Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/BioWare drops 10-day validation from Mass Effect PChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/bioware-drops-10-day-valdiation-from-mass-effect-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/bioware-drops-10-day-valdiation-from-mass-effect-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/10/bioware-drops-10-day-valdiation-from-mass-effect-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


After stirring up a hornets' nest of gamer contempt last week by announcing that the forthcoming PC flavor of Mass Effect would require re-validation every 10 days, BioWare community manager Jay Watamaniuk has come forward as the voice of reason on the game's official forums, stating that the developer has now removed the "feature" from the game.

Instead of employing the previously revealed DRM madness, Watamaniuk explained that Mass Effect will include just a one time online authentication, allowing players to play the game once validated without the disc in the drive at all. That said, if any new content is downloaded, the game will again have to bite the disc to make sure it's real. The caveat to all of this, however, is that each Mass Effect purchase will only be able to be installed a maximum of three times, news that has again incited us to pick up our torches and pitchforks and join the mob outside.

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]]>biowaredrmeaelectronic-artselectronicartsmass-effectmasseffectsecuromJason Dobson2008-05-10T09:25:00+00:00Mass Effect PC will 'Bring Down the Sky' at launch [Updated]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/mass-effect-pc-wont-bring-down-the-sky-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/mass-effect-pc-wont-bring-down-the-sky-at-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/mass-effect-pc-wont-bring-down-the-sky-at-launch/#commentsFiled under: ,


Don't expect to play Mass Effect's "Bring Down the Sky" downloadable content on the day the game releases for PC. Developer BioWare tells IGN that the DLC will not be included in the PC release, though there will be an "announcement soon" about "additional content" for it. Update: The DLC will not be included in the box, but will be offered for free to BioWare community members

BioWare dodges the question about whether future DLC will be staggered and released on Xbox 360 first, followed by PC. Either way, the PC gamer race is sure to giggle with delight as they experience less texture popping and shorter elevator rides when Mass Effect launches May 28.

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]]>biowarebring-down-the-skyDLCmass-effectmasseffectAlexander Sliwinski2008-04-10T14:25:00+00:00Mass Effect II will have 'richer' side questshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/mass-effect-2-will-have-more-effective-side-quests/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/mass-effect-2-will-have-more-effective-side-quests/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/mass-effect-2-will-have-more-effective-side-quests/#commentsFiled under: ,


In an interview with MTV's Multiplayer, BioWare General Manager Greg Zerschuk says Mass Effect II's side quests will be "a little bit richer." He says the company is looking into ways to auto-generate content and possibly tie those into the main story. He'd like to make sure that side quests stay to the side, but that there's something "purposeful about them."

Zerschuk explains now that the technological backbone for Mass Effect is there, the sequel should be much better. He uses the company's Baldur's Gate series as an example, explaining that the the first one was a very solid game, but that the sequel allowed things to be taken "to a whole new level."

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]]>biowaremass-effectmasseffectzerschukAlexander Sliwinski2008-03-12T16:00:00+00:00Joyswag: Win Mass Effect's 'Bring Down the Sky' DLChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/joyswag-win-mass-effects-bring-down-the-sky-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/joyswag-win-mass-effects-bring-down-the-sky-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/10/joyswag-win-mass-effects-bring-down-the-sky-dlc/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We never forget a face. That explains why we nearly overlooked the charming fellow above, as his disturbing assemblage of teeth, eyes and wrinkles really stretches our definition of "face" to its very hideous limit. Apparently, we were supposed to meet him for a round of Mass Effect today, foiling his and his fellow Batarians' plan to toss an asteroid at an unsuspecting planet.

