Publisher: Bioware/EA
Genre: RPG
Summary: Shepherd faces a mysterious attacker while on shore leave on the Citadel.
Gameplay: The DLC features plenty of combat against tough enemies in unique environments, including a segment where Shepherd is alone without armor and weapon choices.
There is also a casino segment that involves distracting guards and hacking cameras with careful timing. And after you've completed the combat missions, Shepherd is free to roam the new section of the Citadel and take part in casino gambling, arcade games, and the combat simulator.
Style: I've always liked the giant city on a space station that is the Citadel, so getting to see more of its neon-lit shops and particularly its dark under-workings is a treat. Anderson's apartment is nice and stylish, too, and can somewhat be decorated according to Shepherd's tastes.
Story: The main story of "Citadel" (not a good name, but I suppose a more accurate one would be something like "Friendship!" and that would be hard to sell.) is a lot of fun. The villains are intriguing and surprising, which is especially refreshing after obvious yet supposed shocking betrayals and annoying game-aided villains like Kai Leng.
Lots of the fun comes from the humor. It's great to see your crew willing to crack jokes, especially after the dourness elsewhere in Mass Effect 3. It's fun just to see all of your crew. Citadel goes all out to offer different options and lines depending upon your love interest and various other choices you've had Shepherd make.
This is particularly impressive when Shepherd throws a party and the guest list depends on who Shepherd invites (and who's alive and available, of course.) Then further conversations vary depending on what kind of party you throw, too.
Besides the main missions and the party (which doesn't have to immediately follow) there are opportunities to meet and chat with past and present crew, plus all the entertainments of the new Citadel section. Various overheard comments keep up the humorous nature of the DLC.
Conclusion: Citadel is just very enjoyable. The combat is good, the story is entertaining, and it offers a lot to do while giving you a lot of choice.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Saturday, September 16, 2017
"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" Review
Publisher: Bioware
Genre: RPG
Summary: You must aid the Jedi in their quest to defeat the evil Darth Malak and his Sith army.
Gameplay: The game's system is based on the D6 Star Wars roleplaying system--closely enough, in fact, that I was able to base my first character pretty closely off an old character sheet. Every character has attributes, skills, and powers. Character class influences powers and which skills are preferred, while attributes give bonuses regardless.
Combat is fairly simple, but has enough odds and ends to keep it from being dull. There are melee and ranged weapons, but unfortunately no easy way to switch between these without going to the equip screen. You can throw grenades, choose to dual wield, or choose to use special attacks like rapid shooting or power attacks. The Jedi also have various powers to harm, heal, and buff.
The various weapons and armor in the game have understandable categories of abilities but with some interesting and unique examples, too. A few are upgradeable for even more variety, but these are few enough that crafting isn't overwhelming.
You can also plant mines (if skilled enough in demolitions) or use stealth to find your way past obstacles if invested in that skill. There are also hackable computers and droids, too, all of which often means a variety of choices in solving quests. And there's your character's powers of persuasion, too (again, given points in the skill and wise choices in dialogue.)
Then there's the side games. The occasional turret shooting game isn't skippable, as far as I know, but overall I enjoy it. The racing side game can most be ignored or indulged as you prefer, as can the blackjack-esque card game Pazaak. Overall, there is plenty to do besides combat.
Style: Naturally, Knights of the Old Republic makes use of the usual elements of the Star Wars setting: starships, lightsabers, robes, etc. There is a bit of a different spin on things since it's set thousands of years earlier than the movies (but don't expect things to look too primitive.)
Despite the now-older graphics, it's still a delight to see the dark roots of Kashyyyk or a space station orbiting Yavin 4. Graphics and sound combine for some excellent atmospheric settings.
Armor and clothes, alas, aren't all that interesting, but there are some neat unique pieces. Weapons are awkwardly constantly carried, and all headgear always worn--especially unfortunate when the game starts a long Bioware trend of weird and awful headpieces.
Story: Knights of the Old Republic excellently captures the feeling of Star Wars. In fact, it may be my favorite piece of Star Wars media. It has a fantastic twist (I think I was spoiled about it before I first played and I still loved it.) But even besides that, there's a lot that works well in this story of redemption, choice, and the nature of evil.
Most of the characters are fascinating and fit well in the context of the story. The two romances are so tied into the story, in fact, that they feel extra epic. This is especially impressive given the choice in planet and quest order. The story manages to flow pretty smoothly no match which order you choose.
Conclusion: Knights of the Old Republic is one of my favorite games (sometimes, depending on my mood, my straight-up favorite.) It simply has so much go right. There's no part of the game I dislike, no bit I have to grit my teeth a bit and get over with. And there's so much I love--the characters, the setting, the story, the sound of a lightsaber igniting...a true classic.
Genre: RPG
Summary: You must aid the Jedi in their quest to defeat the evil Darth Malak and his Sith army.
Gameplay: The game's system is based on the D6 Star Wars roleplaying system--closely enough, in fact, that I was able to base my first character pretty closely off an old character sheet. Every character has attributes, skills, and powers. Character class influences powers and which skills are preferred, while attributes give bonuses regardless.
Combat is fairly simple, but has enough odds and ends to keep it from being dull. There are melee and ranged weapons, but unfortunately no easy way to switch between these without going to the equip screen. You can throw grenades, choose to dual wield, or choose to use special attacks like rapid shooting or power attacks. The Jedi also have various powers to harm, heal, and buff.
The various weapons and armor in the game have understandable categories of abilities but with some interesting and unique examples, too. A few are upgradeable for even more variety, but these are few enough that crafting isn't overwhelming.
You can also plant mines (if skilled enough in demolitions) or use stealth to find your way past obstacles if invested in that skill. There are also hackable computers and droids, too, all of which often means a variety of choices in solving quests. And there's your character's powers of persuasion, too (again, given points in the skill and wise choices in dialogue.)
Then there's the side games. The occasional turret shooting game isn't skippable, as far as I know, but overall I enjoy it. The racing side game can most be ignored or indulged as you prefer, as can the blackjack-esque card game Pazaak. Overall, there is plenty to do besides combat.
Style: Naturally, Knights of the Old Republic makes use of the usual elements of the Star Wars setting: starships, lightsabers, robes, etc. There is a bit of a different spin on things since it's set thousands of years earlier than the movies (but don't expect things to look too primitive.)
Despite the now-older graphics, it's still a delight to see the dark roots of Kashyyyk or a space station orbiting Yavin 4. Graphics and sound combine for some excellent atmospheric settings.
Armor and clothes, alas, aren't all that interesting, but there are some neat unique pieces. Weapons are awkwardly constantly carried, and all headgear always worn--especially unfortunate when the game starts a long Bioware trend of weird and awful headpieces.
Story: Knights of the Old Republic excellently captures the feeling of Star Wars. In fact, it may be my favorite piece of Star Wars media. It has a fantastic twist (I think I was spoiled about it before I first played and I still loved it.) But even besides that, there's a lot that works well in this story of redemption, choice, and the nature of evil.
Most of the characters are fascinating and fit well in the context of the story. The two romances are so tied into the story, in fact, that they feel extra epic. This is especially impressive given the choice in planet and quest order. The story manages to flow pretty smoothly no match which order you choose.
Conclusion: Knights of the Old Republic is one of my favorite games (sometimes, depending on my mood, my straight-up favorite.) It simply has so much go right. There's no part of the game I dislike, no bit I have to grit my teeth a bit and get over with. And there's so much I love--the characters, the setting, the story, the sound of a lightsaber igniting...a true classic.
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