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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 01, 2010, 08:36:56 PM

Title: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 01, 2010, 08:36:56 PM
Just beat Mass Effect 2 and, although I could easily just post this in the Official Video Game thread, felt the need to start a new thread because at the moment I'm overwhelmed by how awesome the final mission was.

My only criticism of the game is that the story seemed non-existent up until the end. Yea, it was there in the background but it wasn't like the first game where every second you felt like you were part of something big, and the game constantly reminded you about it. Otherwise, it's better than the first game in every conceivable way. It'll be interesting to see how the first game holds up when I play it next. Don't know when that will be - could be in a month, could be in the summer, could be in a year (nah, I'm too big a fanboi for that).

**Spoilers on ending** Jack died - I basically sent her to her death because she wasn't loyal to me and I was worried if I kept her with me something bad would happen, so I sent her away with the survivors. Used Tali in the shaft and Garrus leading the other team to start. Samara for the barrier and Garrus leading the other team after. Chose to destroy the base.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 01, 2010, 10:37:33 PM
I adore the first game and while I agree the second was better gameplay wise, the story wasn't quite up to par.  I thought the end might be a little more . . . grand.  Also, I was a tad disappointed in the fact I could reach the max level in one playthrough. Despite the fact it took over 30 hours, it seemed to go by so fast.

SPOILERS

As to who dies in the end, I'm not quite sure what determines that.  There's discussions over at gamefaqs saying it might be who's not loyal, or strong enough, or who you send to do what . . . and some say it even might be random.  Who knows.

END SPOILERS

Anyway, phenomenal game.  I'm playing through the first again, and I'll launch back into the second the moment I'm done.  Those two games really take my top spot as far as next-gen systems go.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Nigerius Rex on February 02, 2010, 02:31:54 AM
Spoilers:

Their survival depends on whether or not you do their side missions which earns their loyalty, and if you have the ship plating and shield upgrades.

But yes, awesome game. It felt a little too much of a console port to me and I liked ME1's fighting system, ammo, and upgrades better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 02, 2010, 03:21:43 AM
From what I've heard the members dying is dependent on loyalty and all that, but it is also on who you send to lead squads and stuff. If you send Tali to lead a squad, some might end up dead, but if you send Garrus it works out better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 02, 2010, 05:11:17 PM
What I really wanna know is what is the canonical ending?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 02, 2010, 05:24:48 PM
I just assumed that both endings carry over to ME3 just like it did to ME2. You are most likely going to be able to import your saves again, so I don't see why they wouldn't carry both over.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 02, 2010, 05:32:57 PM
Of course you can carry over, but Super Dude wants to know what Bioware considers the "real" ending. ie, you could have saved the Council in the first game, but if you don't import your save then the default is that the Council died.


My ending:
Legion for hacking, he died closing the door. Chambers died because I didn't get there fast enough. Jack got taken away by the swarms at the end of the barrier section. Zaeed successfully escorted the survivors to the ship. (Can you screw this one up??) And I didn't destroy the collector ship.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 02, 2010, 05:36:32 PM
Right-o.  I love exploring possibilities, but I also want to experience the series the way the developers envisioned it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 02, 2010, 05:56:30 PM
I don't think they wanted ME to be a contained world like they did with KOTOR. I always got the impression that they wanted player choice over a concrete story line.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 02, 2010, 06:44:14 PM
Yeah, but that doesn't mean a canonical story doesn't exist.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Nigerius Rex on February 03, 2010, 01:57:25 PM
Spoilers:

They didn't make a canonical ending. They designed so virtually everyone can live or die and the game will still continue. Even if everyone on the mission dies Joker still reports to the illusive man in the end cutscene, so thats probably the closest thing to canon.

In my first play through everyone but myself died because I didn't piss away credits on upgrades or spend time doing any loyalty missions. Second play through though I am trying to get morinth over samara and have her rape my brain.....
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 03, 2010, 06:52:21 PM
No loyalty missions?! You missed like a third of the game.

I don't get how buying upgrades is "pissing away" credits. What else are you supposed to do with them?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 10, 2010, 01:47:22 PM
Granted, it says "Spoilers" in the thread title anyway but I thought I'd reiterate that there are some end spoilers here, regarding who you send to do what in the final mission.  Some people thought it was random or a glitch (as far as who lives and who dies) but a dev was nice enough to spell it out for everyone.

Mordin's death is not a glitch or bug. I believe that when people are surprised with Mordin's death, it's during the "Hold the Line" time where you leave crew behind as you and two squad mates move onward. Tech had their moment in the sun with the tunnel infiltration. A biotic is key for the protective bubble. The Hold the Line sequence is time for your soldier types to do their best.

Basically you want your best DEFENDERS to hold the line. Don't think about offensive solo strikers. Think about the guys that can dig down and hold a position with moxie. You want them to hold the line.

Under the hood, each character has a "hole the line" score, which gets a bonus if the character is loyal. Characters like Mordin, Jack and Tali are squishy and not exoeruenced with bunkering down and holding out for an extended period of time. Characters like Grunt and Zaeed are tanks who thrive on this type of work. The score is tallied for all the team members that are holding the line, and the number of survivors are calculated. If people are to die, the non-loyals squishies go first through the list to the loyal tanks. Alas, I think Mordin is at the head of the death list. Some characters can't survive without help even if they are loyal. Others can survive even if not loyal.

Here are some examples for the group holding the line:
Loyal Mordin by himself: He can't hold the line by himself. He dies.
Non-loyal Grunt by himself: Grunt lives. He hunkers down and gets the job done, and doesn't have to worry about helping any one else.
Loyal Mordin and non-Loyal Grunt: Grunt dies, but Mordin lives. Grunt is able to hold the line but goofs up helping Mordin... he was just too aggressive without his right of passage.
Loyal Mordin and Loyal Grunt: They both live.

Note it is possible to get non-loyal henchmen to survive through the end game with the proper group holding the line.

So what is a good strategy? Send back a loyal squishy with the crew, like Mordin or Tali. Leave your defensive bad asses to hold the line (hmmm, Garrus defended a base all by himself to an extended period of time....) and take your loyal offensive favorites with you to the end.

As for saving Kelly and the crew, you just need to make sure you go through the Omega-4 relay right after the crew is taken, and make sure you send a loyal squad mate back as an escort."
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 10, 2010, 07:31:54 PM
I haven't read this thread, nor do I intend to until I finish it but...


THE COLLECTORS ARE THE PROTHEANS?!?!?! HOLY BABY JESUS!!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 10, 2010, 07:34:45 PM
I thought they were Protheans fucked around with by the Reapers?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 10, 2010, 07:37:34 PM
I thought they were Protheans fucked around with by the Reapers?
Yes, but they still were them. That's what I was trying to say.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 10, 2010, 08:29:07 PM
Just finished it. Holy fucking shit, what an ending. I lost Jack (not a huge deal, she hated me anyways) and Tali  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Easily one of the best games I've ever played.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 10, 2010, 08:39:51 PM
How the hell could you let Tali die!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 10, 2010, 09:01:15 PM
I HAVE NO IDEA

Seriously, I upgraded everything, had her highest loyalty and everything. I have no idea why she died.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 11, 2010, 07:54:09 AM
You chose the wrong people at the end!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 11, 2010, 10:13:11 AM
Must have  :sadpanda:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 11, 2010, 10:42:06 AM
So I'm doing a full renegade play through for ME1 and 2. Renegade is funny as hell, my favorite line is when the Turian councilor says " Do you enjoy committing genocide on an entire species"

And you just reply "Depends on the species, Turian."
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 12, 2010, 12:51:56 AM
Just finished the game, even though I tried going for a renegade side, everyone survived and I destroyed the ship. Here's how I chose the teams:

Legion for the hack, Garrus leads the other team. Samara for the swarm part and Miranda leading the other team. Mordin lead the survivors to the rendezvous, he lived. On the final part I took Samara and Thane with me, Samara because of the biotic and Thane because he's the most awesome character in the game, I thought about bringing Grunt, but I left him behind so all my strongest soldiers were there.

Did all of the loyalty missions and all upgrades, except the bigger fuel tank and upgrade board, which didn't really matter at the end. Sexed up Miranda, but I really wanted Kelly.


Question: And how does the story changes if the Council dies? Do humans now run the Citadel?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 12, 2010, 08:01:11 AM
Answer: From what I can tell from the quick-character option for ME2, the canonical ending of the last game was to kill the Council.  I'm guessing you transfered your character over?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 12, 2010, 08:25:09 AM
Yes. But you haven't answered my question. Does it even make a difference? I only saw the Council the first time I went to the Citadel, where they told me they were gonna reinstate my Spectre status. After that, they are never heard from again.

Maybe a better question is what happens in Tuchanka if Wrex is dead?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 12, 2010, 09:00:02 AM
To your first question, the Alliance runs the Citadel.  To the second question, I have no idea.  Keep in mind that I do not own the game; I'm just going off of what I know from videos of the opening sequence on YouTube.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 12, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
If Wrex is dead, his blood brother is the chief of the Urdnot.  I haven't done Grunt's side mission yet, so I have no idea if there's that conflict between Uvenk and the Chief over letting Grunt take the rite of passage.  I have yet to recruit Tali and Legion, I've just gotten to the point where I have to go aboard the collector ship.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 12, 2010, 11:25:32 AM
Yes. But you haven't answered my question. Does it even make a difference? I only saw the Council the first time I went to the Citadel, where they told me they were gonna reinstate my Spectre status. After that, they are never heard from again.

Maybe a better question is what happens in Tuchanka if Wrex is dead?

The council is pretty much non existent - if you kill the council, the balance of power swings to the humans, but then the new council refuses to even see you.

In Tuchanka, Wrex's brother becomes chief, and there's another dude who opposes Grunt's rite of passage that you have to deal with.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 12, 2010, 12:32:18 PM
The theory is that Wrex living puts the Krogan on your side for the final confrontation with the Reapers, whereas if he dies you don't get any Krogan help.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 12, 2010, 12:35:22 PM
I can't see how Renegade Shepard will be able to beat the reapers. I had him kill the Rachnai, kill Wrex, Kill everyone at Zhu's Hope, kill the Council, and half my team died.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 12, 2010, 01:16:33 PM
I can't see how Renegade Shepard will be able to beat the reapers. I had him kill the Rachnai, kill Wrex, Kill everyone at Zhu's Hope, kill the Council, and half my team died.

There'll be more cannon fodder in Mass Effect 3.  :xbones

But I feel the same way.  It just feels sort of wrong playing though Mass Effect 2 as a Renegade, story-wise and it actually makes me feel like a bad person.  Its not like KOTOR where the evil options can be incredibly hilarious, you're pretty fucking evil if you go full renegade.  I've been doing a sort of balancing act, doing more renegade actions than paragon, but being nice to people I like, like Garrus, Thane, Samara (I want that Reave power with Advanced Training, dammit!), and Mordin (by far the coolest character).  The scene where he sings is great.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 12, 2010, 01:26:57 PM
I can't see how Renegade Shepard will be able to beat the reapers. I had him kill the Rachnai, kill Wrex, Kill everyone at Zhu's Hope, kill the Council, and half my team died.

There'll be more cannon fodder in Mass Effect 3.  :xbones

But I feel the same way.  It just feels sort of wrong playing though Mass Effect 2 as a Renegade, story-wise and it actually makes me feel like a bad person.  Its not like KOTOR where the evil options can be incredibly hilarious, you're pretty fucking evil if you go full renegade.  I've been doing a sort of balancing act, doing more renegade actions than paragon, but being nice to people I like, like Garrus, Thane, Samara (I want that Reave power with Advanced Training, dammit!), and Mordin (by far the coolest character).  The scene where he sings is great.

I've noticed that in both Dragon Age and Mass Effect - I just can't bring myself to be a total asshole, I feel too bad about it. I'm on my second playthrough now though and I've been doing more of the 'badass' renegade actions, like threatening the other NPCs and shooting them in the middle of conversations when you get the chance. I'm still good to my people and the other innocent NPCs though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 12, 2010, 01:33:00 PM
I can't see how Renegade Shepard will be able to beat the reapers. I had him kill the Rachnai, kill Wrex, Kill everyone at Zhu's Hope, kill the Council, and half my team died.

There'll be more cannon fodder in Mass Effect 3.  :xbones

But I feel the same way.  It just feels sort of wrong playing though Mass Effect 2 as a Renegade, story-wise and it actually makes me feel like a bad person.  Its not like KOTOR where the evil options can be incredibly hilarious, you're pretty fucking evil if you go full renegade.  I've been doing a sort of balancing act, doing more renegade actions than paragon, but being nice to people I like, like Garrus, Thane, Samara (I want that Reave power with Advanced Training, dammit!), and Mordin (by far the coolest character).  The scene where he sings is great.

I've noticed that in both Dragon Age and Mass Effect - I just can't bring myself to be a total asshole, I feel too bad about it. I'm on my second playthrough now though and I've been doing more of the 'badass' renegade actions, like threatening the other NPCs and shooting them in the middle of conversations when you get the chance. I'm still good to my people and the other innocent NPCs though.

Spoilers:

Exactly, I can never bring myself to be a dick to my team. I can pretty much be an asshole through everything else, but when I yell at my team members it makes me think they hate me! Although I thought being evil in KOTOR is just plain fucked up, at least at the part where you end up killing half your team.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 12, 2010, 01:54:53 PM
I've started a renegade playthrough and I don't like it as much as a paragon or balanced playthrough. You feel like such a cock stain half the time; for example, there are like four different instances where someone's gasping their last breaths in front of you and you can save them with medi-gel, but to be a full-on renegade you have to just let them die. Really weird feeling, even though it's just a game. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 12, 2010, 01:55:43 PM
I've started a renegade playthrough and I don't like it as much as a paragon or balanced playthrough. You feel like such a cock stain half the time; for example, there are like four different instances where someone's gasping their last breaths in front of you and you can save them with medi-gel, but to be a full-on renegade you have to just let them die. Really weird feeling, even though it's just a game. :lol

Yeah, I just can't go through with it, it's too terrible.

I'm such a loser.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 12, 2010, 02:02:52 PM
Being a renegade does give you the two most hilarious scenes in the game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpI4UWCEHwc&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERxi5nPMZ3w&feature=related
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 12, 2010, 02:21:18 PM
Being a renegade does give you the two most hilarious scenes in the game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpI4UWCEHwc&feature=related

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERxi5nPMZ3w&feature=related

 :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 12, 2010, 03:54:46 PM
The theory is that Wrex living puts the Krogan on your side for the final confrontation with the Reapers, whereas if he dies you don't get any Krogan help.
Then my team for the Reapers should be quite formidable.

My whole team survive the fight with the Collectors, Wrex is uniting the krogan clans and the rachni queen is alive.

By the way, I'm going out like right now to buy some MS Points and buy Cerberus. My ME2 is a borrowed one, where they already use the code.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 12, 2010, 05:19:25 PM
Did you destroy the Geth Heretics or reprogram them?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 12, 2010, 11:42:05 PM
I reprogrammed them.

I also saved Maelon's data on the genophage cure.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: LordCaptainMcKlockenstein on February 14, 2010, 12:14:45 AM
Just finished ME2. Just like in ME1, the story and the cinematic ending really, really made up for all the small, annoying little things. The final portion of the game on the Collector ship was just badass, I got everyone alive through to the end, had Garrus lead the fire team both times, had Legion hack the door, Samara put up the biotic field, and Grunt led the survivors back. I brought Miranda and Tali with me to the end.

I ended up destroying the Collector base since giving the IM anything that powerful... felt wrong. I imagine on any other playthroughs I do, I'll do the same. I only managed to get to level 26 and I don't think that there's anything left for me to do in the game so I imagine that I'd have to play a plus game to get up to 30.

My overall thoughts:

- Almost all of the characters were great. Tali, Garrus, Mordin, Miranda, Samara, and Thane all felt especially strong. Legion was also pretty cool. Jacob was just sort of there. Zaeed, Grunt, and Jack were my least favorite.

- Ending was pretty easy (played on Normal) but super epic. I don't mind if a game is easy but as long as it has a suitably awesome ending, I'm okay. It wasn't quite as good as ME1's ending (convincing Saren to kill himself, sacrificing the Council, cutting between the battle in space with the battle on the Citadel), but oh well.

- Story was good, but it seemed to be too much setup. I was also less than impressed with the giant Terminator at the end. Still, after seeing that last shot of the Reapers fleet... zomg I want ME3 now!!!

- Even though scanning planets was uber annoying, you don't have to scan that many to get enough minerals to research almost everything. Stick with just the Rich planets and it's not too bad, definitely a step up from the mako.

- OTOH, hacking and bypassing got to be incredibly annoying near the end of the game. It wasn't difficult at all, it was boring, and there was so much of it that it just started to feel like a chore. I really didn't mind the button minigame from ME1. It was repetitive, but at least it wasn't mindnumbingly boring and easy. Even at the end there was a bit of challenge to it.

- I was really hoping for a couple of instances in the game where you'd have to choose between performing a paragon action or renegade action in a cut scene (like maybe petting a puppy or kicking a puppy ;) ). It was a great idea to introduce it, but I hope they utilize it a bit more in ME3.

- The streamlined inventory and powers ended up working out rather well. I was pretty dubious about its implementation at first, but I was proven wrong.

- As much as I liked the game, too many battles ended up feeling the same: Enter room full of crates, enemies show up, shoot them, move forward to next crate-filled room, repeat. They mix it up a little, but not enough.

Overall, great game with a few niggling issues. Can't wait for ME3.

And here's a funny Tali/Garrus moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNVGFr06vJw&NR=1
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 14, 2010, 01:19:09 PM
I've had that conversation between Tali and Garrus. For another funny one, take Legion to the Citadel and speak to the customs officer.

My Shepard is also at 26, but we're suppose to get new missions through the Cerberus Network so I'll max him out there.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 14, 2010, 04:45:20 PM
Another moment of gold is bringing Legion to the flotilla for Tali's loyalty mission.

What I've noticed about this game is that what it lacks in a main story, it makes up in background story. For instance, you learn more about the Reaper's plans with organic spices, and their interest in humans. Harbinger says different dialogues depending on the species you have in your squad, like Salarians being to weak, Turians being primitive, Asari being to dependant, ect. But from your actions they take interest in humans, meaning that if a species proves their might, the reapers plan to make a reaper from their species, i.e. the human reaper. I get the feeling that ME2 is just fleshing out the universe in preparation for ME3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 14, 2010, 07:36:06 PM
The Reapers like organic spices? Maybe they just want to have a nice meal! :neverusethis:


I just remember I haven't done all of the N7 side missions... maybe those help me to max out!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 15, 2010, 03:09:30 PM
Just beat my second playthrough. Lost Legion and Jack, presumably because they were the two who weren't loyal to me, because I sided with Tali and Miranda when they were arguing, and didn't have the renegade/paragon to regain it. Is it even possible to have everyone survive with a fresh character?

Either way, the suicide mission is one of the greatest things in video game history.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 15, 2010, 03:14:01 PM
Just beat my second playthrough. Lost Legion and Jack, presumably because they were the two who weren't loyal to me, because I sided with Tali and Miranda when they were arguing, and didn't have the renegade/paragon to regain it. Is it even possible to have everyone survive with a fresh character?

Either way, the suicide mission is one of the greatest things in video game history.

Yeah, if you're full paragon/renegade, which I don't think I'll be able to do since I was too neutral in the beginning (my face is still super-fucked up though).

Can't wait to get to the suicide mission.  I just got the IFF and I'm about to do Legion's side mission.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 15, 2010, 03:17:59 PM
I know that, but is it actually possible to get full paragon/renegade in one playthrough? I guess if you just went with one response consistently maybe, but that's kinda lame.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Pyroph on February 15, 2010, 03:22:22 PM
Just beat my second playthrough. Lost Legion and Jack, presumably because they were the two who weren't loyal to me, because I sided with Tali and Miranda when they were arguing, and didn't have the renegade/paragon to regain it. Is it even possible to have everyone survive with a fresh character?

Either way, the suicide mission is one of the greatest things in video game history.

What does having a new character or importing one have to do with that? Afaik (I imported) you start with a fresh bar of paragon/renegade. I sided with them as well, and lost no one.

I don't think the "amazingness" behind the suicide mission is all that great, having someone get hit by a bullet has nothing to do with gaining their loyalty.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 15, 2010, 03:24:36 PM
Well then I have no idea why they died. Legion for the hacking, Garrus as squad leader both times. I know the loyalty affects other things in the mission like the biotic field, I have no idea if it affects who dies in the firefight though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 15, 2010, 03:25:13 PM
I'm pretty sure that's the only way you can if you didn't import a dude.

Here is a website if you just want to download saved files - https://www.masseffectsaves.com/

And yeah, the suicide mission is pretty damn amazing. My friend sucks at single player games and had every die including Sherpard, but it was still a awesome ending. I managed to get everyone to live.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 15, 2010, 03:52:49 PM
I know that, but is it actually possible to get full paragon/renegade in one playthrough? I guess if you just went with one response consistently maybe, but that's kinda lame.

My roomate was full paragon before he got the IFF.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 15, 2010, 04:01:55 PM
Finished all N7 side missions, so I've effectively done every single mission there is in the game.

Now to wait for the Hammerhead.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on February 15, 2010, 04:34:16 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6rtQ0-ez4g
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 15, 2010, 05:08:54 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiU6kiq_Ms

:biggrin:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 15, 2010, 05:11:55 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiU6kiq_Ms

:biggrin:

 :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 15, 2010, 05:19:02 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35XKqOz6vCU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GqqDCe4Yrs&feature=related



And did anyone else see the Illusive Man after you kill the human reaper, hes like in the ceiling.

Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 15, 2010, 05:36:32 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiU6kiq_Ms

:biggrin:

 :rollin :rollin :rollin
You hadn't made him do that?

That was such a WTF! moment to me. :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 15, 2010, 05:54:45 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiU6kiq_Ms

:biggrin:

That's why Mordin is my favorite character.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 17, 2010, 01:53:00 AM
Wow, I was just looking through the list of voice actors. A few of them I recognized in-game, like Martin Sheen and Seth Green, but there were a ton of other awesome people that I never recognized - Michael Dorn, Adam Baldwin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Tricia Helfer, and a few more. They really went all out with the voice acting, and it definitely added to the game in a big way.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 17, 2010, 02:43:40 AM
Wow, I was just looking through the list of voice actors. A few of them I recognized in-game, like Martin Sheen and Seth Green, but there were a ton of other awesome people that I never recognized - Michael Dorn, Adam Baldwin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Tricia Helfer, and a few more. They really went all out with the voice acting, and it definitely added to the game in a big way.

Not knowing who those people are makes you fail :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 17, 2010, 03:00:10 AM
??? I know who they are, I just didn't recognize their voices...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 17, 2010, 03:20:24 AM
Oh okay. How did you not pick up on the voices? When I heard Adam Baldwin I squealed like a little serenity fangirl.

(It also has Oghren and Morrigan's VAs from Dragon Age)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: GuineaPig on February 17, 2010, 11:08:01 AM
https://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/1461-Mass-Effect-2
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 17, 2010, 01:23:37 PM
Wow, I was just looking through the list of voice actors. A few of them I recognized in-game, like Martin Sheen and Seth Green, but there were a ton of other awesome people that I never recognized - Michael Dorn, Adam Baldwin, Carrie-Anne Moss, Tricia Helfer, and a few more. They really went all out with the voice acting, and it definitely added to the game in a big way.
Which character did Carrie-Anne Moss voiced? I recognized Helfer voiced EDI, Seth Green does Joker and Sheen does Illusive Man.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 17, 2010, 01:24:51 PM
Aria T'Loak
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 17, 2010, 04:28:57 PM
Last night I was bored so I threw in ME1 for a half-hour to see if it still held up.

Hasn't lost even a teeny, tiny beat.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 17, 2010, 08:18:15 PM
(https://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c399/soccerdemon/ahYesReapersFinalSmall.jpg)

How I wish Shepard could facepalm in game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 17, 2010, 08:21:35 PM
Yeah! I really regret saving the Council!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Nigerius Rex on February 17, 2010, 08:34:41 PM
Its the exact same if you don't save them, I wish there was a little more continuity between the two. In the first game it was very well established that the reapers were gonna ruin some citadel races. But in the second one they all act as if you are on crazy pills and planted the evidence yourself.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 17, 2010, 08:36:19 PM
Not exactly, I read that if the Council is all human they refuse to see you. So no annoying sarcastic comments.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 17, 2010, 08:38:16 PM
I can understand just from a technical standpoint why saving the council doesn't drastically change things, just because of the sheer amount of stuff they'd have to make specifically for each starting point. But I'd still have liked to see it have some effect on the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 17, 2010, 08:39:26 PM
My thought that since the Council was pretty much non-existant in ME2, they may have a bigger role to play in ME3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 18, 2010, 12:55:24 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPWs5xdAIRQ
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 18, 2010, 06:51:43 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPWs5xdAIRQ
:rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 18, 2010, 10:21:34 PM
@ Anybody who's finished the game: What upgrades do you recommend the most, not including the ship upgrades?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 18, 2010, 10:23:01 PM
@ Anybody who's finished the game: What upgrades do you recommend the most, not including the ship upgrades?
Any armor upgrades and the skin weaves or whatever they're called. I also recommend maxing out the weapon you like to use the most.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 18, 2010, 11:14:41 PM
And as for my teammates?  Like there's the Mordin omni-tech thing, the Krogan armor, all the weapons upgrades that pertain to the various guns they use...should I take those into consideration or focus on my own weapons and abilities?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 18, 2010, 11:15:47 PM
And as for my teammates?  Like there's the Mordin omni-tech thing, the Krogan armor, all the weapons upgrades that pertain to the various guns they use...should I take those into consideration or focus on my own weapons and abilities?
Definitely take them into consideration. The geth sniper for Legion and the krogan shotgun for Grunt are a must.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 18, 2010, 11:22:30 PM
Thanks mang!  Now if only I didn't have to go back to college tomorrow, I might just tackle the suicide mission in the morning. :laugh:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 19, 2010, 01:53:09 AM
Unless you really hate mining, just do them all. You can get everything but the Element Zero upgrades fairly easily.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 19, 2010, 01:56:55 AM
Hourglass Nebula has some great spots for mining, half the planets there are rich.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 19, 2010, 10:15:58 AM
So does Hades Nexus.  I forget which cluster its in, but the Micah System has 3 asteroids all rich with Eezo.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 10:17:48 AM
So does Hades Nexus.  I forget which cluster its in, but the Micah System has 3 asteroids all rich with Eezo.
Noted.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 19, 2010, 10:21:28 AM
I wish I hadn't gone neutral with my paragon/renegade thing; now I can't get Jack's loyalty back, and it's looking like things with Tali won't go so hot either.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 10:23:30 AM
I wish I hadn't gone neutral with my paragon/renegade thing; now I can't get Jack's loyalty back, and it's looking like things with Tali won't go so hot either.
You should've went balanced! Both my paragon and renegade gauges are in the last capsule, if you will, in the gauge.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 19, 2010, 10:25:36 AM
Oh, when I said neutral I meant I'm balanced, just apparently not enough.  I really just need to find some more missions to boost my renegade score, as it's slightly higher than my paragon score.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 19, 2010, 12:19:55 PM
Yeah if you go with the neutral responses too often you get screwed over in the end, which sucks because oftentimes they're the only reasonable response there.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 19, 2010, 01:45:35 PM
I think they should use the Baldur's Gate system of alignment and lawful-chaotic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 02:03:17 PM
I went neutral the whole game and I didn't get screwed over. I stopped the fights between Jack, Miranda, Legion and Tail without losing any of their loyalties.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 19, 2010, 02:04:08 PM
I went neutral basically the whole game and I didn't get screwed over. I stopped the fights between Jack, Miranda, Legion and Tail without losing any of their loyalties.

Obviously you didn't if you had the paragon/renegade scores to get to do that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 02:07:25 PM
I went neutral basically the whole game and I didn't get screwed over. I stopped the fights between Jack, Miranda, Legion and Tail without losing any of their loyalties.

Obviously you didn't if you had the paragon/renegade scores to get to do that.
I had both options available (The paragon and the renegade ones)! So I obviously did!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 19, 2010, 02:13:58 PM
 :facepalm: No I mean obviously you didn't go with neutral responses, because they don't give you any points either way.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 02:15:54 PM
:facepalm: No I mean obviously you didn't go with neutral responses, because they don't give you any points either way.
Oh! I thought you meant about the paragon/renegade responses. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 19, 2010, 03:41:29 PM
Whenever I watch that Fox News report on ME I fill with a uncontrollable rage. It's amazing how such ignorance can be aired on news channels.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 19, 2010, 03:54:51 PM
Following in Poseidon's footsteps, I have changed my avatar to the coolest character in the Mass Effect universe.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 19, 2010, 03:54:59 PM
FOX is bullshit in a box; it's not even worth getting angry over.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 19, 2010, 03:58:58 PM
Whenever I watch that Fox News report on ME I fill with a uncontrollable rage. It's amazing how such ignorance can be aired on news channels.

(https://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20070209.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 04:14:50 PM
Whenever I watch that Fox News report on ME I fill with a uncontrollable rage. It's amazing how such ignorance can be aired on news channels.
What does the report say about the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 19, 2010, 04:17:28 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKzF173GqTU


Ugh
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 19, 2010, 04:21:02 PM
Ugh! I watched until the "Se"Xbox and just turned it off for being of becoming instantly retarded!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 19, 2010, 08:49:47 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAP92rvm1hQ&feature=related


"Don't, uh, ingest"

 :|   :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 20, 2010, 12:36:09 AM
 :rollin Goddammit I love this game so much.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 20, 2010, 07:28:45 AM
More reasons why Mordin is the best them.  :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 20, 2010, 07:47:05 AM
I hate you guys. This thread made me buy the game when I should really be saving money for my car/going to Sweden :angry:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 20, 2010, 07:52:29 AM
I hate you guys. This thread made me buy the game when I should really be saving money for my car/going to Sweden :angry:

You're welcome.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 20, 2010, 07:59:16 AM
Anyone has any idea on when new DLC is coming to the Cerberus Network?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 21, 2010, 03:23:30 AM
Man, that ore collecting thing is well boring.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 21, 2010, 08:01:06 AM
Man, that ore collecting thing is well boring.

Thank God you don't have to do as much on the second playthrough.  You start out with a bajillion credits and 50,000 of each resource.  You won't be able to get every upgrade, just the ones you need (which is what I did my first playthrough anyway).

So my second playthrough I'm being a paragon sentinel (I'm picking the cheesy "paragon everytime" options in conversations...bleh).  Its a lot of fun, especially since I don't have to rely on Garrus or Miranda to take down shields and Warp can go around corners.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on February 21, 2010, 08:17:44 AM
Warp is probably the most useful thing in the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 21, 2010, 08:20:07 AM
Yeah, I considered not using Warp and using Reave instead, but you need points in Warp to get to Overload, and after playing with Magic Missile (aka Warp) a bit, I found I liked it despite Reave's vampiric tendencies.  I'm using Warp Ammo as my bonus power and its been a pretty good investment so far.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 21, 2010, 08:26:00 AM
Has anyone noticed any bugs in the game so far?

