Virtual_Van_Gogh
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Mass Effect
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
From: Westwood, California |
 Posted: Friday, 09 October 2009 08:08AM |
It's always nice to meet new allies in games, sure, but my concern is for the ones I already had. I suppose, in keeping vital plot points secret, those from ME 1 couldn't really be mentioned.
How do the save points play in outside of the main plot line, and how will it affect the character arcs?
Most importantly, while I know that Bioware is all about emotion and decision, I really didn't get the sense in ME 1 that I really affected anyone around me. It almost felt rather gimicky, if not outright contrived. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love ME 1, but there's not a whole lot going on with the interactions, unless either a major plot point had just happened, or the interaction was somehow tied into and a catalyst for a major event to transpire. Where are the rewards for those of us who diligently and actively seek information, to get to know everyone beyond the facades. ME 1's interactions lacked the immediate appeal and the raw emotion and profundity of say, Jade Empire, where not only could you romance a character, but influence and flat out change them as well. The universe was at stake, but that was about all. What was happening with me and Williams felt like a side quest or afterthought. When I got the achievement for completing the romance option, as happy as I am to get any gaming award, that so called merit only served to cheapen the relationship further.
I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further developments or any semblance of any kind of evolution into something more a greater, such as a "relationship"? Sigh, I hate to admit I've gotten this into a game series, but in truth, not half as much as I loathe the thought that I have to wait until next year... don't you?
Just thinking out loud...  Edited By Virtual_Van_Gogh on 10/09/09 08:22 | 
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Lady_Melfina
Game Owner
 Jade Empire
Mass Effect
Joined: 10 Sep 2009
From: CA |
Posted: Friday, 09 October 2009 09:21AM |
I think the amout of interaction some people want with the love interests is just too much away from the game's actual story. The love plot should be a bonus, & I loved that bonus! Haha, don't get me wrong!  But it's not the main focus of the game, the love plot I mean, so I think the developments of relationships in ME2 will be better than that of ME1, but it's not going to be a virtual dating game, you know? So it will prolly be improved, but I doubt it's going to be magnified 100fold to where your luv interest & your Shep go on dates or anything.
Haha, there's a galaxy to save after all.  But I enjoyed the interactions in ME1 alot & really look foreward to those in ME2.
_________________
Crew man #6; "HEY! Don't open that: It's an alien planet! Is there AIR?! You don't know...!" *holds breath* | |
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Virtual_Van_Gogh
Game Owner
SW: KotOR Xbox
Jade Empire
Mass Effect
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
From: Westwood, California |
Posted: Friday, 09 October 2009 09:32AM |
I agree, the romance isn't all by any stretch of the imagination, but it is the human condition that's at stake first and foremost, the universe just happens to be on the same potential and proverbial chopping block. Perhaps I need to re-edit and choose my words more carefully in my earlier post. I don't wish ME to be turned into a Japanese dating sim... but have the option for "human" exploration available for those of us who want it, and those who want a change from "planetary" exploration.
But by giving Shepherd "someone to watch over", it not only emotionally invests us, but puts a human face on what would otherwise be an alien circus. Think back to all the great sci-fi books and movies, or better still, the ones you personally care for. I'm willing to bet you that the ones that ring most true, strike a chord, that echo, reside and resound the deepest and most sweetly within you, are the one where WE are at it's core.
Whether it be ET, Star Wars or Aliens, all the great ones have our humanity (or lack thereof) in common, and at their collective cores.
Here is what I should have said;
"It's always nice to meet new allies in games, sure, but my concern is for the ones I already had. I suppose, in keeping vital plot points secret, those from ME 1 couldn't really be mentioned. How do the save points and decisions we made factor in with matters outside of the main plot line, and how will it affect the character arcs and group dynamics?
Most importantly, while I know that Bioware is all about emotion and decision, I really didn't get the sense in ME 1 that I really affected anyone around me. It almost felt rather gimicky, if not outright contrived. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love ME 1, but there's just not a whole lot going on with the romantic options and interactions, unless either a major plot point had just happened, or the interaction somehow tied into or was a catalyst for a major event to transpire. Where were the rewards for those of us who diligently and actively sought personal information, those of us who took the time to get to know everyone beyond their exterior appearances and socially acceptable facades?
