DeaconKnowledge
Member
All 3 have idiosyncrasies, but if you hate all three for whatever reason chances are the genre isn't for you.
I'm struggling to finish Mass Effect
- Thread starter Log4Girlz
- Start date
All 3 have idiosyncrasies, but if you hate all three for whatever reason chances are the genre isn't for you.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
You're already so far in you may as well finish it off to get the save file to import so you can be maximally disappointed by how little your choices mean in the long run. ME2/ME3 are much more playable than ME1 is. But they have other problems of their own that you'll find out.
Since it wouldn't be a ME thread without a ranking bitchfight, come at me bros:
Overarching Story:
ME1 > ME3 > ME2
Characters:
ME2 > ME1 > ME3
Gameplay:
ME3> ME2 > ME1
Man-is-Obsolete
Member
Never owning a Xbox Bioware games were always games I really wanted to play, but just never could justify spending the money to play them. Mass Effect came along and it seemed so good that I had to play the game so I was really stoked when ME2 came to PS3, and I bought it the first day it came out (even if it was overpriced). For me the game starts off on a real high where you are exploring the galaxy seeing new areas and meeting NPCs, and then after awhile it all became boring to me. It's as if the farther you get in the game the smaller the game becomes. It becomes a series of corridors and baddies and this oppressive loom of the end of the universe is at hand. It just stopped being fun to me, and I never was able to finish it and have had no interest since.
There are plenty of RPG's I've enjoyed. To say the genre isn't for someone just because they don't like those 3 games is ridiculous. Especially when there are things like JRPG's out there.
Keep playing. If you're on Virmire, just skip all the side quests and go directly for the last story mission. The whole sequence leading to the end, along with the credits, is the best part of the game. If you suffered long enough to reach Virmire it would be a shame to miss the grand finale.
And ME2 (and 3) has better, although dumbed down, gameplay. So even if you hate gameplay in the first game, you should give it a try. At least try the demo version (iirc it's pretty long and shows you the core gameplay perfectly).
And ME2 (and 3) has better, although dumbed down, gameplay. So even if you hate gameplay in the first game, you should give it a try. At least try the demo version (iirc it's pretty long and shows you the core gameplay perfectly).
Don't bother. Mass Effect 2 is just as horrible in my opinion. I'm completely serious, the voice acting is just about the only good thing about these games: the visual style is ugly (the style, not the graphics), the characters are flat and uninteresting, the setting is as generic as they come, the story is pointless (and has the exact same structure the rest of modern Bioware games have), the gameplay is that of a clunky third person shooter with some horrible controls and a superfluos excuse for a role-playing system. I was so excited for the first game when it came out and it turned out to be so utterly shitty. Yet I somehow managed to finish it, then finally tried playing ME2 years after its release and just couldn't make any significant progress.
EDIT: Oh, and a really crucial thing. There is not enough space in that game, which is important to me as a sci-fi fan, but somewhat hard to explain. It doesn't feel like you're traversing the galaxy, there is no sense of exploration and adventure, probably due to every space trip being a really short cutscene in which your ship teleports to another planet and how casual every character is about space travel. All the planets you can "explore" only detract from the experience, with the copypasted excuses for sidequests in the first game and the pointless yet compulsory for the good ending minigame in the second. The games might as well have been set on a single planet, it wouldn't really change anything plotwise.
EDIT: Oh, and a really crucial thing. There is not enough space in that game, which is important to me as a sci-fi fan, but somewhat hard to explain. It doesn't feel like you're traversing the galaxy, there is no sense of exploration and adventure, probably due to every space trip being a really short cutscene in which your ship teleports to another planet and how casual every character is about space travel. All the planets you can "explore" only detract from the experience, with the copypasted excuses for sidequests in the first game and the pointless yet compulsory for the good ending minigame in the second. The games might as well have been set on a single planet, it wouldn't really change anything plotwise.
Exploration/Level Design:
ME1>ME2>ME3
But gameplay better than ME1 and ME2? Sure, if you enjoy a straight sprint shooter in linear A to B levels.
As for OP: keep playing, Ilos coming up blew me away when I first played. Just the level of wonder as the story was winding down. So excited for what would happen and taking it all in for the universe. Who were the Protheans? Etc.
MDSVeritas
Member
Mass Effect won't give you huge loot tables or tons of skills to advance, but if you want a fleshed out world, and very well written characters and overarching story, you can't go wrong with the Mass Effect series. People are giving a lot of opinions about ME2, either that it's better worse, but really it comes down to this; it's different. There's a bit more focus on gunplay, a bit less focus on RPG elements (but they are still very much present) and an even deeper amount of choices and character relationships to have.
I'd say try it. If you find it changes things for the better, then good, if not, then ME3 won't fix anything else.