Three times I've been stuck on an object while floating in mid air (I've had to load my previous save file to fix this) and Shepard didn't actually say anything when he was supposed to once (you could see his mouth moving and he got a response).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 21, 2010, 09:55:56 AM
Yeah, ran into my first bug a few days ago.  I was recruiting Grunt, fighting a bunch of Blue Suns, and one of them had no health left, but was still standing, reacting to getting shot/punched, but wasn't shooting or anything.  Just sorta standing like a zombie. 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 21, 2010, 09:59:02 AM
The only one I've seen is one where Shepard's mouth moved but no audio came on.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 21, 2010, 11:10:37 AM
The only one I've seen is one where Shepard's mouth moved but no audio came on.
Was it when you went to get the assassin, by any chance?

Also, just doing the loyalty missions at the moment (I've done 3).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 21, 2010, 11:17:50 AM
I don't remember where exactly it happened.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on February 21, 2010, 11:28:04 AM
I've come across the shepherd getting stuck on scenery glitch quite a few times. Whilst annoying its hardly a game breaker.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 21, 2010, 03:29:53 PM
It certainly isn't but another bug I've come across is one where Shepard will just get stuck facing one way but can still shoot in the direction the crosshair is facing...even though the gun is not pointing that way :S

It fixes itself eventually but it's quite annoying how frequent these bugs are.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 21, 2010, 04:47:21 PM
It fixes itself eventually but it's quite annoying how frequent these bugs are.

I have no idea why you're getting so many bugs. I can only think of one instance where a enemy went all zombie ish, and I couldn't hit him for a little bit. Beyond that, I can't think of any bugs I've come across, visual or otherwise.

Maybe you should get a Mac.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 21, 2010, 04:49:54 PM
:facepalm:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 21, 2010, 04:52:23 PM
You facepalm, but we both know Macs just work. Duh.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 21, 2010, 04:55:00 PM
:facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 21, 2010, 05:39:37 PM
I hate to say it but Sigz is right.  Macs rule.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 12:02:33 AM
I hate to say it but Sigz was joking, n00b.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: LordCaptainMcKlockenstein on February 22, 2010, 12:07:04 AM
I hit two annoying bugs.

One, I got stuck on a piece of scenery and had to reload.

Two, during a firefight in the final mission, Shepard froze. I couldn't move or attack, but I could issue orders. My teammates killed the remaining guys so I saved, and reloaded and I was fine.

It's definitely not as bad as FO3, which I was playing right before I started ME2. I swear the game would crash pretty much every two hours or so. I've also had corrupt save games and numerous console freezes in FO3. Bethesda couldn't properly code a game to save their lives.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 12:08:37 AM
How are you guys getting so many bugs? I can't think of hitting a single glitch in FO3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 12:11:08 AM
I didn't play Fall Out 3 for very long but I stopped playing because of a bug.

I got fucking locked in a room and couldn't get out and no one ever came into the room and I waited for ages. My previous save file was absolutely miles back so I was like: "Nope, fuck this, I'm not playing this game anymore" and switched off my Xbox. Rage.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 12:12:11 AM
lolxbox
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: LordCaptainMcKlockenstein on February 22, 2010, 12:29:17 AM
lolxbox
I have Oblivion for the PC and that game is just as shittily coded as FO3 is. I stopped playing Oblivion because the game would crash whenever I fast traveled anywhere. I honestly don't know how Bethesda could release one patch that barely fixes anything while the members of the community have to release a fan patch to make the game stable. And even that doesn't totally fix things.

Bethesda are a bunch of incompetent fuckwits.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 12:32:10 AM
The only bug I came across in Oblivion was one where it would point to this rock outside of the city when the quest objective was actually back inside the city.

This happened on both the Xbox and the PC versions.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: LordCaptainMcKlockenstein on February 22, 2010, 12:37:34 AM
The only bug I came across in Oblivion was one where it would point to this rock outside of the city when the quest objective was actually back inside the city.

This happened on both the Xbox and the PC versions.
You're lucky, I've had nothing but problems with Bethesda games since Morrowind, and this is across two different PC's and an XBox. Granted Morrowind was fairly stable, but it had a lot more hiccups (especially relative to the enjoyment I got out of it) that most of the other games I played.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 01:09:40 AM
The only bug I came across in Oblivion was one where it would point to this rock outside of the city when the quest objective was actually back inside the city.

This happened on both the Xbox and the PC versions.
You're lucky, I've had nothing but problems with Bethesda games since Morrowind, and this is across two different PC's and an XBox. Granted Morrowind was fairly stable, but it had a lot more hiccups (especially relative to the enjoyment I got out of it) that most of the other games I played.

wtf

I had virtually no problems with any Bethesda game, and I've probably logged 500+ hours between Morrowind, Oblivion, and FO3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 22, 2010, 07:20:29 AM
That's odd.  As far as Fallout 3 is concerned, I got this really weird bug where the game was boring as hell.  ;)

ME2, on the other hand, there's a few spots where my characters likes to float up and get stuck.  Happens in the same two spots.  Aside from that, hasn't been too bad.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 07:29:51 AM
That's odd.  As far as Fallout 3 is concerned, I got this really weird bug where the game was boring as hell.  ;)
:lol

ME2, on the other hand, there's a few spots where my characters likes to float up and get stuck.  Happens in the same two spots.  Aside from that, hasn't been too bad.
Yeah, I just can't work out why he floats up. It's very strange.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 22, 2010, 12:11:43 PM
edit
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 22, 2010, 12:48:07 PM
lolwut
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 01:02:22 PM
Dude, you can't hotlink images from there.

in b4 teh mod edit
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Pyroph on February 22, 2010, 01:44:06 PM
The only bug I came across in Oblivion was one where it would point to this rock outside of the city when the quest objective was actually back inside the city.

This happened on both the Xbox and the PC versions.
You're lucky, I've had nothing but problems with Bethesda games since Morrowind, and this is across two different PC's and an XBox. Granted Morrowind was fairly stable, but it had a lot more hiccups (especially relative to the enjoyment I got out of it) that most of the other games I played.

wtf

I had virtually no problems with any Bethesda game, and I've probably logged 500+ hours between Morrowind, Oblivion, and FO3.

You must be lucky then. I enjoy Bethesda games (except the pos that is Oblivion) but they're ridden with bugs.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 01:48:41 PM
FUUUUU. I'm really getting into this game now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 22, 2010, 01:55:35 PM
And this is bad?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 01:56:48 PM
Because I do nothing else!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 22, 2010, 02:00:58 PM
And this is bad? :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 02:16:34 PM
Very.

Mac Effect 2.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 22, 2010, 02:49:12 PM
And the newly linked pic is:

(https://imgur.com/wTYWI.png)

Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 22, 2010, 02:58:06 PM
I refuse to see Yvonne Strahovski as MJ.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 04:06:06 PM
Nope, doesn't work.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2010, 04:45:30 PM
Completed all but one loyalty mission and I just got Samara to join my party.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 22, 2010, 09:31:14 PM
(https://img203.imageshack.us/img203/4167/turiantali2.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2010, 09:34:39 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Portrucci on February 23, 2010, 05:24:51 AM
And did anyone else see the Illusive Man after you kill the human reaper, hes like in the ceiling.
Just came in here to say, Yes I did see that...and yes it was quite weird  :|
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 23, 2010, 02:05:59 PM
Just completed it.

EVERYONE SURVIVED ROARRRRRRR
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 24, 2010, 06:59:15 PM
(https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4955/wqet.png)


What is this I don't even
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 24, 2010, 07:29:51 PM
(https://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1061/1266982562780.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Portrucci on February 24, 2010, 07:38:12 PM
(https://memegenerator.net/Thumbnails/544/208x228_BLATANT-COMMANDER-SHEPARD-IM-COMMANDER-SHEPARD-AND-THIS-IS-MY-FAVORITE-PICTURE-ON-THE-INTERNET.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 24, 2010, 10:30:50 PM
Why does that Commander Shepard look so weird?

New sig.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 25, 2010, 04:05:36 PM
(https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4955/wqet.png)


What is this I don't even

I lol'd hard at that, for some reason.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 25, 2010, 06:14:57 PM
(https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8321/1267146776021.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: jackbauer114 on February 25, 2010, 07:14:35 PM
Just beat Mass Effect 2 and, although I could easily just post this in the Official Video Game thread, felt the need to start a new thread because at the moment I'm overwhelmed by how awesome the final mission was.

My only criticism of the game is that the story seemed non-existent up until the end. Yea, it was there in the background but it wasn't like the first game where every second you felt like you were part of something big, and the game constantly reminded you about it. Otherwise, it's better than the first game in every conceivable way. It'll be interesting to see how the first game holds up when I play it next. Don't know when that will be - could be in a month, could be in the summer, could be in a year (nah, I'm too big a fanboi for that).

**Spoilers on ending** Jack died - I basically sent her to her death because she wasn't loyal to me and I was worried if I kept her with me something bad would happen, so I sent her away with the survivors. Used Tali in the shaft and Garrus leading the other team to start. Samara for the barrier and Garrus leading the other team after. Chose to destroy the base.


dude, your game ended exactly like mine.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Portrucci on February 25, 2010, 10:32:34 PM
(https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8321/1267146776021.jpg)
I lol'd hard at this, for some reason.  :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 26, 2010, 12:16:19 AM
(https://img192.imageshack.us/img192/8321/1267146776021.jpg)
I don't get it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 26, 2010, 01:21:38 AM
(https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8354/1267167461880.jpg)
(https://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9213/1267168173459.png)
(https://img444.imageshack.us/img444/826/1267168534345.png)
(https://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8573/1267168002820.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 26, 2010, 01:30:44 AM
 :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin Holy fuck I roflcoptered out of my chair.

"turn into a tharix cannon so I can calibrate dat ass"

Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 07:41:37 AM
Epic ending with TIM.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 07:43:15 AM
Playing the first Mass Effect and it's too goddamned hard.  I just left the Citadel and am up to exploring on my own now.  I can't get anywhere or do anything half the time and when I do land on a new planet I die pretty much everywhere I go.  What am I doing wrong?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 07:44:25 AM
Stop picking fights with thresher maws.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 26, 2010, 07:49:34 AM
1) Make sure you always look for items in crates, safes, etc. Good items are more important than leveling up.

2) Make sure when you level up, you focus on specific talents. Don't worry about making your Shepard balanced.

3) Especially early in the game, use lots of Unity. Also remember the Mako has a cannon (press RB). And hide a lot.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 07:56:37 AM
Biotics are your friend.  If anything, use your biotics before resorting to conventional weaponry.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 26, 2010, 07:57:41 AM
What are you doing wrong? Probably being too much of a n00b.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 07:58:25 AM
I don't even know how to use biotics lol.  I feel like the game just throws you in without explaining how to do any of the cool things.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 26, 2010, 08:03:47 AM
Read the instruction manual then, I guess.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 08:06:46 AM
The Geth things in the garage at peak 15 are killing me in seconds... I have no idea what I'm doing wrong...

As far as reading the book goes... can't.  I have all my games at school in a CD binder so I don't have any of the original cases with me.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 09:18:13 AM
Holy christ this game is entirely too hard.  Who wants to see pictures of it smashed in half?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 26, 2010, 09:21:37 AM
WTF are you talking about?!?!?!

Did you even level up?!?! Have you change any of the weapons and armors?!?!

Are you a n00b?!?! (Rhetorical question)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 09:31:26 AM
What the hell are you doing man?  Maybe you accidentally put it at the highest difficulty?  I mean jeez man, unless you're charging into skirmishes like Master Chief, there's no way you should be dying this much.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 09:39:38 AM
Eh, I don't know.  I feel like a total n00b, but I put the game down for awhile so I pretty much forgot to play and now I'm having a really tough time.  I'm playing as an infiltrator, but a friend recommended I restart as soldier.

Plus, for some reason I couldn't even afford to buy ANY new weapons and armors.  I feel like I missed out on something the first couple hours in.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 26, 2010, 11:01:02 AM
Just finished the game on Insanity.  That was fun.

Anyway, if you haven't heard yet, we have some new vehicle-based DLC coming next month and a new weapon coming sooner.

The Hammerhead assault vehicle is coming to the Cerberus Network in late March!

Free to all Cerberus Network members, the Firewalker pack includes 5 all new missions featuring the Hammerhead. Hovering over the battlefield at up to 120 kilometeres per hour, the Hammerhead also boasts a guided missile system ensuring accuracy even during aggressive maneuvering.

Additionally we will be revealing a new heavy weapon available to all Cerberus Network members very soon. Stay tuned for more info on this new addition to the Mass Effect 2 arsenal, coming this month!


https://www.masseffect.com/

Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 26, 2010, 11:03:11 AM
Am I the only one who has virtually no interest in the DLC?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 26, 2010, 11:03:42 AM
Am I the only one who has virtually no interest in the DLC?
Yes.

I didn't pay for any of the ME1 DLC, but these ones are free! So I'm interested.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 26, 2010, 11:09:30 AM
I'm definitely curious about it, but I'm not holding my breath.  I'm just surprised that after all the criticism they received about the Mako, they're going with some vehicle based levels.  Granted, I'm sure these will be linear but I wasn't expecting it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on February 26, 2010, 11:11:26 AM
It's controlled rather differently.

And it's free extra missions, and after the quality of the side missions in ME2, how could you not be excited? (sigz)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 26, 2010, 11:14:48 AM
They're free!? I was under the impression you had to pay for them. OK, that changes things a bit.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 26, 2010, 11:35:29 AM
I'm halfway back to where I was as an Infiltrator and I'm finding the game much easier.  Looks like that was my only problem after all.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 26, 2010, 11:57:52 AM
Eh, I don't know.  I feel like a total n00b, but I put the game down for awhile so I pretty much forgot to play and now I'm having a really tough time.  I'm playing as an infiltrator, but a friend recommended I restart as soldier.

Plus, for some reason I couldn't even afford to buy ANY new weapons and armors.  I feel like I missed out on something the first couple hours in.

OK. Here's the easiest way to play the game I know:

Make sure Liara is on your squad at all times. Make sure her Singularity and Lift skills are high.

If you have the Fitness ability, level it up until you unlock the Immunity power. Use that during combat and no one can hurt you.

To level up, go to the pause menu, select Squad and voila.

To use powers, hold RB during combat and select which power you want to use.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 11:58:42 AM
Does anyone else find they're taking Miranda on every single mission in ME2?  She's potent.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on February 26, 2010, 11:59:55 AM
Does anyone else find they're taking Miranda on every single mission in ME2?  She's potent.
I preferred taking Samara if I needed someone with strong biotics.

I think the member I took to the most missions was Thane and/or Grunt.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 26, 2010, 12:01:26 PM
Does anyone else find they're taking Miranda on every single mission in ME2?  She's potent.
I take Miranda with me on every single mission in ME2 because it's the closest I'll ever get to Yvonne Strahovski.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on February 26, 2010, 12:03:22 PM
I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 26, 2010, 12:06:09 PM
I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.

Yeah, she's reliable.  And has a nice assets.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 12:07:27 PM
I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.

This, it's so great.  In my first playthrough, finding that oftentimes the availability of her biotic powers can make or break a firefight.  But that could be because I was the epic fail who decided to go Soldier instead of Vanguard.

I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.

Yeah, she's reliable.  And has a nice assets.

:eyebrows:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 26, 2010, 12:12:49 PM
I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.

This, it's so great.  In my first playthrough, finding that oftentimes the availability of her biotic powers can make or break a firefight.  But that could be because I was the epic fail who decided to go Soldier instead of Vanguard.

I didn't really like Miranda that much, so I never used her in my first playthrough. But then I realized that Warp and Overload make her extremely useful in ANY fight, and her class skill gives a damage bonus to everyone in the squad!! So I definitely used her a ton on my 2nd playthrough.

Yeah, she's reliable.  And has a nice assets.

:eyebrows:

I've played through the game twice, once with a Soldier and the second time a Vanguard.  Unfortunately, I was playing through Insanity as a Vanguard so I don't think I had as much fun as I should've with that character.  Still, I liked both of their exclusive powers.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 26, 2010, 12:13:57 PM
Well I found the only two powers that the Soldier had that I actually liked were Unity and Concussive Shot, and that's not much to work with.  I don't know what the Vanguard has, but my little brother used that class and he said it was so much better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 26, 2010, 12:16:39 PM
Does anyone else find they're taking Miranda on every single mission in ME2?  She's potent.

My first playthough I was a vanguard, and I was usually taking Mordin with me, along with Garrus/Thane, depending on whether I'd need overload or warp.  This second playthough I'm a sentinel, so I basically AM Miranda. 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on February 26, 2010, 12:22:52 PM
Well I found the only two powers that the Soldier had that I actually liked were Unity and Concussive Shot, and that's not much to work with.  I don't know what the Vanguard has, but my little brother used that class and he said it was so much better.

I didn't care for the Concussive Shot myself, but I spammed the hell out of Adrenaline Rush.  As far as the Vanguard, it has the Charge ability that is insanely badass, but hard to put into good use on Insanity (well, for me anyway).

This guy seems to know what he's doing though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE56V5sVj28
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Marvellous G on February 26, 2010, 12:30:42 PM
Does anyone else find they're taking Miranda on every single mission in ME2?  She's potent.
I take Miranda with me on every single mission in ME2 because it's the closest I'll ever get to Yvonne Strahovski.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on February 27, 2010, 09:58:31 AM
(https://na.llnet.bioware.cdn.ea.com/u/f/eagames/bioware/masseffect2/resources/assets/media/screenshots/screenshot-099-p.jpg)
(https://na.llnet.bioware.cdn.ea.com/u/f/eagames/bioware/masseffect2/resources/assets/media/screenshots/screenshot-098-p.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on February 28, 2010, 09:33:46 PM
Return of the vehicle sections!  Hooray?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 28, 2010, 10:26:53 PM
Maybe.  Y'know the Mako wouldn't have been so bad had they just made its control scheme like Halo's Warthog.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on February 28, 2010, 10:27:37 PM
I had no problem with the vehicle sections in ME1, though maybe the controls were better on the PC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on February 28, 2010, 10:29:10 PM
Driving the Mako on the Xbox is obnoxious.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Perpetual Change on February 28, 2010, 10:52:20 PM
Thanks, guys. I'm having a MUCH easier time with ME1 now.  After the initial difficulty of the beginning, the game leaves you plenty of room to do side-quests and level up between main sections.  Also, Liara is fantastic.  And the biotics help a ton.  Too bad the game doesn't really give you a tutorial about biotics-- normally, I wouldn't have complained about that but not having my instruction manual around kinda p.o.'d me.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on March 06, 2010, 06:22:24 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzhpGtwCaow

 :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Portrucci on March 06, 2010, 10:14:08 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzhpGtwCaow

 :rollin
:rollin the dancing at the end
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on March 12, 2010, 04:22:22 PM
https://kotaku.com/5492103/mass-effect-2-dlc-adds-90-minutes-more-earth-teases
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 12, 2010, 04:38:28 PM
https://kotaku.com/5492103/mass-effect-2-dlc-adds-90-minutes-more-earth-teases
I'm guessing this is free for Cerberus Network members.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on March 12, 2010, 04:46:13 PM
As far as I know that DLC will cost money to whomever. But the Hammerhead DLC will still be free.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 12, 2010, 04:56:51 PM
Bummer.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on March 12, 2010, 05:06:44 PM
Well, I'm hoping its going to be cheap, maybe 5-8 bucks. That sounds pretty decent for 90 minutes of gameplay.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 18, 2010, 09:21:31 PM
Just finished my second playthrough as an Infiltrator. So much easier since you can make yourself invisible.

No one died. Everyone was loyal to me.

Next I'm going to try a full Renegade playthrough. Probably won't start until the summer, though.

Any suggestions as to what class I use? I've already tried Infiltrator and Soldier.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on March 19, 2010, 04:55:08 PM
Yeah, they always said there would be some paid DLC, some not.

I want my damn hammerhead, and that hanger looks like it can hold a lot more than just it!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on March 23, 2010, 07:35:45 PM
Anyone get the Hammerhead DLC yet? It's free for Cerberus Network users, I'm downloading it now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 23, 2010, 08:35:01 PM
Will download later this week.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 24, 2010, 05:06:21 AM
I don't understand how you guys can do so many play throughs one after another. I usually have to wait about a year, at the very least, before I can play a game again after completing it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 24, 2010, 09:46:57 AM
For me, it boils down to:

A) I don't have a lot of money, so buying/renting lots of games is unrealistic.

B) Therefore, whenever I play video games, I end up playing the same ones over and over.

I don't think I'm that bad about it, however. You read about people who have beat ME2 six different times already and it makes you feel better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on March 24, 2010, 03:03:12 PM
I never do multiple playthroughs of a game. But I'm on my 3rd character in ME2, it's just too good.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 29, 2010, 12:08:13 PM
So I downloaded the Firewalker, Arc Projector and Blood Dragon pack... and I can't find any of those things when I resume the game!


EDIT: Nevermind, I restarted the game and got the journal update. It makes no sense that one has to restart the game, though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on March 29, 2010, 12:29:32 PM
Firewalker missions are so lame. :(
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on April 22, 2010, 11:00:19 PM
Late to the party, but I just beat ME2 with a neutral male soldier Shepard.  No one died except Jack and Tali, both of whom I lost during the cutscene (I'm guessing I have to upgrade my ship more if I want to save them?).  Just started a 2nd playthrough with a renegade vanguard Femshep on Hardcore.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Starkweather on April 23, 2010, 04:18:29 AM
Does anyone else use reave? I'm an adept right now, and I find the instatravel and the vampirism is SO much better than warp. It also gives me the ability to focus on one guy rather than crowd control (which is amazing for the adept)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on April 23, 2010, 10:04:28 AM
Reave is easily the best bonus power. Don't think I'd ever pick anything else.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on April 24, 2010, 03:12:27 PM
And did anyone else see the Illusive Man after you kill the human reaper, hes like in the ceiling.
Just came in here to say, Yes I did see that...and yes it was quite weird  :|

Is there a video of this?  I looked on YouTube and couldn't find anything.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on April 24, 2010, 03:23:55 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7GGAsjL1U

around the 8:02 mark.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on April 24, 2010, 03:48:33 PM
This thread got me interested in playing it again but then I realised there was about 5 free add-ons so I'm currently downloading all of them.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on April 24, 2010, 04:25:31 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7GGAsjL1U

around the 8:02 mark.

Weird...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 02, 2010, 05:51:25 PM
Starting my third playthrough today.

Vanguard. Renegade.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on May 02, 2010, 06:47:19 PM
I haven't even finished my first. Granted I've been at college and thus have no access to ME2...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on May 03, 2010, 12:10:29 AM
I completed my second run through the other day.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on May 03, 2010, 11:17:59 AM
I need to do another run just so I can choose to save the Collector's base.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on May 04, 2010, 05:16:24 AM
Anyone bothering to get the paid-for DLC items coming out tomorrow?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Starkweather on May 04, 2010, 06:08:40 PM
Nope. I don't do nickle and dime DLC like that, if it adds storyline, maybe, but this doesn't.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on May 04, 2010, 07:06:13 PM
Anyone bothering to get the paid-for DLC items coming out tomorrow?
Is this the new mission that adds a character to your squad?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on May 05, 2010, 08:21:09 AM
No, it's just new items :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on May 05, 2010, 08:26:51 AM
Then no, I'm not wasting money on items.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on May 06, 2010, 08:48:25 AM
I think I may have asked this question earlier in the thread, but now that some of you have had several playthroughs, I thought it'd be worth to ask again.  I have two accounts: one is a default account on ME2, meaning Wrex is dead; the other is a file transfer from ME1 where I let Wrex live.  I've heard people say that keeping Wrex alive and doing his loyalty mission or whatever allows you to count on Krogans allying with you against the Reapers.  So in a profile where Wrex is dead, has that option been closed off?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: RandalGraves on May 06, 2010, 09:16:26 AM
I think I may have asked this question earlier in the thread, but now that some of you have had several playthroughs, I thought it'd be worth to ask again.  I have two accounts: one is a default account on ME2, meaning Wrex is dead; the other is a file transfer from ME1 where I let Wrex live.  I've heard people say that keeping Wrex alive and doing his loyalty mission or whatever allows you to count on Krogans allying with you against the Reapers.  So in a profile where Wrex is dead, has that option been closed off?

Speculation at this point, but it seems pretty logical.  Who knows?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 06, 2010, 02:16:29 PM
Playing with a Vanguard is so fun.

It makes combat go so fast. As an Infiltrator - my last save - I would spend copious time sneaking around and trying to get head shots. As a Vanguard? I just zip around and blast enemies with a shotgun. Entire swarms go down in seconds.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on May 06, 2010, 03:13:10 PM
Playing with a Vanguard is so fun.

It makes combat go so fast. As an Infiltrator - my last save - I would spend copious time sneaking around and trying to get head shots. As a Vanguard? I just zip around and blast enemies with a shotgun. Entire swarms go down in seconds.

Agreed.  I can't wait to come home and pick up where I left off with my asskicking machine.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on May 06, 2010, 09:28:50 PM
I think I may have asked this question earlier in the thread, but now that some of you have had several playthroughs, I thought it'd be worth to ask again.  I have two accounts: one is a default account on ME2, meaning Wrex is dead; the other is a file transfer from ME1 where I let Wrex live.  I've heard people say that keeping Wrex alive and doing his loyalty mission or whatever allows you to count on Krogans allying with you against the Reapers.  So in a profile where Wrex is dead, has that option been closed off?
I think that if Wrex is dead, then maybe you will have to do some kind of mission to get the krogans to help you in ME3. Or maybe that option is indeed closed off, of course this is all speculation at this point.

In my save file that I transfer from ME1 have Wrex alive, which would mean the krogan help, I saved the rachni queen so they're on my side, I reprogrammed the geth and destroyed the collector's ship, with everyone surviving. In my second playthrough I will save the collector's ship.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Starkweather on May 09, 2010, 09:03:51 AM
So I'm getting a character to level 60 in ME1, I'm currently 53, so I think 2 or 3 more playthroughs should do it. I'm also going to be going for the ally and difficulty achievements. Wish me luck. :(
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 09, 2010, 09:07:05 AM
One more playthrough. Insanity. Shoot the Geth Colussus with Shepard, not the Mako.

You will reach 60.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on August 04, 2010, 06:09:11 PM
So last night I finally was able to download Kasumi and the Overlord DLC.

Kasumi's loyalty mission was lame, but it did help me max out Sheppard.

Overlord was great! At the end I send David off to the Grissom Academy, I don't know if that will affect anything in ME3 but I guess we'll see.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on August 04, 2010, 07:53:25 PM
Reinstalled, all DLC bought and downloaded, woop!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on September 02, 2010, 11:17:31 PM
Lair of the Shadow Broker preview!!!!

https://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/81611/mass-effect-2-lair-of-the-shadow-broker/videos/me2_trl_shadow_broker_90110.html?show=hi
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on September 03, 2010, 01:38:55 PM
FUCKING EPIC

I haven't bought any of the ME2 DLC yet, but I think I'll have to for this.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on September 03, 2010, 02:32:38 PM
So to prepare for this DLC I'm going through ME2 again, on the easiest difficulty just to do it fast. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on September 03, 2010, 02:46:20 PM
LAME
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on September 03, 2010, 11:03:12 PM
LAME
Why? I already beat it on insane and I just wanted to enjoy the story again, I don't see anything lame in that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on September 04, 2010, 11:45:31 AM
Just a playful jab.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on September 07, 2010, 11:54:30 AM
Just arrived at the Shadow Broker's ship in the new DLC. Really good so far.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on September 07, 2010, 12:33:05 PM
Saw the Shadow Broker preview.  Looks epic as all hell.  Hopefully my roommate will buy it so I can partake in its wonderful goodness.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on September 07, 2010, 07:37:19 PM
So I just finished it...

Man am I pissed. Amazing DLC, but I wanted my Shepard to do the bone dance with Liara so bad and it never happened. I knew I would regret going for Ashley over her in ME1. One of the worst decisions of my life, easily.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on September 07, 2010, 08:00:36 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on September 08, 2010, 12:25:11 AM
Without spoiling if the Shadow Broker is an AI or an organic being... do you get to see the Shadow Broker?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: In The Wake Of Poseidon on September 08, 2010, 03:02:05 PM
Without spoiling if the Shadow Broker is an AI or an organic being... do you get to see the Shadow Broker?
Yes



My god, the visuals in this DLC is fucking fantastic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on September 08, 2010, 10:17:06 PM
Finished it about 20 minutes ago.

EASILY the best DLC so far and EVERYONE should get it!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 06, 2010, 07:13:23 PM
I just read the IGN feature on what Mass Effect 3 should have and it got me to thinking about my own list...

1) Compromise

Mass Effect 1 had like 15 types of each gun and then 10 levels of each (Raptor V, VI, VIII, etc.). It had like 15 types of armor and then 10 levels of each (Colossus V, VI, VIII, etc.).

Mass Effect 2, by comparison, has like 4 types of each gun and only one level of each. It has like four or five types of armor, but most people just use the default and screw around with the color scheme.

Mass Effect 3 should compromise. It should take a cue from the first game by bringing back all the types of guns and armor as well as take a cue from the second game by having you continually upgrade those guns and armor instead of having multiple levels of each.

2) Better Action

All the combat in Mass Effect 2 took place in small areas. Combat in Mass Effect 3 should take place in bigger areas that give you tons of options as to how you want to gameplan.

For Red Dead Redemption players, a great example is the mission at Tumbleweed where you have to storm the mansion. You've got a long distance to cover and there are tons of ways to get where you want to go. You can take cover in houses, on the road, and then as you get closer to the mansion, you can flank left, center or right. It's so much fun running from cover to cover, trying not to get hit by incoming fire as you dash from side to side.

3) An Antagonist

Not having a main bad guy in Mass Effect 2 was huge. Not having a main bad guy for each mission was even bigger.

There is something about the anticipation of fighting someone with a reputation that gives everything a sense of urgency. In Mass Effect 1, you read about Liara's mom causing shit at Noveria, you go to Noveria and hear even more about it, you go to the laboratory and hear even more about it, and before you know it, you're itching to fight this bitch. What you're doing appears to have a purpose.

On the contrary, in Mass Effect 2, you keep hearing about the Collectors, but you rarely do anything that has to do with them. So the urgency disappears. The game feels like a game of side missions.

In Mass Effect 3, establish an antagonist or two right off the bad. Keep us updated on what that antagonist is doing. Make sure everything we do has to do with that antagonist. It will make the story infinitely more engaging.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 06, 2010, 07:26:16 PM
I dunno, I rather liked that about ME2, that there was no real drive to face the antagonists.  It made the world feel a lot more open-ended because I could just simply explore the universe rather than worrying about Saren and the Reapers.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 06, 2010, 08:08:11 PM
I would really like to see the Reapers attack Earth, give humanity a sense that the Reapers want to annihilate them because of Shepard always thwarting them. But I really doubt this will happened.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 09:07:55 AM
What I hate about the main plot (or sort of lack of) in ME2 was the fact that about 20% way through it was clear what you were supposed to do (go thru the relay and get rid of the collectors) and then the games drags on as you recruit all the sidekicks (I guess you don't have to but I still did) and do their sidemissions and then...

you just go through the relay and kill the collectors, THE END.

