Mass Hysteria

...The Elcor will likely be next.

After nearly an entire month of angry rants, charity drives, and cupcake making, the hysterical reaction to the ending of Mass Effect 3 is finally winding down, with most of the major groups claiming victor after Ray Muzyaka stated that Bioware has been listening and will be doing something with what they have heard.

This is no victory, and it depresses me greatly that people are thinking of it as such. To be fair, I think it's another sign of just what the gaming community is capable of when it wants to get something done. A lot of people could learn a thing or two from how we do things, and that part of this makes me ecstatic that we once again are showing our stuff.

But the entire idea of this bothers me. A lot of people have spent a lot of time trying to get across the idea that games are in fact art. So much so that there is a temporary exhibit in The Smithsonian currently on display about that very idea. It has taken us a while to get to this point, and there are plenty of people who still aren't convinced. If video games are art, then they are the creative work of others. The entire campaign to change Mass Effect 3's ending is not only refuting the idea that games are works of art, it is supporting the idea that games are a product. Games can be changed yes, but the line that we are crossing is where we are demanding that a creative decision be reversed to fit our desires. Regardless of how that decision was made, it should only be changed if the developers feel it needs to be.

Being a fan of a game is like being a fan of a band. A band needs fans to survive, but the band is the one in control of the music they ultimately  For example, take Green Day. They spent a good decade or so playing solid punk music. Then they decide to go in a bold new direction with their album American Idiot, doing a rock opera of sorts that still has it's roots in classic punk. The reaction was very mixed, Green Day became a much bigger band, but many long time fans accused them of selling out and demanded that they go back to their old style. Yes they should at least listen, but ultimately the band creates the music. They are the ones who decide what they should do creatively. The fans can give input, but they can not demand things of the band. Once the band releases it's music, it's released and any changes to it are the bands business. If you created a song, and were happy with it, would you change it based on what other people think? Same thing with game designers and production teams most of the time. Bioware does a better job than a lot of companies at listening to fans and reworking their next game based on that feedback. Hell, they pretty much are starting off with fan comments and ideas on where to go with the next Dragon Age title. But once a developer has decided they are happy with the game as it is, we can not demand they change it for us. They are not obligated to give us exactly what we want from them.

There is truth in the idea that Bioware did not deliver on it's promises, but most games don't in some fashion or another. The idea that we should take a developers word as a written code or commandment is absurd. Developers are people too, and they make changes about their decisions. You don't have to like them, and you are welcome to be angry about them. I am by no means saying that people don't have the right to be upset by Mass Effect 3, but there are lines that are being crossed that bring to mind a lot of somewhat difficult to answer questions. You deserve a quality experience, but does that mean that you are a consumer of art or of a product? Can it be both? Is it the developers responsibility to craft an experience for fans, or to take creative risk?

At the end of the day, Bioware is a creative company. They made creative decisions, and regardless of the way it has been handled and what they told us we were getting, they should not feel obligated to change the ending, or any part of their game for that matter, based on what we think. They have final say as storytellers, and that right needs to be respected. You may hate it with every fiber of your being, but you need to respect the idea that this is the way they wanted to tell their story.

That said, again, I applaud the people who took a stand in a respectful way and simply told Bioware and EA their thoughts, and were not forceful about it. Moving mountains is awesome, and the idea of changing the way companies like EA do business (which really seems to be at the core of the issue) is certainly worth it, but we need to be very cautious of how we approach the issue. Sacrificing creative choice for us to be somewhat happy is not in anyone's best interest.

Now that Bioware has made their decision though, we will wait and see if we end up truly happy, or if we end up in an even worse place than before...



As always please share, post this where ever you can. Comments are always appreciated, any at all. They make me happy.

Until next time!

