Mass Effect 2 - Launch Trailer

[boldbidder]

Launch Trailer for Mass Effect 2:

Grab a few Wet Ones (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

;)

[Causa Mortis]

Launch Trailer for Mass Effect 2:

Grab a few Wet Ones (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

;)

Mass Effect 1 was so amazing that I'm consuming no previews or trailers and just saving it all for the experience.

[boldbidder]

Mass Effect 1 was so amazing that I'm consuming no previews or trailers and just saving it all for the experience.

You are stronger than I. I've watched that trailer at least 20 times since this morning. The voice work and musical score are amazing, just listening with my eyes closed still sends chills down my spine.

May have to take next week off from work....lol.

[Cygnus]

I scheduled Friday next week, off from work to make a long weekend of it :)

[Seducer]

I thought mass effect 1 was very dull and unpolished. The combat was awkward and lame. I didn't like spending time clicking on questions and answers. I haven't finished it.

[azelismia]

I liked mass effect one. I've played it twice, but I almost didn't finish it the first time. the first part of the game was nearly unplayable. the whole citadel part of hte game is very dull and nearly impossible to navigate. we'll definitely be playing buying the second first thing though. there are a lot of impressive things about ME but I don't think it's the best ever.

[Causa Mortis]

I thought mass effect 1 was very dull and unpolished. The combat was awkward and lame. I didn't like spending time clicking on questions and answers. I haven't finished it.

Yeah the gameplay itself was average, but the story is the best in gaming that I can remember. Some have said its the best sci-fi since Star Wars.

[azelismia]

Yeah the gameplay itself was average, but the story is the best in gaming that I can remember. Some have said its the best sci-fi since Star Wars.


the story is good for a game, but I don't think I'd find it that interesting to watch in movie form. it's ok.. standard scifi fare... but nothing phenomenal imho. some of it is downright dull. the dialog is definitely not that grand.

[Malkavia]

Xbox 360 wise I would say the first one is the best RPG on the console, at least I've played.

However if Assassins Creed can be considered an RPG I might reconsider. :)

[Causa Mortis]

I peed a little in my pants when I got jack added to my crew.

This is the most immersive game I've ever played. Amazing story, characters, dialogue, and some of the most fantastic environments in all of media. Only downside is that combat is too repetetive...hide behind something, shoot, win...and there aren't enough diplomatic options in my opinion.

Off for another 4 hour session that feels like 30 minutes!

[Vic]

Looks like they're really pushing for a Halo-ish vibe from the trailer. The soundtrack and the font especially.

I dunno, looked alright. Martin Sheen owns the world.

[Causa Mortis]

Looks like they're really pushing for a Halo-ish vibe from the trailer. The soundtrack and the font especially.

I dunno, looked alright. Martin Sheen owns the world.

It has very, very little to do with Halo, either in storyline or in game play. The action bears some resemblance, but, well, hide behind something and shoot is pretty much standard fare for FPS these days.

I'm enjoying this game more than any game I can recall. There's the repetitive action, everything else in the game is simply outstanding.

[boldbidder]

It has very, very little to do with Halo, either in storyline or in game play. The action bears some resemblance, but, well, hide behind something and shoot is pretty much standard fare for FPS these days.

I'm enjoying this game more than any game I can recall. There's the repetitive action, everything else in the game is simply outstanding.

Co-signed.

I'm REALLY enjoying alot of the references to the first game, very rewarding. They've streamlined loot pick ups which I'm a bit bummed about, but substituting tech research could end up being a good trade as I progress further in the game.

Very very minor spoiler below regarding the process of importing your ME1 character.

Just an fyi, most everyone importing a character will start at Level 1. I imported my Level 60 (max) character however and discovered that this jumped me up to level 5, with a 150k in credits, and 10k of each of the new mineral resources. Glad they didn't let the 70hrs I sunk into building my ME1 character go to complete waste.

[Rohsiph]

Xbox 360 wise I would say the first one is the best RPG on the console, at least I've played.

If you don't mind the 90's-era gameplay, Lost Odyssey is a lot of fun. Actually, about that . . .

Yeah the gameplay itself was average, but the story is the best in gaming that I can remember. Some have said its the best sci-fi since Star Wars.

I'd definitely say Lost Odyssey's short-story segments were a lot better than anything ME offered. Of course, it's apples and oranges: these segments were literally (barely) animated short stories one could choose to read through or not. Exquisite writing, and the music really cinched everything nicely.

Mass Effect was better than Star Ocean 4 which is about the only other recent sci-fi RPG to compare it with.

But a revelation I had a few years ago, having grown up with video-games (I was literally playing everything my brother came home with by age 2): storytelling in gaming has a looong way to go before it begins to resonate with the same depth as literature, theatre, artistic film. I took it for granted for over a decade that the stories I was playing through were great (RPGs have been my preferred genre since I learned basic reading comprehension playing Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy), but really the quality part of the experience is identifying with a character with a much greater illusion of "control" than by reading or watching something.

I just read Neuromancer about a week ago. That was great sci-fi. Mass Effect uses its cliches wisely and invents enough new material to remain compelling for almost the whole way through, but as an example of storytelling held to the highest standards it ought not to come anywhere near "best ever" status. As a game it was arguably the best example for its release window--but if I remember, didn't it come out shortly after Bioshock? So even there it has its competition.

I'm being way too serious. Something about investing tens of thousands of hours into gaming . . . ahem . . .

But Mass Effect 2: I'm sorely tempted. Somehow I'm excercising extraordinary fortitude after having spent about $250 on about 50 games over the holidays through Steam's amazing 2-week-long sale. I want to feel like I've played my money's worth of those before spending any more.

If nothing else I feel obligated to give Dragon Age a fair shot before moving on to Bioware's latest. But one of my best friends is already galavanting about ME2 . . . it's going to be hard to resist.

[boldbidder]

If you don't mind the 90's-era gameplay, Lost Odyssey is a lot of fun. Actually, about that . . .



I'd definitely say Lost Odyssey's short-story segments were a lot better than anything ME offered. Of course, it's apples and oranges: these segments were literally (barely) animated short stories one could choose to read through or not. Exquisite writing, and the music really cinched everything nicely.

Mass Effect was better than Star Ocean 4 which is about the only other recent sci-fi RPG to compare it with.

But a revelation I had a few years ago, having grown up with video-games (I was literally playing everything my brother came home with by age 2): storytelling in gaming has a looong way to go before it begins to resonate with the same depth as literature, theatre, artistic film. I took it for granted for over a decade that the stories I was playing through were great (RPGs have been my preferred genre since I learned basic reading comprehension playing Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy), but really the quality part of the experience is identifying with a character with a much greater illusion of "control" than by reading or watching something.

I just read Neuromancer about a week ago. That was great sci-fi. Mass Effect uses its cliches wisely and invents enough new material to remain compelling for almost the whole way through, but as an example of storytelling held to the highest standards it ought not to come anywhere near "best ever" status. As a game it was arguably the best example for its release window--but if I remember, didn't it come out shortly after Bioshock? So even there it has its competition.

I'm being way too serious. Something about investing tens of thousands of hours into gaming . . . ahem . . .

But Mass Effect 2: I'm sorely tempted. Somehow I'm excercising extraordinary fortitude after having spent about $250 on about 50 games over the holidays through Steam's amazing 2-week-long sale. I want to feel like I've played my money's worth of those before spending any more.

If nothing else I feel obligated to give Dragon Age a fair shot before moving on to Bioware's latest. But one of my best friends is already galavanting about ME2 . . . it's going to be hard to resist.

The original Mass Effect had some pretty novel ideas that were well implemented, but realistically we won't be able to judge the merits of the story until the trilogy is completed.

A few things in particular that were compelling for me about the original ME:


*The Reapers seeding organic life in the galaxy and strategically using the Mass Relays to control the manner in which organic life evolved was VERY thought provoking.

*Your band of characters weren't throwaways. Whether the medium be movies, literature, or gaming I often find the supporting cast to be a collection of broadly sketched cliches that I care little if any if they survive. The sequence with Wrex was pretty heart wrenching and even the decision on whether to save Ashley or Kaiden was pretty troubling.

*Fully fleshed universe. The universe that Bioware created is tantamount to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc... It's just a great place to spend time. After I'm done with ME2 I plan on picking up some of the novels that have been based on the game.


ME2 wastes no time in grabbing you by the short and curlys, I've been sleep deprived since midnight Monday because I keeping staying up til 2 to see what happens. Shoulda just taken the week off......lol.

[Timeless]

Just got Mass Effect 2. Sadly, I decided that it was more important than doing my programming homework assignment. Oh well, one miss assignment won't even scratch my grade. I'm about an hour and a half in and from what I've seen so far I'm not sure if it will surpass KOTOR. It is very engaging though.

[Caedus]

I love Mass Effect 2. I wish I could play more of it but, I have soo much homework to do. :thumbsdown: I haven't gotten too far into the gameplay, but I like what I'm seeing so far.

However, I don't get why the made the text so freaking small. Unless you have HDTV, its going to be a pain reading info off your screen. :irked:

[Causa Mortis]

Just got Mass Effect 2. Sadly, I decided that it was more important than doing my programming homework assignment. Oh well, one miss assignment won't even scratch my grade. I'm about an hour and a half in and from what I've seen so far I'm not sure if it will surpass KOTOR. It is very engaging though.

The game is only growing more rich and complex as my crew gets larger. The graphics and voice work flatly blow KOTOR out of the water. And it looks like the gameplay is going to last a hell of a lot longer than KOTOR. In my view the storyline is more engaging, and your companions are more unique and interesting...wait until you get Jack, who is a complex, borderline antisocial, borderline crazy, multi-layered curiously highly erotic character.


I'm REALLY enjoying alot of the references to the first game, very rewarding. They've streamlined loot pick ups which I'm a bit bummed about, but substituting tech research could end up being a good trade as I progress further in the game.

I'm actually a big fan of the new tech system. Its streamlined a lot of clicking.

[Rohsiph]

The original Mass Effect had some pretty novel ideas that were well implemented, but realistically we won't be able to judge the merits of the story until the trilogy is completed.

A few things in particular that were compelling for me about the original ME:


*The Reapers seeding organic life in the galaxy and strategically using the Mass Relays to control the manner in which organic life evolved was VERY thought provoking.

*Your band of characters weren't throwaways. Whether the medium be movies, literature, or gaming I often find the supporting cast to be a collection of broadly sketched cliches that I care little if any if they survive. The sequence with Wrex was pretty heart wrenching and even the decision on whether to save Ashley or Kaiden was pretty troubling.

*Fully fleshed universe. The universe that Bioware created is tantamount to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc... It's just a great place to spend time. After I'm done with ME2 I plan on picking up some of the novels that have been based on the game.


Don't get me wrong, I didn't mean to suggest I didn't like it or thought it was a poorly-executed game. It was one of my favorites that year. So . . .

The Reaper "reveal" scene was my favorite moment in the game. It was a novel concept, certainly.

Characters were hit and miss. The Ashley / Kaiden decision fell flat for me, though I took quite a liking to Wrex and Tali. The decision came down to a lesser-of-two-evils thing: Ashley came off as a xenophobic bitch and Kaiden was the most generic of the bunch. My first game I'd made a female Paragon Shepard, so I kept Kaiden around to tick off the sex-scene achievement. That's kind of troubling, but I doubt for the reasons Bioware meant for.

All fictional worlds should aim to be so fleshed-out. Many are. Gibson's future in Neuromancer had it, even if the perspective and story limited things to Chase's perspective. World-building is an integral part of crafting fiction. Because some popular fictional universes aren't so fleshed out is more an indication of the public's often-unsophisticated standards than something the few popular entries that have them ought to be proud of. If it's going to be meaningful it'll be fleshed-out.

I love being critical, especially about the things I love most. I aim to unearth the most subtle flaws of my favorite works. Frankly, I wish more people were half as critical. I'd tired of hearing "New release X is the best Y ever!" before I was out of high school. Not suggesting you're not the same; it seems Rationals and, sometimes, Idealists usually have higher standards. I'm just trying to invite more criticism, and hoping to test my own thoughts against yours and the other readers' :)

[Causa Mortis]

Finished the game tonight. Finished as strongly as the rest of the game with a surprise twist. Will likely play a 2nd time through as a renegade.

I honestly can't remember a game that I had this much fun with. Exceptionally well done storyline, character development, graphics, and voice acting. The choices you make during the game have a huge impact on both gameplay and the storyline, which is again exceptional. Good RPG elements. Combat could have used more work...it was honestly boring at times and extremely repetitive, but fortunately its only 20-30% of the game. Also a bit short (18.30), but that's to be expected with a game of this quality.

it seems Rationals and, sometimes, Idealists usually have higher standards

Sorry I really like the game, apparently this is pase. I'll turn in my INTJ card since I enjoyed this game more than any other that I can remember.

[azelismia]

Finished the game tonight. Finished as strongly as the rest of the game with a surprise twist. Will likely play a 2nd time through as a renegade.

I honestly can't remember a game that I had this much fun with. Exceptionally well done storyline, character development, graphics, and voice acting. The choices you make during the game have a huge impact on both gameplay and the storyline, which is again exceptional. Good RPG elements. Combat could have used more work...it was honestly boring at times and extremely repetitive, but fortunately its only 20-30% of the game. Also a bit short (18.30), but that's to be expected with a game of this quality.



Sorry I really like the game, apparently this is pase. I'll turn in my INTJ card since I enjoyed this game more than any other that I can remember.


how many hours did you spend on the last one? are you a completionist?

---------- Post added 01-28-2010 at 05:07 AM ----------

I peed a little in my pants when I got jack added to my crew.

This is the most immersive game I've ever played. Amazing story, characters, dialogue, and some of the most fantastic environments in all of media. Only downside is that combat is too repetetive...hide behind something, shoot, win...and there aren't enough diplomatic options in my opinion.

