And what new content did Bloodlines or Arcanum (to list a couple codex favourites) add to their genres? One was a spin-off of an existing IP, the other was generic steampunk mixed with fantasy, both are generally regarded as awesome RPG's. Also ME did have meaningful choices, so you're wrong on that account. Interesting content is subjective. And that's all the criticism you can muster, all of it debunked. How sad.
I think you're missing my point a little, attackfighter.
Sure, alot of the *better* games (subjective is the word here, as you wrote) RPGs might not be all that original, as you've written, and I'd say that both Mass Effect games had their share of meaningful choices. I've played them, and thought they were enjoyable for what they were.
However, the obvious rip-offs, the hype, and the lack of meaningful choices (in a wider sense; for example, the story will play out pretty much the same whatever you do. There are no real "twists" or turning points, such as siding with the reapers, et cetera. One could of course argue that even Shepard would consider such collar-grabbing moves to be too EXTREME, but I think that such things really are essential) break it for me.
I'll repeat my main point:
As long as the package is pretty, and the hype is overwhelming, it doesn't matter if you've got nothing else stuffed in there. The game will sell still, and sell great. In fact, it is likely to be remembered as a truly great game, a classic.
The main problem, as I see it, is that too few hunger for realistic and well-written choices and consequences in a game. Most lust for good looks, the ability to play through a game without any real difficulty (the old games didn't guarantee this, I tell you that), and of course, drama. If a game's got those qualities, and levels, they slap on a sticker that says "RPG" and call it a day. That's not a rpg (at least not a good one) in my book.
Anyways, more to the subject of this thread, I feel that books set in the fictional universe of a computer game have a tendency to be poorly written, inconsistent with with established canon, and exists only to suck money from those who fancy the game.
It seems that this book fits that bill exactly. Utter crap.
Finally, I have a question to ask you fine codexians.
Why does ME attract the subhuman and xeno-curious? The lovley "art" provided by the esteemed sgc_meltdown in the Best Thread Ever is the terror of hell. Please elaborate!
