Mass Effect 3

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by PraetorianX

I wasn't in love with the ending, but I don't think it's quite as horrible as some people are making it out to be. Overall, I found it to be an incredibly enjoyable game even if it did have a few annoying issues.

Spoiler

I mean, a lot of people don't seem to be able to comprehend (yeah...I just have to post this after mckerney's post...) what the spaceboything is talking about. It's fairly simple, from my understanding.

Organics will eventually create synthetic life (i.e. - Quarians creating Geth), that synthetic life will inevitably turn on it's creators. The Reapers/spacekid believe that eventually these synthetics will wipe out ALL organic life.

Thus the Reapers come along and wipe out the most advanced races, incorporating one or two into new Reaper forms (i.e. - the Human Reaper at the Collector Base) and leaving lesser races to continue it's progress.

For instance, during the last cycle they killed off the Protheans and perhaps some other races. But they left humans, turians, salarians and Asari (etc.) to continue their development, leading to them being the races that are wiped out this time.

In this way the Reapers, who are an Organic/Synthetic hybrid themselves, preserve organic life in the galaxy. They very likely wipe out any synthetic life they encounter as well.

We don't know the full history of the galaxy, it's entirely possible that at one point this all came to pass. Organic life created a synthetic lifeform that took over and went all genocidal. At some point spaceboy/Reapers were developed to deal with the Cylons and organic life slowly began to evolve in the galaxy once again.

Now, the problem I have with the ending is that ultimately it doesn't seem like the choices we've made throughout these three games really matter all that much. Even the final choice doesn't really seem to be much of a choice.

The other major thing that annoys me is that we don't seem to learn what results from our final choice. Maybe if we did, it would make that final choice seem better, especially if it incorporated all of our other choices.

Even if it was just a text telling us about what happened in the years after, that would be enough. And if it were just text, like a glorified codex, then it could very easily incorporate all of our previous choices so that we know just how much we changed the galaxy.

Perhaps one of the defining characteristics of the Mass Effect series is choice. It'd be nice to see the results of it.

They could even put the text in different colors if they wanted.


Oh, and the whole Joker thing was just...wtf? I hated that.

Spoiler

I think people understand Space Kid. It is simple. I think it's also stupid as hell. You have to kill us to save us. Great.

I had the same major issue that you did - the entirely disregard of the player's choices over the last 150 hours of gaming. It's entirely inconsistent with the series. That's my biggest beef. But it's not the only one. The ending was logically inconsistent with the rest of the series. For example:

Mass Effects not blowing up the entire system is entirely inconsistent with the Arrival DLC. That's a huge one. If the game is consistent in that a destroyed ME destroys the system, Shep is a bigger mass murderer than the Reapers as he/she just wiped out most of the life in the galaxy. Oops. My bad.

That you're given three choices by Space Kid, a character you meet after 150 hours with literally seconds left to play in the game. That has to be one of the worst gaming decisions of all time. Who is this McGuffin and why do we meet him only now? Furthermore, that you have to select one of those three without even the chance to explain to Space Kid that he's wrong. Sorry Kid, I got everyone working together - even synthetics and bios - but I'm not allowed to explain that to you?

Then once you do select one of the three rainbow colors, the PFM (Pure Fucking Magic) bolt that can turn everyone into...something else? What the hell is that?

How did my squad mates end up in FTL space when they were with me on the planet? Why is Joker leaving in the middle of the battle?

There's just nothing right with the ending. It's awful.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Spoiler

I think people understand Space Kid. It is simple. I think it's also stupid as hell. You have to kill us to save us. Great.

I had the same major issue that you did - the entirely disregard of the player's choices over the last 150 hours of gaming. It's entirely inconsistent with the series. That's my biggest beef. But it's not the only one. The ending was logically inconsistent with the rest of the series. For example:

Mass Effects not blowing up the entire system is entirely inconsistent with the Arrival DLC. That's a huge one. If the game is consistent in that a destroyed ME destroys the system, Shep is a bigger mass murderer than the Reapers as he/she just wiped out most of the life in the galaxy. Oops. My bad.