Off for another 4 hour session that feels like 30 minutes!


that's why I am up now. lol. I logged back on after taking a few hour break figuring I'd just mess around for half an hour then bed and here it is five am. (I am in the middle of hte jack mission.)

I am unemployed. it's not all bad :)

[Causa Mortis]

how many hours did you spend on the last one? are you a completionist?

It was 20-24 for the last one, I don't remember the exact amount.

I got all of the additional characters and did all of the loyalty quests. I didn't do much exploring or side questing though. I think I will the second time around.

that's why I am up now. lol. I logged back on after taking a few hour break figuring I'd just mess around for half an hour then bed and here it is five am. (I am in the middle of hte jack mission.)

I am unemployed. it's not all bad

Heh, I'm in graduate school, which is basically the same thing only I have to pay to be unemployed :P and it was 6am last night for me. Told myself I'd play for an hour or two last night after class and found myself playing for 7 straight lol

[azelismia]

It was 20-24 for the last one, I don't remember the exact amount.

I got all of the additional characters and did all of the loyalty quests. I didn't do much exploring or side questing though. I think I will the second time around.



Heh, I'm in graduate school, which is basically the same thing only I have to pay to be unemployed :P and it was 6am last night for me. Told myself I'd play for an hour or two last night after class and found myself playing for 7 straight lol


we do all the side quests and that kind of thing. the first game we logged 44 hours the first time thru. I am not sure how many I've logged so far. I am having a hell of a time with the jack level. I can't get past the third fight zone where you have a bunch of guys and one mech who comes out near the end. maybe I am triggering the mech too soon or something. I've tried a bunch of ways and die in hte same place every time. I suck. lol that's not counted against your total playing time so the suckage meter isn't even in effect.

[boldbidder]

we do all the side quests and that kind of thing. the first game we logged 44 hours the first time thru. I am not sure how many I've logged so far. I am having a hell of a time with the jack level. I can't get past the third fight zone where you have a bunch of guys and one mech who comes out near the end. maybe I am triggering the mech too soon or something. I've tried a bunch of ways and die in hte same place every time. I suck. lol that's not counted against your total playing time so the suckage meter isn't even in effect.

What class are you? Try splitting up your squad and do more micromanaging. I find it effective to place each squadmate behind some cover at pretty spread out vantage points. Keeps the enemies busy and lets me stalk and pounce as I want without drawing all the attention. You can also direct them to attack your target, definitely do that when you take on the Mech.

[alrightgame]

The majority of the problem is playing two of these epic RPGs back to back. I'm still turning in my grave to replay Dragon Age: Origins. That trailer has to be one of the best videogame trailers I've seen (Duke Nukem 2001 trailer was really good).

[azelismia]

What class are you? Try splitting up your squad and do more micromanaging. I find it effective to place each squadmate behind some cover at pretty spread out vantage points. Keeps the enemies busy and lets me stalk and pounce as I want without drawing all the attention. You can also direct them to attack your target, definitely do that when you take on the Mech.


I have been trying that but I probably could micromanage better. this particular battle is funneled out on to two sides. neither provides very much cover as the dudes are coming at you from everywhere. I am a solider. I have a ton of various weapons but my dudes don't. unfortunately I don't have hte Krogan with me. I have garrus and jacob I wish I could arm them out with better weapons. I can't give the Krogan many weapons either though. that's something I don't like at all compared to the last game. I pretty much played the entire last game with just Garrus and Urdnot last time and was able to outfit them quite nicely. this is the first battle that I've not been able to get thru. I've tried this about six times now. I've died once or twice but I've been able to get htru the other battles without more than one restart.

[Causa Mortis]

I found Jacob underpowered whenever I used him. Cool character (if a little bland and cliched), but underpowered.

Miranda's overcharge ability will be very useful in the mission for Jack, and Tali or the Professor are also good choices for the mission. I probabl wouldn't bother with Grunt as that would be two soldiers.


2nd time through you start at your previous level. Its trivialized combat, which I strongly prefer and will just let me play through as renegade.

[azelismia]

I found Jacob underpowered whenever I used him. Cool character (if a little bland and cliched), but underpowered.

Miranda's overcharge ability will be very useful in the mission for Jack, and Tali or the Professor are also good choices for the mission. I probabl wouldn't bother with Grunt as that would be two soldiers.


2nd time through you start at your previous level. Its trivialized combat, which I strongly prefer and will just let me play through as renegade.


I prefer brute force. I don't really think the "powers" do much in comparison. I did finally make it thru that level. I wasn't compensating enough with the special powers they have for lack of weaponry. we play as an infiltrator and I play as a solider. the solider with heavy artillery as a back up is far more useful then a mixed powers.

[boldbidder]

I prefer brute force. I don't really think the "powers" do much in comparison. I did finally make it thru that level. I wasn't compensating enough with the special powers they have for lack of weaponry. we play as an infiltrator and I play as a solider. the solider with heavy artillery as a back up is far more useful then a mixed powers.

Don't under estimate powers. I'm playing as a Vanguard and the class is almost too powerful. Shockwave is great for driving clusters of enemies back, and a maxed out charge ability is damn near cheating.....lol. Does do a good job of making you feel like the ultimate bad ass, charging into a group of enemies from across the room and laying waste to them before they can say Batarian is all kinds of awesome.

[Gamgee]

Adept here. Even after the super nerf I am managing to struggle through the game. Barely...

I had a tough time with shields since they completely negate 75% of my powers. On higher difficulty levels that's almost every enemy. However, after finding the second sub machine gun that tears through shields I am doing much better. Although it was idiotically placed near the end of the game. I did have to turn the difficulty down to casual at some points just to the inability of the adept to do anything it's class description says.

However, this new SMG and my powers being more developed I intend to take an Insanity new game + on.

Already beat the game. I found the story was good, right up until the end where it fell flat. It wasn't so bad of a fall that it ruined everything, but it killed the end game mood.

[SShack]

I'm gonna try starting over with ME1 as a pure soldier. I think it was a mistake to try to play something as subtle as an adept given my poor FPS skills. Maybe I'll do better just shooting stuff.

[azelismia]

I'm gonna try starting over with ME1 as a pure soldier. I think it was a mistake to try to play something as subtle as an adept given my poor FPS skills. Maybe I'll do better just shooting stuff.


I personally enjoyed it more this way. I tried a few different classes and the most enjoyable was soldier imho.

[Vic]

You know what? After seeing this and then seeing the reviews coming out, not did they sell me on this game. They sold me on the previous (inferior) game, just so I can experience the story and carry my character over to the second game.

[boldbidder]

I personally enjoyed it more this way. I tried a few different classes and the most enjoyable was soldier imho.

Try the Vanguard, best of both worths. Vanguard's charge ability kicks all kinds of alien/synthetic ass, and its unblockable.

Plus:


There's a mission about the midpoint of the game where you are able to get another weapon ability. Playing as the Vanguard I chose Assualt Rifles. This gave my character the ability to wield Assault Rifles, Sub Guns, Heavy Pistols, and Heavy Weapons. Combined with the Vanguards Charge ability (great for all around kick assery) and Shockwave (very good for waves of Husks or other melee style enemies are coming at you) you've got a very versatile character that can deal with most anything.


Playing through as an adept was watered down greatly in the second game, because they neutered Singularity for balancing purposes. In ME1 an adpet with a hyped up Singularity power was a like a walking Dark Phoenix, and even Throw was a little overblown in ME1 you could use a maxed out throw to topple Armatures.

[Ghost Raven]

You know what? After seeing this and then seeing the reviews coming out, not did they sell me on this game.

How so? Explain? I'm genuinely curious as to what it was that you didn't like.

[Vic]

How so? Explain? I'm genuinely curious as to what it was that you didn't like.

I was saying that I did like it. And after seeing the reviews I plan on purchasing not only Mass Effect 2, but also Mass Effect 1.

Typo. Should have read 'not only did...'. For some reason I'm able to edit this post but not that one...?

[Cygnus]

I played as a Sentinel, very durable and diverse. They did a great job with Mass Effect 2. I was impressed with the how the choices, even the little ones, carried over from the original. I dislike shooters, but the game delivered the combat in such a way that I enjoyed it a lot. It was exciting and challenging without being frustrating. You have plenty of options to tailor things for your success. The story, visuals, music, sounds, and voice acting all combine to make it my favorite roleplaying experience to date..finally dethroning Planescape Torment and Balder's Gate II. The game is fun and truly makes you feel as Commander Shepard :)

Completed as 26th level Sentinel. Paragon. Entire team survived..and the Illusive Man was not pleased with me ;)

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 02:21 AM ----------

I have been trying that but I probably could micromanage better. this particular battle is funneled out on to two sides. neither provides very much cover as the dudes are coming at you from everywhere. I am a solider. I have a ton of various weapons but my dudes don't. unfortunately I don't have hte Krogan with me. I have garrus and jacob I wish I could arm them out with better weapons. I can't give the Krogan many weapons either though. that's something I don't like at all compared to the last game. I pretty much played the entire last game with just Garrus and Urdnot last time and was able to outfit them quite nicely. this is the first battle that I've not been able to get thru. I've tried this about six times now. I've died once or twice but I've been able to get htru the other battles without more than one restart.

You are probably trying a straight forward approach and going in a bit heavy on the muscle. Mass Effect 1 you could easily brute force your way through most encounters. Mass Effect 2 requires more tactics such as finding cover, flanking your foes, and getting foes out of cover. Biotic and engineering skills are vastly improved over the original in overall function. Even as a Sentinel (I also took advanced training to use Assault Rifles) my main team, when I could bring them, were Tali and Samara. I recommend building you squad's character specific skill and after loyal skill to level 4 and level 1 or 2 for the two other skills is sufficient. If you standard heavy combat team is not working out so well, then time to take to heart one of the messages in the game and diversify ;) A balanced team can adjust to any situation.

[boldbidder]

Ok, first minor quibble, not story related though...


Level cap at 30?!?! WTF, I'm just getting my Shephard awesomeness warmed up. With all the DLC they have available already and what they say they have planned I'd imagine that they'll have to raise that up.

[Cygnus]

One last thing on tactics. Many some Biotic and Tech powers are even more devastating when used in combination.

Warp spawns a mass effect field that damages enemy targets and stops health regeneration. It also detonates any biotic powers affecting the target, such as Pull or Singularity, causing further damage. It is effective against armor and biotic barriers.

I do not know the XBox controls, I do know for PC you can set your teammates skills on your hotbar (keys 1-8) and easily sets up these combination attacks without even pausing the action.

[Timeless]

The game is only growing more rich and complex as my crew gets larger. The graphics and voice work flatly blow KOTOR out of the water. And it looks like the gameplay is going to last a hell of a lot longer than KOTOR. In my view the storyline is more engaging, and your companions are more unique and interesting...wait until you get Jack, who is a complex, borderline antisocial, borderline crazy, multi-layered curiously highly erotic character.

I completed the game today and I still feel the same. It does not surpass KOTOR in the RPG element. Your teammates are unique and more interesting but they have no character. You can talk them into doing anything which seems really unrealistic and breaks the mood of the game at times.

Of course the graphics are going to be better since KOTOR is a far older game on a pass generation console.

But voice work? lol It is on par with KOTOR. I am starting to question whether or not you have even played KOTOR. I wouldn't say one is better than the other but both are excellent. Bioware always has excellent voice work in their RPGs. It stood out a lot more in Mass Effect 2 because of how life like the characters expressed themselves.

I will say that this is the best Action RPG I have ever played. I want to go for a 2nd playthrough but I am disappointed that I can not change my class. I want to play as a vanguard this time but I do not want to have to probe planets all over again..

[azelismia]

I played as a Sentinel, very durable and diverse. They did a great job with Mass Effect 2. I was impressed with the how the choices, even the little ones, carried over from the original. I dislike shooters, but the game delivered the combat in such a way that I enjoyed it a lot. It was exciting and challenging without being frustrating. You have plenty of options to tailor things for your success. The story, visuals, music, sounds, and voice acting all combine to make it my favorite roleplaying experience to date..finally dethroning Planescape Torment and Balder's Gate II. The game is fun and truly makes you feel as Commander Shepard :)

Completed as 26th level Sentinel. Paragon. Entire team survived..and the Illusive Man was not pleased with me ;)

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 02:21 AM ----------



You are probably trying a straight forward approach and going in a bit heavy on the muscle. Mass Effect 1 you could easily brute force your way through most encounters. Mass Effect 2 requires more tactics such as finding cover, flanking your foes, and getting foes out of cover. Biotic and engineering skills are vastly improved over the original in overall function. Even as a Sentinel (I also took advanced training to use Assault Rifles) my main team, when I could bring them, were Tali and Samara. I recommend building you squad's character specific skill and after loyal skill to level 4 and level 1 or 2 for the two other skills is sufficient. If you standard heavy combat team is not working out so well, then time to take to heart one of the messages in the game and diversify ;) A balanced team can adjust to any situation.


muscle heavy does work, you can't infer that it isn't working because I had one roadblock in the fighting. playing thru the second time as the infiltrator we realised this mech was way tougher than any of the other mechs in the game. it was just a very hard fight. Why do you assume that you don't use tactics when playing muscle heavy? of course you use tactics. you don't just run across teh room firing willy nilly!

you don't like shooters you said so it's obvious your preference won't be there. I don't play RPG's. I play cross overs like this when they are available but mostly I play shooters. RPG's are largely boring.

We are playing twice at once. I am playing as a solider by myself during hte weekday and I am playing as a infiltrator with my husband. I do think that as an infiltrator we are hindered more by lack of assault rifle then helped by having powers. cloak with it's short duration is useless.