ME 1's social interactions lacked the immediate appeal and the raw emotion and profundity of say, Jade Empire or KOTOR, where one could not only woo a character, but influence and change them as well. Add to that equation, a well thought and fleshed out antagonist, and immersive world creation and you have more than an original or superior game play experience, but a classic.
In ME 1, the universe was at stake, but that was about all. What was happening with me and Williams felt decidedly secondary, like a side quest or an afterthought. When I earned the achievement for completing the romance option, as happy as I was to receive any gaming award, this particular and “so called” merit only served to cheapen the relationship further.
I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further development slated? Is there any semblance of an evolution into something such as a "relationship"? Yes, I used the “R” word, as I’d readily and much rather that, than see ME 2 summarily reduced to James Bond with biotics in space. While many of my game playing brethren may readily relish and welcome the idea of being an intergalactic pimp, I do not."  Edited By Virtual_Van_Gogh on 10/09/09 09:52 | |
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Joisan
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
SW: KotOR PC
Jade Empire:SE
Mass Effect PC
Joined: 15 Oct 2008
From: Southern California |
Posted: Friday, 09 October 2009 01:58PM |
Quote: Posted 10/09/09 09:32 (GMT) by Virtual_Van_Gogh I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further development slated? Is there any semblance of an evolution into something such as a "relationship"? Yes, I used the “R” word, as I’d readily and much rather that, than see ME 2 summarily reduced to James Bond with biotics in space. While many of my game playing brethren may readily relish and welcome the idea of being an intergalactic pimp, I do not."
You're not alone, trust me. There are lots of other posters (myself included) who wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Bioware, are you listening? Please?
_________________
"Your sister, I assume?"
"Until I get home and kill her." | |
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Steelcry
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 29 Sep 2009
From: The grey realm... |
Posted: Sunday, 11 October 2009 08:12AM |
Quote: Posted 10/09/09 13:58 (GMT) by Joisan Quote: Posted 10/09/09 09:32 (GMT) by Virtual_Van_Gogh I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further development slated? Is there any semblance of an evolution into something such as a "relationship"? Yes, I used the “R” word, as I’d readily and much rather that, than see ME 2 summarily reduced to James Bond with biotics in space. While many of my game playing brethren may readily relish and welcome the idea of being an intergalactic pimp, I do not."
You're not alone, trust me. There are lots of other posters (myself included) who wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Bioware, are you listening? Please?
Hmm yep that pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter ^_^ So yeah I agree with them.
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Mix my Reality | |
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chem light
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
From: Behind an evil Chris Priestly. |
Posted: Sunday, 11 October 2009 07:12PM |
Quote: Posted 10/11/09 08:12 (GMT) by Steelcry Quote: Posted 10/09/09 13:58 (GMT) by Joisan Quote: Posted 10/09/09 09:32 (GMT) by Virtual_Van_Gogh I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further development slated? Is there any semblance of an evolution into something such as a "relationship"? Yes, I used the “R” word, as I’d readily and much rather that, than see ME 2 summarily reduced to James Bond with biotics in space. While many of my game playing brethren may readily relish and welcome the idea of being an intergalactic pimp, I do not."
You're not alone, trust me. There are lots of other posters (myself included) who wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Bioware, are you listening? Please?
Hmm yep that pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter ^_^ So yeah I agree with them.
EXACTLY! I want my favorite, socially awkward biotic back!
