Mass Effect 2

[insaneMoViEgoer]

EQ7wEb1_zLM

Can't wait. I'm not sure how I feel about Shepard being dead, but it makes the sequel all the more interesting.

[Boro]

That's bull**** and it makes the sequel less interesting. I really wanted to keep my character from the first game and continue leveling him up through added/extended skills. Maybe we'll still be able to do that, but if what's in the trailer true, and you can't do that I'll be a little annoyed..

[Tornado]

Maybe the game kicks off with you either loading your old character or creating a "new" one (I say new in quotes, because you would be given enough skill points to make him seem like a previously used character), and then he is "killed" in the opening cut scene. The next cut scene is you waking up in the medical station on the ship, and the game takes off from there. Your status is KIA because as far as the government knows that's the truth.

Either way, I am really excited for it. And I don't really get excited about video games anymore.

[Dracula]

Loved the first one, can't wait

[Cr33py]

I heard it will be recommended to have played the first one, so it looks like I'll have to get that first..

From what I've heard the first one was awesome, so at least that won't be a bad purchase..

[Tolkien]

From what I heard, Shepard is only dead if you never played the first game. It's not a spoiler or anything so I won't black it out. Apparently, if you've played the first game, you will be able to load all of your stats from the first game and continue on, BUT, if you havn't played the first game, then when you load up, you will have to create a new character and it will follow a different storyline whereas Shepard is dead and your character has taken over in his place.

[shained]

From what I heard, Shepard is only dead if you never played the first game. It's not a spoiler or anything so I won't black it out. Apparently, if you've played the first game, you will be able to load all of your stats from the first game and continue on, BUT, if you havn't played the first game, then when you load up, you will have to create a new character and it will follow a different storyline whereas Shepard is dead and your character has taken over in his place.

That'll be really good if its true. Give the game some replay value.

Does anyone know when the new dlc will be out? I'm waiting for that to come out then i'll redo the game along with Bringing Down the Sky

[Bobby007]

Bioware has been pretty insistent about the whole "do not clear your save games!" message, so obviously they are going to be linked together so your dude can carry on the mission to save the galaxy once again.

[Tolkien]

Shepard. Our dude is Shepard. ;)

[FVD]

This is one game along with Bioshock that I still want to play. Now that the sequel is coming grrrrrrrrr...and I don't even own a 360. Might have to get one soon (I keep telling myself that) :(

And I still wanna play Gears of War 2 too. :(

[Tolkien]

I played Bioshock and LOVED it. I played Mass Effect and LOVED it. Funny thing as I've never played Gears of War, test played it through the first mission and hated it, but other than that, never did. I have although, played through Gears of War 2 TWICE and LOVED it both times. Funny how that goes.

[iv3rdawG]

Well those of you who were upset about the teaser trailer..take a look at the new trailer:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpK2XnIaeI for HD.

I just beat Mass Effect for the first time. I loved it. I don't know why it took me so long. BioWare are probably my favorite game developers. I cannot wait for the second one.

[Boro]

He is back, but only your decisions, and not your stats, carry over. :(

Still looking forward to this though. All the previews I've read make it seem like it's an improvement over the first on every level.

[shained]

Thats class about the decisions though :D

Might replay 1 soon to find out what happened with other choices although letting the council die was the right decision :D

[iv3rdawG]

Also, here's the E3 gameplay for those that haven't seen it:

http://g4tv.com/videos/38819/Mass-Effect-2-E3-2009-HD-Direct-Feed-Gameplay/?quality=hd

[Jordan KO]

Never played Mass Effect but thought it might look like a good movie!

[iv3rdawG]

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8835/56951088843216448581109.jpg

Hmm.

[X-boro]

Can't say I'm a fan of it. Regardless, I hope there is a collectors edition to match the first one. http://media.ign.com/boardfaces/44.gif

[Matrix_Fan]

Mass Effect is my favorite 360 game thus far, I hope the sequel lives up to it.

[shained]

Really cant wait for this.

Any word on a release date?

[iv3rdawG]

New trailer:

3UGJLzF3Jd0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UGJLzF3Jd0

Any word on a release date?

Apparently it will be "just a few months" after DAO comes out.

http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/698399/TheFeed.html?utm_source=g4tv&utm

So January-February?

[Alien]

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/8835/56951088843216448581109.jpg

Hmm.
Can't say I'm a fan of that art. But all the videos for this look good. I really need to beat the final boss from the 1st one.

[Boro]

Collector's Edition (http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1042466p1.html)

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/104/1042466/ME2CE_1257425758.jpg

[iv3rdawG]

A lot better art there.

[Justin]

Much better.

[Darth Maul]

Im still unsure if im getting the collectors edition, Ill probably end up getting it lol.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Im still unsure if im getting the collectors edition, Ill probably end up getting it lol.

Unlike other collector's editions, the contents for this one seem to be worth more then the additional $10 being charged.

The Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition comes with:
The full version of Mass Effect 2
48-page hardcover art book
Limited edition Mass Effect Redemption #1 comic book
Exclusive in-game Collectors’ Edition weapon and armor
Bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos
Limited edition Cerberus Network card granting access to bonus content

[iv3rdawG]

Final regular edition art:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1659/masseffect2screenshot03.jpg

[iv3rdawG]

The stars of Mass Effect 2:

TbWNtvLQNTg

[FranklinTard]

cheesy cover art.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

h6fuiNpTHzY

[Tornado]

I'm going to try and replay the original before this comes out. I'm pretty sure I played through as a Paragon Adept last time; any suggestions for a different path?

[Boro]

It's been awhile since I've played it, but I enjoyed taking the renegade path. And then I think my back story was that I was the sole survivor of some massacre or battle.


What class did everyone here play? I tried a Vanguard first but ended up ditching that character for an Adept and then stuck with that.


From that video it looks like they've assembled a nice voice cast. However, I was pretty disappointed when Nathan Fillion didn't show up in that video.

Anyways, I think I'm going to have to start avoiding media for this game. At this point I know more about the story than I'd like.

[iv3rdawG]

I've been staying away from official "trailers".

[iv3rdawG]

First 12 minutes of the game got posted from Gamespot. I didn't watch it all but they kept the galaxy map music from the first game! (9:32 minutes)

http://www.gamespot.com/shows/today-on-the-spot/?event=mass_effect_220091221

[Tornado]

So is anybody else re-playing the original right now? I'm about 3.75 hours in, just inherited the ship and the crew and am leaving the Citadel for the first time. My plan is to beat it within the next week or so, and then play through it again before Mass Effect 2 comes out so I have a save for both sets of decisions (this is the first time I've played the game on my own 360 - previously played on my brother's - so I have no saved files to work off for the sequel) that I can carry over.

Here's the new cinematic trailer:

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It doesn't really spoil anything plot-wise (I don't think anyway), it's just general badassery.

[MasterChief117]

That's so awesome that Yvonne Strahovski is going to be in this. The character looks just like her. Pretty awesome stuff.

[Tornado]

Right about 7 hours in now; saved Liara and am somewhat close to being done with Noveria. Shepard is... level 15 (adept, which I don't think I mentioned before) if I'm not mistaken.

[shained]

I'm hoping to do another run through of this with the downloadable content. I didn't keep a save before the end so I can't go back to my original and play the DLC :(

Which is pretty ****. I think i'll use my choices from my 1st run as thats how I instictively reacted to the situations.

Can't wait for this game! P45 could accompany it haha

[Tornado]

I played pretty much all day. I'm sitting at... level 30, having just landed on Feros (with Virmire and etc. left). I kept trying to do everything possible to level up until I remembered that stats don't carry over into ME2. I'm still debating if I want to re-play it with this same character, primarily to use some of the other characters I didn't use in my first or second playings. I'm pretty sure I used Ashley and Liara for the most part (not enough to get either character achievement, but pretty consistently) initially, whereas in this career I've been solely using Wrex and Garrus. As a result, I don't think I've ever taken Tali out of the Normandy before today when there was a hardened locker that I really wanted to see the inside of (for some reason I thought Wrex's battle armor was in there, even though it was just upstairs).

[Tolkien]

I didn't know you could replay your file from the beginning and not only keep the current level you were at when you ended the game the first time around, but also keep your upgrades, weapons, armor and side character upgrades as well. I was shocked and surprised with it. Knowing this, I plan to go back in and play again and see how far I can get this time around and how much more armor and weapons I can collect. Especially now that I have the DLCs on my harddrive. Should be awesome.

[Tornado]

I didn't get to play quite as much today as I would have liked, but I still got a fair share in once I got home from the Christmas business with my relatives. I just finished Feros, which leaves me with all of the random side missions I haven't gotten to yet (I don't have too many left at this point), the Bring Down the Sky DLC, Virmire, and the end missions. I'm approximately 15.5 hours in, and at level 37. I'm trying to remember what level I was at when I beat the game last time around, and I want to say I'm not too far off from that right now actually. So, go me.

[shained]

let me know what Bring Down the Sky's like so I know whether to waster anothre 30 hours of my life haha

[Tornado]

Well, Bring Down the Sky only takes about an hour. So... your thoughts on the basic game should be what dictates whether you're going to play the game again or not.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Looks like there will be New Game+ after all

http://kotaku.com/5434952/wait---new-game-plus-is-in-mass-effect-2

[Tornado]

Nice.

Just finished my re-play actually. Capped out at about 24 hours and level 49... debating if I want to quickly re-play my way up to 50 to get the achievement, but I probably won't as I don't think I care that much. I'm probably going to re-play it again as a female renegade soldier, but we'll see how I feel about that in a week or so.

[Fanible]

Playing as a Renegade was so much more fun than the Paragon. I imagine I'll play Renegade straight off the bat in the sequel (and with that character). I don't know if the difference in voice actors attributed a greater part in that, though. I played as a male in my first run (Paragon), and female in my second (Renegade). Both were good voice overs. I think I just found the "anti-Hero" conversations more entertaining.

[Tornado]

I always play the role of the paragon/light side/whatever in this type of game. I have to admit though... I do look forward to punching the reporter. ;)

[Matrix_Fan]

Even when I'm playing Paragon, I always punch the reporter.

[shained]

I ended up as a Paragon (think I got the achievment 75%?) but there were plenty of times when I thought characters didn't deserve a chance and I shot them.

Think it helped a lot that I saved that queen! Got a feeling that's going to come back in this game and either really bite me in the arse or really help.

