Mass Effect 2

[insaneMoViEgoer]

The researched upgrades don't carry over though, so you'd be fighting level 30 enemies, with level 1 weapons and armor.

[Tolkien]

Ah, I see. What about the downloaded weapons and armor? Like the Collector Rifle and such?

[insaneMoViEgoer]

They're there, but it doesn't help much. I relied heavily on it on my first run through. But it became too frustrating because everyone on insanity has shields, armor and/or barrier. And I could barely dent it with my guns and biotic powers are almost useless until you remove those.

[Tolkien]

Yeah, I get that. I'm on my first playthough on Hardcore right now as an adept and it's crazy. I miss my assault rifle.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I would just concentrate leveling up your warp ability.

[Tolkien]

Exactly my doing. It's the only thing that works against barriers and shields.

I've had to familiarize myself with shotguns and sub-machine pistols again.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Finally did it. 1015/1015 achievements :csgrin: Bring on the DLC

[Tolkien]

Nice achievement, man. How many play-throughs did it take you?

[Matrix_Fan]

I finally got the "No Man Left Behind" Achievement. Turns out being a Vanguard cranks up with Paragon/Renegade points extremely fast, so I was able to get past that pesky Miranda/Jack fight. Though it was kinda funny that my Paragon points were higher than the Renegade, yet only the Renegade option was available. No matter, everyone ended up living at the end.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Nice achievement, man. How many play-throughs did it take you?

2 1/2. Initial playthrough on Normal, attempted Insanity with same character but couldn't get passed Horizon and the second attempt at Insanity with brand new character. I still made the same choices though because I plan on using this latest one to import to ME3. Might do some more later on with new decisions just to see the changes and I heard that if you stay loyal to your love interest from the first game, it will pay off in 3.

On a side note, has anyone else read the comics? The first printings have sold out for the first two issues, but more are coming. There's only going to be 4 issues so you don't have to worry about it continuing on too long if comics aint your thing.

[Tolkien]

I actually have first edition copies of the first two issues. Pretty interesting.

[Alien]

Finally did it. 1015/1015 achievements :csgrin: Bring on the DLC
Wow! I haven't got that on any game I own :(

[Tolkien]

I've been able to do that on only two games ever. Fallout 3 and Halo 3.

I was sooooooooooo addicted to both of those games.

[Alien]

Fallout 3 would need me to play it through twice, and a game as big and as long as that I don't think I could find the time to do that.

Halo 3 has some really hard achievements to get and a few that needs muiltyplayer so I'll never get them all.

[Tolkien]

I've been doing my character history all wrong... I always thought that if you were a Spacer/War Hero, you'd have a bigger paragon bonus and if you were an Earth-Born/Ruthless, you'd have a bigger renegade bonus. Now I find out that it's an Earth-Born/War Hero that gets the bigger paragon bonus and the Spacer/Ruthless that gets the bigger renegade bonus. Huh... I've been approaching this all wrong, lol.

[Tornado]

The only 1000/1000 game I've played is Lost: Via Domus (took me about six hours). I will get it in ME2, I'm just waiting for the new DLC in case there are additional achievements.

[FranklinTard]

assassins creed 2 is pretty easy to get 1000/1000 if you try for it a little.

[Tolkien]

I gave up with Assassin's Creed II after I couldn't find that stupid last feather. I looked and looked and looked until I just gave up and continued on to the final mission. I even printed up several maps of Venice from different websites that all listed the feather in the exact same location, ugh.

[Tornado]

I think I'm sitting at something like 920/1000 for that.

[MasterChief117]

I'm at 620/1000. Just finished my first playthrough(yeah, I know took me that long). The game was immensely epic. I only lost 3 people I believe. Probably one of the best games I've ever played and I really enjoyed the ending. I can't wait to play the third one, ESPECIALLY seeing the very end. It's going to be epic as hell.

[Tolkien]

Did anyone get the Dr. Pepper promotional items yet? I know it's cheating the system but I found this on IGN. I already used it and downloaded the promotional items. It takes about ten minutes to do but if you're into the gear then it's worth it.

Unlockable: Umbra Visor, Recon Hood, Sentry Interface
This works for Xbxo 360 and PC versions. You must have an Bioware account to get these items. Go to this site (http://www.drpepper.com/promotions/) and create an account. You can use a fake email address and fake info so long as it's the correct number of characters. You do not need to confirm an email address. You must enter an age over 18. After you create your account, enter one of these codes, it doesn't matter which:

CBEEAAA41NWH
CBEEAAAE4L9N
CBEEAAAFQG9J
CBEEAAAE98ZV

After this, choose YOUR ACCOUNT and then click on REDEEM CODE. Login to your EA account and choose your prize. You can choose one of three items (Umbra Visor, Recon Hood, Sentry Interface). For the remaining items you'll need to set up a NEW ACCOUNT and use a DIFFERENT CODE. You cannot use the same account.

On EA/Bioware's interface you need to select Maff Effect 2 and then your prize. You must then click the FINALIZE link and login to your Bioware Account. PC users must download the items. 360 users will receive a message via Cerberus Network link.

[Tolkien]

I don't know if I'm angry at myself right now of the god damn ME2 box.

I just broke disc 1 in half while trying to take it out... :mad:

[Alien]

What the hell were you doing? Discs aren't the easiest things in the world to break in half.

[Tornado]

Yeah, I've never even seen a disc bend unless I was trying to snap it in half or something.

[Tolkien]

I was a little pressured out yesterday and my frustration got the best of me.

I'm currently without a disc and it sucks. And I DON'T want to buy another one.

[FranklinTard]

yea those things suck though, expecially the 360 cases. my gears of war 2 is cracked on the middle plastic ring, nothing of importance cracked, but you can hear it when it spins. they really just need some sort of sleeve system, not clasp. but i guess the sleeve would be hard to transport.

[Tolkien]

I like the cases where you press down in the middle and the disc comes right off. Why couldn't they make all of them that way? No, instead they make it so hard to remove the disc that you risk scratching, cracking or in my case breaking the thing.

[Tornado]

It's not like the companies are designing them to break/scratch. If a disc doesn't want to pop out of the holster, I tend to twist it out. I've never had a problem getting a disc out of the case in doing this, and I've never seen any additional wear and tear caused by doing this. I only have one disc amongst all 300+ of my DVD's and games (disc 1 of Jackie Brown, if you were at all curious) which tends to skip, but that was an issue right out of the box.

[FranklinTard]

my neanderthal of a room mate is not the most gentle person.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Firewalker DLC pack coming out late March

"The Firewalker pack introduces the Hammerhead hovertank, which effectively replaces the all-terrain Mako seen in the original Mass Effect. Players will be able to run the Hammerhead through its paces in five all-new missions catered toward the vehicle. As for future additions to the game, BioWare said Mass Effect 2 will also be getting a new heavy weapon, which BioWare intends to unveil "very soon."
Full Article (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect2workingtitle/news.html?sid=6252514)

[Tolkien]

From what I read, everything that's released on the Cerberus Network is free. It's why the Cerberus Network costs so much for people who didn't get the Collector's Edition version. So am I to assume that DLC will be free to Cerberus Network members too?

Note to self: Save up for new game...