As I was playing through the final 'episode' or part or whatever, I was silently thinking to myself 'please don't let this be the final part of the game' pretty much trough it.

I also hated the removel of many (some somewhat innecessary though) min/max RPG elements of the first part (oversimplyfing or consolizing the game) and the way the missions were handled (each was just a "level"). It was really enjoyable, but still somehow the flaws were so big that it didn't live up to the expectations.

PS: hated the AI bug (feature callit whatever they were stupid as hell) with those big flying things which were supposed to be scary minibosses.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 07, 2010, 09:17:42 AM
I actually like the simplification and de-RPGization. I always feel like RPG elements make gameplay (in any game) way more complicated than necessary; it detracts from the game itself, namely the engaging story, top-notch combat, and the joys of pure exploration (although Oblivion manages to balance this to a reasonable extent).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 09:30:32 AM
I think the main issue was that the gameplay was so much different from the 'original' or part one that it felt like a totally different game. Take away most of the familiar NPC's, insert a plot that has nothing to do with the first part and the only real tie-in between the two is the protagonist.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 07, 2010, 10:44:41 AM
Well it's an issue for you, but I personally loved what they changed about it.  I liked the first game but I would never go back and replay it; ME2 I totally would.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 07, 2010, 10:49:18 AM
I think the main issue was that the gameplay was so much different from the 'original' or part one that it felt like a totally different game. Take away most of the familiar NPC's, insert a plot that has nothing to do with the first part and the only real tie-in between the two is the protagonist.
I absolutely love that they change the gameplay, because I always felt the fighting was very clunky in the first one. The second feels much smoother. I was a little disappointed that they took out the immense amount of different weapons and armors though.

And of course it has nothing to do with the first part, Mass Effect was conceived as a trilogy! Before they even released the first one I remember reading BioWare always planned it to be a trilogy, so the story has nothing to do with the first one, but has everything to do with the overarching one!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 07, 2010, 02:17:17 PM
My only complaint with ME2 was the swap of ammo management. ME1 made you balance out your attacks to avoid overheating, but never ran out / had to scrounge around. ME2 was a step back in that department.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 07, 2010, 03:08:03 PM
Agreed, but again, the only weakness.  I also really liked that the loyalty missions really fleshed out the crew in a way the original game never could have.  Never before Mass Effect 2 did I care about secondary characters.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 06:10:23 PM
Well to me it takes an awful lot away from the grand storyline and ME3 being a trilogy if the games don't feel like they're even made for the same series gameplay-wise and in the case of ME-series, story-wise too since they (1 & 2) are so detached from each other. Storywise ME1 is so much better, ME2 story did show a lot of promise a long the way but eventually crashed and burned in the end.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 07, 2010, 06:15:21 PM
I don't see how you can judge the 'grand storyline' when the 3rd game hasn't been released yet. Frankly I'm not sure what you were expecting; the game followed a logical progression from the end of the first game, who's story was pretty well wrapped up.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 06:18:27 PM
I don't see how you can judge the 'grand storyline'

I didn't

Quote
the game followed a logical progression from the end of the first game, who's story was pretty well wrapped up.

I'd say 'logical progression from the end of the first game' is pretty way off.
And its story is definitely not 'wrapped up', collectors aren't the main villain in ME2, its still the reapers.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 07, 2010, 06:26:30 PM
I don't see how you can judge the 'grand storyline'

I didn't

Well to me it takes an awful lot away from the grand storyline



I'd say 'logical progression from the end of the first game' is pretty way off.
And its story is definitely not 'wrapped up', collectors aren't the main villain in ME2, its still the reapers.

OK, once again, what were you expecting? Everything about the reapers was just setup and exposition for the later games, which was continued in ME2 and will presumably be wrapped up in the 3rd game. The main story arc of the first game was essentially about stopping Saren, which you did. ME2 had it's own story arc as well as continuing the greater story. What's the problem?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 07:00:43 PM
Don't misquote me. I said the lack of similarity in gameplay takes away from the grand storyline or "series-feel".

And ME1 wasn't about stopping Saren, he was just a tool for the reapers. It was about stopping the reapers, which was not even nearly resolved. The way the reaper-threat is dealt in ME2 feels more like a mission or an episode, not a complete part of a trilogy. Especially since it introduces a 'new' threat(collectors working for reapers) but then takes it away in the end, effectively leaving you where you began except for the new potential villain (illusive man). But they do say the second part of a trilogy is always the worst!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 07, 2010, 07:05:27 PM
Well to me it takes an awful lot away from the grand storyline and ME3 being a trilogy if the games don't feel like they're even made for the same series gameplay-wise and in the case of ME-series, story-wise too since they (1 & 2) are so detached from each other.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 07, 2010, 07:06:27 PM
kala, you seem to have a thing for weird opinions today.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 07:09:53 PM
kala, you seem to have a thing for weird opinions today.

I've created this (bad) habit of clinging to the smallest poorly made details in otherwise excellent things :)

And its really late, too!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 07, 2010, 07:12:01 PM
And ME1 wasn't about stopping Saren, he was just a tool for the reapers. It was about stopping the reapers, which was not even nearly resolved. The way the reaper-threat is dealt in ME2 feels more like a mission or an episode, not a complete part of a trilogy. Especially since it introduces a 'new' threat(collectors working for reapers) but then takes it away in the end, effectively leaving you where you began except for the new potential villain (illusive man). But they do say the second part of a trilogy is always the worst!

I feel like you're not separating the overall reaper threat from each individual story arc. Yes the reapers are the 'real' threat, but both Saren and the Collectors were the face of that threat in their respective games, and they were the focus of that game. Those games serve to, among other things, develop the reapers and their background/lore/motives/whatever, presumably to come to fruition in the final game. But don't think that just because a new enemy was introduced in ME2 that the game somehow lost sight of the storyline.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 07, 2010, 07:21:10 PM
Not to mention there was a significant plot purpose in using these "minor" villians: Saren is the reason we know about the Reapers in the first place, and the Collectors forward the plot interesting ways as well, such as divulging to us the true fate of the Protheans (and implications for the humans).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 07, 2010, 07:33:07 PM
Meh Saren was just a tool. It was pretty obvious once found out that the Sovereign was the major and minor villain in ME1, not Saren. It (he?) was even present in many occasions in the game as opposed to Harbinger in ME2. The Collectors were also a different kind of villain because they were working for the Reapers without being directly controlled. This detached them from the Reaper-threat along with the fact that Harbinger was never even semi-directly (as the Collector General) faced.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 07, 2010, 08:45:25 PM
I actually found ME2's storyline to be much more gripping than the first game's, especially in the last quarter or so.  I guess part of that was the lackluster side-missions that detracted from the overall plot in the ME1.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on December 07, 2010, 09:15:40 PM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 07, 2010, 09:18:23 PM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?
I was about to post this. He basically controlled the Collector General and took control over whatever Collector he wanted. Also, the Collector themselves came from the Protheans which the Reapers re-purpose to serve them... how are they not controlled by them? They are subjugates to the Reapers, the Reapers are their masters.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 12:52:45 AM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?

Harbinger is a Reaper which means that he is a big ass ship somewhere in the dead space. The "Harbinger" shown in the ingame vids is the Collector General whom Harbinger has in his(its?) control. Also you dont fight his avatar you just fight regular collectors the Collector General has taken control of.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 08, 2010, 12:59:52 AM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?

Harbinger is a Reaper which means that he is a big ass ship somewhere in the dead space. The "Harbinger" shown in the ingame vids is the Collector General whom Harbinger has in his(its?) control. Also you dont fight his avatar you just fight regular collectors the Collector General has taken control of.
Actually, when Harbinger "assumes control" of a collector, the little window at the top of the screen that has the name and the health explicitly says "Harbinger".
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on December 08, 2010, 01:01:54 AM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?

Harbinger is a Reaper which means that he is a big ass ship somewhere in the dead space. The "Harbinger" shown in the ingame vids is the Collector General whom Harbinger has in his(its?) control. Also you dont fight his avatar you just fight regular collectors the Collector General has taken control of.
Actually, when Harbinger "assumes control" of a collector, the little window at the top of the screen that has the name and the health explicitly says "Harbinger".
This.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 01:06:06 AM
Harbinger is a Reaper and you fight his avatar multiple times in every mission. How is that more detached than Saren?

Harbinger is a Reaper which means that he is a big ass ship somewhere in the dead space. The "Harbinger" shown in the ingame vids is the Collector General whom Harbinger has in his(its?) control. Also you dont fight his avatar you just fight regular collectors the Collector General has taken control of.
Actually, when Harbinger "assumes control" of a collector, the little window at the top of the screen that has the name and the health explicitly says "Harbinger".

lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 08, 2010, 04:27:15 AM
I'm not sure why you're lol'ing, he's right.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 04:43:00 AM
Maybe its just called "Harbinger" instead of "Collector soldier possesses by Harbinger while having control over the Contoller General" for conviniency? Its not the actual Harbinger nor any sort of avatar of it, even though the name says so! Remember Harbinger isnt the creature shown in the cinematics. Harbinger is a reaper ship that is prolly only shown once during the whole game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 08, 2010, 04:44:35 AM
Either way, if Harbinger is taking control of that collector then he's directly involved and you are fighting him. What's the problem?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 04:50:16 AM
Either way, if Harbinger is taking control of that collector then he's directly involved and you are fighting him. What's the problem?

You're not fighting him. Its just a puppet. Harbinger itself is in no way present nor does the fact that you're fighting a buffed collector reflect the possible level of threat or power Harbinger should represent.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 08, 2010, 04:53:23 AM
...and that's exactly what Scurvy said in his original post.

Avatar = puppet
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on December 08, 2010, 04:55:54 AM
Either way, if Harbinger is taking control of that collector then he's directly involved and you are fighting him. What's the problem?

You're not fighting him. Its just a puppet. Harbinger itself is in no way present nor does the fact that you're fighting a buffed collector reflect the possible level of threat or power Harbinger should represent.
I fail to see how the concept is so difficult to grasp. Let's use your puppet analogy for a second. You're probably right. But if I picked up a puppet and smacked the everliving fuck out somebody with it, who would they blame? The puppet?

Edit: What MetalManiac said.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 08, 2010, 04:58:55 AM
The players can also choose to never directly fight Sovereign in Mass Effect 1 and the final boss is just some "puppet" he controls. Why is this an issue for ME2?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 05:01:46 AM
The players can also choose to never directly fight Sovereign in Mass Effect 1 and the final boss is just some "puppet" he controls. Why is this an issue for ME2?

Because Sovereign and the threat he poses is very much present in the game. Same can't be said for Harbinger.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 08, 2010, 05:08:55 AM
By "very much" I think you mean "in the last 20 or so minutes of the game," because throughout every other part it's Saren you're dealing with. A puppet. You're not even aware of Sovereign until you're just about done with the game anyway.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 05:20:08 AM
By "very much" I think you mean "in the last 20 or so minutes of the game," because throughout every other part it's Saren you're dealing with. A puppet. You're not even aware of Sovereign until you're just about done with the game anyway.

By "throughout every other part" I guess you mean "in the few scenes he appears". There is very little to deal with Saren per se since its Sovereign that is orchestrating everything.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 08, 2010, 05:26:14 AM
Then how is that different from harbinger having the collectors orchestrate everything?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 08, 2010, 05:27:56 AM
By "very much" I think you mean "in the last 20 or so minutes of the game," because throughout every other part it's Saren you're dealing with. A puppet. You're not even aware of Sovereign until you're just about done with the game anyway.

By "throughout every other part" I guess you mean "in the few scenes he appears". There is very little to deal with Saren per se since its Sovereign that is orchestrating everything.

Yes, but you're arguing over how all you deal with is Harbinger's "puppets."
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 06:11:25 AM
Sigh.
Harbinger lacks "presence" in the story.
He is so distant in the background that by the time of finding this thread I had already forgotten his existence (I just thought the General was a collector named Harbinger) in the whole story and was really 'wtf' after reading some wiki entry about a reaper named Harbinger I had do triplecheck it to be true. Also the interaction with the villains and the antagonist is totally non-existent in ME2. Good story needs the speech before the big fight and all the silly long plot-revealing discussions which would be used much better trying to get rid of the hero.
The "Puppet-master" type villain needs to be confronted and dealt with for it to be effective.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Scurvy!Dreams on December 08, 2010, 01:01:13 PM
You really have no idea of the double standard you're applying to these games?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 08, 2010, 04:18:27 PM
I dont think my reasoning is unfair. Sovereign just makes for a lot more creditable and effective main villain the Harbinger ever does. Sure you don't "meet" him until the last third of the game but thats just because of ME1's story arc.
Sovereign is present in the game in more forms than just the knowledge that he exists, you interact with him, his actions have direct effect on characters and the story and he even gets ultimately confronted.
Harbinger is shown in one(I think) scene in the movie, he is never present. Usually his presence means he is controlling a collector via the general. Even the general is never present anywhere. Nor do you ever interact with him in his any form even once. And no, him shouting 'Imma gonna kill j000!' does not count. Nothing he does has effect on the characters nor the story. His partake in the story is basically "ok I'm gonna sit here until you come and kill me mkay, plz dont take too long". And even then he is never confronted. The end boss is some weirdo supermonster that is introduced and then two minutes later destroyed.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 08, 2010, 06:07:56 PM
Nothing he does has effect on the characters nor the story. His partake in the story is basically "ok I'm gonna sit here until you come and kill me mkay, plz dont take too long".
Right, because Harbinger controlling the Collectors so they attack and kidnap the human colonies to make the human-Reaper thing has no effect on the characters nor the story.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 08, 2010, 07:55:13 PM
It's not like ME2 is centered around figuring out how the Collectors are connected Harbinger or anything....
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 07:35:09 AM
Nothing he does has effect on the characters nor the story. His partake in the story is basically "ok I'm gonna sit here until you come and kill me mkay, plz dont take too long".
Right, because Harbinger controlling the Collectors so they attack and kidnap the human colonies to make the human-Reaper thing has no effect on the characters nor the story.

Spot on, it doesn't. Its the basic premis of the story, its there from the get-go and doesn't change during the game and none if his actions, like you said, don't have any impact on the characters.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 09, 2010, 07:39:25 AM
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPuhohGQYfo/TEhaF9OVOcI/AAAAAAAAADU/T9g_LEI5Vew/s1600/Double+Face+Palm.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 07:47:56 AM
You don't have to take my word for it, the plot in ME2 isnt that awesome.

https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7004 (https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7004)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 08:17:29 AM
And what Shamus says about the Collectors ruining what we knew of the Reapers doesn't make sense; we already knew in ME1 that the Reapers had no qualms taking organics, mixing them with machines, and using them. In fact, that was Saren's entire motivation throughout ME1; convincing the Reapers that the current organics were useful enough to mechanize and keep around.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 09, 2010, 08:31:11 AM
Because that guy is the end-all be-all judge of story content.  There are some silly things in there (like EDI's sensors being able to tell the things a Reaper), but they used Saren (an organic) in ME1.  They'll use organics, especially when they're under their control like the Collectors.  As for the final choice, its not really as binary as it seems.  Its actually incredibly tough to abandon the "good shepherd" morals to have an advantage against the Reapers, or abandon that advantage, and yet still have a conflicted conscience.

There are a few more points that are just plain wrong.  Like the game over screen bit.  Cerberus doesn't make money from colonists disappearing, and the Lazarus project took a damn long time to get going.  The point about Geth Slaves?  The whole deal with Legion is reprogramming the Geth that worship the Reapers!  The point about the alliance and the colonies?  There were thousands of people missing, and at the other colonies, they got there too late.  At Ashley/Kaiden's colony, you got there while they were still in the process of collecting humans.  He's just reaching to find more things wrong with the game than there actually are.

He does have a point about how Mordin got that Collector bug though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 08:40:49 AM
I think you're missing the big picture. The plotholes or minor quirks aren't the reason for the plots awfulness. They just happened to be there in addition to the awfulness.

This pic sums up the game pretty well

(https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/images/me2_story.jpg)

Allthough the second collector encounter inside the abandoned ship was maybe the best section of the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 09, 2010, 08:45:28 AM
You don't have to take my word for it, the plot in ME2 isnt that awesome.

https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7004 (https://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=7004)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPuhohGQYfo/TEhaF9OVOcI/AAAAAAAAADU/T9g_LEI5Vew/s1600/Double+Face+Palm.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 08:47:49 AM
Which you've yet to point out outside of "the big bad is a terrible antagonist because we just deal with his minions and don't fight him directly" even though that's how ME1 was for the most part. All you did was link an article that doesn't even mention the points you've been making in this thread. Yes, there are problems with ME2's plot. There are problems with ME1's plot too. No one has said otherwise, we're just talking about the points you yourself have been trying to make.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 08:48:32 AM
The post-a-silly-picture argument is ALMOST as effective as pointing out grammal errors. Good job, im sure your mom is proud.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 08:49:36 AM
What, as apposed to a "link someone else's article to defend my own arguments even though the article doesn't even mention any of the points I've been making" argument?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 08:53:12 AM
What, as apposed to a "link someone else's article to defend my own arguments even though the article doesn't even mention any of the points I've been making" argument?

A well written article strolling around the fact that ME2 had a poor main plot (and a poor distant villain because of the lack of focus on the main plot) is as poor argument as a stupid demotivational picture? Get a fucking clue.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 08:56:00 AM
But all this argument has been over has been you talking about the villain, which the article makes no comment on. Not to mention the other inaccuracies in the article that have already been pointed out. Like I said in my other post that you're ignoring, no one said the plot to either game was perfect. We're just arguing with the points you've been making in this thread, points that are completely absent from the article that's supposed to be supporting your case.

Neither "argument" really has anything to do with the topic, which is the villain and his presence in the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 09, 2010, 09:03:00 AM
The article does mention the "stupid proxy war with bug guys," but only briefly.  That's the gist of the article that I got that matches kala's arguments, but as we've already said, ME1 was a big proxy war with Geth and Saren, and you don't see Sovereign till the last few minutes. 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 09:03:56 AM
Nor has anyone even given it a try to counter any of the arguments about the villain except chanting 'puppet puppet puppet puppet puppet puppet saren puppet puppet collector' yeah everyone gets it you aren't supposed to fight man vs mile-long-spaceship but THATS NOT THE POINT.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 09, 2010, 09:05:59 AM
What is the argument we are even having?

I'm so confused.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 09:06:27 AM
Quote
ME1 was a big proxy war with Geth and Saren

There was nothing 'proxy' about ME1's plot. It advanced the general plotlline of the supposed trilogy by miles and got it going. ME2? Not so much..
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 09:06:48 AM
What is the argument we are even having?

I'm so confused.

Everyone has forgot as the common case is :)

I think the thing is that people see someone say bad things about something good and feel like they have to defend it instead of pausing and thinking for a second which could lead to the realization of "Yeah that thing does kind of suck in it, I agree, but overall its still really great!"
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 09, 2010, 09:08:12 AM
Nor has anyone even given it a try to counter any of the arguments about the villain except chanting 'puppet puppet puppet puppet puppet puppet saren puppet puppet collector' yeah everyone gets it you aren't supposed to fight man vs mile-long-spaceship but THATS NOT THE POINT.

I don't know what you're trying to say here.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 09, 2010, 09:09:47 AM
What is the argument we are even having?

I'm so confused.
Kala's all knowing and we are retards, apparently.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 09:13:22 AM
What is the argument we are even having?

I'm so confused.

Kala's trying to say the bad guy in ME2 is terrible because all we do is fight his puppet Collectors then we never even fight him in the game, while at the same time saying ME1's villain, who we spend most of the game fighting their puppet geth and Saren then shows up at the absolute end of the game but we don't get to directly fight him anyway, is good.

Then tries to turn it into us just not wanting to say anything bad about ME2, even though the discussion has never been about ME2's plot as a whole but just this one small aspect of it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
I'm not gonna get any deeper than this into this but.
Read my first post into the thread. The 'argument' has always been about the lack of a good plot. That, nor the crappiness of the antagonist isnt even arguable. If you feel like either of them is really good, I appreciate your opinion and you are allowed to have it.













But you're a complete moron, then.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 09, 2010, 09:23:18 AM
I respect your opinion too kala.  Please have the decency not to call us morons about our opinions.  No one here has called you a moron.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 09:24:32 AM
Yes, you first started talking about the overall plot and how you didn't like it. Then when pressed for what you didn't like about it, the topic about the villain started (and other weird arguments like the gameplay differences between the games detracting from the story). Then the rage when no one agreed with you.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 09, 2010, 09:33:03 AM
What is the argument we are even having?

I'm so confused.

Kala's trying to say the bad guy in ME2 is terrible because all we do is fight his puppet Collectors then we never even fight him in the game, while at the same time saying ME1's villain, who we spend most of the game fighting their puppet geth and Saren then shows up at the absolute end of the game but we don't get to directly fight him anyway, is good.

If that is his overall point, then even though his way of arguing it was terrible, I kind of agree with him.

True, you only fight Saren twice compared to dozens of times fighting Harbinger's avatars, but at least Saren was a character, you know? An avatar saying "I WILL DESTROY YOU!" is not really a character. :lol

Makes a big difference to me.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 09:36:51 AM
But the main villain was Sovereign. Saren was just a "puppet" of his, hence why I don't  get why he's got such a problem about spending most of ME2 fighting the Collectors.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 09, 2010, 09:37:35 AM
Is he saying that he would rather have fought the Collectors the whole game?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 09, 2010, 09:40:05 AM
What the fuck is going on in this thread? Why does ME2 have to advance the main plot 'by miles', according to Kala? Going into any middle story in a trilogy you can pretty much expect that the main story isn't going to be advanced that much, but rather you're going to get a bunch of exposition, setup for later events, character development, etc. And that's exactly what we got. What's the problem?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 09, 2010, 09:43:39 AM
Is he saying that he would rather have fought the Collectors the whole game?

That seems to be his biggest gripe, while championing ME1 for not doing that...even though we kinda did with the Geth.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 09, 2010, 09:44:36 AM
I'm pretty sure he was upset that the Collectors were just being used by the Reapers instead of us fighting the Reapers more directly. And that the only time we fight the Harbringer is when he's controlling other people instead of him actually showing up. Meanwhile he thinks Sovereign is a good villain even though we spend the whole time fighting the Geth and Saren, who are being used by him. And then at the end Sovereign does show up but NPCs fight him off screen while we, once again, fight Saren.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 09:47:27 AM
lol character development
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 09, 2010, 09:52:15 AM
Speaking of being morons...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 09, 2010, 10:30:22 AM
I think kala is a troll.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 09, 2010, 10:31:46 AM
Fake edit: if you don't believe me, look no further than the Inception and Star Wars Ep. II threads.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 09, 2010, 10:32:56 AM
Fake edit: if you don't believe me, look no further than the Inception and Star Wars Ep. II threads.
Yes, you are correct.

Also, double post FTL!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on December 09, 2010, 10:35:48 AM
I'm not gonna get any deeper than this into this but.
Read my first post into the thread. The 'argument' has always been about the lack of a good plot. That, nor the crappiness of the antagonist isnt even arguable. If you feel like either of them is really good, I appreciate your opinion and you are allowed to have it.













But you're a complete moron, then.

I think both are great. Want to call me a moron?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: HarlequinForest on December 09, 2010, 11:22:39 AM
I'm listening to the Mass Effect soundtrack... so awesome.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 09, 2010, 12:13:59 PM
Fake edit: if you don't believe me, look no further than the Inception and Star Wars Ep. II threads.

You're saying ep 2 is not a really bad movie?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 09, 2010, 02:17:48 PM
No it is.  I was referring to your...colorful language.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on December 09, 2010, 03:27:45 PM
I'm not gonna get any deeper than this into this but.
Read my first post into the thread. The 'argument' has always been about the lack of a good plot. That, nor the crappiness of the antagonist isnt even arguable. If you feel like either of them is really good, I appreciate your opinion and you are allowed to have it.













But you're a complete moron, then.

I think both are great. Want to call me a moron?
M...m...mo..... I can't do it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 09, 2010, 03:42:07 PM
SO GUYS

Who really wants ME3 to come out. :metal
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on December 09, 2010, 03:48:32 PM
I don't know. If the Illusive Man's just a puppet, the game will suck. Only time will tell.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 09, 2010, 10:07:49 PM
Isn't there a comic about how the Illusive Man came to form Cerberus coming out soon?

Also, I want ME3 now!!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2010, 03:11:54 PM
https://pc.ign.com/articles/113/1139650p1.html

Quote
Electronic Arts has inadvertently announced Mass Effect 3 through its online store.

Appearing online this morning, Mass Effect 3 was available for pre-order for $59.99. Only the PC platform was listed, however. The product description gives a few storyline hints. For the third game, Commander Shepard is heading to Earth to save humanity.

Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth.

As expected, the listing was quickly taken down by EA. This confirms a rumored reported by Joystiq that Mass Effect 3 will be announced tomorrow at the Video Game Awards show. We'll hopefully have more details then.


Holy shit!!!! :caffeine:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 10, 2010, 03:58:35 PM
Alliance Marine? He never rejoined the Spectres?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2010, 04:02:58 PM
Alliance Marine? He never rejoined the Spectres?
Well, you could get your Spectre status back in ME2, but it wasn't necessary and it did nothing on the game. I'm guessing they're saying that just to be vague.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 10, 2010, 04:34:17 PM
So if they're going to officially announce it tomorrow, does that mean anything as far as release dates go?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2010, 04:42:57 PM
I sure hope so.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 10, 2010, 07:08:26 PM
I'm fine without a release date, I just wanna see ME3 in action. :caffeine:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 12, 2010, 07:56:05 AM
OK... So ME3 is coming out about this time next year and it's going to be about Shepard rallying the races to save Earth.

Sounds good. But again, I hope that the threat of the Reapers is present with everything you do as opposed to ME2 when the threat of the Collectors only reared its head every three or four missions.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 12, 2010, 08:56:52 AM
OK... So ME3 is coming out about this time next year and it's going to be about Shepard rallying the races to save Earth.

Sounds good. But again, I hope that the threat of the Reapers is present with everything you do as opposed to ME2 when the threat of the Collectors only reared its head every three or four missions.

The purpose of ME2 was to collect a crew, then stop the collectors, so focusing on the crew more. With 3, it'll be saving earth so i'm pretty sure the focus will be on the reapers as it's the culmination of everything.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on December 12, 2010, 10:28:35 AM
https://www.gametrailers.com/video/vga-10-mass-effect/708363
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 12, 2010, 01:57:44 PM
Thought someone had already posted that, whoops.

Looks good though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Buckethead on December 12, 2010, 02:36:20 PM
Just finished my first playthough. What a fun game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 12, 2010, 03:12:49 PM
Better nate than lever
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 12, 2010, 03:30:57 PM
Better nate than lever
Oh gawd!! Since I've read that joke I can never say it how it's suppose to go!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 12, 2010, 03:37:22 PM
New trailer is awesome.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 12, 2010, 04:30:14 PM
Better nate than lever
Oh gawd!! Since I've read that joke I can never say it how it's suppose to go!

me too :facepalm:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 13, 2010, 06:21:39 AM
Awesome trailer, and love the ME1 music in the end :)

things I didn't like: Big Ben

things worth thinking: possibility of Far Cry-ish healing (the soldier injecting himself) instead of the stand-behind-cover-silliness
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 13, 2010, 06:31:50 AM
I kinda expected the Reapers to be bigger.  Maybe that's just because we didn't have a sense of scale with the final scene with Harbinger in ME2, but Sovereign was as big as the Citadel.  Or maybe the citadel's just smaller than I thought it was, or I'm just not getting a good sense of scale for the Reapers' size midst the ruins of Earth. 

Still looking forward to this game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 13, 2010, 06:42:08 AM
I kinda expected the Reapers to be bigger.  Maybe that's just because we didn't have a sense of scale with the final scene with Harbinger in ME2, but Sovereign was as big as the Citadel.  Or maybe the citadel's just smaller than I thought it was, or I'm just not getting a good sense of scale for the Reapers' size midst the ruins of Earth. 

Still looking forward to this game.

Looking 'up' or 'right' or where-ever inside the Citadel does make you think its pretty big. Wasn't it supposed to host like millions of inhabitants? Maybe Sovereign is a mothership and those things are some sort of smaller battleships.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 13, 2010, 06:45:29 AM
things I didn't like: Big Ben

wat


I kinda expected the Reapers to be bigger.  Maybe that's just because we didn't have a sense of scale with the final scene with Harbinger in ME2, but Sovereign was as big as the Citadel.  Or maybe the citadel's just smaller than I thought it was, or I'm just not getting a good sense of scale for the Reapers' size midst the ruins of Earth.  

Still looking forward to this game.


Sovereign was 2km long. Looking at the Reaper that's by the London Eye (the big ferris wheel), it's probably a good 8 times the height of it once you account for perspective. London Eye is 135 km, making that reaper just over 1 km long. So yeah, either they're smaller in this then the first game, or those reapers are smaller than Sovereign (which isn't inconceivable by any means, especially considering how different reapers look between each other:

(https://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100206110822/masseffect/images/6/69/Reaper_fleet.png)




Can you tell how much I don't want to study?

Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: faemir on December 13, 2010, 06:48:21 AM
Why don't you like Big Ben?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 13, 2010, 06:55:28 AM
Its a scifi game set far into the future. Using monuments from our time feels like a marketing gimmick, which the series doesn't really need. But not a big deal really. Love the huge scyscraper in the background.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 13, 2010, 07:33:47 AM
...The point of monuments is for them to last for long periods of time, as historical marks of the nation.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: skydivingninja on December 13, 2010, 07:36:12 AM
Yeah, its not inconceivable for Big Ben to still be around.  The pyramids are probably still there too.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: kala1928 on December 13, 2010, 07:43:38 AM
The point wasn't that its still around, the point was that it felt gimmicky and out-of-place.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on December 13, 2010, 07:51:30 AM
It's out of place because London is being attacked?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on December 13, 2010, 07:55:38 AM
Seeing as sovereign was a lone vanguard, its not inconcievable they would have made him larger than average as he would have to operate without significant assistance for large periods of time. Even so, its hard to gain an accurate sense of scale from the video so don't read too much into it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 13, 2010, 07:56:28 AM
What I'm curious about is why anyone would expect a cinematic trailer to be anything but "gimmicky." They never tell you much about the game to begin with, they're just meant to get you to buy it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 13, 2010, 08:16:48 AM
What I'm curious about is why anyone would expect a cinematic trailer to be anything but "gimmicky." They never tell you much about the game to begin with, they're just meant to get you to buy it.

Pretty much. The whole idea of the trailer is to establish that it is in fact earth being attacked. It has much more of an impact if there's something there that actually establishes it as Earth rather than 'sci-fi city #11'.

And either way, Mass Effect takes place in the 2180s. Big Ben's been around 150 years, and it's certainly possible it'll be around for another 150.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on December 13, 2010, 01:36:50 PM
The new trailer is pretty cool.