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 01:57 PM ----------



I will say that this is the best Action RPG I have ever played. I want to go for a 2nd playthrough but I am disappointed that I can not change my class. I want to play as a vanguard this time but I do not want to have to probe planets all over again..

that sucks, why would they do it that way? the only reason to replay is if you can do it differently. I'd suck it up and reprobe the planets. it's not that bad. four passes on each planet and usually one 30 second random scan til it's depleted. I am playing two sessions of this game at once so I've done it twice for both games so far. It would have been better if they'd made it into some sort of mini game than a mundane probe like they have. I preferred running all over the world in the jeep. it didn't seem as dull that way.


I am playing my solider game this afternoon. I am at a point where you can learn a power for 5000 element zero. I can do it as many times as i want.

[SShack]

This playthrough is so much easier on ME1 going complete soldier focusing on assault rifles. I have Kaidan and Wrex with me and they're much more effective with using their biotic skills than I was even with the crappy game AI. I've only died once so far when you have to fight a geth dreadnought on foot and they can one-shot you.

I do have issues with them not following squad commands sometimes though. It seems they want to stay behind cover and not attack at all or ignore cover entirely, no matter what I command.

[Timeless]

that sucks, why would they do it that way? the only reason to replay is if you can do it differently. I'd suck it up and reprobe the planets. it's not that bad. four passes on each planet and usually one 30 second random scan til it's depleted. I am playing two sessions of this game at once so I've done it twice for both games so far. It would have been better if they'd made it into some sort of mini game than a mundane probe like they have. I preferred running all over the world in the jeep. it didn't seem as dull that way.


I am playing my solider game this afternoon. I am at a point where you can learn a power for 5000 element zero. I can do it as many times as i want.

Well, I went ahead and started a new character from scratch and discovered that I still got the benefits of completing the game once which was nice. I initially thought the benefits were locked to the character your imported from your first ME2 playthrough. It gave me 50k of each every element and some other nice bonuses which was nice. I'm going to miss my previous elements though. Probing was sort of fun through most of the game until I started to discover more and more planets... I'm sort of a perfectionist so I probed every planet until they were poor or depleted so I had invested over 42 hours into the game and had about 600k+ of nearly every resource when I finally beat it. And yea, I agree that some type of mini game would have been better. I guess I can bare with it one more time since this is an exceptional game.

I went through the game as an engineer my first playthrough. In all RPGs I always set up my squad based on the characters I like not who may be more effective in x situation so I had 2 engineers in my group most of the time. I really liked Tali's personality so she was always with me. lol I never thought 2 combat drones could be so helpful. At a few points I had 3 engineers in my group. Excellent game.

[Causa Mortis]

There's a mission about the midpoint of the game where you are able to get another weapon ability. Playing as the Vanguard I chose Assualt Rifles. This gave my character the ability to wield Assault Rifles, Sub Guns, Heavy Pistols, and Heavy Weapons. Combined with the Vanguards Charge ability (great for all around kick assery) and Shockwave (very good for waves of Husks or other melee style enemies are coming at you) you've got a very versatile character that can deal with most anything.



Yes I would agree that assault rifles are the way to go. The collector's rifle is insanely OP, and I don't think the shotgun or sniper rifle add that much value because they're both only useful situationally.

[Cygnus]

muscle heavy does work, you can't infer that it isn't working because I had one roadblock in the fighting. playing thru the second time as the infiltrator we realised this mech was way tougher than any of the other mechs in the game. it was just a very hard fight. Why do you assume that you don't use tactics when playing muscle heavy? of course you use tactics. you don't just run across teh room firing willy nilly!

you don't like shooters you said so it's obvious your preference won't be there. I don't play RPG's. I play cross overs like this when they are available but mostly I play shooters. RPG's are largely boring.

We are playing twice at once. I am playing as a solider by myself during hte weekday and I am playing as a infiltrator with my husband. I do think that as an infiltrator we are hindered more by lack of assault rifle then helped by having powers. cloak with it's short duration is useless.

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 01:57 PM ----------



that sucks, why would they do it that way? the only reason to replay is if you can do it differently. I'd suck it up and reprobe the planets. it's not that bad. four passes on each planet and usually one 30 second random scan til it's depleted. I am playing two sessions of this game at once so I've done it twice for both games so far. It would have been better if they'd made it into some sort of mini game than a mundane probe like they have. I preferred running all over the world in the jeep. it didn't seem as dull that way.


I am playing my solider game this afternoon. I am at a point where you can learn a power for 5000 element zero. I can do it as many times as i want.

I meant to imply you cannot tank and stand around using Master Immunity and be virtually invulnerable as you could in the original game. Tactics are needs..cover is needed..I pointed it out since it is a big play style difference from the original solider. In Mass Effect 2, Soliders have skills to get them into new cover spots quickly and to slow down time to make it easier to take key shots with the proper ammo as those foes pop out of cover.

Simple statement since most people carry their expectations and experience from the original game over, and since you expressed some frustration at the difficulty, then it is a natural assumption you may be trying older patterns that worked for you before. Your choice if you wish to be offended, but I am simply trying to assist with insight and options.

Dislike does not mean inept.

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 09:30 PM ----------

Well, I went ahead and started a new character from scratch and discovered that I still got the benefits of completing the game once which was nice. I initially thought the benefits were locked to the character your imported from your first ME2 playthrough. It gave me 50k of each every element and some other nice bonuses which was nice. I'm going to miss my previous elements though. Probing was sort of fun through most of the game until I started to discover more and more planets... I'm sort of a perfectionist so I probed every planet until they were poor or depleted so I had invested over 42 hours into the game and had about 600k+ of nearly every resource when I finally beat it. And yea, I agree that some type of mini game would have been better. I guess I can bare with it one more time since this is an exceptional game.

I went through the game as an engineer my first playthrough. In all RPGs I always set up my squad based on the characters I like not who may be more effective in x situation so I had 2 engineers in my group most of the time. I really liked Tali's personality so she was always with me. lol I never thought 2 combat drones could be so helpful. At a few points I had 3 engineers in my group. Excellent game.

Tali is an all time favorite of mine as well! I wonder if people caught the Minsc and Boo reference when Tali summons Chikktika (her name for her drone). Go for the optics! Go for the optics! ;)

Garrus and Tali get some humorous exchanges around the Citadel. Garrus askes, "Don't you miss our little chats in the elevator?" :)

[UMDRevan]

Ugh, I can't wait to get ME2. The first one had its faults (love interest dialogue, in particular, and the car/tank thing), but was overall good. School won't give me the time to play, so I'm going to have to hold off until the end of the semester, probably.

For those of you who have it, does the whole save-game from the previous game actually make much of an interesting difference, or is it just mere novelty?

[boldbidder]

Ugh, I can't wait to get ME2. The first one had its faults (love interest dialogue, in particular, and the car/tank thing), but was overall good. School won't give me the time to play, so I'm going to have to hold off until the end of the semester, probably.

For those of you who have it, does the whole save-game from the previous game actually make much of an interesting difference, or is it just mere novelty?

Importing your character is a VERY rewarding experience. Literally in the first 2 hours you'll run into a half dozen of the lesser characters from ME1. One of which (depending on how you handled it in the first game) was a very nice easter egg which doesn't pay off, but points nicely to what may come in ME3.

They are really doing a magnificent job with the story structure.

[Synchronicity]

I am jealous that all of you are playing ME2. I have to wait another week until I get back home to my computer and even then it will be hard to find the time.

I am excited about the import feature. It makes me want to replay ME1 first just so I can make sure to do everything "in character" in preparation for importing, but there's no way I can wait that long. I'll just settle for one of my current characters and see what happens.

I do imagine that several years from now, once the trilogy has been released and faded into the background as new games emerge, I will revisit the series and play all three games from start to finish like I watch the original Star Wars trilogy. That'll be fun.

(Assuming EA's bullshit DRM will still let me install ME1 by then :angry:)

[azelismia]

Ugh, I can't wait to get ME2. The first one had its faults (love interest dialogue, in particular, and the car/tank thing), but was overall good. School won't give me the time to play, so I'm going to have to hold off until the end of the semester, probably.

For those of you who have it, does the whole save-game from the previous game actually make much of an interesting difference, or is it just mere novelty?




the love interest thing is even more ridiculous in me2 imho. I wish they'd drop that. I was hoping it was a novelty for the first game that would go by the wayside.

---------- Post added 02-01-2010 at 11:14 AM ----------

I meant to imply you cannot tank and stand around using Master Immunity and be virtually invulnerable as you could in the original game. Tactics are needs..cover is needed..I pointed it out since it is a big play style difference from the original solider. In Mass Effect 2, Soliders have skills to get them into new cover spots quickly and to slow down time to make it easier to take key shots with the proper ammo as those foes pop out of cover.

Simple statement since most people carry their expectations and experience from the original game over, and since you expressed some frustration at the difficulty, then it is a natural assumption you may be trying older patterns that worked for you before. Your choice if you wish to be offended, but I am simply trying to assist with insight and options.

Dislike does not mean inept.

---------- Post added 01-31-2010 at 09:30 PM ----------
" :)


We never used master immunity and I didn't express frustration at the difficulty. I just said there was a level I was having a hard time getting past. that happens in video games. so what. Bold bidder helped with possible tactical errors, that is helpful. Saying oh, well it being a solider sucks and is inferior to the other classes is not helpful or insightful. you are fond of RPG's I play shooters. we have different ways of playing these games as I have already said. I also don't know why the first word to explain my annoyance would be "offended" what is there to be offended about in this sort of circumstance, offended implies that there has been something percieved as personal against me that I have taken to heart which is patently not the case here. Annoyed would be the accurate word. my annoyance stems from your refusal to accept that all of the classes are roughly equal (they have been weighted by the developers) and your subsequent attempts to try and convince me as such even though I have been very clear about preferring shooters.

actually so far up to this point in the game I find it's easier to make it thru the levels as a solider than an infiltrator. if I were to switch classes then it would even be harder. it probably comes from my preferred playing style. I am in my comfort zone with an assault rifle.

you are in yours with a magical blasts. great. that is why they give you more than one option to play by.

[Cygnus]

Azelismia, I never stated any class was superior, only that tactics are more needed and that you have more tools and options than the original in which is accomplish things. You chose to equate that to some form of superiority. Oddly, Boldbidder and I both pointed out some similar things in a different manner, and his manner did not annoy you.

Assault Rifle is only specific to class of solider at the start. Any class can eventually learn one more weapon with Advanced Weapon Training. Thus, as a Sentinel, I also use assault rifles.

I am glad you are enjoying the game and within you comfort zone. It is really just a matter of banter and sharing...not seeing much to be annoyed at, but I suppose that is the way the cookie crumbles.

[Synchronicity]

the love interest thing is even more ridiculous in me2 imho. I wish they'd drop that. I was hoping it was a novelty for the first game that would go by the wayside.

Aren't the romance subplots optional? They were in ME1, as they have been in the previous Bioware RPGs I've played. If you think the love thing is silly, then maybe you should stop hitting on all your party members :p

[azelismia]

Aren't the romance subplots optional? They were in ME1, as they have been in the previous Bioware RPGs I've played. If you think the love thing is silly, then maybe you should stop hitting on all your party members :p


Bah! what is necessary dialogue and what is romance? you don't know you're hitting on them until you're doing it. it's tempting to ignore the females altogether but then you miss out on subplots/missions.

[Synchronicity]

Yes, you're right. Every member of the team is hot for Shepard. By the end of ME1, I wouldn't have been surprised if Garrus had tried to get me to go "below decks" with him.

Personally, I rather enjoyed the romance subplots. Though to be sure, I was definitely turned off when Liara suddenly shouted "Embrace Eternity!" in the middle of foreplay. That's a fetish I don't really care to know about.

[azelismia]

Yes, you're right. Every member of the team is hot for Shepard. By the end of ME1, I wouldn't have been surprised if Garrus had tried to get me to go "below decks" with him.

Personally, I rather enjoyed the romance subplots. Though to be sure, I was definitely turned off when Liara suddenly shouted "Embrace Eternity!" in the middle of foreplay. That's a fetish I don't really care to know about.


lol reversed snuff film subplot! yay! actually, yeah.. there have been a few times when I've wondered if I am going to get male/male action from a dialogue choice. both with garrus and with jacob. there is one dialogue scene with Jacob where it sounds like he's saying in veiled language," what dude.. I am not gay! " it's that tell me about you dialogue choice. I wish they left that for the romantic subplot only.

in ME1 you can just avoid the girls all together. I never played with anyone but garrus and wrex in the first game. they made a great team. a little biotic a little tech and a lot of firepower.

[SShack]

So I take it Kaidan isn't an option if you're playing a dude? Sigh... First Alistair, now this. (Though I suppose technically Kaidan came first)

[azelismia]

So I take it Kaidan isn't an option if you're playing a dude? Sigh... First Alistair, now this. (Though I suppose technically Kaidan came first)


honestly, with how much it's in the game for heterosexual interactions, I don't see why he isn't an option for homosexual options. they have enough dialogue there where it should be part of the game. the dialogue with Kaiden basically does sound like a spurned lover on horizon.

[Cygnus]

honestly, with how much it's in the game for heterosexual interactions, I don't see why he isn't an option for homosexual options. they have enough dialogue there where it should be part of the game. the dialogue with Kaiden basically does sound like a spurned lover on horizon.

I think it is only for women. Women can have a romantic relationship with the Yeoman. I think relationships are interestingly done..you also have the option to abstrain from entering a new relationship and stay loyal to one you may have had in the original. As for me..always a sucker for Liara and Tali ;) At least form my playthrough in Mass Effect 2, you as Shepard tend to have to make the move, in the original seems you we being more hit upon. I do not know how the game and charatcers react differently to you already having a relationship oppsed to you not having one.

[boldbidder]

The romance subplot with Tali was very well done imho. My wife even commented that her awkwardness was pretty cute. Haven't tried romantic encounters with any of the other characters so can't comment as of yet.

