On the voice-acting front, both are so good that it's a non-issue. A good voice actor will have you believe the character, without really thinking about the voice. Both accomplish that for me.
I find the female Shepard to be less believable in the role that she plays. In part this might be because of gender issues; some deep-rooted sexism in my brain, maybe. More likely, I think it has something to do with the fact that the dialog and story are written around a male character, and the female character has identical lines. And even though a female character in Shepard's position, doing the things that Shepard does is perfectly fine and believable, I think that this theoretical female Shepard would probably NOT use the exact wording in all of her responses as a male version, or have the exact same facial expressions and the exact same animations at all the exact same times. And I think that that is the biggest source of my not being able to take the female version as seriously in the role: because it's a female voice and body doing things and saying things that were written and choreographed for a male character.
Which is a lose-lose for Bioware, because if they start having the female character say different lines, they'll probably get accused of even worse things. Not to mention the astronomical increase in writing, and thus voice-acting, costs.
I find the female Shepard to be less believable in the role that she plays. In part this might be because of gender issues; some deep-rooted sexism in my brain, maybe. More likely, I think it has something to do with the fact that the dialog and story are written around a male character, and the female character has identical lines. And even though a female character in Shepard's position, doing the things that Shepard does is perfectly fine and believable, I think that this theoretical female Shepard would probably NOT use the exact wording in all of her responses as a male version, or have the exact same facial expressions and the exact same animations at all the exact same times. And I think that that is the biggest source of my not being able to take the female version as seriously in the role: because it's a female voice and body doing things and saying things that were written and choreographed for a male character.
Which is a lose-lose for Bioware, because if they start having the female character say different lines, they'll probably get accused of even worse things. Not to mention the astronomical increase in writing, and thus voice-acting, costs.
Why not? Let's have a Mass Effect thread.
02/02/2010 05:02:32 PM
- 3694 Views
Character discussion: Mordin Solus
02/02/2010 06:28:41 PM
- 1934 Views
Mordin Solus is great
02/02/2010 08:21:26 PM
- 1359 Views
Actually, that's what happened to me too.
02/02/2010 08:33:22 PM
- 1450 Views
The Illusive man
02/02/2010 08:34:09 PM
- 1558 Views
I didn't even realize that's who he was.
02/02/2010 08:44:07 PM
- 1480 Views
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"I'm having trouble hearing you. I'm getting a lot of bullshit on this line." *NM*
02/02/2010 09:34:53 PM
- 721 Views
Who is sharing your bed?
02/02/2010 09:42:09 PM
- 1493 Views
Tali for my male Shepherd
04/02/2010 03:52:03 PM
- 1366 Views
Does she take the helmet off? *NM*
04/02/2010 07:57:18 PM
- 741 Views
I went simple - Miranda.
07/02/2010 06:32:25 AM
- 1281 Views
Which reminds me that I always wondered...
07/02/2010 11:54:14 AM
- 1398 Views
You probably wouldn't be able to woo anyone by being a total dick. *NM*
07/02/2010 03:32:41 PM
- 723 Views
I was lucky enough to meet the game's producer... (No spoilers)
02/02/2010 10:58:59 PM
- 1521 Views
No spoilers here either, as per my rules.
Regarding the ammo:
03/02/2010 04:51:54 AM
- 1340 Views
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I just want to be part of this....that said, Best Buy is no longer selling ME:1
02/02/2010 11:16:51 PM
- 1488 Views
Could well be.
03/02/2010 04:52:49 AM
- 1243 Views
Glad the PC version was $50, at the risk of sounding like a snob.
03/02/2010 04:01:52 PM
- 1273 Views
Mass Effect 1 vs 2: RPG-shooter vs Shooter-rpg (This is for you, Cymbaline!) (No spoilers)
02/02/2010 11:28:24 PM
- 1456 Views
The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
03/02/2010 11:27:55 PM
- 1410 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
04/02/2010 04:59:54 AM
- 1309 Views
Re: The "Holy crap that was awesome" moments. SPOILERS
04/02/2010 06:16:29 AM
- 1416 Views
Well. . .somewhat, I guess.
04/02/2010 06:43:02 AM
- 1427 Views
Re: Well. . .somewhat, I guess.
04/02/2010 03:32:26 PM
- 1366 Views
You know what? I'll actually buy that. I appreciate the explanation.
04/02/2010 06:30:37 PM
- 1191 Views
A couple of more things......
16/02/2010 12:41:19 AM
- 1447 Views
Game was too easy, primary plotline too short
04/02/2010 09:03:52 PM
- 1367 Views
Nice.
I'm playing through on Insanity now, and I think it's a good challenge.
05/02/2010 02:17:02 AM
- 1273 Views
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Whats your character build?
05/02/2010 02:45:31 PM
- 1526 Views
Ok, so male or female Shepherd?
05/02/2010 01:50:23 AM
- 1291 Views
Hm. This brings up a thought.
05/02/2010 01:52:37 AM
- 1233 Views
Male for my first playthrough, female for my second.
05/02/2010 02:28:24 AM
- 1405 Views
Agreed, on some of those counts.
05/02/2010 07:28:00 AM
- 1249 Views
Male so far. I plan on playing the female Shepard next playthrough. *NM*
05/02/2010 03:25:00 AM
- 774 Views
Your Teams, and Your Deaths.