[Tornado]

I started a new play-through last night. I was going to wait a week or so, but I think I was too interested in re-playing what is essentially a new game. I've never played as a woman, a renegade, or a soldier, or with Kaidan and Tali in my party (first play-through was with Ashley and Liara, just finished with Garrus and Wrex). It'll be the same world and tasks and whatnot, but I just feel like it's going to play very differently this time around.

[Tolkien]

I don't think I'm gonna start playing through again until after Mass Effect 2 comes out. I know I should beforehand, but I think I'll wait. It's just one of those games that if I start playing now, I'll finish it before ME2 comes out and end up angry because I can't go right into the second one yet, lol. Also, I don't think I've ever used Wrex once in my three seperate play-throughs. Also, when time came I always had him killed, lol.

P.S. I finished Halo 3 ODST tonight, or last night rather and absolutely loved it. Longer than Halo 3 too, so that's a plus. I loved being able to play through the eyes of the different characters and such. Also loved the missions moreso than I did with Halo 3. More intense this time around for some reason. Maybe because you didn't have the same abilities that Master Chief had.

[Tornado]

I haven't been able to play ODST yet. One of my roommates asked for it for Christmas, so I hope he got it as I wouldn't mind taking a crack at it when I go back.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Save import details

http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=714128&forum=144

No story spoilers, unless you haven't played the first one. It's nice to hear our number one fan will be back.

In regards to playing the first, going through my first renegade playthrough and mainly just achievement hunting. Just need 8 more i think.

[iv3rdawG]

So, I also started a new playthrough, this time on the PC rather than the 360 because I want to play the second one on my PC, so I'll need new saves. Anyway, I'm quite surprised how well this game is holding up. The character animations up close aren't particularly stellar, but I just started the game and arrived at the Citadel for the first time and was quite shocked at how incredible it looks. The city is still fantastic to look at and walk around in.

Scratch that. The Asari actually look really nice, as do most of the other Alien species. The humans aren't as good though.

[Matrix_Fan]

Played through the first game with Tali and Liara, and was pretty much unstoppable. So I'm glad that Tali is coming back as a main character for the sequel.

[Darth Maul]

Played through the first game with Tali and Liara, and was pretty much unstoppable. So I'm glad that Tali is coming back as a main character for the sequel.


Ya cause you were playing on "Easy Mode" hehe. Just kidding, ya they do make a sick combo though, Mass Effect 2 should be amazing. I just hope the Limited Edition will be worth getting, I feel like LEs lately haven't been worth it.

[MasterChief117]

My Mass Effect disc is trashed. Try to put it in my Xbox and it laughed for 10 minutes. :( I was hoping to do a playthrough before the second came out,damnit!

[Tornado]

This game is much harder as a soldier. I mean, it's not really hard hard, but it's more of a challenge than I thought it would be. As an adept, I would walk into a room and cast every ability I have on different enemies, so there would be bodies either frozen in place or flying all over the room, and I would just stand there with my pistol and shoot the floaters. As a soldier, I find myself taking cover a lot (it doesn't help that Kaidan's abilities are apparently worthless, as he adds nothing to combat it seems) and using tactics I never really did before. The biggest upside is that, if I can find a good vantage point, I can pull out my sniper rifle and kill everybody from a few hundred meters away (whereas an adept, you're pretty worthless outside of like... 40-50 meters).

[iv3rdawG]

This game is much harder as a soldier. I mean, it's not really hard hard, but it's more of a challenge than I thought it would be. As an adept, I would walk into a room and cast every ability I have on different enemies, so there would be bodies either frozen in place or flying all over the room, and I would just stand there with my pistol and shoot the floaters. As a soldier, I find myself taking cover a lot (it doesn't help that Kaidan's abilities are apparently worthless, as he adds nothing to combat it seems) and using tactics I never really did before. The biggest upside is that, if I can find a good vantage point, I can pull out my sniper rifle and kill everybody from a few hundred meters away (whereas an adept, you're pretty worthless outside of like... 40-50 meters).

Yeah. The first time I played played through I did it as as a soldier, and same with this current playthrough. It can get pretty difficult at times, but when you get to the point where you really level up your skills and know what you're going to specialize in, it gets easier. Plus, as a soldier, you'll really learn how to mix and match bullet types and weapon upgrades easily to the best of your ability since you'll always be using them. You really cant just go guns blazing, so you do have to take that more tactical approach and will be using your Tactical HUD quite a bit when you go into a firefight.

[shained]

Thinking of pre ordering this but a lot of shops seem to have different "exclusives" for pre ordering. I never took too much interest in the armour as I just tried to look at the highest number and selected that one.

Any hints/tips on what pre order I should do?

[Tornado]

I'm just going to pick it up at midnight at Wal*Mart .

Also, finished my second play-through today. The renegade route is satisfying, but I felt like an ******* for big chunks of it.

EDIT - One last note, I never realized how short this game could really be when you know exactly what you're doing. I got the sentinel and quarian achievements (so that means I didn't skip the side quests - I did a ton of them, and the Bring Down the Sky DLC), and yet I beat the game in about 16 hours.

[iv3rdawG]

I've been taking my time on this playthrough and I'm about 17 hours in and I haven't even gone to Virmire or Noveria yet. The last main quest I did were the Feros missions.

[Matrix_Fan]

I never liked the Feros mission. Always found it boring compared to the other three spots.

On another note, finished my second play through, did all the side missions (had to play it a 2nd time just to do the Tali's Pilgrimage side quest, which I completely forgot about the first time). Now I shall use this save file for Mass Effect 2.

[Tornado]

Yeah, I missed Tali's pilgrimmage side quest too in my first play-through. I knew it existed, but I must have never gotten the UNC: Geth Incursions side-quest or something. I made sure to receive it this time around though (as I used Tali in my party along with Kaidan - worst party ever, but the three weapons achievements came pretty quickly because I was racking up every single kill the party got).

[MasterChief117]

I'm going to miss out on getting this game for a while, sadly. I really want it just don't have the funds lol. It looks damn good though.

[Tornado]

I actually started a third game this morning (as an engineer, was planning to play with Ashley and Liara) before I told myself I was being ridiculous and didn't save any of my progress. Any more ME and I'm going to burn myself out before 2 even releases.

[Lucifer Rising]

I'll wait until the game drops in price. I'll pick up the collectors edition in game station and find some codes online for the armor if they're in the box. Unless it locks after using it first time
I've got a few saves on mine so i can use one on one of my playthroughs and then another on my second.

[Tornado]

Good luck finding the collector's edition after a price drop. That thing is probably going to be sold out pretty quick.

[Lucifer Rising]

Good luck finding the collector's edition after a price drop. That thing is probably going to be sold out pretty quick.

I found the steel tin one of ME1 pretty easy. Plus there's always ebay. Not all too bothered which i get anyway. I liked the first and this looks like it's gonna be good. Just hope they've sorted that vehicle out that you use when roaming about on planets. The controls were annoying for that

[Tornado]

Yeah, the Mako was a piece of ****. I know they revamped the system though; I think I read somewhere that you never actually drive on planets anymore. When you're on the Galaxy map, you rotate the planet and scan for spots of interest; when you find something you're just dropped right next to it.

[Tornado]

So has anybody else been watching the "Fight for the Lost" vingettes? They're just brief character/interview trailers, but I think they're kind of neat. Here is what has been released so far (just a warning - each contains minor/mild spoilers):

Shepard:

qY07l0DGYYY

Miranda:

0QYvQ4_5Fe4

Thane:

RdFVO1vzTbs

Grunt:

ArzBeLYIqpU

Subject Zero:

AOy2wiRo3wA

I'm sure more are probably coming as there are still a few squadmates without one yet.

[MasterChief117]

Yeah, the Mako was a piece of ****. I know they revamped the system though; I think I read somewhere that you never actually drive on planets anymore. When you're on the Galaxy map, you rotate the planet and scan for spots of interest; when you find something you're just dropped right next to it.


Couldn't agree more on the Mako. I hated when you dropped down and you had to drive with it. It was really sluggish and the whole gunplay mechanic with it was so very broken. My least favorite part of the game by far.

[Tornado]

I didn't mind the idea of driving with the Mako, but I hated when you had to cross mountain ranges. Horrible. The only upside is that you could get the jump on any enemies standing around outside bases. But despite how cool that was (I always tried to imagine it from their perspective; they're just standing there and chatting, and then Jimmy gets plugged in the face by a sniper rifle from 170 meters away), I wasted way too much time driving around in that.

[MasterChief117]

I didn't mind the idea of driving with the Mako, but I hated when you had to cross mountain ranges. Horrible. The only upside is that you could get the jump on any enemies standing around outside bases. But despite how cool that was (I always tried to imagine it from their perspective; they're just standing there and chatting, and then Jimmy gets plugged in the face by a sniper rifle from 170 meters away), I wasted way too much time driving around in that.

Before I answer this, I laughed at the entire Jimmy thing for like 5 minutes. That was so damn funny.


Okay, the Mako I hated driving in it. It felt too clunky and not as solid as say like GTA or something. As you pointed out I hated driving up mountains and pot holes. Not a fan, not to mention enemy fire blew it up rather easy. *last time I remember, been a while*

[Lucifer Rising]

Yeah i hated going over the mountains using the boost. I also hated it when you got to the thing marked on your map and find out your skill isn't high enough.
I haven't read much about the game recently. Trying to avoid spoilers.
Do you still drive in the Mako then?

[Tornado]

Good news!

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1061532p1.html

I was a little worried I'd be putting $60 into the game and then immediately come back and spend another $10-15. Good job Bioware, if only other companies were more like you (here's looking at you EA).

[insaneMoViEgoer]

It's so close!!!!!!

[Lucifer Rising]

Good news!

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1061532p1.html

I was a little worried I'd be putting $60 into the game and then immediately come back and spend another $10-15. Good job Bioware, if only other companies were more like you (here's looking at you EA).

do you need to have the game to download it or can you just dl it off marketplace?

[shained]

I really wanted to go thrugh ME1 again and get to use the DLC i paid for but I just can't find the time to put 20 hours into it again :(

[Tornado]

do you need to have the game to download it or can you just dl it off marketplace?

No idea.

[Fanible]

Good job Bioware, if only other companies were more like you (here's looking at you EA).

Erm... the Mass Effect series is published by EA. That, and it was the exact opposite for day-one content from Dragon Age: Origins (the last Bioware/EA game released). Maybe this is the result of backlash, although I heard the day-one content for Dragon Age sold well regardless.

