Reasons for Protest
There were 3 major reasons why I avoided the game.- Soft Porn Scenes and overt Sexualization - I swear at every opportunity they made something weirdly erotic. Costuming is the biggest offender for this one. But even tone of voice, actions and situations could end up as suddenly weirdly sexual.
- I don't like Sci-Fi - This is completely personal taste. The inorganic nature of the environments, the hospital colors, and the sterile nature of such settings do not appeal to me.
- Over-Hype - It's true, fans can ruin everything. I recall being VERY pressured to play the game, when I had just bought the game that they had been pressuring me to play just a week or two ago.
Synopsis
You play as a commanding officer, Shepard in a human-based space military called the Alliance. Humanity is relying on you to help our species get a place on the galactic council, the ruling body for many species. Shepard goes on various missions to impress this council and discovers some unsettling big picture problems about to go down. Inorganic or mostly machine enemies have this big conspiracy plot to destroy all advanced organic life in the galaxy. This must be stopped.
Virtues
As true with most games of this nature, there are plenty of opportunities for "lessons" in morality. If you're playing with the right mindset. It does tackle some hard to deal with issues.
Some of the interesting "morals" I had run across: do the ends justify the means in law enforcement, wiping out the last of a species that was previously hunted to extinction, being independent as a species vs relying on others, does someone deserve a second chance, should a woman get genetic therapy for her unborn baby, and more.
The design and culture of the world has be thoroughly detailed making it a very immersive experience.
I really like a lot of the alien designs. Expecially the Quarians and Turians. (Kitty faced dinosaurs.)
Excellent character development.
A mention of God and faith that reminded me of C.S. Lewis' "Out of the Silent Planet". (Sadly, it's only a mention in passing.)
Paragon (good) choices reaped long-term good benefits, Renegade (evil) choices usually end in only short term benefits.
Vices
This list might be a bit long. So let's start with game play elements.
I didn't want to believe other reviewers that the land vehicle sections controlled like a cow in a pushcart with 3 wheels. Getting from point A to point B was like herding cats.
Renegade (evil) options are hardly ever appealing or very blatantly awful. At least give me some grey area where it might be a good idea or seem slightly beneficial. There was an unbalanced amount of favor to Paragon (good) choices. I know it's kind of weird to list this as a "vice" but I prefer a little grey area in these option. Not that "evil" should be rewarded, but the weakness of such a system feels like imbalanced gameplay.
A whole race of fetish aliens - The Asari are a single sexed species. This is fine and a fascinating concept. How would we a complimentary sexed species relate, how would their culture be different. No, instead, we have a race of hot females with no sexual shame that can control when they become "pregnant". They still have this concept of mother and father.
I see the intent and I respect that it is an interesting idea, but the presentation is definitely what a lot of people see. It doesn't help that they mostly employ them as strippers.
I see the intent and I respect that it is an interesting idea, but the presentation is definitely what a lot of people see. It doesn't help that they mostly employ them as strippers.
Strong Atheism, weak deism - One of the many weaknesses in a sci-fi story is the exclusion of faith or the demonizing of it. Some faiths are okay, such as the Asari belief in the Goddess. Others are demonized, such as the hanar's evangelical preaching about the Enkindlers. We have one deist in Ashley, who only believes in God but doesn't seem to associate with any one religion.
Is it really so difficult for someone to be portrayed not only as a good Christian but a scientist or soldier? So very little is said about one of humanities BIGGEST humanizing features. Seriously, we Catholics believe that the all powerful, creator of the universe became Man and dwelt among us. Seriously. Other aliens outside looking in might see that as our hubris, but it makes humans truly unique. ...yes okay, I like writing my own semi-sci-fi worlds where THIS IS AN ISSUE. How would the church fit in with these aliens? Also...if they all have reasoning, therefore supernatural souls...is inter-species marriage...agh...I can see how that might complicate things.
Conclusion
There are several characters that I like and its a pretty good story. But more often than not, the story or character development would go to an uncomfortable place. I had to double check a walkthrough to make sure I didn't pick the choice that triggered the sex scene. (Because you can't skip the movies like you can in Dragon Age.) I like romance in games, because I like those kinds of stories and it adds a human element to an otherwise inhuman setting.It's okay. I wasn't blown away by it and don't feel like I missed much when I originally avoided playing the game. HOWEVER, I am going to continue into the next 2 games. Because the setting is great, the characters are great, the story and trimmings I could take or leave.
