Mass Effect 3 is, potentially, the most anticipated games of 2012 – with a triple-A fan-favorite developer at the helm, as well as numerous refinements and improvements to a series that has blurred the lines between interactive gameplay and cinematic storytelling.
Mass Effect, more than any other video game series before it has managed to deliver one of, if not the most, personal narrative experiences ever created – not just in a single game – but over the course of an entire trilogy (and over six years worth of development). As a result, it comes as no surprise that BioWare is not only attempting to up-the-ante with storytelling, gameplay tweaks, and the addition of a co-op multiplayer component, they also want to make sure their protagonist features realistic reactions and assists players with “dynamic” cues.
According to combat designer, Corey Gaspur, in the latest video from the in-house BioWare Pulse show, hosted by ex-IGN editor Kristine Steimer, Commander Shepard is, as mentioned, a lot more “dynamic” than in prior installments.
Shepard can now roll from cover to cover as well as more fluidly corner 90 degree turns – but, most importantly, will look around corners to cue players as to whether or not the character is lined-up with other available cover options (think Nathan Drake reaching for a ledge in the Uncharted games). According to Gaspur, Shepard will also duck while in cover whenever enemies are firing his way – signaling that it’s not a safe time to make any drastic moves.
In addition, BioWare gameplay designer, Eric Fagnan, demonstrates improvements to enemy hit reactions as well as shows-off Shepard’s heavy melee’ attack – which, according to the developers, syncs to nearby enemies so that players aren’t left flailing around trying to stab surrounding attackers.
Check out the full BioWare Pulse “Insider” clip below:
There’s no doubt that the refinements to Shepard’s in-game action are going to be a huge help to players – as getting around the battlefield in prior Mass Effect titles was, arguably, one of the most frustrating aspects of the experience. Similarly, unique enemy hit reactions as well as Shepard’s more realistic responses to enemy gunfire will, no doubt, further immerse players in the robust world that BioWare has shaped over the course of the last six years.
Of course, with Mass Effect 4 looking more and more like a next-generation title – it’ll be especially interesting to see where BioWare takes the story, and the gameplay, in future installments.
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Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick.
Mass Effect 3 will be released for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on March 6, 2012.
Source: BioWare Pulse
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I’m Commander Shepard and this is my favorite website on the Internet.
Such a Honor,the man him self here ! Mister Shepard,I am a big fan of yours !
I will read this site now as well everyday !
Can I become a Member of your team now ?
I loved Dragon Age 2. But I was EPIC disappointed of how lazy the developers were making maps. I mean really? I get ambushed and its the wounded coast? I travel to a random cave and its the exact same one but I appear in a different spot? Like seriously? I’m sorry but there is no way its getting my vote for best RPG. Maybe it’d be better suited for “Best RPG Combat” or something like that. But definitely not best RPG.
Isn’t this about mass effect? DA series is weak. The medieval fantasy games are too common, like military FPS’ are too.
I used to play DA2 until I took an arrow in the knee.
I’m glad these changes have been made. Recently, i decided to play through ME2 on insane, and I have complaints that I don’t remember having before. the hardest I’ve played on is normal, so i breezed through the game with these complaints, but they never posed a problem until now. the cover system is better than ME1, but still terribly flawed. it’s at time unresponsive, Shepard doesn’t know how to blind fire (which is more of a mechanic than a programming problem), and I spend more time fighting the controls than i do the enemies.
Also, why can’t Medi-Gel heal me anymore? That doesn’t make any sense to me
On insanity you just have to hide behind cover and use powers.
I did insanity first. I’m weird that way, hardest first. Would’ve done it with ME1 but you had to unlock hardcore then insanity
U can’t do insanity first
Yeah, I like how BioWare is upgrading Commander Shepard’s mobility in ME3. He has some serious ‘pep in his step’
Shep is positively exuberant, robust and full of enthusiam.
It seems like the folks at BioWare really liked the scene in ME2, when Shep and his team were evacuating from the Collector Base.Shep was running and jumping like a track star.They clearly liked the way that looked, and now we can do such things in-game. Woot