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GAF Plays: Mass Effect series (unmarked spoilers)
- Thread starter EatChildren
- Start date
diamondstar
Member
But I think it is more a difference of how me and you choose to play the game. I want my Shepard to be full renegade with minimum paragon points. How is not taking Legion a sqaud mate a true renegade option? That was just my criticism based on that particular scene. I had no problems with most decisions in the game although there were plenty of times I got paragon points for reasons I didn't understand.
And do you remember that part? I save every few minutes. There is no save prior to that other than on the Reaper IFF. If you haven't played the game before there is no way to see that decision coming because there is a cut scene and then the decision. I think you are being a little harsh man.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Fair enough. I still say not having saves prior to making big decisions is a fault of your own, not the game's, and the same goes for trying to play the game a specific way rather than play the game that adheres to your own choices. But, if you're playing on PC or Xbox 360, you can download the Gibbed Save Editor and, as far as I'm aware, reverse the decision and have Legion active on the ship.
The crew members had an entire conversation over whether to activate or sell Legion. I think they were unskippable dialogues, too. The game made it very clear.
BabeSlayer
Member
so I understand deception is universally hated....but..... 1: my collection looks incomplete without it and 2: If I buy a book I have to read it 
I loved the other books i'm really gonna be sad if this is as bad as everyone says
I loved the other books i'm really gonna be sad if this is as bad as everyone says
diamondstar
Member
Are you going by recent memory? Because I just played the part last night and it was not clear to me. It could be I was tired of the game at that point but I have beaten this game twice and had Legion as squad mate both of those times. I am just pissed I pretty much ruined a big part of my ME3 game because of a possible knee jerk response.
Did you read what I said? I save ALL THE TIME. My mistake was not the prior save it was the save after, which I own up to. I checked for Legion and he was not there. And that is when I realized the mistake.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I played it the other night, and yes the crew has a discussion about the merits of reactivating a Geth aboard the ship, though I guess I can see how someone would see reactivation as the renegade choice.
And I'm trying to help you. Using the Gibbed save editor it should be possible to swap the decision and have Legion active on the ship. It shouldn't invalidate your save, just fix an error. Its only compatible with 360 and PC saves though, so if you're on PS3 you're shit out of luck.
And I'm trying to help you. Using the Gibbed save editor it should be possible to swap the decision and have Legion active on the ship. It shouldn't invalidate your save, just fix an error. Its only compatible with 360 and PC saves though, so if you're on PS3 you're shit out of luck.
diamondstar
Member
^^^I'll check it out .. Thanks man.
Good thread. After finishing long time ago Mass Effect 2 with a friend I decided to get Mass Effect 1 on for the 360 for myself. Finished both last year.
But I always wanted to replay with more time and yesterday I decided to get the PSN version. The comic was good and today I just started Mass Effect 2 again.
This time I have some DLC I did not have last time and I hope I can do more side quests as well get more prepared for... the final part of Mass Effect 2.
Funny, I have a backlog, not a huge one, just some games and I ended up getting this game and started playing it one more time.
Curious fact:
- I was never a fan of games in space and Mass Effect games gave me a different opinion when I started to play them. Also, the first time I heard about ME I was like "pfft this seems horrible."
- Mass Effect 3: I will play this but I think I will end up getting it for the PS3. The Collectors Edition seems awesome but saving my money is the biggest priority this year. So... we'll see.
Other stuff: Sound in Mass Effect really is really neat. Maybe because when I played ME 1 & 2 I was only using my TV sound but now with my TRITTON Headphones (still not own a decent sound setup, but it was a tiny, humble good improvement) I can see the huge difference it makes!
I know these games have their flaws but I try to enjoy the best ME has to offer, not the worst. I hope ME3 delivers a good story with some interesting moments.
But I always wanted to replay with more time and yesterday I decided to get the PSN version. The comic was good and today I just started Mass Effect 2 again.
This time I have some DLC I did not have last time and I hope I can do more side quests as well get more prepared for... the final part of Mass Effect 2.
Funny, I have a backlog, not a huge one, just some games and I ended up getting this game and started playing it one more time.
Curious fact:
- I was never a fan of games in space and Mass Effect games gave me a different opinion when I started to play them. Also, the first time I heard about ME I was like "pfft this seems horrible."
- Mass Effect 3: I will play this but I think I will end up getting it for the PS3. The Collectors Edition seems awesome but saving my money is the biggest priority this year. So... we'll see.
