What's the appeal of Mass Effect and Lair? (56k warning)

Now before you go on bashing this is just my opinion... Is it just me or are these two games completely unappealing? I mean, I'm not saying the games will be bad (I'm sure both will do well in scores) but doesn't something about them feel overdone?

Every time I see a picture of Mass Effect I think of something like Star Trek or Star Wars.

Mass Effect:

Star Wars:

I'm not saying "ohmygawd Mass Effect copied Star Wars", I'm just wondering whether or not anyone gets the feeling that this kind of sci-fi thing has just been overdone. 

And then there is Lair which I have no idea where the appeal is coming from. It looks exactly like a game that came out a few years ago called Drakan, except Lair has nicer graphics. Hasn't the dragon thing been overdone?

Lair:

Drakan:

To me, despite the fact that both are original IPs they still come off as completely unoriginal, therefore unappealing in my eyes. I mean, sure, both have great graphics and the gameplay is supposedly good in both but I know if I play them I'll get the feeling that this kind of thing (sci-fi, dragons) are just overdone.  Which makes me wonder what exactly people find appealing about Mass Effect and Lair?

What do you guys think? 

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

If you're saying neither one of those are original IP because they are similar to other games ( Lair is more similar to Panzer Dragoon Orta ) then just about all of the games are copies of other games in some way.

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

Hoobinator

Lair= factor 5 = medievel = massive game = awesome.

They may not be that original, but aren't you a fan of the GTA series? How are these any less original than those? mattbbpl

I think VC and SA added quite a lot for me to feel they are original. Not only that, but all 3 have very different themes ie. GTAIII was the gritty mafia, GTA:VC was tropical, mafia, and GTA:SA was the ghetto, gangster etc..

LCS and VCS were unoriginal though which is probably why LCS held my attention for 2 weeks or so, but I did enjoy it.

GTA is a sandbox game though and there are so many things to do, I don't see how it can be considered unoriginal. 

Your taste in games obviously differs from others. ;)

p.s. Shaak Ti owns.foxhound_fox

True, just wondering if anyone felt the same.

If you're saying neither one of those are original IP because they are similar to other games ( Lair is more similar to Panzer Dragoon Orta ) then just about all of the games are copies of other games in some way.

kage_53

I understand that, but it just feels like these genres are overdone. I personally find it so boring to see a dragon in a game and the sci-fi elements in Mass Effect turn me away from it. 

Mass Effect - #1 made by Bioware, #2 RPGs are awesome, #3 its possibly the best looking next gen game out there

Lair - looks great graphically but flying dragons around doesnt interest me 

[QUOTE="Hoobinator"]

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

Infinatey

Lair= factor 5 = medievel = massive game = awesome.

LMFAOWhilstIEatCake :|

Lair = meh shooter = crappy LOTR fantasy setting = dirty flop = don't reply.

Well MassEffect is made by Bioware and its a WRPG, something Bioware is very good with.

Lair dunno really... doesn't interest me at all, I don't even know who is developping the game the only thing that seems positive on that game is the graphics and even there I don't see them as mindblowing. 

[QUOTE="Infinatey"][QUOTE="Hoobinator"]

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

Hoobinator

Lair= factor 5 = medievel = massive game = awesome.

LMFAOWhilstIEatCake :|

Lair = meh shooter = crappy LOTR fantasy setting = dirty flop = don't reply.

Mass effect sucks especially with the big downgrade lol its not goin to massive anymore..

[QUOTE="Hoobinator"][QUOTE="Infinatey"][QUOTE="Hoobinator"]

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

elementz28

Lair= factor 5 = medievel = massive game = awesome.

LMFAOWhilstIEatCake :|

Lair = meh shooter = crappy LOTR fantasy setting = dirty flop = don't reply.

Mass effect sucks especially with the big downgrade lol its not goin to massive anymore..

Lolz got a linky to state the game will feature less than the promised 300 locations to visit???

And don't talk about downgrade when Lair is being mentioned in the same thread. 

[QUOTE="elementz28"][QUOTE="Hoobinator"][QUOTE="Infinatey"][QUOTE="Hoobinator"]

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

Hoobinator

Lair= factor 5 = medievel = massive game = awesome.