That you're given three choices by Space Kid, a character you meet after 150 hours with literally seconds left to play in the game. That has to be one of the worst gaming decisions of all time. Who is this McGuffin and why do we meet him only now? Furthermore, that you have to select one of those three without even the chance to explain to Space Kid that he's wrong. Sorry Kid, I got everyone working together - even synthetics and bios - but I'm not allowed to explain that to you?

Then once you do select one of the three rainbow colors, the PFM (Pure Fucking Magic) bolt that can turn everyone into...something else? What the hell is that?

How did my squad mates end up in FTL space when they were with me on the planet? Why is Joker leaving in the middle of the battle?

There's just nothing right with the ending. It's awful.

Spoiler

I also hated how they negated the ability for player choice with the dream sequences. Through the first two games my Shepard was a character that I was able to define through the choices and actions I made for her. Sure, sometimes the choices were a bit of an illusion and the same thing might happen no matter what action or dialogue I chose, but it still felt like I was creating and defining a character. I could do horrible things without batting an eyelash about it.

But then the dream sequences start up and we're left without even the illusion of choice. Instead of a character who's actions, thoughts and emotions were created by me all of a sudden the game was telling me, "It doesn't matter what you think Shepard feels distraught over the child she saw die on Earth. Why? I don't really have any idea. It didn't fit in with anything my character had done to that point, and I certainly wasn't hung up over one stranger who was among the millions who died on Earth, one of those I knew I'd left to die to try and say others. It made it immersion breaking and annoying every time I had to go through one of the dreams.

[PraetorianX]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

Spoiler

I think people understand Space Kid. It is simple. I think it's also stupid as hell. You have to kill us to save us. Great.

I had the same major issue that you did - the entirely disregard of the player's choices over the last 150 hours of gaming. It's entirely inconsistent with the series. That's my biggest beef. But it's not the only one. The ending was logically inconsistent with the rest of the series. For example:

Mass Effects not blowing up the entire system is entirely inconsistent with the Arrival DLC. That's a huge one. If the game is consistent in that a destroyed ME destroys the system, Shep is a bigger mass murderer than the Reapers as he/she just wiped out most of the life in the galaxy. Oops. My bad.

That you're given three choices by Space Kid, a character you meet after 150 hours with literally seconds left to play in the game. That has to be one of the worst gaming decisions of all time. Who is this McGuffin and why do we meet him only now? Furthermore, that you have to select one of those three without even the chance to explain to Space Kid that he's wrong. Sorry Kid, I got everyone working together - even synthetics and bios - but I'm not allowed to explain that to you?

Then once you do select one of the three rainbow colors, the PFM (Pure Fucking Magic) bolt that can turn everyone into...something else? What the hell is that?

How did my squad mates end up in FTL space when they were with me on the planet? Why is Joker leaving in the middle of the battle?

There's just nothing right with the ending. It's awful.

Spoiler

Ah yes, I kept thinking I was forgetting something and the Mass Relays blowing up is it. Dreadful.

At times it seems like the end game, even at TIM's HQ, that they were just a bit rushed or something. Like EA says "Hey! We got a deadline here, get it done!" and Bioware had to slap together a quicker ending than perhaps they wanted to?

Though I would have thought the ending(s) would be at least somewhat planned out by this point anyway.

As for the Reapers reasoning, I think it makes sense from a machines (or part machine) point of view.

If organics are left to advance, they create synthetics that wipe out all life, therefore the most advanced races should be harvested every 50k years to prevent that.

Also they turn at least one of the advanced races into Reapers, which they probably think is pretty darn nice of them.

I can sort of see how something like the Reapers and whatever that Spacekid is would think this not only logical but also benevolent.

That's why I don't have such a huge issue with that part of it.

The rest though...yeah.

[Maple Leafs]

I have to say, as somebody who has never played the game and didn't know anything about it, I find this whole debate about the ending fascinating.

Mrs. Leafs is a series diehard, and she was furious about how it ended. At first I assumed it was typical fanboy "Wah, they didn't write the ending that I came up with in my head" stuff, but the more I read up on I really feel like you guys got screwed.

[Shepp]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

I have to say, as somebody who has never played the game and didn't know anything about it, I find this whole debate about the ending fascinating.

Mrs. Leafs is a series diehard, and she was furious about how it ended. At first I assumed it was typical fanboy "Wah, they didn't write the ending that I came up with in my head" stuff, but the more I read up on I really feel like you guys got screwed.

