Mass Effect 3...

[Tawmis]

Mass Effect 3 now available for pre-order.

http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/search/? ... 1692180198

[Datadog]

I've got my Best Buy card from Christmas waiting for this puppy! Too bad they don't specify the actual release date.

[DeadPoolX]

Mass Effect 3 now available for pre-order.

http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/search/? ... 1692180198

You must've been really excited! You posted the same link twice.

[Tawmis]

Mass Effect 3 now available for pre-order.

http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/search/? ... 1692180198

You must've been really excited! You posted the same link twice.

I posted the link (copy and paste) here - then typed the "Mass Effect 3 now available for" - then pasted the link again, forgetting that I had already pasted it once.

[Tawmis]

A little more news about Mass Effect 3.

[AndreaDraco]

The premise seems really powerful but I fear the game may be even more action-oriented than ME2. I hope I'm wrong, though.

[DeadPoolX]

Two concerns and three questions, none of which any of us can answer. However, they're still on my mind right now.

1st Concern: BioWare claims the game will be released later this year. I hope they put more time into testing for bugs than they did DA2.

2nd Concern: If ME3 is even more action-based than ME2, I hope it doesn't turn into "Mass Effect: Gears of War Edition." I know some people love the GoW series, but that's a different game and I still expect ME3 to at least somewhat resemble an RPG.

1st Question: Does the game take place entirely on Earth? I'm not against that at all, but it does seem odd considering how much the ME series relies on space travel.

2nd Question: Do we start with our current level from ME2 and all acquired abilities (or at least points that could be redistributed) or do we have to start over? Since they're using the same engine and presumably the same skill point system, we shouldn't have to, but BioWare is notorious for making players start over with each installment.

3rd Question: Do we keep the companions we gathered from ME2 or do we need to play "find your teammates and recruit them" all over again? That really wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, but once again, that's a tactic BioWare has employed over and over again.

[AndreaDraco]

I can answer one of these!

2nd Question: Do we start with our current level from ME2 and all acquired abilities (or at least points that could be redistributed) or do we have to start over?

Well, we all know that Shepard could die at the end of ME2. Moreover, they have to take into account new player coming to the franchise for the first time. I doubt they'd be comfortable in letting all of us start at lever 20+ so my answer is: yes, as much as it annoys me, I'm pretty sure they will find a way to make start over, just like they did with the opening of ME2 and the whole Cerberus thing.

[DeadPoolX]

I can answer one of these!

2nd Question: Do we start with our current level from ME2 and all acquired abilities (or at least points that could be redistributed) or do we have to start over?

Well, we all know that Shepard could die at the end of ME2. Moreover, they have to take into account new player coming to the franchise for the first time. I doubt they'd be comfortable in letting all of us start at lever 20+ so my answer is: yes, as much as it annoys me, I'm pretty sure they will find a way to make start over, just like they did with the opening of ME2 and the whole Cerberus thing.

To me, they could do it like DA:A. I know that's an expansion, but the idea is similar. Start new players off at the minimum level required for gameplay (let's sat 22 in this case) and let imported players start at whatever their level was in ME2.

Basically, it'd all be a cosmetic thing. Level 22 would be equivalent to Level 1, as far as the game is concerned. The major difference is it'll feel better for gamers who came from ME1 and ME2.

[AndreaDraco]

But how would you treat the various talents? If you keep everything Shephard has acquired over the course of the second game, he would be a killing machine and his/her companions will be even more powerful: Samara with her biotics maxed out was literally a force to be reckoned with.

[Tawmis]

The premise seems really powerful but I fear the game may be even more action-oriented than ME2. I hope I'm wrong, though.

You're worried about it being more action oriented? I thought ME2 was the perfect balance of action and story. The most painful part was probing the planets, if you wanted to get the max out of everything, because you'd have to scan entire planets several times over, in different spots, just to make sure you get it all with those cool scanner things. (The scanner helps... but still most planets could be plucked for resources 10 to 20 times).

1st Concern: BioWare claims the game will be released later this year. I hope they put more time into testing for bugs than they did DA2.

I agree. DA2 was the first game where I hit SO many freaking bugs. (And I don't mean combat bugs - like giant insects!) Makes sense now why they're offering ME2 for free if you got DA2. Wonderful way to get folks into ME2, who may not have it, and get them hooked for ME3.

2nd Concern: If ME3 is even more action-based than ME2, I hope it doesn't turn into "Mass Effect: Gears of War Edition." I know some people love the GoW series, but that's a different game and I still expect ME3 to at least somewhat resemble an RPG.

I hope they don't make it like Gears of War either, because, I love Bioware, but they can't compete with Gears of War.

2nd Question: Do we start with our current level from ME2 and all acquired abilities (or at least points that could be redistributed) or do we have to start over? Since they're using the same engine and presumably the same skill point system, we shouldn't have to, but BioWare is notorious for making players start over with each installment.

I bet we're going to be starting over.

3rd Question: Do we keep the companions we gathered from ME2 or do we need to play "find your teammates and recruit them" all over again? That really wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, but once again, that's a tactic BioWare has employed over and over again.

You can bet it will be a recruit-a-thon, which I don't mind.

[DeadPoolX]

But how would you treat the various talents? If you keep everything Shephard has acquired over the course of the second game, he would be a killing machine and his/her companions will be even more powerful: Samara with her biotics maxed out was literally a force to be reckoned with.

They could give attribute points based on your level. So maybe you wouldn't keep the same exact skills, but you'd keep something based upon your experience in ME2.

The only reason they made Shepard start over in ME2 was because a new engine was used. It's the same engine in ME3.

Like I said in my previous example, Level 22 would be the equivalent of Level 1 in ME2. In this case, Level 22 wouldn't be overpowered at all and you wouldn't become a "killing machine." It's not like you'd be fighting Level 1 enemies at Level 22 as it's seen in ME2.

I really, really don't want to start over at Level 1. Whatever reason they'd give would be ridiculously stupid. What happens this time? Shepard gets amnesia? He died yet again?

Like starting over at Level 1, I'll be furious if I have to re-recruit teammates. At the very least, they should have Garrus, Tali and maybe Jacob and Miranda, depending on some of your choices and whatever romances you had.

[Datadog]

1st Question: Does the game take place entirely on Earth? I'm not against that at all, but it does seem odd considering how much the ME series relies on space travel.

I'm sure it won't take place entirely on Earth. In fact, I'm more convinced that the "Let's go to Earth" dialogue option is what will trigger the end-game.

[AndreaDraco]

I'm sure it won't take place entirely on Earth. In fact, I'm more convinced that the "Let's go to Earth" dialogue option is what will trigger the end-game.

Datadog, we're waiting for you in the DA2 thread

[DeadPoolX]

Okay, I've found lots of new info on ME3. The most important article is the last one listed, which is also the most recent article written. It supposedly has the most accurate information.

I hope that article is correct, too. If it is, that means Seattle and Vancouver (combined into one mega city) is where the action takes place on Earth. I'd like to see combat in some areas I recognize.

In chronological order:

(April 8, 2011) Mass Effect 3 Weapon Changes.

(April 8, 2011) Mass Effect 3 Character & Story Hints.

(April 12, 2011) Mass Effect 3 Story Is About "Full Scale War".

(April 14, 2011) Mass Effect 3 Will Bring A "Satisfying" End To The Trilogy.

(April 20, 2011) New Mass Effect 3 Details Reveal Gameplay Changes.

(April 24, 2011) New Mass Effect 3 Details On Combat, Enemies & Story.