Mass Effect 3 Leak and the Customizable Experience

mass effect 3 single player

Whoops.

So it seems that the other day, an error by Microsoft resulted in the testers of the new XBox 360 dashboard update being able to get their hands on an early build of Mass Effect 3. This accidental leak (which was meant for private internal testing) included portions of both the single player and multiplayer, some of which were missing sound and textures.

While this is certainly a bit of a goof, the more interesting part of the story is the menu that showed up for these players, which revealed something that we didn’t know about the game. Basically, it gave players the option for the single player game to choose to highlight certain components for their playthrough, each with an emphasis on different aspects. Here are the three choices:

  • Action Mode: For those who want to emphasize action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty.
  • Story Mode: For those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty.
  • RPG Mode: For those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty.

This seems like a direct response to the complaints that Bioware received about Mass Effect 2 being “dumbed down.” While none of this is final, it’s certainly an interesting way to tackle the problem – too many games these days try to be all things to all people, and it’s something that doesn’t always work. Bioware has responded to the leak, saying that these options will give players an even greater degree of control over their personal experience with the campaign.

What do you guys think of the idea of splitting the campaign into these different modes? At first glance, it appears to be a creative way to let each player get the Mass Effect 3 that they want. Give us your thoughts, though. Go!

Source – VG247

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10 thoughts on “Mass Effect 3 Leak and the Customizable Experience”

  1. This might be my favorite game innovation I’ve seen in a long time.Like you said, some games try to be too much for too many, but I guess this is a great way of getting both sides. This very well may have convinced me to buy the game! I can’t wait to see how the game turns out to be!

  2. I don’t see the problem with this at all. People can choose what kind of game they want to experience. It’s a clever way work around the problem of pleasing everyone.

    That being said, RPG Mode all the way.

  3. Seems fine to me, I guess RPG mode would be the complete package. Im curious what this would mean for certain achievements but its no big deal. The leak however is unfortunate.

  4. Sorry, can’t give even an opinion…the fact that it’s been leaked that even console owners will be subjected to the restrictions, invasion, and bugs of Origin has pretty much got me teetering…very near to placing ME3 on my “Do Not Buy” list.

  5. This is a very interesting experiment by Bioware. I think it’s a good idea; let players focus on what aspects of Mass Effect they like. My biggest complaint with Mass Effect 1 was that I couldn’t skip the combat, lol. I liked Mass Effect 2’s combat because it was streamlined and more responsive (I still don’t think it was “dumbed-down”; it just took out the number crunching), so I’m glad the Bioware is getting more experience in terms of action.
    I’d go with RPG mode because I love the story, obviously, and the combat in ME2 was fun. I needs me a complete package!

  6. At face value that does seem like a pretty good idea. I’m assuming RPG mode is the most “hardcore-gamer and/or experienced Mass Effect player” of the three. Maybe now I can convince some of my more reluctant friends to play the series.

  7. I think I would like this idea on some games. Instead of the classic Easy/Medium/Hard you get to choose how involved you are. BUT: It’s Mass Effect. I don’t know a single person who played the first 2 that would choose anything but the full on RPG version. Would any of you choose anything other than RPG on the first go through?

    It’s definitely a very interesting idea, I just don’t think it would be for the right audience in ME3.

  8. [quote comment=”18066″]I think I would like this idea on some games. Instead of the classic Easy/Medium/Hard you get to choose how involved you are. BUT: It’s Mass Effect. I don’t know a single person who played the first 2 that would choose anything but the full on RPG version. Would any of you choose anything other than RPG on the first go through?

    It’s definitely a very interesting idea, I just don’t think it would be for the right audience in ME3.[/quote]
    Not us hardcore gamers, no. But I know plenty of people that purchase Mass Effect that would choose either of the two options.

  9. I guess this would be a cool way in a series, especially one that is centered around choice, to have a set canon storyline that is present throughout all the games. Though I guess ME2 did not have that problem if you carried a character save over… Just hypothesizing here.

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