I found Mass Effect a revelation when I first played it, and to this day it's one of my favorite games of all time. That said, it lacks polish in several areas: the UI manages to be charming in a way, but still, it's essentially a collection of bad design decisions; the inventory system is one of the biggest messes I've ever seen; as with the UI, there is something charming about exploring planets on the Mako, but it certainly becomes tedious fairly quickly; and you tend to see a handful of environments used again and again.
Mass Effect 2 is also one of my favorites. Outside of GAF, I've seen almost nothing but acclaim for it. There's no doubt many of the mechanics were streamlined, but largely in ways that make complete sense. I found the overall structure of the original to be more epic in scope, shortcomings and all, but ME2 was an equally thrilling experience in its own way. To the extent that one game is better than the other, I'd describe them more as "different" than "inferior/superior" - even when it comes to RPG mechanics specifically, in some cases.
Both are wonderful games. You should go ahead and finish the first one, and then definitely give the second a try.
Mass Effect 2 is also one of my favorites. Outside of GAF, I've seen almost nothing but acclaim for it. There's no doubt many of the mechanics were streamlined, but largely in ways that make complete sense. I found the overall structure of the original to be more epic in scope, shortcomings and all, but ME2 was an equally thrilling experience in its own way. To the extent that one game is better than the other, I'd describe them more as "different" than "inferior/superior" - even when it comes to RPG mechanics specifically, in some cases.
Both are wonderful games. You should go ahead and finish the first one, and then definitely give the second a try.
He probably meant the combat in general, since it has additions like dodge, heavy melee, gun weight affecting cooldown, a big choice of guns that each feels different compared to ME1 where only accuracy and strength were different between gun A and gun B, more interesting powers, you were fighting against enemies that actually did more than just shoot and take cover, etc.
Yes, ME3 is mostly combat compared to ME1 and ME2, but at least it does that better.
I know some people are going to say the combat was better in ME1 or ME2, but i just can't agree with that.
I can't agree with your exploration comparison. ME2 and 3 totally lack that thing, so ME1 doesn't have any other game to compete with.
That's something I really missed about the sequels. It was one of my favorite parts of the first game, and instead of refining the driving mechanics (which I thought were good anyway) Bioware completely scrapped them.
Evolved1
make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
The first one is the only good one...
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
ME1 plays extremely poorly. The shooting is awful, the RPG elements are very far from well designed or well integrated, the inventory sucks, the mako sucks, the squad controls suck. ME2 is the high point for the dialogue system and mechanics although it has the persuasion quirks.
If "exploration" consists of driving a super floaty dune buggy over mountains to find "matriarch writing #239" in a boring, square level utterly devoid of anything resembling meaningful content that looks the same as the last one except for a different colored skybox, I'll pass on that, thanks.
GuitarAtomik
Member
I have to agree with this. And I played through ME1 twice because I enjoyed it that much. Once at release and I loved it, another RIGHT before playing ME2 for the first time and I started to see all it's flaws.
FUCK THRESHERS ARGH
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
If you don't finish Threshers on foot to get double XP you're a goddamn scrub.
Ignore the UNC quests, they're a big part of what makes the game feel monotonous and they have diddly squad rewards.
I love threshers since they give a lot of XP is you know the trick. Which is, getting big enemies health to 5% with the Mako machine gun and cannon, and finish them off on foot with your own gun for 2x/3x XP.
Edit : Beaten like a husk.
I always liked those UNC quests. Filled in the world.
Diablohead
Member
Thinking about it you are best finishing ME1 for the ending, some of the best final moments in a video game for me this generation.
I say that from someone who loves the ME lure, if you want to just gun your way to the boss then you might be a little let down, just note that there is more then one way to win against saren.
Best Mako.
I say that from someone who loves the ME lure, if you want to just gun your way to the boss then you might be a little let down, just note that there is more then one way to win against saren.
To me, Mass Effect has aged very well. It felt more like a RPG with shooter elements than a shooter with slight RPG elements like the later ME's did.
Still, I was sad that the Mako wasn't in ME2 & 3.
Best Mako.
Well fuck me sideways...
I disagree. One planet had those weird monkey-like creatures and another one had creatures that looked like a weird mix of a fox and a centaur. And one planet had a Prothean artifact that when you touched it, gave you a vision about Protheans observing humans when we were still living in caves.
I'm one of those freaks that actually love Mako and do all side quests on every playthrough. I find driving the buggy quite relaxing 
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
Two playthroughs level sixty brothers unite.
One playthrough XP exploiting scrubs boo BOO.
One playthrough XP exploiting scrubs boo BOO.