If you feel like your galactic romp across BioWare's rich galaxy is in need of extension, the "Bring Down the Sky" Mass Effect add-on promises "approximately 90 minutes" of gameplay and 50 gamerscore points. It's available on the Xbox Live Marketplace now for $5, or 400 MS Points. Oh, and you can win a download code for it right now.
  • To enter this giveaway, suggest a caption for the above image in the comments section.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec).
  • Limit 1 entry per person. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified and jettisoned into space!
  • This entry period ends tomorrow at 5:45pm ET Tuesday 3/11/08. We'll randomly select 10 winners at that time.
  • For complete rules capable of generating extensive dialogue trees, click here.
[Update: The contest is over. We'll be contacting the winners shortly, so please keep an eye on your inbox!]

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]]>BioWareBreakingNewsBring-Down-the-SkyDLCjoyswagMarketplaceMass-EffectMassEffectXbox-LiveXboxLiveLudwig Kietzmann2008-03-10T17:45:00+00:00Mass Effect to drop for the PC in May, EA to publishhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/mass-effect-to-drop-for-the-pc-in-may-ea-to-publish/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/mass-effect-to-drop-for-the-pc-in-may-ea-to-publish/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/mass-effect-to-drop-for-the-pc-in-may-ea-to-publish/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mass Effect's long-rumored jump to the PC is now a certainty, as publisher Electronic Arts has taken the popular action RPG under its wing with plans to publish the title for the PC in May. The game is the first in a new deal struck between EA and Microsoft, which will see the publisher bringing this and other unspecified games to the PC market.

According to EA, Mass Effect has undergone a slight makeover for its PC debut, with new PC-centric "fully customizable" controls, the ability to assign hot keys for "run and gun control," an enhanced inventory system, and a new decryption minigame. The publisher also boasts of the version's new "highly detailed" visuals, though we're curious to see if the console version's horrendous texture pop-in will be checked at the door before boarding the painfully slow rising elevator leading to Mass Effect's spring release.

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]]>biowarebreakingnewseaelectronic-artselectronicartsmass-effectmasseffectJason Dobson2008-02-12T09:15:00+00:00Heed Totilo's warning -- keep a late Mass Effect save to play new DLChttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/09/heed-totilos-warning-keep-a-late-mass-effect-save-to-play-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/09/heed-totilos-warning-keep-a-late-mass-effect-save-to-play-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/09/heed-totilos-warning-keep-a-late-mass-effect-save-to-play-ne/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're certain that anyone who is excited about the new DLC for BioWare's intergalactic opera Mass Effect probably beat the game late last year, allowing their respective Commander Shepherds to grow portly and short-winded in the following months. While you may be tempted to delete those vestiges of space adventures past from your hard drive so you can start anew when it comes time to 'Bring Down the Sky', MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totlio strongly suggests you don't -- unless you want to wait a few hours before perusing the new content.

You see, in order to access the new missions provided in the download, you'll need your trusty space-faring vessel, which is not available for the last couple of hours and first few hours of the game. So, whether you've started the game over, or just deleted your old saves, make sure you reclaim your wings by March 10 if you want to venture forth into uncharted territories in search of new extraterrestrial nookie.

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]]>biowareDLCeaMass-effectmasseffecttotiloGriffin McElroy2008-02-09T18:30:00+00:00Mass Effect DLC to 'Bring Down the Sky' on March 10http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/mass-effect-dlc-to-bring-down-the-sky-on-march-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/mass-effect-dlc-to-bring-down-the-sky-on-march-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/mass-effect-dlc-to-bring-down-the-sky-on-march-10/#commentsFiled under: ,


BioWare has unveiled the first in a series of downloadable add-ons to its interstellar epic of planetary exploration and interspecies cavorting, Mass Effect. Warping onto the Xbox Live Marketplace on Monday, March 10th, "Bring Down the Sky" expands the game's rich universe by adding a new uncharted world and an alien race mentioned but never seen in the award-winning central campaign.

It seems an extremist group of Batarians, who sadly look nothing like the gigantic space bats we envisioned them to be, has taken control of a mobile asteroid station and set it on a collision course with a nearby colony. Since you'll have absolutely none of that, you'll download the adventure for 400 MS Points ($5) and put an end to the crisis within "approximately 90 minutes." If saving Terra Nova isn't reward enough, there are 50 Gamerscore points in it for you.

