I have been a hard core RPG fan for many years and honestly I feel like this is the most universal entry in to the genre that I have played (next to a lot of the very linear releases we have seen over the period of this gen that is).In other words, yes, I would pick it up, because chances are that the visuals are going to suck you in from the prolouge. The battle system has a fairly speedy learning curve and you will have plenty to do from the beginning. So, you shouldn't have a problem getting involved with this RPG.

I feel like the new Gears will probably try to revamp the multiplayer again. The probelm with that? By the time Epic has an idea of what they want to change, its time for the game to be released. In turn, update time comes and they want to "test run" more ideas in an already finished game. So, yeah, I think that we will see some schitso multiplayer in Judgement as well. Epic is like a gut feeling to a question. Always stick to your first one. However, I think the game will rock the series once again both visually and mechanically.

I am about 23 or so hours in. The first Mass Effect is the only other of the series I have spent any real time with. ME3 may feel open and semi-intemidating but after a few hours you will pretty much have mapped out the main points of the game and have atleast a decent grip on what it will take to jump from mission to mission. So, while the game offers several different expericences, it does suffer from some linear appeal for the sake of attracting the casual gamer.