i was just thinking (a dangerous idea i know) about how i have been related with BioWare games over the years. Maybe this is because i am thinking of placing them on my "do not buy list". Basically, i viewed them as a fading developer (for my interest anyway). The Mass Effect ending debacle has cast a new shadow over this. If they don't seem to care about the fans, why should the fans care about them?
* Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003):
- This was my first experience with a BioWare game. i got this for the original Xbox (i miss the Duke controller) after hearing positive views. i liked Star Wars and i liked RPGs, so it seemed like a good fit - and it was. Back then i was still surprised by the "twist ending". To date this is my favorite BioWare game.
* Jade Empire (2005):
- My second experience with a BioWare game. At first i kind of liked this. My eventual problem was that the game was relatively short and invited multiple playthroughs with different characters. i was not really a fan of this shift (i prefer longer games).
* Mass Effect (2007):
- This is probably my favorite WRPG this generation. After Jade Empire, i thought that BioWare was sliding in story telling ability (i was right). However, Mass Effect was something different - not exactly the Morrowind/Oblivion sandbox. i kind of liked the sci-fi angle too. The leveling system, romances and weapon/armor "modding" were nice touches. It was also nice to have achievements that actually did something. There were problems though, among them long elevator rides (with no awesome elevator music), the Mako and some weird movement glitches. The game is still along the short story multiple playthrough path.
* Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (2008):
i got this on my Nintendo DS. i remember it being somewhat turn based combat (my favorite style) and having Sonic in it. Beyond that, i don't remember much.
* Dragon Age: Origins (2009):
At first i thought "cool BioWare doing a game in a fantasy setting". Then i got the game and thought that the writing was boring and flat (so were the characters). The concept of different origins was interesting (though they didn't actually influence anything). i did not really like the combat or the tactics. In my eyes, the writing was on the wall the BioWare was slipping. This game was hit by a deluge of post release DLC. i liked the Awakening expansion a little better than the main game. Lesson reinforced: wait for Ultimate/GOTY editions.
* Mass Effect 2 (2010):
This is a game i almost didn't purchase (i eventually got it for either $9.99 or $19.99). Basically they took the first game (which i liked) and changed it into a crappy corridor cover based shooter. They stripped many of the RPG elements out of the game. The leveling system was drasitcally changed (to be inferior in my view). The love scenes were drastically turned down. At times it is like the first game didn't really exist. The loyalty missions were a nice touch as was the Normandy serving as the base. i really could have done without the stupid planet scanning (but at least there was no Mako).
* Dragon Age 2 (2011):
i actually liked this game more than the first one (i did get this one for around $19.99 though). They at least seemed to have a more focused story (yet it was still weak), which i liked better than the first one. The combat seemed slightly better to me too. This is less of a real sequel than a spin-off.
As for future BioWare games...
The only game i am even remotely considering getting in the future is Mass Effect 3. Even though i hated the demo, i was really tempted to purchase this until i heard about the mess with the endings. There were two trilogies i wanted to purchase/finish on the Xbox 360: Mass Effect and Too Human. Eventually, i will probably get this game - i think $29.99 is as much as i would ever consider paying.
After that, i don't care what BioWare makes, i'm not interested in it.
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