News: Getting Back Into The Swing of Things, Dragon Age III Rumors

...It's been awhile

Well after a few months of, well, basically nothing, I finally have a new laptop, and I finally am ready to get back to blogging. If you have come back to continue reading after my long absence, thanks. If your new to Marshmallow Fluff!, then thanks for taking some time to check out my blog, and I hope you'll keep coming back. I plan to keep this more updated with news and rumors as well as my usual brand of more serious and interesting, and occasionally funny articles about the industry and about games themselves.

Without further adieu, let's get back to it.


Dragon Age III Rumors

A few posters from the Bioware Social page are reporting that they recently took part in a survey about key design elements for Dragon Age III. NeoGaf has also gotten in contact with one poster who says his survey was slightly different than the one that's already making the rounds on the net.

The story, as reported by Stratagey Informer, seems to center around the civil war between the mages and templars that sparked near the end of Dragon Age II. The game appears to take place in Orlais, with once such description reading:

"A portal between the worlds unleashes hords [SIC] of demons in the land, civil wars rip apart nations and the corruption is limitless. Someone is behind the shadows, drawing the threads which destroy the world. Time has come for the Inquisition.

Take the Inquisitor's cloak and lead the only force able of bringing light into the darkness. Choose the direct method and gather your armies, send spies into the shadows or engage in a political war, make friends and use your connections indirectly: it is up to you how you lead the inquisition. But you'll have to take lead of it from the beginning. Make your player a rogue, warrior or mage and set up your crew from up to ten (!) complex companions to lead them against those who attack you by systematically spying on, revealing and destroying them."

 The survey also seems to have had concept art of possible companions, as well as several possible game titles. There was also a Dragon Age III logo floating around but it appears that that is a fan made logo. NeoGaf's forums seem to be rather hesitant to think Dragon Age III could be any better than Dragon Age II, and are criticising the focus on the mages and templars, mostly because of how it has been handled. As for me, I think it's an attempt at a different approach, and if true, it's a familiar formula, all be it with a bit of a new twist. EA has been contacted by other sites for confirmation.

NeoGaf Forums Discussion
Bioware Social Forums Discussion
Kotaku - Report: More Dragon Age III Info - UPDATED 

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

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

#1. http://cdn.medialib.computerandvideogames.com/promo/promo_1572.jpg
#2. http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/5911/2141069-at02_042.jpg
#3. http://punchdrunkgamer.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/257/files/mass-effect-3-2-1-12/mass-effect-3-screenshot-4.jpg
#4. http://images.eurogamer.net/2012/articles//a/1/4/6/4/5/5/9/Mass_2.jpg.jpg
#5. http://www.nohighscores.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/masseffect3_nuked.bmp
#6. http://www.thunderboltgames.com/s/img600/me3pm.jpg

Ashes Cause Anger

...Look at the wall of rage.

I've been kind of out of it for the past two weeks, so I haven't been getting into a whole lot of writing for my blog. I am getting back into it and I have a ton of stuff I'm working on that will hopefully be done shortly. To tide you over until then, I will be talking about that Mass Effect DLC so, uh just gonna leave this here...


Spoiler Alert!
You've been warned!



Mass Effect 3 Day One DLC Causes Huge Community Backlash

By now just about everyone knows that Mass Effect 3 will be getting a bit of day one downloadable content. I don't think Bioware really planned on telling us so soon though. And can anyone really blame them giving the huge tsunami of backlash they have gotten? Maybe they knew we'd react like that. For the uninitiated who have decided to ignore my spoiler warning, Mass Effect 3 will have a piece of downloadable content available called "From Ashes" that will introduce a new mission and a new squad member. And he's Prothean. Yeah. That's a pretty big bit of DLC. Now, if you've got your N7 Edition preordered then your all set, the DLC ships with that version of the game. If not, it will be available for 800 Microsoft Points on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

Now that those bases are covered...

A lot of people have gotten very upset with Bioware and how they seem to be moving to monetize Mass Effect as much as possible as of late. The art book, the figurines, and now this downloadable content, some people are saying that it's going to far. To be fair, something like this as downloadable content seems a bit of an odd move. Bioware's Michael Gamble explained that "The content in "From Ashes" was developed by a separate team (after the core game was finished) and not completed until well after the main game went into certification." He also mentioned that this DLC wasn't really aimed at newcomers or casual players of the series, but more for the longtime and die-hard fans (such as myself).

