History Gush / BioWare

* This fangirl needs to squee about ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. Here's a game that took everything cool about ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' and [[UpToEleven cranked it to eleven]]. And it took the few dumb things about it and fixed them (I maintain [[MrFanservice Alistair]] is a massive, much-appreciated and long overdue apology to dude-fancying fans everywhere for [[TheScrappy Anomen]]). I can't remember the last time I played an RPG where every single party member was someone I loved to pieces. The combat was fast-paced, tactical and fun, and the character development system deep and engaging, despite some of the bugs. And the writing--dear god, the writing. Always the shining point of a Bioware game, but this just might be one of their best. Tropes lampshaded, deconstructed and played straight for much win and awesome, some of the funniest goddamn dialogue ever in video games (anything involving Zev, Oghren, or both), plenty of heartwretching moments, pants-crapping horror, probably the most realistic portrayal of religion in a video game, passing Bechdel's test six ways from Sunday and arguably having the most gripping RP experience come with playing a female PC...Andraste's knickers, I could go on for days. Most of all, it is truly an RPG for grown-ups, and say what you will about the now-classic Bioware formula, ''it just works''. This game is the best damn fantasy Western-style RPG of its generation, and arguably one of the best {{RPG}}s ever made. Seriously folks, if you call yourself an RPG fan and haven't played this game by now, your life is much poorer for it.

** [[VideoGame/MassEffect2 Mass. Effect. TWO.]] It's no wonder it's been praised as the best in the series! It can be as [[Awesome/MassEffect2 Awesome]] as it can be [[NightmareFuel/MassEffect terrifying]], as [[Funny/MassEffect2 hilarious]] and [[Heartwarming/MassEffect sweet]] as it is [[TearJerker/MassEffect2 heart-wrenching]], and it actually FEELS like you're making a difference in an ever-changing galaxy, which pulls the [[HolyShitQuotient HSQ]] up that much higher when something big happens.

** Agreed. Having just beat the game for the first time about 10 minutes ago, I need to comment on the ending (the one my choices led me to, at least; others' endings may vary). Seeing my [[SquishyWizard squishy mage]] rush the [[BigBad Archdemon]], picking up a sword along the way, slit its throat lengthwise, and [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome decapitate the Archdemon]], [[spoiler: [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificing his life]] [[DyingMomentOfAwesome to kill it forever,]]]] was ''amazing''. It also provoked a strong emotional response: [[spoiler: it's one thing watching a likable, relateble character die, but it's another entirely to see [[PlayerCharacter your character, whose appearance, personality, abilities, and name you dictated]], die.]] In addition to the ending, I loved how detailed the world of Thedas was and how much humor was mixed in with the death and tragedy. I ended up liking Dragon Age: Origins way more than I thought I would when I bought it.

* ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' needs more love. Sure, the combat system's really easy and the game's pretty short, but the sheer level of world background, not to mention the incredibly impressive effort the designers went to to get their Chinese legends ''right'', is worth the price alone. The characters are also really interesting and in the case of the Black Whirlwind or Henpecked Hu, really funny. And [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Minister Sheng]]...

*** Speaking of the endings, the release of the Extended Cut DLC has greatly improved the endings. Not only did it brought in closure and clarity, it also changes a few things: it shows that the mass relays are damaged instead of being destroyed, the requirement for the EMS to get the best possible endings, and it shows plenty of variety in the endings. Not only that but [[spoiler:you can have the chance to refuse the choices given to you--only for the Reapers to win, but it makes things easier for the next cycle to defeat them.]] Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But this DLC proves that [=BioWare=] cares about their fans. [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming More importantly,]] [[DoingItForTheArt it's free.]]

** With the unfortunate exception of the last ten minutes of a 40+ hour game, ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' is pure brilliance. Until that ending, the entire game nailed every point: an excellent storyline, great and memorable characters (new and returning), giving Commander Shepard a great deal of emotional depth and [[WarIsHell through that taking a heartbreaking look at how war takes its toll on people]], the gameplay was excellent, the voice acting, particularly from Creator/JenniferHale and MartinSheen (even Mark Meer greatly improved and sounded great), was superb and I don't think I've ever played a game that emotionally moved me as much as this one. With the exception of those last 10 minutes, it lacked any major flaws.

** Definitely. The characters are stunning, the voice acting was some of the best I've ever run across. Even the minor [=NPCs=] are written and voiced with care. BioWare games are also great for female gamers. I never feel like a second-class citizen or an afterthought when I'm playing one of theirs.