Other stuff: Sound in Mass Effect really is really neat. Maybe because when I played ME 1 & 2 I was only using my TV sound but now with my TRITTON Headphones (still not own a decent sound setup, but it was a tiny, humble good improvement) I can see the huge difference it makes!
I know these games have their flaws but I try to enjoy the best ME has to offer, not the worst. I hope ME3 delivers a good story with some interesting moments.
Rahxephon91
Banned
Oh. I'd be up for some streaming of a playthrough of 1 and 2 before three hits. Could be fun.
diamondstar
Member
On the subject of ME2. What was your favorite loyalty missions? If you weren't concerned about the continuing story who would you rather leave behind?
Favorite loyalties:
Tali
Grunt
Miranda
Garrus
Mordin
I would love to leave behind:
Jacob
Thane
Zaeed
Samara/Morinth
Favorite loyalties:
Tali
Grunt
Miranda
Garrus
Mordin
I would love to leave behind:
Jacob
Thane
Zaeed
Samara/Morinth
Reluctant-Hero
Member
Loyalties:
- Tali
- Miranda
- Mordin
- Kasumi
The only person I'd leave behind is Jacob. Dude can go die in a fire. I find him bland in ever aspect. Don't like his character re-design either, I prefer his iOS iteration.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I really liked the loyalty missions that mixed things up or were set in strange places, so I loved the ones for Garrus, Kasumi and Legion the most. But I also really liked Tali and Samara's too, the latter especially for being without combat. I'd say the only loyalty mission I didn't like all that much was Miranda's, as compared to all the others it felt a bit recycled and uninteresting.
If I absolutely had to leave someone behind I'd probably leave Miranda as I dislike her character. Samara is also pretty boring. Zaeed is a cunt but I like his rambling mania. Grunt is bland so I wouldn't mind him disappearing.
Garrus, Tali and Legion are my go-to crew. Mordin is boss as well, so anybody other than those.
If I absolutely had to leave someone behind I'd probably leave Miranda as I dislike her character. Samara is also pretty boring. Zaeed is a cunt but I like his rambling mania. Grunt is bland so I wouldn't mind him disappearing.
Garrus, Tali and Legion are my go-to crew. Mordin is boss as well, so anybody other than those.
Yeah, I could do without Jacob or Miranda. Especially Jacob. He's not quite as bland as Carth, but there's nothing very interesting about him. Zaeed was badass, it's too bad that he had the reduced role of a DLC character. Jack is ridiculous, but she's sort of a guilty pleasure for me. At least she's much more fun than most of the human squad mates. I like Legion, but he comes late in the game, and I somehow got him killed in my last two playthroughs. Most of the time I roll with my OG ME1 crew, Tali and Garrus.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
I really wanted to like Samara's loyalty mission, but with how good BioWare can be in both the dialogue and the presentation departments it felt like a disappointment for the only dialogue driven loyalty mission to only be...shall we say competent compared to what other RPG devs have done.
In terms of squadmates in gameplay I usually just picked random people to spice things up (since my usual strategy of "headshot and/or homing fireball on everything" was always working)
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Best thing about Zaeed.
I suppose that's why I liked Garrus' loyalty mission a lot, as it had a stint of combat followed by a scripted sequence. That and it was one of the harder, on-the-spot decisions to make.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Garrus is all around awesome in ME2. Best recruitment mission, hands down, and one of the best loyalty missions. Jack's was also pretty good although I think they missed a chance to also make it not combat based.
Wiggum2007
Junior Member
Yeah I think I'm going to start a new ME1->ME2 play through now before 3 comes along, I think I'll stick with all my original decisions but it will be nice to experience the whole thing again. God I love the atmosphere and music in ME1. That being said I do love ME2 despite its flaws, I'm just hoping my female Shepard can get her sleek ME1 armor back in ME3, didn't care for the bulky American football shoulder pads in ME2.
diamondstar
Member
Yea most of the loyalty missions I liked had to do with how the mission was overall(type of mission, character likability, story of the character).
I liked the story of Miranda and her overall mission as with all the ones I preferred. Most of the charters I would leave behind is because I skipped most of their dialogue and found their missions and character boring and uninteresting.
I really hope they do away with any type of loyalty missions for ME3. With my replays they are all becoming tedious. Or if they are in ME3 I really hope you aren't beat over the head with it. Just have it part of the story.
I liked the story of Miranda and her overall mission as with all the ones I preferred. Most of the charters I would leave behind is because I skipped most of their dialogue and found their missions and character boring and uninteresting.
