Mass Effect Sequel
recklessheart
Member Posts: 692
in Off-Topic
No doubt there is a forum out there more appropriate for this enquiry, but I'll be damned if I can find it, or remember yet another account password, so here I am relying on a mutually agreed fanbase comprised of those of you who loved Baldur's Gate, and went on (like myself) to play Mass Effect and love it too.
I'm hearing reports that the Mass Effect sequel (provisionally referred to as ME4) is to be set in a new universe. I'm dreadful at Physics, but what exactly are the implications of this? If I remember correctly, doesn't that mean that all of the decisions, locations and relationships set up and explored in ME1, ME2 & ME3 will be completely irrelevant and overturned as the developers explore a completely parallel timeline and realm of space for the new games? And if so, does nobody else find this to be a fearful idea and a terribly travesty given the fantastic and vivid fiction we have come to know from the previous Mass Effect games and their supplements?
Any enlightenment would be hugely appreciated, for - as many of you might already have figured out - I am fairly clueless about life and everything therein.
I'm hearing reports that the Mass Effect sequel (provisionally referred to as ME4) is to be set in a new universe. I'm dreadful at Physics, but what exactly are the implications of this? If I remember correctly, doesn't that mean that all of the decisions, locations and relationships set up and explored in ME1, ME2 & ME3 will be completely irrelevant and overturned as the developers explore a completely parallel timeline and realm of space for the new games? And if so, does nobody else find this to be a fearful idea and a terribly travesty given the fantastic and vivid fiction we have come to know from the previous Mass Effect games and their supplements?
Any enlightenment would be hugely appreciated, for - as many of you might already have figured out - I am fairly clueless about life and everything therein.
0
Comments
obvious they wrote themselves into a corner with how they handled the ending. it would be difficult creating a universe that kept our own decisions in mind, and they obviously turned back on their promise to tie up all loose ends, which they would have to do to make a direct sequal most likely.
I think I am pretty much done with Mass Effect. I have loved it since the first game's release all the way to ME3, but since ME3 I haven't replayed the trilogy once. I have lost all interest in another game in the series unless it aims to satisfy the fans with what was promised in the original trilogy. God I miss the characters though... I'll admit that I ported Tali's assets over to Fallout after a year of no Mass Effect
So really, having a new cast of characters will allow them to actually try to write a story.
They could set the game far enough into the future that all of the ME3 characters are dead, and such that none of the choices from the previous game still have an impact. Say 1m years or so - that way even the final choice of kill, merge, control could easily have been superceded.
However, it would have to be linear (no multiple endings anyways) that stays true to the ME universe, which I think most fans wouldn't like.
How they butchered the end of the trilogy however, I am not holding out hope.
They are attempting to milk a dead horse.
My guess is that it will be an acceptable, but not ground breaking game. There will be lots of day 1, 2 and 3 paid DLC and lots of 'hit me up to buy additional DLC' in the game (talk to some character and get told, essentially, to pull out the credit card). Finally, the other cardinal deadly sin, the EA 'must have multiplayer' fetish, especially if that multiplayer nonsense (my opinion - if others enjoy this feature, have a ball without me) affects single player campaigns.
Multiplayer only barely affected single player, and initially due to a bug/oversight its effect was greater than intended. A patch fixed that, and in so doing allows you to get the optimal endings just by finding more resources via exploration and quests.
The multiplayer was also wildly successful, so there' really no reason for EA to not be tempted by that. I'd prefer a co-op campaign, which is more than likely what they'd do, in emulation of Baldur's Gate.
Jessica Chobot is not attached at the hip to IGN. She's a professional who has covered the game industry from multiple venues. Besides, IGN already got in trouble over the Kane & Lynch fiasco a few years back, so they're not going to tempt fate again. Their 9.5 score was fair, I thought, as ME3 is a legitimately amazing game in spite of the lackluster ending.
I don't care who cameos in games, and didn't understand everybody getting bent about it. My Shepard was 100% devoted to his other in the game, so I pretty much shrugged her off in my playthrough.
What I want most in ME add-ons is to be a Krogan. Or a Turian. Maybe a Geth! I just think that variety would be fun to explore, especially if there are differences in how they play out. I see a rich universe with a lot of possibilities, limited only by the writing and execution.
