“I’d like the blandest thing on the menu!”
The following is another letter I recently sent to The Hatchet Job Show, wherein this time I take exception to one of the show’s regular participants criticising Fallout 3’s game mechanics, whilst citing Mass Effect (of all things) as somehow being markedly superior.
For the record – and you’ll likely guess this from the following paragraphs – I think Mass Effect is one of the more over-rated and over-attributed games of this generation; a thoroughly bland game with no more than beguiling production values and some above-average (by typical videogame standards) writing to its credit.
A couple of shows back, one of Hatchet Job Show’s regular participants cited Mass Effect as having well thought out, enjoyable and robust game mechanics. This was made in reference to a complaint against Fallout 3’s ammunition management. I’m writing because it’s my belief that you’ve fundamentally missed the premise and purpose of both games.
On one hand, Mass Effect is a high-gloss space opera, while on the other Fallout 3 is essentially a survival simulator. With this in mind, why is Mass Effect refered to as a bastion of game design? Beyond it’s impressive veneer there’s almost no depth to the game; it’s a great story with a thoroughly bland game constantly interupting it.
Furthermore, in removing trivial – but fundamental and essential – RPG adventure tasks, such as finding and managing ammunition, Mass Effect is made even more dry and formulaic. At least having limited resources would force the player to consider their circumstances more carefully and, I believe, therefore increase player immersion.
Conversely, I think it’s unfair and inappropriate to criticise Fallout 3 – a game set at the near-death of mankind – for making the player struggle in horrific conditions. Unlike Mass Effect’s burgeoning and prosperous civilisations, here human society has been utterly devastated; why should the player have ammunition – and any other equipment essential to their survival – in vast abundance? It’s an absurd notion and misses the whole point of either game entirely in my opinion.
I agree, Mass Effect is a turd.
I am a troll.
spaff
28 November 2008 at 12:32 am
has something gone crazy with the italics here? I’ve never played either Mass Effect or Fallout3 so can’t actually make a useful comment!
Phil Wilson
5 December 2008 at 4:08 pm
No, nothing mental with the fonts — it’s just this WordPress theme doesn’t have an ‘intro’ or ‘foreword’ style in it, so I’m making my own.
Wrestlevania
5 December 2008 at 4:21 pm