Mass Effect

[Sectiplave]

Anyone played this series? Made by the same crew that made Star wars knights of the old republic.

Currently playing through the second installation and I have to say it is easily one of the best games I have played full stop. Great voice acting, engaging story line and a good combat system ( Mass Effect 1's combat system is rather dull, but this has been corrected in full in the second installation)

Highly recommend it to anyone who has a platform to play it on ( Sorry PS3 and Wii, it's not available ) I think you can buy the first one on Steam for $15, worth a play through to understand the setting and story.

Also one of the interesting features is that it is trilogy in which you actions from the first game carry onto the second and will again carry onto the third, playing the second now I see how well the level of this feature has been incorporated. Bioware have really outdone themselves.

[kittenslayer]

Is this game long?  I am just worried about getting addicted to another good hence takes up all my time!

[NeckFace]

people are clocking it in 40 hours, doing all the character specific missions, and not bothering too much with anomalies and all the resource gathering you have to do.  been watching the flatmates play this on xbox, waiting myself to get it on PC.  won't have the saved game that i had from the first one, when i played it on xbox, but there's ways around it

just holding out on getting it till after i finish the painting i have to do for BC

[Vent]

Yup, played the first one on both the PC and xBox. PC is the way to go, much more fluid in battle and you don't have to pause every time you want to use a power / ability. The first game was  of epic scope, you played the hero on the galactic stage as the best and brightest in the military. As the first human specter everyone knew about you. Simply put in the first game you are very high profile. The second game is very different. Darker and a little more subdued in parts, you're not so much a galactic hero in this game, but rather a covert operative working on the grey side of things. Not to say you can't be a good guy, but the good and bad is a lot more hard to define.

If there's a company that learns I gotta say that Bioware does. They took all the stuff that was clunky in the first one and totally reworked it while keeping the stuff that people liked. Combat was the big winner in the second game. In the first the basic strategy was sit behind cover and wait for the bad guys to come charging at you and unload with your assault rifle. It wasn't hard, and by the end of the game you could basically just walk through the bases mowing down bad guys while your shields barely lost their charge. In the second one your shield is basically there to let you know to get your ass into cover, and this doesn't really change throughout the game. Better yet, bad guys now stay hidden and you get to use your sniper rifle which was the worst weapon in the first game.

Interaction with NPC's is also highly polished with the ability to jump in while the other person is talking and perform actions which (depending on your Paragon / Renegade raiting) are both funny and quite well timed. Add the removal of the inventory system and this all works really well together. I know some people didnt like the planet scanning but it wasn't that bad. If you've ever scoured a planet in the Mako looking for minerals this was cake in comparison. Importing your character was a nice touch too, and worth it for the money & Paragon / Renegade bonus.

Took me about eight days to finish, and that was getting all the crew and doing all the loyalty missions and the upgrades.  I would advice you getting the game on STEAM. Only costs $80 and you get the bonus character, sniper rifle, assault gun, armor (two sets actually), Normandy Crash site, Etc...

I'm about ready to start the game again with my imported Renegade character and be the universes biggest badass who does all kinds of crazy stuff to save humanity... Being evil truly is more fun... and you get to throw people outta windows too...

[NeckFace]

isn't the game 13 gigs in size though?  i'd rock steam, but it'd totally screw with our band width limits.  i wish i didn't have to factor that cost into it, because i'd otherwise happily use steam as opposed to buying a bunch of superfluous packaging

[Sectiplave]

I'm about 24 hours into it soo far and still have a boat load of loyalty missions to go, I'm already planning a renegade playthrough and also making a female 50/50 character as well, such a well polished game, Bioware really do learn

My only mistake I think was playing Insanity with a Vanguard, charge just gets you in over your head unless you use it on the last enemy in the area On my follow up play throughs I think I'll be dropping it to Hardcore or maybe Veteran

I'm going to have to take it easy, my partner is less than happy with me coming home ignoring her and rocking out 4 hours of xbox each night

[Vent]

I'm going to have to take it easy, my partner is less than happy with me coming home ignoring her and rocking out 4 hours of xbox each night

BUSTED! ^_^

[NeckFace]

we haven't been able to finish recording because pete's taken over :<  also funny because logan bought it and has barely been able to play it.

the news is that pete's clocked it now though, so he's going to have to deal with real life now

[kittenslayer]

I want it now!   