I really hope they do away with any type of loyalty missions for ME3. With my replays they are all becoming tedious. Or if they are in ME3 I really hope you aren't beat over the head with it. Just have it part of the story.
linko9
Member
Ahh, this topic is a week late for me. I just played through both games for the first time last week. Really liked both of them (2 more than 1), but they certainly had some serious shortcomings (1 more than 2). My favorite thing was probably sniping dudes with slow-down in 2. Great stuff. Least favorite is Shepard. What a turrible character.
I enjoyed every loyalty mission and like every squadmate in ME2 though most of them I thought reached a satisfactory conclusion even if some of their missions could have been a bit deeper and more complex.
I have to say of all the ME2 squadmates that I would want to return as permanent members, though none will save Tali and Garrus, in ME3 it would be Zaeed, Grunt and Jack. Zaeed could have been such a great character to get to know, hes got such a colorful background and view on the galaxy I would love to get to know him more. As for Grunt and Jack they are two ME2 characters that still have a lot of potential growth. They both were just starting to figure themselves out by the end of ME2 and it would be great to see and influence their development in ME3.
But as with every member from ME2, other than Garrus and Tali, we'll likely just get a small glimpse and cameo by each member. Hopefully most have a sweet LotSB style mission where they are a temp squadmate with some great banter.
I have to say of all the ME2 squadmates that I would want to return as permanent members, though none will save Tali and Garrus, in ME3 it would be Zaeed, Grunt and Jack. Zaeed could have been such a great character to get to know, hes got such a colorful background and view on the galaxy I would love to get to know him more. As for Grunt and Jack they are two ME2 characters that still have a lot of potential growth. They both were just starting to figure themselves out by the end of ME2 and it would be great to see and influence their development in ME3.
But as with every member from ME2, other than Garrus and Tali, we'll likely just get a small glimpse and cameo by each member. Hopefully most have a sweet LotSB style mission where they are a temp squadmate with some great banter.
Rei no Otaku
Member
Favorite loyalty missions: Tali, Garrus, Mordin, Legion, and Zaeed.
Zaeed's is pretty standard, but I almost always play renegade and I think it's hilarious that when you leave the workers behind in his mission you can hear them screaming in the background.
I would leave behind: Jack
I HATE Jack. The first time I played the game I got everyone to survive, but the entire time I was hoping she would get killed.
Yeah, just finished ME1 and ME2 these last two weeks. ME1 is really a less polished experience, but with a much stronger narrative finish and consistency, while ME2 was the opposite: polished, but lacking in anything meaningful narrative impact plus incredibly dumb plot holes.
ME2 still had some interesting choices though. Although the portrayal of Garrus as a revengeful victim is completely unbelievable (in terms of how actual victims react to their perpetrator), the question of forgiveness/retribution was at least relatively interesting compared to the usual drab henchmen missions. The topic of Grunt's cloned vs. natural traits was also interesting, but unfortunately the game didn't use the topic in any interesting way.
Overlord and Lair of the Shadowbroker are actually probably the best missions in the game. The ending of the former is very powerful.
Btw, Eatchildren, could you add these mods to the OP as well? I figure people might be interested in them (at least the first one: the HUD heads are so annoying):
Actually, you can use that particular armor in ME2, as well as the armors from the mercenaries. It actually looks quite nice, imo. It works with heavy weapons and everything:
If you want to know how, just tell me and I'll make a quick quide.
Alternatively, check out this mod for Mass Effect 2 if you want a style that's more akin to ME1 (albeit more low res): Mass Effect 1 armor texture for ME2
It looks like this:
ME2 still had some interesting choices though. Although the portrayal of Garrus as a revengeful victim is completely unbelievable (in terms of how actual victims react to their perpetrator), the question of forgiveness/retribution was at least relatively interesting compared to the usual drab henchmen missions. The topic of Grunt's cloned vs. natural traits was also interesting, but unfortunately the game didn't use the topic in any interesting way.
Overlord and Lair of the Shadowbroker are actually probably the best missions in the game. The ending of the former is very powerful.
Btw, Eatchildren, could you add these mods to the OP as well? I figure people might be interested in them (at least the first one: the HUD heads are so annoying):
Yeah I think I'm going to start a new ME1->ME2 play through now before 3 comes along, I think I'll stick with all my original decisions but it will be nice to experience the whole thing again. God I love the atmosphere and music in ME1. That being said I do love ME2 despite its flaws, I'm just hoping my female Shepard can get her sleek ME1 armor back in ME3, didn't care for the bulky American football shoulder pads in ME2.
Actually, you can use that particular armor in ME2, as well as the armors from the mercenaries. It actually looks quite nice, imo. It works with heavy weapons and everything:
If you want to know how, just tell me and I'll make a quick quide.