Image Sources:
#1. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincgdQ96Kvcj5NFCApCBVZTq5P5x5nW06-G3xh0TYAZQ6fA0jIvtDdOPSmrbsMeeCqZg2cU-VhLz75HuAOj7HjJhsAU5AiNW0HEOFZCYXwU0bzmUIRA5ZNeDCVj2ZcyjLwKNKzTmOiDSY6/s1600/SHEEN-WINNINGMUSTACHE.jpg
#2. http://fourplayer.wpr.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mass_effect3_review1.jpg

Flufflist: The Seven Greatest Original Game Soundtracks of the Past Ten Years

...The sound of music.

I love music. It is essentially tied with video games as my favourite hobby. I love playing and listening to it. So I thought it would be kind of interesting to dig through all the video game soundtracks I've listened to or own. I was about halfway through the Elder Scrolls III soundtrack when I realized I've never actually professed my love of game soundtracks on Marshmallow Fluff!. Oh the horror. So I thought this would be a good way to fix that. However, for a couple different reasons I decided it would be better to narrow my choices to the past ten years or so. I'll probably do a 'best of all time' list at some point, but this is a good jumping off point.

So without further adieu, here are the seven best video game soundtracks of the past ten years.

(Note: I take into account all the songs I can find from each game, not just their physical soundtrack releases. Some of the games don't even have one after all)

Honorable Mention - Fable

It was very hard for me to leave this off the top seven because it's just so good at giving a great musical context for the world your in. Few games soundtracks support their world as strongly as Fables did, though it lacks a true standout piece of music, unlike most of the other soundtracks that made it into the list. The thing the soundtrack does reallywell is distinguish the different areas of Albion that you visit. Oakvale has a very natural sound to it's associated music, while the music in Bowerstone sounds much more city-like. It won't ever win an award for being exceptional, but the Fable soundtrack is a great example of how music can add to the experience of exploring a new world.

Check Out: Summer Fields - A relaxing song that really puts on display the ability Fable's soundtrack has to really set a great backdrop for your journey around the world of Albion

#7. Advent Rising

Advent Rising is one of those games that had a lot of potential, but will likely never be able to show it. Originally supposed to be the first part of a trilogy, Advent Rising has built up quite the cult following. However, the one thing that Advent Rising should never be forgotten for is it's soundtrack. It's not original, it's not without obvious influences, but it makes up for that with impact. The opening track 'Muse' is one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music in a game ever, and the rest of the soundtrack does an incredible job of keeping you immersed in gameplay. There are a lot of big budget movies and games that could learn from what Advent Rising does with it's musical score.

Check Out: Muse - Few games boast the kind of standout musical opening that Muse gives Advent Rising.

#6. Halo 3: ODST

It may not be the best Halo game, and it may not be your favourite, but ODST's soundtrack finally gave the complete package for a Halo soundtrack. The Halo series has always had some standout pieces of music, but they've always felt  a bit lacking, it never really delivered a whole games worth of epic music. Marty O'Donnell did a masterful job of changing up the soundtrack for the new campaign but also still finding a way to make it sound distinctly like it came from the Halo universe. The thing that places this soundtrack above all the other Halo games is how the whole thing stays with you. Everyone remembers the classic theme from Halo, but not many tracks are memorable outside of that. ODST's entire soundtrack will follow you around long after you've completed the game, something the main series of Halo games has never really done. The soundtrack itself does a masterful job of reflecting the mood of the setting. Walking around New Mumbassa City at night with that music will send shivers up your spine. It reaches out to you in a way none of the other Halo soundtracks have. In fact, this is the soundtrack all the other Halo games wish they had.

Check Out: Deference For Darkness - It might not be the Halo Theme, but it is defiantly on that level.

#5. Radiant Historia

Radiant Historia itself is one of those rare games that snuck under the radar. Once people realized how good it was though, the copies disappeared. Literally almost. They actually had to re-release the game because there are so few copies to be had right now. Among the the many things that Radiant Historia does right is it's soundtrack. Yoko Shimomura absolutely knocked the soundtrack to this game out of the park. While it doesn't quite reach the level of Nobou Uematsu and Yasunori Matsuda's work, it is certainly within reach of it. The various locations are brought to life with the music, and the combat scores are tense and pulse raising.  Each track brings something else to the table, and it is really something to hear what Simomura was able to create despite the Nintendo DS' very weak sound system. It puts to shame just about every other DS' game soundtrack. Radiant Historia will likely go down as one of the better JRPG's of all time, and the games incredible soundtrack will be right there with it. 

