Mass Effect 3

[Mongoose]

I always thought the teleport dodges were kinda like a mini "mass effect jump," like the ones star ships make. At least, that's how I like to hand wave them. Point taken about shields - I guess I hadn't thought of that. I think I will agree with you that it's less of a sword problem, and more of a "tech-ninja" problem. That style of game play appeals to me, but the way it was added over the course of the games makes Mass Effect 1 feel almost like a different universe compared to ME3.

[rajpoot]

Leviathan DLC trailer. And yes, apparently it will affect the ending. I'm guessing it'll probably just a few extra questions to ask the Starchild.

[Monk]

Leviathan DLC trailer. And yes, apparently it will affect the ending. I'm guessing it'll probably just a few extra questions to ask the Starchild.

Ah the Leviathan of Dis, one of the more interesting hidden aspects of the ME universe. If you did Bring Down the Sky a lot of that lore is touched on in ME3's singleplayer, but only very briefly. It will might be fun to explore that in more detail.

[Chaotix]

http://masseffect.com/downloads/leviathan/

Don't know if any of you folks noticed, or are still playing ME3, but Leviathan is now available for download as of a day or two ago.

I've just finished playing through it myself (I have yet to drag myself through the ending sequence again to see what, if anything, has changed). My thoughts:

-The framerate seems to be sort of choppy compared to rest of the game. Big disclaimer, this very well might be my own computer acting up, which it has been doing for a little while now, but I was playing the game sans-DLC yesterday and didn't notice anything different. If you decide to get it, let me know if you notice anything or if it's just my deteriorating computer.
-It seems a little short, gameplay-wise for $10. There is a LOT of story packed in there, given, but there are I think three mission sequences total. It also adds a bunch of new systems to scan for war assets (oh boy, my favorite part). So it's probably about the same amount of content as Shadow Broker or Arrival for ME2.
-The story's a good one, though. If you want more info on the Reaper mythos, this is the DLC to get it, probably even more so than From Ashes DLC or Extended Cut add.

[Monk]

http://masseffect.com/downloads/leviathan/

Don't know if any of you folks noticed, or are still playing ME3, but Leviathan is now available for download as of a day or two ago.

I've just finished playing through it myself (I have yet to drag myself through the ending sequence again to see what, if anything, has changed). My thoughts:

-The framerate seems to be sort of choppy compared to rest of the game. Big disclaimer, this very well might be my own computer acting up, which it has been doing for a little while now, but I was playing the game sans-DLC yesterday and didn't notice anything different. If you decide to get it, let me know if you notice anything or if it's just my deteriorating computer.

I noticed the framerate issues myself. It seems the worst when you just load a new scene but quickly stabilizes. I think more than anything it's the unreal engine starting to falter as Bioware attempts to get more and more out of it. Unreal tech has always felt a little stuttery on my setup and it shows up something fierce in leviathan. Your results might vary.

-It seems a little short, gameplay-wise for $10. There is a LOT of story packed in there, given, but there are I think three mission sequences total. It also adds a bunch of new systems to scan for war assets (oh boy, my favorite part). So it's probably about the same amount of content as Shadow Broker or Arrival for ME2.

'

I actually think it's longer than Shadow Broker. SB can be completed in an hour and a half, Leviathan took me twice that to get through despite me solving all the clues and knowing exactly where to go. It took right around 2.5 - 3 hours to complete. Content wise I have to say it's really, really good. They got what seems to be everyone to come back and reprise their roles for the duration of the addon, probably had them do their voice work when they were recording for the EC. Wasn't expecting that but it's a nice surprise.

Quality, even though there's much more content I still think it falls short of Shadow Broker, but it's without a doubt the best DLC bioware has released since then. Far better than Arrival.

plot spoils

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The one downside to all this is that the Synth ending gets the shaft. Again. The truth revealed to you by Leviathan paints the Catalyst AI in such a negative light that there's no logical reason to ever believe a word he says when the time comes. While a lot of this stuff was implied in the EC, Leviathan breaks it down clear as crystal. The Catalyst is trapped in a logical paradox, trying to solve an equation it finds impossible. It has lied. It has killed. It has cheated it's own creators, and for what?

"He turned the galaxy into a science experiment." ~ The Leviathan

It is the paradox in the equation. The created who destroyed his creator. Given that fact, the Catalyst then tries to lecture Shepard about what organics may or may not do in relation to their creations? Give me a break.

Why would anyone ever trust a thing this little says about anything? Taking Synth given what we know in Leviathan makes Shepard look like the galaxy's biggest sucker.

Overall i really liked it. It shows that when Bioware puts some actual effort into their story content they know how to make a compelling experience. I hope this is a trend from them, I'd really like to see more ME3 DLC that isn't just gun packs.

