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GAF Plays: Mass Effect series (unmarked spoilers)
- Thread starter EatChildren
- Start date
"Remember when you could just slap omni-gel on everything to open doors?!"
Eppy Thatcher
God's had his chance.
Just recently (christmas sales) got both ME1 and 2. Mobbed through both pretty quickly and now i'm on my second run to perfect my save game i'm gonna take into 3 (I ended up gettin sideways with jack cause Tali got piiiiiiiiised when i didn't mind working with Legion - If someone could let me know how to be his friend and also have Tali's loyalty i'd really appreciate it.)
One thing I really missed playing the two back to back was the Armor sets and much larger array of different guns and such from 1. ME2 felt much smaller and extremely simple in comparison. It also bugs the holy hell out of me that you can't un-equip a weapon. All i want on me is my sniper rifle and a pistol. I don't get why i must lug around a shitty grenade launcher for half the game until you find that nuke gun thing (which you'd have to be stupid not to take with you.)
Still fun. I hate Ashley with a passion and Miranda is a cunt. Just sayin.
One thing I really missed playing the two back to back was the Armor sets and much larger array of different guns and such from 1. ME2 felt much smaller and extremely simple in comparison. It also bugs the holy hell out of me that you can't un-equip a weapon. All i want on me is my sniper rifle and a pistol. I don't get why i must lug around a shitty grenade launcher for half the game until you find that nuke gun thing (which you'd have to be stupid not to take with you.)
Still fun. I hate Ashley with a passion and Miranda is a cunt. Just sayin.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
There might have been a larger array of guns but the differences between them were negligible at best. Lots of stuff but most of it completely useless. Illusion of loot, I guess. But as I said above I too missed the lack of extra stuff to find in ME2.
ME3 has a new way of handling loud-outs, so you'll be able to take just one or two weapons with you if you'd like, with the bonus of having powers recharge faster.
Wiggum2007
Junior Member
Yeah I didn't care for ME2's candy colored suite of armor customization options, most of the alternative armor pieces didn't look so hot on my female Shepard, either. Luckily it sounds like they're expanding armor options in ME3.
Lagspike_exe
Member
Being a big fan of KotOR, I'm not sure why I ignored this series for so long. Anyway, I got a Xbox recently and picked up Mass Effect cheaply. I completed the Citadel part and took off for the Ice Colony whose name I forgot and I can't really claim I'm hugely impressed. After Skyrim's hyper comfortable interface, Mass Effect's UI feels clunky and time consuming. It requires a lot of micro managment to so things properly.
Graphics are mediocre to bad, although it's not really fair to judge a 2007 game by 2012 standards.
Story wise, it's been interesting so far listening about The Reapers and other races and I like how you can select your character background, although I don't think I have encountered a situation where it actually mattered. It seems they've spent a lot of time writing lore, as characters and worlds have very detailed and interesting stories and that's a big plus.
What's a big issue for me is the combat, as it's absolutely terrible. Weapons are imprecise, controls don't work properly and taking cover is an issue.
Overall I'm not really enjoying the game, despite loving KotOR(s) to death and replaying them multiple times. I'll play some more to get the better understanding of the world, as a big reason why I loved KotOR was the phenomenal Star Wars atmopshere. It'll be interesting to see whether I'll enjoy Mass Effect universe to the same extent, although it does seem to have a lot of potential.
According to Metacritic, Mass Effect 2 is universally praised. Is it really that good and does it fix the combat? Also, how deep is the save game integration from ME1 to ME2 and how deep will it be going from ME2 to ME3 (and willit include the choices from the first game)?
I also have a wuestion regarding character abilitites - how exactly do you order a character with decrypting specialization to hack something and how do you use a character's first aid specialization, as they aren't listed along other abolities such as Sabotage and Overkill.
Graphics are mediocre to bad, although it's not really fair to judge a 2007 game by 2012 standards.
Story wise, it's been interesting so far listening about The Reapers and other races and I like how you can select your character background, although I don't think I have encountered a situation where it actually mattered. It seems they've spent a lot of time writing lore, as characters and worlds have very detailed and interesting stories and that's a big plus.
What's a big issue for me is the combat, as it's absolutely terrible. Weapons are imprecise, controls don't work properly and taking cover is an issue.
