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[Mutanthands]

Although, I have to be honest, I think I prefered the end of the game due to that.

Spoiler

Obviously since I hadn't upgraded my ship or gained any loyalty I lost all but three of my squad, which really made the mission seem much more meaningful and costly. The first time I did it I didn't lose anyone so I was kinda underwhelmed after the mission had been built up as a "suicide" one the entire game.

I just finished my FemShep renegade playthrough last night, and have similar feelings about the ending.

I really think Bioware made a mistake with the "everyone could die!" plot point. It's a rare case where the gameplay really should have been sacrificed for the story. Death was no longer about tough choices

Spoiler

(Wrex, Ashley vs. Kaiden)

, and was more of a cheap ploy. I lost

Spoiler

Tali

at the end of this playthrough, and all I got was a brief scene of her curled up on the floor at the feet of the collectors like a dried up bug, and some coffin time. No resonance at all. First playthrough, everyone survived, and I was like,"that wasn't so tough, now."

There really should have been some characters per-determined to die, and other should have been safe. That way, you could really give the deaths the scenes they need to make it stick in your gut, like

Spoiler

Wrex or Ashley

. Much as I like them, Thane, Mordin, and Jacob should have bitten the dust as a part of the story. Each one sacrificing themselves in dramatic, irreversible ways. Certain characters should never to be able to die, such as

Spoiler

Garrus, Tali, and Legion

, due to what they could contribute to ME3.

Think about The Seven Samuri/The Magnificent Seven/Battle Beyond the Stars. No fun if everyone survives, and certain characters just had to die to make their character arcs complete.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I'm really curious how they're going to handle who carries over to 3 now. Hopefully you won't recruit too many people in the next game and the focus is on the main story, so if they just read your save to see who survived... I can imagine that would result in a lot of headaches for them to try and figure out. :lol

If two or three carry over and I have to get half a dozen new crew members I will be pissed. I can accept that in this game as the middle chapter of the trilogy, but I want it to be Reapers, Reapers, end of the world and more Reapers in the next game.

 

[kai3345]

I just finished my FemShep renegade playthrough last night, and have similar feelings about the ending.

I really think Bioware made a mistake with the "everyone could die!" plot point. It's a rare case where the gameplay really should have been sacrificed for the story. Death was no longer about tough choices

Spoiler

(Wrex, Ashley vs. Kaiden)

, and was more of a cheap ploy. I lost

Spoiler

Tali

at the end of this playthrough, and all I got was a brief scene of her curled up on the floor at the feet of the collectors like a dried up bug, and some coffin time. No resonance at all. First playthrough, everyone survived, and I was like,"that wasn't so tough, now."

There really should have been some characters per-determined to die, and other should have been safe. That way, you could really give the deaths the scenes they need to make it stick in your gut, like

Spoiler

Wrex or Ashley

. Much as I like them, Thane, Mordin, and Jacob should have bitten the dust as a part of the story. Each one sacrificing themselves in dramatic, irreversible ways. Certain characters should never to be able to die, such as

Spoiler

Garrus, Tali, and Legion

, due to what they could contribute to ME3.

Think about The Seven Samuri/The Magnificent Seven/Battle Beyond the Stars. No fun if everyone survives, and certain characters just had to die to make their character arcs complete.

Well to be fair all of the other death scenes are a bit more dramatic than that one.

On my first run, Legion and I were racing to close these doors to slow the Collector horde and just before the gap was closed BAM Legion takes a bullet to the face.

It was really surprising and shocking, considering I thought I had chosen the correct choice for the tunnel segment, and after that cutscene I just sat there with a "What the fuck just happened" feeling.

But yeah I agree, it would have been nice to have some story related deaths, instead of just slapping on a different character model for a scene.

 

[Acidote]

Still working on my Insane NG+ playthrough. I'm just waiting

Spoiler

for the AI to decrypt the Reaper module

. How much do I have to wait? I've done a few quests and a loyalty mission and still nothing. I don't want to do everything on this playthough and the waiting is annoying >.<

P.S:

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I did a small side quest, collecting the dog tags, and then went to go to the Citadel and that's when it triggered for me. That was maybe 15 minutes after the cutscene.

 

[Acidote]

I've played like an hour and a half doing different things and still waiting...

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Hm, odd. Do you have every squad member? I did, without loyalty. Maybe that's a deciding factor.

 

[Acidote]

I do. I do even have

Spoiler

Legion's

loyalty mission to be done. He had time to find consensus :lol

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I have no idea why it's taking so long for you then. I was expecting it to be longer for me, which is why I was heading to the Citadel to do some easy side missions in hopes of passing the time when it triggered.