Gallery: Mass Effect DLC - Bring Down the Sky

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]]>BiowareBreakingNewsEAMass-EffectMassEffectMicrosoft-Game-StudiosLudwig Kietzmann2008-02-06T12:13:00+00:00Today's most satirical video: Loading.Ready.Run tackles 'Max Effect'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/todays-most-satirical-video-loading-ready-run-tackles-max-eff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/todays-most-satirical-video-loading-ready-run-tackles-max-eff/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/29/todays-most-satirical-video-loading-ready-run-tackles-max-eff/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been a week since Fox News ran a largely ignorant news segment on the the brief, minor and optional sex scene found in Mass Effect. The crew of Loading.Ready.Run have produced a satire of the news segment for our enjoyment. All the important interview tactics are present, from the gaming supporter being frequently cut off mid-sentence, having his mic turned off, and the host giving loaded questions and descriptions ("full on hardcore porn sex ... with freaky alien chicks"). The acting may not be top-notch, but the snark is.

For a summary of events surrounding Mass Effect so far, including head-turning comments by Jack Thompson, check out this post. Video embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Pattmyn]

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]]>eaelectronic-artsfoxfox-newshottestvideomass-effectmasseffectsexRoss Miller2008-01-29T01:30:00+00:00Gamers wage war on Mass Effect basher's book, garner apology [update]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/gamers-wage-war-on-mass-effect-bashers-book-garner-apology/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/gamers-wage-war-on-mass-effect-bashers-book-garner-apology/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/gamers-wage-war-on-mass-effect-bashers-book-garner-apology/#commentsFiled under: ,


Anyone who has stared into the pitch-black eye of madness known as the Fox News Network's "coverage" of Mass Effect and its "Luke Skywalker meets 'Debbie Does Dallas'" gameplay, is probably now familiar with psychology specialist Cooper Lawrence, who laughingly admitted on the show that she had never played Mass Effect, but still assured the program's viewers of the game's vicious, child corrupting qualities.

We imagine the chuckles came to an abrupt end when Lawrence checked the Amazon ratings of her newest book, "The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace With Your Inner Overachiever," whose middling review had been torn asunder by incensed gamers -- many of whom took the time to mention that they had never actually read the book, but hated it anyways. Amazon recently took down these negative reviews -- a shame, as we're sure they'd provide more entertainment than the actual book ever could.

Lawrence has since apologized in a New York Times article, claiming she was misinformed about the game, and that she's "seen episodes of 'Lost' that are more sexually explicit." Nice work, Lawrence. You might have settled things with the gaming community, but now you've pissed off the DHARMA Initiative, who are capable of doing much more than just downvoting self-help literature.

Update: X-Play's Adam Sessler recently spoke his mind about the "Mass Stupidity" debacle -- his video comments can be viewed (and enjoyed) after the jump.

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]]>AmazonBioWareCooper-LawrenceCooperLawrenceEAFoxNewsLostMassEffectGriffin McElroy2008-01-26T12:30:00+00:00Fox says EA ignored invite to discuss Mass Effect [update]http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/fox-says-ea-ignored-invite-to-discuss-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/fox-says-ea-ignored-invite-to-discuss-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/25/fox-says-ea-ignored-invite-to-discuss-mass-effect/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In what looks to be a standstill, MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo contacted Fox News to follow up on a letter sent to them yesterday by Electronic Arts asking to "correct the record" on the ignorant Mass Effect "sexposé." An unnamed spokesperson replied, "Fox News Channel has extended several invitations to EA through a company representative to appear on 'Live Desk With Martha MacCallum' to discuss 'Mass Effect' and the segment which aired on Monday. We have received no response."

We're wondering if an EA representative coming on MacCallum's show would get the same treatment as Geoff Keighley in the original segment. Also today, Totilo contacted Brown, who reiterated his position from yesterday's letter. Hence, both sides are waiting for other to somehow respond. Is someone going to make the next move (we're doubtful), or is this just going to blow away until the next batch of "sex-ified" games? (Potential candidates include Grand Theft Auto 4, Smash Bros Brawl and Spore.)