Check Out: An Earnest Desire Of Grey - This track really captures the ability this soundtrack has to raise your pulse a bit and make you feel like your in an epic struggle. 

#4. Mass Effect 3

The most recent release to grace this list, Mass Effect 3's soundtrack is one amazing piece of work. It takes the sci-fi elements from the first two Mass Effect titles, but also introduces a more orchestral arrangement to some of the more important tracks. While a few tracks are more ambient or background noise than anything, there are several standout tracks that really drive the emotion level through the roof. There are plenty of moments in Mass Effect 3 that will make feel a gamut of emotions and the soundtrack does a beautiful job at supporting the really big scenes. The final scenes of the game have one of the most incredible musical scores I have heard in a long time. Most missions still have the sci-fi style that Mass Effect usually brings to the table, and they do a great job of setting up combat sections and making you feel like your in the Mass Effect universe. This maybe the most recent Mass Effect game, but it also brings a detailed and strong soundtrack. A few tracks are forgettable, but the number of outstanding pieces of music far outweighs the ones that you'll forget. Also Faunts song "Das Maelfitz" as the end credits track is just a wonderful thing.

Check Out: The Fleets Arrive - This song takes the Mass Effect theme that has evolved through all three titles and turns into the track that you ride into the final battle on.

#3. Kingdom Hearts

From the opening menu theme, Kingdom Hearts soundtrack is a beautiful, mystical, and lighthearted set of music that paints the world of Kingdom Hearts perfectly. In fact, it might be a little too lighthearted. Very few of the tracks ever sound particularly dark, which kind of holds the soundtrack back from realizing it's full potential. That doesn't mean this Kingdom Hearts music is without sad or pulse raising moments. A few of the battle tracks have great power and force behind them. Kingdom Hearts also does a great job of mixing in Disney elements with it's soundtrack when the situation calls for it, something that could have been just as easily ignored or done halfheartedly. Instead it stays true to the source material, and every song that is affected by it benefits from the extra effort, especially Kingdom Hearts take on the Little Mermaid Song "Under The Sea." Ultimately this is one of those soundtracks that fans will remember for a long time, and although it doesn't have quite the variety of some of the other soundtracks on this list, it's superior quality more than  makes up for it. 

Check Out: Dearly Beloved - One of the most magical and mystical opening themes of all time. It sets the mood well for the entire game.

#2. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls has become known for incredible soundtracks, and Morrowind is a big part of the reason for that. It's incredible what Jeremy Soul has done with Morrowind's soundtrack. Using the usual orchestral instruments, Soul creates a mystical and otherworldly musical experience. Though much of the music is on the ambient side, the opening title music has earned a place as one of gaming histories most iconic themes. Really that might be the only thing holding Morrowind's soundtrack back from true greatness. Sometimes the music is just so perfectly blended into the game, you don't even notice it. It almost becomes a part of Morrowind itself. Although that could also be praise, given that Morrowind is a bit different than the standard fantasy setting. Thats not to say the music is boring though. Prior to Morrowind I had never heard a game with this kind of a soundtrack. Both Oblivion and Skyrim have also provided excellent soundtracks for their games, but Morrowind still holds out as the best in the series because of how different it is from anything before it. Even today, few games have a soundtrack as original as Morrowinds.

Check Out: Morrowind Main Theme - Few games will ever have as epic a piece of theme music as this. Just listing to this will make you want to play the game.