[Sectiplave]

we haven't been able to finish recording because pete's taken over :<  also funny because logan bought it and has barely been able to play it.

the news is that pete's clocked it now though, so he's going to have to deal with real life now

Hahahaha poor guy, got his game hi-jacked.

That's some solid effort to have it finished already, the advantages of being single I guess at least my girlfriend is helping me base coat my mini's

[Mirage.]

I own both on 360 and  have to say that, it's probably my favourite video game series, and games nigh final fantasy and metal gear solid.

Both can last 20 hours without doing everything.

The story is written really well, and having almost all decisions made link to later in the game or later in the series I just awesome.

The series is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.

[kittenslayer]

Okay, just started on it.  I plan to start again today by making my character "Mervin Shepard" to look like RZA!   

[Sectiplave]

hahaha, I think that'll be the first black shepard I've heard of anyone playing.

You're gonna be a Renegade for sure right?

[kittenslayer]

hahaha, I think that'll be the first black shepard I've heard of anyone playing.

You're gonna be a Renegade for sure right?

Nah, might play him like one of those world war 1 "gentlemen" soldier  .  "Give the foes a damn good thrashin if I must say so myself chap!"

[juiced]

I've just got Biowares other game of the moment DRAGON AGE again a nice story line but very slow to start off with. it plays just like baulders gate except in 3D. i have only been going about 6 hours but its got me hooked now.

[NeckFace]

i ended up botching the combat system and not getting it.  got real bored with some of the dungeons in it too.  giving it another go with a new character and trying it on normal.  will force myself to not chicken out and revert back to easy

after BC mass effect on, yayeuh

[kittenslayer]

How do you guys upgrade the characters?  I always take that Ashley/soldier to boost up her weapon skills, but I haven't decided upon what my other favourite character to upgrade.  Did you guys stick with one team or do you regularlly change them to upgrade everyone?  Is there enough missions to give xp for all your team members?

[Sectiplave]

How do you guys upgrade the characters?  I always take that Ashley/soldier to boost up her weapon skills, but I haven't decided upon what my other favourite character to upgrade.  Did you guys stick with one team or do you regularlly change them to upgrade everyone?  Is there enough missions to give xp for all your team members?

If you are playing ME1 I actually played through the game start to end using all the different characters. You can just as easily change your characters around as XP earned applies to ALL squad mates, basically when you level up they all level up to match your level.

It really depends if you are a biotic or tech character yourself, depending what you are take someone who has different skills.

[kittenslayer]

I took the easy way out and used SOldier class, I also always like to take another soldier in my team.  Kinda digging that Kaidan guy's psychic abilities right now.  The decryption mini game feels broken.

[Sectiplave]

You're gonna need a tech specialist later as you need a high decryption skill to open crates later on in the game.

Ditch ashley, 2 soldiers are just plain useless, biotic powers/tech powers are win as your team mates basically do nothing with their guns.

[kittenslayer]

I hope letting those Racnids go is a good idea! 

[Sectiplave]

I hope letting those Racnids go is a good idea!  

You actually don't get to find out the full effects in the 2nd episode, I believe it will be good though. Gonna need all the damned help you can get.... trust me.

Necron's don't have shit on these guys.

[kittenslayer]

Okay, got the super happy ending where I am all noble n sheet!

[Vent]

Okay, got the super happy ending where I am all noble n sheet!

Now go through it evil as sin where your skin peels off and you look like a terminator with red glowing eyes! and don't forget to abandon your friends, especially your love interest for maximum brutality points!

[kittenslayer]

Okay, I've started a new renegade game with a new tough mofo female Shepard.  All the douchebag things I have to do are really cringey  

Recently bought ME 2, currently playing on paragon imported character.  But already realised all the potential renegade actions are going to be even worse  :'(

[Sectiplave]

ME 2 is the business, let me know how it all ends up for your character. The end can be pretty brutal depending on your actions throughout the game

[kittenslayer]

Did you ever betray Tali?  If yes, why are you so cruel?!!!   

[Vent]

I BETRAYED THEM ALL! I KILLED OFF AS MANY AS I COULD, SCREWED THE REST OVER, AND GENERALLY BECAME THE NEWEST HIVE OF SCUM AND VILLANY...

(on my second play)

[kittenslayer]

lol, Playing Jack is brutal!  Look at dat mascara run!   

Don't hate the playa baby!  Hate the game!

[kittenslayer]

aaawww, paragon ending on 2 leaves a warm feeling in your tummy

Playing through ME1 on renegade right now, it's rather upseting really, your really a cruel motherfecker!