The rest of the game isn't perfect but it at least has the same feel as the rest of the series. At the end its almost like they chopped off the real end and relaced it with the end from a different story.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just finished the game.

Still pondering how I feel about the ending. I see the issues some have with it. Some I agree, some not so much.

That said, everything up to the ending ranged somewhere from good to amazing. Had a blast playing it.

My ambivalence towards the ending doesn't change it all that much.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I just went through the end again and still didn't have a huge issue with it.

Have any of you watched this (rather lengthy) theory about the whole ending sequence?

Spoiler

[Mustang]

Just grinded through to the end last night and my only reaction was..

the fuck???

Spoiler

150 hours into the franchise and your options are just that narrow? Much of the buildup of forces just seemed worthless. I thought for sure the success/failure of the reapers would be based on what you've done over the last three games, but almost seemed useless.

And why was Jeff suddenly piloting somewhere?

And why did Edi walk off the Normandy when all synthetic life was presumably destroyed?

And if my Sheppard was in love with Jack, why the hell didn't he think of her in his last moments?

And if that theory is correct, that pisses me off even more and it seems like they went down a Matrix path. Great concept and now you are just shitting on everything by trying to get too deep. I guess I'm just a simpleton. I wanted my characters action to dictate the end.. not some craptastic douche of a spacekid that I just met.

I was wanting to re-do the whole series, but with a female character, but now, knowing that this pile of shit is at the end, I'm not sure.

As I said...

the fuck??

[mckerney]

I'm in the same boat as you for replaying it. In Mass Effect 2 I did a New Game+ on the hardest difficulty and played through with a male Shepard, I think i played around 120 hours total. I was planning on starting another play through after finishing 3, but after the ending couldn't bring myself to do it. I played a couple rounds of multiplayer and haven't touched it since.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Obviously my reaction to the ending, and series as a whole, is quite different than most. I never re-play games with a story/narrative. I can't think of one off the top of my head that I have ever done so or ever really had the desire to.

That said, the day after I finished Mass Effect 3, I had a strong desire to re-play the last two games as FemShep. I even went so far to buy that Mass Effect 2 DLC that allows you to make some of the important decisions in ME1 in a sort of flashback type way and started a new ME2 game.

I didn't get too far, probably just past the first mission, since I got caught up with Deus Ex, but I think I will return to it.

I didn’t mind ME3′s ending all that much. Could ME3’s ending have been better? Sure. Can I give you a list of things I would have done differently (and better)? Sure.

I am looking forward to the extended DLC ending they are putting out, I wonder how much of an improvement this will be.



Even with the ending “Mass Effect” is my favorite RPG video game series of all time. Just had so much fun playing it.

[mckerney]

The Escapist : Forums : Gaming Discussion : Major Mass Effect 3 Ending Content Cut out Kotor 2 style (spoilers)

More evidence the ending was rushed. Unused voice work point to original plans for the final battle being of much larger scale and having you fight alongside war assets and former squadmates.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by mckerney

The Escapist : Forums : Gaming Discussion : Major Mass Effect 3 Ending Content Cut out Kotor 2 style (spoilers)

More evidence the ending was rushed. Unused voice work point to original plans for the final battle being of much larger scale and having you fight alongside war assets and former squadmates.

Sounds more or less in line with what the Bioware employee posted on the Penny Arcade forums.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by mckerney

The Escapist : Forums : Gaming Discussion : Major Mass Effect 3 Ending Content Cut out Kotor 2 style (spoilers)

More evidence the ending was rushed. Unused voice work point to original plans for the final battle being of much larger scale and having you fight alongside war assets and former squadmates.

This is what's most disappointing to me about the ending of the game.

Spoiler

I didn't have that much of an issue of what happened with the catalyst and everything. Didn't especially love it, but it was fine. My biggest complaint with the ending was everything leading up to it. While I really enjoyed the battle through war-torn London, it really would have been so much better if it included the war assets you had and gathered and, most importantly, involved your other squad mates, similar to what was done during the suicide mission in ME2. That's what I felt was really missing from the end.

