User blog comment:Legionwrex/Comparing the Mass Effect Trilogy!/@comment-4961148-20120929143235

I believe that ME1 was the best game of the series, overall, and that the next two games declined somewhat in general quality. Whilst I did appreciate the ability to headshot enemies in ME2 and 3, as well as the greater weapon variation in the latter, the amount of exploration truly decreased in the subsequent games.

I personally liked the Mako, on both the Xbox 360 and the PC. It had insane handling for a vehicle of its class--how many 6-wheeled vehicles can turn on a dime and stop on one as well? The Mako was only a bit of a hindrance on very mountainous worlds like Nodacrux or Eletania, and even then, it was never difficult to reach the primary objective on those planets--use the topographical map to plot a route, and skip the other points of interest (minerals, anomalies) that are too much of a pain to reach.

The combat system was improved somewhat in the latter two games, but I feel that sniping became somewhat ridiculous in ME2 and 3. In the first game, the range-finder on the scope actually made some sense. In the latter two, either Shepard must be nearsighted, or the range finder is broken, for who uses a high-powered scope for a 25 m shot? The thermal clips were not a bad addition, but it could have been explained better, without the silly Geth explanation. Perhaps in the same vein as the email you receive for the M-96 Mattock--past technologies or tactics. They could have said that armorers all over the galaxy found that the ME1 style weapons were a nightmare to maintain, as the constant overheating resulted in permanent damage. As Shepard doesn't maintain his/her own weapons in ME1 and constantly replaces them with upgraded versions, the player wouldn't have encountered this. Thermal clips do seem like a step back to the limited magazines of the XX and XXI Centuries, but they resolve this issue, as well as allow for more powerful weapons.

As for James Vega, I believe that he could have been introduced better. He should have been introduced as Shepard's adjutant (but in reality someone whom Anderson placed on the team to keep an eye on the commander, similarly to how/why Miranda was placed on the team in ME2). Of course, Shepard could/should be able to protest that he/she never had an adjutant, and doesn't need an assistant, but Anderson should cut him/her off in the interest of time, and the game would proceed through the intro scene. Vega is clearly a loyal and effective Alliance soldier, whilst Shepard's loyalties are a bit questionable, so this would make sense. As for Vega's duties/role overlapping with Specialist Traynor (whom I think is an annoying and unnecessary addition), this could be handwaved by Vega stating that he prefers to be in the armory, and that he wasn't trained to be a secretary.

In fine, better exposition and explanation could have assuaged the ire of many fans.