LMFAOWhilstIEatCake :|

Lair = meh shooter = crappy LOTR fantasy setting = dirty flop = don't reply.

Mass effect sucks especially with the big downgrade lol its not goin to massive anymore..

Lolz got a linky to state the game will feature less than the promised 300 locations to visit???

And don't talk about downgrade when Lair is being mentioned in the same thread.

Hmm well for one I do like the developers behind those titles. In any case, I think the industry does not have enough sci-fi top quality games in its possession, if anything the usual fantasy setting is the most used in this industry.

When it comes to the type of game not the setting, I definitely see series out there that I could definitely mention as overused in comparison to those two titles.

Hmm well for one I do like the developers behind those titles. In any case, I think the industry does not have enough sci-fi top quality games in its possession, if anything the usual fantasy setting is the most used in this industry.

When it comes to the type of game not the setting, I definitely see series out there that I could definitely mention as overused in comparison to those two titles.

StealthSting

Like what?

I'm starting to think this is just me and my dislike for the sci-fi/fantasy genre. 

WELL mass effect is made by bioware and they made some AAA titles so this game will be really good and mass effect does have original aspects.xjet039

Lair is being developed by Factor 5 and they made some AAA title so this game will be really good and Lair does have new and interesting controls.

(Hey look! I can do that too!) 

[QUOTE="StealthSting"]

Hmm well for one I do like the developers behind those titles. In any case, I think the industry does not have enough sci-fi top quality games in its possession, if anything the usual fantasy setting is the most used in this industry.

When it comes to the type of game not the setting, I definitely see series out there that I could definitely mention as overused in comparison to those two titles.

the-very-best

Like what?

I'm starting to think this is just me and my dislike for the sci-fi/fantasy genre.

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

Now before you go on bashing this is just my opinion... Is it just me or are these two games completely unappealing? I mean, I'm not saying the games will be bad (I'm sure both will do well in scores) but doesn't something about them feel overdone?

Every time I see a picture of Mass Effect I think of something like Star Trek or Star Wars.

Mass Effect:

Star Wars:

I'm not saying "ohmygawd Mass Effect copied Star Wars", I'm just wondering whether or not anyone gets the feeling that this kind of sci-fi thing has just been overdone.

And then there is Lair which I have no idea where the appeal is coming from. It looks exactly like a game that came out a few years ago called Drakan, except Lair has nicer graphics. Hasn't the dragon thing been overdone?

Lair:

Drakan:

To me, despite the fact that both are original IPs they still come off as completely unoriginal, therefore unappealing in my eyes. I mean, sure, both have great graphics and the gameplay is supposedly good in both but I know if I play them I'll get the feeling that this kind of thing (sci-fi, dragons) are just overdone. Which makes me wonder what exactly people find appealing about Mass Effect and Lair?

What do you guys think?

the-very-best

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

StealthSting

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring. 

Now before you go on bashing this is just my opinion... Is it just me or are these two games completely unappealing? I mean, I'm not saying the games will be bad (I'm sure both will do well in scores) but doesn't something about them feel overdone?

Every time I see a picture of Mass Effect I think of something like Star Trek or Star Wars.

Mass Effect:

Star Wars:

 

I'm not saying "ohmygawd Mass Effect copied Star Wars", I'm just wondering whether or not anyone gets the feeling that this kind of sci-fi thing has just been overdone. 

And then there is Lair which I have no idea where the appeal is coming from. It looks exactly like a game that came out a few years ago called Drakan, except Lair has nicer graphics. Hasn't the dragon thing been overdone?

Lair:

Drakan:

 

To me, despite the fact that both are original IPs they still come off as completely unoriginal, therefore unappealing in my eyes. I mean, sure, both have great graphics and the gameplay is supposedly good in both but I know if I play them I'll get the feeling that this kind of thing (sci-fi, dragons) are just overdone.  Which makes me wonder what exactly people find appealing about Mass Effect and Lair?

What do you guys think? 

the-very-best

I'd be more excited for these games then say GTA, that franchise will just be upgraded graphics. New IP's are cool, don't diss them.