[rajpoot]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The one downside to all this is that the Synth ending gets the shaft. Again. The truth revealed to you by Leviathan paints the Catalyst AI in such a negative light that there's no logical reason to ever believe a word he says when the time comes. While a lot of this stuff was implied in the EC, Leviathan breaks it down clear as crystal. The Catalyst is trapped in a logical paradox, trying to solve an equation it finds impossible. It has lied. It has killed. It has cheated it's own creators, and for what?

"He turned the galaxy into a science experiment." ~ The Leviathan

It is the paradox in the equation. The created who destroyed his creator. Given that fact, the Catalyst then tries to lecture Shepard about what organics may or may not do in relation to their creations? Give me a break.

Why would anyone ever trust a thing this little says about anything? Taking Synth given what we know in Leviathan makes Shepard look like the galaxy's biggest sucker.

I read the summary on the wiki, still downloading the DLC.
It seems to me the information from the DLC can be used to argue for synthesis too.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Up until now, we just had the Catalyst's word that synthetics always rebel against organics, and only our own experiences with Geth to prove otherwise. With this DLC, the Leviathan himself states that all the organic races they subjugated in their time eventually created synthetics who rebelled against them, (and unlike the Catalyst who might've been lying to save his skin, we can trust the Leviathan).
So on one hand, confirmed empirical evidence from millions of years of observation, and on the other hand, one man's/woman's belief due to a few isolated incidents......
Obviously this does not mean that the Catalyst's solutions are the best ones.

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Obviously this does not mean that the Catalyst's solutions are the best ones.

You had me until that part!

You still cannot trust the Catalyst given what it represents.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Catalyst is the very definition of what a mad AI looks like in science fiction. Just because he speaks calmly, offers you a hand up, and proclaims Shepard is the only one who can speak for organics, does not mean it fits the definition of sanity. It is searching for an answer to a question it cannot possibly comprehend even with all its advanced construction and intelligence to help it. It has been doing this for millions of years. Alone, in the dark, calculating the destruction of billions of worlds over and over again.

Maybe it started out like Shepard does in the Control ending, being optimistic and wanting to preserve a peace, but the result of so long in isolation is pretty clear. It's bat- insane.

The only reason it offers you Synth in the first place is because you're putting up more of a fight than any civilization that came before. It's backed into a corner and it knows the experiment is at an end. There is no benevolence in it's motives, no wish for the cycles or the wars to be at an end, it is only desperate because the order it has managed build over those millions of years is about to be shattered.

Leviathan makes it pretty clear that the Catalyst is something that cannot be trusted in any way, and viewing the Catalyst's words in the Context of Leviathan makes the AI completely untrustworthy.

Still, great DLC. Without a doubt he best Bioware has done in a while.

[Greyblades]

Well that was interesting, I dont have anthing to say about it that hasn't already been said, save for the bit where; apart from the last 20 minutes the voice acting in leviathan was rubbish, the regulars sounded poorly directed

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

and by god do I hate Ann Bryson, her acting was lacklustre and man does her lines sound badly written.

[LeftEyeNine]

A latecomer here. \O

Got N7 Deluxe Edition and downloaded all free and purchasable ones. Leviathan is about to be downloaded completely.

But before that I got to beat ME2.

[seireikhaan]

So, a new multiplayer DLC. I'm... not really sure what they were thinking here. Playable volus? Collector enemies?

That said, the collectors have been making a good mess of me on the times I've tried gold against them. Haven't gotten past wave 8. Praetorians and scions are as fearsome as ever.

[Hooahguy]

A Volus? Playable?

[seireikhaan]

A Volus? Playable?

Try four volus.

And yes, there is an adept.

[Ironside]

Having played around a bit, I can say that the volus cloak (instead of melee attack) is extremely good. Anybody got a good idea for a good volus weapon though? Currently I'm using a light shotgun+cloak to get in range, since it's funny and about as effective as what I tried before that. Support class, so it's hard to do any good damage.

Possed Abominations are really nasty, but I think freezing prevents the explosion.

[seireikhaan]

Having played around a bit, I can say that the volus cloak (instead of melee attack) is extremely good. Anybody got a good idea for a good volus weapon though? Currently I'm using a light shotgun+cloak to get in range, since it's funny and about as effective as what I tried before that. Support class, so it's hard to do any good damage.

Possed Abominations are really nasty, but I think freezing prevents the explosion.

Been playing a lot of quarian female engineer, and I will say that the cryo + incinerate combo *does* explode them. I do know that headshotting them prevents it though.

For a volus weapon, I used a talon and a hornet. I'd just say use whatever very light weapon you're comfy with. Main thing is to be able to spam the shield regen. Locust would be good if you can score headshots, as they upped the headshot modifier for it, it's accurate and light and pretty user-friendly.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

You had me until that part!