As far as the downloadable content goes, I have mixed feelings. I understand the point of the downloadable content being geared towards the longtime players but, I feel as if this is the kind of huge important revelation that's should be weaved into the main story. Not reduced to some kind of side show. I am kind of upset about that. At the same time though, the only reason this would be reduced to an optional side mission is if it isn't actually important to the end game result, or that it is not necessary. I will be a bit disappointed if that is the case but Bioware has a much longer history of success than they do failure. Michael Gamble himself said that the game you get out of the box is completed and is as they intended it to be released. Which means that The Prothean was not originally going to be in the game at all (I assume.) If that is the case, then "From Ashes" would have been downloadable content whether it was released day one or day 217 and a half. Actually, when it comes to DLC why do we seem to be so upset when it's something that is being released at a games launch but don;t seem to have as much of a problem with content that comes out after the game is released? I understand some of the underlying pieces sometimes, especially when it's something that could be perceived as being hacked right off the main game and then sold. But as far as Bioware has said, that was not the case here. I have never heard a developer come out and say that a piece of day one content was unrelated to the main game, but Bioware has done just that. What reason do we have to not believe them?

On the maximizing of sales from the Mass Effect franchise I can only say this. So what?

This is a game series that is going to go far beyond this trilogy, and it already has. No one bats an eye if Halo or Call of Duty push out figures and books but if Bioware decides they want to release an art book celebrating the artistic history of the series people start screaming like spoiled children? I have seen way more backlash against this OPTIONAL extra stuff that Bioware and EA have been releasing related to Mass Effect than I have most other game franchises. I just don't understand, especially since all of this is OPTIONAL and can be passed over or ignored one doesn't want anything to do with it. It's just silly how much people are overreacting to these things. Mass Effect has a huge expansive universe that has been developed, and it would make much, much less sense to not try and capitalize on that than it would to do exactly what Bioware and EA are doing. No one is forcing anybody to buy this stuff either. As they also are not forcing you to buy "From Ashes." It is there if you want it, and if you don't, then thats great too.

Did I mention it's OPTIONAL?

Some people have gone so far as to cancel their preorders or decide not to purchase Mass Effect 3 because of all of this. To the people doing that, it is your right to do so. But really think before you do it. I don't see as much of a cause to not pick the game up because of marketing moves. As I said above, much of this is merchandise that is made specifically for fans of the series. Yes they have a DLC code or two tied to them but if it really bothers you so much that some people will be getting a new weapon or armor set that is just extra content, you may want to reexamine how excited you are for this game. Mass Effect 3 will be one of the most important games of the year, and will likely be one of the best. If you've stuck it through the first two and loved them, then trust in Bioware to deliver on their promises.

Of course that's just what I think...


I will have some excellent new content coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled. As usual, spread the word, go like the facebook page, and keep reading. Oh and you guys should comment now and again! I am open to feedback, criticism, suggestions, and discussions.

Until next time...

Image Sources:
#1. http://social.bioware.com/forums/forum/1/topic/323/index/9382439/18
#2. http://xboxlivemedia.ign.com/xboxlive/image/article/121/1219156/image1_1329863585.jpg

A Look At 2012

 ...I patiently await the day the zombie apocalypse begins.

Well 2011 has ended. We've all reflected more than enough so now we look towards the coming year in gaming. If the Mayans are right, it will be our last and (re: they aren't) it looks like this will be a pretty good year to end it on. Plenty of high caliber titles are due out this year, and some big announcements seem imminent, and who knows what else we might see this year. So lets take a look at whats on the way.

The Games 
(Note: I can not possibly talk about every last game here, so I'm only touching on a few of the bigger ones, or ones I feel should be on the radar for most people.)

