Trying to decide on game to play... - by sh0ck3r
sh0ck3r on 18/10/2008 at 19:15
Haven't posted here in about...10 years... but it's nice to be back.
Thinking of Baldur's Gate, Deus Ex or Mass Effect
Is Baldur's Gate really that amazing?
Tried Deus Ex demo a while back and wasn't overly captivated. How does the game stack up to Shock 2?
...And as for Mass Effect, it looks cool but a good number people on this forum seem to be disappointed.
Vraptor7 on 18/10/2008 at 19:43
I just finished Mass Effect recently and really enjoyed it. It has its share of flaws, so I think it comes down to whether it would break the experience for you or not. In my case, none of them prevented me from having a great time. The story is pretty good, and the combat can be quite fun. It has a great overall atmosphere and vibe, which was my favourite part of it. Be it via the visuals or the soundtrack or the back story, it gave off a great 80's sci-fi feel that I really dug.
However its idea of sidequests is prefabbed missions that reuse whole areas with just differing story objectives that don't change the actual mission experience. You'll be repeating the exact same few actions for all the sidequests. Its inventory interface is quite lacking and you'll be surprised that it doesn't even do basic things like sorting items. There's a real absence of certain information that you'd expect in an RPG about items and the skill system. A lot of these flaws have been in the previous two similar BioWare games Jade Empire and KOTOR, so it's quite inexcusable for them not to have addressed them.
Deus Ex is well worth a little perseverance. A lot of people didn't like the opening level (used for the demo as well), but thought the game improved after that. Compared to System Shock 2 it does have similarities but it tends to be more accessible and forgiving.
Malf on 18/10/2008 at 19:45
Baldur's Gate is good only when digested as a whole; that is to say, you should play Baldur's gate, Tales of the Sword Coast, Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn and Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal consecutively to get the full experience.
The first game on its own is a bit of a lame duck.
Deus Ex is simply speaking one of the best games ever. Don't judge it based on the demo; it has so much more to give, but virtually everyone here will expound the virtues of Deus Ex.
Mass Effect however?
Eh, if you've played Baldur's Gate, you've played Mass Effect.
It's an unfortunate truth of all of Bioware's releases since BG2 that all of their games have had the same story with over-simplified morality.
It's fun, but don't expect anything ground-breaking.
So out of the 3?
Deus Ex.
june gloom on 18/10/2008 at 20:48
Play Deus Ex- it's truly sublime and in this post-9/11 world a bit eerie.
Aside from the interface it's a very different game from System Shock 2. PLAY IT.
sh0ck3r on 18/10/2008 at 21:00
Thanks for the responses! you guys are very, very helpful.
I am also curious as to what you guys think is the best RPG out of all the slew of games like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, etc. I've been a bit out of the loop of computer gaming for some time now and it seems there are a kazillion of these traditional D&D-type (?) RPGs.
june gloom on 18/10/2008 at 21:12
Fallout 1. Failing that, get Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines- it's the Deus Ex sequel I always wanted. (Deus Ex Invisible War is not.) Fantasy ain't my bag but I suppose someone else will tell you what's what.
Avoid TES like the plague though- they will put you to sleep.
sh0ck3r on 18/10/2008 at 21:18
yeah, fallout 1 is along with shock 2 and unreal tournament my fav game ever
Vraptor7 on 18/10/2008 at 21:23
Quote Posted by sh0ck3r
I am also curious as to what you guys think is the best RPG out of all the slew of games like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, etc. I've been a bit out of the loop of computer gaming for some time now and it seems there are a kazillion of these traditional D&D-type (?) RPGs.
Planescape: Torment!
Yakoob on 18/10/2008 at 21:26
Quote Posted by sh0ck3r
Thanks for the responses! you guys are very, very helpful.
I am also curious as to what you guys think is the best RPG out of all the slew of games like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Elder Scrolls, Neverwinter Nights, etc. I've been a bit out of the loop of computer gaming for some time now and it seems there are a kazillion of these traditional D&D-type (?) RPGs.
The multiplayer of NWN is amazing with meny pesudo MMO persistant worlds. The signleplayer, on the other hand, is nothing more than a predictable and mediocre hack and slash.
sh0ck3r on 18/10/2008 at 21:33
I think I got about half-way through Planescape Torment a long time ago. It seemed to be quite good, although perhaps overrated.