[insaneMoViEgoer]

The Cerberus Network comes with all new copies of the game, part of EA's plans to offset used game sales. And there will also be separate paid DLC for those without/don't want Cerberus Network but still want to get DLC.

[Tolkien]

Basically what I just said, but yes... I was just wondering if it was apart of the Network.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Cerberus Network is the same regardless of whether or not you got the Collector's or standard edition. And anything through the network should be free. I think that's what you're asking :P

[Tolkien]

I didn't ask whether or not it came with the standard versions as well, I just asked if this new DLC would be available on the Network as well. :P

[insaneMoViEgoer]

It's only available through the network. Now I see where we lost each other :P I assumed you already knew it was coming through the network, it was your line "...or people who didn't get the Collector's Edition version" that through me off.

[Tolkien]

Ah, lol.

No, it's just that since we're still new to this Cerberus Network content, I'm always thinking that only certain DLCs will be available on it and the rest will be through X-Box Live.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I would have thought that the hammerhead would be a paid DLC, but since it's not, I can only assume any future paid DLC would be a full expansion like what Dragon Age is getting.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Just an FYI, there is a new heavy weapon available on the Cerberus Network

[Matrix_Fan]

I'm loving this free DLC. I'm interested in the Hammerhead. Some vids I've seen look pretty cool.

[Darth Maul]

Free is always good

[insaneMoViEgoer]

First Paid DLC announced:

While Mass Effect 2's in-game DLC pipeline, The Cerberus Network, continues to transport new weapons (and soon, a new vehicle) to players for free, BioWare has announced the game's first pack of paid downloadable content. "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" finally completes Commander Shepard's dirty dozen, adding a confident female thief to your anti-Reaper repertoire. It's currently scheduled to launch for Xbox 360 and PC on April 6th.

After downloading the DLC, players can get in touch with Kasumi on the Citadel, either in the middle of an ongoing Mass Effect 2 game or after the completion of the main story (lesson learned from Mass Effect 1 DLC!). Once recruited, Shepard aids Kasumi on a secretive mission of recovery, which requires a suave disguise and a run-in with an influential and predictably corrupt art collector. The content, which also provides the "Locust" SMG, a flash-bang grenade loyalty power and a new Achievement, should take about an hour and a half to complete.

BioWare is currently in the midst of "internal discussion" to determine the price of the DLC, but we'll keep you updated as soon as it's finalized. Look for some impressions of "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" on Joystiq later today. Spoiler: It looks great.

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/mass-effect-2-dlc-kasumis-stolen-memory-lands-on-apr-6-don/

[Tornado]

As long as it's relatively inexpensive, count me in.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

More details on "Kasumi's Stolen Memory"

Contains spoilers for DLC
http://kotaku.com/5492103/mass-effect-2-dlc-adds-90-minutes-more-earth-teases

[Tolkien]

Wow, looks great. I also liked the part where they mentioned more story-based material coming in the near future. Now THAT is the kind of stuff I want to hear. Maybe next month I'll purchase ME2 again. Since I already have the Cerberus Network, additional DLCs and whatnot, I think a used copy should do.

[shained]

What a game!

I have stole some of the ways you guys have writ up about what happened in ME2 and have started doing one myself. Will post it up when i've finished typing it.

3 will be too far away :'(

[Boro]

Is this game like Oblivion where you can keep playing even after the main quest is finished?

[Tornado]

As long as you survive the suicide mission, yep.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Firewalker DLC pack coming out on the 23rd (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mass-effect-2-firewalker-dlc-coming-march-23/)

Also coming out that day is an "Alternate Appearance Pack (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/mass-effect-2-alternate-appearance-pack-dlc-adds-new-costumes/)" for Jack, Thane and Garrus, but it will not be through the Cerberus Network and will cost $2.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/03/me2newcostumesdlc.jpg

I might get it just for Garrus' attire.

And last but not least, a gameplay montage for Kasumi's Stolen Memory (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/kasumi-trailer-mass-effect/63465?type=flv)

[Tornado]

I'll always get the free DLC and any pay-DLC that contains actual content... I'm going to have to pass on the slightly different uniforms though.

[Boro]

Idk, these alternate costumes are pretty much the best thing since horse armor.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

The only reason i'd consider buying the costume pack is because I have some left over MS points, and I don't know what else is worth $2 on the market place.

[Tolkien]

Exactly what is this horse armor people are talking about?

[Tornado]

It's armor for horses.

[Tolkien]

lol, here I was thinking it was one of the custom armors that's being released...

I'm so retarded sometimes...

[Tornado]

It's not for this game either.

[halo7]

Just to clarify.


Horse Armor: A phrase, used by video gamers, meaning "useless purchase". Derived from "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion", where decorative horse armor can be purchased for $5.00 online.

[Tolkien]

Ah, I see. Never purchased content for Elder Scrools IV so I didn't get the term.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Kasumi - Stolen Memory to cost $7 (http://kotaku.com/5499457/master-thief-joins-the-mass-effect-2-ranks-in-april-for-7)

[Tornado]

Started a new game as a male/likely paragon/soldier on insanity today (after downloading the Kasumi DLC pack). Very intense so far. There is a big leap between normal and insanity, much bigger than I expected anyway. I'm only about an hour in, but I'm already remembering why I loved this game the first time around.

[Tolkien]

Use Katsumi yet?

[insaneMoViEgoer]

You'll love it even more with the new patch that was released.

OPTIMIZED PLANET SCANNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And some other minor fixes but who cares. Larger reticle and it moves as fast as you can move the stick. I'll probably wait for the new "Overlord" pack before I start a new game, but I had to test out the scanning after the patch.

[Tornado]

Use Katsumi yet?

Yeah, a little bit. I used her on Omega during the Garrus recruitment mission (along with Zaeed, who is somebody I never used in my first play-through outside of his loyalty mission). I like her, the combination of overload and her stealthy attack makes her pretty useful.

Insanity is kind of a ***** though. I've only died once or twice, but it's pretty challenging.

[MasterChief117]

Next playthrough I'm going to do insane. I'm not very excited for it though. I remember getting mad at some parts of the game just on normal. Should be much fun cursing at the game.

[Tornado]

The only part I struggled with on normal (as an adept) was when I was recruiting Grunt. That section at the tail end when you face off against the four krogans and the doctor was pretty tough. I thought everything else was pretty easy though.

[Tornado]

Recovering Jack on insanity is much harder than I thought it would be, wow.

[MasterChief117]

Hmm, trying to remember when I had the most problems. I don't remember dying a lot, just cursing at the screen, mainly when you first face the Collective and they are coming from everywhere. I loathed that entire mission.

[Tolkien]

Jack's recovery is a ***** on Insanity. I actually stopped playing for two weeks because of it, lol. But I havn't downloaded ANY of the new updates and packs yet, including the Tank, Katsumi or anything else they may have released. I need to go back into it soon. Maybe next month or so.

[Tornado]

I'm through it now, but it was challenging. Zaeed's loyalty mission was a pain too. But, I cheated a bit... sort of. After trying to fight through the final room with the massive amounts of enemies and the YMIR mech at the end and repeatedly dying, I just boosted Fortification and ran through it to get to the final cut scene with Vido and the chopper.