There will be plenty of huge games getting released this year, and we have one of the biggest dropping at the end of the month. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is set to hopefully mark a return to form for the Final Fantasy series. The past two titles have not been received well. In fact, the MMO styled Final Fantasy XIV was so bad they had to temporarily shut the game down so they could fix the myriad of troubles that plagued the title at launch. Luckily, it seems that the sequel to Final Fantasy XIII seems set to fix the things that upset players and keep the things that worked. A new combat system should also prove to help keep things interesting. Soul Caliber V is also set for release at the end of the month as well, a day all fighting genre gamers should have circled. In fact the first three months of the year seem to be set to be one of the bigger parts of this years game release schedule, with The Darkness II, Syndicate, Twisted Metal, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Asura's Wrath, Max Payne 3, Tom Clancy's Future Soldier, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Ninja Gaiden III, Dragons Dogma, DOTA 2, Kid Icarus: Uprising and SSX are all set for release in the first three months of the year.

There's two games also out in the first three months that RPG fans everywhere should be waiting with baited breath for. Mass Effect 3 is set to cap off Commander Shepard's trilogy with a huge bang. Every event in the past two games has lead to the epic finale and given what we've seen so far, this could be the best game from Bioware yet. They have made the bold claim that every plot point will be wrapped up nicely in this game, and the potential for the game to end in many different ways, including a few where you fail to save the galaxy, could make for one of the best endings to a story in gaming history. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has flown far under the radar so far but that seems hard to believe from my viewpoint. With a story penned by fantasy author RA Salvatore, a visual style courtesy of Todd MacFarlane, and the design being overseen by Ken Rolston, a Bethesda veteran, there should be plenty of interest to begin with. Then there's the games refreshingly new story and universe. Along with that a very cool combat system and condensed, yet deep skill tree. Most gaming critics and experts have walked away from previews with nothing but nice things to say about the new IP.

Then at the end of March brings us the launch of Diablo III (hopefully, finally.) This is a game people have been waiting years to see release, and finally Blizzard fans can rejoice that the games March 31st release date seems set in stone. The dungeon crawler has some new classes and improved AI and combat, not to mention a beautiful graphics system and the marketplace where players can sell the gear they find online for real cash. People have been waiting a long time for this one, and hopefully, Diablo III can live up to the hype.

Sadly after that awesome start to the year, there won't be a whole lot in the way of top caliber titles to look for. Aside from Prototype 2 in April, Darksiders 2 in June, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time at the end of June, and Dust 514 also at the end of June, there won't be a lot to look for, which should give those of us strapped for cash plenty of time to get caught up and get ready for the usual flurry of releases in the Fall. Right now the only games to really be looking for are the Tomb Raider reboot, Halo 4 and Far Cry 3 but most of the big name titles won;t be announced until E3. The big game people are waiting for in the fall/winter is Bioshock Infinite. Given the gameplay we've seen so far, it's a safe bet that this game is set to be among the biggest of the year. The visuals are impressive, and the narrative is shaping up to be pretty deep, though it might not top the original Bioshock.  The city of Columbia also appears to have been just as well crafted as Rapture. It's a safe bet we'll be seeing the usual release from Call of Duty but aside from that we're not really sure what else to expect after September ends. Borderlands 2, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, and Metro: Last Light are among the games that have no release date set but are expected to ship at some point this year.

The Announcements and Reveals


We've already heard some bubbling rumors about what we might be seeing this year, but this entire section is mere speculation and personal thought. So don't take too much of it to heart.

We've seen an awful lot of stuff regarding Half-Life 3 as of late. First the shirt worn by a Valve employee, then the supposed references in the acceptance speech from Wheatly's VGA award win, and finally the appearance of a website that bore the Half-Life 3 logo and appropriate logos related to the games development (if it exists). Valve has dismissed it all as "the community trolling the community" but there's an awful lot floating around right now, so something must be up right? Sadly, we'll likely have to wait until E3 until we get our answer, if we get one at all. 

There's also been a lot of rumors that the next Xbox console is set for a reveal at E3 2012. While I have never seen Microsoft come out and say it won't be, my gut says that it won't be. They've just redesigned the dashboard and tried to get the Kinect to become a big pat of the Xbox 360 experience. Not to mention there are several big titles, chief among them Halo 4, that would make more sense to hold off until next year if an announcement and then hopeful launch next year. Then again, it may be time to start at least considering the rumor as a possibility. A few years back Microsoft told us the 360 was halfway through it's life cycle, and if that's true, we only have two or three years left until the next console. That's not the only reason this could be true. The eighth generation of consoles is starting. The Wii-u is set for a release at some point this year (likely the fall), both Sony and Nintendo have released their newest handhelds (North America will be getting the PS Vita in Feburary). But like with Half-Life 3, we'll have to wait until E3 before we really figure this one out.