It's funny, in ME1 my love interest was Liara and I'd sworn that I wasn't going to stray in ME2 as the Bioware Devs mentioned in a dev diary vid that if you start up another love interest in ME2 there will be ramifications in ME3. I don't liken myself a cheater, but when


Liara seems to be an obsessed crazy who is turning into her mother I got pretty turned off from the sweet biotic scientist that I'd grown to like from ME1.

[SShack]

It's funny, in ME1 my love interest was Liara and I'd sworn that I wasn't going to stray in ME2 as the Bioware Devs mentioned in a dev diary vid that if you start up another love interest in ME2 there will be ramifications in ME3.

Is the Council going to have to start figuring out how much a spectre should have to pay for child support?

[Timeless]

Tali is an all time favorite of mine as well! I wonder if people caught the Minsc and Boo reference when Tali summons Chikktika (her name for her drone). Go for the optics! Go for the optics! ;)

Garrus and Tali get some humorous exchanges around the Citadel. Garrus askes, "Don't you miss our little chats in the elevator?" :)

Oh, thanks for the tip. I never caught that reference. And lol I love those lines. "Go for the optics! Go for the optics!"

I'm going to be severely disappointed if they find a way to kill her off in Mass Effect 3 or make her a minor character or something. I highly doubt it though.

I didn't start playing with Garrus and Tali until the final mission. I wish I had done so earlier. I had played through the game with Tali and Miranda most of the game. Unfortunately, there wasn't much chatter between the two. Surprisingly, Tali and Grunt had some interesting conversations.

The romance subplot with Tali was very well done imho. My wife even commented that her awkwardness was pretty cute. Haven't tried romantic encounters with any of the other characters so can't comment as of yet.

It's funny, in ME1 my love interest was Liara and I'd sworn that I wasn't going to stray in ME2 as the Bioware Devs mentioned in a dev diary vid that if you start up another love interest in ME2 there will be ramifications in ME3. I don't liken myself a cheater, but when


Liara seems to be an obsessed crazy who is turning into her mother I got pretty turned off from the sweet biotic scientist that I'd grown to like from ME1.


I hope the romance thing is integrated more into the gameplay next time. What I mean by that is the character you're with actually talks about you two being together and maybe integrate it into the chatter that the characters do between each other and possibly bonus stat increases when the person you're with is in the same squad as you or something. I've never played ME1 in depth but from what I read and experienced the whole romance thing seems to be a nice improvement over ME1. However, it still feels more like a side element since gameplay or the story isn't influenced by it. You get a small scene and you're done with the whole situation. I guess that can be attributed to the situation being restricted to the final mission.

[azelismia]

I don't think the romance has any place in this game myself. I wish they'd ditch it. i definitely would dislike it to be integral to the plot

[boldbidder]

I don't think the romance has any place in this game myself. I wish they'd ditch it. i definitely would dislike it to be integral to the plot

It's not integral to the plot. It was completely optional in ME1 and it's optional here. Just having conversations does not trigger it, you can turn people down as an option. On the Xbox version there's an achievement tied to the romantic subplot if you're so inclined although

you can have a romp with Yeoman Kelly whether you're male or female that doesn't count towards to the Romantic subplot achievement.

[Synchronicity]

He's right. The romance plots are only "integral" to the story in that their pacing is determined by story events. I haven't played ME2 yet, but in ME1, all three love interest characters at one point ask "is there something going on here?" It's not hard to choose the answer you want.

[Causa Mortis]

The romance subplot with Tali was very well done imho. My wife even commented that her awkwardness was pretty cute. Haven't tried romantic encounters with any of the other characters so can't comment as of yet.

The romance with Jack is somewhat interesting, but basically

you have the option between a few no-strings rough sex sessions or a mascara-filled melodramatic deal at endgame. The dialogue with her is interesting, but

...I personally prefer Tali's awkwardness/sweetness. I turned Tali down for Jack the first time through, but that was a mistake

[SShack]

I absolutely breezed through the fight that took me seven tries in ME1 before playing a soldier. My allies are much more effective at using biotics than I am myself, which is pretty funny. They're much worse in actual shooting though. It's like the opposite of Dragon Age, where melee combat doesn't take much management but magic is more complicated.

[azelismia]

I didn't say they were currently integral to the plot, someone had just said they hoped they would be for ME3. I was saying I hope not.

[Cygnus]

I don't think the romance has any place in this game myself. I wish they'd ditch it. i definitely would dislike it to be integral to the plot

I believe Bioware views optional romantic relationships integral to their story telling and roleplaying experience. Baldur's Gate series, Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Dragon Age and Mass Effect are all examples over the 12 plus years. They want players to be emotionally attached to the experience, and optional sexual and lasting personal relationships of charatcers in the game are part of that.

[azelismia]

I absolutely breezed through the fight that took me seven tries in ME1 before playing a soldier. My allies are much more effective at using biotics than I am myself, which is pretty funny. They're much worse in actual shooting though. It's like the opposite of Dragon Age, where melee combat doesn't take much management but magic is more complicated.


after 7 tries you know the tactics needed. you know where men appear and when. that can make it easy on subsequent tries.

[Synchronicity]

...I personally prefer Tali's awkwardness/sweetness. I turned Tali down for Jack the first time through, but that was a mistake

I'm sort of scared to ask because I don't want to be spoiled, but is Tali a potential romantic partner in ME2? How would that work exactly, with the quarian immune system and all?
It interests me because Tali was probably my favorite character in ME1, and I imagine I'll like her even more after helping to defend her against a charge of treason against her race. (As you can see, my attempts to avoid spoilers haven't gone so well :rolleyes:)

[azelismia]

I believe Bioware views optional romantic relationships integral to their story telling and roleplaying experience. Baldur's Gate series, Knights of the Old Republic, Jade Empire, Dragon Age and Mass Effect are all examples over the 12 plus years. They want players to be emotionally attached to the experience, and optional sexual and lasting personal relationships of charatcers in the game are part of that.


I don't see why. it seems like a soupy waste of time to me. I don't see why anyone would play a game for an emotional experience and I can't imagine an instance where it would work. (but that's just me I don't like RPG's as a general rule.) in this instance,

the characters aren't even that well done. they all seem very hollow to me. the emotional scenes do not ring true and the writing is laughably bad. the whole love interest thing is just gratuitous.

in the past I've played adventure games on the PC that woudl qualify as RPG I think that I enjoyed. zork, monkey island and that sort of thing, but they weren't trying to go for any kind of emotional hook. it's just incomprehensible to me.

[Gamgee]

Anyone attempted to type the squad mates yet? Would be interesting to see if there are any INTJ's.

[Synchronicity]

in the past I've played adventure games on the PC that woudl qualify as RPG I think that I enjoyed. zork, monkey island and that sort of thing, but they weren't trying to go for any kind of emotional hook. it's just incomprehensible to me.

Why? What precludes games from having an emotional side? Books do, movies do, theatre does. All forms of art and entertainment have that option, whether they choose to explore it or not. Whether or not games in general are a good medium for it is debatable, but it's been done all the same.

[Cygnus]

I don't see why. it seems like a soupy waste of time to me. I don't see why anyone would play a game for an emotional experience and I can't imagine an instance where it would work. (but that's just me I don't like RPG's as a general rule.) in this instance,

the characters aren't even that well done. they all seem very hollow to me. the emotional scenes do not ring true and the writing is laughably bad. the whole love interest thing is just gratuitous.

in the past I've played adventure games on the PC that woudl qualify as RPG I think that I enjoyed. zork, monkey island and that sort of thing, but they weren't trying to go for any kind of emotional hook. it's just incomprehensible to me.

Because it is a roleplaying experience as well as a game :) You may not get an emotional experience out of it, but doesn't mean it is not there and others may identify with it. People are moved by stories (both written and movie), music, art, and even games.

[SShack]

after 7 tries you know the tactics needed. you know where men appear and when. that can make it easy on subsequent tries.

Also, I think the first time through I took the hardest main plot subquest first, which I didn't know at the time. This time I rescued Liara and dealt with the other colony first and therefore had much better weapon and armor to take on the matriarch and her crew. I didn't really engage in much tactics. I was just able to mow everybody down this time and Kaiden and Liara had the advanced biotics skills to lock folks down.

[azelismia]

Why? What precludes games from having an emotional side? Books do, movies do, theatre does. All forms of art and entertainment have that option, whether they choose to explore it or not. Whether or not games in general are a good medium for it is debatable, but it's been done all the same.


books leave a lot to the imagination, movies are nuanced. games are neither. Plus the writing is always horrible in games. you can't get sucked into a plot line if it's not liquid. Maybe others do want that from their games but I really don't see why they'd turn to this medium for it. As far as romantic plots in movies very often you can see the chemistry between two actors or lack thereof. the ones that really work have real chemistry and the romantic plots will ring true or ring hollow based on this. I recently re-watched freaks and geeks. the romantic plot is supposed to have minimal interest from the girl and devoted interest from the guy. this doesn't ring true because their chemistry is clearly strong. (and they ended up dating for a few years IRL) If they had been able to find two actors without chemistry that story arc would have played entirely differently.

you can also go for an emotional ride without actually having any sex scenes. Look at long running show the x-files. the sexual tension was enough. once they "went there" the whole thing became uninteresting. Big bang theory, once penny and leonard started dating their interaction became mundane ( there is an uncomfortable plot line with no chemistry. unbelievable).

you just can't capture that with games. Chemistry is observable but at this point in time the graphics are not good enough for subtle clues and the writing is not good enough to make it believable.

---------- Post added 02-02-2010 at 12:11 PM ----------

Also, I think the first time through I took the hardest main plot subquest first, which I didn't know at the time. This time I rescued Liara and dealt with the other colony first and therefore had much better weapon and armor to take on the matriarch and her crew. I didn't really engage in much tactics. I was just able to mow everybody down this time and Kaiden and Liara had the advanced biotics skills to lock folks down.


oh yeah that fight. you know I just replayed ME1 and I remember that fight as being really hard too. I was replaying as a solider. the first time we played had been as an infiltrator. it was a cakewalk second time thru. I didn't have any explanation for it. i had garrus and wrex. we mowed them down. I don't remember that being early in the plot for it the first time. I don't think solider is on par with infiltrator power wise.

it's strange that you had that experience too.

[Gamgee]

books leave a lot to the imagination, movies are nuanced. games are neither. Plus the writing is always horrible in games. you can't get sucked into a plot line if it's not liquid. Maybe others do want that from their games but I really don't see why they'd turn to this medium for it. As far as romantic plots in movies very often you can see the chemistry between two actors or lack thereof. the ones that really work have real chemistry and the romantic plots will ring true or ring hollow based on this. I recently re-watched freaks and geeks. the romantic plot is supposed to have minimal interest from the girl and devoted interest from the guy. this doesn't ring true because their chemistry is clearly strong. (and they ended up dating for a few years IRL) If they had been able to find two actors without chemistry that story arc would have played entirely differently.

you can also go for an emotional ride without actually having any sex scenes. Look at long running show the x-files. the sexual tension was enough. once they "went there" the whole thing became uninteresting. Big bang theory, once penny and leonard started dating their interaction became mundane ( there is an uncomfortable plot line with no chemistry. unbelievable).

you just can't capture that with games. Chemistry is observable but at this point in time the graphics are not good enough for subtle clues and the writing is not good enough to make it believable.

Yet you still have people disagreeing with you, and getting emotional attachments. Weird isn't it? Look at all those creepy Tali fans. Don't write off their obsession as something... not an emotion. :P

Remember, personal opinions.

[Cygnus]

Count me as a creepy Tali fan! Also was a Jaheria fan too! I do not agree with azelismia that games are "not there yet", but even if that were the case, I would still promote they include the featurs and keep trying. Success is not built by giving up and ditching an idea that is not perfect in implentation.

[azelismia]

Yet you still have people disagreeing with you, and getting emotional attachments. Weird isn't it? Look at all those creepy Tali fans. Don't write off their obsession as something... not an emotion. :P

Remember, personal opinions.



it's the divide between RPG players and shooter players. I like small elements of RPG but the touchy feeley side just doesn't gel.

I know it's weird that's why I said I don't get it. I do not believe I ever stated that anything that I said was anything more than my personal opinion... (until I finally gain world dictatorship, then gaming will be good with no weird gratuitous sex scenes that have no place in the plot.. muhahaha)
but then, I am not a male. I do think a lot of this is geared towards the 14 year old male rather than the 39 year old woman.

[Cygnus]

Anyone attempted to type the squad mates yet? Would be interesting to see if there are any INTJ's.

I am terrible at typing people :)

I will say Miranda strikes me as an ENTJ..I sense alot of shared similarities with her leader the INTJ, Illusive Man, but different in that she enjoys being the visible commander in charge.

Tagging Jacob as ISFJ

Mordin as classic INTP

Garrus as INFJ

Tali I am feeling as ESTJ

Samara I am feeling shares with Garrus as INFJ

as for now..that all the type guessing I got.

[Cygnus]

it's the divide between RPG players and shooter players. I like small elements of RPG but the touchy feeley side just doesn't gel.

I know it's weird that's why I said I don't get it. I do not believe I ever stated that anything that I said was anything more than my personal opinion... (until I finally gain world dictatorship, then gaming will be good with no weird gratuitous sex scenes that have no place in the plot.. muhahaha)
but then, I am not a male. I do think a lot of this is geared towards the 14 year old male rather than the 39 year old woman.

There are not too many 14 year old boys currently posting on this forum. No need to be insulting towards people that enjoy the elements you do not. Regardless, these touchy feeling romantic elements that you feel to do gel are an established tradition in Bioware roleplaying games, so I doubt they will be abadonded arbitrarily. So, expect them in future titles as well.