[Tornado]

Erm... the Mass Effect series is published by EA. That, and it was the exact opposite for day-one content from Dragon Age: Origins (the last Bioware/EA game released). Maybe this is the result of backlash, although I heard the day-one content for Dragon Age sold well regardless.

Well, EA didn't have a hand in the 360 version of the first game. And I was mainly referring to their sports franchises, for which they charge an arm and a leg to basically buy the stuff that should have been in the game from the start anyway.

[Fanible]

Speaking of different versions, I'm assuming most of everyone here played the console version of the game. I had no issues at all with the land rover, and actually enjoyed it. That is, I played the PC version and they must have fixed it up quite a bit, and/or it just worked much better with a keyboard/mouse.

That being said, I have no qualms if it has or has not been removed from the sequel.

[shained]

The odd times i hated it when going up Mountains but overall I enjoyed it. Loved the little boost when speeding off a mountain.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

8 more days!!!

Gametrailers has up a new Sci vs Fi doc for ME2

Part 1 (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-sci-mass-effect/60872)

[Tornado]

Yeah, I thought Part I was pretty good when I watched it the other day. Here's Part II:

http://www.gametrailers.com/game/mass-effect-2/10875

Haven't watched it yet though.

[iv3rdawG]

The soundtrack is now available. I listened to the first two samples of songs, and they sound pretty great.

http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-2-Explicit/dp/B0031CSCS6

[Tornado]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1061782p1.html

Sweet.

[Tornado]

The soundtrack is now available. I listened to the first two samples of songs, and they sound pretty great.

http://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-2-Explicit/dp/B0031CSCS6

Nice. I'm in the midst of... obtaining it right now.

[Tornado]

Launch trailer:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect2workingtitle/video/6246727?hd=1&tag=topslot;title;1#toggle_video

Just a head's up - there are spoilers for the intro to the game, so if you don't know how the things kick off then you may want to avoid it.

[Matrix_Fan]

Launch trailer:

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/masseffect2workingtitle/video/6246727?hd=1&tag=topslot;title;1#toggle_video

Just a head's up - there are spoilers for the intro to the game, so if you don't know how the things kick off then you may want to avoid it.

:omg:

*Convulses and spasms at the epicness*

And just in case anyone wants to know what the music is from:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LRLdhFVzqt4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LRLdhFVzqt4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

And just incase the embed is acting up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRLdhFVzqt4

[Darth Maul]

Holy Sweet Jeebus that was awesome!

[Tornado]

Apparently the game leaked and some people are playing it (and broadcasting a live stream). So, if you're like me and read any ME forums, I would avoid them for a while unless you feel comfortable with running into potential spoilers.

[Ramplate]

The commercials recently on TV have been making it look really good

[Lucifer Rising]

i did consider swapping CODMW2 for this since i don't play it much anymore but i still got some cheeves to do

[Darth Maul]

Apparently the game leaked and some people are playing it (and broadcasting a live stream). So, if you're like me and read any ME forums, I would avoid them for a while unless you feel comfortable with running into potential spoilers.

I am awaiting my collectors edition from Amazon. Ive avoided everything so far except that trailer lol. Still awesome.

[Boro]

omfg/10?

[Tornado]

It's looking more and more like it every day.

[Matrix_Fan]

Finally paid off my pre order.

And now I play the waiting game.....

[insaneMoViEgoer]

IGN Review (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1062898p1.html)

[Tornado]

Good review. Only a couple of days now. Anybody else getting their copy at midnight? A friend of mine and I are going out to Wal*Mart then; I don't have class until 1 on Tuesdays, so I suspect I'll be coming back to play for 3-4 hours before turning in for the night.

[Matrix_Fan]

I'll probably pick it up right before I go to school at 2, then when I get back at 6, I'll start playing.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

i'm going to try and go my gamestops midnight event.

[Tolkien]

Finally paid off my pre order.

And now I play the waiting game.....
Hey, that's the same thing I did yesterday on the way home from the theaters, lol. I really want that bonus armor and weapon, it looks awesome.

[MasterChief117]

Damn, that IGN review was great. Really can't wait to play this game it looks a whole lot different.

[Tornado]

This wait is taking forever. Good. Lord.

[Knerys]

According to that last commercial....This looks epic.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

IGN Australia Review (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1063149p1.html)

More details on gameplay enhancements than the US review.

[Tolkien]

According to that last commercial....This looks epic.
...understatement ...UNDERSTATEMENT! ;)

[Tornado]

I agree, but without the smiley.

[Tolkien]

What level are you at right now? I think I'm at level 52. I love the fact that when you beat the game and replay from the beginning you keep your current level, experience, weapons and armor that you've gained from the first go around. I just started playing again recently. You're supposed to be able to carry over your files from this one to Mass Effect 2. At least it's what I hear.

[Tornado]

You carry over your files, yeah, but you lose your inventory, skills, and level. All that carries over are your image and decisions from the first ME.

I'll be importing two characters - a level 50, male, paragon Adept who romanced Liara (I tried Ashley, but I still somehow wound up with Liara at the end, oh well) and a level 50, female, renegade Soldier who romanced Kaidan. I'll be playing with the Adept in about... 11.5 hours. :D

[Tolkien]

So if my level is 52 right now, when I carry over to ME2 I revert back to level 0? That kinda sucks. I'll be importing two characters as well, one at level 52 and one at level 47, both of them male.

the level 52 male has Ashley still alive, romanced Ashley, Wrex dead and the council destroyed with the humans taking over the citadel at the end.

the level 47 male has Kaidan still alive, romanced Liara, Wrex still alive and the council saved and still in power with most of the earth fleet destroyed.

[Matrix_Fan]

I have a level 36 Renagade (Romanced Ashley), and a level 58 Paragon (Romanced Liara)

No matter which one I pick, I'm going to dump them for Tali. :csgrin:

[MasterChief117]

Guess what folks, I'm saving my money from Star Trek Online to re-buy the first and second Mass Effect. Star Trek Online hasn't made me that happy and I don't wanna spend some 50 bucks on the game and another 15 a month. I loved Mass Effect(I wish my disc was still usable) so I'll just get this. Not sure when though, I know I'm going to get rid of that horrid Fallout 3. So excited!!

[Matrix_Fan]

Fallout 3? Horrid? Does not compute.....

[Justin]

I was going to say....

[Darth Maul]

Fallout 3? Horrid? Does not compute.....

http://i15.tinypic.com/66awbkn.gif

[Tolkien]

Fallout 3 is in my keep list. Games that I'll keep no matter what. It's above amazing.

[Darth Maul]

I have a level 36 Renagade (Romanced Ashley), and a level 58 Paragon (Romanced Liara)

No matter which one I pick, I'm going to dump them for Tali. :csgrin:

yup Level 60 Paragon Vanguard ready to go myself.

[Tornado]

So if my level is 52 right now, when I carry over to ME2 I revert back to level 0? That kinda sucks. I'll be importing two characters as well, one at level 52 and one at level 47, both of them male.

the level 52 male has Ashley still alive, romanced Ashley, Wrex dead and the council destroyed with the humans taking over the citadel at the end.

the level 47 male has Kaidan still alive, romanced Liara, Wrex still alive and the council saved and still in power with most of the earth fleet destroyed.

Yep, you start from scratch level-wise.

I think my full list of decisions from my two play-throughs were as follows:

Character A:
- Adept
- male
- level 49 or 50, can't remember
- 100% paragon
- romanced Liara
- saved the Council
- chose Anderson as new Council member
- saved Ashley on Virmire
- Wrex is still alive
- saved the Rachni queen

Character B:
- Soldier
- female
- level 50
- 100% renegade
- romanced Kaidan
- I didn't "kill" the Council; I instead focused on Sovereign and received a split paragon/renegade bonus
- chose Anderson as new Council member (**** Udina either way)
- saved Kaidan on Virmire
- killed Wrex myself
- killed the Rachni queen

Less than eight hours now.

Also, I couldn't stand Fallout 3 either.

[iv3rdawG]

The state of the art in grand-scale, two-disc space operas, Mass Effect 2 picks up two years after the end of the first installment of its galactic-noir story line. With beefier combat added to the role-playing, it's the Avatar of video games — except it's better written.

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1952673_1956096_1956114,00.html

Also, can we all be cautious about posting spoilers when the game is released?

[Tornado]

I agree. I fully intend on coming on here after every few hours of gameplay to say where I am, what I've done, thoughts, impressions, etc. But I will be using spoiler tags, and I think everybody else should follow suit.

[Matrix_Fan]

Don't worry, if I encounter something spoileriffic, I'll make sure to use the tags.

[Darth Maul]

Don't worry, if I encounter something spoileriffic, I'll make sure to use the tags.

You better or Ill go Tor'uk Mac'to On you hahaha.

[MasterChief117]

Fallout 3? Horrid? Does not compute.....

I was going to say....

Horrid is a bit overdone. I played the hell out of that game and it glitched nearly half of my achievements and quest points. It's built up aggrivation obviously. It's a pretty solid game.

[Deexan]

I gave up mid-way through Fallout 3 around 6 months ago as I had minimal life remaining, no back up saves and was stuck in downtown spook central. Reading this thread earlier encouraged me to return to it and I'm happy to say that I have successfully manoevred out to the wastelands.

On topic, it seems ME 1 & 2 may get a combined release on the PS3 nearer the summer. Fingers crossed.

[Tornado]

Boo! Mass Effect shouldn't cross onto the PS3 until Uncharted does the same for the 360.

[MasterChief117]

Agreed. Is everyone as impressed with these graphics as I am?

[iv3rdawG]

Just finished my play through of the first one and man, that final act of the game is one of my favorite parts in any video game. Fantastic stuff. I remember playing it the first time and at the end, actually wondering if there was anyway BioWare would kill off Shepard and still wondering that before it was revealed. But I love the way they ended it. Now I really cant wait to play the second. Soon.

[Tornado]

From now on until I beat the game, I will be tagging all of my 'progress' posts with spoilers. This first one doesn't really contain anything spoiler-ish unless you haven't played the first half hour of the game, but the upcoming ones may. So, you've been warned.

I'm about two hours in right now (playing as the male, paragon Adept). Very impressed so far. The characters all seem very interesting, the story seems solid (although I've barely even breached it at this point). The new Normandy is pretty great. Just touched down on Omega, so that is where I'll be picking up tomorrow.