Even if it was just cut scenes of, say, Ashley leading a human squad to hold off some advance, Samara leading a bunch of Asari, Jack and her Biotic New Mutants fighting off hordes wherever they were, etc. Perhaps having some of their fates linked to the amount of war assets you had. For example, if you have a certain level, Jack and her kids look like they are about done for, but then get rescued by the Blue Suns, or a Grunt and Wrex getting bailed out by some arachni or salarian squad.

It really would have pulled everything together.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

This is what's most disappointing to me about the ending of the game.

That seems to be in line with a lot of what I've read, especially now that people have had time to consider what they would have liked instead of just knowing they were unhappy.

I'm curious about something, not sure if you can answer or not but maybe somebody can. (surely some FOFC'er is familiar with both elements in my question)

I'm not at all a huge fan of either property I'm going to mention but I'm familiar enough with them both to have some general idea: Is it reasonably accurate to say that what was done with ME3 is similar to the final battle in the Harry Potter movie ... except that the latter trimmed without ruining the feel, while the game simply scrimped on everything & just cut directly to the conclusion?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

That seems to be in line with a lot of what I've read, especially now that people have had time to consider what they would have liked instead of just knowing they were unhappy.

I'm curious about something, not sure if you can answer or not but maybe somebody can. (surely some FOFC'er is familiar with both elements in my question)

I'm not at all a huge fan of either property I'm going to mention but I'm familiar enough with them both to have some general idea: Is it reasonably accurate to say that what was done with ME3 is similar to the final battle in the Harry Potter movie ... except that the latter trimmed without ruining the feel, while the game simply scrimped on everything & just cut directly to the conclusion?

I would have a hard time comparing the two, since I am not that familiar with Harry Potter. I never read the books and only saw a few of the films, and never the final one.

As for ME3, I think that's a pretty fair statement. At least based off of what we've been hearing. You can really look at the entire last game as "the end", so in that regard it's not really scrimping. But when you get to the final battle at earth, they just sort of dropped the ball. You get to one last conversation with each member of your team - both current and past - and then that's really it. Besides whichever two squad members you pick, you never hear from the others again. You also never get a sense that all these "war assets" that you've been gathering or the alliane you've spent all game trying to solidify really mean much of anything or have an impact.

So, thinking about it more, it might not be so much scrimping and cutting right to the conclusion - though that appeared to happen - as it was ignoring a lot of what the current and past games were about. The "ignoring" part could be a result of scrimping or cutting corners. There were plenty of opportunities to add that sort of stuff into the game during the final conflict. If they had added all of that stuff before the actual conclusion - it would have been fantastic.

I think a lot of people (well, some at least) would have been able to overlook the somewhat puzzling conclusion if the lead up to it had that stuff.

[Icy]

I have never played mass effect franchise before and i'm thinking about getting into it. Will get for sure 2 and 3, but not sure about 1.

I have researched in some forums but prefer the opinions from FOFC.

1) Should i play 1, 2 and 3? or is 2 and 3 enough? having on mind that the PS3 version of ME2 has something called comic that it's like a mini ME1 where you can take some important decisions from 1 (or that i have read). My worries about 1 is that i might feel it so outdated graphically after 4 yras since release, also that i have read the game mechanics are way different that 2 and 3.

2) PC or PS3? If i buy 2 and 3 only, i might go the Ps3 route because that comic option i taled before. PC would be an easier choice if i could buy all 3 from steam, but i see i need origin for the 3rd one. Not a big issue anyway as i have origin installed for BF3 anyway, but i have a macpro notebook so i would need to start in bootcamp to run the games, and i'm not really into that.

UPDATE: i have found that i can buy 1 and 2 from Origin and for really cheap, like $18 for both so i might go that route unless you guys think the PS3 version is better with that "comic" feature as i have read i can create different characters for 2 and 3 way faster than replaying 1 several times.

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by Icy

I have never played mass effect franchise before and i'm thinking about getting into it. Will get for sure 2 and 3, but not sure about 1.

I have researched in some forums but prefer the opinions from FOFC.

1) Should i play 1, 2 and 3? or is 2 and 3 enough? having on mind that the PS3 version of ME2 has something called comic that it's like a mini ME1 where you can take some important decisions from 1 (or that i have read). My worries about 1 is that i might feel it so outdated graphically after 4 yras since release, also that i have read the game mechanics are way different that 2 and 3.