[azelismia]

There are not too many 14 year old boys currently posting on this forum. No need to be insulting towards people that enjoy the elements you do not. Regardless, these touchy feeling romantic elements that you feel to do gel are an established tradition in Bioware roleplaying games, so I doubt they will be abadonded arbitrarily. So, expect them in future titles as well.


no intention of being insulting and that was not aimed at anyone here. I meant demographically speaking. the biggest audience of these games are teenage boys not middle aged women. I am a serious minority in the gaming world. (doing a quick look at general demographics the target age has moved up in the last few years. now the average gamer is 18)

let's just take a close look at the characters. men fully clothed. Armour not revealing. women in some cases basically naked in S and M clothing otherwise built unrealistically and skin tight and showing a lot of cleavage..

who is that aimed at?

it's sexist and makes me uncomfortable. I play it anyway but it's even worse when you are basically hitting on everything that moves instead of having dialog that moves the plot forward and it's hard at times to tell what is there to get to necessary things upgrades and side plots and what is superfluous. I don't want to look at a bunch of anatomically unrealistic women and hit on them..

[Timeless]

no intention of being insulting and that was not aimed at anyone here. I meant demographically speaking. the biggest audience of these games are teenage boys not middle aged women. I am a serious minority in the gaming world. (doing a quick look at general demographics the target age has moved up in the last few years. now the average gamer is 18)

let's just take a close look at the characters. men fully clothed. Armour not revealing. women in some cases basically naked in S and M clothing otherwise built unrealistically and skin tight and showing a lot of cleavage..

who is that aimed at?

it's sexist and makes me uncomfortable. I play it anyway but it's even worse when you are basically hitting on everything that moves instead of having dialog that moves the plot forward and it's hard at times to tell what is there to get to necessary things upgrades and side plots and what is superfluous. I don't want to look at a bunch of anatomically unrealistic women and hit on them..
Well, based on recent studies, the average gamer is 35 and 40% of gamers are females now.
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And from the above article, I like this line:

Men reported that gaming gives them a “reason to get together,” while women are looking more for a diversion than social interaction.

Of course it isn't true for every male and female, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

I guess it can be seen as sexist but what can you expect when most of the gaming's industry's consumers and producers are dominated by males. When you're trying to create an attractive female in game, of course you look for the correlations that many men go for in real life. Skimpy clothes, near perfect figure, etc. It's not just video games but I see it in all forms of media.

And as an avid reader, I disagree that the writing in video games is "horrible." However, outside of the RPG genre, the writing is overall a bit shallow. Bioshock has a great story and Mass Effect 2 isn't what I would call bad.

[azelismia]

that's too small a study to be considered conclusive. they also didn't mention where they found these people.

as far as the writing. the plot for ME is sound , that's why I stick with it. it's the actual writing that fails. I could not read this in a book in it's current form of dialog. it reads like poorly written fanfic. this could be written to MUCH higher standards IMHO. they had great stuff to work but the execution just isn't there.

as far as who the audience is.. that was my point. sexually frustrated males are the core gamer element (according to previous studies average age of 18) if the average age is now 35 and 40% are women I wish they'd show it by not being so sexist. they do need to go to the broad market if they want to tap that market. I have plenty of money to buy their games.

[Timeless]

I don't quite understand what you mean when you say the writing is poor. They sound like normal everyday people to me not some author who's flaunting the English language which is why I like some of the characters. I am around people who talk in a similar fashion on a regular basis and I can see them reacting in that manner if such a abnormal situation were to occur. lol

However, I'm going to go ahead and assume I misinterpreted what you said and/or I'm approaching it from the wrong angle.

I don't think anything is going to change with the apparel and behavior of females in gaming unless more females make noise about it. I have very few females friends who play video games and those who do play don't seem to mind the few female archetypes in gaming. Games are also sexist towards males as well but no one makes noise about that.

[azelismia]

the other thing to remember with those statistics is that they weren't talking about shooters or rpg's in general. they are talking about the whole spectrum of games. the kind of games they are targeting towards women are more in the casual game category. I mean, case in point.. How many women are here in this thread discussing mass effect?

As far as the bad writing goes, it's just bad writing. Stellar science fiction is light years different than what is on the screen here.

[Causa Mortis]

Anyone attempted to type the squad mates yet? Would be interesting to see if there are any INTJ's.

A few jump out:

1. Jack as ISTP
2. Mordin as an ENTP

Weakly supported:

3. Tali as ESFJ
4. Samara as ESTJ
5. Thane as INFJ
6. Grunt as ISTP

No clue, too banal:

7. Jacob (ESXX)
8. Miranda (EXXX)


THe only one I think you could make a case for as INTJ is the Elusive Man, but, well, he's Elusive.

[eagleseven]

My Mass Effect 2 is still in-transit.

*cries*

(But I need to re-play Mass Effect 1 AND finish Dragon Age first)

[Locke03]

Anyone who has gotten this far...

...do you think there is going to be a split in the migrate fleet and maybe a quarian civil war in Mass Effect 3? Legion obviously (to me at least) indicated that the non-heretic geth were willing to end hostilities and find their place in the larger universe if it would have them, while mail I got after Tali's loyalty mission indicated that not only was at least one of the admirals looking to reclaim their homeworld by re-enslaving the geth, they had also found at least some of the research Tali's father was conducting.

Also, a shout out for all the Tali fans. She and Wrex were my favorite characters from ME1 and I was pretty happy with how they integrated in ME2 (though I'm somewhat disappointed that I still do not know what a quarian looks like) and Thane Krios can now be added to that list as well.

[Timeless]

the other thing to remember with those statistics is that they weren't talking about shooters or rpg's in general. they are talking about the whole spectrum of games. the kind of games they are targeting towards women are more in the casual game category. I mean, case in point.. How many women are here in this thread discussing mass effect?

As far as the bad writing goes, it's just bad writing. Stellar science fiction is light years different than what is on the screen here.

I see your point.

On the issue of bad writing though, I'm just going to say I disagree and leave it at that.

My Mass Effect 2 is still in-transit.

*cries*

(But I need to re-play Mass Effect 1 AND finish Dragon Age first)

That reminds me... I still need to finish Dragon Age as well.



I tried vanguard and it turns out it wasn't as cool as I thought it would be. Using that charge skill just gets me killed or nearly killed most of the time. If i can only charge into one enemy and not a group then it's not much fun... I spend most of the time playing my vanguard like I did with my engineer. Think I'm going to play again as an engineer since the other classes aren't that appealing to me.

I wonder what a quarian looks like as well but it's not really a big deal to me. I just see it as being similar to Link not having a voice in the Legend of Zelda.

[Synchronicity]

(though I'm somewhat disappointed that I still do not know what a quarian looks like)

I'm actually glad I don't have to see what Tali looks like. Much as I love her, I imagine all that time she's spent cooped up in that biosuit has made her a little... icky :confused:

[KBRod]

Infiltrator and tactical cloak, FTW. I loved being able to sneak to the perfect vantage point while my squadmates played decoy/shield burners. Just wish the Widow had more ammo capacity.

If I had to take a few MBTI stabs, I'd give these. I reference plot elements, hence the spoiler tags.


The Illusive Man: ENTJ - He has a finger in every pie and is definitely a micromanager. Surely has "plots within plots."
Miranda: ExTJ - I got a huge S vibe from her devotion to Cerberus's rules and expectations. Of course, she also rebelled against her father by joining Cerberus. She's definitely cunning, but that doesn't necessarily mean N. I didn't particularly care for her character.
Jacob: ISFJ - Idealistic but tough, duty-bound soldier's soldier. Came across as a male Ashley without the poetry and wariness toward aliens.
Grunt: ESFP - He's dominated by his search not just for a fight, but having a worthy reason to fight (F). Maybe it's just the hormones, but when he headbutts the storage bay's window, it also seems there are a lot of emotions driving him over logic. He is happiest when he has the sense of belonging to his clan and race (E, S). Improviser rather than planner.
Jack: IxxP - I couldn't read Jack very well, as she had a tough outer personality shell as a defense mechanism.
Thane: INFP - Reading through the INFP description showed me similarities to Thane trying to make the universe a better place after recently emerging from dark-INFP-mode. When he references his body taking control from his mind, it's like he switched his N off and went into S mode until he woke up.
Garrus: ESTP - Forms his own vigilante squad (E) to get away from the rules at C-Sec (P). Says during his loyalty mission if you go paragon that he prefers black and white and doesn't like shades of grey (S).
Mordin: INTJ - Definitely a tricky one, and I can understand INTP or ENTP. When you meet him, his process of guessing motivations for you meeting him (Ni) are countered by his external evidence (Te) until he derives his answer. When he banters about current research progress in other areas, the same pattern of Ni inspiration followed by Te reality is usually seen. He mentions having a theory that he doesn't have evidence to support, and his former student says that Mordin "always had trouble accepting evidence that disagreed with [his] preconceptions" (confirmation bias is a weakness of INTJs). Everything Mordin does has some kind of broader purpose. He isn't researching for the sake of knowledge or just his own interest (P) [probably offended a few INTPs there . . .], but to apply it to a current problem and get a sense of closure (J). For example, he helped modify the krogan genophage because of its intent and impact on the galaxy, not to solve an interesting puzzle. E vs. I is tricky, but I can only say from my perspective that Ni > Te for him, and judging from his morality rationalizations during his loyalty mission, he hasn't discussed them, much, with others. Liara comes across to me as the Mass Effect INTP.
Tali: ExTx - Always a chatty one. I liked her character, but I couldn't pin it down very well.
Legion: ExTJ - Extraverted because the Geth are literally energized in their thinking when in the company of others, thinking for obvious robot reasons, and judging because of their long-term planning and organization. I think there has been debate as to whether synthetic characters are capable of using N, and that apparent N is simply S made to look like N via the characteristics of computers. I won't reopen that.
Zaheed: ISFP - Loner merc whose emotional outbursts always manage to get the best out of him. Seemed more like an improviser than a planner.
Samara: ISTJ - There is only the code.

[boldbidder]

People Tali is an I, loner goes on Pilgrimage and hides out in the engineering deck. Sure, she's chatty with Shephard, but as she explains later in ME2 it's really a defense mechanism. Tali is definitely more 'grown up' in ME2 and sure of herself and abilities, but she's still an I. No clue about N/S, I'd lean towards N, just because being in a Biosuit 24/7 would seem to prevent some from indulging in their S. T/F, she's a tech junkie that would make me lean T, but she does get pretty emotional sometimes so we'll vote for F. P/J......another toughie, she's got a few very strong opinions (Cerberus & Geth), but I could see either side of the argument.

So imho she's INFP or INFJ. I lean towards the latter.

Also, I'm pretty sure Garrus is an E, not an I. After he split up with Shep in the aftermath of ME1, he almost immediately built a new crew/team of his own. An I would have been happy to be a lone vigilante Punisher style, Garrus went for the A-Team approach.

---------- Post added 02-03-2010 at 11:20 PM ----------

Anyone who has gotten this far...

...do you think there is going to be a split in the migrate fleet and maybe a quarian civil war in Mass Effect 3? Legion obviously (to me at least) indicated that the non-heretic geth were willing to end hostilities and find their place in the larger universe if it would have them, while mail I got after Tali's loyalty mission indicated that not only was at least one of the admirals looking to reclaim their homeworld by re-enslaving the geth, they had also found at least some of the research Tali's father was conducting.

Also, a shout out for all the Tali fans. She and Wrex were my favorite characters from ME1 and I was pretty happy with how they integrated in ME2 (though I'm somewhat disappointed that I still do not know what a quarian looks like) and Thane Krios can now be added to that list as well.

ME3 could get really bonkers, there are some many intriguing threads that need closure



Quarians Vs Geth
ME1 Love Interest Vs. ME2 Love Interest
Reapers Return En Masse
Council grows a pair
And my most anticipated; the Rachni!!!! Here's hoping they come back in ME3 and lend a hand.

[Synchronicity]

I am anxious to see how ME3 unfolds with two full games' worth of precedent to account for. Since it's been confirmed that Shepard can potentially die at the end of ME2, that would presumably mean someone else would take the lead in that case. There's no way they (Bioware) would resurrect him/her again, since that would be an unforgivable plot repetition and also flies in the face of the whole actions-have-consequences philosophy that is the cornerstone of the present episode.

ME3 will have a huge number of potential starting points, dictated mostly (I presume) by who survives and who doesn't. It's something they didn't have to think about in ME2, where the only real difference in endings was whether the Citadel Council lives or dies.

[Locke03]

I am anxious to see how ME3 unfolds with two full games' worth of precedent to account for. Since it's been confirmed that Shepard can potentially die at the end of ME2, that would presumably mean someone else would take the lead in that case. There's no way they (Bioware) would resurrect him/her again, since that would be an unforgivable plot repetition and also flies in the face of the whole actions-have-consequences philosophy that is the cornerstone of the present episode.

ME3 will have a huge number of potential starting points, dictated mostly (I presume) by who survives and who doesn't. It's something they didn't have to think about in ME2, where the only real difference in endings was whether the Citadel Council lives or dies.

What is the chain of events that leads up to Sheppard dying? I'm wondering if bioware implemented that ending to keep certain actions from being carried over into ME3.

[Synchronicity]

What is the chain of events that leads up to Sheppard dying? I'm wondering if bioware implemented that ending to keep certain actions from being carried over into ME3.

Beats me. I don't play the game for a few more days. All I know is that most, if not all of your party members have the possibility of dying by the end of the game, which includes Shepard. It couldn't be to keep certain actions from being carried over since Shepard's death is only a possibility, not a certainty. In one of the videos I saw about ME2, it was said that the game writers wanted the final act to be a true suicide mission, meaning there has to be the real possibility of death for everyone, including you.

[Cygnus]

What is the chain of events that leads up to Sheppard dying? I'm wondering if bioware implemented that ending to keep certain actions from being carried over into ME3.

It is as Synch has said, they want the possibility of failure to be real. There is no specific chain of events to necessitate death and failure, more the culmination of your decisions and actions (or in-actions) that will decide. They wanted to impart genuine consequences and for those consequences to be tangible. View it is one big story broken into three episodes, with all the major plot items and contingencies planed before the story was release for us to experience.