Update: GameDaily contacted EA VP of Communications Jeff Brown, who wrote the original letter to Fox News, to see if there was any update on the situation. Said Brown, "Not much to say other than there's no interest here in another debate with an 'expert' that will say anything to sell a book. They need to step up and correct the record." We couldn't agree more (and we can't seem to get the image of Brown's razor sharp fangs out of our minds).

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]]>eaelectronic-artsfoxfox-newsmaccullummass-effectmasseffectRoss Miller2008-01-25T13:30:00+00:00Mass Effect 'virtual orgasmic rape' columnist apologizeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/mass-effect-virtual-orgasmic-rape-columnist-apologizes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/mass-effect-virtual-orgasmic-rape-columnist-apologizes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/mass-effect-virtual-orgasmic-rape-columnist-apologizes/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following his inflammatory and just-plain-wrong criticism of Mass Effect, "conservative" columnist Kevin McCullough has apologized "to the gaming universe." McCullough says he still finds the material he had umbrage with before offensive and that it should be kept out of the hands of children -- if parents and retailers are doing their jobs regarding the M-rated Mass Effect then McCullough will get his wish.

The next time some columnist wants to level criticism against a game it'd be nice if they at least play the game first, which McCullough admitted he had not done and only perused some clips of the Mass Effect sex scenes on the internet. Now that we've gotten that futile dream out of the way: Bring on the next nut job!

[Via GamePolitics]

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]]>crazycriticismmass-effectmasseffectmcculloughAlexander Sliwinski2008-01-17T18:15:00+00:00Most bizarre thing you'll read today: Mass Effect's 'virtual orgasmic rape'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/most-bizarre-thing-youll-read-today-mass-effects-virtual-org/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/most-bizarre-thing-youll-read-today-mass-effects-virtual-org/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/most-bizarre-thing-youll-read-today-mass-effects-virtual-org/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We feel a little awkward pointing the way to a horribly researched criticism of Mass Effect by "conservative" blogger Kevin McCullough, but it's probably just about the most flat-out crazy thing you'll read all day. GamePolitics discovered the article entitled "The 'Sex-Box' Race for President" where McCullough just pulls out of the vacuum of space various criticisms against Mass Effect which are "pushing our next generation of young men through the gates of hell as fast as is humanly possible." McCullough's issues include, but are not limited to:
  • Mass Effect is marketed to fifteen year old boys. That may be possible, but the game is rated M (17+).
  • He says players engage in "the most realistic sex acts ever conceived." Sorry, but there are much better sex simulators.
  • That players can customize an avatar's body and breast size -- that's just not true in the slightest.
  • The piece de resistance: Players can "hump in every form, format, multiple, gender-oriented possibility they can think of." As we've gone over before, there's no love for our gay brothers in the game, sex is straight or between the ladies. Not to mention players can only have sex with a few characters -- it certainly isn't the Baskin-Robbins interstellar sex club of 31,000 flavors.
Those are McCullough's issues in just the first two paragraphs! Happy facepalming gentle readers.

[Via GamePolitics]

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]]>crazycriticismmass-effectmasseffectmcculloughAlexander Sliwinski2008-01-14T15:00:00+00:00Takahashi apologizes for Mass Effect reviewhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/takahashi-apologizes-for-mass-effect-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/takahashi-apologizes-for-mass-effect-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/takahashi-apologizes-for-mass-effect-review/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mercury News reporter Dean Takahashi has quite publicly apologized for his negative and unfair review of Mass Effect. Takahashi's mea culpa reveals that he rushed into (and through) the early levels of the game without taking the time to learn the rules. BioWare can also be faulted for its lack of explanation in teaching the uninitiated the finer points gameplay.

