”Enjoyable” really sums up Arrival as an expansion, actually. While it’s fun for what it is, and it adds some interesting and notable plot points into the game that ties up the link between Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3, Arrival doesn’t do anything to make it a great investment on its own. The storyline of the missions is generally good and adds in some worthwhile elements that are worth checking out for those who find the storyline of the series interesting, and the game looks and sounds perfectly fine all around. The expansion has a couple of neat gameplay bits in the first half that, assuming you don’t completely blow through them, are fun, and it adds in some additional upgrades and Achievements to unlock for those who care. However, the missions can be run through in about an hour and change. While they add in some notable plot points, they add nothing of substance to the main game, nor do they offer any sort of gameplay elements that are so great as to justify the asking price. It’s not that Arrival is bad, mind you; it just doesn’t make a compelling argument to be purchased unless you’re a completionist or a big fan of the Mass Effect universe.
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.
Diandra worked on Diablo 4 and also other games at Blizzard including WoW: Dragon Flight. She’s also been at Bioware, Carbine, RIOT, and she is currently working at Crystal Dynamics.
Brian was the Lead Writer on Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls, worked on StarCraft: Heart of the Swarm, StarCraft: Wings of Liberty, and was also a writer on Mass Effect 2. He’s also been involved in movies such as the Iron Giant.
Diandra and Brian discuss their industry experience, the games they have worked on, how the writing process works, and much more.