[HereticForLife]

Shepard doesn't canonically die at the end of ME2. As Bioware has stated multiple times, Mass Effect is Shepard's story. Your Shepard may die, but ME3 assumes that Shepard survived. It's like how in any video game, though you will likely die at least once (gameplay-wise) it is assumed for the story's sake that the protagonist survives every challenge he faces. If Shepard dies at the end, it is assumed that your Shepard's story isn't what 'really happened'.


I really can't imagine how Mass Effect 3 will wrap up everything so far. We have the Rachni regrouping, the 'true' Geth still active but apparently peaceful, a fleet of Reapers heading toward the galaxy, and all the characters whose backstories haven't been completely resolved. And considering how incredible ME2 was, I think it's going to be hard for ME3 to top it.

[Cygnus]

Shepard doesn't canonically die at the end of ME2. As Bioware has stated multiple times, Mass Effect is Shepard's story. Your Shepard may die, but ME3 assumes that Shepard survived. It's like how in any video game, though you will likely die at least once (gameplay-wise) it is assumed for the story's sake that the protagonist survives every challenge he faces. If Shepard dies at the end, it is assumed that your Shepard's story isn't what 'really happened'.


I really can't imagine how Mass Effect 3 will wrap up everything so far. We have the Rachni regrouping, the 'true' Geth still active but apparently peaceful, a fleet of Reapers heading toward the galaxy, and all the characters whose backstories haven't been completely resolved. And considering how incredible ME2 was, I think it's going to be hard for ME3 to top it.


Doubtful, it is going to remain "as what really happened" but easy enough to transition.

The Collectors wanted Shepard's body as well, secured a deal with the Shadow Broker to get it. Liara took Shepard's remains from the Shadow Broker's agents and gave him/her over to Cerberus. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. So the Collectors and Repears have in interest in Shepard's remains. There are many ways to faciliate a return in Mass Effect 3 even if dead at the final battle. Project Lazurus made backup material to clone, Shepard. Collectors perserved body and a follow up Alliance attack succeed against Collecters and Shepard and many other were reaquired, etc. There a many way to continue story continuity without saying "that's not really how it happened"

[Gamgee]

that's too small a study to be considered conclusive. they also didn't mention where they found these people.

as far as the writing. the plot for ME is sound , that's why I stick with it. it's the actual writing that fails. I could not read this in a book in it's current form of dialog. it reads like poorly written fanfic. this could be written to MUCH higher standards IMHO. they had great stuff to work but the execution just isn't there.

as far as who the audience is.. that was my point. sexually frustrated males are the core gamer element (according to previous studies average age of 18) if the average age is now 35 and 40% are women I wish they'd show it by not being so sexist. they do need to go to the broad market if they want to tap that market. I have plenty of money to buy their games.
Can I get some sources for your statistics? Need more data before I decide just what the average demographic is. Always flaws in a lot of studies.

[Causa Mortis]

I really can't imagine how Mass Effect 3 will wrap up everything so far. We have the Rachni regrouping, the 'true' Geth still active but apparently peaceful, a fleet of Reapers heading toward the galaxy, and all the characters whose backstories haven't been completely resolved. And considering how incredible ME2 was, I think it's going to be hard for ME3 to top it.


Oh I can rather easily. The Geth and Rachni subplots could each be wrapped up rather quickly, particularly with the Geth, which I suspect will go something along the lines of "We will help you but you must do X and Y first".

Character backstories are unlikely to be formally "resolved" - they rarely are. They give a false appearence of depth to the storyline.

The final ending will either likely follow the traditional monomyth of an attack on a small command center while a large force fights a losing battle to create a diversion. So like the Alliance will sacrifice their entire fleet so that Shepperd and 2 others can sneak into a command center, inject a virus into the computer, win.

[Gamgee]

A virus wouldn't work on the Reapers. Considering no one in the galaxy except the reapers could make a virus to affect the Geth. It seems incredibly unlikely that a virus is used to stop them. Unless we somehow acquire a virus they made for themselves and then use it against them, but I can't see that making any sense.

My bet is we need help from the people who designed the Reapers originally. To the keepers! :P

[boldbidder]

Couple things I suspect will happen in part 3:

*That derelict reaper vessel was all frakked up on by some ancient race with big ass guns, methinks they make a reappearance.

*The Cerberus super biotic project will come to fruition, possibly with Shephard as a (un)willing test subject.

Also, without the Reapers being able to take over the Citadel and therein the Mass Relays, the battle is much more level. The Reapers have the advanced tech, but they won't have the element of surprise nor will they be able to cut off one system from another. I just hope they don't go TOO overboard with the action in ME3, they still need to find away to weave the personal stories which make the game so incredible.

[Gamgee]

I hope we can meet some truly alien and bizarre beings in the third one. With technology completely different than anything seen so far. Not only that, but I want them to be strong, and organized.

As it is most of the aliens in this game are different, but with the technology all being based around the Reaper technology it would be interesting to see how they react to a completely different technological path.

Also I don't think that old race was all that good. The pathetic races in the game managed to completely blow up Sovereign. Whatever gun hit the reaper it only disabled it.

I would say the Reapers were the ones with the big ass gun, there is a giant rift/explosion thing in the planet. I doubt the defenders would blow themselves up. It even mentions it was "probably one last act of defiance" when they shot the Reaper. Translate = Another civilization bites the dust.

[SShack]

So I beat the first game, while y'all are on the second.

The fight up the side of the council tower was really cool, probably my favorite part of the game.

The final fight with Saren was absurdly easy with two biotics. He had no immunities it seems and just floated around in a Singularity while I shot him up. I had maxxed out charm though, so I'm not sure what happens in that big conversation if I don't get him to try to fight off Sovereign's influence.

I don't think I used any combat tech skills at all. But then I played it on easy. They're probably more useful in higher difficulties.

I guess I will invest in part II and stick with the soldier type.

[Synchronicity]

I've never done a complete playthrough as a biotic, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been very difficult had you not paragoned Saren out of shooting himself. It was just another one of those battles like the one on Virmire where he flies around on his little platform and cackles at you.

[SShack]

I've never done a complete playthrough as a biotic, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have been very difficult had you not paragoned Saren out of shooting himself. It was just another one of those battles like the one on Virmire where he flies around on his little platform and cackles at you.

The Green Goblin is a pawn of the reapers!

So ... I probably should have waited a bit before running out to get ME2 because the shift in game mechanics between the two of them is huge! I about got killed in the tutorial start level trying to duck behind cover the old way.

I don't like the switch to clips. It seems very old-fashioned/standard for FPSs. I don't like having to run around looking for stuff that falls on the floor.

The text, which is already pretty small on my non-HD TV is almost unreadably small. I actually didn't buy Dead Rising because of this issue. The map of the new Citadel looks like an annotated jigsaw puzzle photographed by satellite.

I've already been spoiled that there's no male-male action in this one either, but Jacob totally acts like he wants me to take him for a ride.

[Synchronicity]

Man, looks like I'll be missing out on the gay stuff. That's a shame. I still haven't played it, but it's arrived. Tonight's the night. I'm playing the PC version, so I get the full 1680x1050. Neener neener.

The clip mechanics still confuse me. I'll be enlightened soon, but it does seem to my limited understanding to be somewhat of a kludge. It's ironic, since I remember how beside myself with rage I was when I learned that Deus Ex: Invisible War was not going to have any reloading mechanic whatsoever (well, that and the other 9 million things that were wrong with that game.)

I'm most curious to see how the RPG elements have been affected. I've heard some good things, but mostly bad. I'm against most attempts to simplify game mechanics, so I doubt I'll like it.

[Locke03]

I can't say I care for the switch to clips, but I can see why they did it. With the switch to more shooter-like mechanics, it does add the dimension of ammo management. I do feel it is overly limiting at times though, especially with the upgraded heavy pistol (ok for a rather powerful backup weapon I suppose) and the widow sniper rifle (11 shots? seriously?).

[UMDRevan]

the love interest thing is even more ridiculous in me2 imho. I wish they'd drop that. I was hoping it was a novelty for the first game that would go by the wayside.


There are ways to make it fun, though. I once had Ashley be my love interest, then I killed her off (er, chose to save someone else).

[rahdam]

I only have a ps3, and although I have uncharted 2, I've heard a lot about this game, and I'm a wee bit jealous ;)

[Cygnus]

Seems there are a lot of Tali fans out there. One main concern I have is that she may have no role in the last Mass Effect chapter, since all of your team can die in this mission. Ashley or Alenko and Liara I sense will be key characters in the final installment.

Anyway. someone put the effort into editing together Tali possible relationship. Without the advantage of facial expressions or showing skin, Tali has managed to endear herself to quite a few Commanders.

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and Mordin providing medical advise...

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[SShack]

Is there some sort of bug with ammo/clips? I was using assault rifles and had a maximum ammo pool of slightly over 400 for that weapon on one mission. Then when I went on the next mission it dropped all the way down to 96. Which is an insanely low number for assault rifles. I upgraded the damage to the weapon, but that's all I've done so far. Is this intentional?

And I'm getting killed on casual again. Assault Rifles aren't as good as they were in ME1.

[Valielen]

I have got into my character's personality a lot more this time rather than being goodie all the time. So much that I haven't had any interest from anyone but the assistant. My first romantic interaction in game was a little surprise to me:

It turned out to be Garrus! I really like him as a character and my husband decided to press the "Lets blow some steam off" option and I quick saved it by mistake. It gave me some very funny dialogues about interspecies sex. It turned out to be quite entertaining since I didn't really like Jacob. I wish I had the chance to pick the sparring option just to see if it did gave me a chance to have a fist fight with the Turian.

[Locke03]

Ashley/Alenko I expect to be back for major (player party) parts, but I have my doubts about Liara. In ME2 she seemed more than just a little obsessed with finding the Shadow Broker and I have a hunch that the whole thing is going to end badly for her. The other characters that returned in ME2 were either pretty similar to their ME1 counterparts (Ashley/Alenko) or had changed in some predictable ways (Garrus, Wrex, Tali). Liara seems to have gone over the deep end.

[Cygnus]

I have got into my character's personality a lot more this time rather than being goodie all the time. So much that I haven't had any interest from anyone but the assistant. My first romantic interaction in game was a little surprise to me:

It turned out to be Garrus! I really like him as a character and my husband decided to press the "Lets blow some steam off" option and I quick saved it by mistake. It gave me some very funny dialogues about interspecies sex. It turned out to be quite entertaining since I didn't really like Jacob. I wish I had the chance to pick the sparring option just to see if it did gave me a chance to have a fist fight with the Turian.

I think Garrus is well done too :) I like how his intensity is hidden under a quiet and calm exterior.

No, you do not get to spar Garrus. He will respectfully decline as "I don't want to add my name to the list of people you've knocked on their asses."

---------- Post added 02-09-2010 at 11:36 AM ----------

Ashley/Alenko I expect to be back for major parts, but I have my doubts about Liara. In ME2 she seemed more than just a little obsessed with finding the Shadow Broker and I have a hunch that the whole thing is going to end badly for her. The other characters that returned in ME2 were either pretty similar to their ME1 counterparts (Ashley/Alenko) or had changed in some predictable ways (Garrus, Wrex, Tali). Liara seems to have gone over the deep end.

I disagree. There is an entire comic series being based on Liara's exploits.

She is the one that recovered Shepard's body from the Shadow Broker to gave him/her to Cerberus. If you had a romantic relationship with her, you can discover she did it..because she could not let you go. She loves you so much that when Cerberus approached her with the information and their plan to resurrect you, she put aside all her misgivings for the chance to bring you back. She lives now in regret of some of the events that happened and fear that Shepard will hate her for what happened. I would also speculate that Liara's shared connections with Shepard influenced her too. People looking outside on Shepard could see and obsessed lunatic raving about reapers and end of the galaxy and suicide missions, but your perspective from the inside knows a different truth. There is tension and distance purposeful in Mass Effect 2 from any possible romantic relationship from the first..on purpose..to test the resolve of Shepard and to see if the relationship has meaning and can survive. Just as Tali needs your help and there were many possible outcomes in Mass Effect 2..I sense the same will be possible with Liara in the final chapter.

[SShack]

I have got into my character's personality a lot more this time rather than being goodie all the time. So much that I haven't had any interest from anyone but the assistant. My first romantic interaction in game was a little surprise to me:

It turned out to be Garrus! I really like him as a character and my husband decided to press the "Lets blow some steam off" option and I quick saved it by mistake. It gave me some very funny dialogues about interspecies sex. It turned out to be quite entertaining since I didn't really like Jacob. I wish I had the chance to pick the sparring option just to see if it did gave me a chance to have a fist fight with the Turian.

I am absolutely certain that Jacob was intended to be a gay option and they took it out. Not only do they pose him in conversations in ways that show off his killer ass in that tight uniform, my male Shepard has already commented once on his body. There was a joke romantic pairing analysis over at Kotaku that also picked up on Jacob being likely gay.

[Locke03]

I disagree. There is an entire comic series being based on Liara's exploits.

She is the one that recovered Shepard's body from the Shadow Broker to gave him/her to Cerberus. If you had a romantic relationship with her, you can discover she did it..because she could not let you go. She loves you so much that when Cerberus approached her with the information and their plan to resurrect you, she put aside all her misgivings for the chance to bring you back. She lives now in regret of some of the events that happened and fear that Shepard will hate her for what happened. I would also speculate that Liara's shared connections with Shepard influenced her too. People looking outside on Shepard could see and obsessed lunatic raving about reapers and end of the galaxy and suicide missions, but your perspective from the inside knows a different truth. There is tension and distance purposeful in Mass Effect 2 from any possible romantic relationship from the first..on purpose..to test the resolve of Shepard and to see if the relationship has meaning and can survive. Just as Tali needs your help and there were many possible outcomes in Mass Effect 2..I sense the same will be possible with Liara in the final chapter.