Pity they showed things in London to let you know it was London. Also, what was with that British accent? It all felt so gimmicky.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 13, 2010, 07:24:46 PM
The new trailer is pretty cool.

Pity they showed things in London to let you know it was London. Also, what was with that British accent? It all felt so gimmicky.
Well, it's not unconceivable to hear people with British accents in London. :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: AcidLameLTE on December 13, 2010, 08:30:29 PM
That's true.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 15, 2010, 01:07:16 PM
So who does everyone want to return as far as characters are concerned?

Let's say you can choose from any four characters to return from ME1 and ME2 combined. I would pick Garrus, Liara, Thane and Wrex.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 15, 2010, 01:17:03 PM
Garrus, Mordin, Tali, and Liara.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on December 15, 2010, 01:31:33 PM
Garrus, Mordin, Tali, and Liara.

This. For Snark, Funny, Woobie and Love respectively.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on December 15, 2010, 01:33:21 PM
Pretty much.

I greatly approve of your new avatar btw :metal
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: ehra on December 15, 2010, 01:51:22 PM
Garrus, Mordin, Tali, and Liara.

Pretty much this, except switch Garrus with Wrex.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 15, 2010, 02:11:02 PM
Garrus, Wrex, Thane and Liara.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 15, 2010, 02:14:06 PM
Garrus, Mordin, Tali Thane, and Liara.

This.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Pyroph on December 15, 2010, 02:19:35 PM
Garrus Garrus Garrus Garrus
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on December 15, 2010, 03:18:33 PM
Where's the Wrex love?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: XJDenton on December 15, 2010, 06:58:11 PM
(https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/XJDenton/340x.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on December 15, 2010, 07:09:16 PM
:lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on December 15, 2010, 10:09:03 PM
(https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/XJDenton/340x.jpg)
GOLD!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 19, 2011, 12:03:32 PM
https://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/115/1156399p1.html

Quote
The final piece of downloadable content for Mass Effect 2 launches at the end of this month, Bioware said today.

Dubbed "Mass Effect: Arrival," Commander Shepard is sent to rescue an undercover operative who may have information about an imminent Reaper invasion. Also making a return is Admiral Hackett, who will be playing a key role in the mission's story.

"All year, we have been extremely honored and humbled by the reception we have received for Mass Effect 2 from players around the world, including our post release DLC", said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer, Mass Effect series. "Mass Effect: Arrival is an exciting extension to Mass Effect 2 and will show players just how close the Reapers are to returning and completing their deadly harvest."

Mass Effect: Arrival will launch on March 29, 2011 for 560 Microsoft Points, $6.99 on PlayStation Network and on PC for 560 BioWare Points.

:caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalManiac666 on March 19, 2011, 12:09:35 PM
Looks pretty cool, though I still haven't gotten around to playing Lair of the Shadow Broker.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 19, 2011, 12:10:40 PM
WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 19, 2011, 12:12:31 PM
It looks good and I will definitely buy it; however, looking back on the past year since ME2 came out, it's actually kind of crazy how much money I have spent on all this DLC. I will be much more frugal when I get ME3, because the only one of the ME2 bunch I have actually liked thus far is Lair of the Shadow Broker. The other stuff amounts to like $20+ of wasted money.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 19, 2011, 12:14:20 PM
It looks good and I will definitely buy it; however, looking back on the past year since ME2 came out, it's actually kind of crazy how much money I have spent on all this DLC. I will be much more frugal when I get ME3, because the only one of the ME2 bunch I have actually liked thus far is Lair of the Shadow Broker. The other stuff amounts to like $20+ of wasted money.
And that's the only one who carries over to the third one too! Though it looks like Arrival has some carryover.

But I agree with you, I've bought all of the DLC for the game so it's like $80 when it's all totaled, while the PS3 buyers had it all for just $60 (jealousrage!!!!)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Sigz on March 19, 2011, 12:21:47 PM
I still haven't played Shadow Broker, as my laptop can't run ME2 that well.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Elsydeon on March 19, 2011, 12:24:39 PM
I still haven't played Shadow Broker, as my laptop can't run ME2 that well.
oh man shadow broker is the best one!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on March 24, 2011, 03:49:21 PM
Arrival carries over to ME3!!! :caffeine:

Spoilers ahead:

https://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/115/1157495p1.html
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on May 04, 2011, 05:20:00 PM
https://xbox360.ign.com/articles/116/1166006p1.html

Quote
Electronic Arts is delaying the release of Mass Effect 3 into early 2012.

Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series, made the announcement through the game's official Facebook page.

"Mass Effect 3 will be released in the first three months of 2012. The development team is laser focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is the biggest, boldest and best game in the series, ensuring that it exceeds everyone's expectations."


Can't say I wasn't expecting this. Well, my pocket will surely enjoy this, because now I don't have to buy ME3 and BF3 on the same month.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: zxlkho on May 04, 2011, 05:24:28 PM
GOOD.

I'm glad they aren't rushing to get the game out. It will be better this way.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 04, 2011, 05:25:24 PM
I was hoping ME3 would come out before Christmas so I could play it at home on my parent's nice HDTV. Oh, well. It looks like it's going to be incredible. Literally everything I wanted BioWare to change from ME2 is being changed.

BTW I've basically decided to write the ME3 Wiki article myself. Go check it out!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on May 04, 2011, 07:54:03 PM
On which, vanillapedia or the Mass Effect wiki?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 08, 2011, 06:37:53 PM
The Wikipedia one. It's so annoying trying to stop idiots from editing the article. They actually think it makes sense to say, "Shepard must deal with Cerberus who have decided to turn against Shepard".
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: MetalJunkie on May 09, 2011, 11:37:43 AM
The Wikipedia one. It's so annoying trying to stop idiots from editing the article. They actually think it makes sense to say, "Shepard must deal with Cerberus who have decided to turn against Shepard".
Eh, don't waste your time. You don't need to deal with the idiots who decided to be idiots.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 09, 2011, 11:44:37 AM
Haha. No, it's good fun most of the time. Great way to kill time when bored.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on June 30, 2011, 03:04:34 PM
I've been playing this game a lot lately.

Also, I love how when you're talking to Morinth you can be a total hipster on the topic of music. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on July 02, 2011, 06:23:54 PM
So this girl I've been dating for a while bought a PS3 some days ago, what's the first game I make her get? Mass Effect 2.

And you know what's her favorite part about the game? Mining. :facepalm:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: HarlequinForest on July 02, 2011, 07:33:19 PM
To her credit, I did find mining to be pretty fun the first time through the game.  Now I just skip it and add the resources using a save editor.

Been playing a neutral (good to vulnerable people, bad to thugs (like Garrus pretty much)) infiltrator on insanity.  It's extremely fun, but krogan are a bitch to handle!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Dimitrius on July 02, 2011, 07:45:41 PM
There is a reason why the Council used the krogans to drive the rachni to extinction. /ME nerd
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: HarlequinForest on July 02, 2011, 09:49:55 PM
And similarly a reason why the salarians developed the genophage.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 2 *Spoilers*
Post by: Super Dude on July 03, 2011, 06:35:48 AM
I'm really considering starting a new career all the way from the original, and instead of going all-out paragon or renegade or even doing that Garrus-style thing you mentioned, just playing by my own personal morals.  My only misgiving is how, while ME2's length and depth really enhanced the gameplay experience, ME1 (in my opinion, of course) did not.  ME1 by contrast even feels unnecessarily long, because I think the length added by the side-quests doesn't really give the game the depth side-quests gave to ME2.
Title: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 02, 2011, 03:35:01 PM
I'm knee-deep in Skyrim right now, but I couldn't help but notice a new combat video BioWare posted for Mass Effect 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Or0fly8vA0

This game looks incredible. After I finish with Skyrim and Arkham Asylum, it should be close to March 6.

* Please do not say anything about the leaked script *
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Sigz on December 02, 2011, 03:47:39 PM
My body is ready.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 02, 2011, 03:57:20 PM
I need to go and reserved the special edition ASAP!


Absolutely cannot wait to play this game!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: ariich on December 02, 2011, 05:41:46 PM
Very excited about the game, only finished ME2 fairly recently! :D
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: orcus116 on December 02, 2011, 11:41:12 PM
I can't wait, though I do wonder how all these designers work when there is so much Skyrim to be played.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 03, 2011, 06:38:51 AM
I can't wait, though I do wonder how all these designers work when there is so much Skyrim to be played.
I'm guessing this is where interns come in.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: skydivingninja on December 03, 2011, 07:54:47 AM
:caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine: :caffeine:

Love this series and love Bioware in general.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Sigz on December 03, 2011, 12:20:16 PM
Also, I'm really excited to hear the soundtrack. Clint Mansell = :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 03, 2011, 02:38:06 PM
But I'm most excited to see is how the decisions of the past two games affect this one. I'm hopeful the whole destruction of the batarian planet in Arrival has some consequence, apart from Shepard starting the game on trial.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: HarlequinForest on December 03, 2011, 04:08:52 PM
omg wut is this, minecraft?  stupid level design, nothing but white blocks.  ill pass on this.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Sigz on December 03, 2011, 04:18:54 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on December 04, 2011, 11:58:40 AM
The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: The King in Crimson on December 04, 2011, 01:28:39 PM
The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.
HEY ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF KNEE-HIGH BOXES, I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO GET ATTA- OH LOOK, BLUE SUNS.  ;D
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: HarlequinForest on December 04, 2011, 02:17:49 PM
The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.
HEY ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF KNEE-HIGH BOXES, I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO GET ATTA- OH LOOK, BLUE SUNS.  ;D

Yeah, they should really borrow the Smuggler ability in The Old Republic that allows you to create your own cover
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: antigoon on December 04, 2011, 04:53:41 PM
The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.
HEY ANOTHER ROOM FULL OF KNEE-HIGH BOXES, I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO GET ATTA- OH LOOK, BLUE SUNS.  ;D

:lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2011, 06:34:06 PM
Who saw the VGAs trailer??

When the Thresher Maw started attacking the Reaper massive amounts of fanboi smile were secreted!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: orcus116 on December 10, 2011, 08:46:31 PM
Who the hell watches the VGAs?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2011, 08:50:16 PM
Notice how I said "VGA trailer" and not "VGAs".
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: orcus116 on December 10, 2011, 08:51:12 PM
Where else would one know about the trailer?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on December 10, 2011, 08:52:18 PM
Any gaming site who posted a link to is as soon as it was shown on the show.

EDIT: https://www.gametrailers.com/video/vga-2011-mass-effect/724831
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: orcus116 on December 10, 2011, 09:07:25 PM
That was awesome.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Fiery Winds on December 10, 2011, 09:35:05 PM
Who the hell watches the VGAs?

At least they had Felicia Day!  But I'm with you, the gaming world needs a better awards ceremony.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on January 14, 2012, 02:35:27 PM
After months of Red Dead Redemption and Skyrim, I'm going to try doing one more playthrough of Mass Effect 2 to get me prepared for Mass Effect 3. Hell yea!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: robwebster on January 14, 2012, 02:43:29 PM
I got Mass Effect 1 a couple of months ago, only £7.50 with my mate's employee discount. I then completed it in about three sittings - that's three if you disregard a first day when I didn't quite "get" how to play it, reached level 7 without distributing any points, and thought I was really shit at it so switched it off feeling inadequate.

I then got Mass Effect 2 for christmas from my brother who, clearly, knows me very well. I'd completed it before New Year's. Well before New Year's.

Given that I've only spent £7.50 on the entire franchise so far, I don't care a jot what price it is on release day. It's quickly become one of three franchises that I care enough about to buy immediately and unquestioningly when it comes out.

Bring it on.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: ariich on January 14, 2012, 05:17:23 PM
YES! Welcome to the club, Rob.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: AcidLameLTE on January 14, 2012, 05:24:13 PM
Also, I'm really excited to hear the soundtrack. Clint Mansell = :hefdaddy
This.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: robwebster on January 14, 2012, 05:35:59 PM
YES! Welcome to the club, Rob.
Thanks!

Genuinely. Not enough kind words. I could write floods of praise for it. I want to, I want to write an essay, paragraphs of gushing praise, listing everything that's brilliant about it. I won't, because a. I'd never finish it, I'd never shut up, and b. if I think too hard about it I'll deconstruct the magic. But the storytelling! It's a proper, living, breathing universe. It's a shame we only get to see snatches of it. Tantalising in the way only the best universes are.

I just had a look at my XBox live achievements, incidentally... Mass Effect 1 spans from 9th November 2011 to 12th November 2011. All Mass Effect 2 achievements were gained between the 26th December 2011 and the 30th. That's about four days a game. Dear me.

If I'm rambling, do stop me. I've never actually had anywhere to talk about the games before. Nice though. Like it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on January 14, 2012, 05:54:40 PM
Oh, please, don't stop!

We're here to circle jerk to it!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on January 15, 2012, 08:39:58 AM
Oh, please, don't stop!

We're here to circle jerk to it!

While we're willing... Top five Mass Effect characters?

In order of appearance:

Garrus
Wrex
Liara
Mordin
Thane
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on January 15, 2012, 08:43:44 AM
While we're willing... Top five Mass Effect characters?

In order of appearance:

Garrus
Wrex
Liara
Mordin
Thane
Same for me! :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: robwebster on January 15, 2012, 09:04:19 AM
Ooh! Good idea.

MORDIN SOLUS
Wonderful. Love the way he speaks - like electricity! As if he's about to burst - mind bristling, full of ideas. Superbly written, compelling, morally fascinating. Never known a character quite like him. Sherlock Holmes probably comes the closest, but they're miles apart.

TALI... SOMETHING... VAS THINGYBOB
She didn't make a huge impression on me in the first game - where, truthfully, I didn't actually use her (!!) - but I think she's probably the best developed returning character. There are characters like Liara and Wrex who change quite a lot between games - which is fine! Two years is a long time, and it would have been very unambitious not to change them. The story's the richer for it - I'm probably not the same person I was two years ago, so why should these characters be any more static? But while Tali has changed a lot, gained confidence, grown up in Shepard's absence, she's the same in many respects, too. Which makes her feel like she's alive. I think that's bloody brilliant.

MIRANDA LAWSON
What I find really interesting about Miranda is that, though she doesn't change much over the course of ME2, my perception of her totally did. I didn't like her at all when we first met - found her haughty, supercilious, generally untrustworthy, and point blank wanted her off my ship - but by the end, while her personality hadn't changed a jot, I wouldn't really go on a mission without her.



After this point, it tends to get a bit blurred - not a great deal of point assigning specific positions, there's so little between them - but Garrus and Wrex are both certainly in there; albeit Wrex more as the pragmatic loose cannon of ME1 than the level-headed diplomat of ME2. I bloody love Legion, too, and felt horrendous when I accidentally killed him. Joker's a laugh, I thought Saren was very keenly developed... and I'd probably give an honourable mention to that Volus with the biotic powers. Who I encouraged to take on an Asari Matriarch, because frankly, it was a bit of a laugh.

Oh, and my Shepard. Who is female, 'cos I started to make a male one then get annoyed when I found out I couldn't customise my character enough to make him look a bit like myself. My brother did a male one, later, and I think I made the right choice. Jennifer Hale's voice acting is sublime.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: The King in Crimson on January 15, 2012, 09:20:53 AM
Muthafuckin GARRUS
Mordin/Tali
Wrex
Miranda
Legion
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: Dimitrius on January 16, 2012, 07:20:51 PM
So, I just learn that Captain Kirrahe appears in ME3 if he survived the events of Virmire... HOLD THE LINE!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on January 20, 2012, 06:26:48 AM
Freddy Frinze Jr. is going to be in Mass Effect 3! Ha Ha!

https://www.gametrailers.com/episode/gametrailers-tv/144?ch=1
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: antigoon on January 20, 2012, 07:32:42 AM
(https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/forumavatars/avatar_984_1324619047.jpg)
Title: Mass Effect 3 Official Thread v. Version
Post by: Omega on January 29, 2012, 08:53:43 PM
I am exite for ME3. It's shaping up to be a pretty amazing game and probably the one I look forward the most this year.

Sandwich?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on January 30, 2012, 06:49:26 PM
Mass Effect 2 is one of my favorite games of all time, so yeah, my excitement is somewhere around the 'wetting myself in anticipation' level.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on January 30, 2012, 08:20:44 PM
Mass Effect 2 is one of my favorite games of all time, so yeah, my excitement is somewhere around the 'wetting myself in anticipation' level.

My God, Sigz - we agree on something!  :blush  :heart
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on January 30, 2012, 08:29:56 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/CR52Q.gif)

 :heart
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 14, 2012, 07:09:07 AM
Downloaded the ME3 demo, the opening cinematic is not even done yet but I have two things to say:

DEM GRAPHICS!!!!

HOT DAMN, ASHLEY!!!

EDIT: Wow! Working with DICE on the guns is very noticeable, they sound amazing!!

EDIT 2: WREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEX!!!!

EDIT 3: A cutscene with Liara, Garrus and Wrex = my creamed pants


Well, if you've been following ME3, the two missions from the single player won't be spoilerish to you. It's the same two they've been showing off since E3, the initial Reaper attack on Earth and the retrieval of the Krogan female from the Salarian homeworld. Gonna try out the MP now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: skydivingninja on February 14, 2012, 10:17:55 AM
Can you get it on PC or is it just XBox?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 14, 2012, 11:23:50 AM
I think it's both?

Either way, demo was amazing! Can't wait to play multiplayer in a few days!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 14, 2012, 11:25:04 AM
Can you get it on PC or is it just XBox?
PC, Xbox, PS3.

If you got BF3, you can access the MP when you log in into your Origin account, if not you'll have to wait until Thursday (I believe).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 14, 2012, 01:59:05 PM
I've beaten the demo twice, once as an Adept and once as an Infiltrator. Probably won't play the single player portion again. Thoughts on those classes:

Adept - Just a straight beast. Even with long cooldowns I still got through Insanity pretty easily. Will probably be my class of choice when the game comes out.

Infiltrator - Also a beast but for some reason I feel like Incinerate has been made pretty much useless (at least on Insanity).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on February 14, 2012, 08:20:37 PM
Guys, this demo has made me decide I need to give the series another chance, that was fun as hell.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: RobD on February 15, 2012, 09:19:46 AM
I'm just glad the demo worked on my laptop so I don't have to buy #2 on PS3 and replay it completely the same to have all the choices carry over :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 15, 2012, 01:27:04 PM
Really great demo, don't care about the MP part of it. Shooting improved, hopefully the RPG element is as well (slight disappointment in not having inventory back and improved, etc).

For those who are wondering about preordering - if you preorder from Origin you should be getting a code for BF3 (NA only) even if you already have bought battlefield.
Playing through the demo inspired me to finally do that second playthrough of the games. Currently on Eden Prime in ME1 :).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 15, 2012, 03:29:40 PM
Just finished the demo. Pretty good.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 15, 2012, 07:52:10 PM
The multiplayer is so fun! The Noveria map is a little small but the other one is awesome! PM me your Gamertags if you wanna get a game going...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Kosmo on February 16, 2012, 12:55:22 PM
R.I.P random boy  :sadpanda:

Gonna play multiplayer all day tomorrow.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on February 16, 2012, 06:56:40 PM
Does anyone feel as if the intro is completely breaknecking-ly rushed? How was Shepard detained? Was the "trial" basically just "we fight or we die"?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 16, 2012, 07:04:48 PM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 16, 2012, 07:56:15 PM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on February 17, 2012, 11:43:03 AM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.

I hope you are right, but I recently very nonchalantly perused the Mass Effect Forums and it appears that the creator of the game stated or tweeted that the beginning sequence of the demo is, in fact, identical to the beginning of the actual game. I hope, though, that this is not the case.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 17, 2012, 12:11:59 PM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.

I hope you are right, but I recently very nonchalantly perused the Mass Effect Forums and it appears that the creator of the game stated or tweeted that the beginning sequence of the demo is, in fact, identical to the beginning of the actual game. I hope, though, that this is not the case.
I doubt it's frame-for-frame exactly like the beginning of the game. IMO, there has to be some kind of explanation as to why exactly Shepard has been grounded and court martialed to the people that didn't play the Arrival DLC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 17, 2012, 12:17:42 PM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.

I hope you are right, but I recently very nonchalantly perused the Mass Effect Forums and it appears that the creator of the game stated or tweeted that the beginning sequence of the demo is, in fact, identical to the beginning of the actual game. I hope, though, that this is not the case.

Even if it is... I mean, it's an introduction. It's important but it's not that important.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Kosmo on February 17, 2012, 12:21:03 PM
The multiplayer is disgustingly addictive, I was so happy to find out that I could play a Turian sniper. :caffeine:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on February 18, 2012, 03:51:56 AM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.

I hope you are right, but I recently very nonchalantly perused the Mass Effect Forums and it appears that the creator of the game stated or tweeted that the beginning sequence of the demo is, in fact, identical to the beginning of the actual game. I hope, though, that this is not the case.
I doubt it's frame-for-frame exactly like the beginning of the game. IMO, there has to be some kind of explanation as to why exactly Shepard has been grounded and court martialed to the people that didn't play the Arrival DLC.
Why does there have to be an explanation at the start? Why can't they reveal things as the story goes on? I was baffled at the start of ME2 as it seemed a pretty crazy jump from the first game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 18, 2012, 06:12:12 AM
Well, yeah, they could also do that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 18, 2012, 07:38:25 AM
It's an old demo, probably the E3 one. My guess would be that it's just rushed and missing story and intro and dialogues for the sake of putting you in action ASAP.
This. It is the same two missions they've shown since E3.

I hope you are right, but I recently very nonchalantly perused the Mass Effect Forums and it appears that the creator of the game stated or tweeted that the beginning sequence of the demo is, in fact, identical to the beginning of the actual game. I hope, though, that this is not the case.
I doubt it's frame-for-frame exactly like the beginning of the game. IMO, there has to be some kind of explanation as to why exactly Shepard has been grounded and court martialed to the people that didn't play the Arrival DLC.
Why does there have to be an explanation at the start? Why can't they reveal things as the story goes on? I was baffled at the start of ME2 as it seemed a pretty crazy jump from the first game.
A lot of the story in ME2 was actually pretty poorly done if you think about it. :lol Not trying to take anything away from it as it's probably my favorite game ever, but there were definitely parts of it that could have been done better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: antigoon on February 18, 2012, 03:12:59 PM
So I tried to play a multiplayer match but I couldn't move my character :/
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on February 20, 2012, 03:05:30 AM
A lot of the story in ME2 was actually pretty poorly done if you think about it. :lol Not trying to take anything away from it as it's probably my favorite game ever, but there were definitely parts of it that could have been done better.
I dunno, I really like it, but yeah it doesn't flow or develop as brilliantly as the story in ME1. The gameplay is vastly superior though!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 20, 2012, 10:11:51 AM
Well of course, ME2's gameplay is like a corridor shooter compared to ME1. Almost zero exploration.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 20, 2012, 07:09:28 PM
I really hope that ME3 is as open to exploration as ME1 was. I was over a friend's house over the weekend watching him replay ME1 and I really missed all that exploration and modifications to the armors/guns that you do in ME1.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 20, 2012, 10:10:22 PM
A lot of the story in ME2 was actually pretty poorly done if you think about it. :lol Not trying to take anything away from it as it's probably my favorite game ever, but there were definitely parts of it that could have been done better.
I dunno, I really like it, but yeah it doesn't flow or develop as brilliantly as the story in ME1. The gameplay is vastly superior though!
I agree 100%. Both are amazing games though!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on February 21, 2012, 01:03:37 AM
I really hope that ME3 is as open to exploration as ME1 was. I was over a friend's house over the weekend watching him replay ME1 and I really missed all that exploration and modifications to the armors/guns that you do in ME1.
Eh, the gear modification in ME1 was really frickin' boring. Probably the worst thing about the game, so I was glad they got rid of it in ME2.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Lynxo on February 21, 2012, 01:59:01 AM
I'm sad they never released the first game on PS3, as I don't have any PC or any other console that can play it other than the PS3. Oh well, maybe somewhere down the line, they'll re-release all three games.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 21, 2012, 03:48:58 AM
Well, you got AC 1 free with AC Revelations if you got the PS3 version. Maybe Bioware will do the same thing.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 21, 2012, 06:04:15 AM
I doubt it, Microsoft Game Studios owns the publishing rights to Mass Effect.

AC1 was originally release on 360 and PS3, in fact if I remember correctly, for a time when the game was in development it was a PS3 exclusive.

I really hope that ME3 is as open to exploration as ME1 was. I was over a friend's house over the weekend watching him replay ME1 and I really missed all that exploration and modifications to the armors/guns that you do in ME1.
Eh, the gear modification in ME1 was really frickin' boring. Probably the worst thing about the game, so I was glad they got rid of it in ME2.
It was boring because it was just so menu based, but have you seen the trailer of how it works on ME3??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF5ybxfh02w
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on February 21, 2012, 12:26:03 PM
I really hope that ME3 is as open to exploration as ME1 was. I was over a friend's house over the weekend watching him replay ME1 and I really missed all that exploration and modifications to the armors/guns that you do in ME1.
Eh, the gear modification in ME1 was really frickin' boring. Probably the worst thing about the game, so I was glad they got rid of it in ME2.
I like it, my friend is lending me 1 and I'll be buying 1 and 2 anyways, but I enjoy the customization of weapons.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: The King in Crimson on February 21, 2012, 07:24:56 PM
I think there is a happy medium between the extremes of ME1 and ME2, ie boring and nonexistent.  Hopefully ME3 manages to hit that medium.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on February 22, 2012, 02:29:21 AM
I think there is a happy medium between the extremes of ME1 and ME2, ie boring and nonexistent.  Hopefully ME3 manages to hit that medium.

This.

As a PC user, I hope they implement a usable UI that isn't an obvious port from the console version.  ME2 was horrible in that regard.  There was no double click, which meant every selection required me to move my mouse to the "Select/Accept" button and click.  Very poor design. 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 22, 2012, 02:30:25 AM
Yeah, ME2 was/is an UI nightmare. Took me hours to start enjoying the game and get used to the shitty UI design and many death wishes were made upon the people that created it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Nigerius Rex on February 22, 2012, 05:28:49 AM
playing the demo like hell. The quarian engineer caught my eye so I started grinding veteran packs to unlock it. Finally did last night and cant wait to play with some friends.

So far we have become proficient at clearing silver waves probably 70% of the time. Wiped on wave 1 of gold though. Guess better gear and skills are needed.

origin name is tebuddy.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on February 22, 2012, 12:25:44 PM
I seem to be one of the odd ones out of the bunch of ME fans, but I was rather displeased that they completely eliminated the Mako exploration of planets routine in Mass Effect 2. Sure, it got to be a tad boring and drawn out at times, but the whole idea of exploring unknown and creepy planetary surfaces was enjoyable and sold the idea of a large and hostile galaxy. I hope they do something similar on ME3, albeit keep the boring / monotonous element out of it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2012, 12:26:56 PM
I don't know, compared the first UI ME2 was a godsend.

As for exploration, I liked the idea of it much more than I actually liked doing it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 22, 2012, 01:17:38 PM
In ME2 they didn't fix or improve on the game other than combat, instead they removed problems the first had and replaced them with new ones, which is annoying. And lazy.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on February 22, 2012, 01:22:11 PM
I don't know, compared the first UI ME2 was a godsend.


Really? How so?  This article explains most of my gripes better than I could.

https://multiplayersingleplayer.com/2010/03/30/massively-ineffective-ui-mistakes-in-mass-effect-2-for-pc/
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on February 22, 2012, 01:36:29 PM
I guess my problem is that the entire inventory system in ME1 meant you were doing all those inneffective double clicks a million times more than you did in ME2. Sure, it was inefficent in ME2, but it was never something that you had to interact with a whole lot to begin with.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2012, 02:49:52 PM
It was no Force Unleashed UI, that's for certain.

Oh, I can't use the mouse in the menus and [ ] navigate left and right. That makes sense.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on February 22, 2012, 04:02:48 PM
https://petition.masseffect.com/

...what

Edit: Wow, it actually takes you to a real government petition :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 22, 2012, 05:34:10 PM
:lol :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Lynxo on February 23, 2012, 03:50:12 AM
(https://www.topatoco.com/graphics/00000001/qc-hoping.jpg)

Awesome T-shirt is awesome. You can buy it here: https://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-HOPING&Category_Code=QC (https://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-HOPING&Category_Code=QC)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on February 23, 2012, 10:14:59 AM
(https://www.topatoco.com/graphics/00000001/qc-hoping.jpg)

Awesome T-shirt is awesome. You can buy it here: https://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-HOPING&Category_Code=QC (https://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-HOPING&Category_Code=QC)
He's dead in my playthrough of Mass Effect :I
I went with the bish with the ass.  Set Williams up with Liara and elevators are Male Gaze ass time.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 23, 2012, 10:45:29 AM
He's dead in both my Shepard's playthrough, also.

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: antigoon on February 23, 2012, 11:13:25 AM
Downloading the PC demo now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 02, 2012, 04:22:28 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG2mdZ23eP8&feature=g-u&context=G2182c31FUAAAAAAAGAA

Wow. Just wow. Amazing.

This game will be unlike any other game that has existed...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on March 02, 2012, 05:11:30 PM
I'm super psyched.  I'm just hoping that the structure of the game isn't too similar to ME2.  Build a team (fleet) of people (races) to fight the reapers.  Sure, it's on a bigger scale, but I would hope there's a lot more meat to the game than running back and forth and convincing people to fight. 

I'm hoping for some tactical space combat along the lines of the final mission of ME2.  Select different fleets for different objectives and see which races are left standing at the end.  Calling in a favor from the Rachni would be epic as well.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 03, 2012, 08:05:50 AM
ME3 launch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2W3mif0z-Q&feature=youtu.be&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F

3 days...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 03, 2012, 09:27:52 AM
ME3 launch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2W3mif0z-Q&feature=youtu.be&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F

3 days...


Like OMG! I just posted it, you don't have to post it again! I'm gonna report you!

  ;)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 03, 2012, 10:04:25 AM
Oh, sorry about that, I just search for the thread and posted.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 03, 2012, 09:20:14 PM
Oh, sorry about that, I just search for the thread and posted.

Of course not, man. I was just pretending to be a douche. No need to apologize
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 04, 2012, 11:46:03 AM
I'm gonna say this now, I'm not gonna be able to play the game until Thursday so anybody who grabs it on midnight or Tuesday YOU BETTER SPOILER TAG YOUR SHIT!!!

Or I will hunt you down without mercy!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 04, 2012, 12:49:42 PM
Anyone posting unmarked spoilers shall be subject to the full extent my wrath. Especially as I have to wait another 3 days compare to you Yankees.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 04, 2012, 12:52:12 PM
Unmarked spoilers should result in an automatic permaban.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 04, 2012, 01:29:28 PM
Unmarked spoilers should result in an automatic permaban.

Agreed.