The lengthy apology clearly highlights issues we've heard about and experienced in Mass Effect over and over again. Some simple thoughts to enjoy Mass Effect: Take your time and be sure to make time, it is an RPG after all and not a rushed experience. Hopefully for the sequel they'll fix blatantly ridiculous things like the inventory system, inability to run around the Citadel, and the slowest elevators in intergalactic history -- the title sure sold enough to warrant future installments.

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]]>mass-effectmasseffectmea-culpamercury-newstakahashiAlexander Sliwinski2008-01-02T15:40:00+00:00Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2007http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/02/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)

For a port of a two-year-old game, RE4: Wii Edition didn't have a whole lot going for it. It had the same extra features as the PS2 port of the game, not-so-updated graphics, and slightly lower reviews than its original iteration -- and yet, somehow, just by changing how the game is controlled, Capcom created an entirely new adventure. When the peculiar controls for the Wii were first announced, this is the type of interactivity that I imagined from the future games for the system -- responsive, accurate, and realistic. The only way they could have made the gunplay feel any more natural would have been to package the game with an actual gun, which you shot at the on-screen zombies. Once.



Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl (DS)

Haters be damned -- I'm a Pokéfanatic. As such, my Best of the Rest list wouldn't be complete without this year's edition of the handheld monster catching series. Sure, certain elements of the game haven't changed since the days of Pokémons Blue and Red (two of my favorite games of all time), but the things I love about the series remain intact, and in some cases, improved. The music is amazing, the number of the titular creatures are increased, and the Squirtles are bluer than ever.


Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (DS)

At first consideration, casual puzzle games and role-playing games seem like two great tastes that, together, taste like stale poison. Casual games are supposed to be short, singular experiences that you can pick up and put down when need be; RPG's require you to embed yourself into the couch so you can soldier on until the next save point. Somehow, Puzzle Quest takes some of the best qualities of these two fields and blends them spectacularly, creating a clever hybrid genre. With the addictive character customization abilities of an RPG, and the even more addicting Bejeweled-esque gameplay, they might as well have titled it Heroin: The Game.


The Bigs (Xbox 360)

To those offended by the lack of sports titles on our Top Ten list, I offer you this consolation. It might lack the realism of MLB '07 and MLB 2k7, but it makes up for it with over-the-top gameplay and arcade style controls. Add on an incredibly enjoyable career mode and some incredible Angels in the Outfield-esque diving manuvers, and you've got the NFL Blitz of America's greatest pastime.


Crackdown (Xbox 360)

Crackdown, for me, was pretty hit-or-miss. The game was really only enjoyable when playing online co-op, and even then, the main story mode got pretty stale after a short time. Everything else, however, was buttercream. There's more ways to waste time in this city-sized sandbox than you could ever imagine, especially with the release of the "Keys to the City" content patch. I can't tell you how many hours I spent playing Crackdown Donkey Kong, cackling at my teammate's futile attempts to climb a skyscraper as I dropped dump trucks on him from its summit.


Disappointments
  • Mass Effect (Xbox 360) -- Mass Effect is in no way, shape, or form an unpleasant experience. It's a great way to spend 20 hours. It's an incredibly deep galactic chronicle. It's an evolution of narrative in video games. However, it is a terrible game. Does that make sense? The elements that make it a video game are terrible. The gunplay is clunky and unresponsive, as are the rest of the combat controls. The character customization and equipment screens are cumbersome and remarkably confusing. It seems as if BioWare designed the game so that the action would be something that happens between conversations and story development, an unfortunate reversal of the usual video game formula.
  • Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock (Xbox 360) -- Not only does it feature one of the worst soundtracks ever featured in a Guitar Hero game (I only really enjoyed about five or six of the songs), but Activision managed to mangle both the art style and sense of humor that I loved so much about the first two versions of the game. Sidenote: Rocks the 80s was also junk, but I wouldn't label that as a disappointment, as my hopes for a Guitar Hero game composed entirely of 80s music were decidedly low.
  • Blue Dragon (Xbox 360) -- Somehow, the math just didn't add up. Any game being worked on by the creator of Final Fantasy and the developers of Chrono Trigger should be the most legendary RPG ever. How did Blue Dragon end up a repetitive, boring, ugly mess? We may never know.