[QUOTE="StealthSting"]

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

the-very-best

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring. 

GTA is overdone and your excited for it.

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Hoobinator

Agreed. I'm looking forward to mass effect more than halo 3. 

True, Lair's concept has been done before, but it hasn't really been done well. As for Mass Effect, it actually is pretty original if you look at the story. It only superficially resembles Star Wars, but the whole threat with the Geth and the 500,000 year old machine army is something that hasn't really been done before.mjarantilla

It's not arguable that Mass Effect's "concept" has been done before and how on earth do you know if Lair "hasn't really been done well"?

I'm not arguing whether or not these games will be good because I'm sure they'll get high scores...I was just wondering whether or not people feel the sci-fi thing and the fantasy/dragon thing are overdone.

Both ME and Lair are adding some interesting things: Read up on Lair, you'll be surprised. 

[QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="StealthSting"]

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

Magical_Guy

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring.

GTA is overdone and your excited for it.

Can't freakin wait for GTAIV and despite the fact that it's in LC again I know Rockstar will be able to open up the world of opportunities they have for them with that series.

Anyway, each GTA has a different theme so I don't find them unoriginal. I am finding the gameplay is a bit stale now but I'm sure Rockstar will shake it up with GTAIV. 

    Mass Effect comes from some very skilled developers, and while sci-fi might not be your cup of tea, I am sure that most wouldn't mind a bit of an adventure!

    As for Lair, I have not followed it at all, so I cannot really comment. 

Mass Effect = Bioware = Sci-Fi = Massive RPG = awesome.

Lair = meah.

Hoobinator

This comment = teh truth. 

[QUOTE="Magical_Guy"][QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="StealthSting"]

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

the-very-best

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring.

GTA is overdone and your excited for it.

Can't freakin wait for GTAIV and despite the fact that it's in LC again I know Rockstar will be able to open up the world of opportunities they have for them with that series.

Anyway, each GTA has a different theme so I don't find them unoriginal. I am finding the gameplay is a bit stale now but I'm sure Rockstar will shake it up with GTAIV. 

Both games come from developers that have delivered high quality games in the past. And maybe its just me, but I haven't of very many dragon games in the past few years.Teufelhuhn

Well you can definitely find something like that on the PS2....... But they were mostly horrible imo. Lair has a chance to change that, specially taking into consideration the developers talent. 

[QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="Magical_Guy"][QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="StealthSting"]

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

Magical_Guy

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring.

GTA is overdone and your excited for it.

Can't freakin wait for GTAIV and despite the fact that it's in LC again I know Rockstar will be able to open up the world of opportunities they have for them with that series.

Anyway, each GTA has a different theme so I don't find them unoriginal. I am finding the gameplay is a bit stale now but I'm sure Rockstar will shake it up with GTAIV.

Yes he does. It's called an opinion. 

I just find it hilarious that a fan of GTA is calling Mass Effect & Lair "overdone"Zandeus

ya there new ips, and GTAIV is being done again in LC again.

[QUOTE="Magical_Guy"][QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="Magical_Guy"][QUOTE="the-very-best"][QUOTE="StealthSting"]

 

Ok I won't give you a series. I'll give you a genre instead, JPRPG's. Also, don't take that in the wrong way, I actually love them and finished quite a lot of them. Still, I have been enjoying them less and less each generation mostly because of this problem.

StealthSting

Nah, I totally agree with you. A lot of JRPG's look exactly the same which is why I'm not a big fan of those either. I do find FF awesome though, it differs from the rest.

Fighters like Tekken, SC, MK are all pretty much the same to me as well so I don't enjoy those either.

Anything overdone just gets boring.

GTA is overdone and your excited for it.

Can't freakin wait for GTAIV and despite the fact that it's in LC again I know Rockstar will be able to open up the world of opportunities they have for them with that series.

Anyway, each GTA has a different theme so I don't find them unoriginal. I am finding the gameplay is a bit stale now but I'm sure Rockstar will shake it up with GTAIV.

Yes he does. It's called an opinion. 

ya he has an opinion but it's a dumb one. calling new ips unoriginal, and then getting excited over another GTA.