You still cannot trust the Catalyst given what it represents.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Catalyst is the very definition of what a mad AI looks like in science fiction. Just because he speaks calmly, offers you a hand up, and proclaims Shepard is the only one who can speak for organics, does not mean it fits the definition of sanity. It is searching for an answer to a question it cannot possibly comprehend even with all its advanced construction and intelligence to help it. It has been doing this for millions of years. Alone, in the dark, calculating the destruction of billions of worlds over and over again.

Maybe it started out like Shepard does in the Control ending, being optimistic and wanting to preserve a peace, but the result of so long in isolation is pretty clear. It's bat- insane.

The only reason it offers you Synth in the first place is because you're putting up more of a fight than any civilization that came before. It's backed into a corner and it knows the experiment is at an end. There is no benevolence in it's motives, no wish for the cycles or the wars to be at an end, it is only desperate because the order it has managed build over those millions of years is about to be shattered.

Leviathan makes it pretty clear that the Catalyst is something that cannot be trusted in any way, and viewing the Catalyst's words in the Context of Leviathan makes the AI completely untrustworthy.

Still, great DLC. Without a doubt he best Bioware has done in a while.

You can't trust the Catalyst on basic logic - read back a few pages, I made this point before, BIOWARE pulled a bait and switch with the ending by essentially deliberately breaking immersion and presenting players with a "choice" when in reality all in-universe Shepards of pretty much every possible permutation would choose Destroy.

Anything else is nuts - I think any DLC that reinforces that is a good thing.

[Monk]

You can't trust the Catalyst on basic logic - read back a few pages, I made this point before, BIOWARE pulled a bait and switch with the ending by essentially deliberately breaking immersion and presenting players with a "choice" when in reality all in-universe Shepards of pretty much every possible permutation would choose Destroy.

I would not disagree with that.

[rajpoot]

Week old news but anyhow, the last two ME3 DLCs have been announced.
Citadel for SP

All good things must come to an end, and that includes the Commander Shepard trilogy. However, just because it is coming to an end, that doesn't mean we can't go out with a bang. Introducing the final Mass Effect 3 single-player DLC: Citadel!

When a sinister conspiracy targets Commander Shepard, you and your team must uncover the truth, through battles and intrigue that range from the glamour of the Citadel’s Wards to the top-secret Council Archives. Uncover the truth and fight alongside your squad – as well as the cast from the original Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2.

When the adventure is over, reconnect with your favorite characters from the Mass Effect Trilogy, try your luck at the Citadel’s Silver Coast Casino, blow off steam in the Armax Combat Arena, or explore and furnish Shepard’s own living quarters on the Citadel. With unique content and cinematics featuring your friends and romance interests in the Mass Effect trilogy, Mass Effect 3: Citadel offers one final chance to see the characters you have known for years and rekindle romances.

Mass Effect 3: Citadel will release worldwide on March 5th on Xbox 360, PC and PS3 (on March 6th on PS3 in Europe).

Thus comes to an end the saga of Shepard and his crew. Three games, hundreds of hours and many many thrilling, bitter and happy moments.
And despite the things that were done wrong, the games also did many things right and would always have a place on my shelf.

[Greyblades]

Still think Bioware should change the ending.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

Finally they're going to stop releasing DLC so I can get the game and go through it in one shot.

[Monk]

According to a few of the devs on twitter, the "best time" to do the new DLC is after you've locked in your romance for ME3. It's likely the dialogue for it is heavily influenced by that.

The citadel DLC is open to do any time after you deal with the Salarian Councilor's request for you to come to the citadel. For people who have played the game you know what I mean. For people like AtPG who haven't, you'll know it when you see it.

Have to say I'm a bit sad to see the DLC cycle come to an end. These free MP packs have been an awesome incentive to jump back into the game over the course of the last year. I'll miss Mass Effect: Horde Mode when it's gone, I had a lot of fun there for sure.

[rajpoot]

Finished playing Citadel. Good DLC to finish the series with. The pretext of the plot is a little silly, but then the main highlight of the DLC is not the plot but the companions and the humour. Even Shepard delivers some of the funniest lines of his/her career.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Do I really sound like that? I should go. I should go. I should go

They included every companion and important character from the three games. Even the dead squadmates get referenced to. Infact the levity is at times enough to overcome the gravity of the original plot (which is why a part of me feels that BW should've made this a post war DLC. Either way in my headcanon this happens after the war.)
Moments of win-

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Garrus and Zaeed rigging Shepard's apartment with traps. Grunt and Wrex going "Shepppaaaaaarrrrd". Javik trying to touch Jack to 'read' her after drinking too much. Joker talking about the Cerebrus operations. Tali doing an impression of Liara from the first game......TBH more or less every line of dialogue seemed to shine.
And the most touching moment in the DLC, at least IMO, was when Shepard and the clone are hanging off the Normandy (they stole this scene from the end of The Mummy Returns) and the clone asks, "What makes you so special". Right after that Shepard is pulled up by his squad, while the clone is left hanging. The unspoken answer to the clone's question, which was playing in my head was, "My companions". And it's on the companions this DLC focuses.