[iv3rdawG]

I'm only 1 hour in but wow, that opening was fantastic.

[Tolkien]

Not picking this up until tomorrow. :( I can't wait... Literally.

[iv3rdawG]

The first game kind of felt like the cast was just there, but now it seems even better. Sheen as the Illusive Man is really a standout.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

This game is consuming my life.

[Brock Landers]

I just got it, and I haven't even opened it up yet. Hopefully I won't be as bored as I was with Assassin's Creed II, but that isn't saying much anyways.

[iv3rdawG]

This game is consuming my life.

No kidding. I love BioWare. Also, when this track came on when Shepard was drifting in space. Fantastic.

p2G9jZzeofU

[Tornado]

This game is consuming my life.

Tell me about it. I've owned it (and been at my house, able to play it) for about 19 hours. I've logged 11 hours in so far. :redface:

The game is incredible though. I didn't think I would say this, but I'm pretty sure I like ME2 up to this point more than I did ME1 up through that game's first 11 hours. I have a few qualms, but none are a big deal.

[Darth Maul]

The unboxing of Mass Effect 2 Collectors Edition that Matrix Fan and I Did! check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcHa4LxotOQ

BTW im Ilya

[Tornado]

It's probably a blessing I have a 9 AM class. I would probably be playing through the night without it.

I will say that the game is longer than I expected it to be. I'm sitting at about 15 hours, and I still have a few people left to recruit, not to mention a fair amount of loyalty and side missions before I hit the point of no return. On my last play-through, I beat ME1 in about 16 hours.

[Matrix_Fan]

Almost six hours in, and absolutely loving it right now. Have to take a break, and continue later. Need the shut eye.



Grunt: Shepard.

Shepard: I should get going.

Grunt: Shepard.

Me: *Laughs*

[Tornado]

Yeah, that's a good one. I think the funniest thing I've seen so far was on... (keep in mind, I'm about 15 hours in, so you may not want to click this yet unless you've played a lot too)

... the flotilla when you're representing Tali in her trial for treason, when you run around talking to people in the main room one of the Admirals introduces himself as "Admiral Blah Blah vas Qwib Qwib." Tali says, "Don't ask about the name." My very first response to the Admiral was, "You have a ship named Qwib Qwib?" Tali cut in with, "Oh, here we go..."

Love the dialogue in general, but that bit stood out to me. Actually, a lot of the dialogue in that mission was great, ranging from touching to pretty funny.

[MasterChief117]

Question to anyone who has played it, have they gotten rid of that music when you die? It's so annoying.

[Tornado]

... I actually can't remember. I'm too distracted by the red veins to notice. I'll check when I play later.

Also, to those with the Cerberus Network (which should be everybody unless you don't have even a silver account - which is, side note, free), the DLC with the new character is apparently live. I'm not home so I can't check myself, but that's what the forums are saying. I'm just glad it showed up before I got too far in the game. I'm pretty sure Zaeed is supposed to be on Omega, if anybody was wondering.

[MasterChief117]

Yeah, I heard about the Cerberus, apparently Bioware is going to push out a good amount of DLC, free and paid of course. Sounds like a pretty sweet idea to me.

[Tornado]

Bioware says that every time they release a new game. There was supposed to be a lot of DLC for Knights, Knights II, and the first Mass Effect; there was one board-able ship for Knights, nothing for II, and not much for ME (Bring Down the Sky was great; I didn't play it, but I heard Pinnacle Station was awful).

But, they've already released two items for ME2, so maybe they're actually going to follow through this time.

Anybody else hoping for an Omega premium theme for the dashboard? They released a handful for ME1, so I hope they repeat here.

[MasterChief117]

It'd be nice for one or two large DLCs in the distant future. This game probably has a lot of play time but it'd still be nice. Maybe it could fill in gaps or something similar to what GTA does.

[iv3rdawG]

Anybody else hoping for an Omega premium theme for the dashboard? They released a handful for ME1, so I hope they repeat here.

I love.. absolutely love that in this game (I've only been to Omega) the feeling of actually going to a city like the first time I did with the Citadel. That was the only city in the first one so walking into Omega for the first time and going into the club/bar was awesome.

[Tolkien]

I have all the dashboard themes for ME1 and hope to purchase ME2 ones soon. Good news for X-Box users. Microsoft may soon be getting rid of the point system and just having people pay for the content instead. Too many people are left with points that they can't use which wastes money.

I was lucky to get my ME2 when I did. 200 people pre-ordered the collector's edition one that I did and the GameStop I ordered it from only received 7 of the bonus armor cards, lol. I had a guy in line behind me begging to buy the bonus armor from me for $25, lol.

[Tornado]

Good. I hate the points system. I've had 20 points sitting in my account for about a year now.

Also, I'm about 22 hours in. I've decided instead of doing periodic updates, I'm just going to post a wall of text when I'm done. Should be over the weekend I imagine, as I've still got a fair amount of side quests left before I want to get back to the main story.

[Ramplate]

A friend of mine is going to let me try the first game while he's doing the second :D

[Alien]

Good. I hate the points system. I've had 20 points sitting in my account for about a year now.
Me too. I've had 20 points I just can't spend.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Does anybody else hate, but can't stop, planet scanning? I think that's the one thing they need to improve for part 3.

[Matrix_Fan]

The scanning isn't as annoying as I thought it was going to be. But it should be refined a bit if they reuse it from ME3.

There are some really hilarious bugs in the game. Not freezing or slow down, but some animation bugs.

When talking to Anderson on the Citadel, when it cut to Anderson talking, Garrus moonwalks into the scene and stands almost in the middle of us, practically butting in on our conversation. LOL

Another time, when hunting Harkin, when it cut to Shepard after a dialogue option, his right arm looked like it was a growth on his left side. Leaving his right side armless.

This particular mission was funny on it's own, because I brought Tali along, and she barely said a word throughout the entire mission, even when me and Garrus killed the two body guards for the Volus. She just stood in the background and was like "Yeah, all in a days work."

[Tornado]

Does anybody else hate, but can't stop, planet scanning? I think that's the one thing they need to improve for part 3.

Yeah. I despise it. It's honestly the only serious qualm I have about the game. But, like you said, I can't stop. Too many upgrades left, and I have no intention of going into the final mission until I have them all.

[Tolkien]

I played for over five hours yesterday and spend almost four hours of that time exploring.

[Tornado]

Beat it. Thoughts up later. In a word: tremendous.

[FranklinTard]

how many hours?

[Tornado]

It was about 31. That's with having done every loyalty quest, every side mission, not skipping any dialogue and fleshing out both a romance (Miranda, although I had regrets about that later on) and all dialogue trees. Also, I spent a lot of time scanning planets because I thought it would be necessary for the suicide mission.

[Matrix_Fan]

I just beat it at an amusing 20:12.

I'll play through it again, easily, but on a first play through, I'm going to file this game under "One of the most awesome things ever made. Ever."

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Just finished it. Amazing. And that final shot :O Can't wait for 3.

Question for those who didn't let Wrex survive in part 1

Spoiler if you haven't been to Tuchanka yet.
Who was the clan leader on Tuchanka?

[Tornado]

Spoiler if you haven't been to Tuchanka yet.
Who was the clan leader on Tuchanka?

I was wondering that too. I actually thought that maybe the scenario would be totally different, and Uvenk would actually be in charge or something.

Also, out of curiosity, did any of your squadmates die on the suicide mission? It seemed pretty avoidable if you were smart about it, but I've read a lot of reports about people losing Mordin because he can't hold the door/line. For that reason, I took him (and Thane) with me and as a result nobody on my squad died. Tali nearly died in the vent because Harbinger came back one last time before the 8th switch, but I just made a break for it and hit it. I was worried when Garrus got shot (he led the initial secondary team for me), but he shrugged it off.

[Matrix_Fan]

Also, out of curiosity, did any of your squadmates die on the suicide mission? It seemed pretty avoidable if you were smart about it, but I've read a lot of reports about people losing Mordin because he can't hold the door/line. For that reason, I took him (and Thane) with me and as a result nobody on my squad died. Tali nearly died in the vent because Harbinger came back one last time before the 8th switch, but I just made a break for it and hit it. I was worried when Garrus got shot (he led the initial secondary team for me), but he shrugged it off.

Miranda died on my suicide mission. I took Jack's side in the fight with her, and she was being pissy for the rest of the game. I tried to get my paragon points high enough to get the loyalty back, but it got down to either get the loyalty back, or save the crew, so I let Miranda die.

But no matter. I played this game with one goal in mind. That goal was something I've always wanted to achieve since the first game. Thanks to Mass Effect 2, I was able to achieve that goal. Now I have only one thing to say.......


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/futuramafan1987/P1000557.jpg

Mission Accomplished. :csgrin:

[Alien]

Miranda died on my suicide mission. I took Jack's side in the fight with her, and she was being pissy for the rest of the game. I tried to get my paragon points high enough to get the loyalty back, but it got down to either get the loyalty back, or save the crew, so I let Miranda die.

But no matter. I played this game with one goal in mind. That goal was something I've always wanted to achieve since the first game. Thanks to Mass Effect 2, I was able to achieve that goal. Now I have only one thing to say.......


http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc340/futuramafan1987/P1000557.jpg

Mission Accomplished. :csgrin:


What do they look like under the masks?

[MasterChief117]

FINALLY!!! I BOUGHT THE GAME!!!AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT TO PLAY IT!!!!lol Oh well, atleast I have it.

[Tolkien]

So far I've recruited the Krogan, Grunt, and rescued the convict Jack. Scanned every planet along the way too, lol. It's annoying but I can't stop. I wish you could customize the armor more, I wouldn't might wearing the Cerberus armor suit that Jacob wears, or at least my own version of it. Last night I touched down on Omega before saving and shutting it off. I'm really taking my time with this game and enjoying it as much as possible. It's been a long time coming, lol.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I was wondering that too. I actually thought that maybe the scenario would be totally different, and Uvenk would actually be in charge or something.

Also, out of curiosity, did any of your squadmates die on the suicide mission? It seemed pretty avoidable if you were smart about it, but I've read a lot of reports about people losing Mordin because he can't hold the door/line. For that reason, I took him (and Thane) with me and as a result nobody on my squad died. Tali nearly died in the vent because Harbinger came back one last time before the 8th switch, but I just made a break for it and hit it. I was worried when Garrus got shot (he led the initial secondary team for me), but he shrugged it off.