I understand that a lot of people were disappointed by the ending of ME3. It isn't what I would have chosen, either, but it was an ending. That said, ME3 didn't disappoint me, personally, how DA ][ did. In fact, some of my most cherished video game moments ever happened during ME3, and I truly felt something (does that make me a geek) nostalgic during a discussion with Liara where (in my playthrough) they looked back and just talked about being friends (I think she did proposition as an aside, but it was easily brushed to the side). And I loved the poster for the action holo movie between the Mole person and the Jellyfish person (I'm terrible at remembering the race names). Hanar is one of them, right?
> For instance, a Turian tale where you go from recruit to important would really interest me. They could flesh out the differences in social/political structures between them and humans or whatnot.
> Similarly, an epic tale of a Quarian expedition or whatnot would be really fun for me. What might they find in the abyss?
Anyway, this looks like ripe fruit if developed correctly. I refuse to buy into the BioWare=Bad mathematics. They're a developer that has some amazing successes (IMO BG series, ME series, KOTOR, DA:O), some ok work (DA:O expansion, NWN, Jade Empire) and one true (my opinion) disappointment (DA ][). There were hiccups with some of the titles, but a lot of it appeared (again, my opinion) to be people expecting a lot and being disappointed by failure to meet expectations more than a failure to deliver.
My biggest hope is that they keep ME deeper in terms of relationships and steer clear of the DA ][ 'npc will 'do' anybody regardless of that character's race/gender and actions in the game' thing.
I'm rambling. I'll shut up now. Honest.
also the hanar's name was blasto!
There could be plenty of interesting "tie ins" to the trilogy too, like the Reaper derelict. That could end up being the "final boss fight", potentially.
Lot of potential here, especially since "Protheans" weren't necessarily a specific race, but many races conquered under a single banner. It'd almost be a new "universe" if you think about it.
If not jumping on the ME3/DA2 hatewagon makes me an apologist, then I guess that is what I am.
I'm glad we agree that ME3 was some of the best narrative moments in gaming. I was literally on the verge of tears no less than three times in ME3.
The race names you're looking for are elcor (monotone race) and hanar (jellyfish race), btw.
I do appreciate the desire to play as multiple races, but I think @recklessheart may be right in that race can't reasonably be a choice in the Mass Effect series. I don't agree that this means the protagonist must ALWAYS be human, however. A game where you play as a turian could be amazing, especially since ME3 DLC and multiplayer introduced us to some awesome female turian character models. Other races could work, but turians, batarians, and krogan are the non-humans I'm most enthused about. @Varwulf's idea isn't bad, either, but I'd rather play in the sandbox of the established ME universe right now, with a plot that doesn't involve Reapers or galactic extinction.
Ideally, I'd like to be the leader of a small mercenary company that grows throughout the game. Throw in some XCOM-like base management and upgrading, and I'm golden.
That is my bread and butter. I also agree that I would love to stick with Krogans, Salarians, etc, the races we're used to.
Though one reason I mentioned the Protheans is because I remember reading a comment made by a US Marine on one of Javik's videos that expressed my sentiment exactly. I don't know the exact quote but...
"As a US Marine, Krogans don't really scare me much. Sure they are big and tough but they're your typical big brute, nothing too special. Javik, however, scares the crap out of me and if I ever had the opportunity to meet him in real life I'd do everything in my power to keep on his good side."
Javik always commanded such greater respect out of me than Wrex ever did, and I fricken love Wrex lol.
Cold and utter ruthlessness, to me, is scarier than some big guy flexing his muscles.
@Drugar @Varwulf
I don't disagree so much as you guys are very much underestimating krogan, especially Wrex. For one thing, being a bruiser is pretty damn effective when you're damn near invincible and as strong and heavy as a grizzly. Also, they're not *just* brutes. They're brutes who have built their entire society, their technology, their tactics, on warfare for over 1000 years. Listen to Grunt talk about krogan tactics in ME2. They're brutal, and ruthless. In ship-to-ship combat they don't aim for your weapons or your engines first, they shoot your cargo bay to turn your own cargo into shrapnel that erupts inside the belly of your ship. Even if you win, your engineers are probably dead and your drive core is more than likely damaged, so you lose anyway.
I am not saying that I dislike Krogan or think they are just brutes, or pansies, or anything like that. I love Krogan. I think they are bad ass. I love everything about their lore and their culture. I was simply quoting one US Marine's thoughts on the matter :P
I just happen to find, and appreciate, Javik more than most Krogan. Nothing more, nothing less