Edit Edit Edit: Okay, there are still some issues, but in-edit mode it refuses to let me fix them. I apologize, and if this happens again with the text I will contact ModDB support.
(The following is based upon experience on the PC version of the game. The PS3 experience will be in the next part)
I entered Mass Effect 3's demo with a hope to see some new story insights, maybe get to toy around with the new upgrade system, and get to see if the multiplayer was any good. Now those of you who were hoping to avoid spoilers -- have no fear, they actually show -very- little singleplayer for a Mass Effect game. The only really interesting bits pertain to how the combat finally feels fast and responsive (dare I say this actually is starting to feel like a Role Playing Shooter rather than a shooter with ham-fisted RPG elements or an RPG with ham-fisted shooter elements), and how apparently you can now pick up new pieces of armor while scouring the battlefield. The annoying hacking mini-games are gone (thank God!), but dialogue also seems a lot more "to the point" -- I don't really remember any gray area decisions being available at any valid point. Also, Shepard more often now just speaks as the writers want her (or him) to rather than out of choice. This is probably because the sections available in the demo are very streamlined, and don't leave much open to dialogue discussions. I just hope this doesn't hurt the story in other levels. Also, it's been stated by Bioware that they want there to be a
smaller team for Shepard in ME3. So far, Wrex appears to not be a candidate for companion, so it appears only Garrus, Vega, Liara, and Kaidan/Ashley will be permanent squad members. Here's hoping Tali, Thane, and Legion at least get to join your squad for a few missions. Final note on SP: there's a serious glitch going on presently that will lock out my tactical controls (aka, that panel that appears when you hold down shift), for no reason. It only does it in the second portion of the game, and roughly at the same amount of time. Thanks to intelligent AI and hot keys I was mainly able to still perform well enough, but this issue is nearly big as that one glitch on Horizon in ME2 that would cause companions to disappear after getting stuck on geometry. Now, for the big controversy: Multiplayer. I realize a lot of Mass Effect fans are very hardset on only playing by themselves. Hardcore SP people, have no fear, Bioware's already stated multiple times that you don't have to
play the multiplayer to have your perfect ending. Now, on to the matter at hand. The multiplayer is genuinely a mixed bag. I like playing as Vanguard because, when I carry only one pistol, I my abilities regenerate faster than usual and I can continually use my biotics to beat my enemies to a pulp. Similarly most classes can play this way, and have a very good time. Co-op maxes at four players, but at least on Bronze difficulty you can play with just two people (heck if you're good enough you can even go solo and see how long you last. Farthest I've gotten is wave 7, and there's 11 waves in all (the last one is honestly the most frustrating as it seems like a last ditch effort by the developers to kill the players before the rounds end). Classes are balanced well enough, although for some reason the soldier can only carry two weapons (which makes little sense imo, as their powers center around weapons used in variety). Also, know how Bioware keeps toting that you can pick up weapons on
the fly now in singleplayer? Yeah, don't expect that functionality in the multiplayer. You've got what you've got, that's it. Period. Also honestly the weapon balancing seems a bit off. I manage to slaughter my foes with only a heavy pistol (granted I have the Phalanx pistol, but still come on, it's a pistol!). AR and Sniper rifles both seem to just be bigger, louder, sometimes faster reloading versions of pistols. The shotgun remains a useless weapon, and your only heavy weapon is a launcher that you have to unlock ammo for via the worst part of the MP. What's that? you ask? Oh it's portion where as you complete objectives in multiplayer, you get "credits" to buy "packs" What are packs? Oh they're these things that are the only way to get new weapons, characters, mods, or generally anything outside of powers in the progression system! By default, you can only be human (and for some reason Gender is now equivocal to Species, as one gender for humans is always locked out). Asari and Drell fit two classes, Salarians and Quarians fit two other classes, and Turians and Krogans fit two other classes.
Believe it or not Krogans, not Salarians or Quarians, get to be Sentinels. I don't know who decided this but clearly whoever did wasn't paying attention to the fiction. As a result of having to gamble for new characters, almost every in multiplayer is playing as human, or as whatever alien they are lucky enough to unlock. Unfortunately for me, the class I wanted on PC (Which is the platforming I'm getting the game on) I only have unlocked on the PS3 (that class being Quarian Engineer). Now if EA allows an alternative method for unlocking, please someone let me know because so far I've seen no sign of a way to do it. Considering how big a deal it was for people to finally play aliens, the fact EA and Bioware decided to hold them back further is just, frankly,shit. Now this isn't to say I disapprove of the multiplayer. It takes getting used to, but it's a good training grounds for combat in the singleplayer and it also performs well enough, and includes two maps, so you'll be able to play
the MP for a long time. Like the BF2142 MP demo, and the Halo Trial, I expect many people will be playing ME3's MP portion in the demo, for many days to come. I recommend you at least try playing it until you've got a character to level 7-9. If you still aren't feeling it, either put it aside or give another class a shot (transitioning between different MP characters is surprisingly smooth and easy).