[Monk]

I was encouraged to watch a few portions of the DLC on youtube by a friend, and I gotta say, I really liked what I saw. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say some of the series' funniest moments are contained in the latest dlc, and if I wasn't limited by my hardware situation i'd buy it asap.

Very eager to play it through for myself when the opportunity presents itself.

[seireikhaan]

I've watched some of the stuff on the youtubes. I'm a bit undecided on how much I really want to spend fifteen bucks on it, but there's a lot of golden stuff, I have to admit.

Except apparently for Tali's romance scene:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Mordin, she is not.

[Jolt]

Finished playing Citadel. Good DLC to finish the series with. The pretext of the plot is a little silly, but then the main highlight of the DLC is not the plot but the companions and the humour. Even Shepard delivers some of the funniest lines of his/her career.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Do I really sound like that? I should go. I should go. I should go

They included every companion and important character from the three games. Even the dead squadmates get referenced to. Infact the levity is at times enough to overcome the gravity of the original plot (which is why a part of me feels that BW should've made this a post war DLC. Either way in my headcanon this happens after the war.)
Moments of win-

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Garrus and Zaeed rigging Shepard's apartment with traps. Grunt and Wrex going "Shepppaaaaaarrrrd". Javik trying to touch Jack to 'read' her after drinking too much. Joker talking about the Cerebrus operations. Tali doing an impression of Liara from the first game......TBH more or less every line of dialogue seemed to shine.
And the most touching moment in the DLC, at least IMO, was when Shepard and the clone are hanging off the Normandy (they stole this scene from the end of The Mummy Returns) and the clone asks, "What makes you so special". Right after that Shepard is pulled up by his squad, while the clone is left hanging. The unspoken answer to the clone's question, which was playing in my head was, "My companions". And it's on the companions this DLC focuses.

Finished it some hours ago. Brilliant stuff. A must-buy DLC if I ever saw one. Hours of new dialogue, a new mission, a thing which improves replayability by a lot, and all former characters coming back.

And yes, the "this is the post-war victory party" vibe is there throughout the game, if anything by the utter difference in atmosphere by all characters. Contrary to the somber, dark mood of the war in Mass Effect 3, characters are always humourours, laughing and joking around in this DLC. The major problem for Bioware is that they couldn't really make a 15$ DLC for just 1 of 6 (Control, Refuse, Synth, Low-Destroy, Med-Destroy, High-Destroy) endings, since that would cause massive bitching so they had to stuff it in the middle for everyone to play it, which isn't really ideal, but its the best sollution for the DLC.

So the best idea is to win the High-EMS Destroy victory and then use that Save Game and play the DLC.

[rajpoot]

a thing which improves replayability by a lot

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The silenced pistol?

So the best idea is to win the High-EMS Destroy victory and then use that Save Game and play the DLC.

[Jolt]

[QUOTE=rajpoot;2053515530]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The silenced pistol?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The combat simulator. The pistol is just an uncontained behemoth. With my setup maximized for Weapon Damage, I destroy Banshees and Atlas Mechs with 12 shots with the pistol.

I think I said it before here, I don't mind the original endings, in fact my favorite of them all is the Low-EMS Destroy one. But yeah, I do think that the developers true intentions would be to put this at the end of the game, like Arrival, but they couldn't so it had to be awkwardly placed in the middle.

[johnhughthom]

It was actually released before Christmas, I had a mega-playthrough myself right the way through on my PS3 then.

My first playthrough of the original Mass Effect is probably the most I've ever enjoyed any game. The start just felt so cinematic and epic, the way Nihlus' mandibles click as he watches the strange alien ship, your first vision of doom. Great times.

[Brenus]

Enjoyed the Mass Effect series, and still playing it… Only problem is my FemShepp is invincible now, as I play always the same character…

Just a question: What chance of a normal childhood and teenage for the kids Sheppard-T’soni?

[Hooahguy]

Well, after well over a year and much stalling, I have decided to get ME3. Also thinking about getting the Citadel DLC. Is it worth it?

[Greyblades]

If you switch off the game just after the illusive man dies, search for a community revised ending, then load an earlier save and play the citadel DLC, then yeah it's definitely worth it.