Overall I'm not really enjoying the game, despite loving KotOR(s) to death and replaying them multiple times. I'll play some more to get the better understanding of the world, as a big reason why I loved KotOR was the phenomenal Star Wars atmopshere. It'll be interesting to see whether I'll enjoy Mass Effect universe to the same extent, although it does seem to have a lot of potential.
According to Metacritic, Mass Effect 2 is universally praised. Is it really that good and does it fix the combat? Also, how deep is the save game integration from ME1 to ME2 and how deep will it be going from ME2 to ME3 (and willit include the choices from the first game)?
I also have a wuestion regarding character abilitites - how exactly do you order a character with decrypting specialization to hack something and how do you use a character's first aid specialization, as they aren't listed along other abolities such as Sabotage and Overkill.
ScreenSplitter
Member
Dude, don't buy a game from 2007 and compare it to a game from 2011. Try comparing it to Oblivion instead.
Lagspike_exe
Member
Even compared to Oblivion, the managment system is clunkier and more slower and OSD map is significantly less uselful. And then there's the issue with combat.
Was Mass Effect 2 improved in these segments?
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Management in Mass Effect sucks, yeah. Even people who liked the idea of lots of loot almost unanimously agree the UI and organisation of the inventory and junk is cumbersome at best.
ME2 removes loot full stop in favour of individual weapons with unique qualities. Less "this gun has 0.23 damage than that gun" and more distinct fire rate, damage, accuracy and ammunition differences. One sniper rifle might shoot fast and do less damage, while another will have to load around after each shot yet do a ton of damage. More like shooter, less like a spreadsheet.
ME2 removes loot full stop in favour of individual weapons with unique qualities. Less "this gun has 0.23 damage than that gun" and more distinct fire rate, damage, accuracy and ammunition differences. One sniper rifle might shoot fast and do less damage, while another will have to load around after each shot yet do a ton of damage. More like shooter, less like a spreadsheet.
ScreenSplitter
Member
In the ones you've mentioned? Absolutely.
-Inventory system is incredibly streamlined (though some view this as a negative)
-Combat, while still not excellent, is far better than ME1. They replace the stupid "Overheat" system with more traditional reloading. Cover system is better, and powers actually feel like they do something.
shingonation
Member
Cinematic trailer next week guys:
http://www.buzzfocus.com/2012/02/08/mass-effect-3-new-trailer-impressions/
And maybe tomorrow the FemShep trailer.
http://www.buzzfocus.com/2012/02/08/mass-effect-3-new-trailer-impressions/
And maybe tomorrow the FemShep trailer.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Cool. I assume it will be like Mass Effect 2's CGI cinematic trailer.
Lagspike_exe
Member
That's great to hear, I'll play ME1 more to see if it clicks, but I'll put ME2 onto price watch, although I think I won't have a trouble findng it cheaply.
Now, regarding using the heal and decyphre abilities - how do you order your squad members to do it? Or are their bonuses calculated when Shepard performs the action?
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
I played the 360 version when it first came out and quit after the first opening segment. I couldn't stand the controls and shit frame rate. Glad I picked it up for computer thanks to Steam sales. So much better then the 360 version. I'm told part 2 is a lot better on 360 though. I wouldn't know since I bought that for PC also.
I think the combat is a lot more actiony in part two, so you may like it. Feels like a shooter. They cut back on a lot of the RPG elements though. There are a good amount of choices that will carry over to part two, and supposedly to three. Obviously nobody knows deep it goes into three yet.
As far as using your teams abilities, they're passive. So, the higher someone decrypt skill is, the more thing Shepard can decrypt.
EDIT: A note about cover since that was one of your complaints. They made it a button push in part two, so you won't hug walls when you don't want to and shit. They also made your party not stand the fuck in front of you like they loved to do in part one.
MrTroubleMaker
Member
I feel the same way.
Lagspike_exe
Member
That sounds much better. I guess I'll play ME1 more, at least to explore the universe a bit more, before deciding whether to get ME2, although I most likely will.
Wiggum2007
Junior Member
Am I the only one who cannot fucking stand Dr. Chakwas? I don't even know what it is exactly, her voice, her pretentious overly dramatic stories of her past or whatever, or maybe the way she creepily motionlessly revolves around in that chair and the camera stares blankly at the back of her head for two seconds. I just can't take it.
