MMO DNA

[planbsurvivor]

I think most of this game's problems stem from it being an MMO at one point. Based on the Jason Schreier article and some other sources, development for the game in it's current form started in February 2021. Prior to that, it was being built as a multiplayer game. After Anthem bombed, they decided to remove the multiplayer elements.

The game DA:V feels most like to me is Amazon's New World. New World also has great combat and a beautiful world. I have no clue what the story is about though.

DA:V

-The story feels like an afterthought and is often delivered through notes. Very similar to how most MMOs story tell. Considering this was one of Bioware's high points, I was surprised during my gameplay how little I care about the story/characters. I don't even give a ♥♥♥♥ about my own character.

-The spongey level-scaled enemies and the way they attack. In an MMO, enemies are often just spammed and combat encounters are not thoughtfully designed like they are in single player games. That is absolutely how I would describe DA:V's combat.

-The levels and maps in general feel very MMOish. The exploration sections aren't really open but more of a branching path.

-The loot feels very MMOish. Tons of random resources that you have no clue what they do.

Ultimately, I have had some fun but I was expecting more from Bioware. Hopefully Mass Effect is being designed from the ground up as a single player game.

[Corona Scurrae]

this would have failed badly if it went live-service route. there is no variety in this game. the combat is floaty and limp. arenas are cramped and enemies look like the evil guys you expect in a fable game. doa if you ask me. that's why they don't care about denuvo, ea launcher or content in the future. they are wiping their hands clean of this and clapping themselves on their backs.
at this point anyone expecting the next mass effect is going to be fine, is naive.

btw have you read the short story collection da fans enjoy? tevinter nights? I have read bad epic fantasy before but this has to be the benchmark for everything a new writer in this genre should avoid.

ps. new world's combat is better. feels more impactful.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

... why would they change the writing based off it being single player or not?

[planbsurvivor]

Originally posted by Outback Santa:

this would have failed badly if it went live-service route. there is no variety in this game. the combat is floaty and limp. arenas are cramped and enemies look like the evil guys you expect in a fable game. doa if you ask me. that's why they don't care about denuvo, ea launcher or content in the future. they are wiping their hands clean of this and clapping themselves on their backs.
at this point anyone expecting the next mass effect is going to be fine, is naive.

btw have you read the short story collection da fans enjoy? tevinter nights? I have read bad epic fantasy before but this has to be the benchmark for everything a new writer in this genre should avoid.

ps. new world's combat is better. feels more impactful.

Agree with all that. Shockingly bad story, especially with who it is coming from.

[planbsurvivor]

Originally posted by Drake Ravenwolf:

... why would they change the writing based off it being single player or not?

Maybe they didn't but if they did it would be due to design reasons. Storytelling is usually done different in a single player vs multiplayer game.

[Zebedee]

There are elements where I think there's hints of the live service origins too. There's the combat, as you say OP - for the good in it, and the bad. There's also the loot system with the chests as well as how itemisation is done. There's even some old assets been used - there's a vase from Anthem I believe (tbf reusing assets where possible is sensible).

Not seeing it in the story. Nor the companion system. The level design feels very traditional corridor to combat ARPG - more a throwback 15 or 20 years ago than specific to any particular genre.

Tbh, the frankenstein game vibes I get seem the sort of thing if the budget was more restricted than a game starting from scratch especially around the combat. ME will be interesting on its own merits, hopefully EA have learned from incentivising radical changes of direction during the development of this game.

[Corona Scurrae]

Originally posted by Zebedee:

There are elements where I think there's hints of the live service origins too. There's the combat, as you say OP - for the good in it, and the bad. There's also the loot system with the chests as well as how itemisation is done. There's even some old assets been used - there's a vase from Anthem I believe (tbf reusing assets where possible is sensible).

Not seeing it in the story. Nor the companion system. The level design feels very traditional corridor to combat ARPG - more a throwback 15 or 20 years ago than specific to any particular genre.

Tbh, the frankenstein game vibes I get seem the sort of thing if the budget was more restricted than a game starting from scratch especially around the combat. ME will be interesting on its own merits, hopefully EA have learned from incentivising radical changes of direction during the development of this game.

they didn't learn from inquistion, andromeda and anthem. so I doubt they will learn from veilguard. like I mentioned above it feels like fans are intentionally naive at this point. but you do you. if spending 60 on a game that is two decades late, then by all means, enjoy.