Then there are all the games and companies that are due to make some announcements. Bioware did just announce Command and Conquer: Generals 2, but that's being developed by a new studio. Given some of the rumors surrounding Dragon Age, I'd wager we'll be seeing the next installment announced at some point. Grand Theft Auto V has been announced but that's about it. Expect lots of details to be fleshed out in the coming months leading up to E3. Something else to watch for is more information about Halo 4. We saw the reveal at E3, but have learned little else since. Expect E3 to be the place where we will really get a solid look at 343's first game with the franchise.


Well there you go. It's not much, but there's a brief little look at what to look forward to in 2012. It's shaping up to be an awesome year yet again to play video games, bu then again , when isn't it awesome? I'd also like to wish everyone a (late) Happy New Year. I hope that you'll keep reading and checking out this place through this year too.

Oh! And if you want to comment on any of my blog posts, feel free to do so. I welcome input and other opinions.


Image Source Links
#1: http://www.kaheel7.com/userimages/2012-mystery.JPG
#2. http://www.gamepur.com/files/images/2011/final-fantasy-xiii-2-screen.jpg
#3. http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/08/Mass-Effect-3-41.jpg
#4. http://theallgamingblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ss29-hires.jpg
#5. http://theurbangamer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/xbox720-pic-3.jpg

Flufflist: The Top Five Western RPG's Of All Time

...No there is no Zelda here.

With the release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, western RPG's made a bold statement. Despite having no multiplayer whatsoever, it has been one of the best selling games this year. It is also one of the best reviewed, with over 50 perfect scores from critics, and the player reception has been just as good. It actually has me thinking about where it might end up in the all time RPG's list a few years from now. It also made me think about all the other western RPG's I've played, and their legacies too. So here, from me to you, is a list of the top five western RPG's of All Time (from my point of view)

Oh and spoilers and stuff....you've been warned.

Honorable Mention: Neverwinter Nights

Neverwinter Nights is a rare game in my mind, and it holds a special place with me personally because this was the game that really got me into RPGs. I had always been a somewhat casual gamer kid before I found my dad's copy of Neverwinter Nights, but I was hooked forever afterwards. At the time of it's release, Neverwinter Nights had some pretty decent graphics, but it was the turn-based gameplay based on Dungeons and Dragons 3rd edition rules that had people interested. The solid gameplay is every D&D fans dream when it comes to taking the pen and paper experience to the digital world. The story was solid, though it did slow at times. However, these all took a backseat to the multiplayer and mod community. The robust multiplayer allowed players to pick from a multitude of severs to play consistent campaign's, as well as the campaign that shipped with the game. But for me, the thing that sets this game apart is the mod community. Neverwinter Nights shipped with the Aurora Toolset, which allowed players to create their own campaigns to play in the game. Couple that with the people who made new items, hakpacks to use with the toolset, and custom audio, and some of these campaigns actually beat out the one that came with the game. There is practically YEARS worth of excellent gaming to be found on the internet thanks to the community that loves the game so much. And that's really what sets this game apart from the others on this list (except Morrowind perhaps) is that the community actively made improvements to the game. While the game shows some serious age now, it is still worth picking up, because there is still so much to discover through the community.

#5. Planescape: Torment

If you like to be evil, and you don't want any morality conflicting your decisions, then Planescape: Torment are right up your alley. The dark and emotional story are unlike anything else I've played in an RPG. The story isn't about happy endings or saving the world from evil. It's about a man simply named...uhh...The Nameless One, who he is unable to remember who he is when he wakes up in a morgue at the start of the game. As you play you learn that The Nameless One is immortal but every time he "dies" he forgets his past. Your free to discover the truth how you see fit, and the games dark setting and premise feel refreshingly different from usual RPG's. Really this is one of the stronger stories in a game, because it's more personal. Your choices in the game often times have unpredictable consequences and makes playing the game fun and engaging, You also have the ability to learn new abilities by "remembering" one of The Nameless One's past lives, which is a genius idea. The game had some incredible music and voice acting as well, and a lot of it still holds up today. The interface is also intuitive, even today, keeping menus and screens limited so you can focus on playing the game. The gameplay is also very solid, if a bit easy. While Planescape: Torment earned a great critical reception at release, people avoided it for some odd reason. Perhaps the dark story and setting were a little too different at the time. Whatever the case, Planescape: Torment is a cult classic that has never earned the attention it deserves, but that doesn't diminish how incredibly brilliant it really was and still is.

