Thank you Bioware

I've been away from these forums and anything to do with MEA for a while now so as not to spoil myself and I return now after having finished the game to leave some feedback.  (A tradition since the first game and it feels good to keep it going).  There might be light spoilers, but nothing major and they'll be hidden.  I just wanted to write what I came away with, try to get some stuff down.  My brain's not up to snuff during this time so sorry for not having a great way with words. 


First and foremost, I want to send a thousand Thank You's to Bioware for this game and continuing the Mass Effect series.  I saw so much love and effort had gone into this game while playing and I walked away with a smile on my face.  You guys busted your butts to make it and I just wanted to let you know that this one little fan is immensely grateful.


What lingers after playing:

- The new crew was an absolute treasure to get to know and there's so much content with them!  I was constantly worried that I'd exhausted everything so early in the game (happened in the trilogy), but the way it was handled was aces.  I want - hope - to see their stories continue in future installments as I've fallen in love with all but one of them *cough Peebee cough*- and having someone around I'm not particularly fond of keeps things interesting.  Didn't enjoy playing Inquisition without Vivienne, for example   .

- Sara was a joy to play.  I loved playing a character that had a family you could interact with and whose first name would be used.  Keeping my fingers crossed I can continue playing as her for the next game or two.  One of the best things about Shepard was that I got to see her and her world through 3 games.  I'd be disappointed it this series took the Dragon Age approach of having a new protag for each game.  Too much would be lost, I think.

- The Angara rock.  Seriously, I think they beat out the turians as my favorite ME race.  Never thought that would happen   .  I loved learning about their culture, beliefs and family lives while playing rather than having to read the codex for this information. 

- Also, special mention to the Jaal romance (well done, btw) and his romance scene.  I'm putting this in spoilers : 

- The easter eggs that call out to the original Trilogy.  Ugh, the feels   they're so good.

- Jump jets and leaping across chasms to grab at the edge of a ledge wasn't something I thought I'd get a kick out of in ME.  Turns out, totally do.

- Took some time to learn how to find good combos to use in combat.  Richly rewarding when you get the right set for your encounters.  But I do miss directing my squad to use their abilities on certain enemies.  Whenever Shepard got into a dangerous situation, I'd have Garrus use concussive shot or have Liara put a stasis field around the enemies closest so I could get away and recover.  I found I was trying that with Sara several times when I got in a pinch   .  I do miss that but managed to adjust to how this game does things by the end.  
- Vault puzzles made me use my brain.  I need that  .


The game isn't perfect and has some flaws (My major gripes being that the Archon was weak and cliche [especially at the end] and a weak final boss fight), but I've had a blast playing it.  I feel like Mass Effect is back, in a new form but still Mass Effect.  Looking forward to the future DLC's.

Again, Thank you Bioware.

Now, just to decide if I want to see what everyone else is saying or if I want to keep my experience intact.  Internet can be a scary place   .