I wish I had taken better notes on my first play-through (just for timing purposes). According to one of my posts in this thread, I had at least started Tali's loyalty mission 15 hours in. As of right now, I'm 9 hours in and haven't recruited her yet. Hers was the third loyalty mission I played through. It would seem I'm moving slower than my last playing time, but I did go through Zaeed's loyalty mission (which I did after Tali's in play-through #1) and the first Hammerhead mission (which takes 5 minutes). Next to no planet scanning either. My plan right now is to, tonight, play through Kasumi's loyalty mission and recruit Grunt.

So far, I think insanity has been challenging but manageable. There have only been a few instances in which I've become really frustrated. I've died a fair amount, sure, but usually it's only once or twice on specific section if at all.

[Tornado]

EDIT - Nevermind, spoke too soon. Turns out there was an easier way to take down Donovan's chopper during Kasumi's mission. Still ridiculous though.

[Tornado]

Taking a break for the night.

So who do you guys think will be recruitable/usable characters in ME3? If they're going to go with a high number again (6 in the first, 10 + 2 DLC characters in the second), I wouldn't be surprised to see four from each game return. I suspect we'll see Tali, Garrus, Liara, and Ashley/Kaidan (assuming the first two survived) return. Tali, because she is basically the heart of the story. She was a sweet, young, nerdy girl in the first, but became a mature and decisive love interest in the second. You can pretty much count on Garrus showing up again because he's basically Shepard's sidekick. I think they'll bring back Liara and Ashley/Kaidan (depending on who you saved on Virmire obviously) for a few reasons: they probably didn't include them in ME2 so they couldn't die in the suicide mission, they could bring them back to finish up those romance arcs if you pursued them, and I suspect the Shadow Broker will play some kind of role in ME3 which would make Liara more significant.

As for ME2 characters, I'm betting on Miranda, Grunt, Thane, and Mordin. Miranda, because she was a love interest and basically the non-Shepard poster character for the game. Grunt, because you've gotta have a Krogan and I'm guessing Wrex (if you kept him alive on Virmire) will still be leading on Tuchanka. I do think Wrex will make another appearance though, probably to unite the Krogan against the Reapers. Thane, because he was so popular and I can't imagine them leaving him out of the third game. He is dying, yes, but they did make a point to mention that the Hanar are coming up with a cure. Mordin for similar reasons.

To be honest though, I would be perfectly fine with re-using the entire team from ME2 along with Liara and Ashley/Kaidan from the first game.

[MasterChief117]

To be honest though, I would be perfectly fine with re-using the entire team from ME2 along with Liara and Ashley/Kaidan from the first game.

This needs to be reposted again. My entire thoughts.

[Tornado]

I'm through Horizon now (15 hours in). The final section with Harbinger and the Praetorian were extremely challenging. The Praetorian wasn't too bad when I realized that while it was recharging its barrier, it wasn't recharging its armor. I think it only took me... 3-4 attempts to beat it. But yeah, the section right before that with the dual Scions and Harbinger, good lord. Took forever.

It's definitely taking me longer on insanity than it did on normal. I beat the entire game in 31 hours and change on normal, whereas I'm halfway into that and not that close to midway through the game as I still have three recruitment missions, every non-DLC loyalty mission, and several game events like the derelict ship/Legion and the end mission. I'm going to be pushing 40 hours I bet.

[Tolkien]

I've actually been setting up three different files to transfer over to ME3. All three are soldiers and all three are carry-overs from ME1.

The 1st is my main character file: Male, Soldier, Spacer, Hero, Saved the Council, Paragon Ending where everyone survives and I destroy the Collector Base.

The 2nd is my secondary character file: Female, Soldier, Earth Born, Ruthless, Let the Council Die, Negative Ending where everyone survives and I save the Collector Base.

The 3rd is a minor character file: Male, Soldier, Spacer, Hero, Saved the Council, Did none of the loyalty missions and only half of the upgrades, Saved the Collector Base, allowed everyone including Sheppard to die. Joker Takes over.

[Tornado]

Well, you're not going to be able to import the third account (it'd be interesting if you could though). If Shepard dies, the game doesn't create an ME2 end game save. But yeah, I'm creating multiple accounts for ME3 as well.

The 1st is my secondary character file: Male, Adept, Earth-born, Ruthless, Saved the Council, Complete Paragon, Everyone survived the Suicide mission and I destroyed the Collector base... I romanced Miranda, but I ended up messing around after I beat the game and romanced Jack too - I'm not sure where the game makes the ME3 save, so I don't know who my current romance will be for the next game

The 2nd will be my primary character file for ME3 (the one I'm currently playing through): it's a re-import of the first character, but here I'm a Soldier, still Paragon and I still intend to have everyone survive the Suicide mission and destroy the Collector base, planning to romance Tali and stick with her throughout ME3 assuming it's an option

The 3rd is a save I haven't played through yet (in ME2): Female, Soldier (will either make her a Vanguard or a tech character for ME2/3), Spacer, War Hero, Renegade, Concentrated fire power on Sovereign (didn't "kill" the Council intentionally), romanced Kaidan and will probably stay true to him, plan to save the Collector base and allow a few characters to die in the Suicide mission (will be aiming for the aliens, she's a specist)

[Tolkien]

Well that sucks if you can't. I didn't know that. It'd be cool though because you would carry over all of your progress before your death to the next game for a new character to take over. Too bad though.

[Tornado]

There wouldn't be any progress to really carry over though, aside from whether or not the Council died at the end of ME1. All the relationships you built and missions you completed would be pretty worthless if it was just some random marine filling in for Shepard.

Anyway, about 19 hours in. The collector ship was pretty tough, but nothing to get overly excited about. Rescuing Tali on Haestrom was really easy, which is odd because I thought the end battle with the Geth Colossus was supposed to be tough. I didn't die once in that section. On Illium now about to recruit Thane and Samara before going into the recruitment missions. The only issue I'm having with this play-through is that it feels like the dialogue trees are ending early. I seem to recall having additional conversations with Tali before taking on her loyalty mission (I've only had one unique conversation with her since recruiting her)... and maybe Mordin too, but I don't quite remember with him. Ah well.

Considering I've still got two characters to recruit and ten loyalty missions to do before going to get the IFF, I'm starting to wonder if I'm even going to be under 40 hours this run-through. On my first, I was on my third loyalty mission 15 hours in. I've still got 3-4 hours (guessing) before I even do my first.

[Tolkien]

There wouldn't be any progress to really carry over though, aside from whether or not the Council died at the end of ME1. All the relationships you built and missions you completed would be pretty worthless if it was just some random marine filling in for Shepard.
True. But you could still carry over the results of the last two games; like the Council surviving or dying, which character lived on to fight in the next game (Kaiden, Ashley), if Wrex is alive or dead come ME2, if you allowed the Collector Base to survive or be destroyed, ect... I was playing it to see if those events would carry over.

[shained]

Is ME2 much different with the council surviving??

I've always wondered how much of an impact it would "really" have, and I came to the conclusion not much.

I will go through all 3 again once i've finished ME3 I reckon. Will just stick with my decisions like i've made them til i've saw it right the way through, I think.

[Tolkien]

Yes and no. It's really small moments here and there, like the meeting you'll have back at the Citadel, or the radio broadcasts across the net, or certain random moments here and there with random characters you come across. But I think it'll have a bigger impact in ME3, which is why I played it both ways.