*** Speaking of the endings, the release of the Extended Cut DLC has greatly improved the endings. Not only did it brought in closure and clarity, it also changes a few things: it shows that the mass relays are damaged instead of being destroyed, the requirement for the EMS to get the best possible endings, and it shows plenty of variety in the endings. Not only that but [[spoiler:you can have the chance to refuse the choices given to you--only for the Reapers to win, but it makes things easier for the next cycle to defeat them.]] Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But this DLC proves that BioWare cares about their fans. [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming More importantly,]] [[DoingItForTheArt it's free.]]

* ''Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn'' is my favourite game of all time. The sheer size of the game world, the immersion, the characters, the sprawling plot and interconnectedness of the side-quests, they all add up to make a game you can truly lose yourself in. And there's so many ways of playing it through; with a differnt PC, with different [=NPCs=], taking different quests and different alignment choices. I must have played it from start to finish about ten times at least. And the villain! I'll just say that Jon Irenicus ties with the Operative and Ozymandias for my favourite villain in all media.

* This fangirl needs to squee about ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. Here's a game that took everything cool about BaldursGate and [[UpToEleven cranked it to eleven]]. And it took the few dumb things about it and fixed them (I maintain [[MrFanservice Alistair]] is a massive, much-appreciated and long overdue apology to dude-fancying fans everywhere for [[TheScrappy Anomen]]). I can't remember the last time I played an RPG where every single party member was someone I loved to pieces. The combat was fast-paced, tactical and fun, and the character development system deep and engaging, despite some of the bugs. And the writing--dear god, the writing. Always the shining point of a Bioware game, but this just might be one of their best. Tropes lampshaded, deconstructed and played straight for much win and awesome, some of the funniest goddamn dialogue ever in video games (anything involving Zev, Oghren, or both), plenty of heartwretching moments, pants-crapping horror, probably the most realistic portrayal of religion in a video game, passing Bechdel's test six ways from Sunday and arguably having the most gripping RP experience come with playing a female PC...Andraste's knickers, I could go on for days. Most of all, it is truly an RPG for grown-ups, and say what you will about the now-classic Bioware formula, ''it just works''. This game is the best damn fantasy Western-style RPG of its generation, and arguably one of the best {{RPG}}s ever made. Seriously folks, if you call yourself an RPG fan and haven't played this game by now, your life is much poorer for it.

*** Speaking of the endings, the release of the Extended Cut DLC has greatly improved the endings. Not only did it brought in closure and clarity, it also changes a few things: it shows that the mass relays are damaged instead of being destroyed, the requirement for the EMS to get the best possible endings, and it shows plenty of variety in the endings. Not only that but [[spoiler:you can have the chance to refuse the choices given to you--only for the Reapers to win, but it makes things easier for the next cycle to defeat them.]] Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But this DLC proves that BioWare cares about their fans. [[CrowningMomentofHeartwarming More importantly,]] [[DoingItForTheArt it's free.]]

** With the unfortunate exception of the last ten minutes of a 40+ hour game, ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' is pure brilliance. Until that ending, the entire game nailed every point: an excellent storyline, great and memorable characters (new and returning), giving Commander Shepard a great deal of emotional depth and [[WarIsHell through that taking a heartbreaking look at how war takes its toll on people]], the gameplay was excellent, the voice acting, particularly from JenniferHale and MartinSheen (even Mark Meer greatly improved and sounded great), was superb and I don't think I've ever played a game that emotionally moved me as much as this one. With the exception of those last 10 minutes, it lacked any major flaws.

* I might not be much of a StarWars fan, but VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic is simply awesome. Strolling through the plains of Dantooine is one of the more relaxing and generally pleasurable experiences in the video game world.

*** Speaking of the endings, the release of the Extended Cut DLC has greatly improved the endings. Not only did it brought in closure and clarity, it also changes a few things: it shows that the mass relays are damaged instead of being destroyed, the requirement for the EMS to get the best possible endings, and it shows plenty of variety in the endings. Not only that but [[spoiler:you can have the chance to refuse the choices given to you--only for the Reapers to win, but it makes things easier for the next cycle to defeat them.]] Well, you can't have your cake and eat it too. But this DLC proves that BioWare cares about their fans.

** And how about that XanatosGambit? Holy shit, that's impressive. Master Li made [[VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Malak]] and [[Franchise/MassEffect Sovereign]] look like amateurs with that stunt.

** And the sequel manages to be even better, in a lot of ways. When MassEffect 3 comes out, that's going to be awesome, playing them all through one after the other. Repeatedly.