#4. Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Morrowind is the ultimate game for exploration. The story starts with you on a prison ship, as you are transported to a small port. The guards call you up from below the decks. They check you out in a ever so brief tutorial of how the game works, which doubles as your character creation process. They politely suggest you visit a man named Caius Cosades and then send you on your merry way. From that point on the island of Vvardenfell is your oyster. You can go anywhere, do anything, be anything. Join a guild, help one of the three big houses that run the province, go side questing, or just go run around the island until your bored. For me, I never was even able to finish the story until about two years after I got the game. I got so involved with the world and the various quests and people and places that I never felt a serious desire to wrap the main story up. This game is unlike the others on this list because the story and characters take a backseat in this one entirely. Storytelling has never been Bethesda's strong suit, and they wouldn't argue that. That's because The Elder Scrolls games have always been about doing whatever you feel like doing. But Morrowind made you just feel like doing something, even if you didn't know what. The world is incredibly detailed as far as aesthetics and content are concerned. And all you have to do is see the sheer number of readable books to know that there is a pretty detailed history to go through if you feel like it as well. Morrowind also has a fairly dedicated mod community that has made numerous improvements to the game that have kept the game fresh even after Elder Scrolls IV came out. Morrowind doesn't need a super detailed story to make it enjoyable. Sometimes, just firing up the game and knowing you can do whatever comes to mind on a given day makes it incredibly addictive.

#3. Mass Effect

Mass Effect is a prime example of excellent storytelling and world building in an RPG. While the gameplay is solid, and the graphics are certainly breathtaking, Mass Effect took a leap forward for games with it's story and characters. The story's premise is as follows: The Reapers, a sentient race of machine-like beings who sweep through the galaxy every 50,000 years or so and wipe all sentient life out of the galaxy. They've repeated this process for millions of years. Now it;s up to Commander Shepard and his crew to stop them once and for all. I have never played anything even close to what I get with Mass Effect when it comes to story. It's like playing a Sci-Fi movie, except your in the drivers seat. The world itself is spectacularly well put together. All the alien races have their own histories, the technology has interesting concepts, and the codex that builds as you explore the game world shows just how much effort Bioware took in building the galaxy you wander through. Really some of the history of the galaxy is so interesting it almost demands some games of their own. The characters are extremely memorable, and they all have different personalities, motives, and views on the universe and how things work. Wrex, a Krogan Battlemaster, enjoys fighting like most of his species, but is also one of the few who cares about his dying races future. Meanwhile you have Garrus, a Turian who hates to let the bad guys win. So much so that he is an "ends justify the means" type. He's also an extremely talented soldier, he's like Dirty Harry and Batman mixed into one package. Mass Effect's universe is so deeply detailed, it seems almost certain that we'll be playing in it long after Commander Shepard's story is finished this March. Just so long as we stay away from the elevators...