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]]>Best-of-the-rest-2007Blue-DragonBlueDragonCrackdownGH3GOTY-2007Guitar-Hero-3GuitarHero3Mass-EffectMassEffectPokemonPuzzle-QuestPuzzleQuestResident-Evil-4ResidentEvil4The-BigsTheBigsGriffin McElroy2008-01-02T02:30:00+00:00Best of the Rest: Justin's Picks of 2007http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-justins-picks-of-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Dead Head Fred (PSP)

Though he may have been on a small screen, Dead Head Fred (voiced by Scrubs' John C. McGinley), had more character than 90 percent of the leads in this year's crop of console games. If you haven't played it, do yourself a favor and track it down. It's excellent stuff.



Puzzle Quest (DS)

For a solid two-month period this summer, I could not put Puzzle Quest down when I went to go to the bathroom. It was, if you will, the king of the throne. I actually had to kick my addiction to it piecemeal, like I was killing a Zelda boss. First, I had to stop accumulating powers, then I grew tired of the gem-matching mechanic and (finally) was able to bring myself to defeat the final boss.

In mid-December, I started playing the XBLA version. So, to continue the analogy, I guess the boss killed me.


Crackdown (Xbox 360)

I'm actually kind of surprised this didn't make the big list, but it's here on my favorites now and that's just going to have to suffice. From its pseudo-superhero lead to the big open world, this is the sort of game that seems specifically crafted to, in the words of Jason Statham, gouge my fancy from its shell, and tickle it ad nauseam. D-lightful.


The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: The Shivering Isles (Xbox 360)

I'm going to need you to deal with something: TES IV:O:TSI was, hands down, the best RPG released last year. "What? What did he say?" I'll repeat it. Thanks to its beautiful graphics, engrossing story and overall radness, The Shivering Isles was the best RPG of 2007. I feel much better now with that off of my chest.


Desktop Tower Defense (PC)

This is the game that I play when I want to show real video games that they're not the boss of me. I actually had to delete my bookmark for it, because I was far too prone to just sort of idly clicking on it and jettisoning four hours of my day into blackest space.

Disappointments

Mass Effect (Xbox 360) -- I think Mass Effect gets this dubious honor from me because it was full of so many little disappointments. It wasn't just as if I had anticipated it before its release and the final product let me down. The game itself was a cycle of promising fun was just around the corner and delivering tedium. It seemed that every time it got some momentum, on of the many, many flaws in the game was there to drag it down.

Here's a good example of my Mass Effect stance, one that I'll relate to anyone who'll listen. You can sprint in Mass Effect as long as you're in combat. Yes, the same combat conducted entirely through ranged weapons. I don't know why you'd want to sprint up to someone to shoot them, but that option's there. On the other hand, if you're not in combat and you need to, I don't know, run from one corner of the city to the other, then you're going to stroll like a fancy gentleman, no sprinting allowed. And don't even get me started on the elevators.

The big disappointment is that Mass Effect was a great game that should have been a classic. It's a fine line, but when a game has this much promise, it's an infuriating one.

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]]>Best-of-the-rest-2007CrackdownDead-Head-FredDesktop-Tower-DefenseElder-ScrollsElderScrollsGOTY-2007Mass-EffectMassEffectOblivionPuzzle-QuestPuzzleQuestShivering-IslesShiveringIslesJustin McElroy2008-01-01T18:40:00+00:00Best of the Rest: James' Picks of 2007http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/best-of-the-rest-james-picks-of-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

pac-man ce
Pac-Man Championship Edition (XBLA)