07/02/2010 06:30:25 AM
- 1209 Views
Re: Your Teams, and Your Deaths.
07/02/2010 09:07:17 AM
- 1399 Views
Do you know...
07/02/2010 03:46:59 PM
- 1208 Views
Re: Do you know...
07/02/2010 04:31:29 PM
- 1317 Views
Awesome. Thanks! *NM*
07/02/2010 04:40:59 PM
- 751 Views
Yeah, that's what I did.
07/02/2010 06:37:50 PM
- 1169 Views
Hmmm...
09/02/2010 03:48:48 PM
- 1247 Views
Strange.
09/02/2010 04:19:04 PM
- 1301 Views
me too
13/02/2010 03:01:05 PM
- 1293 Views
Did you do Legion's loyalty mission?
15/02/2010 05:52:36 AM
- 1390 Views
I did, for what it's worth.
15/02/2010 07:26:38 AM
- 1321 Views
Gah. Then I wonder if loyalty of the rest of the crew has something to do with it.
15/02/2010 04:20:13 PM
- 1284 Views
I have come across a big problem.
07/02/2010 06:53:36 PM
- 1325 Views
Want FREE Mass Effect 2 DLC? ME 2! (har, har) Bioware bonus goodies detailed inside.
09/02/2010 07:03:23 PM
- 1465 Views
Now if only the DLC armors didn't have helmets.
09/02/2010 07:26:47 PM
- 1233 Views
Of course, the Shotgun is released AFTER I beat my Vanguard *sigh*
09/02/2010 11:31:13 PM
- 1305 Views
It's nice, but you don't miss much if you already had the Claymore shotty w/ an ammo upgrade. *NM*
10/02/2010 05:16:00 AM
- 700 Views
Anyone find anything interesting about Zaeed Massani?
11/02/2010 09:08:16 PM
- 1331 Views
I enjoy Zaeed.
11/02/2010 09:22:39 PM
- 1290 Views
I'm near your spot in the story and completely agree. One-sided conversations, but worthwhile. *NM*
11/02/2010 10:20:47 PM
- 631 Views
Yeah, I've listened to him alot but it's the same stuff every time.
12/02/2010 03:14:11 PM
- 1236 Views
Who, what, where?
*NM*
22/02/2010 08:18:31 PM
- 661 Views
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If you bought a new copy of the game, it came with a code for the "Cerberus Network"
22/02/2010 08:22:18 PM
- 1241 Views
Is there a way to install the game on the Xbox, so you don't have to switch discs?
12/02/2010 01:39:07 AM
- 1274 Views
Good ones have two discs, of course.
DVDs can only hold so much. *NM*
12/02/2010 02:46:39 AM
- 659 Views
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This is the first I've ever seen. *NM*
12/02/2010 02:51:34 AM
- 693 Views
I've never understood why people are unhappy with the multiple discs.
12/02/2010 04:18:42 AM
- 1273 Views
So far, so great!
12/02/2010 08:35:00 AM
- 1252 Views
Re: So far, so great!
12/02/2010 02:31:43 PM
- 1350 Views
Re: So far, so great!
16/02/2010 10:17:12 PM
- 1303 Views
Nope, I was referring to honest-to-goodness cheating. lol
16/02/2010 11:03:53 PM
- 1342 Views
Ahh, I just figured you were on console as I am, so.....the grind will continue I guess
*NM*
17/02/2010 06:41:59 PM
- 739 Views
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I love the detail put into this game.
12/02/2010 02:58:35 PM
- 1231 Views
"Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural."
12/02/2010 03:15:50 PM
- 1279 Views
Re: "Our amino acids aren't even compatable so there's no risk if we go natural."
12/02/2010 07:16:21 PM
- 1210 Views
"Technically we don't even have sex drives... oh, she is rather flexible...." *NM*
12/02/2010 07:20:53 PM
- 689 Views
Female Turians....
12/02/2010 09:05:39 PM
- 1218 Views
Nope. Don't exist in-game.
14/02/2010 01:47:23 AM
- 1173 Views
I believe a krogan female is shown once.
14/02/2010 02:03:27 AM
- 1263 Views
No I don't think that's right.
14/02/2010 08:54:32 AM
- 1185 Views
Asari
15/02/2010 06:51:10 AM
- 1314 Views
Not really.
15/02/2010 10:41:54 PM
- 1244 Views
Though it is fun seeing the asari coupled with basically every race under the sun.
15/02/2010 10:54:41 PM
- 1263 Views
The final verdict
22/02/2010 08:06:12 PM
- 1275 Views
By the way, my game was surprisingly buggy
23/02/2010 08:49:28 AM
- 1397 Views
A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 06:40:35 AM
- 1365 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 12:28:29 PM
- 1201 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
27/02/2010 04:57:43 PM
- 1259 Views
Re: A complaint about the Morality system. (Or, how Mass Effect semi-killed roleplaying).
28/02/2010 12:34:31 AM
- 1315 Views
A vital part of role-playing is forcing the player to deal with the consequences of their actions
27/02/2010 11:53:56 PM
- 1544 Views
Admittedly, my post was somewhat stream-of-consciousness.
28/02/2010 03:28:02 AM
- 1234 Views