#2. Knights of the Old Republic

Back in 2003 Star Wars had already had a rich history when it came to games. Rouge Squadron, Dark Forces, the Jedi Knight games. But when Bioware were given the opportunity to create an original story in the Star Wars universe, they were given a golden opportunity to put their company on the map. It was also a big risk, taking on what became the biggest Star Wars game ever, which included a huge risk by setting the game thousands years before Darth Vader was even a whiny little brat named Anakin. But Bioware not only delivered a solid game, and they also didn't just delivere the most memorable Star Wars game ever. Bioware delivered on of the greatest RPGs of all time. The game wasn't just an RPG with Star Wars sprinkled in. Every second of the game feels like Star Wars.The gameplay was solid, if a little easy at times. The soundtrack was also incredible. They didn't rip tracks out of the movies, they created an original score that gave the game it;s own feeling, while also still sounding like something straight out of A New Hope or Return of the Jedi. But it was the characters and the story that really make this game memorable. Characters like HK-47 and Carth Onasi are just as beloved by Star Wars fans as Darth Vader or Obi Wan. They also develop very well, and have interesting back stories of their own. The story though, was what really made Knights of the Old Republic memorable. In my opinion, it's not just good, it's better than even the original trilogy of Star Wars movies. It's paced so perfectly, you never feel like things are rushing along or are moving too slowly. The side quests and companion quests are just as fun and detailed as the ones in the main story. And the big twist, that you are (or at least used to be) one of the most evil forces in the entire galaxy came so far out of left field you never saw it coming. It was like "Luke I am your father" all over again. My jaw had to be screwed back into place after it happened. Perhaps the biggest compliment one can give Knights of the Old Republic, is that it holds up so well. It does show it's age when compared against today's newer RPGs, but the characters, the story, even some of the gameplay, near the top of the pack. The only question left to answer now is will The Old Republic MMO live up to the legacy of the original?

#1. Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

The oldest game on this list also happens to be the best. Simply put, western RPG developers have been trying to top this one for more than ten years, and while many have gotten somewhat close, no one has been able to fully top what this game did. It's main story alone is almost 70 hours short. Add in the side quests, class specific quests, an companion quests and this game is nearly 200 hours in length. The story is incredible in and of itself, taking a few twists and turns en route to a hell of a final showdown. The game, for it's time, was absolutely drop dead gorgeous, and even today, while clearly dated, they aren't half bad. The characers in Baldur's Gate II are by far some of the best in gaming period. Minsc (and Boo!) alone has earned a place in gaming lore forever, but add in characters like Imonen, the childhood friend of the protagonist, Yoshimo, the mysterious swordsman, and Edwin, a rouge wizard who enjoys insulting you (and gets transformed into a girl if you play through his side quests)  and you have a great party to adventure around with. In fact, even with room for five people to take with you, I found it difficult to choose from the extensive list many times. Add to all that the gameplay and leveling systems which were nearly flawless, and you have a game that just stands at the top of the mountain. The story is thrilling, the characters interesting and detailed, and the world is vast and deep. Nothing has quite reached the level of fun, depth and storytelling that Baldur's Gate II reached.

So there it is. I imagine more than a few of you are wondering are a few different games are here. So post up what you think in the comments. Did I get it really wrong? Do you agree? Let me know!

Until next time space cowboy...

Mass Effect 3 - Why Multiplayer Is and Is Not a Big Deal

...Once you co-op.

While the news seemed unsure at first, Casey Hudson put the doubts to rest once and for all with a simple tweet:

Yes, co-op MP missions for #ME3: they're real, and they're spectacular. Rest assured it's nothing of what you've feared. More soon...

So, now we know the truth. The very thing some of us were dreading has become reality.

And it is nowhere near as big a deal as we think it is.

Don't get me wrong now, as Mass Effect and Bioware diehard, I'm a bit concerned about what this co-op will be like exactly, but I'm not nearly as concerned as some are. Maybe it's because I trust Bioware to do the series justice, just as they usually do. Reguardless of what EA may say or have in store for Bioware's development plans, Bioware has almost never stumbled, and is always listening to fans reactions and opinions.But there's more to it than that.

When the initial rumors of multiplayer started spawning a few months back a lot of people thought immediately that we were dealing with something along the lines of Call of Duty or Gears or something similar to that. Very few people thought the rumors might mean co-op. It's important to not the difference because this means that, while it will take plenty of work to do right, it won't take nearly as much as a full on multiplayer mode. In fact, depending on how they do it (it won't take anything away from singleplayer we've been told) , it could open up new stories or moments. At the very least, we can see it as just another feature, and instead of taking something away from the game, it instead adds to an already incredible experience.

However, as I said, I have my concerns.

The biggest one with me is why they're introducing something like this in the final game of the Mass Effect trilogy. Bioware has said before they plan for Mass Effect to continue long after ME3's final credits role. So why add this in now? Why not wait until the next game to do something like this? In a series that has been all singleplayer, all the time up to this point it seems a somewhat fairly sized risk to me. It might even lend evidence to the rumors that EA has started demanding there to be some kind of multiplayer mode in all it's games.These are all questions that will be answered as we move along I'm sure but I almost feel like I was lied to by Bioware in a way. They said time and time again that Mass Effect 3 would not deviate very far from Mass Effect 2. This co-op mode seems like a pretty big step away from what Mass Effect 2 was.