[Tornado]

At the same time though, without basically needing to create multiple games, I think what they were able to do is pretty impressive. I'm very curious to see what they do with Mass Effect 3. Multiple decisions, anybody could live or die, multiple romance opportunities, and this is it. There is no ME4 where they can push things off again (kinda like how they did romances in ME2). Go big or go home. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they have 3-4 discs just to fit all of the necessary information in there. My only fear is that they abandon all of the characters in ME2 to be able to keep the game in line. As much as I love the original characters, I would be very disappointed to see a Mass Effect 3 without characters like Miranda, Thane, Grunt, and Mordin.

Bottom line, I can't wait. I hope they reveal more information at E3.

[Tolkien]

It's only speculation right now, but I'd love to see both teams come together as one big team. Have everyone who survived ME1 and ME2 to join Sheppard in ME3. That'd be awesome. It was pretty cool being able to create teams on the Collector Base and go at it from different points at the same time, I hope we're able to play missions like that again.

[MasterChief117]

I want an actual full out battle. It might be too big but I want to actually see someone NOT in my squad shooting people and actually KILLING THEM. Just show the pure epicness of it. It's not like damn Medal of Honor anything, you only got like 10 people on screen, they can atleast do that. I mean how badass would that be? Hopefully E3 we get a release date and some information.

[Tornado]

That probably won't happen. The first two games had ground forces as the main villains (Geth and Collectors). ME3 has to have the Reapers as the main threat. I suspect we'll see Shepard recruiting species for a gigantic intergalactic space war, but your guess is as good as mine on how it will translate into a ground effort (other than that I don't think there will be some huge ground war).

[Tolkien]

Yeah the Reapers are too big for a ground offensive, and it'd be pointless to have people battling Husks when the Reapers themselves are looming overhead. I think everything is going to happen in Space and the only person-to-person offensives are going to happen on-board the Reapers themselves.

[shained]

I can see huge ground battles on planets as the reapers are overhead they send husks down to kill/collect people and they fight back with military whil Shepard and the rest attck the ship.

Just thinking about what may happen is getting me excitied :)

[Tornado]

I just thought this was really cool.

nxqW0Clok7U

[Tolkien]

Cool vid. :)

Hey, did anyone else read up on this new Overload DLC coming out this month?

I just read about it while checking up on the available DLCs on the ME Wiki.

[Tornado]

I think you mean Overlord.

But yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Not happy that it's pay-DLC though. Kinda makes the Cerberus Network a little worthless if they're going to continue releasing so much DLC through the marketplace.

[Tolkien]

Yeah Overlord... It's like they're releasing all of the cheap stuff (i.e. weapons, outfits, ect...) through the network and the more expensive stuff in the marketplace. Give people enough freebies to make them think that the Cerberus Network is worth keeping.

[Tornado]

If they're going to charge they're going to charge; I bought the game new and got the Cerberus Network for free, so things could be worse. But I still think it's a little ridiculous. Maybe offer a discount to those with Cerberus or something.

[shained]

Is this overlord the one i've been hearing about that kind of acts as a bridge between 2 and 3?

[Tornado]

Overlord is just one piece of the bridge. Casey Hudson has kinda said they're going to keep releasing DLC up until right before ME3 comes out. It seems pretty clear they'll do something with Liara, but past that speculation is key.

[MasterChief117]

I'm hoping in the coming weeks they release something about Mass Effect 3. We might just get to learn of the more DLC. I'm not sure, here's hoping.

[Tornado]

Well, I'm at the suicide mission now. Planning to finish it tonight after work. I'm sitting at about... 34 hours or so (haven't done Overlord yet either, waiting to finish the game first). For as difficult as the first half of the game was on insanity, everything after the Collector ship was a joke. I didn't die once in most missions; in fact, the only recent mission I remember taking a death on was Legion's loyalty mission because one of the Geth troopers came from out of nowhere and got me. No issues otherwise. I'm not sure if the game just got easier, or if the enemies don't quite level up evenly with your character anymore or something. Some of what I thought would be challenging was very simple.

[Tolkien]

I finally downloaded all of the DLCs I missed (except for Overlord, I plan to download it later tonight). Maybe this weekend I'll try to get back into it and continue my file from where I left off. Since I'm still in the middle, I think I should still be able to recruit Katsumi, right?

[Tornado]

You can recruit Kasumi (no T) whenever you want.

[Tolkien]

So long as it's not after the suicide mission though...

[Tornado]

I don't think that plays a factor. I really think you can do it whenever you want.

[Tolkien]

Don't you get the dossier from The Illusive Man? If you quit working for him at the end (the ending I usually choose), wouldn't he stop sending you messages and whatnot? I had that effect when I first got Zaeed. I tried to recruit him using my saved file from after I beat the game and couldn't. So I started up another one.

[Tornado]

No idea then.

Anyway, totally done. I beat it on insanity this afternoon, reached level 30, did Overlord, everything; 54/54 achievements, 1055/1055 points. Feels pretty good. I probably won't go back to it now until new DLC is released.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Don't you get the dossier from The Illusive Man? If you quit working for him at the end (the ending I usually choose), wouldn't he stop sending you messages and whatnot? I had that effect when I first got Zaeed. I tried to recruit him using my saved file from after I beat the game and couldn't. So I started up another one.

I recruited her in my post game save. And I also got the message for the Overlord missions as well.

[MrT]

Just bought Kasumi/Overlord add ons, so I'm ready to start another play through of both games. Just haven't decided which difficulty I wanna play on.

[Tolkien]

No idea then.

Anyway, totally done. I beat it on insanity this afternoon, reached level 30, did Overlord, everything; 54/54 achievements, 1055/1055 points. Feels pretty good. I probably won't go back to it now until new DLC is released.
Now that's an achievement! Nice job there, man.

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[MasterChief117]

I'm addicted to watching the launch trailer for this that features 'Heart of Courage' in the background, it's amazing. So damn epic.

[Tornado]

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-5812-Shepard---Liara-Team-Up-For-Next-Piece-Of-Mass-Effect-2-DLC.html

Sounds pretty nifty. I'm glad they're doing this as DLC; tying it into ME3 would have seemed kind of lame in the broad scheme of things.

[Matrix_Fan]

I hope there is a really awkward moment between Liara and Shepard, if the player decided to romance someone else.

"Hey Liara. Craziest thing happened on the way to the Omega Relay....."

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Coming to PS3

http://kotaku.com/5614838/mass-effect-2-hits-the-playstation-3-in-january

[Justin]

But where's ME1? Seems a little cheap.

[Tornado]

That's such bull****.

[halo7]

From my understanding it has to do with a contract with Microsoft they had on the first game. As far as I or anyone else knows the first Mass Effect will remain a Microsoft exclusive forever.

[Diablo]

Awesome.

[André]

But where's ME1? Seems a little cheap.

Mass Effect 1 was first party.

The sequel wasnt. ME2 going multiplatform was obvious from the start.

From my understanding it has to do with a contract with Microsoft they had on the first game.

Yeah, like MS paying for development and marketing?

[Jast3r Rogu3]

But where's ME1? Seems a little cheap.

PC? I'm glad it's coming to PS3 though, it looks like a decent game.