* I might not be much of a StarWars fan, but KnightsOfTheOldRepublic is simply awesome. Strolling through the plains of Dantooine is one of the more relaxing and generally pleasurable experiences in the video game world.

* ''JadeEmpire'' needs more love. Sure, the combat system's really easy and the game's pretty short, but the sheer level of world background, not to mention the incredibly impressive effort the designers went to to get their Chinese legends ''right'', is worth the price alone. The characters are also really interesting and in the case of the Black Whirlwind or Henpecked Hu, really funny. And [[CrowningMomentOfFunny Minister Sheng]]...
** And how about that XanatosGambit? Holy shit, that's impressive. Master Li made [[KnightsOfTheOldRepublic Malak]] and [[MassEffect Sovereign]] look like amateurs with that stunt.
* MassEffect. There has never been another game that I've devoted so much time to, and me liking a shooter is very rare. Nonetheless, MassEffect delivers everything in ''spades''.

** Definitely. MassEffect2 is ''awesome''. You have to play as [=FemShep=]: Jennifer Hale's voice acting is simply to die for. And both Renegade Shep and Paragon Shep are terrific. Play it both ways and see.

** MassEffect is amazing. It's awesome for female videogamers like myself... not the least because [=FemShep=] has some of the funniest lines in the entire game. (seriously, is there any female gamer who can resist the renegade interrupt on that idiot merc on Omega?) But aside from that, it's just a brilliant game in all respects. Sure, it's imperfect (playing inventory shuffle gets old fast in the first game, as does planet scanning in the second, and the open world aspect means it has a very jerky pace, going from exciting and fast-paced to "eh, let's go survey some planets for a while"), but who cares when you can blow the head off a merc from a hundred meters away with a well-placed Widow shot?! I adore the world of the game (and sincerely hope [=ME3=] isn't the last game in that world), I like most characters' characterization (consider Miranda--I loathed her at first, but slowly I grew to like her over the course of the game... exactly as they'd planned), and the games are just plain fun.

* This fangirl needs to squee about ''[[DragonAgeOrigins Dragon Age: Origins]]''. Here's a game that took everything cool about BaldursGate and [[UpToEleven cranked it to eleven]]. And it took the few dumb things about it and fixed them (I maintain [[MrFanservice Alistair]] is a massive, much-appreciated and long overdue apology to dude-fancying fans everywhere for [[TheScrappy Anomen]]). I can't remember the last time I played an RPG where every single party member was someone I loved to pieces. The combat was fast-paced, tactical and fun, and the character development system deep and engaging, despite some of the bugs. And the writing--dear god, the writing. Always the shining point of a Bioware game, but this just might be one of their best. Tropes lampshaded, deconstructed and played straight for much win and awesome, some of the funniest goddamn dialogue ever in video games (anything involving Zev, Oghren, or both), plenty of heartwretching moments, pants-crapping horror, probably the most realistic portrayal of religion in a video game, passing Bechdel's test six ways from Sunday and arguably having the most gripping RP experience come with playing a female PC...Andraste's knickers, I could go on for days. Most of all, it is truly an RPG for grown-ups, and say what you will about the now-classic Bioware formula, ''it just works''. This game is the best damn fantasy Western-style RPG of its generation, and arguably one of the best {{RPG}}s ever made. Seriously folks, if you call yourself an RPG fan and haven't played this game by now, your life is much poorer for it.

** I agree as well, regarding everything about the writing and the combat tactics and the amazing detailed world (and Alistair, possibly the most lovable video game character ever), and I would like to gush about ''DragonAgeII'', the sequel. It will break your heart and punch you in the gut over and over, but it's awesome. It's a brave game, not afraid to delve deep into darkness and moral ambiguity and full of situations where there's no right choice, but full of wit and humor. The three-act structure with an unreliable narrator lets you see the consequences of your earlier decisions as the game develops, and strings together sidequests into coherent storylines that also intersect with the main plot (often as [[ChekhovsGun Chekhov's Guns]]). The visuals are atmospheric and often gorgeous (how I wish my computer's graphics could measure up). The combat is nicely balanced. The main cast voice acting is superb, just as in Origins, and the music is lovely. And the characters are flawed and fascinating people; often I want to punch them one moment and hug them the next. (I'd also like to express appreciation for giving us fangirls the amazingly sexy voice of Anders. Ahem. And for Merrill...imagine [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Willow]] as an elf with enormous green puppy-dog eyes and you'll have some idea of what a BadassAdorable woobie she is.)