Alternatively, check out this mod for Mass Effect 2 if you want a style that's more akin to ME1 (albeit more low res): Mass Effect 1 armor texture for ME2
It looks like this:
.I like his character, missions, and so forth. He was my pick for a romance too. Lucky enough for me, he was also the first person I went to recruit too. Miranda and Jacob where both dullards. With Jacob being as straight as an arrow and Miranda's stick never really caught on.
I also really enjoyed Tali and Legion. Shame they were added on later and their stories played well off against each. I made sure to have those two out too for Tali's and Legion's Loyalty missions. Rolling into the Quarain fleet with a Geth, like a boss.
Anyways, if I can finish up Dragon's Age, I'd probably jump in on a replay since I just completed both recently. Noting more specifically ME1, since I quit half way on the side missions with it. While doing basically everything, including saving everyone for the final mission. Though I may just let some undesirable people die next time.
Reluctant-Hero
Member
I also dug Miranda and her story. She's definitely a tragic character who feels she must always be perfect because she was literally built to be perfect. But after her loyalty mission she really lets down all her walls. Kind of touching.
BabeSlayer
Member
You take that back!
Having replayed 1 a few times over the past month or 2 I must say the thing I hate the most about 1 is the awful inventory system so glad they got rid of that nonsense.
Getting ready to restart my me2 play-throughs does anyone remember what bonuses you get for a level 60 import?
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Will do. Thanks.
Legion is the most interesting and lore essential character in the game. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but making him an optional character thrown in at the very last minute is insane. He's invaluable in terms of the universe lore he provides.
Cerberus DLC? Normandy Crash Site can be breezed through in a couple of minutes. Firewalker takes longer but is pretty dull and uninspired. Zaeed has a solid loyalty mission. The rest of the DLC must be bought.
Arrival is pretty junk. The premise is half arsed and the production values are poor, though it does have some decent set pieces and ideas. It's my least favourite of the paid DLC and I found it pretty damn disappointing in all regards.
michaeltraps
Member
I played both ME 1 and 2 on 360 before building a gaming PC and wanted to catch up on the new rig before 3 came out. After my failed attempt to play through 1 again (it's really hard to go back to, in my opinion), I grabbed a completed ME1 save and imported into 2 (Male Shepard, romanced Liara, killed Ashley, Wrex alive, Rachni spared, saved Kaiden romance for 3 if it's possible).
Currently playing through ME2 nearing the end:
- All characters recruited including Kasumi (before Legion)
- Only loyalty quests remaining are for Mordin and Grunt
Once I'm finished with that I'll start the ball rolling with the endgame, clean up Legion's loyalty mission and attempt my "everyone lives" save again. Once that's done, I'll go through Overlord, Shadow Broker, Firewalker missions and The Arrival.
It's a shame Kasumi wasn't a regular character with proper dialogue and a better fleshed-out back story. It's going to be real interesting to see how they handle the DLC characters in 3.
Currently playing through ME2 nearing the end:
- All characters recruited including Kasumi (before Legion)
- Only loyalty quests remaining are for Mordin and Grunt
Once I'm finished with that I'll start the ball rolling with the endgame, clean up Legion's loyalty mission and attempt my "everyone lives" save again. Once that's done, I'll go through Overlord, Shadow Broker, Firewalker missions and The Arrival.
It's a shame Kasumi wasn't a regular character with proper dialogue and a better fleshed-out back story. It's going to be real interesting to see how they handle the DLC characters in 3.
I'm actually dreading playing through ME1 again. I've played through it 3/4 times on my 360, but I plan on playing ME3 on PC.
Such a bitch to pay for and download all the dlc again for both games and prepare my save file ready for my ME3 playthrough.
It's a hard to decide what will be the cannon playthrough. I felt like in ME1 you were expected to be paragon, and in ME2 you were expected to be renegade.
Perhaps I shall play as a woman.
Such a bitch to pay for and download all the dlc again for both games and prepare my save file ready for my ME3 playthrough.
It's a hard to decide what will be the cannon playthrough. I felt like in ME1 you were expected to be paragon, and in ME2 you were expected to be renegade.
Perhaps I shall play as a woman.
Thanks, great info. Think I'll pass it then.
I would like to add how much I like the music when you are in the Normandy selecting which planet to travel. I always listen to a bit before docking on a planet.
I remember on ME1 romancing Liara, now I keep hearing how different she gets at/during Shadow Broker (is it?) but if that DLC is included in the Cerberus DLC I'll wait. I wonder what differences people talk about and what role she can have on ME3.