If not worthy of a Top 10 spot, then certainly Pac-Man deserves Joystiq's 'Comeback Player of the Year' award. I covered Pac-Man CE's overblown launch in early June, but it wasn't until I became a devoted player at home that I realized the sheer genius of the first true Pac-Man sequel since 'the Ms.' hit the maze in '82. Designer Toru Iwatani managed to scrape off a quarter-century of rust and fashion a remarkably relevant game that held me down during an otherwise punishing summer drought. Geometry Wars might be the most celebrated, but Pac-Man CE is Xbox Live Arcade's true star.

everyday shooter
Everyday Shooter (PSN)

A sublime work of art that bleeds indie blood and stirs the soul. A very personal experience. Kudos to creator Mr. Mak.

crackdown
Crackdown (Xbox 360)

Admittedly, Crackdown has become a fading memory, but a good one. Realtime World's sandbox will be remembered as the most satisfying online co-op game of the year, and not as my golden ticket to the Halo 3 Beta.

mlb 07
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)

Baseball? Yes'ir. As my Fightin' Phils battled to their first playoff appearance in 14 years (fourteen!), MLB 07 rarely left my PSP all season. (Okay, I confess, the game hasn't come anywhere near my handheld since the 'Filthies' agonizing first-round exit.)

picross
Picross (DS)

Corny subject matter doesn't diminish Picross' addictive gameplay. "Just one more" should be the motto for this year's best puzzler to feature blocks.

symphony of the night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (XBLA)

Does a decade-old game belong on a list of noteworthy 2007 titles? Definitely. Revisiting this classic in late March, I realized how ineptly I had judged SotN in my youth. After I feverishly destroyed the XBLA super-port - 200.6% completion, plus a Richter run-through - I was left with one lingering question: Is this the greatest game of all time...?

honorable mention
Honorable Mention

 Shoutouts to Super Stardust HD (PSN), Puzzle Quest (PSP) and Jeanne d'Arc (PSP).

disappointments
Disappointments
  • Heavenly Sword (PS3): Absolute mediocrity. I jonesed so hard for this one, but once in my PS3, I didn't experience a single high.
  • Phantom Hourglass (DS): I'm still searching for that 'Zelda' I fell in love with in '88, reaffirmed in '92 and pledged my soul to in '98.
  • Lost Planet (Xbox 360): Mostly 'meh,' but shoddy controls ruined occasional pockets of fun.
  • Mass Effect (Xbox 360): Moronic AI and generally broken combat has me baffled. Am I playing this wrong?
  • Assassin's Creed (Xbox 360): The essential gameplay elements (climbing and combat) are superb, but the supporting tasks are too few and flawed.
resolutions
New Year's Resolutions

I promise to finally play Metroid Prime 3 (Wii) and Uncharted (PS3).

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]]>assassins-creedassassinscreedbest-of-the-rest-2007castlevaniacastlevania-symphony-of-the-nightcrackdowneverdayshootereveryday-shooterGOTY-2007heavenly-swordheavenlyswordjeanne-darclost-planetlostplanetmass-effectmasseffectmlb-07pac-manpac-man-cepac-man-championship-editionphantom-hourglassphatomhourglasspicrosspsnpuzzle-questpuzzlequestsuper-stardust-hdsuperstardusthdsymphony-of-the-nightsymphonyofthenightxblazeldaJames Ransom-Wiley2008-01-01T13:30:00+00:00Joystiq's Top 10 of 2007: Mass Effecthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/01/game-of-the-year-10-mass-effect/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


If you've ever borrowed a great novel from a library (ask your parents), you would know that all those reams of text can latch on to your thoughts regardless of the tattered, pig-eared and terrifyingly sticky pages they're printed on. Mass Effect is just such an experience, its story spread across technically dubious and slow-turning sheets filled with text that randomly pops in and out of existence. You also have to read several chapters while standing in the world's slowest elevator, for some reason.

Still, these are complaints that are best gotten over with in the first paragraph and promptly forgotten, for Mass Effect makes its rich story heard well above the incessant clacking of the Xbox 360's exhausted DVD drive. It may seem strange to place emphasis on the massive universe and nuanced characters over the increasingly vague term of "gameplay," but BioWare's craft has masterfully blurred the lines between plot and play. We can't remember the last time we preferred chatting to aliens as opposed to shooting them in... whatever approximates a face.



