Just having a quick debate with DArt about exploration in Mass Effect 2 & 3. Since I don't want people to be biased, I won't say a whole lot except.. how do you rate exploration in Mass Effect 2 & 3?

From 1 to 5, or not applicable/present if you don't feel you can rate it (for whatever reason, feel free to explain).

I voted 3, for the reasons I already gave

BTW, you probably mean "not applicable."

Originally Posted by NewDArt
I voted 3, for the reasons I already gave

BTW, you probably mean "not applicable."

Sigh, yes. Damn auto-correct. Even did it in the post. I can't actually edit the poll it seems.

This poll is plain wrong. You can't put those two games in the same pot.

Exploration mechanics in ME2 are outright horrible:
- checking if planets are rich so you drill the stupid sonar minigame
- hammerhead good exploration is turned into paid DLC
- the game doesn't tell you at any moment that if you don't rush endgame post IFF mission but continue exploring, you'll lose a part or the whole abducted Normandy crew!

ME3 exploration is ruined with plotholes DLC where you notice while exploring what isn't really supposed to appear at that time but much later (aka, except cut out Prothean, you shouldn't play other ME3 DLC until you're about to end the game). But other than that, you're not annoyed with sonar idiocy nor your exploration causes anything critical in the game ending. Sadly, exactly this ending point, exploration turned into a meaningless thing where a player will be served red/green/blue ending is a turd of it's own.

So I'd put 0/5 on ME2 exploration as it's all atrocious designs except good stuff turned into scamware, while ME3 should be mediocre 2.5/5.

What exploration?

Not finished 3 so I will stick to 2…

I voted 3 since there were enough "stuff" to discover in the zones even though its corridor design. I don't believe you have to have huge open world for exploration. One of the reason why I loved Dark Souls 3 is the exploration even though its not open world instead you moved from zone to zone. I will rate DS3 as 4.5 since there were so much to discover.

I honestly don't remember much of ME 3 other than the ending and it has been a while since I last played ME2 so my memory is hazy. From what I recall, I would give exploration 2 - I remember it being more limited on exploration - most of planets were just scannable, structures were long carridors and Citadel really did not feel all that big.

?? Is 1 great exploration or terrible exploration?

Space exploration…those dimwits in EA don't realize opportunity they have here.
ME planetary exploration doesn't work…they'll realize this soon enough for Star Citizen.
For all it's issues, I loved being in space among ship wreckages in Dead Space III.

Originally Posted by Zloth
?? Is 1 great exploration or terrible exploration?

I voted based on assumption 1 is lowest/worst and 5 is highest/best

Considering I don't care for exploration, the poll should be inverted for me (the less exploration, the better).

Originally Posted by wolfing
Considering I don't care for exploration, the poll should be inverted for me (the less exploration, the better).

You're not rating the amount of exploration - but the quality of it.

Quality times quantity… and it still comes out pretty near zero. ME1 had some bumbling around on planets in the Mako that… well, wasn't very good but it was there. ME2 and 3? Not much there and not much quality.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the games. Great action, great story, interesting characters, really cinematic visual… but exploration? Nah.

P.S.

I talk to people, ya'know? Ask them if they have big problems that only I can solve. You'd be surprised how many people are just waiting for someone to talk to them! <pause> Sometimes I poke through crates, too. You know - for extra credits.