SPOILER ALERT:   SPOILER ALERT:    SPOILER ALERT:


Ashley Williams is not ugly anymore
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 05, 2012, 02:34:18 PM
AW FUCK IT!! I'm won't wait until Thursday! I'm getting the game tonight!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ZBomber on March 05, 2012, 08:27:37 PM
Can you get it on PC or is it just XBox?
PC, Xbox, PS3.

If you got BF3, you can access the MP when you log in into your Origin account, if not you'll have to wait until Thursday (I believe).

Is the PS3 demo only available to PS Plus users?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 05, 2012, 08:30:57 PM

No
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on March 05, 2012, 08:31:41 PM
Nope, available to everyone.

I started another character on ME1 today as a female renegade infiltrator.  My primary character thus far has been a male paragon soldier, so once I'm done running through ME3 with him, I'll be going through the entire trilogy with her.   :coolio
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 05, 2012, 09:19:31 PM
Just got home with the game, downloading the From Ashes DLC to start the game!

MY BODY IS READY!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on March 05, 2012, 10:48:11 PM
Stupid time zones!  I'm not getting my copy for another 2 hours!   :sadpanda:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Super Dude on March 05, 2012, 11:41:46 PM
FB status from my friend:

Quote
The Reapers have arrived. See you next week.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: The King in Crimson on March 05, 2012, 11:44:45 PM
FB status from my friend:

Quote
The Reapers have arrived. See you next week.
:lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 06, 2012, 01:09:13 PM
This may be a SPOILER:















Hearing everyone joke about Garrus' calibrations is amazing! :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Nigerius Rex on March 06, 2012, 02:30:05 PM
Beat it in a rushed play through in about twelve hours with all main quests completed. Didn't bother with the scanning garbage and skimped on a good number of side quests which I kind of regret. Really impressed with the dialogue, sound, and combat. The only major negative thing I kept seeing was that they had to wrap up this gigantically complicated plot they've created throughout three games in a single play-through and it shows how they sloppily mash everything into one coherent semi-related story line.

It also seems a lot less personal and deep for you and your crew members and characters you interact with. In ME2 you spent good portions of the game acquiring squad members, learning about them, befriending them, then earning their loyalty and that unlocked a lot of awesome quirky conversations and side quests. However in ME3, very few characters have deep sub plots and the majority of your companions have single line dialogue when you go to check up on them throughout the ship at different parts of the game. I probably added an hour to my play through just checking on the companions in every section seeing if they had any quests or anything I could do. But nope, just a few conversations here and there and you unlock their squad power. They did a really great job increasing the scale of whats at stake where you can see as an example, earth getting fucked up by reapers, but you lose a lot of unique interaction with your squad members.

Ill definitely play it again and I don't doubt that a lot of these things change if I were to do a much slower play through and focus on completion.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on March 06, 2012, 07:32:52 PM
I'm only 6 hours in so I can't really argue against your points about character/squad depth.  However, as I'm out completing the many side missions, I'm finding that my crew members are involved quite a bit.  I'll be wandering the Citadel to drop off a Turian flag and run into James in the bar for a little chit-chat.  I'm hoping that sort of integration continues throughout the game.  Hopefully that would provide a more engaging play through for you next time.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 08, 2012, 07:11:02 AM
SPOILERS AHEAD
























I know because the stakes are so high people were gonna die, that was inevitable... but to kill the 3 best characters from ME2?!?! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 08, 2012, 05:01:43 PM
I'm about five hours in. I 'm moving through the game very slowly. Really enjoying it so far and enjoying it more and more as it goes!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 08, 2012, 05:05:27 PM
I'm going to the final mission now, took about 36 hours doing every sidequest and getting enough war assets to bring my EMS to 3500+
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 08, 2012, 07:32:24 PM
Finished it... now to my second playthrough going all out renegade.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 09, 2012, 02:49:12 AM
Came out here today, bought it on the way into work, really excited about playing it... BUT I have a gig tonight (Protest the Hero) so might get maybe an hour or so in between work and gig. Sad times.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Elsydeon on March 09, 2012, 08:35:11 AM
So I finished the game last night...and all i can say is ....wow
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 09, 2012, 12:22:07 PM
If you have, and completed, the From Ashes DLC read on. If not, SPOILERS:


I gotta say, I really enjoy the characterization of Javik. We spent two games thinking the Protheans were this benevolent, almost utopian society and to see that they were imperialistic, all about conquest, "join us or die" people that look down on every other race is great!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Fiery Winds on March 09, 2012, 03:57:33 PM
This is BS.  I've already tipped off Kotaku and PC Gamer since I haven't seen any talk about Mass Effect 3 DRM.

EA Servers were down today at 2pm PST when I tried playing Mass Effect 3 (Collecter's Edition with From Ashes DLC included) on PC.  No problem, I already activated my game through Origin, so I should be fine.  However, the game starts up and gives me this error message.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O-bM95zw2jQ/T1qKLxYuUlI/AAAAAAAABJ4/7Xx5PYGwYhk/s1020/MassEffect3+Startup+Error+Message.jpg)

I try and resume my game and receive another error message. 

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--h3Lkxm6DIk/T1qKL2kEptI/AAAAAAAABJ0/msZA3BhedkY/s1020/MassEffect3+Resume+Game+Error+Message.jpg)

This indicates that if you are using ANY DLC, you MUST maintain a constant internet connection or you will be unable to access your save game at all.  EA Servers are down and you are screwed. Trying to play the game in Offline Mode on Origin or disconnecting from the internet gives the same error.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 09, 2012, 06:01:28 PM
Loving the game so far.

James Vega 4 Esteban Cortez

<3
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 09, 2012, 06:41:50 PM
I'm about eight hours in and moving very slowly. Really enjoying it so far!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 11, 2012, 03:42:00 PM
I've just (*** SPOILER ***) beat the mission on the Citadel where you see Kai Leng. I'm really getting into this game now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 12, 2012, 04:07:47 AM
That ending...

Bioware are the biggest fucking trolls ever. What a pile of bullshit.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 14, 2012, 07:36:50 AM
Wow, I've been reading a few things about this game on the internet and some people REALLY hate the ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 14, 2012, 07:40:14 AM
Some people? There's a 30,000 strong group petitioning to get Bioware to change/expand upon it. They've raised something like $30,000 dollars too, that's going to charity.

But yeah, it's 99% masterpiece (even better than the first, and that's saying alot coming from me) and 1% abomination.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 14, 2012, 07:48:38 AM
Some people? There's a 30,000 strong group petitioning to get Bioware to change/expand upon it. They've raised something like $30,000 dollars too, that's going to charity.
lolgamerentitlement
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 14, 2012, 07:53:18 AM
True, but in their defence it is a diabolical ending, and it goes against everything Bioware said pre-release.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 14, 2012, 08:20:56 AM
It's still a humongous sense of entitlement! God-forbid the creators of the fiction end it like they wanted it to end!

I didn't love the ending, but I'm OK with it (went with synthesis by the way, it's what my Shepard would've done), and if they want to expand on it through single-player DLC (which is coming) I'm cool with it too.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 14, 2012, 08:31:50 AM
There's too many plot holes and a complete lack of variety for me to really be happy with it. All the choices I'd made throughout all three games were for nothing, more or less. I mean technically there's three endings, but as someone on the Bioware forums put it "It's just one ending with three different colours".
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 14, 2012, 08:51:02 AM
There's too many plot holes and a complete lack of variety for me to really be happy with it. All the choices I'd made throughout all three games were for nothing, more or less. I mean technically there's three endings, but as someone on the Bioware forums put it "It's just one ending with three different colours".
So what? It's more than pretty much all other games have. Maybe I'm coming from more of a film and TV background and less of a gaming one, but I think the core underlying story should be pretty much set by the writers but some of the details dependent on what the gamer does, which is basically how the Mass Effect series works.

Either way, petitioning Bioware is deeply pathetic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 14, 2012, 08:53:41 AM
Indeed. It would like petitioning Ronald D. Moore to rewrite the ending to Battlestar Galactica (to use an example of a sci-fi series that got a lot of flack for its ending) because I didn't like it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 14, 2012, 09:05:27 AM
I agree about the petition thing, but I guess it's just because I invested so much time into the games, I wanted to feel SOME kind of recognition or reward.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 14, 2012, 10:24:20 AM
Well that's the risk with anything in the creative industries. Some will pay off, others will not. Just because YOU do not like it, doesn't mean others feel the same way, and to complain or petition is to say "I am right, and the artist is wrong".

The BSG ending is a great example. Some people hated it and complained no end about it. I thought it was incredible and wouldn't have had it any other way. Neither side is right or wrong. Those who didn't like it can say so, but to actually complain about it is to display a sense of undeserved entitlement - ultimately the only one who is entitled to say what happens is the artist. The rest of us are there to enjoy it or not.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 14, 2012, 11:18:04 AM
Yeah but the ME3 ending is bad, wrong and filled with inconsistencies with the lore and plot.

Pretty good article summarizing what's wrong and why (https://www.gamefront.com/mass-effect-3-ending-hatred-5-reasons-the-fans-are-right/) - SPOILERS, obviously.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ZBomber on March 14, 2012, 11:52:44 AM
I haven't played the game, and I actually don't know WHAT the ending is, but a lot of the complaints I read said that in a game where your choices are supposed to affect the gameplay, it doesn't really even matter in the end. Seems like a valid criticism from the little that I know. But I also agree that the developers should be able to frame the story the way they want to.

I'm really curious what the ending is, but I think I'll probably just play through the series first instead.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 14, 2012, 02:32:04 PM
I still don't see why that would be a problem. Your choices do affect things as the games go on - small things here and there as well as big things. But I'd still expect there to be some overarching ending that is basically the same regardless of the decisions you make, because that's what'll bring the plot to a close as any good story should.

The supposed inconsistencies I don't know about as I haven't finished the game, but people made the same complaint about the BSG ending and I didn't agree then, so I'll have to see what I think when I reach the end of the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 14, 2012, 02:39:47 PM
Finished it. 99% phenomenal. The ending was a large pile of smegma though, and I can fully understand while a lot of fans are fucked off with it. It really doesnt do the rest of the series service.

I don't feel entitled to a new ending, and bioware are free to write thier stories as they see fit, but in my opinion they would likely have a much stronger product if they did go back and edit it. And games are unique in that gameplay and assets can be patched, and I dont see why story should be exempt from that. Indeed, its already happened a couple of times (fallout 3 anyone?).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 14, 2012, 03:41:17 PM
Started playing today. About 6 hours in.

I'm loving trying to scan all the sectors while, at the same time, trying to run away from the reapers :lol

Also, this game has reminded me why I don't like most cover systems. Can be REALLY frustrating sometimes.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 14, 2012, 03:43:07 PM
MEs main problem is that spint, dodge and take cover are all the same key/button. Thats where 90% of frustration lies for me at least.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 14, 2012, 04:20:47 PM
MEs main problem is that spint, dodge and take cover are all the same key/button. Thats where 90% of frustration lies for me at least.
Same issue that Gears of War has, I don't know why they "borrowed" that same mechanic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 14, 2012, 04:25:31 PM
It's even worse in multiplayer because the same button revives fallen teammates as well as all the other functions.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 14, 2012, 08:27:46 PM
I just finished the game... I'm...not sure what to think. I'm deeply confused, nostalgic, frustrated, and awed at the same time.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Super Dude on March 14, 2012, 09:39:56 PM
True, but in their defence it is a diabolical ending, and it goes against everything Bioware said pre-release.

What did they say pre-release?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Elsydeon on March 14, 2012, 11:01:50 PM
True, but in their defence it is a diabolical ending, and it goes against everything Bioware said pre-release.

What did they say pre-release?
That your choices would matter what happened in this game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 14, 2012, 11:42:32 PM
True, but in their defence it is a diabolical ending, and it goes against everything Bioware said pre-release.

What did they say pre-release?
That your choices would matter what happened in this game.
Sometimes even reddit is useful. Related to the ending so don't click if you haven't finished the game - https://imgur.com/HjzGQ
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 15, 2012, 01:59:28 AM
 :lol  :lol  :lol  :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: HarlequinForest on March 17, 2012, 02:52:29 PM
I'm about 12 hours in.  Playing as an adept, as always.  Insanity makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes; fight for 5-10 minutes without a save, then step out of cover for 3 seconds and get shredded.  :(

My belief so far is that the other two games are better, if only for the following reasons:
1) I don't like the pacing of the story so far
2) They did nothing fun with exploring planets on the galaxy map (no reason to orbit non-mission planets); the Mako is still my favorite
3) Cut-scenes are too cinematic; not enough dialogue options
4) Abilities feel way too familiar to ME2 (which I am bored of at this point), although this is slightly counteracted by the new power tree, which provides some cool synergies and really difficult decisions

That said, it's still awesome.  I haven't read anything about the game yet, and I probably won't return here until I've finished it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 17, 2012, 05:32:59 PM
I'm probably going to write an in depth reviw in the next couple of days.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 17, 2012, 07:22:01 PM
(fallout 3 anyone?).
 
Not the same situation though, Bethesda didn't change the ending because "it sucked" they changed it because you couldnt play the DLC after it ended (remember that FO3 doesn't let you continue exploring after you beat the main quest) and people who didn't had a save befofe starting the final missions got, understandably, upset. That's why Broken Steel changed the ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 19, 2012, 06:42:12 AM
I'm about to go to Earth. I have done at least 80% of the side quests and my EMS is still only like 2700 or something. Apparently you need 5000 to get the best ending. Even if I did the remaining 20% of side quests, I'm still not sure I would get my EMS that high.

'Bout to be fucked. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 19, 2012, 07:04:39 AM
To be honest, the effect it has on the ending itself is pretty minimal.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Riceball on March 19, 2012, 07:40:30 AM
Maybe spoilers, IDK







Disclaimer: I haven't played any of the trilogy at any stage, nor will I (unless I have no need of income). I'm interested in this from a commercial perspective.

In my mind, roasting your fanbase like this is pretty poor business. People have invested an immense, probably excessive, amount of time on the product; really invested themselves in it which us great - it shows that they've developed a pretty fine piece of kit. Surely, in this day and age with all of the feedback and intelligence a gaming company can obtain through the internet, someone working in a senior enough possie would think, hang on, we are really going to piss people off here, lets spend a bit more time and get this right. I think its going to cause a fair bit of damage to the developers reputation. I think this could be a really great case study at a business school :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 19, 2012, 08:11:46 AM
Not only that, they literally LIED about the ending. The lead developer said before the games release "It wouldn't be an A B C type ending" When that's exactly what we got.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 19, 2012, 02:04:27 PM
So yeah, the ending wasn't that great but not exactly something I would sign a petition over.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 20, 2012, 10:52:19 AM
OK. Full spoiler review from a hardcore fan...

The Amazing - Mass Effect 3 has by far and away the best interpersonal moments of the series. There were certain sequences that made me feel legitimately nostalgic and sad, like when you go shooting with Garrus on the Citadel. Speaking with your allies and squad mates on Earth before launching the final attack was also incredible. I could go on for days about all the moments like this.

Up until the ending, the game's plot is awesome. The Mordin story, in particular, is probably the best executed and written "arc" of the series. It's absolutely perfect. As a matter of fact, the entire genophage section is pretty much perfect. I also really like how Thane's "arc" played out.

The Good - ME3 finds the perfect balance between the ridiculously complicated item inventory system of ME1 and the nonexistent item inventory system of ME2. It also finds the perfect balance between the ridiculously detailed leveling up system of ME1 and the oversimplified leveling up system of ME2.

I really enjoyed the combat in the game, although sometimes the level design is a little clumsy.

The Nitpick-y - There were a lot of tiny changes made to ME3 from ME2 that I did not like as much. I preferred the menu screens in ME2, preferred having the codex separate from the journal, etc. Just lots of nitpick-y things like that that, at the end of the day, I really don't care at all about.

The Bad - This might also be a nitpick-y thing, but I didn't like how most of the dialog options were reduced to two. I also thought there was a little too much automatic dialog.

The Horrible - I hate to be a part of the whiny internet community that is dominating discussion of ME3, but I gotta admit, I really hated the ending. I try to make sure I approach all art and entertainment without expectations or hopes, but in the case of the ME series where I ended up investing 60+ hours in a single save file and developing real relationships with the characters, I couldn't help but develop some hope that I would see what happens to them. I also wanted to see what happens to Shepard. Basically, I wanted a happy ending with lots of closure that would make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

The ending that we actually got was just so unsatisfying. It has left me with no desire to replay ME3 anytime soon, whereas the second I finished both ME1 and ME2 for the first time I was starting a new game. I also feel like the volume of what is required of the player to achieve the best ending is so large that it makes me not want to even try. I completed 80% of the side quests in the game and still my Effective Military Strength was only at 2800. I don't mind playing multiplayer to boost that but right now I'm trying to save money so I don't have Xbox Live Gold.

Am I sounding a little self-entitled right now? Probably, and I apologize for it. I just feel that the ending sucked. It was really really bad, and makes the entirety of ME3 seem somewhat pointless.

Conclusion - Up until the ending, the game is almost perfect and has many perfect moments. The ending, however, left such a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel sad that I will never know on any level what will happen to these characters I have come to love, and it made me feel discouraged to play the game again because it made what I'd done seem pointless.

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 20, 2012, 11:08:39 AM
Did anyone play the game with the day one DLC?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 20, 2012, 11:36:04 AM
I did.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 20, 2012, 12:29:23 PM
"Up until the ending, the game is almost perfect and has many perfect moments. The ending, however, left such a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel sad that I will never know on any level what will happen to these characters I have come to love, and it made me feel discouraged to play the game again because it made what I'd done seem pointless."

This.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 20, 2012, 01:45:33 PM
You don't need to play MP to get the best EMS number...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 20, 2012, 01:49:02 PM
"Up until the ending, the game is almost perfect and has many perfect moments. The ending, however, left such a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel sad that I will never know on any level what will happen to these characters I have come to love, and it made me feel discouraged to play the game again because it made what I'd done seem pointless."

This.

SPOILERS




I must agree with this as well. Yet I found the "ending" rather exhilarating and amazing up until the confrontation with the Catalyst. The conduit and the bloody Shepard, the bloody, grotesque inner sanctums of the Citadel, the confrontation with the Illusive Man and the conversation with Anderson all were executed quite well. But then...the events after that...eh...not so much.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 20, 2012, 02:03:03 PM
The Horrible - I hate to be a part of the whiny internet community that is dominating discussion of ME3, but I gotta admit, I really hated the ending. I try to make sure I approach all art and entertainment without expectations or hopes, but in the case of the ME series where I ended up investing 60+ hours in a single save file and developing real relationships with the characters, I couldn't help but develop some hope that I would see what happens to them. I also wanted to see what happens to Shepard. Basically, I wanted a happy ending with lots of closure that would make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

The ending that we actually got was just so unsatisfying. It has left me with no desire to replay ME3 anytime soon, whereas the second I finished both ME1 and ME2 for the first time I was starting a new game. I also feel like the volume of what is required of the player to achieve the best ending is so large that it makes me not want to even try. I completed 80% of the side quests in the game and still my Effective Military Strength was only at 2800. I don't mind playing multiplayer to boost that but right now I'm trying to save money so I don't have Xbox Live Gold.

Am I sounding a little self-entitled right now? Probably, and I apologize for it. I just feel that the ending sucked. It was really really bad, and makes the entirety of ME3 seem somewhat pointless.

Conclusion - Up until the ending, the game is almost perfect and has many perfect moments. The ending, however, left such a bad taste in my mouth. It made me feel sad that I will never know on any level what will happen to these characters I have come to love, and it made me feel discouraged to play the game again because it made what I'd done seem pointless.


Nope, this doesn't make you seem entitled at all. You're expressing what you didn't like about it in a very good manner. If only everyone else bitching about the ending did it in this way and not going off and even insulting BioWare people over Twitter.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 20, 2012, 05:27:10 PM
Ugh. The more I think about it the more I dislike the ending. It's totally rid me of any desire to replay the series. I'm sure my feelings will pass but damn am I disappointed...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on March 20, 2012, 08:00:36 PM
Do you guys think it should be changed / amended / etc?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ehra on March 20, 2012, 08:06:29 PM
It "should" be changed / amended / added to (more DLC?) if the developers decide on their own terms that's where they want to take the story. The petitions and "demands" are BS.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 20, 2012, 08:33:42 PM
Do you guys think it should be changed / amended / etc?
Changed? If that's the way BioWare intended it to end from the get go, then no. Doing it just because they caved to fans sets a scary precedent for the future.

Amended? I wouldn't mind a little more detail to what happens to everybody.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 20, 2012, 09:31:35 PM
Demanding that the ending be changed is definitely a little ridiculous. Personally, I'd love to see it changed, but I understand that's unrealistic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 21, 2012, 11:04:50 AM
https://blog.bioware.com/2012/03/21/4108/
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on March 21, 2012, 11:15:26 AM
Good response.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 21, 2012, 11:43:56 AM
I just wish the game ended as soon as Anderson Dies.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 21, 2012, 12:26:26 PM
What I don't understand about the ending is why BioWare felt the need to make it so complicated. I understand that it was 100% their right to do so, but it was totally unnecessary. Why have this huge revelation at the end of the game with the God-child and then have the Normandy crew get stranded on some random jungle planet so you can make biblical references? Why not just have a simple ending where you either beat the Reapers or you don't and then show what comes of the universe in an epilogue or something?

Mass Effect always had a conventional story. Ending the series the way they did - completely unconventionally - made no sense. :lol

EDIT: While I am in a ranting mood - I was thinking about it last night, and BioWare could have repeated the suicide mission from Mass Effect 2 for Mass Effect 3 and it would have been totally awesome. I think most people would have been satisfied.

So, to start the suicide mission, you rally your squad mates together and give certain characters certain responsibilities; for example, you tell one character to go in the vents and one character to lead the rest of the squad. Later, you tell one character to use his/her barrier.

This is an idea that could have been easily applied to Mass Effect 3. Before approaching Earth, there could have been a sequence where you plan your attack with all your allies. During this sequence, you would have to pick certain species for attacking on the ground, certain species for support, certain species for air strikes, etc. Whether or not the Reapers destroy you could be based on how many allies you have and whether you use them correctly or not.

To end the suicide mission, you are given a simple choice: Destroy or keep the Collector base.

This is another idea that could have been easily applied to Mass Effect 3. Before using the Crucible, there could have been a sequence where it is revealed to Commander Shepard that the Crucible has the power not only to destroy the Reapers, but also to control them. Boom. Decision time.

Using these two decision-making sequences, BioWare could have easily designed some distinctly different endings. In one, you could lose to the Reapers because you didn't have enough allies or didn't use them correctly. In another, you could beat the Reapers by controlling them. In another, you could beat the Reapers by destroying them.

During any of these endings, cut scenes could be changed depending on what roles you assigned each race; for example, if you made the krogans your ground troops, you would see them kicking ass, whereas if you made the salarians your ground troops, you would see them getting their asses kicked. There would also be a lot of opportunity here for surprise appearances by the elcor or rachni.

To provide closure, epilogues could be designed elaborating on the fate of each species. So, if you allied yourself with the krogan and cured the genophage, it would be explained that the krogan are thriving. If Wrex is their leader, it could be explained that they are repairing their relationship with the rest of the galaxy, whereas if Wreave is their leader, it could be explained that tensions are rising with the rest of the galaxy. If you did not ally yourself with the krogan or cure the genophage, then it could be explained that the krogan are fucked and preparing to kill everyone. Whatever.

I'm just spit-balling now. All I'm trying to show is that even it would have been so easy to come up with a semi-satisfying ending. Man am I bitter. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 22, 2012, 05:45:24 PM
This is another idea that could have been easily applied to Mass Effect 3. Before using the Crucible, there could have been a sequence where it is revealed to Commander Shepard that the Crucible has the power not only to destroy the Reapers, but also to control them. Boom. Decision time.
Did you and I play a different version or something? I did have that exact choice (plus a third option). I think the number of options may have something to do with your EMS and paragon level maybe? I didn't play any multplayer at all but had all 3 options at my disposal.

Also, I firmly disagree that the series ever had a "conventional story". Since the first game I've loved all the mythological elements.

I can honestly say I have no idea what all the fuss is about with this ending. I know there are a number of different endings (I don't just mean the 3 choices, apparently depending on what else you have done throughout the series, different clips will play in the closing sequences) but I saw Shepard die and the rest of the crew survive, and I thought it was rather nicely done.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 22, 2012, 05:47:16 PM
Do you guys think it should be changed / amended / etc?
I absolutely 100% do NOT think it should be changed.

If they wanted to respond by, say, adding some free DLC that expands on the ending more, to provide that extra closure that so many people seem to want, I'd have no problem with that, but I don't think it's entirely necessary either.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 22, 2012, 06:02:55 PM
I think they should change it, simply because if they spend some time on it I reckon they can make the overall narrative stronger.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 22, 2012, 06:07:36 PM
I think they should change it, simply because if they spend some time on it I reckon they can make the overall narrative stronger.
The ending in general is clearly the story they wanted to tell, so I think it would be weak to change it.

However, given how many people are upset by the ending, I think it could be in their interest to provide additional cut scenes that vary more depending on what choices you've made. Apparently there's an element of this already, but most people think it's not enough (I've only played through once, so wouldn't know).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on March 22, 2012, 06:15:45 PM
I really don't think it is though. It contradicts so much information and promotional material that was released in the months before release,

SPOILERS

and overall the introduction of the star child, and the facts of the reasoning behind the periodic omnicide, and the fact the mass relays get destroyed comes off as severely stunted. When shepherd is told about the Mass Relay destuction, that is that. No argument, no debating, just acceptance and a small walk to one of your endings.

The whole ending seems like it was either rushed or simply written by a less capable team than standard. Hell, mass effect 2 did a better job of demonstrating consequence and that was limited by the fact there was another game to come after it.

Obviously this is pure conjecture, but it wouldn't be the first time a publisher pushed an ambitious game out before it was ready.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 22, 2012, 06:25:31 PM
Woah, check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ythY_GkEBck&feature=player_embedded#! (SPOILERS obviously)

Kinda convincing. Interesting to see what happens with whatever Bioware decide to do DLC-wise.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2012, 08:21:34 AM
Another good article covering much of the same theory, with an extra bit at the end that is quite mind-blowing if correct - SPOILERS AGAIN - https://uninhibitedandunrepentant.tumblr.com/post/19344938387/mind-holy-fuck
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 23, 2012, 08:33:08 AM
Just sounds like fans trying to cope with a shitty ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2012, 09:10:28 AM
We'll see. So many of the details stack up though. Why would a series that has been consistent and logical for 100+ hours suddenly have things that make no sense in the last 20 minutes.

Perfect little example: Upon waking after being hit by the beam, why are there suddenly loads of trees and shrubs, like in his dreams? They weren't there before.

I'm not entirely convinced they've got it exactly right, but a lot of it stacks up and I feel like they're definitely onto something. Very excited to see how it plays out. Although given the ferocity of the reactions, I think it would be very much in their interests to offer any expansion on the ending for free, rather than charging for DLC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 23, 2012, 09:15:46 AM
Oh yeah it does make absolute sense, and I hope to god it's true, I just don't think it is.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 23, 2012, 10:57:53 AM
If that theory is true then I think it would be an even lamer way to end the series.
I think it's mostly fans trying to make sense of the complete bullshit that the real one is and give somewhat justified reasons for all tne inconsistencies and plotholes that come out of something 2 guys made up in a room after an hour of thinking about it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Super Dude on March 23, 2012, 11:15:21 AM
Well look at this: https://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/bioware-change-mass-effect-3-ending-194431568.html
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2012, 11:25:09 AM
The blog it refers to was already posted on the last page, and actually he basically said they're not going to change it, but to expand on / add to it. This is why you should post source material rather than the media's misrepresentation of it. :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Super Dude on March 23, 2012, 11:32:36 AM
Indeed! :lol I saw it on Facebook, so...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 23, 2012, 01:13:24 PM
This is another idea that could have been easily applied to Mass Effect 3. Before using the Crucible, there could have been a sequence where it is revealed to Commander Shepard that the Crucible has the power not only to destroy the Reapers, but also to control them. Boom. Decision time.
Did you and I play a different version or something? I did have that exact choice (plus a third option). I think the number of options may have something to do with your EMS and paragon level maybe? I didn't play any multplayer at all but had all 3 options at my disposal.
Yes, this was my case too. If you get your EMS over 3500 you get all 3 options. I believe I read that the lower the level, the less decisions you have or you have no choice at all.

Another good article covering much of the same theory, with an extra bit at the end that is quite mind-blowing if correct - SPOILERS AGAIN - https://uninhibitedandunrepentant.tumblr.com/post/19344938387/mind-holy-fuck
Interesting read... but THAT would completely pissed me off if true.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 23, 2012, 01:18:03 PM
Spoilers  https://www.reddit.com/r/masseffect/comments/r9z84/developer_quotes_premass_effect_3_release/
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2012, 01:56:43 PM
Yeah saw that in the video games thread. It is one of the things I find a bit disappointing, the other being the lack of any real clarity. However, copypasta from a facebook post I made:

I'm starting to wonder if they always intended to leave it ambiguous, at least at first, only to then add more with some DLC later.

Although as I said before, they won't really have any choice but to offer it for free now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on March 23, 2012, 10:58:40 PM
I have no problems with the ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Super Dude on March 24, 2012, 05:57:26 AM
I actually have less of a problem with the choices the ending poses to you (which is not to say that I don't have a problem with those choices, mind you) than I do with the lame explanation given for why the Reapers attack every 50k years.

I mean what sort of logic is that? Organic life kills itself by developing synthetic life which rises up and kills its creators, so we've decided to save organic life by, uh, killing them?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 24, 2012, 08:26:20 AM
I mean what sort of logic is that? Organic life kills itself by developing synthetic life which rises up and kills its creators, so we've decided to save organic life by, uh, killing them?
Dude!! But they're harvesting them and keeping them "alive" inside immortal Reaper bodies... or some bullshit like that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on March 24, 2012, 11:42:12 AM
No the idea is that synthetics would wipe out ALL organic life, but they prevent this by harvesting only the most advanced races.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on March 24, 2012, 11:59:50 AM
Yeah, a 'killing hundreds to save thousands' kind of thing...still stupid.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on March 27, 2012, 04:19:01 PM
Lots of massive (and I mean massive) spoilers about the state of the Milky Way post-ME3 to follow, would censor them but A. I'm too drunk to navigate the BB-Code, and B. If you're clicking a thread called "Mass Effect 3" a full month or so after the game's been released and then reading past this warning, you're kind of bringing it on yourself.
I mean what sort of logic is that? Organic life kills itself by developing synthetic life which rises up and kills its creators, so we've decided to save organic life by, uh, killing them?
Dude!! But they're harvesting them and keeping them "alive" inside immortal Reaper bodies... or some bullshit like that.
Yeah, the point is the preservation of genetic code. Compare the Encyclopod from Futurama. It's the same thing. Just... with more Kelly Chambers flavoured smoothies.

(Which does beg the question, if the Reapers resemble the species they assimilate - "why have the Reapers been harvesting so many cuttlefish?")