Yet, the one reassuring thing for me, that allows me to remain cautiously optomistic about the co-op mode, is how the changes from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 went. Story wise, there were some slight steps backwards, but gameplay wise I felt the game was much smoother and much more fun. Every moment of the combat felt active and tension mounted several times for me during key firefights, whereas in Mass Effect some fights felt kind of dull and uninspired in retrospect. Bioware boldly made changes to the Mass Effect formula, knowing that they could have played it safe instead, and while not everything went over so smooth (I.E. fewer RPG elements), the game as a whole felt much stronger than the first title.

As long as Bioware keeps their word that the co-op and singleplayer won't mix, I see no reason why we can't wait and see on how this turns out. Who knows? Maybe it will be even more of the awesomeness that is Mass Effect.

One side note here:

Extra Life is almost here! I have managed to raise some money, but time is nearly up and I could still use help. I'd really love to see a lot of last minute donations from you people out there, even if it's small amounts. I'm super excited for this, and I can't wait to get to work!

One last thing! Marshmallow Fluff! has a facebook page now, so go like it, and you can get direct links to this blog, as well as links to interesting stories, info, and pictures about all things gaming.
Marshamllow Fluff! Facebook Page

And with that, I will bow out until next time...

News: Shepard Can Lose, Skyrim Same-Sex Marriage, and more!

...investigative reporting without the investigation.

This week was filled with interesting information reveals for games coming out over the next few months, as well as a Warthog preview in Forza. Yes, the Halo Warthog as it will appear in Halo 4 (supposedly)was show off in Forza 4. No you can not drive it. Not in Forza anyway...

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Will Allow Same-Sex Marrige
In case you didn't hear already, Bethesda is taking a page out of Peter Molyneux's book and allowing you to marry NPC's and have relationships with them in Skyrim. Skyrim will allow men to marry men, and ladies to marry ladies, if they so choose. As far as I'm concerned, good on Bethesda for not restricting marriage to men and women only. I also like their response that it's not even that big a deal. The same-sex part not the relationship mechanic itself. That part is supposed to be very useful, partially because your partner can accompany you around the game world, offer you relationship-specific quests, and probably some other things we haven't seen yet.

You Can Lose In Mass Effect 3

As much as I didn't want to read this, I already kind of knew it should be possible. Bioware has confirmed that if you play Mass Effect 3 and have been screwing things up royally from Eden Prime to the final showdown with the reapers, you can fail to stop them. Bioware has already said there are many possible endings for Mass Effect 3 and that it all comes down to the choices you've made, so really this isn't so much a shocking reveal as it is a confirmation of our suspicions. Still, failing so bad the entire galaxy is wiped out. How many games can say you can even do that?

Turn 10 Shows Off Halo 4's Warthog in Forza 4's Showroom
Turn 10 has made on hell of a crossover with Halo at Halofest, showing off the first look at Halo 4's version of the Warthog in Forza 4's car viewing garage mode. You can check it out yourself when Forza 4 ships this fall, but the Halofest execs stressed that you can not race the vehicle in the game (they say because it's too slow, I say because it'd be too much awesome) , and even unlocking the vehicle to view will involve some dedication from players. They haven't said what it will take to unlock it, but they have said it won't be easy.

Man Sues Microsoft for $500 Billion Dollars

I really wish I was making that up. To sum the story up for those of us non-legal folk, David Stebbins found a loophole that allows Xbox consumers to amend the Terms of Service. Microsoft, by law, has to respond to the letter by either adding the changes or (as per Stebbins terms) cancel his account. If they didn't respond in ten days, Microsoft would be forced to submit to the new terms. Stebbins' added in a 'forfeit victory clause' that said Microsoft would have to pay him $500 billion dollars if they did not respond within 24 hours of the new Terms going into effect. Guess what Microsoft did not do? Now let me be upfront about this: No matter the legal implications of this, there is no chance that Microsoft will ever be forced to pay all that money to this guy. I can't even speculate what the hell is going to happen with this, but I can tell you right now, this guy has a better chance of being bit by a shark, hit by lightning, winning the lottery, and winning a Nobel Prize in the space of five minutes, then he does of getting that money.

