Ryder isn't really a blank canvas though. Unlike Shepard whose past was intentionally vague, Ryder is coming in with an unchanged occupation, background, and slew of family issues. Ryder is a painting that's three quarters finished and you're just slapping colors on there because it's due tomorrow.

And still manages to be a boring guy/girl, the writers dropped the ball just admit it.

And my Shepard's background wasn't vague, butcher of Torfan who ran with a gang back on earth. Bad-ass violent working class squad leader with a chip on his shoulder and a boner for quarians (yes I was one of those). Saying Shepard's appeal was all about being bad-ass really sells the character short, there is certainly no shortage of tough grizzled mercenary bad-asses who are so forgettable we would both struggle naming them. The dialogue was genuinely better in all games in the trilogy over Andromeda, so were the characters (mostly). Shepard was a more interesting person in a more interesting world with more interesting interactions. In a space opera RPG these things matter a hell of a lot.

<Snipped quote by Fabricant451>

And still manages to be a boring guy/girl, the writers dropped the ball just admit it.

Why would I admit something that isn't true?

And my Shepard's background wasn't vague, butcher of Torfan who ran with a gang back on earth.

If your character background can be summed up in a sentence, it's a vague background.

Shepard's background literally doesn't matter outside of a choice of sidequest in the first game and some minor dialog where people acknowledge Akuze or Torfan or the Blitz. Shepard intentionally has a background that is vague and interchangeable because Shepard, especially in the first game, is a player stand-in and it falls to the player to fill in the gaps of personality via red and blue options. The fact that you say 'working class squad leader with a boner for the worst race' is you doing just that. The only thing pre-defined about Shepard is their military reputation or whether or not their parents are dead. That's pretty blank canvas.

Ryder has more in common with the Inquisitor in terms of the way their character comes off in game.

What's the big deal with quarians, anyway?

What's the big deal with quarians, anyway?

They've got cool helmets.

I never really liked Mass Effect that much. I kind of half remember the plot, the choices were monumental but ultimately meaningless and the game play was adequate at best. It is basically a porno with an actual story (except it does not show the 'good' parts)

<Snipped quote by Prawn>
They've got cool helmets.

Alright, that's a fair point.

It is basically a porno with an actual story (except it does not show the 'good' parts)

Buddy let me tell you about Mass Effect Andromeda.

To be clear: overrated does not mean bad, okay? though some of my picks for overrated may just be bad in my eyes. Who knows? anyway, my opinion is below on some gems and some duds.

Underrated

God-Hand - Made by "Proto-Platinum Games"(Clover Studios, same people who made Okami, got closed down and then people from that studio formed Plat-Games.). It was a goofy as fuck game with a near perfect "martial arts meets Brawl 'em' up" style combat system that rewarded creativity and actually learning enemy patterns so that you can progress the fighting spirit and unlock stronger, badasser moves. It was kinda like the anime, Beat 'em' Up version of Dark Souls before Dark Souls in terms of difficulty. Game got some mixed reviews mainly because nobody wanted to actually learn the combat system, plus as well IGN's god awful review lmao. Worth a check out.

Street Fighter EX Series - Nothing much to say here really, other than it should've been a completely original series with maybe one or two guest Street Fighter characters. Which it seems Arika is doing with his mystery game.

Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen - People often go with Soul Reaver 1 and 2, but I think Blood Omen is the best of the series, followed by Defiance. Top Down Action RPG, that still has some of the finest voice acting in a game, even around 20 years later.

Zone of The Enders 2: The Second Runner - One of my all time favourite games. Fantastic action, fantastic score and a rather simple yet well done story. I still think it was ahead of its time.

Dragon's Dogma - Does "Epic Big Monster battles" better than most RPGs past or present. You've actually got to scale up the monster and strike him. Love it, wished it got the recognition it deserved. It's a flawed diamond in a rather "Rudimentary" genre of games.

Overrated

Overwatch - aka "Team Pixar 2" mainly because it's almost like Team Fortress 2, only with interesting characters that have powers. Prefer Battleborn's roster too.