A laborious inventory system and initially confusing combat certainly detract from the game's (forbidden) planet-hopping journey, but the cinematic ambition on display and tough choices to be made will linger in your memory for much, much longer. In a bountiful year which encouraged us to breathlessly rush from game to epic game, it's remarkable that Mass Effect could make us pause long enough to consider the consequences of our actions.

Gallery: Mass Effect



He sounds like a cereal (killer) ->

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]]>BioWareGame-of-the-yearGOTY-2007Mass-EffectMassEffectMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMicrosoftGameStudiosLudwig Kietzmann2008-01-01T12:00:00+00:00NYTimes names Mass Effect game of the yearhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/23/nytimes-names-mass-effect-game-of-the-year-screws-up-details-ag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


A little lesbianism goes a long way as the New York Times names Mass Effect its game of the year for 2007. The NYT bestowed Mass Effect with the honor for its "focus on character development, personal growth and moral tension, all fueled by a graphics system created to evoke emotional empathy." Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction was honored for being the shining star on the PS3 and BioShock was named the "best newcomer." There's also digs at Halo 3 and Super Mario Galaxy for being "unambitious representations of the state of the art."

Speaking of unambitious, for the second time in less than a month the New York Times copyeditors took a nap (albeit a minor one) on a video game-related story, which is slowly becoming inappropriate in covering an $18 billion-plus industry. There's no telling when reporter Seth Schiesel submitted his copy for this piece, but E3 2008 was already confirmed for the Los Angeles Convention Center last Tuesday, so the article's suggestion that "the solution for [E3] next year can be summed up in one word (or is that two?): Las Vegas" is just about 1,000 New York minutes behind the times.

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]]>errormass-effectmasseffectnew-york-timesnewyorktimesnytratchetandclanksuper-mario-galaxysupermariogalaxyAlexander Sliwinski2007-12-23T18:25:00+00:00Second Mass Effect book, Ascension, announcedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/second-mass-effect-book-ascension-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/second-mass-effect-book-ascension-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/second-mass-effect-book-ascension-announced/#commentsFiled under: ,


Say what you will about Mass Effect, but you've got to admit that it was a great read. In fact, the game's copious amounts of text will be spilling into dead-tree form a second time with Del-Rey Books' just announced Mass Effect: Ascension, which will be penned by Mass Effect lead writer Drew Karpyshyn, as was the first prequel book in the game's universe. (A second book had previously been hinted at with the (apparently) temporary subtitle of "Revolution.")

This second novel, Ascension, will span the events between the end of the first game (Spoiler: Rosebud is his space sled!) and the beginning of the second. There's no word on a date yet, but we're going to go out on a limb and guess "sometime before the second game is released."

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]]>biowarebooksDrew-Karpyshynmass-effectmasseffectJustin McElroy2007-12-21T10:30:00+00:00Zero Punctuation affected by Mass Effect's verbiagehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/zero-punctuation-affected-by-mass-effects-verbiage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/zero-punctuation-affected-by-mass-effects-verbiage/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/zero-punctuation-affected-by-mass-effects-verbiage/#commentsFiled under: ,


Yahtzee delves into the interstellar drama of Mass Effect this week and walks away with the same issues as many others, but explains it in a way that only the British expatriate can. We already know Yahtzee doesn't like America very much, so we'll take it as a back-handed compliment that he doesn't mind listening to all the North American accents in Mass Effect as compared to Wookies grunt groan bellowing (what do Wookies do?) through Knights of the Old Republic. As his issue with Mass Effect lies in its wealth of dialog and text, we'll just end this post now.

Find this week's NSFW dose of Zero Punctuation after the break.

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]]>escapistmasseffectyahtzeezero-punctuationzeropunctuationAlexander Sliwinski2007-12-19T19:00:00+00:00