Games, Games, Games
I recently upgraded my PC to play Dragon Age: Origins by Bioware. Easily my RPG of the Year for 2009. If you haven't played it, do yourself a favor and get it. It rekindled my love for PC gamming all over again. I spent at least 160 PLAYABLE HOURS on this game and that was only 1 of 3 races (both genders are available per race) and each has it's own unique origin story. Bioware is leaps and beyond other game developers in my opinion. I was MORE than amazed at this product. This was my first PC game in a long while and I can definitely say, "It was worth the upgrade".
This prompted me to check out other titles by this publisher and I stumbled across their old claim to fame, Mass Effect. I ended up playing for 12 hrs straight almost (I'm on vacation) last night. Once again, I'm so enthralled with this game, much like I was with Dragon Age. The gameplay is smooth, and the controls just make sense. It's an RPG meets an action title (Think Gears of War for xbox 360) You have to duck behind cover as you're being ambushed by enemies and the combat system is all realtime. Since I played Dragon Age first, I call it "Dragon Age in Space". There are so many parallels with the story, and even some of the characters are alike in personality and skills.
Since I played a newer title first, I can see the improvements they made on the engine for Dragon Age, although most of what I loved about Dragon Age is in the engine for Mass Effect. Kuddos for actually LISTENING to what gamers like and not trying to change things that are already working as they should.
Here's an example of the gameplay for Mass Effect. (Skip to around 7:33 if you want to see an example of the combat)
Mass Effect Gameplay
Just as I'm getting into Mass Effect, I'm now learning that the sequel is coming out in late Jan (Jan 26). Mass Effect 2 is going to be leaps and bounds above anything visually done in gaming from what I've seen in the trailers. I swear there were a few times that I had to remember it was rendered graphics and not actual actors. This is amazing.
Here's the official site for Mass Effect 2. I'll be preordering but don't know which vendor I'm going to pre-order through considering you get different downloadable content based on who you order from.
EDIT: After seeing THIS video, I think I'll be getting my copy at Gamestop.. WOW!!!
That in itself, offering downloadable content to be used in the game if you purchase it is great incentive to get people to buy games, especially Collector's Editions. Getting a hardback copy of original art is great, but you give me a gun or armor that I can use in the game, that's going to go a LOT further to aid in my fun. Excellent idea Bioware (thumbs up).
Simply put.. "I can't wait..Gaming's getting good again."