I too finally started the trilogy myself earlier this year, but had the opposite problem. Hungrily blew through ME and all the DLC, jumped right into ME2 and hit a brick wall right after the opening (which is one of the best openings I've seen in a game, to be fair). The dudebro changes from the first game just leave a bad taste in my mouth. ME1 was the perfect blend and balance of RPG and action shooter. ME2 tips the scales in favor of action too much for me. Yeah, some UI changes are welcome as ME1 menus were cumbersome, but as far as interacting with the gameplay I much prefer ME1.
I'll get back to ME2 eventually, but it's no longer on my horizon.
I'll get back to ME2 eventually, but it's no longer on my horizon.
You've summed up almost my EXACT thoughts on the series. It was one of the reasons I played my 360 back in the day, apart from Bioshock. Still one of the best soundtracks around and an amazing fun and epic space sci-fi adventure. I definitely still love it, but playing it again on PC these days does take away some of the rosy tint of my nostalgia.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
I had to do
THREE
playthroughs. To get to 60. To import into ME2. When I got to the end of the 2nd and was only on level 59, I was fucking SPEWING.
Only took 4 posts this time around...
I really dislike the ME series (Only played 1&2). It's like watching some sort of space soap opera and the gameplay feels like menu quest with lots of reading and item sorting. I feel it's just a typical and bloated syfy game that appeals to 'that' niche.
I really liked KOTOR and still view it as the better game even though it has aged worse. In general I see Bioware as very hit and miss.
I really liked KOTOR and still view it as the better game even though it has aged worse. In general I see Bioware as very hit and miss.
That really is like a different genre.
I've read some ridiculous hyperbole about ME3 in the past, but this takes the cake.
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I've played through Mass Effect at least six times. I know "at least" because I got my first playthrough character to level sixty, which took three playthroughs (as it does most players). I did a second totally fresh playthrough with the exact same character starting from start, just prior to Mass Effect 2's release, and by maximising XP I managed to hit 60 in two playthroughs. And I know I did a single playthrough with another, male character.
Can you get to level 60 in two playthroughs without exploiting the onfoot kill during mako missions? I remember it took me 3 playthroughs to reach lvl 60 even though on each playthroughI did all side quests (including collecting all those diaries, writings etc.). And on my third playthrough, which I already started with lvl 59, it took me half the game to reach final level :/
foxdvd
Member
It took me I think 2.5 plays to get to 60, and I did get out and shoot some during the mako parts...
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
Yeah 6 sounds about like what I did too. First one was a rental when the game first came out, 2nd and 3rd were when I bought the game, last 3 were a "get my perfect set of choices to lvl 60 for import" runs prior to ME2 coming out.
Phat Michael
Banned
that's not true at all. the combat is incredibly deep and balanced. there is a lot of thought and strategy put into it, especially in multiplayer.
DouglasteR
Member
YEAH !!
Skip the best Mass Effect experience and jump straight to the GEARS OF EFFECT IN DUTY 2 and 3 !
:jesushelpme:
Skip the best Mass Effect experience and jump straight to the GEARS OF EFFECT IN DUTY 2 and 3 !
:jesushelpme:
EatChildren
Currently polling second in Australia's federal election (first in the Gold Coast), this feral may one day be your Bogan King.
I think you do need to do the on foot kill against Threshers. It cuts close though. I remember hitting 60 around the tail end of Virmire. And you really have to do fucking everything. Everything.
GuitarAtomik
Member
I really don't get the complaints of making ME's combat "dudebro" unless by "dudebro" people actually mean mechanically sound. Maybe I didn't have this problem because I played through as biotic and biotics were equally improved. Or am I misunderstanding the complaint?
This is pretty much as accurate as we're going to get. Also,
Exploration:
ME1>ME2>ME3
Level Design:
ME3>ME2>ME1
Immersion:
ME1>ME2>ME3
RPGness:
ME1>ME3>ME2
Bioware also completely overestimated themselves. If I'm not mistaken was there originally supposed to be a way to continue your save even when Shepard died in ME2.
In ME3 that was nowhere to be found.
This is the greatest videogame analogy of all time.
Some of you are scaring me as i loved the first game and i was going to pick both 1 and 2 up this week and have a mammoth run through of all 3 games next week but some of you are making me think otherwise. It isn't that long ago since i played the first game and i still thought it was great then (i have played it after ME2 as well) so fuck it, i'll go for it, they only cost about £5 each anyway.
The franchise as a whole had an issue with overpromising and underdelivering. Fans expected something out of Bioware that only either Rockstar or Bethesda could do and instead of tempering those expectations, they played along and what you got was a huge bunch of disappointed fans.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
No. ME2 itself has load screen tips or whatever that say you can die, but that if you do you can't import to the next game. It had this at launch.