If Bioware made a game called "Turd in Your Xbox360," I'd still buy it. I think that about sums up my thoughts on their talent. They're amazing.Splincir

:lol:  That reminds me of the PS3 owner who put slices of baloni in his PS3 and messed it up. If only they had packaged that up and released it as a PS3 exclusive.

[QUOTE="Splincir"]If Bioware made a game called "Turd in Your Xbox360," I'd still buy it. I think that about sums up my thoughts on their talent. They're amazing.Hoobinator

:lol:  That reminds me of the PS3 owner who put slices of baloni in his PS3 and messed it up. If only they had packaged that up and released it as a PS3 exclusive.

Technically, there have been some "Turds in the PS3," but I don't think any of them were planned. ;)

Mass Effect is Oblivion in space, made by the people who created Kotor, which makes it a winner in my book.

Lair is made by the people who created Rogue Squadron, which is why I bought the 'Cube.  But I think flight sims should remain WW2 and beyond, so I'm really not that interested.

Mass Effect is Oblivion in space, made by the people who created Kotor, which makes it a winner in my book.

 

Lair is made by the people who created Rogue Squadron, which is why I bought the 'Cube.  But I think flight sims should remain WW2 and beyond, so I'm really not that interested.

rykaziel

[QUOTE="rykaziel"]

Mass Effect is Oblivion in space, made by the people who created Kotor, which makes it a winner in my book.

 

Lair is made by the people who created Rogue Squadron, which is why I bought the 'Cube. But I think flight sims should remain WW2 and beyond, so I'm really not that interested.

LoganZRun

How is it not Oblivion in space?  Multiple systems to travel to and do whatever I'd like, it's not linear.  It may be a little more focused with the storyline aspect of it, and I know the skill system is different, but when I referred to Oblivion, I was referring to the non-linearity of the game. 

What do you guys think?

the-very-best

What's wrong with being inspired by Star Wars? Visually the movies are quite appealing. As for the story and gameplay, that's something Bioware cooked up by themselves. And they usually cook good. (yes that was lame)

Realtime combat, customizable weapons, characters, strategies, (supposedly) advanced facial animations and fluid dialog, pretty physics, pretty graphics, fairly huge gameworld, metal horsie, KOTOR and all that is basically why one would be interested in Mass Effect. 

Lair? It looks pretty. And that's it as far as I can tell. 

OK Mass Effect and Lair have different themes from the type of games you were comparing them too. GTA adds little improvements and different stories, but it's the same re-hashed gameplay over and over again. Now there remaking a city with improved graphics. what a bore. So you have no right to say mass effect and lair are overdone or unoriginal, and say your hyped for GTAIV.Magical_Guy

If GTA "adds little improvements" and has "rehashed gameplay" how come GTAIII, VC and SA all got 9.6/10? The only thing that's repetative about GTA is the critical acclaim and massive sales it gets worldwide.

People think GTA is unoriginal because they play 10 minutes of it and come to the conclusion that all you do is shoot/run over people and that isn't the reality whether or not haters want to accept it. 

The sci-fi theme for Mass Effect and the whole dragon warfare fantasy thing for Lair is completely uninteresting to me, and it's quite annoying because these games are original IPs. They're supposed to be original but from what I've seen they borrow a lot from other games and just slap on pretty graphics. It will be interesting if neither get AAA. I think if they don't then it would primarily stem for the themes of the games.

[QUOTE="LoganZRun"][QUOTE="rykaziel"]

Mass Effect is Oblivion in space, made by the people who created Kotor, which makes it a winner in my book.

 

Lair is made by the people who created Rogue Squadron, which is why I bought the 'Cube. But I think flight sims should remain WW2 and beyond, so I'm really not that interested.

rykaziel

How is it not Oblivion in space? Multiple systems to travel to and do whatever I'd like, it's not linear. It may be a little more focused with the storyline aspect of it, and I know the skill system is different, but when I referred to Oblivion, I was referring to the non-linearity of the game.

Oblivion does not have the character development or plot on the same level as KOTOR or Mass Effect. Oblivion is physical world that is comlpetely open. KOTOR is a linear plot with a ton of character interaction and dialogue. They are two distinct experiences.