#1. Bastion

Bastion isn't even a year old yet, but it will be a very long time before we get a soundtrack as strong and unique as Bastion's. Darren Korb really knocked it out of the park with this one. A very unique mix of western, electronica, and even some eastern Arabian themes may not sound appealing to the ears, but Korb found a way to blend all three elements into a soundtrack that paints the world of Bastion so masterfully that it's hard to imagine this soundtrack being part of any other game. It is rare for a soundtrack to actually make a game better, but Bastions does exactly that. From the simpler walking around tracks to the driving beats of the battle music, every track pulls you into the game world and keeps you immersed in the experience. Each of the theme tracks is also very well crafted, offering slower and quieter moments that will blow you away. The ending theme blending two of the main characters themes together into one of the most magically entrancing songs I have heard in a game. Not many soundtracks have the ability to be loved even without having played the game, but if there were ever a case for it, this is it. Make no mistake, Bastion may not be the greatest game ever, but the soundtrack will go down as one of the most unique and memorable of all time.

Check Out: Apart from the whole thing, Setting Sail, Coming Home is an amazing mash-up of two of the themes from earlier in the game. The result is otherworldly.


That was a nice update I think. Still working with some graphical things here, you'll notice the background for posts is white now. Thought it was easier on the eyes.

As always, comment, share, critique. I like hearing from people, even if I know you already (and I usually do.)

Until next time then!

Image Sources:
#1.
#2. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/6/62830/1633300-fable_ost_super.jpg
#3. http://wallpapers.latestscreens.com/1024x768/adventrising/adventrising-01.jpg
#4. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/2/23286/1148403-halo_3_odst_super.jpg
#5. http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/radianthistoria/backcover.jpg
#6. http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0uozuXJrF1r8fltpo1_1331688021_cover.jpg
#7. http://rpgfan.com/soundtracks/k-hearts/cover_l.jpg
#8. http://morrowindon.ru/uploads/posts/2010-06/1277866519_1871972.png
#9. http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/bastion/cover_l.jpg

Marshmallow Fluff Reviews: Mass Effect 3

The first ever Marshmallow Fluff! review is here! Since I have never done a review before let me break down how this works. First up, no scores. At all. I'll break each section of the review up to cover different areas of the game (sound, gameplay etc.) Then at the end of the review the game is given a rating of one of the following four, Extremely Fluffy, Very Fluffy, Kind of Fluffy, and Not Fluffy At All and then there's a breakdown of what the game does well/not so well. Extremely Fluffy is a game that you is well worth your time, and doesn't have a lot of flaws or mistakes that take away from the experience, Very Fluffy might have a few problems but it's still a good game, Kind of Fluffy is a game that is kind of mixed or might just not deliver a very good experience, and Not Fluffy At All is a game that isn't very good at all. The breakdown gives people who want more details an opportunity to see just how high of a pass (or how low of a fail) a game is. If a game is good enough it will receive a Fluff Choice, a game that is truly exceptional and can not be missed by most players out there. Not every game that is Extremely Fluffy gets a Fluff Choice!

So without further adieu, let the review commence!

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Six years ago Bioware first debuted Mass Effect. Their goal was a simple one: to craft a trilogy of games where player decisions mattered throughout the entire series. They wanted to make you think about how your decisions would effect the story, not just in the present or near future, but all the way to the grand conclusion. Bioware has finally delivered the final installment of their storytelling experiment. Bioware has spent the last six years fine tuning the Mass Effect experience, taking fans comments into account and trying to steer this series towards a conclusion worthy of it's ambition.

And boy did Bioware deliver.

I'll be clear about this upfront, you will defiantly appreciate this game a lot more if you've played the previous two games in the trilogy. You don't have to, Bioware does a solid job of setting the stage for those who haven't, but you should if you really want to feel the true impact of this game.

