Going to start with something I've suggested
elsewhere.
The
latest Rev Rant reminded me of how pervasive Charm and Intimidate are in both games. I posted on my main blog about a challenge I was suggesting to everyone who wanted to play through again, to see what kind of experience they would have if they never chose the Charm or Intimidate option, no matter how much utility it would have.
Frankly I think asking someone to do this could easily be considered sadistic, because it takes so long to complete both games, and the game seems partly geared toward expecting players to Charm or Intimidate. But I think that if you're stuck with picking things that don't use Jedi mind tricks on people, it could actually push toward conversation sim a bit more; without the magical fix-it buttons, you're forced to do those ugly decisions, or at least make passive aggressive comments about them.
I've done a little research since I posted on my main blog, and I've found that some of the key moments that people cite as a reason why they wouldn't want to be locked out of Charm and Intimidate choices (read: Wrex) are actually NOT driven by Charm/Intimidate options, anyway. If I'm wrong please point out why so that I don't unravel the universe.
I can think of other seemingly important choices that bypass the mind control stuff too, but I'd rather not have to plaster my first blog with spoiler warnings. Can't guarantee that for any comments I might get, though, so beware those if you haven't finished one or both games.
To reiterate, AHoodedFigure's Mass Effect Challenge is pretty simple:
Complete one or both games never ONCE choosing a Charm or Intimidate dialogue option. Timed trigger morality choices are fine, getting Paragon or Renegade points is fine, but never pick a blue or red dialogue choice. Then report back and talk about the tone of the game, if it made you feel more helpless or the game more real, or if it made the game more harrowing, or simply bland.
Because of that last possible result, I don't expect anyone to do it, and as I have about as much pull on this site as the moon does on one's toupee, I don't even see this being read, but if you do happen to take the challenge on, let me know.
AHoodedFigure's blog
Follow
RSS
Contact
In a light speed run, you could beat ME1 in around 8 hours or less, and ME2 in about 12: so it wouldn't be that time consuming.
So by purposefully not picking these options, but picking others that are offered by the game, the challenge is just as much on the game itself as it is on a player: CAN the narrative still be a rewarding, personalized experience?
I guess I just figure that so many people talk about the mechanic as though it was intrinsic, but there is another possible path right there in the game, I don't see why some enterprising person (who has access to the game... *cough*) can't give it a shot :)
@David Fonner: I think trouble is the middle name of this particular challenge, because I personally want to see how messy things wind up being for everyone. Let me know if you manage it. Maybe even take notes if it starts to be an interesting experience.
@Magnalon: I wasn't up on how long it would take an experienced player to clear it, but I'd say that it might FEEL longer if you're not into playing it. I can imagine it feeling a bit tedious depending on how into playing it you might be. I was sort of just laying it out there for people so it didn't look like I was shaking my gloved fist around, demanding people try it.