[Tornado]

It's much more than a decent game.

The new DLC pack (The Lair of the Shadow Broker) comes out on September 7th:

http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/111/1115127p1.html

Normally I'd be really happy about this, but the 800-point cost seems high. It better be worth it.

[Tolkien]

Huh. I kinda had it in mind that they're originally have that story as apart of the third game. But in a way, this is better I guess. If they finish the Shadow Broker's story before the third game, they'll have more time for the main story and such.

[FVD]

Oh guts. Looks like I'll have to pick up a 360 in the end. As for the PS3 version, I dunno. I hear that you can still use your save file from the first game for ME2.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I don't see how that could be possible. My guess is that they would have some sort of interactive recap movie of the first game.

[Tornado]

Yeah, there's no way that will be the case.

[Tornado]

IGN just ranked this as the #1 game on the 360.

I wholeheartedly agree.

[Tolkien]

Same here.

[MrT]

I agree with this being the best title on 360. May be the best game of this generation of consoles so far.

[Tornado]

The trailer for the new DLC is up at the OS:

http://masseffect.bioware.com/

It looks amazing!

[MrT]

I still haven't gone back and played any of the DLC for this game but damn this new one looks great. I really, really need to play this game again soon.

[Tolkien]

I downloaded all of the DLCs to date, yet I've still yet to go back in and play them all.

I started too a few months back, but then I stopped.

[Tornado]

Kasumi's mission is great. Zaeed's is a lot of fun, but the character is pretty weak in my opinion. Overlord is pretty good too.

[André]

Kasumi's mission is great. Zaeed's is a lot of fun, but the character is pretty weak in my opinion. Overlord is pretty good too.

Pretty much this.

The 3 weapons are pretty badass too. Felt a little cheap to pay for those, but they still rock :P

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I downloaded all of the DLCs to date, yet I've still yet to go back in and play them all.

I started too a few months back, but then I stopped.

Don't forget Lair of the Shadow Broker is coming out on Tuesday :P

[Tolkien]

I think I should just wait until ME3 comes out before I play ME2 again, lol.

It feels like everytime I think I have it all, they release something new.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Maybe by the time you play all the DLC ME3 will be out! It could help with the wait :P

[Tolkien]

In preparation for ME2, I replayed ME1 over again. It was fun since I had the two DLCs added on. But with ME2, it's a whole different story. There's so much more things that you can do this time around and the DLC's just keep coming, and getting better and better too. I can't wait to see how this new one stacks up.

[HeadHunter]

I bought ME1 and never really got on with it. I recently bought Me2 and absolutely loved it, played it through Start to Finish 37hours of gameplay over 3 days. I finished the game and thought that was amazing. So I started it again, played another 37 hours over about 2 weeks, finished it and started it again.....I think I went a little over board on it. I dont think I have ever played 70 hours + on a game in a couple of weeks before.

[Tolkien]

Wait... did you finish ME1?

[Tornado]

The DLC is pretty good so far. I'm expecting to have it done today/tonight.

[Tornado]

Well I beat it.

I thought it was really good and definitely the best DLC released for the game so far, but I don't think it was worth the price tag (well, the 200 achievement points helped; without them it definitely wouldn't have been worth it). The Shadow Broker being a new species was a surprise, I really thought there'd be a different twist in there. And the uniqueness of the fight was pretty cool as well. I really liked all of the dossiers as well.

In short, it was really good.

[Tolkien]

I need to pick up a point card tomorrow so I get download it.

Good to see you liked it.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Why not just buy them straight on the console?

[Tolkien]

I never use my card for xbox content. I don't trust the security.

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[Deexan]

For all you PS3 users eagerly anticipating this (like me), there's some great news regarding the port:

Although it'll end up being almost exactly a year late BioWare seem to be making an impressive effort with the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2, including considerably souped up graphics.

Producer Jesse Houston was recently discussing the game in detail for the first time on a BioWare podcast, where he revealed that: 'one of the first things you're going to see is improved graphics.'

'We actually created the engine for Mass Effect 3 and used that to make Mass Effect 2 PS3. So we took the content, the story and all of the other assets that made up Mass Effect 2 and we put it into the Mass Effect 3 engine,' he added.

'The controls are geared towards the PS3 controller, you can switch it back to the old Xbox [controls] if you like. Other things like planet scanning have been improved. We've rolled up all of the patches, done a whole bunch of bug fixing,' he continued.

Houston also revealed that the game was already finished, and was now merely waiting for its release date on 21st January. A demo will be released on 22nd December.

Not only will the game feature improved graphics and PlayStation-ified controls it will also include all the paid-for downloadable content so far - including the most recent (and best) Lair Of The Shadow Broker.

The first Mass Effect game remains an Xbox 360 and PC exclusive but to make up for the fact the PlayStation 3 version of Mass Effect 2 will feature an interactive comic that will both help to get you up to speed with the plot and allow you to make all the moral choices that are then referenced in the second (and third) game.

http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/850710-ps3-mass-effect-2-uses-mass-effect-3-game-engine


Btw, that website (http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/) is by far the best around for unbiased reviews, quality reporting, reader interaction and twice daily updates. Very highly recommended.

[Tornado]

It's completely ridiculous that PS3 users get the DLC for free. While I've already paid for it and played through all of it, I would be willing to bet that Microsoft will continue charging it for it on Live even though it's now free on another system. At least the first game will always be a 360 exclusive, so we still come out on top.

[Tolkien]

They're really going out of their way for the PS3 version. It's stupid and a waste of time.

Focus on Mass Effect 3 and forget about pleasing the PS3 fanbase. They don't count! lol.

[saveus1011]

Yeah, they count when you've been dying to play the game but can't afford a 360 at the moment (i.e. - me.)

Demo was incredible. I'm a believer.

[Justin]

Yeah, demo is great. Really enjoying it.

[Tornado]

They're really going out of their way for the PS3 version. It's stupid and a waste of time.

Focus on Mass Effect 3 and forget about pleasing the PS3 fanbase. They don't count! lol.

Completely agree.

[Deexan]

Are you guys Microsoft fanboys or something?

More formats = more sales = more success = more sequels. Who is losing out in this scenario?

If somebody told me Uncharted would now be multiformat I wouldn't cry about it, I'd actually be happy that tons more people would get to experience this fantastic piece of modern entertainment.

Unless there's some kind of direct negative effect it going multiformat will have on XBox fans that I don't know about, in which case carry on.

:P

[Tornado]

PS3 users get DLC for free. 360 users had to pay for it. Hence, 360 users lose out.

And there shouldn't be more sequels after ME3. Mass Effect was a trilogy from day one, no need to run it into the ground like Halo.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

PS3 users get DLC for free. 360 users had to pay for it. Hence, 360 users lose out.

It's no different than them releasing a GOTY edition with all DLC included. So to me it's not that big of a deal.

[Drizzt240]

How do you have sex with all the women in the game?

[FranklinTard]

tough to get your first in command or whatever, the chick at the map on your ship. you have to basically not hit on anyone except her towards the end of the game. its really ridiculous the amount of work you have to put in.

and yea they get the dlc for free... a few months after the fact and they still have to pay 60 bucks. you can get both games on steam for like 20 bucks total.

