Time to get lost in space

I finally got my copy of Bioware’s space shooter RPG Mass Effect 2 today, for my Xbox 360. I will tell you what I think of it as soon as I’ve gotten around to play it properly. I have heard lots of great things about this second installement, so my anticipations are rather hight at the moment.

I did enjoy the original Mass Effect, although not everything was superb to my taste. I hope for a better menu system, a better planet exploration system without a unmaneuverable moon car, and more of the interesting characters.

It would also be nice with a storyline that doesn’t suck this time around.

Well, I am off to explore the world of Mass Effect once more. Wish me luck!

Oh no, now we’re going to feel stuff again

In a recent press conference about Mass Effect 2, it is obvious that emotions play a crucial part in Bioware’s upcoming deep space RPG shooter. This is according to statements from CEO Ray Muzyka.

There will be memorable and emotional moments, emotional connection to the Mass Efffect storyline, emotional characters and simply a down-right emotional gmmeplay.

There are a lot of emotions going about, not doubt about it. Someting that makes a bitter taste in my mouth. Not because I’m an emotionless bastard (I do actually cry sometimes, like when my little brother accidentally pulled out the power plug as I had just finished off King Bowser in Super Mario Bros. 3 for the first time and was finally going to watch the ending).

I just don’t… care… about video game characters. And it’s just that I can still recall the last time I heard a developer brag about emotions in his awsome new game.

That’s right, Peter Molyneux. I did not enjoy having to keep my spouse happy when I’d rather kill hobbes, and I did not fall in love with your dog. In fact, I killed your dog.

How’s that for emotional, eh?

Don’t Get This if You Don’t Have Friends

I’m not really sure where to start with Borderlands. It can be a great game, but it can alsto be a really bad game. Why? Because having a Xbox Live connection or a few good friends to play split screen with is crucial in order to enjoy this game.

Borderlands is a hybrid between a first person shooter and an action role playing game. I love the idea of that mixture, because I think the traditional straight forward first person shooters are downright boring. Adding a bit of role playing elements to it is welcomed.

One of the things I didn’t like that much about Borderlands is the opening, because there is no real introduction to either your character, nor the game world. You’re just trown in there. You find yourself in the middle of a Texas looking planet, and you’re given these odd messages by an odd woman that wants you to find something she calles “the vault”.

I don’t mind a Texas looking planet, or a woman telling me things, but I do like to know what’s going on. It feels like a bit of a weakness to the role playing factor of Borderlands.

That being said, I have mostly good things to say about the gameplay. It’s action driven, loot getting, level climbing and skill aquiring, just the way you want a good action RPG to be like. It’s almost like a mixture of Diablo and Fallout 3, and that’s meant in a good way.

It would be nice, however, if the single player part of it was better. You simply have to play this game as a team with other people, because that’s basically the only way it’s fun. Running around alone is just boring, because the game design is so aimed at a multiplayer co-op experience. If you don’t have another Xbox 360 controller, have no Xbox Live connection, or simply have no friends; don’t bother to buy Borderlands. If you do, this game is something to remember.

In a multiplayer game I usually don’t mind the story or storytelling qualities of the game. In a single player experience, I get put off by poorly developed and poorly delivered story elements. For Borderlands, the latter applies. Happily, I do have both friends and an Xbox Live connection.