#Mass effect 2 hold the line calculator free#

(Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age: Awakenings, and other DLCs)ĭragon Age 2 was lambasted for its repetitive environments and lack of multiple endings, and Mass Effect 3 was criticized for its incomplete ending, which was later rectified through a free DLC. Mass Effect 4 is rumored to arrive around the same time, although I wouldn't expect EA to release both hit titles at the same time, considering its previous release timetable.īoth titles are expected to be huge hits, considering their past sales: What do improved romances mean for DA: Inquisition and Mass Effect 4?ĭragon Age: Inquisition, the third chapter of the series, is expected to be released in fall 2014. That enhanced the longevity and replay value of all three titles. Nonetheless, Mass Effect made up for those flaws with a continuous, epic plot spanning three titles - in which the player's romantic choices in one game would carry over to the next. The Mass Effect trilogy had slightly better executed romance plotlines, but the dialogue choices remained just as obvious.Ĭommander Shepard and Liara, Mass Effect. In Dragon Age II, the 'romantic' dialogue choices were obviously marked with large heart icons to avoid confusion.

In the first Dragon Age, the player can make any character fall in love with them by simply giving them presents to boost their approval rating, after which a 'romantic quest' can be initiated. Like The Sims, the romances in Bioware's titles have been praised for disregarding gender, race, or species - but they have also been criticized for their simple and obvious mechanics. Of course, those complaints didn't affect sales at all - across all platforms, the first three titles of The Sims franchise (including their expansion packs) have sold a whopping 74 million units worldwide over the past 14 years. However, the open-ended sandbox romance nature of The Sims 2 (2004) was also criticized, just as Mass Effect would be later, by conservative critics such as Florida attorney Jack Thompson, who likewise made false claims that the game included 'full frontal nudity.' The life simulation title, in which players cook, clean, go to the bathroom, and get jobs, allowed players to initiate romances between characters of either gender. The Western definition of the video game romanceįor Western gamers, the first game that generated lots of attention for its romance options was EA's The Sims (2000). According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, a LovePlus promotional effort in the city in 2010 attracted over 1,500 male fans of the game, who checked into their hotels with their DS handhelds. It also boosted tourism in Atami, a coastal resort town prominently featured in the game. On that note, let's take a look back at how video game romances have evolved over the years, and how Bioware could redefine video game romances in the future. However, Dragon Age: Inquisition lead writer David Gaider has hinted at a radically reworked romance mechanic that could spark an ' inevitable reaction' from longtime fans of the franchise. Nonetheless, romance options remain a trademark of Bioware's games, and the company's eagerly anticipated new titles, Dragon Age: Inquisition and Mass Effect 4, will continue featuring romantic storylines.

While gamers loved these romance options, which enhanced the games' replay value, it also sparked a controversy among conservative, non-game playing critics such as Fox ( FOX) News, which made bizarre, erroneous claims in 2008 that the game contained 'full digital nudity' and 'graphic sex.' Over time, these romance options became complex and expansive, crossing the boundaries of gender and species in its top franchises Mass Effect (2007-2012) and Dragon Age (2009-2011).ĭragon Age: Origins' romance between the Grey Warden and Leliana. Yet one quality of their games has constantly stood out from the rest - their romances.Įver since Neverwinter Nights (2002), Bioware games have contained a unique element of romance, similar to date-sim games, intertwined with their core adventures.

Electronic Arts ( EA -0.43%)/Bioware's role-playing games are usually defined by their branching storylines, moral choices, and multiple endings.

Mass effect 2 hold the line calculator