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[EatChildren]

Given Mass Effect 3 is around a month away, I figure a lot of people (myself included) are interested in, in the process of, or just finishing up playthroughs of Mass Effect and/or Mass Effect 2 in preparation of a nice, new swanky character import.

But rather than play alone, lets all share the magic of virginal space Muslims, racist humans, and genetic diversity together in one thread.

As per the rules above, spoilers will be untagged, so be careful reading this thread and engaging in discussion if you're unfamiliar with the games. Also, though all are encouraged to debate and compare the games as usual, thread derailing into the usual vitriol BioWare/Mass Effect hate wont be tolerated. If all you've got to say is how much you hate the series and bla bla bla BioWare betrayalton, please do us all a favour and take it to the thread made just for you.

This place shouldn't be used as a Mass Effect 3 info dump either. New threads for new news, though speculation and theorising on how Mass Effect 3 will play out is more than welcome. Discussion of the leaked script in all forms is forbidden. It's nice you've read the leaked script and all, but please keep hints, commentary and discussion of such things out of this thread.

If you're looking to play through Mass Effect 2 again on PC, I highly recommend the various high resolution character textures. They significantly improve the resolution and detail on all major characters. I recently played through the game with the pack, and as can be seen in my screenshots below, the level of detail up close is exceptional. Garrus' face in particular is wonderful. If you want them, you can find most of them via the links below. Note you will need TexMod to get them running, and using them increases game's boot time by quite a bit.

Texmod (required to load custom textures)
High-resolution textures for characters
High-resolution Blue Suns Armour
Chipped Steel counter
4096x4096 Collector Armor Texture
HD Eyes
Updated Elcor, Scientist and Colonist Textures
High Def Normandy SR2
Normandy Map HD
No Red Veins of Death
High-resolution Normandy Black Floors
High-resolution Paperwork
Cabin Desk Photos

No Hud heads
Clean movie mod for mod manager

That's it. Below you can see a montage of shots I took throughout the entire game. Each was taken with the texture packs above, at 1920x1080 with 4xMSAA. Click for full size. Enjoy, discuss, but remember; be cool.

 

[The Technomancer]

I...I think I'm going to do it. I have a backlog of other interesting games, I'm pretty vocal about my dissatisfaction with this series, and I'm still going to do it.

What kind of hold does this franchise have on me?!

 

[TheSeks]

Started Mass Effect 2 yesterday, first run on Insanity. Not bad other than being REALLY weak right now.

I asked in the ME2 thread but I guess since this is shiny and new I'll ask here: What is the best way to get the biggest gains in Planet Scanning? I doubt you can get credits to mark every. single. dot. on. the planet and I want my upgrades and shit to survive Insanity easier.

Also: DON'T FUCK WITH ARIA! Also Garrus apparently makes the womens hot, even when he's shot to hell and Shepards personal assistant wants to bone him. :lol

What kind of hold does this franchise have on me?!

Blue Alien sex. There's a reason it's nicknamed "Ass Effect."

 

[Sotha Sil]

I'm in. Replaying ME2 for the first time today. Should be fun (I hope!). Vanguard all the way.

 

[Derrick01]

I wouldn't mind doing it but I'm kind of in a bind here since I'm not getting ME3 on PC thanks to Origin....but ME1 isn't available on PS3 so I kind of have no way to have a full set of choices lined up for 3. Then again I also don't have ME1 on PC, it'd be nice for a $5 steam sale soon.

 

[Dark Stalkers]

I'm gonna try to beat ME1 on Insanity as a Sentinel from level 1 and then a Vanguard in ME2.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I'm definitely going to replay the first game.

I'll probably play the second, too. It's much more of a slog, though, and I have a lot of games I want to get through.

Since this is a positive place, I'll say that 2 is a really damn good game. Not the game I wanted, but still, I have every achievement for it and I've played it three times. I can't say that about a lot of games.

You happy, EatChildren?