None of my team died. I don't think it matters who you take in your party as long as they're loyal. But I did watch videos where Sheppard dies in the end, looks like it only happens if you're entire squad dies during the mission.

And Garrus is such a badass in this game.

[Tornado]

None of my team died. I don't think it matters who you take in your party as long as they're loyal. But I did watch videos where Sheppard dies in the end, looks like it only happens if you're entire squad dies during the mission.

And Garrus is such a badass in this game.

Actually, that's not the case. You can send the wrong people into the final mission and they'll end up dead. I know a lot of people sent Thane through the vents and even though he was loyal he ended up dying. He wasn't a good enough tech. And from what I gather, some of it is random because I know a guy who sent Legion through the vents, and he didn't come back either.

[Tolkien]

Just got through recruiting/saving Archangel/Garrus and I must say, I thought I did something wrong for a moment there when he was hit. I thought I didn't make it in time and he died, lol. So now I've recruited Grunt, Jack and Garrus. Got a lot of upgrades too. And yes, my very own Space Hampster!

[Tolkien]

I have a question. I'm seeing photos online of Sheppard wearing a white colored armor. I didn't know you could change armor, I thought you could only customize the look? Yeah, ten hours in and I'm still in the beginning, lol.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Might have been a DLC pre-order bonus. I have the terminus gear and collector's armor. I know that a couple days ago all pre-order bonuses were accidentally released for free on microsoft's xbox live website. Some people were lucky enough to get them all before they were taken down.

Starting my second playthrough trying to get the last three achievements.

[Tornado]

Are you playing on insanity? Let us know how that goes. I'm going to start my second play-through later on (same Shepard, but soldier this time around so I can get that level 30 achievement), and I'm still debating if I want to do insanity this time or not. Normal was kind of tough as an adept early on because my powers weren't quite strong enough to really aggressively fight with them, but as the game went on battles turned into a joke. Even Harbinger went down like a ***** most of the time in the second half of the game.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Yeah I'm playing on insanity, and even with my imported character I'm dying quite a bit. But I just need to get used to it and I should be fine.

And agree about the battles later on. I too played as an adept and my best party was Mordin and Miranda. Level 4 Warp with Sheppard + level 3 warp Miranda and level 4 incinerate = Harbinger death in 2 seconds. Even scions became way too easy.

[MasterChief117]

When do I get actual assault rifles for my damn character? I keep getting money and scanning them damn fields but I have yet to get any new guns. I mean I get heavy weapons but I want a sniper rifle, shotgun or assault rifle. Any reason why this isn't popping up?

[Matrix_Fan]

What do they look like under the masks?

Zoe Saldana is under the helmet.

Just kidding. You don't see anything sadly. But, judging by Shepard's facial expression when he removed the helmet, he liked what he saw.

[Tolkien]

HAHAHA, I epic-failed myself. Turns out I was asking about changing the armor color and it was right there all along. All I had to do was stroll down, lol.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

When do I get actual assault rifles for my damn character? I keep getting money and scanning them damn fields but I have yet to get any new guns. I mean I get heavy weapons but I want a sniper rifle, shotgun or assault rifle. Any reason why this isn't popping up?

Depends on what class you're using. Unlike the previous game, not every class can use all guns. There will be a point later on where you can add another gun to use.

[Tornado]

^ That was a happy time for me. I was sorely missing my trusty sniper rifle. I became way too accustomed to it as a soldier.

Speaking of being a soldier, I just started my second play-through. Playing through on insanity this go around.

[Darth Maul]

Same here and its my renegade character! :D

[MasterChief117]

Depends on what class you're using. Unlike the previous game, not every class can use all guns. There will be a point later on where you can add another gun to use.

Alright, I just broke out the krogan from the bio tank.



Question about the minerals...The first mineral to the far left, what does that do? I'm not sure of the name but I can't seem to find it...or find a use for it.

[Darth Maul]

Alright, I just broke out the krogan from the bio tank.



Question about the minerals...The first mineral to the far left, what does that do? I'm not sure of the name but I can't seem to find it...or find a use for it.

That's for bio and tech abilities.



Matrix Fan and I did a podcast review of the game.

Check it out if you got some time.

http://blog.reelloop.com/7025/news/mass-effect-2-uber-review/

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Seems like you can get the pre order bonuses by drinking dr. pepper

http://www.drpepper.com/promotions/

[Tornado]

Mass Effect 2: Thoughts and Impressions

Rather than going through and individually tagging blocks, I'm just going to tag all of this. Just a warning though - there are both minor spoilers and potentially "game-ruining" spoilers ahead. So, either wait until you beat the game or click at your own risk. What I will say outside of tags though is that I thought the characters were probably the best I've ever seen in a video game, but the plot was a tad weak.

Mass Effect 2's plot, in my opinion, was very much just a way to present a reason as to why all of these excellent characters would come together. Truth be told, while the Collectors were doing pretty horrible things, I never really got the sense of urgency I did in the first game. In the original, almost as soon as you touch down on Virmire (assuming you saved it for last), you're launched into what is basically a 5-6 hour ending of the game. Several twists and turns occur throughout that period, all culminating in a terrific final sequence.

Mass Effect 2, on the other hand, takes a different route. My play-through clocked in at approximately 31 hours; my guess would be that probably 25 or so of those hours had almost nothing to do with the Collectors. I always felt like I was racing against the clock to catch Saren in the first game; in this, for the majority of the game I felt like "they will be there when I get there." I took my time, and played the game fairly methodically. Only after you play as Joker on the Collector-ized Normandy did I start to feel the heat (what a weird experience too; playing as somebody other than Shepard). And that was a good 30 hours in.

That being said, I thought the plot was particularly well done anyway. Fighting the Collectors was challenging at certain points (something the first game lacked - I went entire play-throughs without dying once in ME1), and the final suicide mission was exhilarating. Personally, I put Tali in the vents, Garrus leading both B-squad teams, Grunt escorting the crew, and Samara using the bubble shield. Tali nearly died on me because Harbinger showed up at the worst possible second right before the 8th valve, but I blew him back to hell and hit the switch letting her through and opening the door. I was a little worried because Garrus got shot, but he shrugged it off. Badass.

The one thing about the final run is that I desperately want to know why the Collectors were kidnapping humans. The game presented something of an answer (humans were being liquefied and fed to the Human Reaper), but raised further questions in doing so: Why humans? Is that how all Reapers are made? Why make a Reaper that looks like a human? What was their plan? Will we see them again? What is the Illusive Man's connection the Collectors (since it seems pretty clear he is at least somewhat involved)?

Because it was the core of the game, I'm going to take a few minutes to run through my thoughts on the characters:


Miranda: I enjoyed her character development over the course of the game, going from a cold ***** to something of a warm and caring woman by the end. But, I'm being somewhat loose with those words. I thought her loyalty mission was probably the weakest of the batch, largely because it didn't really present anything new. The pay-off was sweet, seeing her reunited (well... sort of seeing her) with her twin sister was a touching moment. My qualm with her was largely my fault though; for a while, I was stringing along both her and Tali in the romance side-quest before the former told me to "choose a side" basically. I chose her as she was who I set out to be with, but whatever we had devolved into little more than sex in my eyes. And that really wasn't what I was interested in. If I play again as a male, which I eventually intend to do, I won't be romancing her.
Jacob: If you played through the original game as a male, you were supposed to see Kaidan as something of a brother in arms. I didn't see him like that, and because of that (along with being an adept, totally negating his value on the squad) I chose to save Ashley over him on Virmire. When I first heard about Jacob, I assumed it would be a similar story, but that could not have been farther from the truth. I wouldn't say that I saw him as a brother (more on that later), but he was a far better developed character than Kaidan was. "If we live, we'll get loud, and drink on the Citadel." His loyalty mission concerning his father was one of the better ones in my opinion. Really great character.
Thane: Little did I know someone would top Jacob. The drell assassin is probably the best character Bioware has come up with in any game as far as I'm concerned. His history, personality, loyalty mission, everything about him was top-notch. And he was pretty handy in a fight too, as I often combined my own biotic abilities with his. This was the male bond I wanted out of the first game. If Jacob was the "best friend" persona, then Thane was a brother. That was solidified in one of our final conversations when the subject actually came up (well, not exactly, but it was pretty close). Add to that the small touches in gameplay - for example, when I took him and Jacob to the latter's loyalty mission, I made a very subtle nod to Thane when we were talking to Jacob's father. At that point, Thane took over as look-out from me. It's the small things that stood out to me. I can't speak highly enough of him. Unfortunately, because he is dying, I suspect he won't be returning for the third game.
Grunt: In a word: badass. Thankfully, he really wasn't much like the game's promotional materials painted him out to be. The ads made him out to be a rebellious killer, but he was actually a deeply conflicted individual who had a lot of internal grief both in and outside of the mission. His loyalty mission was one of the best in the game, if not the absolute best. Killing the thresher maw on foot was extremely satisfying. I especially liked the ending to his character's arc - he didn't really find peace, but he found rationale for his behavior.
Tali: When I first heard that Tali would be returning from the original game (along with Garrus), my first thought was, "Could they have picked two less interesting characters to come back? Just didn't want to come up with a new Quarian and Turian?" Boy was I wrong (on Tali anyway). Talk about character growth and development. Tali, in my eyes, was just a sweet, nerdy girl in the engineering room in the original game. She really came into her own in the sequel though. Her story of being trapped by her suit and being unable to experience things we take for granted (touching a flower was her example if I'm not mistaken) was of particular note. "I got better Shepard... I got you." If only I had done her loyalty mission sooner. When I play the game as a male again, I will definitely be romancing her.
Jack: I felt like she was a little too one-dimensional, but maybe that would change in the romance quest. We did see a different side to her in her loyalty mission, and in certain bits of dialogue, but she was always quick to tell me to "**** off" even though I was using paragon responses. That being said, I found her to be a very interesting character. I ended up using her in combat a fair amount in a rotation with Thane, Grunt, Jacob, and Mordin toward the game's end.
Mordin: I didn't use him much in the game until I did his side-quest (which I did toward the end of my run). I did make sure to always talk with him on the Normandy, but I suspect I missed out on some things. That being said, I thought he was a pretty interesting character. I don't know why he keeps being called the Clint Eastwood of scientists as he really isn't anything like Eastwood, but I suppose if they just mean "badass" scientist in general... then there could be worse comparisons. I never did get an answer to the one question I wanted to ask him - what happened to his other ear/horn/appendage? Mordin singing was fantastic though.
Garrus: Snore. He was great in the first game because he was refreshing and had something of an unpredictable personality. That being said, I couldn't care less about seeing the guy again. His loyalty mission was pretty tame too. And here's the $64 thousand question - why did we have to earn his loyalty anyway? I understand earning Tali's as she had serious concerns about working with Cerberus and my death, but Garrus didn't seem to bat an eyelash (if Turians had them) about either topic. The only use he had throughout the entire game was leading the teams in the suicide mission. I was a little worried when it looked like he got shot, but he didn't die. Other than that, I thought he was a bore. Also, his dialogue tree ended way earlier than everybody else's.
Samara: I honestly didn't play with her much outside of her loyalty mission (which was one of the better ones). She grew on me as the game progressed, but I never found her as interesting as some of the other characters on the Normandy. Her dialogue tree gave off that whiff of interest, but it never really grew in my eyes. She seemed pretty loyal from the word 'go', as opposed to the other characters who warmed up to you over several conversations.
Legion: I can't say much because I suspect there is still conversation to be had with him (immediately after I got him I did his loyalty mission and then headed for the Omega IV relay), but from what I've seen he seems interesting. I do like that the center of "Geth controversy" is in my party though - my guess is that he will probably emerge as the leader of the "true Geth" in Mass Effect 3. Joker impersonating him on the Normandy was by far the funniest part of the game. Hilarious.
Zaeed: Giant jackass. I only played with him once - his loyalty mission. When I punched him at the end of that, I couldn't have been happier. If I didn't care about his loyalty achievement, I would have left him to die there. And that's saying something considering I was playing paragon.