The path that Bioware takes to tell the final chapter in Commander Shepard's story is a brilliant examination of war and the price individuals pay in it, both physically and mentally, and Biwoare often pauses briefly to show the toll that this war against the Reapers takes on Shepard. In fact two of the scenes that paint his state of mind are not traditional Mass Effect moments, but they are among some of the most emotionally powerful moments in any game. In fact the whole game never sugarcoats the galactic situation. The Citadel, one the center of activity and political togetherness in the galaxy has become a place for refugees and casualties of the war, and there are many very small moments you will hear in passing that will impact you just as much as the big ones that  Shepard is directly involved with.

The characters and univerese are incredibly well presented, as they always have been. The voice acting for just about every character is outstanding, and the settings you visit are well detailed,. even the places you take return trips to manage to find a way to feel fresh and offer a new take on their location. The sounds of the various locations at war reel you into the action, whether it's the sound of a Reaper preparing to fire it's laser, or a gunship racing over head as it's chased by Reaper air units just keep, or even just a conversation between two refugees the sound design will keep you sucked into the experience. The past two titles have had some of the best original soundtracks in recent memory, and Mass Effect 3 delivers another epic musical backing to the universe. The music is more orchestral than it has been in the past games, but it also stays true to the sci-fi roots. The final overture is one of the most intense and satisfying and emotional moments of music in game ever. This is one of the most immersive game universes of all time.

Every major decision you make is tough one. For the first time in this series the right choice is never necessarily the easy one, and no matter what you do, or how hard you try, some people will make the ultimate sacrifice. Your decisions from the past two games play an important part in the story, including how has made it this far, but Bioware has done well to make sure that you don't miss out on sections of the game because of your choices, though those moments will change depending on who is alive or what choices you have made, making for different experiences for different playthroughs.

The story is presented fantastically. I have never played a game with a more cinematic feeling to it. Nearly every moment in this game is framed perfectly, and it really adds to the experience. The story rarely takes it's foot off the accelerator once it starts, nearly every hour is filled with pulse-raising excitement, and emotionally striking moments. Mass Effect 3 will often leave you stunned or speechless, especially when they involve the characters you've come to know from the past two games. Rarely has a game made me feel so much for it's characters but Bioware has found a way to really bring the characters life.  The ending of this game left me with no words at all. I could only sit there, as the credits rolled, and reflect on everything I had just seen. The story leaves no real questions either, wrapping the story up nicely. Bioware has become known for crafting amazing stories, but it will be hard to outdo what the experience that Mass Effect 3 brings to the table.

However, despite the intense narrative, the combat is not to be forgotten in Mass Effect 3. Combat is hectic, intense, and provides a good mix of challenge and entertainment. This really is the first Mass Effect title to embrace the shooting aspect of it's combat. The mechanics are solid, though the cover system can sometimes be a tad finicky, something Mass Effect has always seemed to struggle with. Level design is well thought out, and the environments are such that cover areas never feel forced. Some levels offer various opportunities to get you out of your comfort zone. Taking control of turrets to control a position or taking out a mech pilot and using the mech yourself changes up your tactics from time to time, and are often welcome changes in pace during a mission. The omni-blade also finally overs a viable option for melee in the game, though it can be somewhat difficult to line your enemy up properly to strike him down. Bioware has done a very good job of offering a multitude of different enemies to face off against, and each class of enemy has it's own purpose. I sometimes found myself having to retreat back a bit because the enemy tactics forced me to fall back to a better position, and dealing with some enemies like the banshee requires good strategy and use of you and your squad mates powers.

Fear not however, you have vast inventory of different weapons at your disposal to help you through combat, along with a multitude of modifications that can be made to them. Each weapon has it's own strengths and weaknesses, and Bioware has also found a really nice balance between customization of your weapons and armor, and keeping inventory management to a minimum. You'll find yourself sometimes saving credits for the things your really want, because you often times won't have enough for everything you want to get, making stores and finding credits during missions important once more.

When your not fighting to save the galaxy on the battlefield, you'll find yourself searching for resources to help your cause. Don't be concerned if you hated the system from Mass Effect 2 though, the scanning is streamlined this time around, and it can actual get kind of addicting to wander from system to system looking for additional ships and resources to aid in the fight against the Reapers. The minigames have also been otherwise removed, and there are no awkward vehicle segments to deal with.