 

[Acidote]

In my first playthrough it triggered almost as soon as I got the module. I still had two loyalty quests to do and by doing them

Spoiler

my assistant died a horrible death and I couldn't see her dancing :lol

 

[Wizpig]

About Scholar...

Unlock 15 new Mass Effect 2 codex entries

In the first level it was like 2/15, but then the next time the pop-up appeared i noticed it was 1/15 again.
I don't know if this is a bug or...

 

[Wizpig]

I played some more, and i have to say that while the game is not what the "Mass Effect" project (i think) wanted to be, it's honestly a better game.

I like it more than Mass Effect 1!

 

[Sysgen]

Just started my first game after playing ME1 six times :lol

Not being able to save during long sequences and then getting stuck on the geometry and having to restart the whole sequence leaves a very bad taste. This after getting over no weapon bindings, the stupid fuel mechanic, no individual jump key and 1.5 second (unreadable) messages.

Took care of the message timings (lengthened) and the fuel mechanic (disabled) via the ini. If anyone can help out with weapon bindings I would be most grateful.

 

[Denzar]

Finished it:

Spoiler

Everybody survived. Have to admit, the endgame probably has A LOT more impact when certain crew members die. The final boss was also kind of... lame. Other than that, this game is in a class of it's own. Will replay the ending differently soon, and will start a renegade playthrough soon. This game is so damn good.

I can't wait for Mass Effect 3, really...

I also have som questions revolving DLC:

Do Kasumi and Zaeed fit into the story at all? Do they have loyalty missions? And do they play a part during the end game?

 

[Peff]

Do Kasumi and Zaeed fit into the story at all?

Sort of... they have some dialogue here and there but it's mostly just their mission and their room in the Normandy (you can't talk to them like the other party members, they just talk about stuff in the room).

Do they have loyalty missions?

Yes, but they don't have recruitment missions.

And do they play a part during the end game?

Yup.

 

[Denzar]

Thanks! I'm reconsidering playing the ending again to see what is different when I select diffrent stuff.

Some other spoiler heavy questions:

Spoiler

I decided to blow up the collector mothership and told the Illusive man to go fuck himself (sort of). This time, I'll spare the ship and appoint different squad members for the tasks.

Previously I selected

- Jacob to escort Dr. Chakwas to the normandy
- Legion to get through the steam pipes
- Garrus to command the other half of the squad (twice)
- Samara for the biotic barrier

Will I get different results?

 

[Alucrid]

Nup. BioWare even closed the announcement thread on the BioWare forums due to all the Liara fanboy lunatics ranting that BioWare are somehow wronging them by being so quiet.

I suspect a September release. BioWare hae been on a one-paid-DLC-per-month schedule since the game launched.

Goddamn. I need a reason to play more ME 2 right now Bioware.

 

[Acidote]

Thanks! I'm reconsidering playing the ending again to see what is different when I select diffrent stuff.

Some other spoiler heavy questions:

Spoiler

I decided to blow up the collector mothership and told the Illusive man to go fuck himself (sort of). This time, I'll spare the ship and appoint different squad members for the tasks.

Previously I selected

- Jacob to escort Dr. Chakwas to the normandy
- Legion to get through the steam pipes
- Garrus to command the other half of the squad (twice)
- Samara for the biotic barrier

Will I get different results?

Spoiler

Mordin may die.

That's it.

 

[Denzar]

Spoiler

Mordin may die.

That's it.

Ok, thanks.

Spoiler

He's my favourite squad member, so that will not be the save I use in ME3

 

[Arjen]

I also have som questions revolving DLC:

Do Kasumi and Zaeed fit into the story at all? Do they have loyalty missions? And do they play a part during the end game?

They only have a loyalty mission, both seperate from the main story.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Lair of the Shadowbroker coming September 7th.

Info here: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/129/index/4546420

Hi Everyone

We are pleased to announce this morning that the next Mass Effect 2 DLC episode The Lair of the Shadowbroker will be available on the PC and Xbox 360 on Tuesday September 7 and will cost 800 BioWare/Microsoft points. Not only is this an excellent adventure through Illium and the shadowbroker's secret lair, this new DLC will add the Shadow Broker intel center, new research, and five new achievements – and give fans from Mass Effect 1the chance to continue a relationship with Liara.

BioWare also posted new screenshots.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I think that sounds like it's worth 800pts.

 

[hermit7]

Lair of the Shadowbroker coming September 7th.

Info here: http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/129/index/4546420

Nice. Only issue is it is what 10 dollars?

Better be like 4 hours for that price.

I'll need to romance her on this play through of ME1, so that I can continue the romance with her.

 

[Lunchbox]

thats too close to reach, push it forward to like right now

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

Might be a good idea to put in a new thread or update the announcement thread on this.