Pokemon Red/Blue - It's pure nostalgia with the "Genwunners" Fanbase. even X/Y is better lmao.

Half-Life 2 - How can an incomplete story be one of the "Best game stories ever" huh? It's really just a glorified tech demo.

Final Fantasy 7 - mainly because 6 does everything better.

Dragon's Dogma - Does "Epic Big Monster battles" better than most RPGs past or present. You've actually got to scale up the monster and strike him. Love it, wished it got the recognition it deserved.

It does that well, and its recognized for that, the problem is, its the ONLY thing that game does well. The exploration, quests, plot, characters are all awful. This game literally hangs on its battle system and its only fun against big enemies.

Pokemon Red/Blue - It's pure nostalgia with the "Genwunners" Fanbase. even X/Y is better lmao.

Yes the game is dated and nearly unplayable, but I rate this game highly in context. It might have been the most ambitious title ever released, I mean its a 1996 revolutionary RPG released on a handheld console which at the time was basically only used for Tetris. For it's time pokemon red/blue was one of the most inventive and enjoyable games ever. But we are so used to the franchise now, to go back to that buggy mess gives us piss tinted glasses when reviewing it, so I half agree with your statement here, because the game isn't enjoyable today.

God-Hand - Made by "Proto-Platinum Games"(Clover Studios, same people who made Okami, got closed down and then people from that studio formed Plat-Games.). It was a goofy as fuck game with a near perfect "martial arts meets Brawl 'em' up" style combat system that rewarded creativity and actually learning enemy patterns so that you can progress the fighting spirit and unlock stronger, badasser moves. It was kinda like the anime, Beat 'em' Up version of Dark Souls before Dark Souls in terms of difficulty. Game got some mixed reviews mainly because nobody wanted to actually learn the combat system, plus as well IGN's god awful review lmao. Worth a check out.

Clover Studios were the most interesting developers of the 2000s

Can you still sing the theme song?

Overrated games?

Kingdom Hearts 1

I swear this is is only looked upon fondly nowadays because of association with it's far better sequel, and the rest of the franchise.

The novelty of FF characters hanging with Disney characters wears off pretty fast, the story's crap, the gameplay is a chore and is NEVER fun in the slightest. The level design is frustrating and not because of any challenge, but by bad design.

Underrated games, I'd say flOwer. I was tempted to make this into a joint flOwer is underrated/Journey is overrated, but Journey's great. But flOwer is a FAR more emotional experience to me than Journey ever could be. Unfortunately it came out before people thought that video games could be art, and was glossed over and written off as a glorified tech demo for many of the same qualities that Journey was praised for.

@Dynamo Frokane

Considering it released on the Game Boy/Game Boy Color? Definitely, I agree. Don't get me wrong, I love Pokemon, the main games that is. I have some absolutely fond memories.

as for Dragon's Dogma? Well, I disagree that the combat was the ONLY good thing, but it was the BEST aspect of it, everything else was hit or miss. Quests? Yep, I agree, the quest system was broken and boring outside of the main quests and the main sub ones too. Even then? it was a hit or miss. Exploration was grand, and actually felt like a challenge, especially when travelling out at night, compared to a hugely popular game like Skyrim? sure, Skyrim is bigger, but in comparison felt more empty and lifeless. Gran Soren felt lively and vibrant in comparison. Characters? Grigori >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Alduin in terms of which is the better dragon :p. The characters were a mixed bag, with maybe Julius, the Dragon Cult Leader, Duke's Wife, Serene and the Pawns post-Dragon Battle. It was the repeating dialogue that really hampered them. Plot was fine, it was a simple tale of "getting back what belongs to you" with some extra bits that are actually quite cool for a Fantasy RPG. Everything "awful" about it aside from combat? Skyrim does worse.

I fuckin know that theme BY HEART. AND ON GUITAR AND BASS TOO.

God-Hand Remaster >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okami Remaster in my absolutely right opinion :p.

