Guhndahb sends in this
excellent article at The Brainy Gamer that doesn't so much look at Mass Effect 2 or even the critical praise but some of the commentary that has accompanied the game - in particular, the assertion that ME2 represents the refined future of RPGs. Genre classification is a related topic covered. A bit of a lengthy clip as introduction:
More information.
Sorry but i really had to comment on the ridiculous hype over Mass Effect 2. I've been almost through 2 playthroughs and here's my two cents:
First off, the premise that ME2 should even be classified as an RPG is highly arguable. Its a level shooter interrupted frequently by cut-scenes, thats about it. Where is the role-playing when the main chacracter is now so well solidified that changing roles is fundamentally impossible. You are Shepard, full stop.
They have stripped the stats and usual RPG info completely away from ME2, instead implementing game mechanics which are so directed towards the shooter market Im surpirsed any one who truly loves RPG based games can call this an RPG.
is someone kidding by stating that this is the new RPG genre? Help us all if that is the case, because if future RPGs are this dumbed down then we might as well call Half Life 2 an RPG.
Please, has no-one here played Deus Ex? Now that is an action/rpg in most genuine form because your PC has a multitude of choices as to how he/she progresses through the game, and even though its linear (as all games at their heart) Deus Ex was able to take the player off the game rails and let him find clever innovative game paths.
So Deus Ex was a exponentially superior action/RPG/shooter than Mass Effect 2.
The replayability value of Mass Effect 2 is almost nil because its so much on rails the player hardly has any meaningful choices, or squad configuration because of the tremendous dumbing down from the original ME.
I cant even finnish my second playthrough the game is that boring, predictable and in fact tedious.
Ya some nice cut-scenes and reasonable but again predictable combat makes Mass Effect 2 a very ordinary game if it was not for the Bioware fanbois who will worship anything that company does.
DAO was way better, more involved, deep, tactical, configurable etc etc etc
So frankly im disguested that so-called hardcore RPG fans are hying Mass Effect 2. Well done guys because this is the quickest way to create a false dichotomy in the indiusrty if suddenly the brainless pap that is Mass Effect 2 becomes the standard.
Help us all.