Mass Effect Thread

[Patr1ck]

Should I even finish ME1? I didn't like the driving missions and I wasn't sure what to do sometimes.

[el badman]

Should I even finish ME1? I didn't like the driving missions and I wasn't sure what to do sometimes.

The driving could certainly be annoying, but I think it's worth it to finish it, at least if you're planning to give ME2 a shot. It'll help to understand the ins and outs.

ME2 is very promising so far. I don't find the combat much more superior to ME1's, but it's good enough, and all the little improvements are pretty satisfying so far (less cookie-cutter design, more appearance customization, new hacking mini-games, new planet scanning, etc.). And mostly, the stories just pull you in right away.

[Al Ka Pwn]

I stopped 1 about halfway because I couldn't stand driving the mako over the rediculous terrain anymore. 2 is far superior so far. Movement and combat cleaned up and way tighter. More action and better graphics as well.

[Lean]

Mako's got bouncy rubber-tires.

This game is just driving me to sleep late in the evening. Combat is smooth with the cover system, and the newly-added thermal clip system (ammo) is way better than the overheating guns in ME1.

Plus the armor customization is a big plus to me...

...and Yvonne Strahovski too.

[el badman]

I'm completely absorbed by the game, as expected. I'm taking my time to talk to everyone, fully scan the planets and try to go everywhere.
The only thing I'm a little disappointed about so far is the weapon system. I like that you can do some research to update all your rifles, or all your shotguns, etc., but I wish they had kept the transaction system from ME1, where you could actually purchase new weapons and compare their characteristics based on actual data, as opposed to a simple text description.
Other than that, the game is fantastic.

[Lean]

Same here too, I don't even know which weapons have better stats.

[Lean]

Recruited all squad members except Thane, Tali and Legion, I'm working on it a few hours ago. I completed all loyalty quests of my current squad members.

Shepard is now at level 16.

[el badman]

Damn, you've been doing some serious playing...
I'm at level 9 I think, and already I've spent at least 20 hours on it. Very, very addictive stuff.
I'm stuff bummed out about the weapons though, I really wish they had kept the purchase/sell system from ME1.

[NovU]

I just installed this game and beat the first mission. First impression was OK. Playing the game on max settings with no slow downs. Graphic's fine, voice act is fine, so far so good. Let me see if this game keeps me going till the ending.

Will post pic of my hero later...

[Lean]

Cool.

I've finished recruiting Thane and Tali, leaving me with one squad member to recruit. Anyways, while playing earlier, power was cut and was immediately restored -- it reset the game's achievements.

[NovU]

I haven't got to that far, but I just recruited legacy of some stupid krogan.

So far, I'm liking this game. Not as much as Fallout nor Dragon Age, but sure is the title to recommend.

[Lean]

It was Grunt, the tank-bred Krogan.

So far I feel that the cover system is getting repetitive.

[NovU]

It actually is repetitive since combat system is just like any other 3D shooters. If you are into shooting, I guess those people won't mind. Dragon Age was same actually, combat being repetitive but then what game isn't, so I guess it's a matter of preference.

Also having played Dragon Age, I think the storyline is similiar in a way that you go around recruit people in order to beat the evil.

But overall, I really am liking this game, so no complaint for me.

[Lean]

Just finished it, a soldier at level 27, maxed out the Paragon points. Wasn't able to unlock the other side quests, though. Man, scanning planets take time. All in all, the game said I spent less than 50 hours playing it.

So this is my ME2's ending:

My Mass Effect 1-imported Commander Shepard banged Miranda (there's a possibility that a male Shepard would bang either Miranda, Tali or Jack), went on to do all loyalty quests of the squad members, went on to the Collectors' base and blew the thing up before beating the final boss. Somehow I get the feeling that Saren is a tougher boss than the final boss of ME2. The Ilusive Man was irate with the base's destruction. Mordin and Zaeed died in the process.

I'm wondering how to get Shepard and the entire Normandy squad killed. I'm going to keep the save game for ME3.

Overall, great game, great story and another +100000 to BioWare. I honestly can't wait for ME3.

What I don't get is that the game options have this "Vehicle Controls" option, but there's no part in the game that you'd be controlling a land vehicle. Or maybe that Hammerhead DLC is what it's for.

For now I'm thinking of replaying the last mission and get everyone killed, or start over with a new one and turn it to a badass Renegade character.

EDIT: I might have to replay the final mission to get all squad members to live.

[NovU]

Damn... almost clicked on your ending as I don't want to spoil my experience.

How long did you play this game? I am so many hours into this game, but still find lots to do.

[el badman]

I am so many hours into this game, but still find lots to do.

Same here. I must be around 33 hours into the game, and there's still so many missions to do and so many planets to explore...

[Lean]

I find the mineral-scanning fun sometimes. Element Zero ftw!

[el badman]

I find the mineral-scanning fun sometimes. Element Zero ftw!

I thought it was a nice touch too, but I do admit it's getting a little tiring after a while. I wish the upgrade that you can get for it at some point (larger/faster scan radius) was a much better improvement, so that it would cut the time doing it at least in half. I guess I could just skip some planets but I'm a freak and I just need to explore all the planets...

[NovU]

Ok. I'm finished. My ending was, 3 teammates dead(grunt, sarana, legion), gave alien ship to illusive man, almost maxed paladin

This game was very well made. I can see game makers put in lotta effort in cinematic scenes. If I had to criticize, it'd be the focus on recruiting rather more than on main storyline. Just like in Dragon Age, the pattern was similar, long recuiting then short final mission. But then that's what it builds feeling of bonds between recruits and main char I guess, since you have to spend so much time on them.

Anyways, props to this game. The final few stages I found were awesome.

I can't believe you guys find mineral scanning fun. I managed just enough to get almost all upgrades. But I admit exploring and reading about different planets were fun actually. Pretty big galaxy they made there.

[Lean]

Overall I could say that ME2 is longer than ME1. I thought there would be missions with your older companions, or a split mission with another team in the last mission.

So I guess there would be a combination of squad members from ME1 and from ME2 on the next game. And for what I've read, they're setting the release earlier, like January 2011.

[NovU]

split mission with another team in the last mission.

I was hoping for it too but it seemed they didn't make those recruits not playable.

I didn't know I was going to beat this game so early. Oh well... I'm getting Bioshock 2 tomorrow so timing can't get any better I guess.

[Lean]

I'll be doing another playthrough as a Renegade guy, and will try to get the entire party killed.

[NovU]

How do you save all party members? As for killing them all, I don't think the game will allow you to...

[Lean]

First you should get all party members loyal by doing their loyalty missions. When you get to the Collector base, the squad will be divided. Some dialogues during this sequence will give you a hint on who to send, otherwise they'll be dead.

On killing all party members, I believe it has to do with weapon, tech, biotic, and Normandy upgrades.

[NovU]

Fack! Just can't figure out the way to save everyone. Oh well... For now, I'm just going around exploring, but ran out of missions to do, so pretty much going around galaxy scanning for shits which I don't even need.