[A View to the Past is a new feature on the Reviewcast, aimed at looking back at games; from the recent past, to way back in the day. We aim to keep these articles informal, light and (hopefully) fun to read.]
You wouldn’t have heard of Mass Effect 2. It was an indie Action/RPG released in 2010 to little fanfair. It only sold a few hundred copies and has the distinction of being one of the worst reviewed games of all time. Okay, so maybe I made that up. In reality, Mass Effect 2 is widely regarded as one of this generation’s best games, sold like breast shaped hotcakes and furthered Bioware’s reputation as kings amongst men.
Almost two years since it’s release, and with Mass Effect 3 fast approaching, I decided to sit down (or continue sitting) and tell you just why Mass Effect 2 is not only one of the best games of this generation, but also one of my favourite games of all time
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.
Diandra worked on Diablo 4 and also other games at Blizzard including WoW: Dragon Flight. She’s also been at Bioware, Carbine, RIOT, and she is currently working at Crystal Dynamics.
Brian was the Lead Writer on Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls, worked on StarCraft: Heart of the Swarm, StarCraft: Wings of Liberty, and was also a writer on Mass Effect 2. He’s also been involved in movies such as the Iron Giant.
Diandra and Brian discuss their industry experience, the games they have worked on, how the writing process works, and much more.