Knock yourself out.

 

[Mindlog]

I haven't played ME2 in a long time (I beat it many many many many times.) I've been getting ready to fire it back up, but all the DLC makes me want to play it... less? I know I want to buy at a minimum Kasumi, Overlord and Shadow Broker.

1,920 spacebucks

Maybe it's not an exorbitant price, but for some reason that seems off putting to me. I believe™ I may wait until holiday DLC sales or ME2 Gold Edition.

 

[Rufus]

This better be worth it at that price. If she doesn't react to your having cheated on her if you romanced her in ME, I will be disappointed.

 

[Hasphat'sAnts]

I just don't want duckroll to lock the thread again :lol

He warned us.

Fair enough. I guess I'll make a new thread.

EDIT: NVM, somebody already updated the announcement thread.

 

[Wizpig]

Sounds like a scam, but we'll see.
The 560 points DLC bothered me enough already, now this.

Rockstar Games gives you a new game in the GTA world for 1600 points... the good way to do DLC.

 

[StarEye]

Guys, I get "Sorry, you're not old enough to access this content" error when I try to sign up for my dlc that comes with ME2. Any ideas?

(yes, I'm obviously old enough)

 

[Dartastic]

I will be irritated if I will be unable to pursue something with Liara since I did something with someone else. I WOULD have kept going after her in ME 2 (I chose her in ME1) but I didn't have the option. DOH.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

800 points? Overlord had a good amount of content for 560 points, I hope that if we have to pay 800, we'll have even MORE content...and not just because it have Liara on it....

and give fans from Mass Effect 1the chance to continue a relationship with Liara.

My lesbian Shepard awaits...

PD:Also, maybe someone should make a new thread?

 

[Arjen]

800 points and 5 achievements sounds like it's going to be a lot longer than the previous DLC
I loved al of them so far, so it's day 1 for me, even got a save ready where i stayed loyal to Liara

 

[APZonerunner]

I just finished reading the third book. Some very interesting little tidbits of new information on the Reapers, detailed descriptions of "what it's like" to be enslaved by them as the Collectors are, and fleshing out of characters like Aria (Asari boss-lady on Omega, remember) and Anderson.

Small, spoiler-free plot summary:

Spoiler

Cerberus use reaper tech to enslave another human (a dude who crossed them in the second book) into a Collector-like slave in order to study how the Reapers did what they did to the Collectors and hopefully to though him speak to them and find out what they want. He breaks free of the facility, and much of the book is about him attempting to resist the reaper's instructions until his own conscious begins to disappear entirely and he begins acting as their agent in Citadel space.

There is also a new major player in this novel who could end up being in the ME3 cast. They're either setting this character up for a big role in the next book or in ME3 itself. The book seems the more logical immediate answer, but remember the Illusive Man (and the Collectors) appeared in the second book long before ME2!

 

[careksims]

Despite the price, I will still be getting this. Looking very forward to it!

 

[Acidote]

I believe™ I may wait until holiday DLC sales or ME2 Gold Edition.

That's what I'm doing, and what I did with Mass Effect. And I love the franchise.

Oh, and we'd better be able to hit her.

 

[Wizpig]

How many books are there? i just played Mass Effect Galaxy.

 

[Peff]

How many books are there? i just played Mass Effect Galaxy.

Three, Mass Effect Revelation (before the first game), Mass Effect Ascension (between ME1 and 2) and Mass Effect Retribution (After ME2). They're nothing special, but entertaining if you like the universe.

 

[APZonerunner]

How many books are there? i just played Mass Effect Galaxy.

Three. The first one is about ten years before ME1, I think? Maybe 20? How old is Anderson in ME1? Either way, the first depicts Anderson, at Shepard's age, being picked to be a Spectre - and then the mission with Saren. Through this, we find out how Saren found Sovereign, how Anderson was cheated out of his chance at being a Spectre, and more about Saren in general.

The second one is about Cerberus, the Illusive Man and Biotic Children. Cerberus is secretly pumping money into an Alliance project developing Biotic kids through a parent of one of the kids who is also their agent. His child is autistic and one of the most talented Biotics there, and as well as donating huge chunks of Cerberus cash to the project under his name he's also sneaking in on his visits and injecting her with stuff Cerberus has given him, increasing his power. Eventually he has a change of heart and betrays Cerberus, going on the run with his kid, and the chase is on. This has (allusions to and talk of but no appearances by) the Collectors, the migrant fleet and loads of Quarians and tons - tons of Cerberus information. This book really helped to colour my perspective on Cerberus before I even started ME2. The events with the Migrant Fleet are mentioned a few times in ME2, as well.