I like her. That scene in 2 where you share a drink with her is one of my favorite moments in Mass Effect.
Wiggum2007
Junior Member
See that makes sense. It's just like, have you ever known a person that seems nice enough and has done nothing to earn your hate but you just inexplicably want to punch them in the face? It's like that.
Z_Y
Member
Dear GAF,
This thread is making me want to jump back in and playthrough both games again. But I have two quick questions first though...
1) I currently have a character sitting at level 52 in ME1. Will I hit 60 just playing casually and not trying to grind? I thought I read somewhere that getting through the 50s to 60 was a real chore.
2) Will I unlock the hardcore achievement also on an insanity playthrough?
Thank you for your time. I'll hang up now and listen to your response.
This thread is making me want to jump back in and playthrough both games again. But I have two quick questions first though...
1) I currently have a character sitting at level 52 in ME1. Will I hit 60 just playing casually and not trying to grind? I thought I read somewhere that getting through the 50s to 60 was a real chore.
2) Will I unlock the hardcore achievement also on an insanity playthrough?
Thank you for your time. I'll hang up now and listen to your response.
I was hoping for this too, but they probably don't think it's necessary. It doesn't seem like they've changed too much in the way of powers for each class, just the way they can be steadily upgraded.
I'm sure you'll have to grind for at least another play through and some change if you want to hit 60. Do you have any of the DLC?
Yes.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
You can get to 60 in two playthroughs, but you have to make sure you do absolutely everything and maximise your xp, and you might need Bring Down the Sky.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
58 - 60 took 2/3 of my third playthrough to get, iirc. The import bonuses are worthless, so don't bother.
Thunder Monkey
Banned
I can get to 59 in a single playthrough. But there are lots of little exploitable things you notice after playing it for hundreds of hours. There are two spots in particular that can net you thousands and thousands of XP. I mean on top of taking down every single armature, colossus, maw, and menial baddy you can find on foot. When you're racing to Sovereign on the citadel two spots have fairly continuous spawning baddies. If you can kill them quick enough that is. Geth Destroyers I think is the name.
Long corridor the first just before you have to activate the three defense cannons, and the geth ship starts tossing geth down. The other is the next corridor. It pops up sporadically, but killing dozens of Geth Destroyers does rack up some XP after 10 to 15 of them spawn.
If you can kill them quick enough. Being at Level 59 by that point helps. Especially if you're a solider that's pumped a lot into an assault rifle, assault training, spectre training, and soldier. I like overkill when I'm racking up XP.
*blushes*
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Yeah, I was thinking without the XP exploits from constant enemy respawns. If you avoid them it will take two playthroughs, but you will need to do everything and take advantage of the on-foot XP bonus for all big stuff.
If you're grinding exploitable enemy spawns then you should be able to do it in one. The stretch between 59 - 60 is so large though.
If you're grinding exploitable enemy spawns then you should be able to do it in one. The stretch between 59 - 60 is so large though.
It's only worth it if you want the 3 achievements (hardcore completion, insanity completion, level 60) because the bonuses for importing a level 50 and a level 60 character in ME2 are as follows:
If you don't have the DLC, the 2000 XP might make a difference to hit 30 in ME2 but you can get there by completing as many quests as possible.
Also if you don't know already, in mako missions, kill stuff on foot. You get a lot more exp.
Its especially effective when you shoot things like thresher maws, colossus or turrets with your mako until they're at 5%, and finish them off with your gun. Much safer and quicker. My Shepard is already lvl 44 and i still havent done Virmire, Illos, havent left Noveria's hub yet and still have a couple of barren planets to visit.
Typographenia
Member
The easiest way to get to 60 is when you're on planet surfaces, get out of the Mako as often as possible when killing things. You get much more XP from defeating enemies while on foot than in the Mako.
You might consider softening things up with the machine gun when you see turrets/big things and just shoot them.
LOTS OF EXTRA XP LEFT OVER!
edit: Yargh, beaten. I should read better. : |
Fighting the Tresher Maws in ME1 was so tiring. If we had the Collector Particle Beam in ME1, it wouldn't be so tedious (but still dangerous) like it was a snap in ME2. Got it with like 3-13 seocnds left on the round clock.