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Shepard Lives! | |
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dark_isle
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Jade Empire:SE
NWN 2
NWN 2: MotB
NWN 2: SoZ
Mass Effect
Joined: 12 May 2004
From: Australia |
Posted: Monday, 12 October 2009 01:39PM | |
I firmly believe that whatever love interest you got in ME1 and wished to continue it will make sense in ME2, my guess is they will tell you at the beginning of ME2 what went down between youse 2. | |
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Nightwriter
Joined: 12 Oct 2009 |
Posted: Wednesday, 14 October 2009 11:54PM |
Really? I may be going out on a limb here, because you guys obviously feel differently about them, but I wasn't crazy with ME1's romantic interests, and I was relieved to hear that I’d be getting new ones in ME2. In the first game I seemed to have a lot of people that I liked well enough as characters, but felt less than engaged by as love interests. Am I alone here? I found Ashley blunt, close-minded, and relatively uninteresting. When you said the relationship with her felt “secondary”, an “afterthought”, you said it all. Liara, while certainly endearing in her vulnerability, was so awkward and innocent it sometimes made it difficult for me to feel any adult chemistry with her. There didn’t seem to be much to either of these characters.
Also, both romances were up front almost from the very beginning, very open book, “do you want this relationship or don’t you?”, which disappointed me. Boys and girls, a take-it-or-leave-it romance just isn’t fun, and what’s exciting about knowing how you feel about each other from the very beginning? We want what we always want from romances: a clashing of the characters, a conflicted attraction, and yes, damn it, someone we can affect deeply, someone whose emotions and actions are as deeply interwoven into the plot as ours, someone who will act on us just as much as we will act on them.
The problem with ME1 was that none of the characters in it were essential components in the main plot. Everyone felt like they were just along for the ride, and you picked them up along the way. Not like with Carth or Bastila, both of which were both so interwoven into the plot of KOTOR, had so many conflicts of their own, that you didn’t know where their involvement in the game left off and yours began.
Many have now said that we’re expecting too much of the ME1 romance by saying these things, and that anything more would have taken away from the main plot. I would disagree. Don’t sell yourselves short, guys, and don’t settle for what you know is less. We all know BioWare has done it right before, because we’ve all already mentioned the games that BioWare’s churned out that gave us that little romantic thrill that ME1 lacked. The truth is, the romances could have been better, but they weren’t, because the characters didn’t move us. KOTOR’s romance was great, had no sex to speak of – they didn’t even let you see the kiss – and we loved it way more. It didn’t take away from the game, but made it more epic. The simple fact is that ME1 was a great game, but what it lacked was serious character development. From the looks of things, that’s all about to change in ME2.
That being said, what the hell do you guys think of Subject Zero? Now there's a handful. | |
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MICHELLE7
Game Owner
 Mass Effect PC
Joined: 11 Sep 2009 |
Posted: Thursday, 05 November 2009 03:09PM |
Quote: Posted 10/11/09 19:12 (GMT) by chem light
EXACTLY! I want my favorite, socially awkward biotic back!
Dido!
As for the comment about SZ. Can't see having a serious romance with her. She's a one night stand at best at least from what they've shown of her. She'll probably be an awesome squad member though. | |
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Tylyanhar
Game Owner
 SW: KotOR Xbox
Mass Effect
Joined: 01 Oct 2009
From: Denver, Colorado |
Posted: Friday, 06 November 2009 06:10AM |
Quote: Posted 10/09/09 09:32 (GMT) by Virtual_Van_Gogh I want to see where Williams and I end up (male save), and me and Liara on my female save. Now that they have gotten "physical", is there any further development slated? Is there any semblance of an evolution into something such as a "relationship"? Yes, I used the “R” word, as I’d readily and much rather that, than see ME 2 summarily reduced to James Bond with biotics in space. While many of my game playing brethren may readily relish and welcome the idea of being an intergalactic pimp, I do not."
I agree with you. | |
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Leopardshark
Joined: 27 Sep 2008 |
Posted: Saturday, 07 November 2009 03:45AM | |
well, to all garrus fans, he's back in ME 2 and you might actually have a chance with him | |
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sapphire_star
Game Owner
 Mass Effect
Joined: 23 Sep 2009 |
Posted: Saturday, 07 November 2009 04:23PM |
I agree with almost all of what your saying, but honestly I thought the way that the romances played out was perfect. I just hope that bioware brings back the love interests from the first game.
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"game over man, GAME OVER!" | |
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