From the heterosexual male gaze fantasy to the occasional internet neckbeardism in the dialogues, it's very clear this game caters to a single demographic, maybe to a fault.
Setting aside gender politics and blatant homophobia, the hypersexualization of the female presenting characters is actually hilarious. Subtitles strategically move to the top of the screen during the final scene with Matriarch Benezia to avoid blocking the view of her ginormous breast boobs and chesticles. Despite being a woman in STEM, Laria is written as a bimbo throwing herself at the Shepherd for no apparent reason.
It pains me to admit that the story fell flat given the reputation of Bioware and the franchise. It possesses the emotional maturity and depth of a teen CW show, though it does a decent job pushing the plot forward. After the post game clarity hit I felt incredibly disappointed by the writing. My biggest gripe is that the game dictates how you should feel but never gives you the time or opportunity to develop those emotions yourself.
The Reapers are painted as a highly intelligent terrifying species, but if I'm beating their asses in every combat, why should I be scared? The council recites bureaucratic speeches without a shred of empathy or compassion towards humans, yet the game insists they are crucial for galactic peace. It feels like mindlessly watching a superhero movie than living an interactive world. I also didn't like that companions stay silent 80% of the game, with meaningful conversations limited to the spaceship, making romances feel tacked on and cheap.
Despite these flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the game because I love space themed RPGs and they can do no wrong in my eyes. With only a few titles in the genre, I desperately wanted this to be great, but it's ultimately a product of its time. I should have embraced it for what it is, not what it could be.
Anyway, got to kiss Kaidan on the lips so 4 stars.
Setting aside gender politics and blatant homophobia, the hypersexualization of the female presenting characters is actually hilarious. Subtitles strategically move to the top of the screen during the final scene with Matriarch Benezia to avoid blocking the view of her ginormous breast boobs and chesticles. Despite being a woman in STEM, Laria is written as a bimbo throwing herself at the Shepherd for no apparent reason.
It pains me to admit that the story fell flat given the reputation of Bioware and the franchise. It possesses the emotional maturity and depth of a teen CW show, though it does a decent job pushing the plot forward. After the post game clarity hit I felt incredibly disappointed by the writing. My biggest gripe is that the game dictates how you should feel but never gives you the time or opportunity to develop those emotions yourself.
The Reapers are painted as a highly intelligent terrifying species, but if I'm beating their asses in every combat, why should I be scared? The council recites bureaucratic speeches without a shred of empathy or compassion towards humans, yet the game insists they are crucial for galactic peace. It feels like mindlessly watching a superhero movie than living an interactive world. I also didn't like that companions stay silent 80% of the game, with meaningful conversations limited to the spaceship, making romances feel tacked on and cheap.
Despite these flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed the game because I love space themed RPGs and they can do no wrong in my eyes. With only a few titles in the genre, I desperately wanted this to be great, but it's ultimately a product of its time. I should have embraced it for what it is, not what it could be.
Anyway, got to kiss Kaidan on the lips so 4 stars.