Comments on: Zero Punctuation Takes on Mass Effect

By: Reza

Reza — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:23:35 +0000

Mass Effect is da bomb!

Very good game, despite all the glitches ive heard about, not experienced anything to complain about, apart from the odd texture pop in and frame rate stutter the game is solid with an excellent story and gameplay. The only thing that annoys me is because the game is basically being run from the DVD and nothing is being cached to the hard drive, my DVD drive sounds like a flying hoover while im playing this game and that ruins it for me a bit as sometimes im struggling to hear what the characters are saying over the constant loud whine of the DVD drive. Im also playing this game after receiving my xbox 360 back from RROD repair and it sounds even louder now perhaps due to the extra fan to avoid overheating. Apart from that its a very good game. The driving portion is also not that bad as some suggest, it may not be as good as the walking parts but its still good. Overall Bioware have done an excellent job creating their own universe and have tried to set it apart from Star Wars. There are some similarities like the Citadel Council – reminds me of Jedi Council, and the Spectres – reminds me of the Jedi. Apart from this you will like the story whish is deep and engaging. Some of the side quests are a bit naf lbut i would recommend trying to finish them for experience points.

I give Mass Effect a 9 out of 10

By: Shawn Sines

Shawn Sines — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:44:42 +0000

@Rollett: I didn’t have the problem either, but I did notice when I handed the game to my wife that she did not automatically pick things up. Her mental process wasn’t as accustomed to the discovery process for Mass Effect and there was little guidance to help her out. She did figure it out eventually but it frustrated her initially. Had I not been praising the title I wonder if she would have given up and walked away. Since the game is aimed at a general audience, not just die-hards like us, I had to take that impact seriously in my review process.

Also my nephew and his type of action-oriented gamer would be quickly bored by the plot and dialog – like Yahtzee apparently was. I loved the story and dialog, but then again I like cut-scenes in storytelling and intricate character development in a cinematic form.. not everyone thinks those methods have a place in interactive games.

By: Shawn Sines

Shawn Sines — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:39:35 +0000

Thanks Lupo.

I enjoyed Mass Effect greatly.. but this is one of the areas I think it fell down a little. (As I believe I stated in my reviews here: http://www.columbusalive.com/?sec=gaming&story=alive/2007/1206/g-gameon.html and here: http://news.filefront.com/gaming-today-reviews-mass-effect/).

I guess the Mass Effect Kool-aid comment was a bit harsh, more harsh than intended, but I guess I see so many people praising the game sometimes that seem to find no fault in it, and while I think its an amazing experience it is not perfect and Bioware can and I believe will do better next time around.

By: Rollett

Rollett — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:39:02 +0000

Shawn… i didnt have ANY problem figureing out enhancements… nor did i have problems with menu’s… i dont like the slow down.. or the pop up…

But for once i dont agree with Yahtzee either.. When i agree 100% on his other reviews lol

By: Lupo

Lupo — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:19:49 +0000

You gotta love Shawn Sines. Always highly entertaining with valid points!

By: Shawn Sines

Shawn Sines — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:04:17 +0000

William, not so much. That was one of the games biggest failings – it didn’t teach people how to play the game. It just expected you to figure it out.. and not everyone drinks the Mass Effect Kool-aid and overlooks this weakness in what could have been an even better game.

By: William

William — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:42:34 +0000

Obviously they aren’t RPG fans. I’m not sure why he says it took so long to figure out the weapon modifications. They were pretty much self explained.