What i hate about thresher maws is when they're underground and one shotted your mako by randomly coming out right under it, even if you're in constant movement. Fuckers killed me twice that way so far, was very frustrating the 1st time since i hadnt saved for like 15 mins.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Grunt's loyalty mission is a guilty pleasure of mine. It's so bro and manly. I love the area you fight in, the booming Krogan voice recording echoing the mighty history of the Krogan and what it means to be a warrior, as waves of scrubs come in and you wreck their shit.
I really loathed Grunt on my first playthrough as I couldn't help but compare him to Wrex, and even though his personality is paper thin I enjoyed him a lot more on my most recent playthrough. I accepted he's a brutish meathead simply there to kill, and for that reason I grew to like him.
I also liked the way Jennifer Hale delivers regretful lines conversing with Grunt like "I don't think I'm going to come down here for these talks any more".
I love Thresher Maws. I like they're supposed to be these huge beasts everyone fears and few have killed. One of the early revealed/described scenes for Mass Effect 3 with a thresher maw is going to be stupidly over the topic and 'epic', but I know I'm going to love it.
I really loathed Grunt on my first playthrough as I couldn't help but compare him to Wrex, and even though his personality is paper thin I enjoyed him a lot more on my most recent playthrough. I accepted he's a brutish meathead simply there to kill, and for that reason I grew to like him.
I also liked the way Jennifer Hale delivers regretful lines conversing with Grunt like "I don't think I'm going to come down here for these talks any more".
I love Thresher Maws. I like they're supposed to be these huge beasts everyone fears and few have killed. One of the early revealed/described scenes for Mass Effect 3 with a thresher maw is going to be stupidly over the topic and 'epic', but I know I'm going to love it.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
Kabuto The Python is back (briefly)!
http://www.destructoid.com/dtoid-exclusive-adam-warrock-s-mass-effect-ep-221138.phtml
http://www.destructoid.com/dtoid-exclusive-adam-warrock-s-mass-effect-ep-221138.phtml
Z_Y
Member
Thanks for all the tips guys. I loaded up my career in ME1 last night and I saw that I was a level 56 after 2 playthroughs. I've taken this character through ME2 once too.
Based on everyone's comments (and the fact that I'm sick of being a Vanguard) I don't think I'm going to even try for 60 in this lifetime. Instead, I'm going to create a female Shephard and take her through ME1 and Me2 as a paragon. Also, I'm going to try to pick up some lingering weapon and biotic use achievements.
How impossible is it to get the weapon achievements for weapons you are not trained in? Any suggestions for which class I should choose?
Based on everyone's comments (and the fact that I'm sick of being a Vanguard) I don't think I'm going to even try for 60 in this lifetime. Instead, I'm going to create a female Shephard and take her through ME1 and Me2 as a paragon. Also, I'm going to try to pick up some lingering weapon and biotic use achievements.
How impossible is it to get the weapon achievements for weapons you are not trained in? Any suggestions for which class I should choose?
shingonation
Member
Now it's confirmed, FemShep Friday:
BabeSlayer
Member
Where are these exploitable areas and do they work on the 360?
Nice, I have not played through as a FemShep but after I finish my ME2 playthrough I'm going to redo ME2 as a FemShep.
A little weird that they're not releasing it today since they seem to be trying to replace Bioware Pulse with ME3 media, but it's only a day's difference. It'll be interesting to see what kind of trailer it is.
Rei no Otaku
Member
Hope it's worth the wait!
I've been looking forward to this but it's getting close to the launch trailer timeframe and those are usually lousy with spoilers. I'll wait to hear impressions from GAF on whether or not it's safe to watch.
I would assume so since that is the model that is going to be the default setting in the game I believe.
Lifejumper
Member
It will have unique animations though based on the gender.
Blue Ninja
Member
From what I've heard, the default FemShep is actually a brunette and not the one that appears on the cover. At least, that was the one we saw in that Voice Cast trailer.
Reluctant-Hero
Member
What? Really? Then what was the point of all the Facebook voting they held over the summer? Or maybe you heard bad info? Either way, I guess we'll find out tomorrow.
Also, Blue Ninja, I support you for the ME3 OT. I really don't want to see another "Shit Mountain".
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