Were Profiles the Right Way To Go?

I still hate the 3x4 skill system especially when we had 8+ slots in the OT.

I did that for most of my first run, then when I had enough points to spread out my skill selections, I kinda "forced" myself to start switching profiles. I wasn't too keen on it at first, either, but I found that it actually works better than I thought it would. Cooldowns aren't that big of a deal, since if you've used powers, they hafta cooldown already, and you can switch your loadout to deal with different situations.

I would say to try it out.  Actually come up with a couple of different favorites you'd like to use in different situations, and try switching 'em around at those moments.  If you don't wanna, that's fine, no one's forcing you to, but that's my advice.  Give it a shot.  Actually make the conscious effort to switch, and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I think I'd still prefer a system more like ME1, with access to more powers, but with longer cool downs.  This system is pretty darned good, though, in my opinion.

I generally switch between two, my Andromeda Explorer with Charge, Nova and Overload and then sometimes switch to an Engineer with Invasion, Barricade and Assault Turret. I didn't expect to enjoy that Engie as much as I do, especially now that I also use a crafted Cyclone that tosses grenades at everything as my secondary assault rifle (the fact that I can even carry 2 assault rifles makes me really happy).

I think Ryder loses some characterization relative to Shepard due to the loss of classes.  I played through the entire trilogy 6 times, one of each class (and quite a few replays here and there).  When I play, for example, an engineer, that character has a different perspective than, say, a vanguard.  It was easy to overcome any shortcoming in any class with the addition of bonus powers and the fact that we could actually use squadmate powers.

MEA's combat is designed with the profile system in mind.  Some encounters that are hella difficult with one profile are a breeze with a different one - so the player is (ahem) strongly encouraged to swap profiles, even if it mucks with their character concept.  Not being able to control squadmate powers also plays into this.  I'm one of those grognards who never respecs (on principle) and swapping profiles in the middle of of a fight just feels... anathema to me, in terms of giving my character any sort of definition.  Profile swapping feels like respeccing to me, so Ryder is forever malleable and never takes form as anything distinctive.

I also think lack of control over squadmate's powers plays a bit into the feeling that these squaddies are lacking something relative to MET followers.  They do have unique personalities and backstories, and they have different combinations of powers available, but - since I can't control them, they don't fulfill specific roles on my team.  At least I can't count on them to use their powers as I want/need them to.

So - I vastly prefer ME3's system - classes, full control of squadmates, and oh - a mini-map.  I would happily sacrifice jump jets in exchange for their return.

I want the power wheel and squad control back, and as it stands, the jets consume 3 buttons that could be used for something else.

That's the only reason I mentioned them.

Good for you  (?)

You've always been able to play ME as a fast-action, chaotic sort of combat.  The only thing you didn't have before was the jump jets.

Meanwhile, those of us who value a more strategic approach lost quite a bit with this iteration.  There are fewer and fewer such games available, while the number of fast action games continues to swell.

Well, two if you count evade.

Yeah, good thing they don't go trying to put crouch in, then you might have only TWO abilities *gasps*.

+1 for hover (it's the left trigger on a controller) - although it doubles as a scoping function.

But you could always do that. The only time you needed to access the power wheel is if you wanted to use more than 3 powers for Shepard, or 1 apiece for the squaddies.

You still have to pause and bring up a wheel to use more than 3 powers - except now it's a complete profile change instead of simply selecting the power you want to use.

Yes - changing profiles requires additional keypresses.  The power wheel was much more convenient, and I suspect it's disappearance may be one of the reasons we no longer have a medi-gel inventory.  It may also have been the impetus for ammo types as consumables (in addition to other consumables).

I think it's also fair to mention that we don't strictly have > 3 powers available.  I believe that pets (remnant VI & turret) disappear when you switch off of the profile that summoned them.  Pets summoned from the old power wheel would stay in play until they were destroyed.