Didn't mind the ending, though. I didn't like it - found it horrendously upsetting, it felt like losing a friend, absolutely heartbreaking - but it was beautiful, and it closed everything nicely. I don't mind the effects of my decisions being left off-screen. I was kind of expecting it, it's the end of the game. That's what it means. Things stop. Agonising to destroy the community I'd loved, but Tuchanka's still thriving with or without FTL travel, the geth get to chill on Rannoch as they absolutely deserve to, I'll have saved what's left of Palaven... maybe it's just me, but knowing that my Shepard everything better was absolutely grand. I don't need a shot of krogan hordes to know that the genophage is cured, I understood the gravity of the decision when I made it, that's why I made the decision.

I don't think it was perfect; it was all a little quick, Joker's actions were a little odd, my military strength didn't make a massive difference, and I'm not at all convinced that war is any more inevitable between synthetics and organics as it is between any other two factions. But what mattered is that the Reapers believed that it was inevitable. It wasn't a fact, just their motivation! And sure, the geth had proven themselves to be a peaceful race and united with organics to fight the Reapers at least in my timeline, but if I were a Reaper and I'd witnessed the cycle repeating itself in one way or another over the last X-billion years, I'd believe it was inevitable, too. It's not a fact as much as a motivation, and that's a huge distinction that a lot of the more, er, vicious "fans" don't seem to be in a hurry to recognise. Honestly, if you asked me what my biggest gripe about the game was, I'd probably say "those lines you get, just every now and then, where the voice actors clearly haven't quite understood the context of the line and they've ended up emphasising the wrong word" - and that's a tiny, tiny thing. I don't know if the ending would even make the top three.

Frankly, when I look back on Mass Effect 3, I'll be remembering the characters, the increasing sense of doom, the storytelling, the Reapers attacking Earth (with that music), watching my old team kill themselves one by one as the situation becomes more and more desperate - it's a masterclass in storytelling, worldbuilding, and building up beautiful characters only to crush them with fire. Mordin, singing away, saving the krogan! Tali, driven to suicide by her race's insistence on war. And ohhhh, the conversation with Garrus in London - broke my heart. Find me a more immersive story and I'll tell you "no, sorry, try again" - this franchise is the pinnacle. Blazing trails in the field of modern storytelling; no franchise has ever used technology so deftly to tell such a flexible and all-consuming story. I'll always be a Mass Effect fan.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on April 03, 2012, 03:06:30 PM
^ Agreed. You are a wise man.

I love my new avatar. If only I knew what part and which game it's from.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on April 06, 2012, 04:27:14 AM
https://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=662095 - press release about additional content.

Quote
BioWare Announces Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut
Free DLC Pack to Provide Additional Cinematic Scenes to the Ending of Mass Effect 3 this Summer

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced Mass Effect™ 3: Extended Cut, a downloadable content pack that will expand upon the events at the end of the critically acclaimed Action RPG. Through additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. Coming this summer, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be available for download on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC for no extra charge*.

"We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder of BioWare and General Manager of EA's BioWare Label. "Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team's artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe."

Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series added, "We have reprioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player."
Good stuff! I'm glad they're not completely changing the ending but adding to it and making it more personalised. Very interested to see what they come up with!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 06, 2012, 09:57:30 AM
Really disappointed with the announced DLC. Who wants further "clarity" for a broken ending? I sure don't. Reflecting on the ending for about a month now, I've come to the conclusion that it really is just a terrible ending which sacrificed many themes, plot lines and character dimensions and introduced a new terrible plot line in the last 5 minutes of the game. Bioware is simply to proud to admit that they simply messed up with the ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on April 06, 2012, 03:39:33 PM
They didn't "mess up" and I find it quite arrogant of fans to say things like that.

You didn't like it, that's fine of course. But they're obviously happy with the overall artistic vision and don't want to change that. The majority of the complaints have been around clarity and the fact that the ending didn't seem to depend on choices made, both of which they are answering. I think that's pretty damn good because they don't owe a damn thing to us.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on April 06, 2012, 03:47:38 PM
Now if they only fix the plot and other holes, too. It's a terribad ending. The execution is bad, the rest is subjective for the most part.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on April 06, 2012, 04:36:32 PM
Really disappointed with the announced DLC. Who wants further "clarity" for a broken ending? I sure don't. Reflecting on the ending for about a month now, I've come to the conclusion that it really is just a terrible ending which sacrificed many themes, plot lines and character dimensions and introduced a new terrible plot line in the last 5 minutes of the game. Bioware is simply to proud to admit that they simply messed up with the ending.
You make absolutely no sense. I think they pretty much are admitting they fucked up, and lots are disappointed at the lack of clarity, so they are providing them with some. If you don't like it, don't download it. It's that simple.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 06, 2012, 07:27:57 PM
They didn't "mess up" and I find it quite arrogant of fans to say things like that.

You didn't like it, that's fine of course. But they're obviously happy with the overall artistic vision and don't want to change that. The majority of the complaints have been around clarity and the fact that the ending didn't seem to depend on choices made, both of which they are answering. I think that's pretty damn good because they don't owe a damn thing to us.

I think it's pretty safe to say that the ending was a complete and utter mess-up. And, no, most fans weren't complaining that the ending didn't "clarify" enough -- they complained about the ending period. The game advances wonderfully and in the last 5 minutes, a subplot is enlarged to take over all others and plot holes, confusion and anger emerge. They're not changing the ending at all, which I believe is what should happen. They're merely expanding on said terrible ending, so they're not really answering anything. If their "artistic vision" entails a disaster for an ending, then they are either too blind to realize how crappy an ending they crafted for this amazing series or too proud to admit that they ruined the ending. And I absolutely loved 99% of the Mass Effect series, I ought to add.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 06, 2012, 07:36:02 PM
Really disappointed with the announced DLC. Who wants further "clarity" for a broken ending? I sure don't. Reflecting on the ending for about a month now, I've come to the conclusion that it really is just a terrible ending which sacrificed many themes, plot lines and character dimensions and introduced a new terrible plot line in the last 5 minutes of the game. Bioware is simply to proud to admit that they simply messed up with the ending.
You make absolutely no sense. I think they pretty much are admitting they fucked up, and lots are disappointed at the lack of clarity, so they are providing them with some. If you don't like it, don't download it. It's that simple.

Again, we are not disappointed by the "lack of clarity." We are disappointed with the ending. Instead of seeking to "improve" upon a terrible ending, they should bite their tongue and provide an amazing set of endings that the series deserves, or if not, at the very least make an attempt to alleviate some of the plot holes / inconsistencies and, for the love of God, get rid of that damn space-child.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ACID_FOX on April 06, 2012, 09:41:21 PM
Exactly. They can clarify it all they want, it's still a shitty ending. That being said, I never expected them to change it, and I'm suprised they even caved in this much.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on April 07, 2012, 02:16:10 AM
Presmuably you guys either haven't seen or are writing off the indoctrination theory?

Again, we are not disappointed by the "lack of clarity."
You personally, and some others, sure. But the majority of the complaints at the time were about the brevity and lack of clarity, and lack of personalisation. We are not saying that was EVERY complaint, we are saying that was most of the complaints. They're never going to please everyone.

Quote
We are disappointed with the ending. Instead of seeking to "improve" upon a terrible ending, they should bite their tongue and provide an amazing set of endings that the series deserves, or if not, at the very least make an attempt to alleviate some of the plot holes / inconsistencies and, for the love of God, get rid of that damn space-child.
Again I refer you to my above question about indoctrination.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on April 07, 2012, 03:55:13 AM
Well, the only way the ending could be considered worse is if this theory is actually true. I take it as a desperate measures to try and make sense of the shitstorm that the last few minutes are.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 07, 2012, 09:14:22 AM
Carefully sidestepping round the ending, just for a second... (Don't worry, we can all go round in circles later!)

Anyone else more excited about the other free-for-two-years DLC pack that's on its way this very weekend? Batarians! Playable batarians! (https://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/06/mass-effect-3-resurgence-pack/) And geth! And krogan vanguards! Asari Justicars less interesting, but still. How neat is this?! And free, what's more. Classy stuff.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on April 07, 2012, 09:39:50 AM
Yeah, the Geth Infiltrator should be sweet. Although  it would be a pain in the ass to unlock, with their shitty absolutely random system going on. Even on current premium spectre pack it's mostly crap that you get.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 07, 2012, 09:47:28 AM
Granted. Although, I won't pretend that - despite having done nothing whatsoever to earn it - I don't half feel smug lumbering around as a Krogan Sentinel, so you know; pros and cons. I've still yet to unlock a few classes, so irritation aplenty, but I've got one of each species now, so I'm less bothered than I was at the time.

Speaking of, what's everyone's favourite class/species on MP?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 07, 2012, 10:08:37 AM
Presmuably you guys either haven't seen or are writing off the indoctrination theory?

Again, we are not disappointed by the "lack of clarity."
You personally, and some others, sure. But the majority of the complaints at the time were about the brevity and lack of clarity, and lack of personalisation. We are not saying that was EVERY complaint, we are saying that was most of the complaints. They're never going to please everyone.

Quote
We are disappointed with the ending. Instead of seeking to "improve" upon a terrible ending, they should bite their tongue and provide an amazing set of endings that the series deserves, or if not, at the very least make an attempt to alleviate some of the plot holes / inconsistencies and, for the love of God, get rid of that damn space-child.
Again I refer you to my above question about indoctrination.

Just think about it: when you try to salvage the whole series from the pitiful ending by postulating that Shepard was simply having a bad dream or was being indoctrinated, you know the ending was bad. People would rather believe that their entire playthoughs were simple delusions rather than accept the ending...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on April 07, 2012, 10:59:56 AM
Wow, I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree, because you've clearly made your mind up and there's nothing anyone can say or suggest to change that.

I for one think the ending was mostly decent, and that the indoctrination makes a hell of a lot of sense and actually makes it quite brilliant. And I'm excited about the DLC which will provide further clarification or closure one way or the other. And I know I'm very much not alone in that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 07, 2012, 11:31:43 AM
The reason I hated the ME3 ending so much was because it eradicated any desire I had to play the series again. If the DLC ends up being just an epilogue or something like that, then it won't matter much. The endings will still be pretty much the same regardless of what choices you made and have more plot holes than The Room.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: HarlequinForest on April 07, 2012, 05:53:37 PM
Presmuably you guys either haven't seen or are writing off the indoctrination theory?

Again, we are not disappointed by the "lack of clarity."
You personally, and some others, sure. But the majority of the complaints at the time were about the brevity and lack of clarity, and lack of personalisation. We are not saying that was EVERY complaint, we are saying that was most of the complaints. They're never going to please everyone.

Quote
We are disappointed with the ending. Instead of seeking to "improve" upon a terrible ending, they should bite their tongue and provide an amazing set of endings that the series deserves, or if not, at the very least make an attempt to alleviate some of the plot holes / inconsistencies and, for the love of God, get rid of that damn space-child.
Again I refer you to my above question about indoctrination.

Just think about it: when you try to salvage the whole series from the pitiful ending by postulating that Shepard was simply having a bad dream or was being indoctrinated, you know the ending was bad. People would rather believe that their entire playthoughs were simple delusions rather than accept the ending...

It's not really that ridiculous.  A lot of the ME story revolves around some of the powerful figures being indoctrinated; the "delusions" have legitimacy behind them.  That said, I don't think that theory was Bioware's intention at all (although I think it would be pretty genius if it was), so I can't really respect them for only accidentally providing the pieces.  What I don't like about the ending is that it lacks any emotion punch at all, in my opinion.  I wanted something so powerful that it would make me want to play through the entire series again right away.  Also, Shepard is haunted by this little kid throughout the whole game, then, conveniently, it is explained at the very end.  It felt very forced to add him in at the last minute, and it was a, I don't know... cheesy(?) role for him anyways.  When he said, "I am the catalyst," I cringed.  Everything else about the ending was merely OK.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on April 07, 2012, 09:32:43 PM
Really disappointed with the announced DLC. Who wants further "clarity" for a broken ending? I sure don't. Reflecting on the ending for about a month now, I've come to the conclusion that it really is just a terrible ending which sacrificed many themes, plot lines and character dimensions and introduced a new terrible plot line in the last 5 minutes of the game. Bioware is simply to proud to admit that they simply messed up with the ending.
You make absolutely no sense. I think they pretty much are admitting they fucked up, and lots are disappointed at the lack of clarity, so they are providing them with some. If you don't like it, don't download it. It's that simple.

Again, we are not disappointed by the "lack of clarity." We are disappointed with the ending. Instead of seeking to "improve" upon a terrible ending, they should bite their tongue and provide an amazing set of endings that the series deserves, or if not, at the very least make an attempt to alleviate some of the plot holes / inconsistencies and, for the love of God, get rid of that damn space-child.
Believe it or not, not everyone is you. But like ariich said, no use arguing with you.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 07, 2012, 09:33:43 PM
Wow, I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree

DON'T CROSS THE CROOKED STEP
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 07, 2012, 09:34:46 PM
Believe it or not, not everyone is you.

Wait what? I'm pretty sure everyone is me.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 07, 2012, 10:07:59 PM
I don't know if this helps anyone, but --

https://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/355/index/11154234

-- one of the writers has commented on the ending. Off the record, and paraphrased, (and he's been on twitter to clarify that a lot of the paraphrases have a slightly more negative slant than intended) but he's said lots of interesting things. Clarified what's gone on in the writers' room. And though I liked the ending, it's made me feel a lot happier about the state of the galaxy post-Shepard.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 08, 2012, 03:08:02 PM
I also can't help but feel that at least both the Rachni and Harbinger needed a much more pertinent role in Mass Effect 3.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 09, 2012, 06:47:24 AM
Interesting read there. Lots explained. Perhaps if the epilogue ends up explaining all the stuff he mentioned, I might feel less horrible about the ME3 ending overall. It will also be a very good chance to see how choices affect stuff; for example, if you had all the races with you at the end, maybe the Mass Relays get rebuilt quicker or something.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 17, 2012, 07:14:53 PM
Yeah - really dig the Mass Relay idea! Though, I wouldn't honestly know where to begin with a sequel. Even with the explanations from the interview, it's too mad a universe, too far scorched for it to be a mantle I'd want to pick up. Writing the difference between destruction, control and synthesis, a universe that may or may not contain geth, quarians, synthetics - unenviable task. You'd need to pick up many, many years into the future. Let the ripples simmer down.

Wonder, though. I totally get why you're locked in as a human - there are enough choices as it is, and the narrative would morph beyond recognition if it were played from another species' perspective; but now that we've done Shepard's story... has anyone played Dragon Age? Where you can choose to be an elf, a dwarf, or a human? 'Cos I imagine a Mass Effect sequel would be set in an era where racial tension would've died down a little. Certainly humans wouldn't be the new kids on the block any more - especially not given that they've spent a third of the trilogy cementing the entire universe as their friends.

Which is a long-winded way of saying, given that BioWare now have precedent in that field, it'd be pretty plausible for a sequel to let you choose your species. Nothing too weird (or too potentially-extinct!) - I can't imagine they'd ever let you play SP as a geth or a drell or a volus - but I could totally imagine a game where you can choose between, say, asari biotics, salarian techs, turian soldiers or a human wildcard. Everyone would treat you slightly differently, but the basic story's the same.

But - irrelevant! I actually just came on here to announce that I'd unlocked the krogan vanguard. Please welcome to the fold - Urdnot Barry!

Is anyone still on multiplayer? Enjoying the new classes?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on April 17, 2012, 07:33:09 PM
I own Dragon Age Origins, but I don't really like it.  The combat is terrible IMO, and I don't like how traveling is handled whatsoever.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 17, 2012, 07:45:24 PM
Oh, totally. Particularly on combat; I get a grand total of no enjoyment whatsoever out of it. Press A and then... sit there! Story's fun, but nowhere near as immersive as the ME-verse. Dragon Age is a decent game, Mass Effect's one of the best. But I like the different races aspect, and I like that it's set a precedent; proven it's plausible.

I guess, too, of course, that part of the reason DA gets away with so many races is 'cos the player character doesn't have a voice actor, or much of a character past what you project on him/her. No VAs means you just have to script different reactions for the existing actors (which they'd be doing anyway) so it's dirt cheap, two VAs like Mass Effect 1-3 means recording a script twice over, but then being able to choose between the four council races would rack up... six voice actors or so? Excluding female salarians as they're non-combatants, and male asari 'cos they don't exist. All reading out an entire game's script, plus class-specific modifications. So, still a bit pie in the sky. But I'd certainly be considering it, if I were on the production team. Probably due to a mix up.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on April 17, 2012, 08:08:56 PM
Play DA:O on PC on Hard difficulty.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 18, 2012, 06:34:42 AM
Oh, it's tricky enough, don't get me wrong! Harder than Mass Effect for sure - I ended up turning the difficulty down. It just feels really... uninvolved? Like I'm a spectator. I don't know. Just not a combat system I get on with. I like the assigning of points more than the combat, which is probably quite odd.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 18, 2012, 06:51:00 AM
I'm enjoying the multiplayer quite a bit these days. It's really fun to play when you just want to relax for a bit. Right now I'm maxing out my turian sentinel.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on April 18, 2012, 09:14:06 AM
I need to play a bit more of the multiplayer, I only played a few games to check it out and found it quite enjoyable. I've just had so much of my time taken up with other games like finishing Skyrim (well, the main quests anyway) and now starting on Fallout 3, that I haven't got round to it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 18, 2012, 01:36:10 PM
Ohhhh, I got Skyrim today! Got to wait a little before playing it - just given Urdnot Barry his first spin, then I'll be watching the Apprentice, then Skyrim. Might make my character in the next 25 minutes. Just to get things started.

Incidentally, did well! Second on the leaderboard, top at the end of wave ten. They tried to kick me at the end, though, which baffled me a tad. I wouldn't usually mind - vanguards are unpopular - but there were two other vanguards in the lobby, I was there first, and I did quite well. Might've stumbled into a few KSes, but it was a tiny map with three vanguards, so... eh! Probably making room for a friend or something. Never got kicked, though, so threw me for a loop.

Fallout 3 is stupendous. You'll love it. Do prefer New Vegas a tad; more flexible, more choices, more sophisticated plot... but both are superb.

What classes are you both using?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 25, 2012, 12:07:07 PM
RIGHT! I don't know if anyone's gonna bite, but I'll extend the offer...

Operation: Exorcist (https://blog.bioware.com/2012/04/25/operation-exorcist/)
(https://blog.bioware.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Operation-Exorcist1.jpg)

Allied Goal: Kill 1,000,000 Cerberus Phantoms
Squad Goal: Survive until extraction on any map and any enemy on Gold difficulty.

Operation Exorcist will run from 6:00PM PST, Friday April 27th until 5:00AM PST, Monday April 30th. Exorcist will be available on PC and Xbox 360 only.


Who fancies a stab at the squad goal? I've never dared venture into Gold, too terrified. I play for fun because it's a bit of a laugh, they play for keeps and kick you out if they don't like your class, loadout, or gamerscore - not my scene. I'd be terrified to move for fear of blemishing their perfect score.

But! It'd be a laugh with friendlier faces. Who fancies angling for a commendation pack this weekend? Xbox 360, Skype, couple of beers, plenty of reviving... anyone with me?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 25, 2012, 12:28:09 PM
I'm game. Gamertag is Kevin Martell (original, I know). My microphone is broken, though.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on April 25, 2012, 12:44:40 PM
I'd be down for it, though I've never survive more than 2-3 waves on gold.

Gamertag: DaDeadFenix (...I was 16, get off me!)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 25, 2012, 04:18:41 PM
Ace, one more and it's a party!

Xanadu: No worries on the headset, don't have one either. Will prob set up a Skype conference for if anyone's got mics in their computers, and if not then we can at least work out strategies between matches in this thread.

Dimitrius: You're ahead of me, not given it a go yet! Goodish at Silver, can usually get extraction pretty reliably as long as everyone has a rough idea of what they're doing... but we'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on April 28, 2012, 04:56:25 PM
Right, I'm gonna sign in now, kick about some reapers for a little on a low difficulty. I'll add you both, and if you pop up, grand, and if you don't, that's fine, I can keep listening to podcasts.

I'll be the one with the self-deprecating gamertag that I'm surprised doesn't get me kicked more often. If anyone else fancies joining in, add someone or leave your gamertag or something!

EDIT: Argh. I'm getting server problems. Chronic for the last twenty minutes or so. This isn't rekindling my multiplayer love. >:E
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on April 30, 2012, 03:42:36 PM
I just got ME3 and therefore late to the party!

I enjoy it so far but i´m so annoyed that you can´t  holster your weapon anymore and i´m not even joking! I hate it!  :censored
Why Bioware why? Just a simple little animation that you for some reason didn´t think were important....but it´s the small things that counts, atleast for me!

Other than that.....perfect game so far!  :hefdaddy

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on April 30, 2012, 09:56:33 PM
I just got ME3 and therefore late to the party!

I enjoy it so far but i´m so annoyed that you can´t  holster your weapon anymore and i´m not even joking! I hate it!  :censored
Why Bioware why? Just a simple little animation that you for some reason didn´t think were important....but it´s the small things that counts, atleast for me!

Other than that.....perfect game so far!  :hefdaddy

Oh, it's an amazing, emotionally gripping game. And then there's the entire last mission. Well...I'll let you find out for yourself...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 01, 2012, 05:54:07 AM
I just got ME3 and therefore late to the party!

I enjoy it so far but i´m so annoyed that you can´t  holster your weapon anymore and i´m not even joking! I hate it!  :censored
Why Bioware why? Just a simple little animation that you for some reason didn´t think were important....but it´s the small things that counts, atleast for me!

Other than that.....perfect game so far!  :hefdaddy
I think you have to hold down "back," if you're on XBox.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on May 01, 2012, 11:28:51 AM
Oh, it's an amazing, emotionally gripping game. And then there's the entire last mission. Well...I'll let you find out for yourself...

Haha yeah! The legendary ending!! That should be interesting! :)

I think you have to hold down "back," if you're on XBox.

Really? It works on the XBox? I have asked the mighty google and it´s answer on the PC is NO?  :(
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 01, 2012, 11:39:21 AM
Because PC gaming is dying, obviously.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on May 13, 2012, 03:05:34 PM
Finally got my desktop working, and have been able to play it. I'm ~10-12 hours in, it's pretty awesome.

Thoughts so far: SPOILERS



-Tresher maw vs. the reaper was quite possibly the most epic thing ever
-On that note, the entire section on Tuchanka was excellent. Eve was a really interesting character, and the choice regarding the cure sabotage was really interesting. Also, Mordin :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
-Where the fuck is Tali?
-EDI's become a really interesting character
-Kinda disappointed with the crew so far. I mean, Garrus is my bro in chief and Liara is adorbs, but EDI is terrible in combat and James is just there. Also, Kaiden is a tard.
-Love the new melee stuff, and the new weapon mod and weight system is really well done
-I'm not entirely sold on Cerberus changing from a somewhat extreme pro-human group to some kind of crypto-fascist paramilitary shitshow with half-reaper soldiers
-On that note, what the fuck happened in between ME2 and 3? I assume it was covered in some DLC that I don't have something, but I was very confused. A prologue or something would have been nice.
-Again, where the fuck is Tali?

Probably my biggest disappointment (and this is pretty big actually) so far is that so many of the characters are gone, at least thus far. I mean, the vast majority of ME2 was spent building up these amazing, interesting characters and making you care about them, and I'm spent a dozen hours and still have no idea what happened to most of them. Tali, Jack, Grunt, Jacob (meh), Samara, Kasumi, Legion... I mean, come on people.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 13, 2012, 03:12:20 PM
I think I am going to have to say "no comment" for the moment...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 13, 2012, 03:16:50 PM
In the Arrival DLC for ME2, a Reaper artifact is found on a meteor close to a Batarian colony, on this artifact was found that the Reapers were gonna use the Mass Relay there to start the invasion in 2 days. To make a somewhat long story short, the meteor is outfitted with some thrusters, Shepards rams the meteor into the Mass  Relay which goes supernova (or something relatively close) and destroys the system killing 300k Batarians.

Shepard is grounded and court martialed for it.

Tali will return once you get to the Rannoch missions, which should be soon considering what you've done already. Also, lolTali.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: The King in Crimson on May 13, 2012, 03:40:07 PM
There's a serious disconnect between all three games regarding Cerberus and their activities, though it could be argued that The Illusive Man specifically set Shephard up with friends and the less 'extreme' members of the organization in order to facilitate his cooperation.  I can't remember if that is ever covered in ME3...
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 13, 2012, 06:20:20 PM
You do only meet like... three Cerberus operatives in Mass Effect 2, though, don't you? Miranda, Jacob and Wilson. Four if you include the Illusive Man. By and large, they're just remote investors. Cerberus didn't exploit you, you exploited them.

And everything you see of Cerberus - The Illusive Man's constant deceit, all those dilapidated labs which ran experiments on children... Cerberus are constantly presented as pretty damned dodgy. The Man's always got an excuse or two, but look no further than your teammates. Out of the twelve of them, the only one who doesn't have a pretty massive dark-side is Tali. That's the kind of contacts Cerberus makes. Only kind they can make. The idealistic heroes won't touch them.

ME2 is a series of deals with the devil, a deconstruction of the idea that morality can come neatly packed into black and white. Just as a lot of the "good people" you encounter are fairly rotten - the inept council burying its head in the sand, the Alliance that turns its back on the hero that saved them; your team is a crew of villains who, you discover, sometimes have bigger hearts than the designated good guys.

"Good" and "evil" are relative. It's more about who's willing to stand by you, and who isn't. In ME2, that includes a psychotic knight templar, a man who's developed a virus to kill krogans in their thousands... you get the picture! Even your allies outside the Normandy - Commander Bailey, for instance, is pretty corrupt. He turns a blind eye, makes deals with criminals, but he's useful and basically a nice bloke, so you get on with him. The "evil" characters are often just... differently moral, and a little more pragmatic.

But you're always, always meant to know that at the top of the chain, you're working for mad terrorists.  The Alliance hate you. Kaidan or Ashley feel deceived. When ME3 snaps back to the heroics, you're seeing Cerberus through the goggles of idealism, again, and you're their sworn enemy. Once you stop justifying them, and get to look from the outside in, yeah, they do start to look more like terrorists, again.

Same business, just... very different POV!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on May 20, 2012, 07:58:21 PM
Just beat it. I don't see why everyone hated the ending. It wasn't the best possible way things could go by any means, but I thought it was good none the less.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 20, 2012, 08:08:58 PM
Just beat it. I don't see why everyone hated the ending. It wasn't the best possible way things could go by any means, but I thought it was good none the less.
And I agree.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 12:13:42 AM
Yeah, but you know what people are like, especially in the gamer community.

That said, I do think it could benefit with more detail, so I'm really looking forward to playing it again when the extended cut comes out.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 21, 2012, 06:42:18 AM
I played single player for the first time in months last night. Beat the Eden Prime mission, which is easily one of my favorite in the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on May 21, 2012, 11:39:53 AM
Yeah, but you know what people are like, especially in the gamer community.

That said, I do think it could benefit with more detail, so I'm really looking forward to playing it again when the extended cut comes out.
condescending much? doesn't suit you. :)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on May 21, 2012, 11:47:35 AM
Sorry but when you have Bioware employees being harassed over the internet, "you know what people are like, especially in the gamer community" is a perfectly valid statement to make. Doesn't mean he was referring to everyone who didn't like the ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on May 21, 2012, 12:48:52 PM
Applies to the majority of the world population, gamers or not. Also it implied all the people who hated the ending, despite the reasons behind their dissatisfaction.
Quote
I don't see why everyone hated the ending.

Quote
you know what people are like

people, as used here = everyone who hated the ending
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: AcidLameLTE on May 21, 2012, 12:56:56 PM
Someone is certainly making a big deal out of a harmless comment.

Also, thanks for letting me know which albums are coming out in 2009.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on May 21, 2012, 01:01:52 PM
I actually made a joke which was then taken too seriously. You're welcome. Thanks for nothing.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 21, 2012, 01:10:08 PM
I think that some people overreacted to the ending. I hated the ending, but I didn't send BioWare hate mail or some ridiculous shit. Some people in the gamer community were total asses about it.

At the same time... It was a pretty horrible ending. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 02:14:41 PM
It's cool abydos, I know you were just ribbing me. :lol

Yeah I didn't mean everyone who disliked the ending. I quite liked it, but I thought it lacked much.. well, anything really (although I have bought into the indoctrination theory, which I think is really damn cool, and a part of me really hopes that comes out in the extended cut), and can completely understand why some people really dislike it. But the way many people in the gamer community reacted was pathetic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 21, 2012, 02:38:09 PM
Did you see they were raising money to put a billboard outside EA headquarters? This is after they announced the extended cut. It was going to say "CLARIFICATION IS NOT ENOUGH," or "NO, WE WANT A NEW ENDING" or something spoiled like that, and they picked specific locations to ensure the EA staff would have to look at it every time they walked to work. Someone had actually looked into prices, how much it'd cost to rent a billboard for a month, a year, multiple billboards, people were voting on what scheme would work best, it was absolutely baffling. How long do you have to spend living in your own head before you become that much of a precocious little sociopath? Or just that much of a dullard, at that?

I don't use the term lightly, but they're a bunch of poisonous, self-entitled brats. I sincerely believe that - and I've said so in as many words on the Bioware boards, before promptly legging it. But then I also think Bioware are perfectly entitled to charge whatever they want for whatever product they want, and this is coming from a recently graduated student with mountains of debt, so I was never going to see eye to eye with them.

Charlie Brooker (https://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/15/charlie-brooker-gay-video-game), as ever, says it best, though, so I'll stop typing now and just copy and paste his take.
Quote
The game has a variety of different endings, depending on your decisions: some have moaned that none of the possible endings are happy or satisfying enough. In fact, they've moaned so much, EA has hastily released an additional ending free-of-charge, so these players can experience "further closure".

I can't work out if that's depressing or sweet. On the one hand, they're spoiled little emperors with a mind-boggling sense of entitlement: it's one thing to be disappointed by the end of a story, but another to demand the author sits down and writes you a new one RIGHT NOW. You need "further closure"? What's wrong with you? But on the other hand, it's a sign that players sometimes invest so much of themselves into the characters they play, they care about them to a degree that should make any author jealous.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 03:14:48 PM
I had no idea Charlie Brooker had commented on the situation, the guy is such a legend. And as is so often the case, I completely agree with him.

And indeed I agree with you Rob. Wanting more clarification, more closure, that sort of thing, I understand. And from the people I've spoken to, that seems to be the most common and key complaint, which is why I think it was a good idea for Bioware to address it. The vocal minority actually demanding directly from Bioware an entirely new ending are selfish and arrogant, as far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 21, 2012, 03:27:52 PM
I had no idea Charlie Brooker had commented on the situation, the guy is such a legend. And as is so often the case, I completely agree with him.

And indeed I agree with you Rob. Wanting more clarification, more closure, that sort of thing, I understand. And from the people I've spoken to, that seems to be the most common and key complaint, which is why I think it was a good idea for Bioware to address it. The vocal minority actually demanding directly from Bioware an entirely new ending are selfish and arrogant, as far as I'm concerned.
Yes! Precisely.