The third is the one described above. All three books are linked by a common character, Kahlee Sanders - she's the daughter of a major Alliance first contact war hero and a scientist. In the first book she happens to be working the lab where stuff about Soverign begins to pop up, and aids Anderson and becomes a love interest of sorts - in the second she's working on that station with the Biotic kids, and she's still there in the third, as it has a role to play there.

They're alright books. The guy who wrote them is one of the lead writers on the game and wrote some Star Wars Expanded Universe novels too. They're trashy, but fun and enlightening expansions to the universe.

 

[scarybore]

They're alright books. The guy who wrote them is one of the lead writers on the game and wrote some Star Wars Expanded Universe novels too. They're trashy, but fun and enlightening expansions to the universe.

Yeah, I pretty much buy them just to get more of the universe. I got Retribution today and finished it an hour ago, and while it's not hugely consequential, but I did get a bit confused with regards to

Spoiler

Kahlee having no knowledge of reapers despite being interrogated by the quarians about them in the previous book. I assume it's just an error on Drew's part but have I forgotten something important such as her getting amnesia or something?

 

[Sysgen]

eh. Why can't get I get back into the Omega slums to visit areas I passed the 1st time? Why does the game return me to the Normandy right from the Doctors Office? So many negative niggles here.

 

[Wizpig]

eh. Why can't get I get back into the Omega slums to visit areas I passed the 1st time? Why does the game return me to the Normandy right from the Doctors Office? So many negative niggles here.

Because you decided to end the mission and you can't return to that place again.
The game is more linear than Mass Effect 1, and missions work this way.

By the way I really like some of the DLC missions... the Firewalker one... the Normandy one was pretty cool... Zaeed, too.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

eh. Why can't get I get back into the Omega slums to visit areas I passed the 1st time? Why does the game return me to the Normandy right from the Doctors Office? So many negative niggles here.

yep, and its even more infuriating if you missed a upgrade in those ares and you can't go back to get them.

 

[Sniper McBlaze]

So... I was thinking of doing an insanity run and the save everyone member from dying achievement at the same time.

I heard that on a second playthrough you can get the characters loyalty power by using Advanced training. Can I do this instead of the loyalty missions to make my characters survive? I don't feel like doing all the quests again.

 

[Sysgen]

Because you decided to end the mission and you can't return to that place again.
The game is more linear than Mass Effect 1, and missions work this way.

By the way I really like some of the DLC missions... the Firewalker one... the Normandy one was pretty cool... Zaeed, too.

I didn't decide to end anything. I couldn't get out of the office without returning to the Normandy. So I had to go back to the Normandy just so I could then choose to redock with Omega and finish up Omega quests. STELLAR! .. and these are the same brains that make you buy and spend fuel around the galaxy map to make things more realistic. yeah. Restarting the whole slums sequence because I wanna see what I missed.

The number of times I'm getting stuck (and in some cases my squad) on the games geometry and having to reload is alarming. I've been playing games for since Intellivison was launched. I've never seen such a mess in what purports to be a AAA title.

Bordering on the comical sprinting through parts with no enemies and having Shepard pull his weapon because it's near a cover point. Someone's high school project? Worth noting that squad maintains weapons drawn even when no enemies are present or as stated "Clear" and my weapon is holstered.

No hold squad order from ME1? My squad is engaging while I'm looking at a wall safe.
After one squad mate has been killed (haven't fired a shot yet) Shepard says "They've seen us" Apparently Shepard isn't as bright as ... thought.

"Hold Left Shift and Select Unity to heal a squad member" -- Funny I have LEFT SHIFT mapped to Storm/Cover/Jump.

Swear I'm not doing this on purpose. Stuck again on the geometry. (Have latest patch also)
(Top of the clinic)

 

[hermit7]

So... I was thinking of doing an insanity run and the save everyone member from dying achievement at the same time.

I heard that on a second playthrough you can get the characters loyalty power by using Advanced training. Can I do this instead of the loyalty missions to make my characters survive? I don't feel like doing all the quests again.

Nope the Advanced Training is for Shepard. You need to do the loyalty quests again.

 

[Acidote]

FINALLY the last mission triggered. I'm finishing the NG+ Insane today if I can.

 

[Sniper McBlaze]

Nope the Advanced Training is for Shepard. You need to do the loyalty quests again.

Fuck that shit!

Do you know how many in my crew that needs to be loyal to make everyone survive?

 

[gdt]

Fuck that shit!

Do you know how many in my crew that needs to be loyal to make everyone survive?

I think it's everyone.

 

[Sniper McBlaze]

I think it's everyone.

Is it doable on Insanity or should I just go back to another game setting for all the loyalty missions?