SamOEmotional Evolution Of The Game
June 4th 2008 19:15
Let me preface today’s artistic game making a statement, by saying that Mass Effect has transcended a huge barrier in one of the biggest differences between film and video game. That being acting, virtual characters that can act, and realistically at that. From facial expressions to body language, to the absolute finest in vocal acting. These characters came to life in a way no other game has achieved before.
Even if you aren’t a science fiction fan, or an RPG fan, this game is worth picking up. If only to experience the intriguing dynamic of controlling the character’s decision making based upon realistic responses to conversations, and knowing they will having much more impact to the overall plot than simply being determined as evil or good. Not to mention a wealth of customization options for your character in the game’s creation system at the beginning.
The real shining attribute is though, as I said before, the acting of the characters. The developers have achieved something marvelous in the facial construction of the characters. So that they each take on a different appearance and the unique personalities of all the different alien races become very evident, through facial contortions in conversation. The lips even move realistically, despite many games having had trouble syncing mouth movement with audible dialogue for some time.
Everything fits to make an amazing, extremely highly replay-able experience, and that’s just from conversations. Throw in the Gears Of War-esque shooter gameplay, and the adventuring and customization of each member in your party, and you have one of the greatest games ever assembled.
Not to mention a plot that draws you in, and makes you care about the people you’re fighting with. And an original score, that by any standard, fit’s the experience perfectly and sets the tone for every event to follow whether it be emotionally jarring or action-packed eye candy.
I’d normally try to mention a game here that maybe you hadn’t thought about in a while, or an experience you haven’t heard of, or had considered at one time only to choose a different title instead. Mass Effect has garnered widespread attention, but that’s why I’m mentioning it now. Mass Effect is a game that has cracked a huge barrier, in manufacturing realistic characters, and set the bar very high for what can be achieved in emotional gameplay. As it stands, Mass Effect is probably the best example on the market now, of how video games have become an art form, and should be accepted as such.
So, like I always suggest at the end of a post, go play this one now, if you want a fully immersive emotional experience, in which you’re attached to your avatar as though it were a real person. And realize just how far the game has come, and look into the future to see the constant evolution of gaming, into one day where you can have the artistic gamer without scrutiny.
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