I think that's what they were aiming for with Biotic Charge though. In ME1, Vanguard was more of a Soldier/Adept hybrid. You could get up close and personal, but you didn't have to. If you did though, you had Barrier, which was pretty OP in and of itself.
Now it's more same'ish. Charge > Melee > Shotgun in face > Repeat. It would be easy to get bored of the formula if it weren't so dangerous. It's the ultimate Glass Cannon class and I give Bioware credit for seeking to diversify, even if it doesn't necessarily suit my tastes and effectively nerfs some skills (Pull and Shockwave).
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On another topic, anyone else thinking of doing some ME1 or ME2 replays before ME3? Get stuff you missed for the transfer? Kill time before March 6th (March 9th here in PAL-land
)?