2) PC or PS3? If i buy 2 and 3 only, i might go the Ps3 route because that comic option i taled before. PC would be an easier choice if i could buy all 3 from steam, but i see i need origin for the 3rd one. Not a big issue anyway as i have origin installed for BF3 anyway, but i have a macpro notebook so i would need to start in bootcamp to run the games, and i'm not really into that.

UPDATE: i have found that i can buy 1 and 2 from Origin and for really cheap, like $18 for both so i might go that route unless you guys think the PS3 version is better with that "comic" feature as i have read i can create different characters for 2 and 3 way faster than replaying 1 several times.

I really don't remember much of one. That being said, ME2 is a great game very much in the Magnificent Seven/Seven Samurai/Dirty Dozen type style. They really seemed to cut a lot of the chaff from one but not in a way that made it too linear.

I don't think you'd go wrong for 18 bucks though. I think I sold my copy of ME1.

[Neon_Chaos]

Nothing will ever beat the horrible ending of KotoR 2.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Icy

I have never played mass effect franchise before and i'm thinking about getting into it. Will get for sure 2 and 3, but not sure about 1.

I have researched in some forums but prefer the opinions from FOFC.

1) Should i play 1, 2 and 3? or is 2 and 3 enough? having on mind that the PS3 version of ME2 has something called comic that it's like a mini ME1 where you can take some important decisions from 1 (or that i have read). My worries about 1 is that i might feel it so outdated graphically after 4 yras since release, also that i have read the game mechanics are way different that 2 and 3.

2) PC or PS3? If i buy 2 and 3 only, i might go the Ps3 route because that comic option i taled before. PC would be an easier choice if i could buy all 3 from steam, but i see i need origin for the 3rd one. Not a big issue anyway as i have origin installed for BF3 anyway, but i have a macpro notebook so i would need to start in bootcamp to run the games, and i'm not really into that.

UPDATE: i have found that i can buy 1 and 2 from Origin and for really cheap, like $18 for both so i might go that route unless you guys think the PS3 version is better with that "comic" feature as i have read i can create different characters for 2 and 3 way faster than replaying 1 several times.

I only ever played it on the PC. You can buy the comic option as DLC for the PC. I just recently went that route with the game for my ME2 re-play.

ME1 has many issues. There are many missions where you drive this buggy around on planet surfaces trying to pick shit up. Those are all horrible. Very dull and kind of frustrating. Also, the layout for buildings in every side mission is identical. It's always the same.

One of the best things about ME2 is how it addressed and vastly improved upon almost every annoying thing in the first game.

That being said, storywise and investment-wise, it's not a bad idea to play through the first game. I would just try to do so kind of quickly and don't bother with every single side quest/fetch mission. The world is very cool and the first game really lets you get a sense of it. Also, you develop a sense of certain NPCs that carry through every game and build a relationship with them. I think that can really add a lot to the sequels. I don't think you'd get the same level of investment in these character by going to comic route.

[Shepp]

Originally Posted by Icy

I have never played mass effect franchise before and i'm thinking about getting into it. Will get for sure 2 and 3, but not sure about 1.

I have researched in some forums but prefer the opinions from FOFC.

1) Should i play 1, 2 and 3? or is 2 and 3 enough? having on mind that the PS3 version of ME2 has something called comic that it's like a mini ME1 where you can take some important decisions from 1 (or that i have read). My worries about 1 is that i might feel it so outdated graphically after 4 yras since release, also that i have read the game mechanics are way different that 2 and 3.

2) PC or PS3? If i buy 2 and 3 only, i might go the Ps3 route because that comic option i taled before. PC would be an easier choice if i could buy all 3 from steam, but i see i need origin for the 3rd one. Not a big issue anyway as i have origin installed for BF3 anyway, but i have a macpro notebook so i would need to start in bootcamp to run the games, and i'm not really into that.

UPDATE: i have found that i can buy 1 and 2 from Origin and for really cheap, like $18 for both so i might go that route unless you guys think the PS3 version is better with that "comic" feature as i have read i can create different characters for 2 and 3 way faster than replaying 1 several times.

I would recommend the PC version unless your computer just absolutely sucks.

Unless you just don't want to spend the time playing ME1, I would buy the game and play the whole thing. The shooter gameplay elements were a little rough in ME1 compared to ME2 but its more than made up for by some of the really good cinematic portions of the game. Besides if you take the time to play the first two the Extended Cut should be out by the time you're ready for ME3. Hopefully, you won't have to experience the pain that is that crappy ending.