The multiplayer, once upon a time, was something I was the most concerned about. However, Bioware has really delivered a great horde mode like co-op mode that ties into the single player. Playing multiplayer can increase your "Galactic Readiness" meter in your single player story, but it's not required to succeed in the story at all. The mode itself is extremely fun, and offers objectives during the mission where it isn't just about shooting every enemy on screen. The missions are also challenging, especially as you up the difficulty, and it truly takes a team working together to achieve victory. At the end of every mission you gain experience to level your character with and credits to spend on packs that will give you new equipment, weapons, characters, and customization options which will keep you coming back for more all the time. Whether you want to supplement your single player experience or not, this mode is a solid addition to the game, and is well worth spending some time with.

Bioware has struggled somewhat with trying to find where this game belongs. The first title was heavy on the RPG, but the combat was weak and the side missions felt tacked on at times. The second one was much more action oriented, which made the combat much stronger, but the RPG elements seemed to all but disappear. Mass Effect 3 finds a happy medium between the two. Really across much of the game it'd be fair to say that it is a marriage between the best parts of the first two titles in the trilogy. 

Mass Effect 3's conclusion brings to an end one of the most finely crafted stories of all time. This is the kind of game experience that defines a generation of games. We haven't had a game series with a story so far above the rest in a long time, and for the people who played the first two, Mass Effect 3 is something so much more. It is impressive to see what Bioware has accomplished with this game. The Mass Effect series  has shown what a game is truly capable of when it comes to storytelling. As the credits rolled I felt the story was truly finished, but in the best way possible. It will take years for another game to deliver this kind of experience again. Mass Effect 3 delivers on it's promises and surpasses them. A masterpiece in every sense of the word.

(Final Note: This review is based on the 360 version of the game. I did not play this game with the 360's Kinect Function so I can't report how well that functions.)

Gameplay

Combat is intense, and offers plenty of complexity. The shooting aspects of this game finally feel like part of a shooting game, but the cover system is still not perfect though, and the omni-blade cane be frustrating to use sometimes.

Sound

The sound design of this game will pull you in and never let go. One of the most beautiful soundtracks of the past five years in gaming.

Story/Writing

One of the most intense and emotional stories of all time. It will be hard to outdo what Mass Effect 3 has done here. The pacing is perfect, and even small moments have impact. It can get a bit depressing at times but given the situation thats more something to be expected than it is a mistake.

Graphics and Design

The game is visually stunning, and the settings feel vibrant but also show how the war with the Reapers has taken it's toll. Some sputtering and stiffness can at times detract from the experience, but the important moments are well presented, and wonderfully executed.

Lasting Appeal

Playing through this game time and time again to see how things play out with different decisions, from the whole series and Mass Effect 3 on it's own, is well worth the time and the multiplayer is fun and addictive, which will also keep you busy for a while.

Final Verdict

Extremely Fluffy
Fluff Choice

Where Mass Effect 3 Succeeds
+ The story is intense and emotional throughout the whole game
+ Gameplay is hectic and fun
+ The universe is extremly immersive
+ The game leaves no "what if's" The end is clearly defined and wraps things up nicely
+ The cinematic quality is beautiful and the entire game is well presented

Where Mass Effect 3 Struggles
- A few graphical hiccups can detract from some of the big moments of the game
- Can get a bit too depressing for some people
- The cover system still doesn't always function properly. Omni-blade could use an auto targeting feature.


I hope you enjoyed the review, you can look forward to more in the future, I actually had fun doing this and I like the system I have in place. I have a few more changes coming, possibly in the near future. Will keep you posted (maybe) on whats going on, but I'm excited about some of the things I'm looking at doing.

Until next time!


Image Sources

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#4. http://images.eurogamer.net/2012/articles//a/1/4/6/4/5/5/9/Mass_2.jpg.jpg
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