Mass Effect was one of GameSpy's favorite role-playing games in recent memory, and at E3 2009 the sequel is set to set the show ablaze. Gamespy had the opportunity to sit down with BioWare's Casey Hudson, Executive Producer on Mass Effect 2, to pick his brain about alien species, love interests, and exploring the farthest reaches of space.
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.
GameSpy: What have you done to improve Mass Effect 2's gameplay?
Casey Hudson: What we've done with Mass Effect 2 in terms of gameplay is literally take every bit of feedback that we could find, list it out, categorize it, and come up with a fundamental set of design improvements that catches all those things.
The first one was easily one of the best games I've ever played, I think ME2 is going to be a masterpiece from Bioware.
ME is one of those games i hope Fanboys put there crap aside and just enjoy....its digital art!
"People really loved getting really immersed in the science fiction, going beyond the barrier of a handmade story and going out into the galaxy to see what's there. They loved that idea, but they wanted it to be richer, more variety. So we're addressing those things for Mass Effect 2."
I'm definitely one of those people so it's good to hear this. One of the most fun things for me to do in an RPG is go beyond the main quest to experience meaningful events that don't necessarily affect the game's outcome. I love the idea of setting off on my own 'five year mission' so richer planets, conflicts, and life forms are a must.