[Atocep]

Did anyone else try Andromeda? I finished it recently and it feels like they've merged Dragon Age and Mass Effect into more or less the same game. The difference is the particular open world that Bioware has created seems to work much better in a fantasy setting than space.

Inquisition wasn't perfect, but it was fun and engaging. Witcher 3 blew it away and I'm sure going back the world would feel somewhat empty and boring because of just how good Witcher is. The characters in Inquisition were still interesting, I felt, and the story was decent.

When you land on a planet there is no variation in the landscape. If you land on a snowy planet the entire planet is snowy. Land on a desert, well it just so happens the entire planet is a desert. And so on and so forth.

The characters? Boring and unimaginative. Story? Boring and predictable. Animations? Terrible (even after the patch that somewhat fixed them a little).

All in all I think it's a 6/10 type game. The first few hours are a struggle to get through. It picks up a bit in the middle, but then the ending is as anti-climatic as you can imagine.

This is a series that I loved at one point. Then 3 just wasn't a that great of a game IMO and Andromeda takes things a step or 3 lower.

I just can't believe what's become of Bioware. Mediocre gameplay with awful dialogue and a paint by numbers story isn't what that company is about.

[SirFozzie]

Nah, It's a solid 8-9 to me. it feels really alien, which helps the story.

SackAttack and I have been playing ME:A Multiplayer when we're both on, and it leads to "hilarious" conversations like this:

I see a hydra, a big mech (we've nicknamed it Stompy, it's one of the few units in the game that can straight up kill you with one shot (not take down, kill).

Me: ACK, RUN AWAY!

(runs toward SackAttack's group.)

Me: I'm bringing death behind me, look out!

SackAttack: No! We already have enough death here.

(I start getting shot at by the seven or eight outlaws that Sack Attack's group was fighting)

Me: ow! Too much death! RUN AWAY!

[SackAttack]

You know the scene in Marvel's The Avengers where Tony Stark goes? "Tell him to suit up; I'm bringing the party to you."?

SirFozzie plays ME:A multiplayer kinda like Tony Stark as played by Groucho Marx.

[SirFozzie]

Well, I play (right now) An Asari Adept. I have two pistols, and three sets of biotic powers.. the biotic powers only combine when they are near my (my annihlation field around me primes, the other two detonate).

So I do a lot of "CHARGE!" followed by a lot of "OH G@$*U@()$!!! RUN AWAY"

[Atocep]

It sounds like the plug has been pulled, at least temporarily, on a 2nd game in the Andromeda series. Reports are saying the team working on it has been moved on to other projects.

[RainMaker]

It wasn't very good. Felt like a game that was about 5 years behind the times. Writing was terrible and the gameplay was nothing to ride home about. Probably didn't help that a lot of the early bugs were mocked relentlessly online.

I wouldn't have bought a 2nd game and maybe they'd be better off moving on to another property.

[SirFozzie]

all that means is they're not going to begin immediate work on MEA2. that means it's 2-3 years out, at a minimum. They'll get the band back together again, almost definitely, there's too much momentum behind the Mass Effect Brand

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

all that means is they're not going to begin immediate work on MEA2. that means it's 2-3 years out, at a minimum. They'll get the band back together again, almost definitely, there's too much momentum behind the Mass Effect Brand

I'm sure they will eventually, but the series has been declining in sales and reviews since 2. Another game like Andromeda and the series is done.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

It wasn't very good. Felt like a game that was about 5 years behind the times. Writing was terrible and the gameplay was nothing to ride home about. Probably didn't help that a lot of the early bugs were mocked relentlessly online.

I wouldn't have bought a 2nd game and maybe they'd be better off moving on to another property.

This is what I consistently heard, so I never bought the game, and I consider Mass Effect my favorite RPG series ever. I loved those games. I played through ME2 twice, which I never do with RPGs. I bought all of the DLC. I had great affection for the series and the characters, but nothing about this new game sounded compelling.

[SackAttack]

I'd guess they probably also won't assign the next game in the series to BioWare Montreal (or any of the other B-teams, really). I'd guess the A-team is getting ME back if and when there's another game.