 

[TheSeks]

I wouldn't mind doing it but I'm kind of in a bind here since I'm not getting ME3 on PC thanks to Origin....but ME1 isn't available on PS3 so I kind of have no way to have a full set of choices lined up for 3.

Er-Digital Comic from Cerebus Pack? There's only 3-6 major choices from ME1 anyway, dude. Just get it.

I'm gonna try to beat ME1 on Insanity as a Sentinel from level 1.

All I can say is utilize cover and put your AI partners WAY THE FUCK BACK because they'll go suicide run if you aren't careful if 2 is anything to go by. Otherwise it's completely possible to do but slightly cheap due to the damage rate + being weak at the start.

 

[erpg]

I played Mass Effect a few months back. Normally no big deal, since I've played it half a dozen times on PC, but this time, I tried the Xbox version.

I understand why there's a subset of the fanbase that hates the Mako. It was much easier to control it with KB/M due to the movement and aiming being so completely disconnected. I found ME2 to be better on XBox however, probably because the PC version doesn't register new keybinds in UI tips, which frustrated the hell out of me.

 

[Trey]

I asked in the ME2 thread but I guess since this is shiny and new I'll ask here: What is the best way to get the biggest gains in Planet Scanning?

If you're on console, just tap the button to get a reading and move the reticule. It's faster. When you get a sizable lode (your controller should shake (if it doesn't, get one that does/turn on rumble)), grab it regardless of what it is. Only bother with Rich/High planets, and strip em down to Moderate.

 

[JWong]

I am almost finished an ME2 playthrough using someone's ME1 save with a bit of save file editing in preparation for ME3.

Tried to play ME1, but couldn't get through with it. Don't have enough time for both games.

 

[Blue Ninja]

The moment I've finished my current Skyrim playthrough I'm diving back in, too.

 

[TheSeks]

If you're on console, just tap the button to get a reading and move the reticule. It's faster. When you get a sizable load (your controller should shake (if it doesn't, get one that does/turn on rumble)), grab it regardless of what it is. Only bother with Rich/High planets, and strip em down to Moderate.

What do you mean by reading? The L2/LTrigger function that locks onto an area before you plant a flag?

 

[Trey]

What do you mean by reading? The L2/LTrigger function that locks onto an area before you plant a flag?

Yeah. Just tap it. The reticule moves faster and you still see the size of the lode. There's an intermittent noise (because "reading" something makes a hollow sound effect) but it doesn't bother me any.

 

[Moaradin]

Mass Effect 2 is Probably my most replayed game of all time. I'm up to 8 replays and I still plan on going through at least 1 more time before ME3. It's weird because ME1 didn't have near the amount of replayability to me but I loved it just the same.

 

[Sotha Sil]

I understand why there's a subset of the fanbase that hates the Mako. It was much easier to control it with KB/M due to the movement and aiming being so completely disconnected..

I actually prefer the 360 version, for some reason!

 

[Robot Pants]

Garrus rules.
and I approve of No Homers.

 

[TheSeks]

Yeah. Just tap it. The reticule moves faster and you still see the size of the lode. There's an intermittent noise (because "reading" something makes a hollow sound effect) but it doesn't bother me any.

I guess I'll try that later but I didn't see any readings before I planted flags.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Perfect timing with this thread. I've played through ME1 four times. Once for my wife's FemShep since she couldn't stomach the original's combat, my original 2007 soldier playthrough, and my "master" vanguard playthrough where I ran through it twice with the same character right before ME2 released. So I can say that I'm done with ME1.

But now I'm 30 hours into my second ME2 playthrough. Just finishing all the personal quests, Overlord & Shadow Broker before I go to the derelict Reaper ship and meet Legion. Playing as a Sentinel and tech armor kind if takes the challenge out of the normal difficulty combat. I play as straight paragon in all dialog and will occasionally chose renegade trigger moments, like shoving the merc out the window.

And as soon as I finish that playthrough I'll run through again as a Vanguard. I'm looking forward to that, no more hiding behind cover, but rushing up and shot gunning Collectors in the face.

