Mass Effect "Disappointing"

[Dodece]

Bioware is not following the typical turn based lead by the hand format. Instead they specialize in adaptive story systems. So they will not have some of the advantages that other games in the genre can make use of. Specifically scripted scenes. The interactions happen in real time, and have multiple outcomes.

The combat system looks to be a step up in my opinion. Frankly turn based combat in these games is generally filler material, and is not all that engaging. Basically you find the few critical moves and abuse the hell out of them. I beat my way through Kotor with heal and critical strike. Occasionally I tossed a grenade. The path to success was opening every box. Once you have enough advanced med kits your virtually unstoppable.

Generally I welcome any system that requires even a bit more thought behind the combat rather then lock on hit the same button over and over. Personally I have gotten used to the rather shabby combat in these games. Any other genre and the developers would be crucified. So even if the system looks like a dated FPS from five years ago it will be a massive improvement.

Generally speaking if you really like Knights of the Old Republic you will probably end up liking this game. The issues sound like issues I would expect. The combat in these games is nothing all that fantastic, and if Mass Effect is being put on par with FPS games the combat has seen a massive improvement. You were not going to see a lot of scripted cut scenes regardless from Bioware. Characters were bound to interact off of a adaptive system, and since the variety was going to be huge there were bound to be some bland moments.

Hopefully Bioware will flesh the interactions out some more before they release the title. They have the time to do that before launch anyway. Other then that this seems to be in the same vein that Kotor was in. So if you still pull out Kotor to play and consider that game to be one of the best games of all time. What are the chances this game will not satisfy.

Sounds to me like Destructoid would take issue with Kotor as well.