and it came from a blogger who couldn't even play it.

[Odion]

hrrrm

http://www.n4g.com/News-625...

After the combat ended, we witnessed some dramatic story points that we can't tell you about just yet. But we did get to see Mass Effect's innovative interactive dialogue system put to its fullest use when Sheppard and one of his crew members got into a heated discussion over a particularly crucial topic. As we've reported frequently, the game gives you a number of dialogue--and in some cases, action--options as you progress through a conversation.

[HondaSIRowner]

for this highly anticipated game.

[Dr Pepper]

This game is still #1 on my list. The dialogue system looks great to me, as well as the combat (the way you can control the others in your group and use special powers, as well as play on your character's specific strengths) and the customization factors along with an entire galaxy to explore (and of course, the amazing graphics) make this a must buy in my book. I can't wait.

[TheExecutive]

ok people... he didnt say it was a fps shooter he said it looked like a fps. He said the dialogue was boring and the facial animations were subpar. Get over it. Its one dudes opinion.

[Ahhhh]

@SlappyMcTaint - "I'm really worried. I mean this is one of those games all xbots frantically list in console-war threads. What to do if it isn't all that?!?
What next? Halo 3 gets rated a 7.5" - Hmm. Your absolutely right. What if it isn't all "that." But Halo 3 getting a 7.5? Your crazy. But do you know what you could replace Halo 3 with? You COULD put Lair and Heavenly Sword there, seeing how both them games got 'bout 7's an 8's. All PS3 fans, 'n I'll put it how you did, FRANTICALLY list these 2 games in console-war threads. Hmm, MAYBE those two games aren't gon' be all "that?"

How bout next time you don't say somethin stupid like that.

@Dr Pepper - I'm right there next to ya bruh.
@Numark - Amen. Ha. I'll still be getting this game. I love BioWare games. Plus, games always look boring and tedious when your stuck watching, and not playing.
@PimpHandHappy - It's not necessarily a FPS, btw I thought it was more of a TPS(?), It's still going to have all the great RPG elements like in KOTOR, plus more. Goto there site and read up on it. The game is more less an RPG tactical shooter.

[Rhezin]

wow whos gonna believe destructoid anyway, sh!tty website, and a bunch of crack-heads.

Ill b getting this game nonetheless no matter what site or person says.

[nobizlikesnowbiz]

So this guy thinks that the game sucks. Oh well that's his opinion.

This game looks awesome, but gameplay? I dunno. We'll see.

Hopefully it'll be great, but I've never really been interested in this game, except for the massive scale of it seemed impressive.

Of course Sonyboys are stuck on this article. Go figure.

[HaKeRsCanRotINHEL]

Bioware releasing a "disappointing" game, HAHA don't make me laugh. Mass Effect WILL be the QUINTESSENTIAL RPG of '07 & beyond!

Yeah, I'd like my bubbles back please! ---------->0000000+ not 00000-

[vickers500]

Yet another overhyped game.

[JohnCarpenter]

'Yet another overhyped game' .... like killzone 2?

But Bioware always delivered so far.

[Zor]

But hasn't KZ2 delivered in all of its previews?

[vickers500]

@JohnCarpenter

Actually, yes. But just because a game is overhyped, doesent mean its not good. Just look at Halo and Gears. Mass Effect does not look very good IMO, and from these impressions, it looks like it doesent play very well either. KZ2 may be overhyped, but the graphics from the trailer are not (excluding the cgi video).

[stennexxx]

Mass Effect will do well if it is on PC. Games like that really belongs only on PC. It will be more able to grow on you. Too many games coming on 360 and they really have to shine.

[Lex Luthor]

Please stop chatting Sh!t. Thank you for your cooperation.

[Dr Pepper]

@ stennexxx

What are you talking about? Seriously, your comment doesn't make sense.

[Ahhhh]

@JohnCarpenter - haha liked the response to vickers500. So true.
@stennexxx - I agree with Dr Pepper.. your comment doesn't make sense.