So what are the big pucture story decisions in ME2? Of the top of my head I know there is the decision to let Mordin keep the research on the genophage. And then the decision to either free or destroy the Geth in Legion's quest. But what else am I missing?

 

[Trey]

I guess I'll try that later but I didn't see any readings before I planted flags.

There's a Richter-scale like reading that approximates how much of a certain element is where you cursor is if you hold LT. You don't get a value until you plant the flag.

 

[Reuenthal]

It has been a long while since I played the first Mass Effect and I never replayed either game. It would be fan to play them again I guess. Now I will go with Fem Shep.

 

[EatChildren]

So what are the big pucture story decisions in ME2? Of the top of my head I know there is the decision to let Mordin keep the research on the genophage. And then the decision to either free or destroy the Geth in Legion's quest. But what else am I missing?

Hmm. Let me think.

- Keep/destroy genophage data (Mordin).
- Keep/destroy grey box data (Kasumi).
- Delete/reset the Heretics (Legion).
- Encourage/discourage Quarians to go to war (Tali).
- Keep/destroy Collectors base.

Those seem to be the main ones.

 

[Kimaka]

I plan on doing this before ME3 comes out. I replayed ME1 a couple of months back but still need to redo the ending so I can have the Arrival DLC beaten on that save.

 

[Red Blaster]

Are there any texture mods for ME1? Game looks hideos on PC.

 

[Patryn]

I need to finish my "canon" ME2 playthrough. Unfortunately, SWTOR has its hooks thoroughly embedded in me.

 

[Symphonic]

I played through both and am halfway through an ME2 file that I started a couple months ago and haven't gone back to.

Debating playing them again, definitely need to before ME3 hits.

 

[Reuenthal]

Any good mods for additional content for either game?

 

[JerkShep]

I've just completed a run on ME2 and I killed off every squadmates exept for Kasumi and Zaeed. I did only the main quest this time (no loyalty, subquests or dlcs) and it took me 10 hours. I tried an Infiltrator for the first time and it was really fun (I was playing Extreme).
I think I'm done with ME2, I just wanted to have the worst possibile import, it should be interesting to see the difference since in my other playthroughs everyone is alive.

 

[Solo]

Virmire > *

 

[shingonation]

Perfect.

(Again) I would like to recommend to the people interested in the story to read this really well thought out dissertation about the Protheans:

http://nothing-is-irreversible.com/2011/12/06/mass-effect-3-a-dissertation-38/

 

[x-Lundz-x]

I'm starting Insane run tonight to get ready for ME3.

I can't wait, hopefully I do not regret playing on the hardest difficulty.

This will be my third play through.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I'm starting Insane run tonight to get ready for ME3.

I can't wait, hopefully I do not regret playing on the hardest difficulty.

This will be my third play through.

The only time you'll regret it over the two games is the moving platform section in 2. Man, FUCK that bit. Took me like 45 mins to do.

Rest of the games are a cake.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Hmm. Let me think.

- Keep/destroy genophage data (Mordin).
- Keep/destroy grey box data (Kasumi).
- Delete/reset the Heretics (Legion).
- Encourage/discourage Quarians to go to war (Tali).
- Keep/destroy Collectors base.

Those seem to be the main ones.

Thanks! In my third playthrough, I'll destroy the research & grey box, delete heretics, encourage war and destroy the base all while being a paragon. Well, I always destroy the base becayse TIM is a self serving prick.

And all of these "big picture" decisions don't impact the paragon/renegade scores, right?

 

[JerkShep]

ME2 Insanity has a few frustrating sections, but it's not so hard.
In my experience, if you have problems, Miranda is a monster and you should definitely keep her in the party. Overloard + Warp + her passive ability make her useful in every situation. On the other hand, I found Samara and Jack to be completely useless most of the time.

 

[EatChildren]

And all of these "big picture" decisions don't impact the paragon/renegade scores, right?

