Opposable Thumbs reviews prequel novel, Mass Effect Revelation

[GunnyMo]

Frank Caron over at Opposable Thumbs has put up a great review (http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/06/22/book-review-mass-effect-revelation) of the prequel novel, Mass Effect Revelation.

While not dealing directly with Commander Sheppard becoming the first human Spectre agent, Revelation—the game's prequel—readily presents a sturdy foundation for the universe as it exists in Mass Effect and sets the stage for the game's course while leaving just enough questions unanswered.

Thanks to the discovery of an alien base on Mars, human technology of today is rapidly catapulted forward as humankind harnesses the power of the Protheans: an ancient race who mysteriously disappeared 50,000 years ago and left behind remnants of an advanced civilization that rocks humanity's prejudices and beliefs while pushing the species forward significantly. Though the true nature of the discovery is suspect—some claiming it a careful ruse by the true controlling bodies of Earth—humans subsequently banded together; distinguishing themselves from the aliens. With hyper-advanced technology in tow, humanity catapults ahead numerous generations, quickly venturing out into the abyss known as the universe. It's not long, though, before humanity stumbles upon other life.
I'll be picking up a copy this week thanks to the review. Some of this console generation's games could really use the prequel novel treatment. Gears of War comes to mind. Fantastic game that could benefit from more story explanation. I hear Eric Nylund (http://www.ericnylund.net/) is a fantastic sci-fi author for this sort of thing, Mr. Mark Rein.

(It's only a suggestion. Please don't have my legs broken by CliffyB.)

[Tricky Thumb]

Well, I was planning on getting this today but now I've got two reasons instead of just one.

[Kamalot]

Excellent. I read the Halo novel, Fall of Reach, and found it to be quite good. It improved my appreciation of the game universe, but not the actual game.

[King Drewsky]

Cliffy B breakin legs, that's a funny one. You got a hefty imagination there, GunnyMo.

[Telefrog]

I'm always down for some trashy sci-fi literature, so this will be a must-buy for me.

[Sandman]

I've had it in my pile of paperbacks to read since it came out. It's working it's way to the top.

[Crittias]

I read it a few weeks ago. Easy, fun story. Certainly whetted my appetite for the upcoming game.

[Royal Fool]

Gears of War didn't need a prequel novel or a sequel novel. It needed more ACTUAL FUCKING PLOT. Seriously, it just didn't make much sense at all.

[Darkbase]

Am I wrong for not liking Nylund?

[Tyler Durden84]

Gears of War didn't need a prequel novel or a sequel novel. It needed more ACTUAL FUCKING PLOT. Seriously, it just didn't make much sense at all.

what didnt make sense in Gears of War?
the humans invented chainsaw/machine-gun hybrids and until the Locust showed up, they were collecting dust. Humans finally had a reason to use them. End of plot.

[TrackZero]

(It's only a suggestion. Please don't have my legs broken by CliffyB.)
[/I]

If you answer the door and CliffyB is in a bunny suit, prepare to meet your maker.

[TrackZero]

Gears of War didn't need a prequel novel or a sequel novel. It needed more ACTUAL FUCKING PLOT. Seriously, it just didn't make much sense at all.

It made sense to me, I'd appreciate getting some novels to fill in backstory.

[Texas Speed]

Aren't they making a Gears of War novel already? I don't know if its a prequel or sequel, though. And I think Nylund is supposed to be writing it.

EDIT: Here you go (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/06/01/gears-of-war-book-sighted-online/#comments), but it's supposed to be penned by Steven Kent.

[GunnyMo]

Woot, thanks Mac. That's good news indeed.

GoW looks like it has such a rich background story. I'm glad it's being told. There were a lot of things in the game story that were unexplained.

At least now Cliffy won't have to break my legs. He can just dance for me in the bunnysuit. :)

[Crittias]

Am I wrong for not liking Nylund?

Yes. Yes you are.

Actually, I've only read his older novels (Signal to Noise, A Signal Shattered) so I have no idea how his game-based books are.

[jpublic]

Nylund's a very good author.

As for the Mass Effect novel, I refused to buy it until the game comes out. Same with the Hellgate: London novel.

[CrashT]

Didn't Eric Nylund actually work on Gears of War anyway?

[archon]

So how close is this book to "canon" or being official game background? Is it like the Halo books in terms of authenticity?

Edit: For anyone who actually cares (probably nobody), this guy actually works for Bioware and has written for them before, so I'd say that puts this pretty damn official. Gotta check this one out, now.

[MaiXu]

You could write that quote based on the single chapter they released a few weeks ago. That was fun, disposable fiction, and it looks like the novel will be no different.

[GunnyMo]

Didn't Eric Nylund actually work on Gears of War anyway?

He was a "story consultant" on GoW. We interviewed him (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22192) back in December and he gave out some great info.

[Major Scud]

I read this a couple days back, I really liked it. The major downside is that now I am at a fevered pitch waiting for the game, which may not come until next year... :(

[Deadend]

I read Signal to Noise, good book with a nice pessimistic outlook.

[Crittias]

I read Signal to Noise, good book with a nice pessimistic outlook.A Signal Shattered is equally interesting. If you liked Signal to Noise, it's worth reading the sequel.

[Feltoar]

So how close is this book to "canon" or being official game background? Is it like the Halo books in terms of authenticity?

Edit: For anyone who actually cares (probably nobody), this guy actually works for Bioware and has written for them before, so I'd say that puts this pretty damn official. Gotta check this one out, now.
This book is written by the Lead Writer for Mass Effect. So its as official and cannonical as they come.

Ive read all the Halo books and just started this one. From what Ive read so far its better. The Halo books became extremely repeatative and I noticed a small number of story errors in the 4th book. It really ruined it and the idea of Spartan IIIs was just written in for more content.

Havent read enough of Revelation to have a respectable opinion, but I certainly like it and think its good. The reviews I read before getting it were all favourable too.

Is it worth mentioning the same author wrote Darth Bane: Path of Destruciton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Darth_Bane:_Path_of_Destruction)? Drew was apparently a writer for KoTOR 1 as well and wrote a Star Wars novel based in the same time period as the games. It has tie ins with Revan from KoTOR.

[the Jack]

The Halo books became extremely repetitive <snip>
Sounds like they were quite true to the game content, then. :D

I was reading Wikipedia's entry for "Children of Men" and here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children_of_men#Hope) director Cuarón speaks about on his disdain for exposition and back-story:

"There's a kind of cinema I detest, which is a cinema that is about exposition and explanations.... It's become now what I call a medium for lazy readers.... Cinema is a hostage of narrative."

Of course this is cinema vs. games, but aren't the two becoming quite close? How do other people feel about absorbing lore to enhance their gaming experiences?

And an even better question: How do you feel when that lore gets trampled on when the development teams change? :D

[archon]

Is it worth mentioning the same author wrote Darth Bane: Path of Destruciton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Darth_Bane:_Path_of_Destruction)? Drew was apparently a writer for KoTOR 1 as well and wrote a Star Wars novel based in the same time period as the games. It has tie ins with Revan from KoTOR.

Yeah, I saw that! That's pretty bad ass. I want to read that one now, too.

[antoniogaud]

Read the Mass Effect novel when it first came out.

Not as well written as Nylund's Halo novels and its a little slow to build in the beginning, but somehow by the end it ends up being pretty satisfying.

It seems the author found his voice somewhere in the middle of writing the book.