It's the line between "That didn't satisfy me," and "HOW DARE YOU DISSATISFY ME." And that's a pretty big fucking line - it's not like I'm being picky, or criticising the people who happen to be the wrong side of a very thin line. It's the difference between rational criticism and a tantrum.

In fact, that's exactly what it is. A tantrum. Baby's not getting his way.

Don't get me wrong, I know how it feels. I bloody loved Fallout 3, and then the ending came along and crashed the wind out from between my wings. And while I personally wouldn't have campaigned for a new ending in the first place, because they don't owe me anything and the ending is the writers' to own, I'm glad they did go back and meddle, because I liked what came from it. (And was happy to pay extra money for it, incidentally.) There's always room for improvement, and sometimes - and hopefully this is one of those times - the developers want to give it. So many people have been so nice in stating their case - protesting by raising money for charity! I loved them for that. Disagreed with them, but loved it. Hopefully, this has been win-win for a lot of people. I'd also say that it makes the continued belligerence that much more unforgivable, though.

What I would say though, and I hope we can all agree on this, is that the final mission was nowhere near as cool as the suicide mission in the last game. Not a big enough cast for something of that calibre, of course, but ohhhh - we were spoiled! I remember watching my brother play it for the first time, I was trembling with excitement - fear, even, and I wasn't even playing! The second he realised he had to assign roles to people he said "Oh god, I'm going to kill people." It was terrifying. And then he had to pick another role straight after! So, so exciting. The moment you see the fire team leader and the technician disembark the Normandy, seeing them head off into the great unknown and you don't have a clue if you might've just sentenced them to death... that's great. Shit gets real. Didn't get anything like that rush of adrenaline with ME3, so to some extent I can see where the venom comes from on that front - Bioware had set the standards incredibly high.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 03:44:30 PM
Well yeah but on that point, I can understand some mild disappointment, but only because the end of ME2 was so damn perfect in that regard.

That said, there are some amazing things leading up towards the end of ME3 as well. As you're making your way through the streets of London and one by one you come across the friends you've made across the series (the ones who have survived anyway) and have a heart to heart with them knowing that it could be the last time you ever speak to them, that really got to me. Very different to ME2, but quite brilliant in its own way.

Out of interest, what was the deal with Fallout 3? Were changes made to that? I only played it for the first time recently so I don't know if the ending I had was the original or a revamped one or what? I thought it was quite nicely done, but it seemed to come out of nowhere, there was no real buildup to it, so it felt quite anticlimactic.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 21, 2012, 04:00:02 PM
Oh, absolutely - hardly criticising. Lump in my throat when Garrus bid his goodbyes; the whole funereal mood to that sequence was absolutely perfect. No idea whether my character was going to survive - anything could happen, and anything did. I shed a tear when Anderson went. The entire galaxy was right beneath our feet; three games' of history, half a year's investment into these characters, learning to love them and diving head over heels into their universe, and I could feel every ounce of it on my shoulders. So sad to be leaving the world. Even sadder when I felt like I was destroying it so it could live. I'll never again experience anything like it - and it's right that they went for something completely different from Mass Effect 2. ME2 was the high-octane excitement of a Doctor Who finale, with tangible danger built in. ME3 was bleak, nihilism through sacrifice. Was in floods, a full half hour after it ended. Silly, I know, but it's how I expected to feel when I left Harry Potter behind, so I was five years overdue if anything. That's brilliant, though. That a fictional universe can make you feel like that. As Brooker says, any author should be jealous.

FO3 - Yes! Very anti-climactic, precisely. They released a DLC, Broken Steel, whereby you can play on past the ending. Either you survive the radiation, or you can send Fawkes in in your stead. There are a few new subquests added to the Capital wasteland, but on top of that there's a chain of missions whereby you're sent off to personally deal the finishing blow to an Enclave base. And they're exactly what a final mission should be! An enormous bastard of a military base like Raven Rock, with loads of interesting things to find and loads more things trying to kill you.

In my initial playthrough, I tried to send what's-her-face to turn off the pump station, 'cos I wanted to play on past the ending. When the ending slides stopped, not only had I been chewed out, but... that was really it?! Then I tried to send Fawkes in, 'cos he was with me at the time, and he did exactly that when I first met him. To say I was underwhelmed would be a bit of an understatement.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 04:12:30 PM
Yeah I have to say I was really annoyed that I couldn't send Fawkes in, when THAT WAS HOW HE GOT ME THE G.E.C.K. IN THE FIRST PLACE AND HE ISN'T AFFECTED BY RADIATION. So basically my choice was be a bitch or potentially kill myself. And then the game ended.

I hadn't heard about Broken Steel, I'd bought a second hand copy on the cheap so it didn't come with any of the add-ons free like the Game of the Year edition does. Does it vastly improve the overall experience? Because I reckon I'll invest in it for a second playthrough if so.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 21, 2012, 04:31:09 PM
There's loads of stuff to sink your teeth into. The level cap expands to thirty, it sprinkles new enemies throughout the map - Super Mutant Master, etc. I didn't have the GOTY edition either, so I ummed and ahhed over it for ages, but I eventually bought it, did exactly that, and loved it. New character, new specialisations, new gender, new morality, new everything; dug around all throughout the map, doing a proper completionist run, crawling into every corner of the wasteland and finding all sorts of exciting new quests and places, then eventually (after much delay!) reaching the original ending, and finding I still had a good few hours' worth of content to delve into. Good stuff.

Ron Perlman still chews you out a bit if you send Fawkes in. Says that "a true hero emerged," but I find that easy to ignore 'cos it's so clearly bollocks, he wasn't risking anything more than I do when I cross the road. If risking my life pointlessly is how I become a hero, I don't want to become a hero.

I would say, however, that if you're only going to buy one bit of DLC for your Fallout games, it might rather be worth getting one of the New Vegas four. So, so good. If New Vegas is the film, the DLC's the TV series. FO3's Broken Steel is very definitely an "add on," but the New Vegas DLC comprises four distinct episodes, with their own unique styles, tones, characters, arcs and a storyline that arches over all four, some lovely unique weaponry, costumes, goodies you can carry over... it's cracking stuff. Each one wildly different, too; explores a lot of territory they couldn't have touched in the main game. Weird and wonderful stories, took me a couple of days each.

And I'd also quickly note that they're often discounted in the XBox store. I got Old World Blues and Dead Money two for the price of one. So it can be worth waiting. (Dead Money, incidentally, pays homage to the gas mask zombies from Doctor Who! Neat detail.)

On second thoughts, though, if you're just buying one, maybe Broken Steel would be best, as the other four work better in tandem with each other.

Look at that! We've drifted. Whoops. Sorry, kids.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 21, 2012, 04:31:16 PM
If it does or doesn't "vastly improve the experience" is up to your opinion, but I enjoyed it quite a bit!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on May 21, 2012, 04:47:10 PM
Haha yeah we did go rather off tangent, but thanks for the advice Rob. I'll always make my own mind up on something I've experienced, but when considering what to try or check out, I trust your advice and opinions more than almost anyone else (and not just on this forum)! Seeing as I only got FO3 second hand for maybe a fiver, I reckon I might splash out and just get the GOTY edition with all the perks, and then get the ultimate edition of New Vegas (as I've yet to play that) once it's come down a bit in price. With FO3 in particular, I'd like to do another run through anyway, because I didn't explore side quests nearly enough. I was doing all the quests I came across, but I don't think I actively sought them out nearly enough. I pretty much didn't explore any of the north other than Raven Rock! After the disappointing ending, I wasn't sure if I'd bother, but it sounds like it'd be worth it.

And back on ME3, from reading up on the FO3 drama, it sounds like a very similar situation, but I hugely respect Bioware for addressing it with free DLC rather than charging for it like Bethesda did (although in FO3's case, it was a big add-on with additional missions etc, so it is admittedly a bit different).
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 21, 2012, 04:57:09 PM
If you do get the Broken Steel DLC, whenever you see a Giant Albino Radscorpion RUN THE OTHER FUCKING WAY!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 21, 2012, 05:03:24 PM
Haha yeah we did go rather off tangent, but thanks for the advice Rob. I'll always make my own mind up on something I've experienced, but when considering what to try or check out, I trust your advice and opinions more than almost anyone else (and not just on this forum)! Seeing as I only got FO3 second hand for maybe a fiver, I reckon I might splash out and just get the GOTY edition with all the perks, and then get the ultimate edition of New Vegas (as I've yet to play that) once it's come down a bit in price. With FO3 in particular, I'd like to do another run through anyway, because I didn't explore side quests nearly enough. I was doing all the quests I came across, but I don't think I actively sought them out nearly enough. I pretty much didn't explore any of the north other than Raven Rock! After the disappointing ending, I wasn't sure if I'd bother, but it sounds like it'd be worth it.

And back on ME3, from reading up on the FO3 drama, it sounds like a very similar situation, but I hugely respect Bioware for addressing it with free DLC rather than charging for it like Bethesda did (although in FO3's case, it was a big add-on with additional missions etc, so it is admittedly a bit different).
Ha, I'm incredibly flattered! Right back atcha.  :hat

There's... I don't want to spoil anything, but there's a very memorable quest tucked right away in the north. It involves a tree, and you'll love it, and that's all I'm saying. I was the same first time round - went for the odd sidequest. Helped Moira Brown (love Moira Brown!) with her guidebook, faffed about with Reilly's Rangers, made friends in Big Town, almost died fetching Lincoln's artifacts, helped around Arefu, etc., but I was broadly going to the places the quests took me. I had absolutely no idea how much stuff I'd missed. Yeah, I think GOTY would be a fine idea!

You have to get New Vegas! The jury's out on which of the two is better - both have pros and cons - but the character, the depth, the sidequests, the whole aesthetic of the Mojave Wasteland was right up my street. Hope you like it too!

Anyway! Mass Effect 3! Yeah! Love that it's free. They released the multiplayer expansion for free, too. Bioware do spoil us - they must be among the classiest devs in the industry. Can't think of anyone who cares as much. Still not got all the characters from the multiplayer pack, actually. Stopped playing it, lately - was getting a little frustrated, spent too long grinding trying to get something unlocked. (Anything unlocked!) Might get back on that at some point. Got the original ME for about the same price you got Fallout 3. Round about November time. Good buys, both of them!

Also, this --
If you do get the Broken Steel DLC, whenever you see a Giant Albino Radscorpion RUN THE OTHER FUCKING WAY!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on May 23, 2012, 07:59:48 AM
You know, the ending argument with the elusive man and Anderson really highlights how shitty the series' persuasion system is. It had NO excitement besides the anticipation of finding out what was going to happen. You just hit the paragon or renegade buttons, or if you have enough points in it use the special option - there's no actual gameplay. Compare that to DX:HR, where persuasion was literally persuasion - figuring out the right thing to say based on what you know about the character - and ME3 just flops.

But don't get me wrong though, I actually loved the fact that they pretty much ended the climax with an argument. I just wish the mechanics of it were better.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 24, 2012, 12:05:32 PM
Finished the Tuchanka part of the game last night on my second playthrough. One thing that's striking me this second time around is how short all the missions are. They're like 20 minutes a piece.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 25, 2012, 08:02:18 AM
There are more of them, though. Mass Effect had five (four and a half!) long missions, plus sidequests. Mass Effect 3 has three long campaigns each comprising a handful of short missions, plus sidequests.

Mass Effect
-- Intro: Eden Prime & the Citadel --
1. Feros
2. Er... Liara's planet.
3. Noveria
4. Virmire
5. Ilos & the Citadel

Mass Effect 3
-- Intro: Earth & Mars --
1. Menae, Sur'Kesh & Tuchanka
2. The Citadel & Rannoch
3. Thessia & Horizon
4. The Illusive Man's Base & Earth

The intros are probably roughly comparable lengthwise with the edge possibly going to ME1, Feros is probably a fair bit shorter than the Tuchanka trilogy but you can add Liara's recruitment mission to make it up to a similar ballpark, Rannoch is probably a little longer than Noveria, Thessia & Horizon are probably comparable to Virmire in length and structure, and the final missions are about the same.

Yes, the missions are a lot shorter, but that's only because you're doing a series of little missions instead of one big mission. Which is only right, seeing as you can't switch weapons or armour in the middle of a mission like you could in the original Mass Effect - makes sense that you get to go to the Normandy more often. One thing to try out an unknown weapon on a twenty-minute mission, quite another to try it out and find out you're locked into it for the next few hours.

In other news! Vorcha, male quarians, and ex-Cerberus operatives to be added to multiplayer next week. Exciting times! I've still not got half of the last pack, though - drove myself nutty trying to unlock them, put me off MP for a fair few weeks. Good excuse to dig it out again, mind. I wanted to be a male quarian from the start, so I'm quite excited for this. Vorcha should be interesting, too. Must be running out of races before long, though. We've still got, um... female turians, I guess? Playable LOKI mechs? Collectors? A very tall volus? A volus in a robotic combat-suit would be ace, actually. Write that one down.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 28, 2012, 03:37:58 PM
This may have been shared before: https://www.gamesthirst.com/2012/03/25/mass-effect-3-writer-accuse-casey-hudson-of-going-it-alone-bioware-stays-silent/

Very interesting article about how all of the ME3 writers but one were excluded from writing the game's ending.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Sigz on May 28, 2012, 03:53:41 PM
Wow.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 29, 2012, 05:55:56 AM
Oh! I love Patrick Weekes.

I don't know, though. I felt it. I very much felt the ending. It was tragic, genuinely distressing, and I very much had the weight of the decision upon my shoulders. I also think it made a lot more sense than people give it credit for.

The ideas that the fans bandy around tend to make less sense than the actual ending. A normal human - a fairly charismatic and battle-scarred human, but a human regardless - should have an option to talk down the reapers? By communicating with an AI that once had control of them but pretty much has no contact with them any more? Yeah, good luck with that. [SNIP, lets not go there please - XJDenton] Getting the ancient-and-forever race of superintelligent machines to disregard trillions of years of eyewitness evidence by spending a few minutes talking to the reapers' estranged godmother? Not a chance. The catalyst's powerless. Even if you can convince the little boy thing, (and I think you probably can! It's opened up because it wants to change, wants to delegate the decision - I think it's already convinced of your greater wisdom, to be honest) it still can't do anything about it except control, destroy or synthesise.

That said, a lot of the things that Patrick suggests are things I'd really, really have liked to have seen implemented. It's how the final battle looked in my head. I've never minded the details staying in my head, but I agree that if the writing is the sole effort of one man, it does kind of show. What we've got's good. There are a lot of very exciting, very strong moments - it's the dramatic conclusion the series earned. But what could've been would've been that much better. Once you stop listening to critics, you probably become much happier. Once you stop listening to editors, though... well, you become George Lucas.



The comments on the article are more depressing, though, by my buck. I don't like how society seems to hold cynicism up on a pedestal. It shows that you're discriminating, that you're not naive, you're untrickable. Like a self-styled Sherlock Holmes. But cynicism has about as much to do with real intelligence as Rolf Harris has to do with kangaroos. They're from a similar ballpark, and I'm sure they've crossed paths a few times, but the vast majority of the time they're in two completely different words. Misplaced cynicism is just as foolish as misplaced optimism, but twice as obnoxious. Optimism doesn't carry quite the same arrogance - "I'm above your trickery," etc.



Also - today's d-day! Rebellion releases today. Saved up 240,000 credits or so, might be getting at least one new character if I'm lucky - though I won't be entirely surprised if I'm not. Drove myself to despair trying to unlock the Resurgence fellows - still don't have either of the geth or the batarian sentinel. This random unlock system leaves me very frustrated indeed. Turns a fun game into a chore. Just one new guy would be lovely, though. And I mean new new. I'll take a geth in a pinch, I suppose.

As ever, there are delays in getting it online. Joy.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on June 01, 2012, 07:33:22 AM
I'm almost through my second playthrough. I've really enjoyed myself thus far. Mass Effect 3 is truly a good game. Will wait for Extended Cut to finish.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on June 01, 2012, 09:47:39 AM
The collective might of DTF can't convince Omega that gay marriage is basically harmless, over a few weeks, typing to his face.

Really? Not to derail this thread, [SNIP, then don't start then. - XJDenton]

That said, I've always thought the ending was jarring, unintelligent-while-masquerading-as-"deep," and, well, quite simply bad. And now we have good reason to know exactly why (Casey's marvelous "plan").
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on June 01, 2012, 10:04:33 AM
Omega, Rob, lets not start this crap over in GD please.

In any case, if true, that article confirms what I somewhat expected, that the ending was written by somebody/some team that was disconnected in some sense by the rest of the narrative. And its worse for it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on June 01, 2012, 10:16:59 AM
Omega, Rob, lets not start this crap over in GD please.
Genuinely - wasn't the intention! Just wanted an example of a fairly fiery argument. Many apologies XJ, and sorry to Omega, too, if it seemed like I was baiting you. Bit flippant, admittedly, but you get the intention, I hope. Was by no means planning to discuss it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on June 01, 2012, 10:27:25 AM
My problem with the ending is that it feels like the ending to a linear game. It simply doesn't feel right.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on June 01, 2012, 11:16:11 AM
Omega, Rob, lets not start this crap over in GD please.
Genuinely - wasn't the intention! Just wanted an example of a fairly fiery argument. Many apologies XJ, and sorry to Omega, too, if it seemed like I was baiting you. Bit flippant, admittedly, but you get the intention, I hope. Was by no means planning to discuss it.

No worries. :) I got your intention, but as PR discussions amongst the member base can get heated at the best of times, I'd rather such references not be made outside the proper forums lest it starts off something inadvertently.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 22, 2012, 02:03:49 PM
https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/22/mass-effect-3-extended-cut-coming-next-week

Quote
The Extended Cut will be a 1.9GB download. As for specific content, BioWare notes that it will include “additional scenes and epilogue sequences. It provides more of the answers and closure that players have been asking for. It gives a sense of what the future holds as a result of the decisions made throughout the series. And it shows greater detail in the successes or failures based on how players achieved their endings.”

BioWare notes that the game is “an expansion of the original endings to Mass Effect 3” but “does not fundamentally change the endings, but rather it expands on the meaning of the original endings, and reveals greater detail on the impact of player decisions.”

The company recommends that players “load a save game from before the [final Cerberus mission of the game] and play through to the end of the game.” The actual content of the Extended Cut will differ “depending on choices made throughout the Mass Effect series, so multiple playthroughs with a variety of different decisions will be required to experience the variety of possibilities offered by the new content.”

With the release of this I'll finish my second playthrough with my first character and then my full renegade playthrough.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on June 26, 2012, 05:19:30 PM
Won't mean much, given how I enjoyed the original ending anyway, but - I liked it!

Good stuff - added plenty. Lots of fist-punch moments, and maybe another tear in my eye right at the end. Look, it's just humid in here, okay!?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 26, 2012, 10:09:48 PM
Just finished with the synthesis ending with the extended cut added in, pretty nice. I didn't hate the original ending so this was just gravy.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on June 27, 2012, 10:04:18 AM
I took a second to reflect upon ME3 once I watched the Extended Cut last night. After thinking about it, I don't think I care that much about the content of the ending so much as its tone. Let me explain:

ME1 and ME2 were rousing adventure stories. They had a really fun tone about them that wasn't afraid to get serious in moments. Conversely, ME3 is so damn dark. The ending is ever darker. It just doesn't feel right. It's so weird. Obviously it's not rare for certain installments in a trilogy to be darker than others, but ME3 is so much darker it throws me off. It makes a lot of sense why it is - and it probably couldn't have been any other way - but it's too much for me at times. The way the series ends with somber piano in the background and the main character dying feels realistic but also incongruous.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 27, 2012, 11:17:15 AM
I mean, if there's a sentient race of immortal machines hellbent on the destruction of all space-faring life in the galaxy... kinda difficult to NOT be dark.

I personally liked how dark it is. It should be, the fate of ALL organic life is at stake.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on June 27, 2012, 12:14:46 PM
It makes sense why it's so dark. Absolutely.

It just feels wrong that it is, you know? Like... The Empire Strikes Back is the darkest Star Wars movie, but it's still a whole lot of fun. Mass Effect 3 doesn't have a fun bone in its body. I don't think Commander Shepard cracks a joke the whole game. :lol

Again, I'm not doubting the realism of it. It's realistic that it's so dark. But realism can sometimes hinder enjoyment, and I think it does here.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on June 27, 2012, 12:28:14 PM
There are a few fun bones! "I'm Garrus Vakarian and this is now my favourite spot on the citadel!"

I do agree, though. The vibe is very claustrophobic. Funereal - and it only mounts as the game progresses. Works for me, but I can't blame anyone who has less fun with it. Said the same up-thread - "ME2 was the high-octane excitement of a Doctor Who finale, with tangible danger built in. ME3 was bleak, nihilism through sacrifice."

There's no adrenaline in ME3. No light at the end of the tunnel. Just doom. That said, the extended endings do return a bit of joie de vivre to the universe, which I'm very happy with.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: XJDenton on June 27, 2012, 12:34:56 PM
The extended endings are definitely an improvement, though I still hate everything the starchild is and says.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on June 27, 2012, 02:11:10 PM
I took a second to reflect upon ME3 once I watched the Extended Cut last night. After thinking about it, I don't think I care that much about the content of the ending so much as its tone. Let me explain:

ME1 and ME2 were rousing adventure stories. They had a really fun tone about them that wasn't afraid to get serious in moments. Conversely, ME3 is so damn dark. The ending is ever darker. It just doesn't feel right. It's so weird. Obviously it's not rare for certain installments in a trilogy to be darker than others, but ME3 is so much darker it throws me off. It makes a lot of sense why it is - and it probably couldn't have been any other way - but it's too much for me at times. The way the series ends with somber piano in the background and the main character dying feels realistic but also incongruous.
Hmm, interesting, I mean I do find ME3 darker, but not abnormally so. I always though there were dark moments in the first two games - in fact that side of the story was part of what made me love it in the first place. And there's plenty of humour and light touches in ME3 as well, but I think the tone works really well to make it feel simply epic.

And on your last point, the "main character dying" doesn't necessarily happen. :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 27, 2012, 02:14:01 PM
But I'm not gonna play hours and hours of multiplayer JUST to have a 5000 EMS!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on June 27, 2012, 02:15:54 PM
But I'm not gonna play hours and hours of multiplayer JUST to have a 5000 EMS!
Hours and hours? I've only played multiplayer once, for maybe a couple of hours, and my % increased quite a lot. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 27, 2012, 02:17:18 PM
You % is not the one that matters for the ending, it's the EMS and you'll need to play hours and hours to level up a character to 20 and send him to the "main game" and give you war assets.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on June 27, 2012, 02:29:35 PM
You don't need it any more! Since the EC was released it's been scooched down to a more attainable 3,100.

Not to mention, you'd be surprised how quickly the readiness increases.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on June 27, 2012, 02:37:41 PM
You % is not the one that matters for the ending, it's the EMS and you'll need to play hours and hours to level up a character to 20 and send him to the "main game" and give you war assets.
Doesn't the % affect the EMS?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on June 27, 2012, 02:42:48 PM
You don't need it any more! Since the EC was released it's been scooched down to a more attainable 3,100.
Now that's more reasonable! Because even with you saving the rachni, saving the heretic geth, doing every side mission and finding every war asset on the galaxy map it only amounts to about 3500 EMS.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on June 27, 2012, 02:45:06 PM
You % is not the one that matters for the ending, it's the EMS and you'll need to play hours and hours to level up a character to 20 and send him to the "main game" and give you war assets.
Doesn't the % affect the EMS?
Effective Military Strength is war assets (single player) multiplied by readiness. (Multiplayer.) You can promote your teams from multiplayer into single player if you want to to permanently bolster your war assets across all games, but it's optional. You can do one or the other.

You don't need it any more! Since the EC was released it's been scooched down to a more attainable 3,100.
Now that's more reasonable! Because even with you saving the rachni, saving the heretic geth, doing every side mission and finding every war asset on the galaxy map it only amounts to about 3500 EMS.
Yeah - precisely! So you now get rewarded for a completionist single player run even if you haven't played multiplayer, or if you have played multiplayer you can afford to lose a couple more assets. Much better now!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Omega on June 27, 2012, 04:09:10 PM
Yesterday, I was able to play through the Extended Cut portion. I chose Synthesis again. It was, undoubtedly, a much needed improvement over the last lackluster ending. I found the added portions to be very much so emotionally satisfying. However, there is still something about the Synthesis ending for me that troubles me. I haven't been able to reflect on the Extended Cut ending for too long, so I haven't been able to put my finger on it just yet. But of two things that don't sit too well with me I'm sure:

One is that, again, the conversation with a holographic child seems to be to jarring for my taste. I would have preferred it if the space-child was removed and and exchanged with a conversation with Harbinger.

I also fancy the idea, perhaps, of instead having Shepard pass out, wake in a silent, serene, completely white area and converse with an unembodied, calm, all-knowing mind with a deep and inhuman voice (or perhaps a collective "animus" of all the souls / individuals who have existed and died through the course of the existence of the Milky Way). After the conversation, Shepard wakes and makes the final decision.

The second thing that doesn't sit too well with me is that the Synthesis ending seems to end on too-utopian a note. Supposedly, all life-forms are now enlightened and infinitely wise individuals. The Milky Way seems to have been turned into a realized heaven or afterlife. I believe I even heard EDI narrate the possibility of immortality for all life-forms now, both once-organic and once-synthetic. If so, then I have two further problems with this conclusion. One is: what further possible stories could be told in such a utopian future? If all life-forms are immortal (or at least quasi-immortal) and if all are absolutely enlightened, then I don't see how crime or further immoralities continue occurring in such a future. I can't see a possible conflict or antagonist in such a future. And second is that, if all life-forms in the Milky Way are now immortal (or quasi-immortal -- whatever that is supposed to mean), then doesn't life become rather trivial now? All life, then, would simply be able to live forever until either the Milky Way is no more or when the Universe reaches Heat Death. I'm not sure I fancy the idea of living an almost infinite life with not much semblance of purpose or meaning.

Anyway. Just some thoughts I wanted to post. Yay.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on June 27, 2012, 04:12:17 PM
You % is not the one that matters for the ending, it's the EMS and you'll need to play hours and hours to level up a character to 20 and send him to the "main game" and give you war assets.
Doesn't the % affect the EMS?
Effective Military Strength is war assets (single player) multiplied by readiness. (Multiplayer.) You can promote your teams from multiplayer into single player if you want to to permanently bolster your war assets across all games, but it's optional. You can do one or the other.
Yeah I thought so! My EMS was really high when I finished the game other than the fact that my readiness % was low as I had never played multiplayer. If I had I think around 80-90% I'd have had the amount needed for the full ending, and from my couple of hours experience I don't think it would take me long to get there.

Dimi must have just sucked at the game. :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on July 11, 2012, 01:09:47 PM
(https://blog.bioware.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Earth-DLC-Key-Art.jpg)

Oh, well look at that - lucky us.

ADEPT
Throw
Annihilation Field
Dark Channel

Meet Fiona Fury. She's an adept. She likes throwing things, long walks through annihilation fields, and evenings at home in a nice warm hoodie watching the dark channel.

SOLDIER
Multi-Frag Grenade
Missile Launcher
Devastator Mode

This is Krunk the Destroyer. He's a soldier, and while he can be a little tough on the outside, but once you get to know him he'll analyse your genitals then activate DEVASTATOR MODE.

ENGINEER
Homing Grenade
Arc Grenade
Supply Pylon

Demolition Dani reporting, and what a generous girl. What she doesn't know about conjuring grenades and ammo out of thin air isn't worth knowing.

SENTINEL
Snap Freeze
Incinerate
Energy Drain

Saladin the Paladin has a shield instead of an omni-tool, but don't be fooled. Though he might seem a bit defensive at first, he's a warm guy on the inside. And then a cold guy, and then a warm guy again, as quickly as his cooldown permits.

INFILTRATOR
Tactical Cloak
Shadow Strike
Electric Slash

Sally Shadow can sometimes be a little bit shy, but she's a sharp girl when you get to know her. If you can't feel the sparks flying, you soon will, because that means you're an enemy of the Alliance and must be impaled with prejudice.

VANGUARD
Phase Disruptor
Biotic Charge
Biotic Slash

This man has a cape.

Bring the muthalickin' noise.

Plus, new objective (escort mission); new difficulty mode (Platinum); new guns; maps in London, Rio, Vancouver... and did I mention that man has a cape?

EDIT, 23rd Nov 2012 - Most of these images have disappeared. So I have deleted them.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on July 20, 2012, 01:37:48 PM
Getting the distinct feeling I might be the only multiplayer fan here - ah well!

This might have slightly broader appeal. Extended Cut soundtrack, (https://social.bioware.com/me3ecsoundtrack.php) available for free, in lossless quality. Lovely stuff.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on October 28, 2012, 05:22:04 PM
I just finished playing Leviathan, and wanted to take a second to further rant why Mass Effect 3 is my least favorite of the series:

The combat to me is not fun. The reason why is because it plays like multiplayer combat, even in single player. It's a very defensive style of combat, especially against the Reapers, where you're popping some shots off and then running to the other side of the battle field just praying for your life. Whereas Mass Effect 1 and 2 put you in a room and said "Advance from Point A to Point B" and put you on the offensive, Mass Effect 3 puts you in open spaces and says, "Survive". I really don't like that approach. I prefer the Gears of War approach.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on October 28, 2012, 05:39:49 PM
The "Survive" aspect is much more thrilling to me, it makes you that much more determined to get through.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on October 28, 2012, 05:50:06 PM
I haven't played Leviathan (waiting on Omega to be released to go a full renegade playthrough), but I know what you mean with the combat.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on October 29, 2012, 05:36:55 AM
Oh, I don't know. There's Thessia. And you're constantly pushing forward in Sur'Kesh - up, then up, then up through the facility. And the Citadel, and London. But the main motive for improving the combat is because there wasn't much strategy in Mass Effect 2. In the developers' words, you could just pick a spot of cover near the beginning and unleash hell. They'd spent a long time on level design, but most of what they'd created would be unnecessary in any given firefight, so they started creating environments where, not only would you have to move around, but you'd have to make choices. There would be multiple ways to tackle it - a sniper could slip around the side and up the stairs, or you could linger around the start Mass Effect 2 style if you're able to deal with the grenades, so that creates at least a little movement (which they've armed you to do - see, cover roll!), or you can stomp across the battlefield with a claymore, running up to brutes and taking names. It should really be a lot more versatile than defensive. I'd say it is, anyway - Mass Effect 2 was mostly long corridors. Maybe it's just Leviathan? There are a lot of open rooms in Lev, and not much cover - thinking of the Triton platform in particular, without giving too much away to our spoiler-free friends. The, er, deserty bit is corridors to the max, mind. Always, always heading forward.

Can't change whether you find it fun or no... but have you considered slipping the difficulty down a touch? Not loads, and just for a bit to give you time to muck around with different strategies, but I'd honestly say that the current engine rewards aggression far more than any previous, and as long as you get rid of the Cannibals or Assault Troopers quickly you should be just fine in cover. Or you could try playing as a vanguard where, with Biotic Charge's shield boost, a good offence is always the very best form of defence.