Good question. I'm not sure. I don't recall the choices themselves having distinct Paragon/Renegade impacts but I could be wrong. Usually its the methods in which you get those choices that have the biggest impact. For example you can advise Mordin keep the Genophage data while still listening to his side of events and stating the data is best kept and unused than just deleted outright, or you can berate him on his choices and tell him to help the Krogan.

I deleted the greybox, kept the Genophage cure data but didn't encourage Mordin to use it, reset the Heretics, discouraged Quarians going to war, and destroyed the Collector's base because fuck TIM.

 

[Takamura-San]

Good question. I'm not sure. I don't recall the choices themselves having distinct Paragon/Renegade impacts but I could be wrong. Usually its the methods in which you get those choices that have the biggest impact. For example you can advise Mordin keep the Genophage data while still listening to his side of events and stating the data is best kept and unused than just deleted outright, or you can berate him on his choices and tell him to help the Krogan.

I deleted the greybox, kept the Genophage cure data but didn't encourage Mordin to use it, reset the Heretics, discouraged Quarians going to war, and destroyed the Collector's base because fuck TIM.

Kasumi's DLC will have an impact on ME3?

 

[diamondstar]

Trying hard to muscle through my ME2 transfer but it is becoming tough. I will save my bitching for the appropriate thread but I will say I am disliking ME2 more and more and this is only my first run. I just think it is because I know I HAVE to get through it so it seems like a chore to me.

One thing that pissed me off was I just received Legion after the Reaper IFF mission. In the debriefing room the conversation came up on what to do with him. Being a renegade I chose the below option "give to Cerberus" .. The above was "I want to talk to it first" which I didn't choose since I figured that was the paragon response. Welp... Legion is no where to be found.. and guess what!? Overwrote the save before the Reaper IFF. I wouldn't have wanted to go through that shit again anyway. That is easily IMO the worst mission on the game.

 

[EatChildren]

Kasumi's DLC will have an impact on ME3?

We might get an email!

I don't know. The choice was there. Keiji says the greybox contains data that could implicate the alliance. He wanted it gone, so I nuked it. In hindsight I kind of wish I kept it in case we learn what was inside, but I guess that's what the internet is for.

One thing that pissed me off was I just received Legion after the Reaper IFF mission. In the debriefing room the conversation came up on what to do with him. Being a renegade I chose the below option "give to Cerberus" .. The above was "I want to talk to it first" which I didn't choose since I figured that was the paragon response. Welp... Legion is no where to be found.. and guess what!? Overwrote the save before the Reaper IFF. I wouldn't have wanted to go through that shit again anyway. That is easily IMO the worst mission on the game.

This is entirely, positively your own fuckup.

 

[shingonation]

TIM is awesome, I kept the Collector Base genuinely thinking that would help against the Reapers, even if Miranda wasn't sure of this and all the signs pointed to not trust TIM.

Silly me, but no regrets.

 

[Mindlog]

I really hope the greybox proves that Cerberus is still working with the Alliance. I like that story thread.

"Don't Read Deception." Excellent OP.

 

[BabeSlayer]

How do you guys manage your saves (i'm on a 360)

I just finished up my insanity ME1 play, now I need to finish getting all the ally achievements...those are kind of a pain not gonna lie. Once i have all the cheevos maxed out i'll make sure I have my renegade, paragon, and "cannon" play's all were I want them. Like everyone else other awesome games are getting neglected because of my love for ME series lol.

 

[Takamura-San]

I wish i had the time to do a renegade run on both.

Right now both of them are paragon saves.

At least i should go back and do the DLC. The shadow broker one is the most praised from what i have read... is it the best one?

 

[diamondstar]

We might get an email!

I don't know. The choice was there. Keiji says the greybox contains data that could implicate the alliance. He wanted it gone, so I nuked it. In hindsight I kind of wish I kept it in case we learn what was inside, but I guess that's what the internet is for.




This is entirely, positively your own fuckup.