Improvements over the original Mass Effect:


Combat - there was actually a challenge this time around, I oftentimes tapped into my teammates' abilities and combined them with my own (something I never did in the first), I found myself taking cover constantly, etc. Excellent, excellent changes.
Scanning. I'm not saying I liked scanning because I really didn't, but I despised the Mako with a fiery passion. The combination with the upgrades system was a fine addition too.
The characters, if you somehow didn't get that from the above.
The leveling system - there was no reason I should have been divying points into charm/intimidate/Spectre training/etc. like I was in the first game. While I thought six abilities was maybe a tad low, it was perfectly fine.
Heavy weapons. Awesome.


Despite all that heavy praise, I did have a few qualms besides certain aspects of the story:

Ashley and I assume Kaidan were both portrayed horribly here. I understand their concerns and their changes over those two years where you were assumed KIA, but shouldn't they trust me by now? I saved the galaxy, stopped Sovreign and Saren, saved the Council, and secured humanity's seat the deciding of how the galaxy will play out from here. Why the hell do they not trust me? Why couldn't they be more like Wrex? I couldn't believe how happy he was to see me - that was one of the best moments in the game for me.
Liara changed way too much for my tastes. I had been toying with sticking with her for the romance, but that definitely will never happen now.
While I loved combat, I hated that my squadmates tended to lag way behind me as I was heading into battle, leaving me fighting multiple enemies on my own as they huddled in the hallway outside the main arena.
Definitely not enough XP handed out after random side quests. I was hoping to hit level 30 in one play-through. I think I capped out at 27.

That being said, this is the best game I've played on the 360. I loved every second of it; even though I thought the main plot needed a hair's more work, I found it to be very engrossing because of the characters and the world the game is set in. Mass Effect 2 is a deeply emotional game with tremendous up's and down's. Even though I put in a solid 31 hours, I didn't want it to end. I will go back and finish some achievements/side quests in the next couple of days, and I'll eventually play through it again with my other character (and probably a third time on insanity with my adept). I was anticipating this game ever since the first finished (admittedly, more so in the past couple of months), and I can honestly say it was even better than I had hoped it would be. I was a huge fan of the first game, and I think the sequel was even better. If Mass Effect 3 plays out like this game ends, we will be in for quite the epic conclusion.

A+

Tomorrow I will probably come up with a list of what I would like to see out of a third game.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Did you by any chance scan all the keepers in the first game? Because the message you get from Chorban really intrigues me for what may come in part 3.

[Tornado]

I scanned all the keepers in the first game, but I don't remember exactly what Chorban said in his message. I'll have to re-check that message if you don't reply before I play again.

I'm only about an hour into my insanity soldier play-through, but I don't think it's really too bad just yet. I'm sure it'll get worse, but for now I'm hanging in there.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Actually, I think I over analyzed it and it doesn't reveal anything we don't already know :P

[Tolkien]

Mass Effect 2: Thoughts and Impressions

Rather than going through and individually tagging blocks, I'm just going to tag all of this. Just a warning though - there are both minor spoilers and potentially "game-ruining" spoilers ahead. So, either wait until you beat the game or click at your own risk. What I will say outside of tags though is that I thought the characters were probably the best I've ever seen in a video game, but the plot was a tad weak.

Mass Effect 2's plot, in my opinion, was very much just a way to present a reason as to why all of these excellent characters would come together. Truth be told, while the Collectors were doing pretty horrible things, I never really got the sense of urgency I did in the first game. In the original, almost as soon as you touch down on Virmire (assuming you saved it for last), you're launched into what is basically a 5-6 hour ending of the game. Several twists and turns occur throughout that period, all culminating in a terrific final sequence.

Mass Effect 2, on the other hand, takes a different route. My play-through clocked in at approximately 31 hours; my guess would be that probably 25 or so of those hours had almost nothing to do with the Collectors. I always felt like I was racing against the clock to catch Saren in the first game; in this, for the majority of the game I felt like "they will be there when I get there." I took my time, and played the game fairly methodically. Only after you play as Joker on the Collector-ized Normandy did I start to feel the heat (what a weird experience too; playing as somebody other than Shepard). And that was a good 30 hours in.

That being said, I thought the plot was particularly well done anyway. Fighting the Collectors was challenging at certain points (something the first game lacked - I went entire play-throughs without dying once in ME1), and the final suicide mission was exhilarating. Personally, I put Tali in the vents, Garrus leading both B-squad teams, Grunt escorting the crew, and Samara using the bubble shield. Tali nearly died on me because Harbinger showed up at the worst possible second right before the 8th valve, but I blew him back to hell and hit the switch letting her through and opening the door. I was a little worried because Garrus got shot, but he shrugged it off. Badass.

The one thing about the final run is that I desperately want to know why the Collectors were kidnapping humans. The game presented something of an answer (humans were being liquefied and fed to the Human Reaper), but raised further questions in doing so: Why humans? Is that how all Reapers are made? Why make a Reaper that looks like a human? What was their plan? Will we see them again? What is the Illusive Man's connection the Collectors (since it seems pretty clear he is at least somewhat involved)?

Because it was the core of the game, I'm going to take a few minutes to run through my thoughts on the characters:


Miranda: I enjoyed her character development over the course of the game, going from a cold ***** to something of a warm and caring woman by the end. But, I'm being somewhat loose with those words. I thought her loyalty mission was probably the weakest of the batch, largely because it didn't really present anything new. The pay-off was sweet, seeing her reunited (well... sort of seeing her) with her twin sister was a touching moment. My qualm with her was largely my fault though; for a while, I was stringing along both her and Tali in the romance side-quest before the former told me to "choose a side" basically. I chose her as she was who I set out to be with, but whatever we had devolved into little more than sex in my eyes. And that really wasn't what I was interested in. If I play again as a male, which I eventually intend to do, I won't be romancing her.
Jacob: If you played through the original game as a male, you were supposed to see Kaidan as something of a brother in arms. I didn't see him like that, and because of that (along with being an adept, totally negating his value on the squad) I chose to save Ashley over him on Virmire. When I first heard about Jacob, I assumed it would be a similar story, but that could not have been farther from the truth. I wouldn't say that I saw him as a brother (more on that later), but he was a far better developed character than Kaidan was. "If we live, we'll get loud, and drink on the Citadel." His loyalty mission concerning his father was one of the better ones in my opinion. Really great character.
Thane: Little did I know someone would top Jacob. The drell assassin is probably the best character Bioware has come up with in any game as far as I'm concerned. His history, personality, loyalty mission, everything about him was top-notch. And he was pretty handy in a fight too, as I often combined my own biotic abilities with his. This was the male bond I wanted out of the first game. If Jacob was the "best friend" persona, then Thane was a brother. That was solidified in one of our final conversations when the subject actually came up (well, not exactly, but it was pretty close). Add to that the small touches in gameplay - for example, when I took him and Jacob to the latter's loyalty mission, I made a very subtle nod to Thane when we were talking to Jacob's father. At that point, Thane took over as look-out from me. It's the small things that stood out to me. I can't speak highly enough of him. Unfortunately, because he is dying, I suspect he won't be returning for the third game.
Grunt: In a word: badass. Thankfully, he really wasn't much like the game's promotional materials painted him out to be. The ads made him out to be a rebellious killer, but he was actually a deeply conflicted individual who had a lot of internal grief both in and outside of the mission. His loyalty mission was one of the best in the game, if not the absolute best. Killing the thresher maw on foot was extremely satisfying. I especially liked the ending to his character's arc - he didn't really find peace, but he found rationale for his behavior.
Tali: When I first heard that Tali would be returning from the original game (along with Garrus), my first thought was, "Could they have picked two less interesting characters to come back? Just didn't want to come up with a new Quarian and Turian?" Boy was I wrong (on Tali anyway). Talk about character growth and development. Tali, in my eyes, was just a sweet, nerdy girl in the engineering room in the original game. She really came into her own in the sequel though. Her story of being trapped by her suit and being unable to experience things we take for granted (touching a flower was her example if I'm not mistaken) was of particular note. "I got better Shepard... I got you." If only I had done her loyalty mission sooner. When I play the game as a male again, I will definitely be romancing her.
Jack: I felt like she was a little too one-dimensional, but maybe that would change in the romance quest. We did see a different side to her in her loyalty mission, and in certain bits of dialogue, but she was always quick to tell me to "**** off" even though I was using paragon responses. That being said, I found her to be a very interesting character. I ended up using her in combat a fair amount in a rotation with Thane, Grunt, Jacob, and Mordin toward the game's end.
Mordin: I didn't use him much in the game until I did his side-quest (which I did toward the end of my run). I did make sure to always talk with him on the Normandy, but I suspect I missed out on some things. That being said, I thought he was a pretty interesting character. I don't know why he keeps being called the Clint Eastwood of scientists as he really isn't anything like Eastwood, but I suppose if they just mean "badass" scientist in general... then there could be worse comparisons. I never did get an answer to the one question I wanted to ask him - what happened to his other ear/horn/appendage? Mordin singing was fantastic though.
Garrus: Snore. He was great in the first game because he was refreshing and had something of an unpredictable personality. That being said, I couldn't care less about seeing the guy again. His loyalty mission was pretty tame too. And here's the $64 thousand question - why did we have to earn his loyalty anyway? I understand earning Tali's as she had serious concerns about working with Cerberus and my death, but Garrus didn't seem to bat an eyelash (if Turians had them) about either topic. The only use he had throughout the entire game was leading the teams in the suicide mission. I was a little worried when it looked like he got shot, but he didn't die. Other than that, I thought he was a bore. Also, his dialogue tree ended way earlier than everybody else's.
Samara: I honestly didn't play with her much outside of her loyalty mission (which was one of the better ones). She grew on me as the game progressed, but I never found her as interesting as some of the other characters on the Normandy. Her dialogue tree gave off that whiff of interest, but it never really grew in my eyes. She seemed pretty loyal from the word 'go', as opposed to the other characters who warmed up to you over several conversations.
Legion: I can't say much because I suspect there is still conversation to be had with him (immediately after I got him I did his loyalty mission and then headed for the Omega IV relay), but from what I've seen he seems interesting. I do like that the center of "Geth controversy" is in my party though - my guess is that he will probably emerge as the leader of the "true Geth" in Mass Effect 3. Joker impersonating him on the Normandy was by far the funniest part of the game. Hilarious.
Zaeed: Giant jackass. I only played with him once - his loyalty mission. When I punched him at the end of that, I couldn't have been happier. If I didn't care about his loyalty achievement, I would have left him to die there. And that's saying something considering I was playing paragon.