Thats all for this weeks news. Check back next week to see if Half Life 3 has been announced! (spoiler alert: it won't be.)

I Never Want To Go Back To Kirkwall

...a nice place to visit once or twice though.

*BEWARE! HERE BE (MINOR) SPOILERS!*

Anyone who knows me as a gamer even sort of well knows I love two things: Great stories, and Bioware.

Bioware is my favourite company. I try not to let it tip my opinion of their games, but it probably does. However, can you really blame me? Knights of the Old Republic, Baulders Gate II, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, Mass Effect. Bioware has spoiled us with some of the best RPG's not just of the last decade, but some are among the all-time great RPG games.

Most developers would kill for their track record...

You may have noticed I left one game in particular off that list. Dragon Age: Origins is also a great RPG. Maybe not the best Bioware has ever made, but as a spiritual successor to the Baulders Gate games Dragon Age is pretty good. The world is fascinating, the characters are deep and have a wide range of motives and personalities, and the story provided an interesting spin on the "save the world" plot.

And then Hawke and Dragon Age II came along...

Dragon Age II improves on a few areas over Origins, so to help you see why I am so conflicted by this game we'll look at what Dragon Age II did better over Origins.

First, the characters are actually more interesting to me in Dragon Age II than those who appear in Origins. Now don't get me wrong, I still love the characters from Origins, especially some of the fan favourites like Zevran, but overall I felt the characters this time around had more depth to them and had better acting behind them. Merril and Varrick are particular standouts. Dragon Age II also sports a much better combat and leveling system. I liked the combat involving you to actually mash buttons to keep your attack going (you could turn this off and go back to the automatic "point and click" style that was in Origins if your preferred it though) , and the skill trees and options you had when leveling were much better than Origins. Dragon Age II also sports some much better graphics than it's predecessor.

So with all these things that Dragon Age II has going for it, what makes it so much worse than Origins? Two very simple reasons really...

#1. You can NOT set an RPG in one small town.

There are a lot of stairs in Kirkwall.

Kirkwall is a pretty interesting place. When I first reached the city and got to actually explore around, I found it very different from any place I had really seen in Origins, and I enjoyed my time in it for a while. But by the end of the game I had seen the same exact places a hundred times. Even the few exterior locations outside the city stayed the same. This game takes place over the course of a ten year period. Change SOMETHING for crying out loud! Set each part in a different season, blow a section of town up and introduce a new one, but don't just copy paste the same places throughout the whole course of the game! I understand the story is about the main characters rise to prominence in this one particular place but that doesn't mean you can't go anywhere else. Oh, and that segways into number 2....

#2. You can not have the story START in the "third act."

If you played Dragon Age II you know exactly what I'm talking about. Everything Hawke does until the third act plays more like a collection of short stories with hints of of an overarching plot that will boil over at some point than of one story with the same plot. There is no real enemy or antagonist at any point in the game until about the last three hours or so. The Arashok doesn't really count in my mind as his problems are not revealed until about midway through, and it gets resolved almost as quickly. It;s not until the last section of the game when the "real" plot and antagonist show themselves, and it's over within a few hours of their emergence. The game just felt rushed and disjointed in this aspect. Almost like EA just wanted a quick cash grab sequ...oh. The ending to Dragon Age II does imply something bigger is going on, and given what is already occurring at the end of the game, that's certainly a story I want to have told.

Ever feel like you've been here before?

That said, Dragon Age II might be Bioware's worst game. Don't misunderstand me, I still love plenty about the game that I will probably play it plenty in the future. But Bioware can not let this happen with Dragon Age III. They need to take their time with the third one, and make sure that it is much stronger in story and setting than Dragon Age II. Dragon Age has a great world to set games in, and there are plenty of places that fans of the games would like to visit, and there are certainly lots of stories that could be told in the universe, and it would be a shame if Dragon Age II ruins any real chance at having that happen.

Next time I'll be posting up a series of smaller thoughts and stories, so nothing like what I've been doing so far.

See you folks next time!