[Tolkien]

It's no different than them releasing a GOTY edition with all DLC included. So to me it's not that big of a deal.
It's a big deal for those of us who already have the game and had to spend all that money on the DLCs to begin with. For us, why should we care about a GOTY edition when we already have the game, and already paid for all of the DLC content.

[FranklinTard]

why are you worried about someone else getting a deal though?

i mean i personally think you guys are kinda suckers for getting dlc right when it comes out like that... they always package it when they release their final update and sell it cheaper at times like spotlight deals and stuff, seems like they have been giving a lot more deals lately. why are you angry at them for getting money out of you? shouldn't you be saying... well shame on me i shouldn't have been tricked. microsoft makes the pricing rules too normally, valve has wanted to give tf2 for the 360 a free update forever, but haven't, because they aren't allowed.

like buying the first avatar dvd that was a bare bones when you knew a bigger copy was coming for the holidays. foolish.

[Alien]

It's no different than them releasing a GOTY edition with all DLC included. So to me it's not that big of a deal.
I do think that if you haven't got the DLC on the xBox by the time it comes to PS3 that either the price should drop or even be made free.

DLC prices never go down even for a years old game.

[FranklinTard]

gotta get on that stuff, i've seen them on sale twice the past two months. everything included.

in fact they will be on sale on the 28th. just fyi.

[Alien]

They might do the odd sale here and there but after the sale is over the prices go back to the full price it was. If I wanted to buy Mass Effect 2 now it's almost more than half the price it was when it came out. But the DLC is still the same price it's always been.

[Tornado]

like buying the first avatar dvd that was a bare bones when you knew a bigger copy was coming for the holidays. foolish.

Not at all actually. Avatar double-dipping was obvious. Some of the Mass Effect DLC (the second pack for the first game, for example) has never gone on sale. Don't sit there and compare the two when they have nothing in common.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Not at all actually. Avatar double-dipping was obvious. Some of the Mass Effect DLC (the second pack for the first game, for example) has never gone on sale. Don't sit there and compare the two when they have nothing in common.

actually it has gone on sale before

http://www.neoseeker.com/news/12814-xbox-live-deal-of-the-week-mass-effect-dlc-on-sale-for-3/

[Tornado]

Alright. Point proven. But that was a whole year ago, and these things are never announced ahead of time. It's not like they release them and then say, "Hey, just so you know, this is going to be cheaper in exactly three months." I didn't buy the first version of Avatar because I knew there would be a new one later on, which I actually ordered this morning with an Amazon gift card. I did buy the ME DLC as it was released because I didn't know if/when it would be cheaper later on down the road.

[FranklinTard]

again, it will be one sale on the 28th (and i just got 20 bucks in points... convenient eh?), saying its never on sale is a misnomer. sure its not going to always be, because they expect... well... people like you, to pay full price for it.

sorry you got tricked, or maybe you didn't think you did, but then why would you be complaining about ps3 getting it for 'seemingly' cheaper? but this is business. especially that 'free market' everyone keeps yelling about.

[saveus1011]

Are you guys Microsoft fanboys or something?

Microsoft fanboys always *****.

And Tornado, actually we still lose out because we don't get ME1.

[FranklinTard]

if you play 2 the first becomes obsolete. its so boring, and so grading, it is really not worth even playing.

[Tornado]

And Tornado, actually we still lose out because we don't get ME1.

Yeah I said that before, that's why I can't complain too much.

And Tard, regardless of your own (ridiculous) personal feelings about ME1, you lose out on the ability to play as one Shepard through all three games.

[shained]

I wonder what scenes the comic intro on the ps3 will have?

Be good to see what it looks like as I can't wait for ME3!

They've come out and said at least one more DLC will be released for ME2 which is good news, hopefully they'll use it as a prequel to ME3 and have something of relevance in it rather than a stand-a-lone like Overlord.

I was a bit gutted that Microsoft did the ME2 DLC sale over xmas, I only bought them all about 3 weeks before :(

[Alien]

I should've bought Mass Effect 2 new for £5 yesterday when I saw it in the sale. I'm gonna end up kicking my self when it's not there on Monday.

[Deexan]

Well I'm liking the demo but I haven't had time to finish the whole thing in one go and when I returned to it I had to sit through the prologue, design my character and go through the parts I'd already played all over again... I think I'll just wait for the full release.

Looks as great as expected, I particularly like the codex, which is infinitely more readable than its Dragon Age counterpart. I think I sat there for around 20 minutes just reading up on the game world. The male Shepard's voice acting is dire though, which detracts from everything around it. How could they have quality actors for the lesser roles but such a wooden lead? I read that the female Shepard is much better so I might grudgingly go with her instead...

[FranklinTard]

why grudgingly? i would agree 100% its a lot better acting on the side of the female.

if they give me the option... i almost always choose the female character.

and the two i have done, although i wanted to have some variety, both became just hardass broads that don't take **** from anyone and only are loyal to the crew.

[Fanible]

The female Shepard was/is my preference. Her and the Renegade path is my favorite for both Mass Effect 1 and 2.

[shained]

Never tried the female one.......

I just like having the one playthrough so the story is continious for me. Mines Paragon with moments of Renegade.

[Deexan]

why grudgingly?

Well, being a guy, in the past I've only ever opted for a male representation of my virtual self, but when I say grudgingly I only mean that playfully, I don't have any real problem with it.

Plus isn't there nookie involved in this game, as in Dragon Age?

Actually, that does open the door to some cgi lesbianism...ok, I'm sold.

[iv3rdawG]

I've only played as the female Shepard so I can't comment on the voice acting of the male version, but Jennifer Hale is pretty great.

"I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favorite store on the Citadel."

[Tolkien]

Jennifer Hale is an amazing voice actress. She's the reason why I only play as the female on Mercenaries.

[PG Cooper]

Just beat this game for the first time like five minutes ago, wow. I don't think a climax to a game has ever over whelmed me as much. Very epic ending, it was sad seeing certain characters bite the dust though (I won't say who died for me).

[Tolkien]

First playthough I loss Jack. Second and on I didn't lose anyone. Wonder what significance the collector base plays if it survived? Oh, hey Torn, I just got an email update about yet another ME2 DLC entitled "Arrival" coming out. What's up right that? I thought Lair of the Shadow Broker was the last?

The link's here!
http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/#arrival

ADMIRAL HACKETT!!!
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189422_10150113347341645_85811091644_6580491_57791 69_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/200643_10150113347271645_85811091644_6580489_51118 97_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198166_10150113347316645_85811091644_6580490_22965 39_n.jpg

[PG Cooper]

Gonna have to stock up on points.

I lost Legion, Garrus, and Thane.

I'm gonna play through again (probably in the summer) as a complete Paragon so everyone lives.

[Tolkien]

Note: It's the loyalty missions. If you fail those, chances are your teammate will die. I loss Jack in my first playthrough because I couldn't get her and Miranda to agree during their fight towards the end of the game. As for the DLCs, they're gold. I can't say anything about Lair of the Shadow Broker yet because I havn't finished, but so far, everything is just amazing. Halo and Mass Effect already tops my list of most detailed Sci-Fi universes... ever! Star Wars and Star Trek too, but... I'm talking games here.

P.S. Yes, stock up on points, the DLCs are a must. Some of the other packs aren't though, but if you have spare points, there are some pretty good weapons to pick up. Some nice armor too, although the original suit's still my favorite.