Improvements over the original Mass Effect:


Combat - there was actually a challenge this time around, I oftentimes tapped into my teammates' abilities and combined them with my own (something I never did in the first), I found myself taking cover constantly, etc. Excellent, excellent changes.
Scanning. I'm not saying I liked scanning because I really didn't, but I despised the Mako with a fiery passion. The combination with the upgrades system was a fine addition too.
The characters, if you somehow didn't get that from the above.
The leveling system - there was no reason I should have been divying points into charm/intimidate/Spectre training/etc. like I was in the first game. While I thought six abilities was maybe a tad low, it was perfectly fine.
Heavy weapons. Awesome.


Despite all that heavy praise, I did have a few qualms besides certain aspects of the story:

Ashley and I assume Kaidan were both portrayed horribly here. I understand their concerns and their changes over those two years where you were assumed KIA, but shouldn't they trust me by now? I saved the galaxy, stopped Sovreign and Saren, saved the Council, and secured humanity's seat the deciding of how the galaxy will play out from here. Why the hell do they not trust me? Why couldn't they be more like Wrex? I couldn't believe how happy he was to see me - that was one of the best moments in the game for me.
Liara changed way too much for my tastes. I had been toying with sticking with her for the romance, but that definitely will never happen now.
While I loved combat, I hated that my squadmates tended to lag way behind me as I was heading into battle, leaving me fighting multiple enemies on my own as they huddled in the hallway outside the main arena.
Definitely not enough XP handed out after random side quests. I was hoping to hit level 30 in one play-through. I think I capped out at 27.

That being said, this is the best game I've played on the 360. I loved every second of it; even though I thought the main plot needed a hair's more work, I found it to be very engrossing because of the characters and the world the game is set in. Mass Effect 2 is a deeply emotional game with tremendous up's and down's. Even though I put in a solid 31 hours, I didn't want it to end. I will go back and finish some achievements/side quests in the next couple of days, and I'll eventually play through it again with my other character (and probably a third time on insanity with my adept). I was anticipating this game ever since the first finished (admittedly, more so in the past couple of months), and I can honestly say it was even better than I had hoped it would be. I was a huge fan of the first game, and I think the sequel was even better. If Mass Effect 3 plays out like this game ends, we will be in for quite the epic conclusion.

A+

Tomorrow I will probably come up with a list of what I would like to see out of a third game.
Hey Tornado, I wanted to ask; in what order did you do the Loyalty missions? I read somewhere that if you do Grunt's and Jack's loyalty missions last, you'll retain the loyalty of the entire squad or something for the last mission. I plan to run through the game again regardless, but I just wanted to ask about it.

[Tornado]

That's definitely possible. My order for the loyalty missions was as follows:

1. Garrus - I think. It might have been Miranda, but I'm pretty sure it was Garrus.
2. Miranda - Again, could have been flopped.
3. Tali
4. Zaeed
5. Jacob
6. Jack
7. Thane
8. Samara
9. Mordin
10. Grunt
11. Legion

But Tolk, if you're nearly full paragon (I think the figure I ran across was 80%; that might work for 80% renegade too, I'm not sure as I never had any "intimidate" options open to me) you'll be able to diffuse any problem you come across with the crew.

[Tolkien]

That's definitely possible. My order for the loyalty missions was as follows:

1. Garrus - I think. It might have been Miranda, but I'm pretty sure it was Garrus.
2. Miranda - Again, could have been flopped.
3. Tali
4. Zaeed
5. Jacob
6. Jack
7. Thane
8. Samara
9. Mordin
10. Grunt
11. Legion

But Tolk, if you're nearly full paragon (I think the figure I ran across was 80%; that might work for 80% renegade too, I'm not sure as I never had any "intimidate" options open to me) you'll be able to diffuse any problem you come across with the crew.
I'm currently sitting at about 60% paragon and 40% or so renegade. I have no idea how because I don't remember doing anything negative yet. But I'm trying to get it down so... Tonight I'll start on the second round of recruits and finish off some of the side missions I started.

[MasterChief117]

Question, how the hell do you gain the loyalty of everyone else around you? And, how do you start up a romantic relationship? Like everytime I talk to one of the many women in the game they talk to me like I'm trash(minus the creepy assistant). Miranda talks to me like I'm nothing compared to her egotistical self.

[Matrix_Fan]

After a while (I think about halfway through the game), Kelly will tell you that members of the crew want to talk to you. So when you talk to them, you get the loyalty mission. Then after the loyalty mission, you can choose to pursue a romantic relationship with them.

[Tolkien]

Question: How do I find Legion? I've yet to come across him. I have everyone else BUT him.

[Tornado]

He's in the main story, you can't miss him. As long as you opt to keep the "Geth technology" for yourself when the opportunity arises instead of sending it to Cerberus, you're gold.

[Tolkien]

I think I passed that already and gave it to Cerberus. I already unlocked the Reaper IFF mission, though I'm still doing loyalty missions so I havn't played it yet.

[Tornado]

I think I passed that already and gave it to Cerberus. I already unlocked the Reaper IFF mission, though I'm still doing loyalty missions so I havn't played it yet.

You haven't passed it yet.

[Tolkien]

Oh then good. Thought I missed one.

[MasterChief117]

Alright, I finished Miranda's loyalty mission and still no romance yet. I'm going to get the new recruits that Illusive Man handed me. So far this game is probably my favorite game ever. When I play it I have to make sure everything is pushed off hahaha. It really loses you. And I can't wait to get new weapons or the ability to use new ones. I'm getting really tired of these pistols.

[Tornado]

How do you only have pistols? You get a basic type of every weapon as soon as you touch down on Freedom's Progress (the first mission of the game post-Cerberus 'hub').

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I only had pistols and smgs as an adept. And later added assault riffles.

[Tornado]

That's true. What class are you playing as MC? If you're an adept, you might only get pistols to start with.

[Tolkien]

Never played as an Adept before. I want to try out the Vanguard next round I play.

Anyway, I reactivated and recruited Legion after the Reaper IFF mission and just finished all but Grunt & Jack's loyalty missions. Spent all day finishing off whatever side missions I could find and activate. So far so good... or great for that matter.

[Tornado]

Wait, you did Legion's loyalty mission and then started doing other stuff?

I think you're going to be in for a bit of a surprise. ;)

[MasterChief117]

Yeah, thats what I meant. I'm on the ship and I just got the ability to get the Sniper Rifle. Still trying to get off the ship. I finished Thane's and Jacob's loyalty missions. Miranda's and Thane's were better than Jacob's.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I liked the elevator joke in Miranda's mission.

[Tolkien]

Wait, you did Legion's loyalty mission and then started doing other stuff?

I think you're going to be in for a bit of a surprise. ;)
Wait, Legion has a loyalty mission? See, I didn't know that. I have to talk to him. I'm not reading any of the guides or whatnot so I'm just playing as I go. I did a lot of the side missions but don't think I did all of them and as for loyalty missions, as I'm aware I have Grunt and Jack left to do. Didn't know Legion had one too.

[MasterChief117]

Thane has taken the top as my new favorite character. I love Garrus to death(minus the fact that he is walking around basically....in a crap suit...I don't get that) but Thane is a bit more put back and I like his feel for the world. It's really awesome. I've almost got all the way with Miranda, she just keeps telling me we'll hook up when it's quiet....I guess this is the future equivalent of a girl saying she's not interested. hahah

[Tolkien]

Alright so I have Legion and Jack's loyalty missions left to do. I start Legion's loyalty mission (saving Jack's for last) and now I have no crew. Yeah, I played through as Joker, had my crew taken by the collectors and now I have no idea how to get them back. All I see on the starmap is the loyalty missions for Legion and Jack and the suicide mission through the Omega Relay. Some tips on my crew would be nice...

[Tornado]

It's part of the main story (both losing them and getting them back). The only thing I will say is that if you go directly to the Omega IV relay, you will not lose (I can't remember if you automatically lose one or not) crew members. If you sit around and do Jack's mission, you will lose some people. The longer you wait, the more you will lose. I would say you should probably go through the relay immediately, but without Jack's loyalty you may lose her in the fight. Tough call.

[MasterChief117]

What!? You lose people in this game before the finale? Tell me I just missread that.

[Matrix_Fan]

What!? You lose people in this game before the finale? Tell me I just missread that.

Well, you don't lose your team, just 95% of the crew that operates the Normanday. Then you have to make a choice to save them now or later. If you chose later, you'll lose quite a bit of them.

[Tornado]

Why were you reading spoilers anyway?

[Tolkien]

Finished the game last night. A lot of things come to mind.

1.) I discovered why I lost my crew before I could even finish Legion and Jack's loyalty missions. I activated him too early and he finished working on the Reaper IFF while I was busy doing side missions. I should've kept the bastard on ice until I was ready for him.