@Darog the Badger God Lets not forget viewtiful joe 3 :P

I am pissed that Eternal Sonata never took off. It was nominated for RPG of the year, but of course, Mass Effect had to take it.
You play as Chopin and most of the characters were named after musical terms. The combat was turn-based but did allow for movement and different combos to be performed. A limited time bar would limit the number of actions you could perform in a turn. The overall music and atmosphere were mind-blowing. I remember becoming astounded back in 2007.

@Leaves I should just start by saying that i have very fond memories of this game, but if I'm being brutally honest, Eternal Sonata is at best a cute charming 'Tales' spin off.

The game is good, but a lot of that comes down to the presentation, the plot and characters are fairly by the numbers and the battle system is fairly thin.

@Leaves I should just start by saying that i have very fond memories of this game, but if I'm being brutally honest, Eternal Sonata is at best a cute charming 'Tales' spin off.

The game is good, but a lot of that comes down to the presentation, the plot and characters are fairly by the numbers and the battle system is fairly thin.

I may need to replay it. Hopefully, Namco releases an HD remix or something for the next-gen. I played it back when I was still in the beginning of high school. I don't really remember any cons of it 'cept for the lack of side quests.

Overrated games?

Kingdom Hearts 1

I swear this is is only looked upon fondly nowadays because of association with it's far better sequel, and the rest of the franchise.

It's funny because the sequels have made Kingdom Hearts 1 (the best one) way way way way way worse because of all the stupid retcons and changes and dumbness.

@Fabricant451

The best one?

Either they broke a good game and made it into a bad, not-fun game with KH1.5 for PS3, or I'm missing something. Like, it would have to suddenly have to get REALLY good after Alice in Wonderland (That's where I stopped playing) to justify it's reputation, and even then, NOBODY talks about how abysmally shit the entire game up to Alice in Wonderland is. Because that's what the game I played is. Shit.

@Fabricant451

The best one?

Either they broke a good game and made it into a bad, not-fun game with KH1.5 for PS3, or i'm missing something.

I recently bought the 1.5 & 2.5 collection. With that, I beat the first game and I think it still holds up. I guess my only gripe would be the new enemies that drop specific rare items for the Ultima Weapon. Do 100 hits against an opponent for a Serenity Power? I need how many?

It's not as fast in gameplay as KH2, but not dreadfully slow.

@Leaves

It took you until...a pretty late-sounding part of the game, to have a gripe with it. Maybe I should attempt to slog through for the 4th time. That's right. I've given up with this game three times. I just cannot find any kind of entertainment value and it's a chore.

I never get angry that popular games are popular, or unpopular games are unpopular, but with KH, it's...it's different. It's like Im' not angry at the game, or people who like it. I'm angry at the Universe.

This is a PS2 classic, which I love. It's an action JRPG, which I love. It has platforming, which I love. I love Disney, and I LOOOOOVE Final Fantasy.

Why has fate denied me the ability to see anything of worth in a game which is praised by millions, and is basically my dream game realised?

@Fabricant451

The best one?

Either they broke a good game and made it into a bad, not-fun game with KH1.5 for PS3, or I'm missing something. Like, it would have to suddenly have to get REALLY good after Alice in Wonderland (That's where I stopped playing) to justify it's reputation, and even then, NOBODY talks about how abysmally shit the entire game up to Alice in Wonderland is. Because that's what the game I played is. Shit.

Well for starters, 1.5 fixed the camera which was the largest issue in the game back in the earl 00s. They also made it more like KH2 from a UI standpoint, meaning the triangle button was used to open stuff. But Kingdom Hearts 1 is far and away the best one in the series with Birth By Sleep being number two. You played the first world after the tutorial bits. Kingdom Hearts 1 is a much more pure experience and the only time the game actually felt like a genuine collab effort between Disney and Final Fantasy because the game plays out like a Disney movie and the Final Fantasy bullshit bits were secondary.

The sequels went more and more into Tetsuya Nomura's baffling narrative to the point where it ruins the appeal and theme of the first game since now it's all predestiny and prophecy and garbage bad JRPG trappings with gameplay that is as uninteresting as its core cast of characters. As the series has gone on all they've done is make incremental changes to the combat system while slipping further and further away from the heart of the series.

Pun intended.