[Deexan]

No doubt the new dlc is intended to get a bit of extra $$$ out of the PS3 owners that got the previous content bundled with the disc.

[Tornado]

First playthough I loss Jack. Second and on I didn't lose anyone. Wonder what significance the collector base plays if it survived? Oh, hey Torn, I just got an email update about yet another ME2 DLC entitled "Arrival" coming out. What's up right that? I thought Lair of the Shadow Broker was the last?

I don't know how closely you've followed the game, but I know I've known about Arrival for a few months now. I was just waiting for a date. I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm not wild about the fact that it's pay-DLC. I was kind of hoping it would be a free one, since it's supposed to be extremely important to the series canon.

[shained]

This day and age mate you're going to have to pay for nearly every piece of DLC seeing as they're owned by ea!

Can't wait for this :D

I lost Legion (although i've heard people sent him on teh mission throught he pipes and he survived :( ) and Grunt, Wrex will not be happy.

[Tornado]

I always sent Legion or Tali through the pipes. Garrus as B-team leader both times, Mordin escorted the scientists, Samara as the biotic bubble specialist, took Grunt and Thane with me.

[FranklinTard]

this time i won't lose anyone. guaranteed. just got my renegade up so i can do jacks mission, solidifying my team.

although i need to do some mining to get my ship fully enhanced...


oh and what did you guys do with the collector ship?

[Tornado]

I destroyed it both times I played through, but I was a paragon. I'm going to do a renegade play-through before ME3, at which point I'll save it.

[shained]

Pretty sure i'm paragon but with a good few renegade decisions. I decided to keep the collectors ship. Think I may need some weaponry from it for number 3!

[Tolkien]

I don't know how closely you've followed the game, but I know I've known about Arrival for a few months now. I was just waiting for a date. I'm pretty excited about it, but I'm not wild about the fact that it's pay-DLC. I was kind of hoping it would be a free one, since it's supposed to be extremely important to the series canon.
When Lair of the Shadow Broker was released, I stopped watching out for new DLCs because I thought it was the last. But to be fair, I also havn't played for two months, so... I guess I was behind, lol.

[MasterChief117]

On my trip to SC I'm definitely replaying Mass Effect 2, DLC included. I haven't touched it since I beat it. Damn shame since it's probably the best game I've ever played.

[PG Cooper]

DHseWNr7iKk

Live your life by these words.

[Deexan]

I completed this a couple of weeks ago and it is 2nd only to Final Fantasy VII as the greatest single player game of all time. That being said, I was only emotionally invested to a point. I finally finished Red Dead Redemption tonight and, whilst it is not as good a game overall, the ending is superb and I was surprised by how affected I was by it. One of, if not the best ever.


So how many hours did everybody get out of ME2? I clocked in at exactly 50. I've lent the game to a friend (who also loved it) but may get it back from him and play through it again with this new DLC.

[PG Cooper]

28, no DLC. I'm gonna play through again in the summer though.

[Tolkien]

Does that time frame include achievements, purchased models & upgrades and side missions?

[Deexan]

Mine does.

[Tornado]

My primary save file (male soldier, the one I've played through all of the DLC with) is about 36 hours long. But some of that is just messing around on the ship or the Citadel.

[MasterChief117]

I haven't bought any of the DLC's. Tornado do you have any suggestions? I'm curious since you've played them all.

[FranklinTard]

went 22 first time, 28 second time. starting up again for a 'good' character. might get all the dlc now too...

[Noppy]

Haven't played this game yet but been meaning to check it out, just haven't really gotten around to it... I saw it in the store once, and I was surprised that it was only $20, I'll probably get it, or at least borrow it from a friend sometime next weekend, really want to try it out. I have heard nothing but good things about it.

[Tornado]

I haven't bought any of the DLC's. Tornado do you have any suggestions? I'm curious since you've played them all.

Lair of the Shadow Broker was worth it, and I'm sure Arrival will be too. Everything else was only really worth it if you wanted the achievements (which I did).

[halo7]

I finally manned up and beat the first game after kind of drifting in and out, restarting, and getting frustrated with it for going on 3 years. It took me 3 years to do what amounted to an 18 hour campaign.

By comparison my Mass Effect 2 campaign was about 29 and a half hours and I did it in a little under 3 weeks. I became full on obsessed. The refined gameplay and story elements and the more story-oriented side missions pulled me in in a way the first game just couldn't (don't get me wrong, in the final stretch I came to love the original but it just took me longer to understand the mechanics and truly enjoy myself).

There are a few nitpicks I have. I didn't like that in the last few hours of the game many of my crew-members became self-repeating brick walls. The amount of dialogue they record is pretty insane but I would have liked just a few more conversation trees with my actual crew members. It felt like I was being pushed to just finish the campaign towards the end rather than furthering the connections that dominated the middle part of the game. At least have a few different ways for the crew to tell me to **** off so I didn't end up repeating conversations I had already had.

I also would have liked a little bit more of an intricate level up system. It is the only thing I thought was too dumbed down from the first. It got to a point where I really didn't give a **** if I leveled up because there were so few options for me. I liked the simplification of ammo-powerups to an extent but it seemed kind of pointless. I never really saw much of a reason to ever turn incendiary ammo off. A few more ammo types might have helped even things out a bit.

Here's how my campaign went (continued from Mass Effect 1, I don't do multiple playthroughs, I like to keep the experience completely individual and don't have a real desire to see the other side of things until I completely finish the story with part 3):

- I played as a Vanguard (same as ME1).
- I changed my appearance to look a little less "kind of asian".
- I was pretty much Paragon the whole way through (a few Renegade choices, sometimes by accident).
- I romanced Jack (very touching and fulfilling relationship, I took her over the top tough exterior as a challenge and the emotional significance of our relationship really pulled at my heartstrings when we finally got together).
- No one on my team died and I saved my crew. I was really happy that I didn't manage to lose anyone. I made a point to not look up how to save the crew beforehand and just tried to do my best to prepare throughout the game. Apparently I made the right choices.
- I primarily used Jack and Garrus but I tried to switch it up a lot and used everyone on a somewhat regular basis.

I feel weird having finished it, I just want to keep playing. I am going to just buy all of the DLC. Nothing really to lose at this point.

[FranklinTard]

you'd never win with garrus and jack on insanity, just fyi.

you almost have to have a cerberus agent with you (miranda for sure, jacob is too one dimensional) and level her up to a level 4 operative, so that everyones skills are improved, particularly in fire fights. infiltrator class makes the game very easy too, never used the ai hacking or cryo shot, never even put any points into them.

always took miranda out with me, had a good range of powers, and her at level 4, enemies dropped quickly. took garrus and thane sometimes, grunt others.

[MasterChief117]

I finally got around to watching The Arrival trailer. It looks freaking awesome.

[halo7]

Here is the first review I have seen for Arrival...and it's not good:

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/mass-effect-2-arrival-dlc-review/

[shained]

Not going to bother with any reviews or trailers. Just bought it and happy to go in not knowing what to expect.

I'd deleted all the dlc to make room on my hard drive :( going to have to DL them all now if I want to use Kasumi/Zaeed.