Interesting, I'll have to see if I can find a copy of that. It would explain Liara's dramatic shift, which I almost wrote off as sloppy writing.

[Cygnus]

Is there some sort of bug with ammo/clips? I was using assault rifles and had a maximum ammo pool of slightly over 400 for that weapon on one mission. Then when I went on the next mission it dropped all the way down to 96. Which is an insanely low number for assault rifles. I upgraded the damage to the weapon, but that's all I've done so far. Is this intentional?

And I'm getting killed on casual again. Assault Rifles aren't as good as they were in ME1.

No, there are two assault rifles, you picked up the upgraded version and did not realize it. Upgraded assault rifles have a much small clip, but do substantially more damage and more accurate at longer range.

---------- Post added 02-09-2010 at 12:33 PM ----------

Interesting, I'll have to see if I can find a copy of that. It would explain Liara's dramatic shift, which I almost wrote off as sloppy writing.

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as you can see..it is official cannon as being done by the story's lead writer

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[HereticForLife]

I find Tali a lot more likable than the other romance options in ME2, so naturally I had my character romance her. But the amount of devotion some of these people are showing to her is... odd. Reminds me of some of the RPG otaku in Japan.

[Gamgee]

Year 500 Day 128, 42nd Millenium.

The Tali fans have made a move on the INTJ forum. May the god Emperor save us. They are proving to be a relentless force in the galaxy. They have struck without warning once again, and I can see them on the horizon now. They will reach the fortress soon and lay siege to us. This planet has now fallen to their insatiable conquest. Ever since they began their holy crusade no power in the universe has stood against them. They have successfully driven Chaos back to the great rifts and sealed them. They hunted the Eldar and their fell Dark kin into their webway dimensions and converted or destroyed them. In one swift blow they irradiated the Tau Empire over the course of a single day. They have converted the Orkz to their side with the promise of the biggest Waaahhhh! possible. Even those savage beasts fell to her banner. Even the horrible Necrons were destroyed. Turned into immense broadcast machines to indoctrinate the rest of humanity. They even succeeded in destroying the entire Tyranid species by indoctrinating them, and evolving them into another form of indoctrination.

The Imperium itself is down the core worlds, and soon they move on Terra. I am station on Mars and see their advance. The Imperial Army and Navy has been completely converted. Right now our brothers bomb us from the sky. There are so few believers in the Immortal God Emperor that his power wanes. Only the Space Marines are devout enough to stay with him to the end. Sgt. Gamgee signing off. May the Emperor protect our souls and minds.

*blood stains and smearing*
----
Anyways. NOOOO!!!!! The INTJ forum will fall to their conquest. You bastards even got my friends! I have to listen to an endless barrage of Tali fanservice and loyalty. Not to mention I am a cast out because of not liking her. :P

Back on topic. The Revnant machine gun is a monster. I killed a Y-MIR with two clips and two adrenaline uses. It's stronger than a heavy weapon.

[SShack]

Does anybody else really, really, really want to see the all-Elkor version of "Hamlet"?

[Synchronicity]

Does anybody else really, really, really want to see the all-Elkor version of "Hamlet"?

It might get tiresome, hearing them preface each line with "Tragically:"

[Cygnus]

Ironically Gamgee, Warhammer and Warhammer 40k fans are knows for lack of moderation as well and being fanatics, heh. I believe this March during the Game Developer Convention, details will be revealed about the upcoming massive multiplayer Warhammer 40k in development.

I'm also in the Samara fan club too! She actually represents the closest to my true nature. She reminds me a lot of Fall From Grace (oddly the voice for Grace is actually Jennifer Hale..and she does the voice of the female Commander Shepard).

In another time...another life...
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also one of my favorite scenes
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[Gamgee]

I found Mordin was most like myself. I even have people occasionally asking me why I type like Mordin. -_-

[SShack]

I found Mordin was most like myself. I even have people occasionally asking me why I type like Mordin. -_-

Talk like him, too? Go straight to the verb and skip the subject phrase entirely? Figure the person you're speaking to will figure it out from context?

[Valielen]

I am absolutely certain that Jacob was intended to be a gay option and they took it out. Not only do they pose him in conversations in ways that show off his killer ass in that tight uniform, my male Shepard has already commented once on his body. There was a joke romantic pairing analysis over at Kotaku that also picked up on Jacob being likely gay.

It's quite sad if they took it off... What is even sadder is that there are never many options for gay interactions... I mean, I not really into Jacob that much. Would have been a pain to be stuck with him only.

The humans do seem to have incredibly tight uniforms though.

I recently got some sort of romance option comment for Thane too. We'll see how the game turns. Hmm deadly assassin type. I still prefer Garrus even without half a face.

[Cygnus]

I found Mordin was most like myself. I even have people occasionally asking me why I type like Mordin. -_-

Mordin is a hoot! I love when he is mumbling on about a virus..and the possilibty it is so smart it is toying with him! :)

I do need to clarify. Samara's code is not what I embrace..her forced control, her will, and her high standard of self conduct. The reason I find Tali so apprealing is the number one thing I look for in friends and relationships, awareness and caring how your actions impact others.

[boldbidder]

Question for those who are particularly dastardly regarding Sammara


Has anyone killed her in favor of Morinth during the titular confrontation between mother and daughter? On my next play through as a renegade I'm going to go that route. I'd be curious to see if the Asari sucubus ends up being a romantic options. Oh the possibilities ........

[azelismia]

BB I did a search

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[SShack]

I've gotten a little bit better, getting used to the changes to the assault rifle (does better at chewing through armor than ME1, but does less damage to unarmored than ME1) and putting my allies up ahead to draw fire so I can pick guys off. It's like all the enemies know that the game ends when I die and I really have to put my allies out there to get them to change targets.

The squad AI still doesn't seem much better though. I had to take down a mech myself essentially because I couldn't get them to do anything but sit there behind cover.

[Gamgee]

Year 500 Day 129, 42nd Millenium.

Against all odds a miracle has happened upon us in battle. As the attack against us commenced I was witness to the most spectacular event a mortal such as myself has ever seen. The entire array of Space Marine forces met above mars to battle the fallen heretics. They were lead by none other than the God Emperor himself. The faithful have been rewarded for doing our duty these many years.

Like a lance thrown upon the sky his holy fleet drove right into the heart of the enemies battle group. We soon had ground reinforcements to back us up and drive back the invaders. I was the highest ranked officer left by the time they arrived to give us relief. I was promoted to High General and given the task of liberating the rest of mars. The rest of the Imperial Regiment loyal to the God Emperor has been roused by this miracle. We are moving on the capital now, and the foundries will be returned to his glory. Even now he has gifted us with an STC for an Emperor Class Titan. We have rallied at the brink of destruction, and have been given a second chance to fight for him. I have no doubt the battles to reclaim the Imperium will be long and hard fought, but with his Holiness here we will triumph and purge all of the heretics.

End Log. High General Gamgee
------------
Rally forth oh silent people who don't love Tali. I know your out there, because you made this happen. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. M2ZjY2Zk&hl=en

Yes, she is NOT the most popular character. Not by a long shot.

[SShack]

Okay, forget Hamlet. I really, really, reeeeeeally want to see the remake of "Dirty Harry" starring a Hanar.

[boldbidder]

Ok, a few more rants.............


Morinth - Waaaay more interesting than her Mom. Methinks Sammara won't make it to ME3 for me. I won't spoil how she integrates herself into the crew, but for those who haven't gone this route yet, I'd highly recommend it. Just realize that if you're going the Renegade route you need to be a Uber Renegade, whereas you only need to be a moderately pronounced Paragon to make it work.

Insanity - Being a bit of an achievement whore, I embarked on getting my last holdout trophy, for beating the game on the Insanity difficulty level........WTF?!?!? Magical threshold is crossed between Hardcore and Insanity. Hardcore is difficult, but fair, enemies are more aggressive, they'll flank and fall back when appropriate all of which makes for some truly rewarding gaming. Insanity on the other hand is just plain cheap. Vorcha and Krogan heal instafuckingtaneously. Varren have had their fur replaced by adamantium fibers which pretty much means if you see one, direct your teammates to attack (if their alive) and run for cover. Now I'm all for a challenge, but this is just ridiculous, run of the mill enemies suddenly have armor and shields waaaay better than yours and are absolutely crack shots. I'm slowly making it through the game, mostly be being a coward and sacrificing my teammates, doesn't really make me feel much like a badass. :(

[SShack]

Ok, a few more rants.............


Morinth - Waaaay more interesting than her Mom. Methinks Sammara won't make it to ME3 for me. I won't spoil how she integrates herself into the crew, but for those who haven't gone this route yet, I'd highly recommend it. Just realize that if you're going the Renegade route you need to be a Uber Renegade, whereas you only need to be a moderately pronounced Paragon to make it work.

Insanity - Being a bit of an achievement whore, I embarked on getting my last holdout trophy, for beating the game on the Insanity difficulty level........WTF?!?!? Magical threshold is crossed between Hardcore and Insanity. Hardcore is difficult, but fair, enemies are more aggressive, they'll flank and fall back when appropriate all of which makes for some truly rewarding gaming. Insanity on the other hand is just plain cheap. Vorcha and Krogan heal instafuckingtaneously. Varren have had their fur replaced by adamantium fibers which pretty much means if you see one, direct your teammates to attack (if their alive) and run for cover. Now I'm all for a challenge, but this is just ridiculous, run of the mill enemies suddenly have armor and shields waaaay better than yours and are absolutely crack shots. I'm slowly making it through the game, mostly be being a coward and sacrificing my teammates, doesn't really make me feel much like a badass. :(


I just did Samara's mission today. Unfortunately the sound glitched out during the big confrontation, so I have no idea what Morinth said to try to convince me to kill Samara instead. Samara is less interesting than everybody else's reaction to Samara is.

Thane's mission kept glitching out too, sending me to the fail cut-scene even when I was succeeding in the spy part.

The squad AI is so bad on the XBox on Casual I cannot imagine trying it on the hardest setting. Don't know if it's better on other systems. They pretty much will not follow commands unless they are out of combat. I could not get Samara to stop hiding behind cover two rooms away from where I was actually fighting. It was driving me nuts. Also, they seem to have mysterious teleporting skills. In large fight areas they will somehow magically disappear from behind me and show up on the other side of the room, usually to get killed by the enemy.

Biotics also seemed to magically switch off about halfway through the game. Characters who used to use their biotic skills on their own now have to be commanded.

[Timeless]

If there's one thing we can say the Mass Effect series has going for it (besides impressive graphics, interesting combat, and complex characters), it's the great story. We may not be the types to invest in literature based on our favorite gaming franchises, but the first two issues of the Mass Effect comic -- a series titled "Redemption" -- may actually convince us otherwise. Heck, they've already turned lots of other folks; the first issue sold out in under three weeks and the second issue took just six days, according to CBR News.

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Maybe I should look into this comic.

[Valielen]

I finished it on Saturday.
One thing that I noticed is that there seem to be hardly any dialogue lines from the crew after big storyline missions. Joker always says something but the others mostly don't change.
I have started an infiltrator on ME. Not decided yet between that or soldier. I really enjoyed Vanguard but I played that before in ME (just seem to have lost the saved games).

[Reon]

I just did Samara's mission today. Unfortunately the sound glitched out during the big confrontation, so I have no idea what Morinth said to try to convince me to kill Samara instead. Samara is less interesting than everybody else's reaction to Samara is.

Thane's mission kept glitching out too, sending me to the fail cut-scene even when I was succeeding in the spy part.

The squad AI is so bad on the XBox on Casual I cannot imagine trying it on the hardest setting. Don't know if it's better on other systems. They pretty much will not follow commands unless they are out of combat. I could not get Samara to stop hiding behind cover two rooms away from where I was actually fighting. It was driving me nuts. Also, they seem to have mysterious teleporting skills. In large fight areas they will somehow magically disappear from behind me and show up on the other side of the room, usually to get killed by the enemy.

Biotics also seemed to magically switch off about halfway through the game. Characters who used to use their biotic skills on their own now have to be commanded.




The Ai, as I recall it, gets a little better as the difficulty rises. I started on veteran and then went up through the next two difficulties (Something and insanity) and they grew surprisingly competent. The amazing teleport thing though is still a problem, they just flipping disappear sometimes. I generally find them when they are charging at the enemies and taking cover on the opposite side of the enemy.

Perhaps the Biotic issue is that more enemies are using shield buffs and/or armor which makes most biotics useless outside of warp?


I have had a major sound glitch as well. I just randomly lost sound while I was doing a side mission, luckily I always play with subtitles on.


Jeez, I didn't know the INTJ board had a topic about Mass Effect 2. I'll swing by more often now.

[Cygnus]

I finished it on Saturday.
One thing that I noticed is that there seem to be hardly any dialogue lines from the crew after big storyline missions. Joker always says something but the others mostly don't change.
I have started an infiltrator on ME. Not decided yet between that or soldier. I really enjoyed Vanguard but I played that before in ME (just seem to have lost the saved games).

I tend to be more partial to the biotic and tech classes..already been through as a Sentinel and Adept, trying Engineer now. Engineer by default get 3 second cool down on combat drones...and that by itself is awesome..drones do damage, draw fire and disrupt foes from cover. I also use Reave as my advanced training, it is awesome against living targets, aside from doing damage and leaching hitpoints back to you, it also cripples many targets while it is active.

As for dialog, I do agree it would be nice if you got a little more variety of feedback from the crew, but since the crew is so large, I can understanding trimming down feedback from them. I think the team did a great job, but I would like to see more of your companions coming to Shepard and initiating conversation and taking the time to get to know the Commander. I would also like to see more interaction between your crew, similar to what Knights of the Old Republic and Dragon Age has. Like more of these!!!