Yes and no.. In ME, I feel the paragon and renegade options were more defined. It's not like the game pointed out I would lose Legion if I gave him to Cerberus. And unfortunately it's been a while since I played the game so I was unsure of what option was best. I just feel a decision that will determine the fate of squad mate should be more obvious about the choice you are making.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

I've seen "canon" mentioned several times here. What are the canon choices that everyone is referring to?

 

[Rei no Otaku]

I'm finishing up my canon run on ME2 now. Female, renegade, vanguard. Kept the Collector base, wiped the greybox, I think I kept the genophage data, delete heretics, and encouraged the quarians to go to war. I also have an alternate Shepard who is male, paragon, and an infiltrator who will make the complete opposite decisions. That way I can see the other side of things.

I am still wondering what happens in ME3 if you actually let Shepard die. I'm thinking of having a third run just so I can see that outcome.

 

[EatChildren]

At least i should go back and do the DLC. The shadow broker one is the most praised from what i have read... is it the best one?

Most people seem to think so. It's certainly the most densely packed of the DLC, for it's length, as you visit a good few places, do plenty of stuff, and it has some excellent set pieces. Seems to have the highest production values of all the DLC too, and is certainly the most lore relevant. Unless you really hate Liara or something it's easy to consider it 'essential' Mass Effect gaming, moreso than the other DLC.

I really love Overlord though. It has a good plot, great pacing and too lots of a variety. I also liked mixing in the Hammerhead as it reminded me a bit of old school Mass Effect planet roaming, even if the damage feedback on the vehicle is total horseshit. Overlord is longer than Lair of the Shadow Broker, but doesn't have the same punchy pacing.

Kasumi is super short. Great loyalty quest, but over quickly so not really worth the money unless you intend to use her for tons of missions. As a character she's one of the best in the game. Levelled up shadow strike is brutal.

Arrival is pretty shit. Its easily the most amateurish in premise. Really half arsed and tacky given everything the franchise has been building up to. The idea is okay, its the execution and presentation that drops the ball. Though it does directly tie into the start of Mass Effect 3, so if you're really desperate for more Mass Effect stuff it might be worth looking into.

Yes and no.. In ME, I feel the paragon and renegade options were more defined. It's not like the game pointed out I would lose Legion if I gave him to Cerberus. And unfortunately it's been a while since I played the game so I was unsure of what option was best. I just feel a decision that will determine the fate of squad mate should be more obvious about the choice you are making.

That's more you trying to read the game than just playing how you should play though. Rather than deliberately pick what you think is Paragon/Renegade you should go with what you feel is Paragon/Renegade, or what suits you as a player. I play predominantly Paragon but I still make exceptions where necessary. For example I didn't feel berating Mordin over the Genophage was the right thing to do despite it being considered 'Paragon' (I think), so I took the neutral stance instead. As for you not having a back up save prior ot the decision, well, that[o/i] is your fault.

I've seen "canon" mentioned several times here. What are the canon choices that everyone is referring to?

I'm just talking about my main Shepard and what I consider the canon playthrough, as in the Shepard I'm most devoted to and what I consider my main story.

I am still wondering what happens in ME3 if you actually let Shepard die. I'm thinking of having a third run just so I can see that outcome.

You can't import a dead Shepard.

 

[Roddslayer]

I just finished everything there is to do in ME2 last night to get ready for ME3. I logged in about 57 hours for that playthrough, and man the DLC really added on a healthy amount. I think my first playthrough was around 40 hours.

 

[Snuggles]

NICE, I was thinking of making the same thread. The only thing that kept me from it is the fear of it devolving into another tedious ME1 vs. ME2 shitfest. Anyways, I'm in. Just started a fresh Shep for ME1.

 

[Rei no Otaku]

You can't import a dead Shepard.

I understand why you can't, but it would have been really awesome if they could have worked this in somehow.

 

[BabeSlayer]

Perfect.

(Again) I would like to recommend to the people interested in the story to read this really well thought out dissertation about the Protheans:

http://nothing-is-irreversible.com/2011/12/06/mass-effect-3-a-dissertation-38/

fantastic write up. Thank you for the link.