[MasterChief117]

IGN gave Arrival a 7. Stressed that the missions were very linear and that it didn't add a lot in terms of story. That's somewhat disappointing to hear.

[Tornado]

Just finished Arrival. Pretty weak for being the last DLC, and arguably the most important. Maybe a 3/5.

[shained]

Pretty weak but a 3/5!?

I was a little disappointed myself, would have been nice to have a few more decisions to make in the game. It just seemed like I was playing one of the comics (not read any yet but might do) and to me thats not what Mass Effect is all about.

I'd only get this if you are a hard core Mass Effect fan which sadly I am.

3/10.

[MasterChief117]

Urgh. That's harsh. I might just stick to the Shadow Broker then.

[Tolkien]

Gotta pick up a point card tomorrow before I can get it. But no matter how weak, it's ME2 and I have to get it, lol. If this truly is the last of the DLCs, I think I'll finally go back in for another playthrough.

[MasterChief117]

I'm picking up a point card Friday before my trip and I'm going to download all of the DLC possible before I head off. I'm pumped as hell.

[FranklinTard]

really tired of microsoft points. i mean, i wonder how much money they have gotten from us that will never be spent. i mean how many people have 30-80 points left over that they can't spend on literally anything (unless you want an avatar item... and then look like a complete sucker)?

at least psn just charges you what the dlc is worth, if its 5 bucks its 5 bucks. not 800 points. so then you have all these points in limbo so microsoft got another couple million dollars (if not plenty more) just because you have these stupid extra points you can't spend on anything, and you have to spend more money than you want (20 bucks for 1600 points, maybe if something cost 1600 points even it would make sense!) even if you just want to get the points to get the dlc you wanted.

doubt i will be renewing my live subscription after this year.

/rant.

[shained]

Ye it really pisses me off that they can get away with the points as well.

[Mistwalker]

Mass Effect 2 was pretty good. I liked the first one more though

[Tolkien]

Not to attack your point of view... but, why?

[halo7]

Ran into a game-breaking glitch in Arrival where an elevator somehow left without me and I can't get back to it...and it autosaved right after it happened. Guess I have to start the whole thing over.

[Noppy]

Just got the game, been a blast from the get-go.

[FranklinTard]

Ran into a game-breaking glitch in Arrival where an elevator somehow left without me and I can't get back to it...and it autosaved right after it happened. Guess I have to start the whole thing over.

no just load your game, pause, click on 'load' and load the previous thing or whatever, it should the lowest option or whatever, something like 'load previous chapter' or something. worked for me when something happened... can't recall the specifics, hope it helps though.

[Mistwalker]

Anyone know when the third mass effect comes out?

[Tornado]

December of this year.

[Tolkien]

For people like us, that date feels like a lifetime away.

[Tornado]

I agree, although it's not the game I'm looking forward to most this year. I think Arkham City has actually surpassed it, mostly because Bioware is being pretty shy about releasing any information at all about ME3, whereas Rocksteady is releasing all kinds of info about Arkham City.

[MasterChief117]

I agree, although it's not the game I'm looking forward to most this year. I think Arkham City has actually surpassed it, mostly because Bioware is being pretty shy about releasing any information at all about ME3, whereas Rocksteady is releasing all kinds of info about Arkham City.

My thoughts exactly.

[Tolkien]

I second that. Also, I didn't realize that Arkham City was being released this year.

[shained]

Not a chance anything is beating my excitement level for Mass Effect 3!

I don't want information to be released, would be happy going into the 3rd one knowing no rumours whatsoever.

[PG Cooper]

Alright, so I recently played through Arrival, then Lair of the Shadow Broker. While I understand why people were disappointed by Arrival, I still enjoyed it. Not perfect, but I thought it was fun and I'm glad I got it.

Shadow Broker was really good though. Long, interesting, loved the characters. There were even some nice twists. Very rewarding to play and I do strongly recommend it.

[Tolkien]

Son of a *****! I don't know if I'm late to the game here (and if I am, sorry for bringing up old news) but, has anyone downloaded ME: Genisis yet? It was previously only available to PS3 owners because they didn't have ME1 on PS3 to play, but now it's available for xbox owners as well through the cerberus network! I never have to play Mass Effect 1 AGAIN!!! lol. I'm downloading it through my cerberus network as we speak.

As Mass Effect was never released on the PlayStation 3, and, due to its being published by Microsoft Game Studios, likely never will be, the interactive comic introduces new players to the story of the original game while allowing them to make six of the major plot decisions that Xbox 360 and PC players could make in the original game (see Save File Transfer). If downloaded, the comic appears between the opening scene and character customization.

There are two versions of the comic, one each for a male and female Commander Shepard.

http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect:_Genesis

[PG Cooper]

I have it. I could never got into the first Mass Effect, and now that I've played the second so much there's no way I'll ever be able to. So yeah, it lets you make six major decisions from the first game.

Speaking of DLC, if anyone has Lair of the Shadow Broker, make sure you recruit Samara before you start it. There's a weird glitch where if you beat Lair of the Shadow Broker, and then recruit Thane before Samara, the game won't let you recruit her at all.

[Alien]

Son of a *****! I don't know if I'm late to the game here (and if I am, sorry for bringing up old news) but, has anyone downloaded ME: Genisis yet? It was previously only available to PS3 owners because they didn't have ME1 on PS3 to play, but now it's available for xbox owners as well through the cerberus network! I never have to play Mass Effect 1 AGAIN!!! lol. I'm downloading it through my cerberus network as we speak.

That's good coz I've only completed Mass Effect 1 once. I wanted to play it again as a chick but now I don't have to.

[Tolkien]

Thanks for the heads up, although I think that one is meant to be played after the main game ends, or something, because of some of the comments that the Shadow Broker will make involving the final mission. Or something to that extent, it's what I read somewhere.


EDIT - Alien: yeah, I was thinking that same thing. I want to start my female character and save Kaiden instead. This add-on is sooooo much easier.

[Alien]

I saved Kaiden by accident on my play through :(

I didn't know it was going to be one or the other. I had been working on the other chick, I leved her up and set out her powers and stuff and thought she'd handel herself fine.

[iv3rdawG]

You guys are missing out if you aren't playing through with the female Shepard. Hale is so good. But I guess the people that play male Shepard get this:

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7238/shepardface.jpg

*jealous*

;)

[MrT]

That is why you have a playthrough as both female and male Shepard.

[Tornado]

Yeah I've played through as both, but you're really missing out if you don't play as the male considering that's actually canon in the series.

[Alien]

It took me so long to finnaly kill Saren at the end of ME1 I don't wanna have to go through that again for a while.

[Alien]

I saved Kaiden by accident on my play through :(

I didn't know it was going to be one or the other. I had been working on the other chick, I leved her up and set out her powers and stuff and thought she'd handel herself fine.
I got Mass Effect 2 today for £15. Now to work out how to save everyone so I don't accidently kill my favorite character again.

[Alien]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v42/Figaro/SaveALife.jpg
I thought this was funny of Google. It wasn't just "How to save everyone" it had to add the Mass Effect 2 bit.

YouTube was the same, donno if that is a coincidence though.
cjVQ36NhbMk

[Fanible]

It shows the results of the most commonly typed in sentences by other people. Google owns YouTube and uses the same search functions, so the relation isn't surprising.