You could always just download a complete save with all the choices you want and or edit a save with Gibbed's save editor to make it how you want.
www.masseffectsaves.com
You can check loyalty at the character screen at Shepard's terminal. They have an orange circle underneath them and you can change their outfit if they're loyal .
Buy all the ship upgrades except for the medical bay.
That's all you need to be ready.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Liara fans got a bit cranky over her portrayal in ME2 because they couldn't fathom the fact she was without Shepard for two freak'n years and caught up in her own shit, expecting her to act the exact same naive, virginal Liara she was in the first game.
Shadow Broker just explores her character further and, if you romanced her in ME1, allows you to continue that romance.
It's not part of the 'free' Cerberus DLC. It, like Kasumi, Overlord and Arrival must be purchased separately. But it is excellent fun and highly recommended if you want more Mass Effect.
Phonomezer
Banned
ME1 is probably my favourite game this generation.
Love the atmosphere, story and settings, more so than ME2.
Love the atmosphere, story and settings, more so than ME2.
In the middle of an ME1 play through at the moment as I wanted to go through ME1 > ME2 one last time before ME3 hits.
I still love driving around in the Mako, it is a real pity they didn't develop it further in later titles, halving the number of planets you could visit if not more but giving you a bigger space with more to do in a sequel would have been awesome, but never mind.
Can't say I missed the loot system form ME1 in ME2, what a mess that becomes, especially if you forget to sell everything off, it is a shame ME2 took it to such a degree to just get rid of it entirely essentially.
I have no idea how much of Legion is in ME3, but personally I think it would be a crime to shove him off again either half way to near the end of the game or worse relegated as a side character that is barely in the game.
He was easily one of my favourite new characters from ME2 and I think it was a real shame they left him so late into the game.
I still love driving around in the Mako, it is a real pity they didn't develop it further in later titles, halving the number of planets you could visit if not more but giving you a bigger space with more to do in a sequel would have been awesome, but never mind.
Can't say I missed the loot system form ME1 in ME2, what a mess that becomes, especially if you forget to sell everything off, it is a shame ME2 took it to such a degree to just get rid of it entirely essentially.
I have no idea how much of Legion is in ME3, but personally I think it would be a crime to shove him off again either half way to near the end of the game or worse relegated as a side character that is barely in the game.
He was easily one of my favourite new characters from ME2 and I think it was a real shame they left him so late into the game.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
The dialogue found in the game files imply that he (and other characters) were originally recruitable earlier in the game, which enforces my belief ME2 was poorly planned and/or BioWare ran out of time.
Outside of being a last minute optional character, Legion's extended dialogue is also easily missed due to how late he is acquired in the game. The Normandy ambush occurs right after you do his loyalty mission, and if players then rush through to the final they wont have the chance to hear his dialogue on the future of the Geth, not unless they go back after the end game and finish up some side missions.
Reluctant-Hero
Member
Because of that DLC, Liara is favorite character in ME2. She went through a lot if character growth and it was well explained. She loved Shepard, with it without the ME1 relationship, and did everything she could to bring him/her back. She accomplished her goal and then realized that the rest was out of her hands.
So she moved on and found a new purpose. Awesome stuff. Meanwhile Kaiden/Ashley had a shit cameo and a half assed email. WTF?!
Thanks!!
Aye, Liara turned from my most hated squad mate to one of my faves. LotSB was SOOOO GOOD.
I see, well I certainly does not agree with them, people grow. Liara could not be that naive girl anymore.
Regarding the DLC is Shadow Broker on PSN? Let me add this. I purchased the digital version from the US PSN (since I got a US PSN card from a friend) downloaded the game and I'm playing it now on my EU account. The only DLC I can find on the EU PS Store is the "Arrival", the rest are packs from weapons and customization stuff.
So, if Shadow Broker is not in the Cerberus pack that came with the digital version where is it? Another strange thing. When I click on "Downloadable Content" at the menu I go straight to the PS Store but there, not even those packs and Arrival appear. It says "no items found" I only see them if I leave the game and search for them.
I was thinking Shadow Broker was included on Cerebrus DLC pack because when I started to play, the illusive man told me that Liara was conected/working with Shadow Broker.
I want at least that DLC. =/
Reluctant-Hero
Member
The PSN version of ME2 includes the Kasumi, Overlord and Shadow Broker DLC packs. It doesn't include "Arrival", that has to be purchased separately.
So download Artival and you're good to go. Unless you want the best sniper rifle, the M-29 Incisor, then download the Aegis Pack.
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