2.) Because I ended up doing Legion and Jack's loyalty missions after my crew was taken, when I did do the suicide mission I ended up losing over half of my crew. Including Crewman Chambers, my Chef, one of my engineers and a great many others as well.

3.) Before going through the Omega-4 Relay two things occurred; one being the stand-off between Legion and Tali which I was able to settle with both sides happy, and second being the stand-off between Miranda and Jack, which unfortunately I was not able to access a mutual ending to and had to side with only one of them (I chose Miranda).

4.) During the course of the suicide mission I loss Jack (Obviously), and as stated, over half of my crew (Because I waited too long). When facing down team creations, I chose Miranda and Jacob to follow me and made Garrus the leader of the second team. To my surprise, not a single one of them died during the course of the mission (aside from from Jack, no surprise).

5.) The Illusive Man. A man with an agenda I know not of. Seriously I can't wait to find out more about this guy in the next game. When faced with keeping the ship entact or destroying it, I chose to destroy it and told The Illusive Man to (basically) go screw himself. Pretty much everyone else agreed. Oh and by the way, I loooooooooooved that closing shot of the Reapers. Can't wait to see how the Galaxy faces them down in the next game.

So yeah... That's how I ended round 1, lol. Now for round 2!

[Matrix_Fan]

On my 2nd playthrough and something is really ticking me off.

That Jack and Miranda fight is the hardest thing to solve in the game, for some freaking reason. People say that I have to be 80% paragon (equivalent to 4 full bars) in order to diffuse the situation. I have over 4 full bars, and the paragon option is STILL greyed out. What the heck is going on?

[Darth Maul]

On my 2nd playthrough and something is really ticking me off.

That Jack and Miranda fight is the hardest thing to solve in the game, for some freaking reason. People say that I have to be 80% paragon (equivalent to 4 full bars) in order to diffuse the situation. I have over 4 full bars, and the paragon option is STILL greyed out. What the heck is going on?

Thats sucks, I haven't had issues with that part.

[Tornado]

I didn't either. I'm pretty sure I was 100% paragon by that part.

[Tolkien]

Just started playing a female/adept/spacer/warhero on ME2. So far no renegade points. Didn't know that Earthborn characters are easily susceptible to renegade points.

Also, I started her out as a new character and not an import from ME1. Weird though, as the default setting for a new character on ME2 is that you allowed the Council to die, took over and made Udina Ambassador. Odd. You'd think they'd let you choose.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Still doing my insanity run, I'm almost on disc 2 but the husks are really annoying. My advice is to start with a brand new character instead of a new game+. While you do get to keep your level, heavy weapon upgrades and purchased armor upgrades, everything else gets reset. And since enemies scale to your level, being a level 30 with level 1 weapons and armor makes it that much harder. Also playing as an adept is actually more of a handicap since most enemies have shields. But I just need that last achievement!!!

[Tornado]

Nice. I started a second play-through not that long ago, but I'm holding off now until the new DLC comes out. I've got other things I want to play through anyway.

[Tolkien]

Started disk two with my female adept character. So far so good. Seen some youtube videos on how things could go without every single upgrade and/or loyalty missions completed. I did not like the outcome.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Cerberus Armor and Eviscerator Shotgun available free tomorrow.

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/103/index/1074772

[insaneMoViEgoer]

Now this is interesting.

http://kotaku.com/5467071/ea-something-far+reaching-coming-from-mass-effect-in-2011

As much as I would love for it to be ME3, I highly doubt that it would be. But I would like a substantial DLC mission/missions to fill the gap in between.

[Tornado]

Could be ME3. The producers have been saying they want a quick turnaround between the two. It's probably DLC though, yeah.

[Tolkien]

Cerberus Armor and Eviscerator Shotgun available free tomorrow.

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/103/index/1074772
Awesome, just... awesome.

[Tolkien]

Forgive my ignorance, having never played as an Adept before but...

Am I just not able to use Assault Rifles or Sniper Rifles as an Adept?

[Tornado]

Forgive my ignorance, having never played as an Adept before but...

Am I just not able to use Assault Rifles or Sniper Rifles as an Adept?

Right. You can read this since you've beat the game obviously:

Do you remember on the Collector ship when you got a choice regarding weapons? I don't remember what it is for a soldier/vangard/whatever, but for an adept you're given the choice to learn a new skill - shotguns, assault rifles, or sniper rifles. So you will learn it eventually, but not right away.

[MasterChief117]

Yeah, I read a bit too much on what was going on. More curiousity than anything else. I got Zaeed's and Samara's loyalty mission left before I go to the Reaper. Not sure what to expect. I've been up my weapons and ship pretty good so far. Not a fan of the scanning, it's rather dull and tedious. It's funny everytime I do it one of my family members comes into the room and disses the game because it's all I ever do. :(


I can't wait to get to the finale. A little disapointed that BioWare said it's possible your game save from ME2 won't work on ME3. Oh well. Can't wait for the new DLC by the way.

[Tornado]

Yeah, but it's pretty easy to avoid that. Did you read the whole article?

[FranklinTard]

i haven't read the thread to avoid some spoilers as i just started, but what class do you guys think is the best/easiest/most fun to play as?

i just signed up as soldier. and i went with the female sheperd, am i alone?

[Tornado]

I played through the entire game as an adept, about 3 hours as a vanguard (still in the middle of playing, waiting for new DLC before I continue), and about an hour as a soldier (decided to play as my renegade vanguard female first instead, saving the insanity soldier run for later).

The adept was pretty weak to start, but as the game grew on I became unstoppable. The vanguard is fun because of the biotic charge, but I've never been a big shotgun user in ME and that makes the class relatively weak IMO. While I didn't play as the soldier much, I could tell it would be a lot of fun. ME2's combat is a different experience than the first's was: using guns was more interesting to me here than it was in the first.

And no, you're not alone in using a female Shepard. In the first game, I modeled my female after Starbuck (called her Kara). I wasn't wild about how she looked imported into ME2, so I re-modeled her after Dana Scully.

[Matrix_Fan]

I've always done the Soldier class, because I like the shooter aspect of the game.

I'm on my 3rd playthrough now, decided to use my renegade character, and turned him into a Vanguard. I'm being mean to every one EXCEPT my crew. Gotta keep em loyal for the suicide mission after all.

[Tolkien]

Right. You can read this since you've beat the game obviously:

Do you remember on the Collector ship when you got a choice regarding weapons? I don't remember what it is for a soldier/vangard/whatever, but for an adept you're given the choice to learn a new skill - shotguns, assault rifles, or sniper rifles. So you will learn it eventually, but not right away.
Aha, good to know. Thanks for the info.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I played through the entire game as an adept, about 3 hours as a vanguard (still in the middle of playing, waiting for new DLC before I continue), and about an hour as a soldier (decided to play as my renegade vanguard female first instead, saving the insanity soldier run for later).

The adept was pretty weak to start, but as the game grew on I became unstoppable. The vanguard is fun because of the biotic charge, but I've never been a big shotgun user in ME and that makes the class relatively weak IMO. While I didn't play as the soldier much, I could tell it would be a lot of fun. ME2's combat is a different experience than the first's was: using guns was more interesting to me here than it was in the first.

In addition to this I would also take into account what difficulty you plan on playing. I too played as an adept on my initial playthrough and like Torn I too became nearly invincible by games end. But that was on the default "Normal" difficulty. If you play on veteran or above, you might be better off as an infiltrator, sentinel or soldier.

[Tolkien]

I'd like an update to come along that allows you to remove your damn helmet at will.

I love the new Cerberus Armor I downloaded, but hate that I can't remove my helmet.

[FranklinTard]

who were you guys favorite team mates?

i always used garris and a biotic, or at least someone with a shotgun. really liked samara and legion.

[Tolkien]

On my first go around I used Miranda and Jacob a lot. They were both biotics, yes, but since I was a soldier-class it balanced out. Other than them on the first go around I also used Garrus and Jack quite a bit.

Right now on my second go around, I've been using Mordin and Garrus for the first half and Thane & Samara for the second half mostly. I'm an adept this time around so I'm trying to use more soldier or tech characters. Of course I use the other characters too, but I stick to favorites mostly.

[FranklinTard]

i hated jack, everything she said. sadly she was not loyal by the end... not a big loss. but i need to play through again to get the extra g's i missed.

[Tolkien]

She died at the end in mine too. I might actually do it again this round too so I don't have to carry her over to the next game. I used her for her talents, but thought her story was the least liked of the group.

[Tornado]

I thought Jack was an interesting character, but I didn't use her much. I liked her more than some of the other people around like Samara and Zaeed though.

[Tolkien]

Yeah Zaeed wasn't anything special, story-wise. You couldn't even interact with him on the ship like you do everyone else. It's like he was just thrown into the game as an extra hand, should you desire it. And his loyalty mission was too quick and easy, even on Hardcore.

[FranklinTard]

its my buddies game so i didn't get zaeed. what/who is he?

[Tornado]

He's a pessimistic human mercenary (DLC on the Cerberus network). Did you ever play Knights of the Old Republic? He's a lot like Canderous Ordo (or Mandalore from the sequel).

[Matrix_Fan]

Zaeed is a one note character. Even if you don't get his loyalty, he still lives through the suicide mission. Lame.

[Dracula]

Haven't had a chance to buy this yet. I'm hearing reports that the text in the game is almost unreadable on SDTVs (ala Dead Rising). Is anyone having this problem?

[Matrix_Fan]

If you don't have 20/20 vision, the text is annoyingly small. There are also times that the text blends into the background but that's on very rare occurrences, and that only applies to the dialogue choices.

[Tornado]

I played on a 26" HDTV. The text was perfect.

[Tolkien]

You mean the subtitles? Never turned mine on. I'm kind of annoyed by subtitles.

[FranklinTard]

i've heard it sucks. get a new tv first. i did the hd style, so i can't speak from experience, but my one buddy says its horrible.

[insaneMoViEgoer]

I had to restart my insanity playthrough last week because it was starting to get really frustrating. But I'm glad I did because it's so much easier, sometimes I double check to make sure I didn't accidentally change the difficulty. As I posted earlier, if you want to do an insanity run, I recommend to start a new career instead of doing a new game+.

[Tolkien]

Wouldn't the insanity run be easier with an already played through career?

All the upgrades and weapons would carry over, wouldn't they?