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of course..the do include a lot of nice little tidbits to add variety to the experience :)
and yes..more Tali time..
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One place Mass Effect 2 shines in the ambient feel..some of the conversations are just awesome!
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of course Shepard still can't dance..I am kind surprised there has not be an petition to "bring back the Flux" dance moves.

New
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versus
The Flux
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[SShack]

So beat it as a soldier. Very stellar endgame sequence, but I'm not an FPS player so I don't know whether it was innovative gameplay or what.

The final battle with the giant terminator was a bit too much though. It wasn't alive yet, but nevertheless have a final boss battle with it! A little cliche. I'm guessing the Harbinger used its control powers to animate it?

Nobody died, either, thanks to doing all the upgrades and everybody's loyalty missions, I assume. My final party was Samara and Legion. Legion was great for his combat drone of course, and his shield power made him hard to kill. Samara was good for getting through the biotic barriers, though maxed out Throw with AOE effect wasn't not all that great in the end, even against husks. I stuck with assault gun with incendiary ammo to chew through armor, which helped a lot in that final battle.

[Timeless]

Here's a pretty funny review.

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"The Bioware face." lol

And I agree about the paragon/renegade thing. I could no longer choose things based on what I would do in a particular situation because the chat dialogs and later situations in the game favor an all paragon or renegade approach. Really hated that.

[Cygnus]

I feel it is a shame Bioware doesn't really give much credit to Jennifer Hale and her excellent voice acting. I understand marketing consistancy, but it would not hurt to have a video featuring the awesome work she contributed as well as highlighting once again how it really is the player's story.

Jennifer in the gaming role that got her a lot of recognition.

Bastila Shan from Knights of the Old Republic.
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her videogame work is substantial
Freelancer she voices Juni
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as Shepard in Mass Effect...side by side by her male counterpart.
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and of course in Mass Effect 2

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and Shepard just being brutal!
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[SShack]

I've read that the best way to play Female Shepard is to go full renegade because of Jennifer's line delivery.

I started a new game as a full engineer. The combat drone is so very overpowered, especially in the early game. With all the emphasis on cover, its reliability in forcing foes out of safety is great. No wonder they don't let you get a party member with it early on.

Also, I love Samara, though it may just be a gay/diva connection. If she were real, she'd have gay men worshipping at her feet and drag queens would be painting themselves blue and attaching prosethetic head tentacles to lip-sync old standards.

[Synchronicity]

and Shepard just being brutal!
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My "main" ME character is a renegade female Shepard, and I just played the part at 1:04 a few days ago. Definitely one of my favorite renegade moments in the series so far.

Even though ME's morality system is a step back from KOTOR, I do enjoy playing the evil route more than I did in the Star Wars universe. Mostly, it's because most renegade actions actually have a purpose besides just being a sociopathic asshole like the dark side was.

I enjoy roleplaying female characters in video games, given a choice. It makes my experience a bit more unique since most people go with the male lead. Besides, if I'm going to be looking at one character for the entire game, why not make it a sexy, badass woman? It's true, Jennifer does a great job with the voice acting. Way better than Meer.

[Cygnus]

I typically play as a woman Shepard as well, thought mostly paragon. I like that being a paragon does not equal being a wuss..or someone preachy. It is just finding solutions without killing everyone and giving the benefit of the doubt and giving a shit about others (I even have trouble pretending not giving shit, that can't play renegade). Paragon tend to equal being respected, and renegade tend to end up being feared. Besides..I think some of the renegade options would cause problems in being an inspiring leader and just try too hard to be a bad-ass. My favorite of that clip is the last one.."You're working too hard" zzzzzzap..and a smooth walk away, no one evens knows or sees...now THAT is bad-ass, and one I do..even as a paragon (for many reasons). :devilish:

Jennifer has a large resume :) just a small clip of some of her work
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and Sshack, I adore Samara as well. She in personality and principle is most like me, I think I mentioned that before. I can relate to why she turned to the Code to deal with her life. She is tranquil and regal (and kicks ass) an intoxicating combination :)

[LordCorbin]

My "main" ME character is a renegade female Shepard

So is mine, tho after seeing that vid I wish I had gone full on renegade more often. I played it more as a pragmatist with a great deal of team devotion and missed out on a lot of great 'evil' dialog. Probably end up playing again after my paragon run through so I can explore some of the choices I missed.

[Cygnus]

I'm stil impressed by all the attention to details even seemingly minor details.

For instances, you talk to your engineers afters you got the couplings..it is one convsation..if you happen to have recruited Tali..it is a little different.

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this next one is bit more of a spoiler, but if you bring a certain team member when recruiting Tali...

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[boldbidder]

IGN's Petition for Removing Censorship from ME2:

Get Ya Space Freak On! (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

[Cygnus]

A few more easter eggs!

woah...that is some strong schtufff!!
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EDI even has some commentary...
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---------- Post added 02-25-2010 at 09:44 PM ----------

I am very glad so far Bioware is avoiding the nickle and dime pricing of downloadable content for Mass Effect 2. They are promoting getting the Cerberus Network activative..which is free with a new game..$15 for a used game..applies mostly for console games since that is where the traded and used game market is..and the developer and publisher never see any of that resell money.

Anyway..more freebie DLC announced..end of March. Hammerhead assault vehicle with 5 new missions.

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[Caedus]

Haha this made my day, kinda reminds me of some conversations online:

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[SShack]

Funny post-game experience if you decide to keep playing:

I brought Legion with me to the Citadel to see what sort of reception I'd get. Nobody noticed except for one little sentence added to the end of Anderson's speech about the Geth not being the threat they used to be.

Amusingly, there was a little side quest I had missed of an Asari who wasn't being allowed to leave because there was some sort of fear that she had geth parts or was actually a secret geth or something. One of those bureaucratic things. So I go talk to the CSec lady on her behalf and we have this entire discussion talking about fears of Geth showing back up in the Citadel. And during this whole cutscene, Legion is standing there looking over my shoulder and nobody says anything. It's just a hoot.

[DewFuel]

Well I just beat ME2.... and well... I have mixed feelings. The only thing the 2nd game improved upon from the first game were graphics. I don't care about graphics. The story was alright too, no complaints there.

That being said, the whole experience in ME2 was fucking awful. The UI, the HUD, level up system, the inventory or lack there-of system, the inconsistency in lore, downgrades to the codex and journal, inability to bind hotkeys for the journal and codex, the 'ammo' system, where'd crouching go???, the uncustomizability of most everything, the list goes on and on...

yeah its a bunch of small things, but those small things add up. Bioware really dropped the ball on this game. ME1 was done so much better. I could barely get through the game. I don't know what the hell they were thinking when they were making the PC version, but that is one bad port. Hell, the config files still had the xbox360 code in it... they put ZERO effort into localizing it onto the PC. Demiurge for ME1 did a great job of making a good PC port, but this... this is just garbage.

Here's hoping the 3rd game redirects back to its predecessor. This feels like Xenosaga all over again. Bleh.

EDIT: did anyone else play it on PC?

[Irrational84]

Played it. Loved it. Gonna play it again once I find some free time.

[Cygnus]

Just updating that the Firewalker pack is released as well as Kasumi being available soon.

I also posted some videos, the sound is out of sync, so if you do not mind then watch and enjoy. Of course spoiler warnings apply and if I can fix the sound sync, then may record again some day.

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[rahdam]

Just updating that the Firewalker pack is released as well as Kasumi being available soon.

I also posted some videos, the sound is out of sync, so if you do not mind then watch and enjoy. Of course spoiler warnings apply and if I can fix the sound sync, then may record again some day.

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WOW! I'd heard a lot of good things, but I'd never actually SEEN the game...that looks fuckin' awesome Cygnus!

[Cygnus]

You are welcome. I think the game is pretty awesome.

Upon the recommendation of other Xfire users, I tried reducing the FPS of my video creation down to 25 fps in order to sync the audio properly. It seems to have done the trick, so I may re-record that run and post it.

Jessica Shepard is a Sentinel in those clips. So she has heavy shields and uses powers quite often. Most comment my play style is very different...tactical, yet fast paced. It is hard to see in the videos, but I am issuing a lot of commands to my teammates too, typically their power usage (via the hotkeys I have mapped on the top bar, numbers 1-8) and positioning (using Q and E to direct their placement).

p.s. I threw in some STO for you and another that asked about it.

[Caedus]

HAHA this made my day:

Mass Effect 2: Commander Shepard Is Still A Jerk (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

[Synchronicity]

HAHA this made my day:

Mass Effect 2: Commander Shepard Is Still A Jerk (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

Funny. I wasn't on the forum at all yesterday when you posted that, yet I still watched that same video. Renegade Shepard: the ultimate racist.

[SShack]

If only being an asshole turned your eyes red in real life... .

[Cygnus]

If only being an asshole turned your eyes red in real life... .

Heavy drug use and drinking might fit the bill :)


As for videos.I have to say I enjoy watching a lot of them..my favorite is my own though!

The power of the Sentinel taking it to the Collectors!

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[boldbidder]

Ok, just finished the DLC Pack 'Lair of the Shadow Broker' and all I can say is WOWSERS!

I've pretty much avoided the other DLC (except for the solid 'Overlord') for the game, but got this one because it allows you to continue your relationship with Liara and your actions here also have multiple tie-ins to would-be plot lines in ME3 (per Bioware).

Any ME2 fan owes it to themselves to spring for this. Most players will take about 2.5hrs, ME2 sickos like myself and Cygnus will burn through it in about 90. Either way an incredibly enjoyable pack that adds significantly to no only ME2, but sheds additional light on ME1 as well.

[Cygnus]

Agreed boldbidder, love the Lair, the value it adds is even more than just the play through..the aftermath information and goodies are priceless ;) I actually own and played all the Mass Effect 2 DLC scenarios. Tempted to make some recording of some Lair playthrough...

[SShack]

Hmm. I may get it then. I've completely forgotten how to play the game though, heh.

[Valielen]

I'm looking forward to trying the Lair of the Shadow Broker. I finally finished Mass Effect with Sentinel. I took a long break and now the game is interesting all over again. It's like re-reading a good sci-fi story that had been partially forgotten.

I had forgotten how much I liked the ending of Mass Effect. Especially when I know it's not the end but just the peak before starting the new story.

[Malkavia]

I might want to try the lair DLC, but I cant even look at the game box thinking of that final boss fight...

[boldbidder]

ATo view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. on Mal....the ending wasn't thaaaat bad. I thought the idea was actually clever, albeit the in game implementation left me unable to shake visions of a tattered Governator. I didn't think the 'final' boss battle of ME1 was particularly strong, doesn't take away from the game overall though.

[Ryujin]

Well I just beat ME2.... and well... I have mixed feelings. The only thing the 2nd game improved upon from the first game were graphics. I don't care about graphics. The story was alright too, no complaints there.... this is just garbage.
[...]
Here's hoping the 3rd game redirects back to its predecessor. This feels like Xenosaga all over again. Bleh.

EDIT: did anyone else play it on PC?

I played it through on the PC and I thought they did a good job of cleaning up some of the messes from the first one. Although they did some fixing by simply removing bits. Not perfect but works for the most part. Overall they streamlined the clunky bits, but have yet to hit that sweet spot.

Got rid of the horrible unintuitive mess of an inventory that was in the first game when you carted around enough guns and armor to build a small parking garage. The new system pretty much removes the inventory. Better, but not perfect.

The planet surveying system they added was a bit flow-breaking (although not as bad as that inventory, that took flow and snapped it like a twig), not going down to the plents kills some of the scale, but I don't miss the vehicle sections.

What I really liked was some of thought that went into depth and themes behind the dialogue, choices, and actions. They hurt this a bit by having "good" and "bad" points. A lot of the choices don't have clear good/bad and they could have made the game more personal by further exploring that. I have a feeling ME3 may get much more involved in this regard.

Making a non-campy final boss yet creating closure is hard. Especially when you don't want too much closure. It worked, but maybe could have been approached differently.

If you liked Mass Effect, Check out Deus Ex 1 or the upcoming 3 (but not 2). Different, but similar in ways.

[Valielen]

Mass Effect 2 Cosplay (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

Cygnus, hope you like the last pic :)

[Cygnus]

Awesome costume! Mass Effect 2 has some hardcore cosplayers!

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actually, Holly Conrad (I believe she is the one in the female Shepard costume..and leader of the gang) is helping out Rana McAnear actually make Samara costume...Rana is the actual model Bioware used for Samara :)

[Valielen]

Oooh, I like that blog!

I have finished Lair of the Shadow Broker this week. It is great! Loved it. So satisfying in so many levels. I really hope for more before before ME3. Maybe an Alenko/Ashley one?

Following up with an ME character is proving to be a lot of fun. I'm at 75% paragon at the moment with nearly 50% renegade. I really missed Shepard's badass lines.

[Smokescreen]

I just finished Lair of the Shadow Broker too and thought it was fantastic?

Have you folks seen the files the Shadow Broker had on your team?

[TrailBlazer]

I have, Legion is probably my favourite.

[boldbidder]

I thought Miranda's dating service exploits were pretty hilarious.

[Cygnus]

I thought Miranda's dating service exploits were pretty hilarious.

Those are awesome. All of the information is good and gives even more insight and depth to the cast of characters.

[gecko]

I am absolutely certain that Jacob was intended to be a gay option and they took it out. Not only do they pose him in conversations in ways that show off his killer ass in that tight uniform, my male Shepard has already commented once on his body. There was a joke romantic pairing analysis over at Kotaku that also picked up on Jacob being likely gay.

I agree - when you pick the leader of the other squad the second time, I chose Jacob and the way he said "You attack and I'll slip in the back!" seemed particularly homoerotic to me.

Anyway, this is one of the best gaming experiences I've enjoyed in awhile and I've started a thread regarding the endgame choices