That's a point, actually. Which class are you, Xanadu? Because I imagine that could make a huge difference to how the maps feel, too.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3
Post by: robwebster on October 29, 2012, 05:47:30 AM
Also! Sorry, just reading the thread through again, couldn't resist...

The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.

This must be the epitome of "be careful what you wish for!"
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on October 29, 2012, 04:47:27 PM
:lol Awesome.

But yeah, I think ME3 strikes a good balance between survival missions and A-to-B missions. I enjoy both for different reasons.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on October 29, 2012, 04:59:49 PM
Speaking of which, I have just, this minute, finally bit the bullet.

Covered my Mass Effect 3: Disc One with toothpaste, rubbed it right in, and then washed it off by dunking it in soapy water - absolutely terrified throughout. Feels wrong, doing that to a disc. Absolutely terrified, petrified that I was just making my problem worse and worse. But... it works! I've installed it to the Xbox, now, so as long as it recognises that I've put some sort of Mass Effect into some sort of drive I will never have this problem once more.

So, I can finally play single player again! I cannot wait. I'd just started an "Insanity"-difficulty run to get my final outstanding achievement when it all went kerplodey. With the new weapons, too. Joy unbound! Mass Effect 3 hasn't besmirched my loyalty in the slightest. Love it to bits. More, if anything. Beautiful, beautiful game. Beautiful trilogy. It's going to be a triumph. Bring on the insanity.



Also, fear I probably know the answer, but... anyone else still playing multiplayer? Collectors!! Turians with jetpacks!! Playable bloody volus!!!

New character tomorrow. Can't wait to find out what.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on October 29, 2012, 06:46:13 PM
Also! Sorry, just reading the thread through again, couldn't resist...

The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.

This must be the epitome of "be careful what you wish for!"

:lol

I think my original wish was for something along the lines of Tali's recruitment mission in ME2, where you can storm the battlefield to the left, center or right, and where each option has its own set of pluses and minuses. The open battlefields in ME3 are more, like I said, run for your life.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on October 29, 2012, 06:49:01 PM
Also! Sorry, just reading the thread through again, couldn't resist...

The only thing I'm going into Mass Effect 3 wanting is lots of opportunity for choice, and also maybe more open battlefields.

This must be the epitome of "be careful what you wish for!"

:lol

I think my original wish was for something along the lines of Tali's recruitment mission in ME2, where you can storm the battlefield to the left, center or right, and where each option has its own set of pluses and minuses. The open battlefields in ME3 are more, like I said, run for your life.
While truthfully I haven't even gotten to ME2, isn't the point of 3 that it's your last ditch effort to save the universe even when odds are sorely stacked against you?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on October 30, 2012, 05:54:48 AM
Hahaha - aren't they all?!

Uniting the galaxy's probably the USP. Trying to find a way for the krogans to make peace with the salarians, the geth to... well, to make peace, and to get that bloody council to finally start supporting your galaxy-saving shenanigans.

But, oh... not even Mass Effect 2? So jealous! I started ME just under a year ago, now. Feels a lifetime. All-consuming. What a universe - and so many species you've not even met yet! Get cracking, sir. Before someone lets slip who the collectors are. Because that "someone" could well turn out to be me! :X
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dark Castle on October 30, 2012, 06:00:55 AM
Once I beat Borderlands 2, Dragon's Dogma, and Dishonored I'll probably play it along with Assassin's Creed III  :P
I stopped playing ME because of school and then I just got sucked into BF3, amongst other things..
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on October 30, 2012, 09:32:10 AM
I have... aha, my own opinions on what order you should do those in, so I'll just wish you luck with them. Do report in when you can, though!

I think my original wish was for something along the lines of Tali's recruitment mission in ME2, where you can storm the battlefield to the left, center or right, and where each option has its own set of pluses and minuses. The open battlefields in ME3 are more, like I said, run for your life.
Like the tactics are determined by your enemies, rather than yourself? I can understand that. Definitely moreso than in the previous games. What's your standard setup?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 05, 2012, 12:34:20 PM
If anyone wants to play ME3 multiplayer with me on Xbox while I'm ridiculously drunk, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on November 05, 2012, 02:26:02 PM
:lol I'd have loved to, but I have it on PS3. :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 05, 2012, 02:36:07 PM
:lol I'd have loved to, but I have it on PS3. :P
You Judas.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on November 05, 2012, 02:37:46 PM
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU RICH?!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 05, 2012, 02:40:31 PM
TUCHANKA BURNS, RICH! The collectors are here and you're on PS-bloody-three!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on November 05, 2012, 02:43:29 PM
:sadpanda:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 05, 2012, 02:56:04 PM
It's fine. I'll explain to the krogan chiefs. I'll tell them, Rich wanted to help your species, but sadly he invested in the wrong technology and now your planet is doomed. I'm sure they'll understand.

Incidentally... N7 day is Nov 7th. That's in two days. Less than, in fact, I believe. I have no idea what they've got planned, but they surpassed my expectations for Halloween, so I basically cannot wait.

This is already my wallpaper. (https://masseffect.bioware.com/community/n7day/) Bring it on!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 23, 2012, 02:24:13 PM
RIGHT! Operation Privateer, this weekend. Already active.

Squad goal: Deal x-thousand points of damage to shielded enemies.
Allied goal: Extract x-thousand times with batarians, vorcha or turians.

One last time. I am drunk and I want to save the universe on the Xbox 360. Who the devil is with me?!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on November 23, 2012, 02:33:33 PM
Who else is excited for the Omega DLC?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on November 23, 2012, 02:41:08 PM
Who else is excited for the Omega DLC?
*raises hand*
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 23, 2012, 02:42:18 PM
Yes! Me! Very!

I've put MS points on my Xbox in preparation. And bought the Alternate Appearance Pack 1 with what's left over.

I don't know if people are aware of this, but as far as companions go... Not only is one of them Aria, but the other one - finally! A female turian!! Nyreen something. Head of the Talon mercs. Three games, told they're an equal opportunity society... how have we not met one yet?! Gonna be so cool.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on November 23, 2012, 03:07:36 PM
When is it coming out? I hope it's not December 4th!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on November 23, 2012, 04:23:45 PM
Tuesday! Not December 4th. Nov 27th, I think?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on January 20, 2013, 08:44:46 AM
 :flame: (https://i.imgur.com/MwRZs0v.gif)

Edit: Take that you.....giant!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on January 20, 2013, 08:52:55 AM
Don't remind me, that boss was probably worse or on the same level as the Deus Ex HR bosses.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on January 20, 2013, 08:59:59 AM
Ok. Fixed! I have not reached the end of neither MF3 or DE:ER!  :blush
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on January 20, 2013, 09:31:23 AM
How dare you do anything else before finishing Deus Ex...!!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on January 20, 2013, 09:41:39 AM
I started Deus Ex, but I couldn't continue after the first boss battle because: 1) HOLY SHIT WAS THAT A HORRIBLE BOSS BATTLE and 2) The controls are just god-awful on consoles, whoever mapped them should be kill and whoever came up with the idea of not letting me mapped them to my liking should be hanged, drawn and quartered.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on January 20, 2013, 09:47:31 AM
How dare you do anything else before finishing Deus Ex...!!!!
I even uninstalled it....
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 09, 2013, 08:45:21 AM
Question: Do you guys know if it's possible to get all squadmates' loyalty in ME2 without importing a character from ME1?
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 09, 2013, 08:52:29 AM
Question: Do you guys know if it's possible to get all squadmates' loyalty in ME2 without importing a character from ME1?
Of course it's possible! I did it with my third Shepard.

If you do Miranda's and Jack's loyalty mission early, it doesn't matter if you can't get them to calm down because later on you can get Jack's loyalty back through a conversation. But go either full paragon or renegade so you can be sure of not losing Legion's or Tali's.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 09, 2013, 08:57:15 AM
In fact, loyalty is determined solely by your actions within ME2. First game doesn't come into it. You'll be fine!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 09, 2013, 09:04:46 AM
Question: Do you guys know if it's possible to get all squadmates' loyalty in ME2 without importing a character from ME1?
Of course it's possible! I did it with my third Shepard.

If you do Miranda's and Jack's loyalty mission early, it doesn't matter if you can't get them to calm down because later on you can get Jack's loyalty back through a conversation. But go either full paragon or renegade so you can be sure of not losing Legion's or Tali's.

Interesting! I might get Jack's out of the way early then so I can regain her trust later. Thanks!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 09, 2013, 09:07:13 AM
Also, while the thread's active, new DLC teasers within the last couple of weeks...

(https://i45.tinypic.com/2n9hqqg.jpg)

(https://i45.tinypic.com/28u0hgz.jpg)

I think I'm the only one who plays the multiplayer, here, so the first one's probably of more interest to most of you, seeing as the second's very distinctly set on Firebase Goddess. I'm very excited about both, though. Probable release somewhen around March 4th, to mark a year of Mass Effect 3, although people are speculating the multiplayer DLC might be released as soon as Feb. 18th.

One notable krogan in each picture, I'll point out.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 09, 2013, 09:17:22 AM
Rob - I'll be buying a wireless range extender next month that will let me use XBox Live. We should play sometime!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 09, 2013, 09:22:59 AM
I am 100% down with this! Them reapers are gonna rue the day.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 09, 2013, 09:27:29 AM
I'm trying to get money to buy the Omega DLC and play through the game again with all the DLC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: gm5k on February 09, 2013, 12:27:33 PM
Also, while the thread's active, new DLC teasers within the last couple of weeks...


I'd consider going through Mass Effect 3 again if they added a good hub to the game in a DLC.  The Citadel just wasn't enough IMO.  Quite expansive, but so little actual substance.  I need my relaxation and fun time in the ME galaxy even if the Reapers are breathing down my neck  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 09, 2013, 02:39:00 PM
I just spent an hour getting ME2 started. I'm excited to run through it again, although I wouldn't surprised if it takes me until July!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 09, 2013, 04:30:07 PM
I've just this week started a new ME2, too. Engineer. Bloody loving it. Absolutely magical game. I think it is my favourite in the trilogy. Just beats 3 by a hair - gameplay's not as good, but the feel is stupendous. Other two games are very black and white, big damn heroes taking out big bastard villains. Mass Effect 2, you're fighting alongside a bunch of renegades. Striding across the Terminus systems with a human-centric terrorist group recruiting a team of thieves, convicts, mercenaries... even the doctor's been known to kill people without a moment's thought, string their bodies up outside his clinic as a warning, and is rumoured to have committed war crimes. Tali's basically the only companion you can trust to the hilt. But then bad is not evil, even Cerberus isn't evil, and all these characters have great reasons for being the way they are, most of them turn out to be absolutely lovely to boot... it's such a cool bit of story telling.

Zaeed's voice actor died just this week, so I've decided I'm using him as much as possible in this run. Really cool character.

ETA: An emoticon got into that post and I have no idea how. Delete!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 10, 2013, 10:23:49 AM
Mass Effect 2 is definitely my favorite. The first game is really hard to play now because the gameplay is so bad, and the third game just feels wrong to me. The whole tone of the thing and the ending are very out of place.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: wkiml on February 11, 2013, 09:22:09 AM
not a gamer but my kids are now...question for you guys

Back when I played games on the original playstation and even the PS2...some games were near impossible to beat, now my kids buy a game and within hours have it beat (MS3 my 13 year old got it Tuesday night, by Wednesday about 7 hours of game play, he had beat the game) are all the games becoming that easy and are they really just being built for on-line/multiplayer gameplay now.


 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 11, 2013, 11:56:21 AM
Games are easier now, yes, but your 13-year old really beat ME3 in 7 hours?! I find that very hard to believe.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 11, 2013, 12:25:05 PM
Maybe if he ran only the main quest line without any of the extra stuff or getting military readiness, etc.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: wkiml on February 11, 2013, 12:27:26 PM
Games are easier now, yes, but your 13-year old really beat ME3 in 7 hours?! I find that very hard to believe.

ME3 is the newest one? right?  this is typical of any game he or his brother(16)  buy ( Halo Series/Call of Duty/Borderlands/Assasins creed these are the ones of the top of my head) all of which they claim to have beaten in a day or two.

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: wkiml on February 11, 2013, 12:27:55 PM
Maybe if he ran only the main quest line without any of the extra stuff or getting military readiness, etc.

this may very well be the case
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 11, 2013, 12:35:01 PM
I guess that can be the case if they only played the main quest, but in a game like ME3/Borderlands/Assassin's Creed they are really doing themselves a disservice by doing that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: gm5k on February 11, 2013, 12:41:10 PM
I guess that can be the case if they only played the main quest, but in a game like ME3/Borderlands/Assassin's Creed they are really doing themselves a disservice by doing that.

Even just doing the main quest, no way one could finish ME3 in 7 hours.  I suppose if it was played on the "narrative" setting with all dialogue skipped?  Still seems incredibly tough.

Edit: Well I stand corrected  :lol https://forum.speeddemosarchive.com/post/mass_effect_3_speedrun_..html

"So... =p  Decided to make a speed run of the game, to see how fast I could complete it.
None Stop, 6:38 hours to complete it.
5 Hours of Gameplay
1:38 Hours of Non-Skipable Dialog.
Class: Adept. Difficulty: Insanity Mode: Roleplay
Death around 20, Mostly during Boss Fights"

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: wkiml on February 11, 2013, 12:45:36 PM
they do go back to the games and play additional quests ( again your talking too someone who hasn't played since the original Tomb Raider) plus all the on-line content

but it just seems to me ( again I'm refer back to the early 90's ) I would spend day's on a single level, now they just seem to be able to breeze through these games

Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: ariich on February 11, 2013, 01:03:02 PM
Those old games were ridiculously hard though, and most people can't be bothered with that. I want games to last for a long time because they are fun and there's enough content to warrant it (which happens - ME3 lasted maybe 30 hours for me, Skyrim and Oblivion I played for 70-80 hours). The old games took ages because you kept dying over and over again.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on February 11, 2013, 01:27:27 PM
New games aren't punishing the players so harshly for making mistakes among other things. Which has it's good and bad sides. Sadly, mostly bad, because some genres turn into really small niches (from publisher POV). They want big investment- bigger profit. Which is why 2012 was so big for old-school/hardcore games on Kickstarter.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 21, 2013, 05:37:31 PM
New DLCs announced!

(https://i46.tinypic.com/oqkpll.jpg)

SINGLE PLAYER: Citadel. Wrex and Miranda are back, apparently as squadmates. Many other friends from ME1 and 2 will be joining you, too.



(https://i49.tinypic.com/69na5v.jpg)

MULTI PLAYER: Playable geth primes. Playable geth primes. You can kill reapers and defend the universe, as a geth prime. All right, geth juggernaut, but still.



This is all anyone needs to know about either DLC. Both will be amazing. Citadel is so big that it comes as a two-part download.  Reckoning contains female turians, EDI-style infiltration mechs, and did I mention the playable geth primes?

Multiplayer released this tuesday, single player released first tuesday of March. I know what I'm doing on tuesday. And the following tuesday. And all the days between. And the days leading up to this tuesday, because I'll need credits to unlock playable geth primes!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 21, 2013, 05:43:16 PM
Wow. Unfortunately my hard drive is about full, so I'm going to have to delete some stuff off it to get these goodies!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 21, 2013, 05:52:35 PM
They're not goodies. They're playable geth primes.

But, yes. Likewise.

Actually, I've got a feeling that it's going to be the single player DLC I'm going to fall properly in love with. They've got all the writers on board, this time - the bloke who wrote the Tuchanka mission, in particular, I think it's his first DLC. Pulled out all the stops. But if I'm going to be excited, I'm going to be excited in chronological order.

And I'm going to start by sorting this avatar out.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on February 22, 2013, 11:48:34 AM
New DLCs announced!

(https://i46.tinypic.com/oqkpll.jpg)

SINGLE PLAYER: Citadel. Wrex and Miranda are back, apparently as squadmates. Many other friends from ME1 and 2 will be joining you, too.

Bolded for: THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWS OF ALL TIME!!!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 23, 2013, 07:40:09 PM
I agree, but emphasis: apparently. The press release says, specifically, "Uncover the truth and fight alongside your squad – as well as the cast from the original Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2." That sounds like you're fighting alongside them in the same way you fight alongside your squad, but it could potentially mean a hundred different things. You could argue you "fight alongside" Wrex and Mordin on Sur'Kesh. I don't think that's the case, I'd instinctively say they mean as squadmates, especially given the picture of Wrex and Miranda interspersed among your modern day squadmates, but... there's nothing out there that specifically says, "Wrex will be in your Mass Effect 3 squad," so, pinch of salt!

I hope he is, though. It feels wrong that ME3's the only game not to feature a krogan squadmate, it feels wrong that the series' signature krogan is only a companion for the first act, and it's a shame that Wrex is the only ME character you can't take with you for the final act. It's almost like he was demoted. This would correct all of these things.

The DLC becomes available after the Citadel invasion, for the record, so characters who've already had their endings by the end of the invasion are unlikely to return. This means Thane's almost certainly not there, and I doubt we'll be seeing much Mordin, either. Still pretty completionist, though - Zaeed's back, for instance! If they were going to brush over anyone, you might think they'd brush over a free download DLC companion like Zaeed, but no! Not the case. This DLC's one of the last roles his voice actor recorded before he died, this month, in fact. Very cool bloke. He'll be missed, and I can't wait to meet him again in March.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: gm5k on February 23, 2013, 11:39:45 PM
I'll be very surprised if Bioware makes it so you take any of these "new" squadmates with you on missions outside of anything but the DLC mission.  Too much rewriting and resources needed.  Definitely wish I was wrong here.  Would love to have Miranda with me on some of the missions.  A sentinel I actually like  :biggrin:  However with Wrex and Miranda there in the promo pic, I'm sure they'll be available as squadmates for the DLC itself.  That would just be cruel if they weren't  :lol

And oh how much better ME3 would have been for me if Samara was along for the ride  :-[

I think this will be the only DLC I get for ME3 besides "From Ashes" and will finally be done with the trilogy.  Very much look forward to what Bioware did with this last one.  They really made ME3 rough on us ME2 lovers character wise.  Here's a chance to right that to some extent. 
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 24, 2013, 06:09:54 AM
Oh, yeah, I'm not suggesting you'd be able to take them to Rannoch or anything! Undoubtedly, it'd be more in the Aria T'Loak, Nyreen Kandros kind of vein. But yes, it seems very likely that they'd be on the team. ME3 needs a krogan in it.

Speaking of, ME3's building up a healthy roster of companions, now. I still want a batarian companion, though. One day!

Actually, my wishlist for the next game's companions are that, and a volus. I imagine it'd be very tricky what with camera angles in cut scenes, but I've loved playing as a volus for the last four months. Volus vanguard's become one of my favourite characters. And I'd love to be sent to recruit a new squadmate, armed and highly dangerous, one of the highest earning mercenaries in the Terminus systems... and it's a tiny little volus.

I also have a more detailed idea about that batarian, but I'm going to stop before I get carried away. Either way - these are the things I dream about. God help me.

I think I am a full-blooded fan, now. You know those "recommended reads" bits you get in book shops? One of the staff had put some Mass Effect books there. I snapped them up instantly. Turns out all you have to do is put the ME logo on it and I'll buy pretty much anything! Not that that's a bad thing - here's hoping they're an ace pair of reads! But, crikey. I have become a proper, card-carrying fan. Feels good!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on February 24, 2013, 08:17:14 AM
About to get to Horizon in ME2. What an amazing game. A couple of notes about it:

1. ME2 has easily the best look of any ME game. I'm not just talking about graphics; I'm talking about stupid little things that no one but me cares about. I like how the overlays are tiny, how the font is small, and how the screen feels totally uncluttered, which is not the case in ME or ME3. I love how neatly the Journal is laid out, with main quests and sub-quests divided to their own pages, unlike in ME3.

2. ME2's level design is actually really good most of the time. Each quest I've completed so far has featured fairly open battlefields with multiple areas to take cover and usually there are also high ground areas if you want to snipe. I think it's only later in the game, like in the geth ship, where you find those super narrow, restricting areas that people complain about (myself included).

3. Ratings for recruitment missions:

Mordin - 9/10
Garrus - 10
Grunt - 9
Jack - 9
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 24, 2013, 08:41:17 AM
2. ME2's level design is actually really good most of the time. Each quest I've completed so far has featured fairly open battlefields with multiple areas to take cover and usually there are also high ground areas if you want to snipe. I think it's only later in the game, like in the geth ship, where you find those super narrow, restricting areas that people complain about (myself included).
The post-Horizon missions, I find, suffer from a spot of Illiumitis. It's beautiful as a hub, but... a lot of indistinct missions, and they all suddenly open at once. A lot of long bridges and Eclipse mercenaries. I always get a little lost trying to remember how Samara's and Thane's recruit missions go. Is it Thane's with the windy bridge?

Journal - yes, big time. The Mass Effect 3 journal is one of the game's biggest failings. Which probably says more about how much I love the game than the quality of the journal - but the amount of Googling! Struggle to argue with your ME2 recruit mission ratings, either. I loved going back to Mordin's lab in Omega.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 24, 2013, 09:49:07 PM
Potential spoilers for multiplayer. This leaked an hour or so ago. It's not confirmed real, not confirmed fake, but it looks... very plausible.

The five characters who've been officially confirmed are the Geth Juggernaut Soldier, Talon Mercenary Engineer, Krogan Warlord Sentinel, Alliance Synthetic Infiltrator, and the Turian Cabal Vanguard. But the press release suggested there'd be more... and that is not your average adept. (https://i48.tinypic.com/2mnf11k.jpg)
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on February 28, 2013, 05:55:07 PM
To confirm, all the characters are amazing. Except the Talon Merc, who's a bit iffy, but I've only used him once, for three waves, so who knows?

Weapons - a lot of the ones that have come across from single player have lost a little something along the way. And the others are ultra-rare so I haven't unlocked them yet. Some are reportedly both.  The Blood Pack Executioner remains amazing, however, and it's my favourite single player weapon, so... hey!

Still not had as much time on it as I'd like to. I'm loving the Turian Cabal. Chargeless vanguard - phwoar. Taken a few different builds, but she's ace. And there is nothing more fun than playing the Juggernaut or the Warlord. They nigh-on trivialise silver. The Juggernaut, in particular, has an ability that lets him immobilise a humanoid enemy entirely, while sapping their health and barriers and using them to replenish his shields. This, on phantoms, is SO therapeutic. Banshees can't do much to you either. Weaknesses are exposed on gold, where he's quite well-balanced, but it's insane on silver. So much fun.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on March 04, 2013, 12:02:56 PM
https://www.ign.com/videos/2013/03/04/mass-effect-3-citadel-dlc-trailer

So many feels!
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: abydos on March 04, 2013, 10:23:09 PM
I still haven't finished my ME1, ME2 and ME3 second playthroughs. Will wait for ME3 all dlc bundle for 5$ or sth like that around some of the holidays.
I really hope this Citadel DLC is better than its trailer. Too much cheese in it for my tastes. Looked more like a reimagining of The Expendables than Mass Effect.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 16, 2013, 07:05:27 PM
I can't even begin to describe how much I loved that DLC. It was basically just four hours of hanging out with the characters, listening to a ton of inside jokes, and saying goodbye to the original trilogy.

It's kind of incredible actually. I was more excited to talk to Wrex and Garrus at a virtual party than I was to talk to people at the last party I went to in real life. :lol

The DLC also re-enforced my dislike of ME3's ending and the game's tone as a whole. Mass Effect to me was always about enjoying the universe and developing relationships with characters. It also had a lot of humor and fun at heart. ME3 is mostly devoid of that humor and fun, and Shepard's death at the end eliminates any sense of closure with the characters I love.

I wish BioWare didn't go the dark route like they did, but I am so grateful they made this genius DLC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on March 16, 2013, 10:32:14 PM
Honestly, since finishing it, I did at one point think, "Well, that's TheOutlawXanadu's tone thing sorted."

Glad to hear you liked it. It's a really cool DLC.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on May 06, 2013, 06:27:11 PM
Three things with ME3 that bug the hell out of me. First i should mention that i played ME1 and ME2 into oblivion, i loved those games so of course i had to get ME3.

So here you go:
1. I can't stand the fact that you can't holster your weapon anymore. No joke!
2. No official controller support for PC.
3. Well yea the running animation..... :facepalm:

YES THE MAY SEEM LIKE STUPID THINGS TO YOU BUT....it's my third time trying to finish the game without a mental meltdown.

The funny thing is that i usually don't care to much about trivial changes in sequels unless the game suffers from it but this....i just can't ignore them, i tried...trust me i have!

I guess i'm a weirdo!  :sadpanda:
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: Dimitrius on May 06, 2013, 06:55:36 PM
Those are some pretty dumb things bro. :lol

Especially the running animation one, it's been basically the same for all 3 games and if you played the first two, i don't understand how NOW it's bothersome.
Title: Re: Mass Effect 3 (merged)
Post by: robwebster on May 07, 2013, 11:06:36 AM
Never noticed anything weird about the running animation, but even if your character flailed their arms around and whooped, it'd still be better than the first two games simply for the fact you can keep running indefinitely.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 13, 2017, 03:31:27 AM
Decided to merge the old threads for ME 2 & 3 into a single merged thread. The 22 pages shows how this series deserves its own thread separate from the general video games one!

Seeing all the promo material for Andromeda has made me really excited, but I'm not sure about buying it on release, mainly because I don't have a PS4 yet and on PC I normally like to wait for a bit to see if there are any bugs/problems I should wait out. Haven't decided yet!

All the excitement did make me want to play the original trilogy again, so I started it this weekend. I'm only a couple of hours in and already I'm remembering why I love the series so much. The story and characters are so great and what they created is so rich and enjoyable.

EDIT: I also never experienced any of the ME3 DLC (including the expanded ending) so I'm really looking forward to getting into that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 13, 2017, 07:36:26 AM
I absolutely can not wait for Andromeda.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 13, 2017, 01:40:52 PM
EDIT: I also never experienced any of the ME3 DLC (including the expanded ending) so I'm really looking forward to getting into that.

Please share your thoughts after playing the Citadel DLC. It's really some of the best fan service I've ever seen! :metal

I'm extremely excited for Andromeda. I've actually booked a couple days off work so that I can get a solid 10 - 20 hours in during release week (as well as play some rec league basketball/tennis - I'm not a complete bum). I actually have a lot of thoughts on the lead up to its release, which has been somewhat controversial due to a wave of internet trolls. :lol

Anyhow, very pumped for next Tuesday.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 13, 2017, 02:09:59 PM
EDIT: I also never experienced any of the ME3 DLC (including the expanded ending) so I'm really looking forward to getting into that.

Please share your thoughts after playing the Citadel DLC. It's really some of the best fan service I've ever seen! :metal
It'll be a while yet, but I certainly will do once I get there!

Quote
I'm extremely excited for Andromeda. I've actually booked a couple days off work so that I can get a solid 10 - 20 hours in during release week (as well as play some rec league basketball/tennis - I'm not a complete bum). I actually have a lot of thoughts on the lead up to its release, which has been somewhat controversial due to a wave of internet trolls. :lol
Haven't seen any of that, thankfully. :lol

Main question I have at this stage is whether this game will be part of a new series/trilogy, completely standalone, or somewhere in between like Bioware do with the Dragon Age games. I think I'd dig something like the latter.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on March 13, 2017, 02:43:33 PM
Did not realize, that there was a Mass Effect thread in the general discussion section!

Anyway, super excited for Andromeda! I don't play many games anymore, but i'm going to sink so many hours into this!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 14, 2017, 10:19:09 AM
Me too! Preorderd and paid off my copy already. One more week!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on March 14, 2017, 03:18:17 PM
Ok, since I skipped PS3 altogether, I've never played ME.  However, I will be getting ME:A.  Hopefully the first 3 installments will be remastered for PS4.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 14, 2017, 03:24:11 PM
Hopefully the first 3 installments will be remastered for PS4.
Seems like a real no-brainer. EA are notoriously money-grabbing, so I can't see any downside for anyone.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 15, 2017, 06:23:04 AM
At some point over the last couple of days, reviewers started posting streams of the first couple of hours of the game. I watched one of the streams last night and the game looks amazing. I'm really excited now!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on March 15, 2017, 06:32:46 AM
I'm really happy it's getting so much positive feedback but there is no way I'm spoiling anything for myself. I am SO damn excited for this! :metal
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 15, 2017, 07:26:09 AM
I'm really happy it's getting so much positive feedback but there is no way I'm spoiling anything for myself. I am SO damn excited for this! :metal
It's an interesting dilemma. The thing I'm most interested in is story/narrative/characters, which are what made the original trilogy so great. So I kinda want to know about that, but I also don't want to see any spoilers!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on March 16, 2017, 08:13:51 AM
I'm really happy it's getting so much positive feedback but there is no way I'm spoiling anything for myself. I am SO damn excited for this! :metal
It's an interesting dilemma. The thing I'm most interested in is story/narrative/characters, which are what made the original trilogy so great. So I kinda want to know about that, but I also don't want to see any spoilers!
Don't do it! It's way more fun finding out about that stuff for yourself. :biggrin:
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 16, 2017, 11:18:46 AM
I'm really happy it's getting so much positive feedback but there is no way I'm spoiling anything for myself. I am SO damn excited for this! :metal
It's an interesting dilemma. The thing I'm most interested in is story/narrative/characters, which are what made the original trilogy so great. So I kinda want to know about that, but I also don't want to see any spoilers!
Don't do it! It's way more fun finding out about that stuff for yourself. :biggrin:
Well I meant I want to know what it's like, whether it's any good, etc. without the specifics that would spoil anything.

I dunno, I want to replay the original trilogy first anyway, so that'll probably take me a few weeks. Then I'll need to decide whether I want to just go ahead and get it on PC (got a good graphics card but processor is getting a bit old now and can't cope with some of the busier new games), or wait until I get a PS4.

TOO HARD TO DECIDE
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on March 16, 2017, 01:22:27 PM
I played Uncharted 4 first and then went back to play the remastered trilogy.  There were a few spoilers but nothing significant.  It was actually fun to go back and see how everything came together and why they did certain things in the 4th game.  For me, the gameplay is way more important than the story anyway.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TioJorge on March 16, 2017, 02:22:24 PM
I'm gonna have to finally play these games. Been watching just regular gameplay and no story elements of it and it looks amazingly fun and immersive. I loved what I played of the first but took a break from games for a while and now that I'm back with a vengeance, I think I'll have to play the series.

I'll want to play them even if it's not required but does anyone know if this is heavily linked to the past games or is this kind of a reboot type situation?
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 16, 2017, 03:21:34 PM
It's more of a reboot-type situation. No knowledge of prior games required. :tup
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 16, 2017, 03:34:42 PM
It's more of a reboot-type situation. No knowledge of prior games required. :tup
From what I've heard there'll be odd references, but yeah otherwise this is a new story. The original trilogy was very much like a movie trilogy - essentially a single story in three parts.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: abydos on March 17, 2017, 12:45:23 AM
From the trailers I"ve seen and the reviews I've read this looks like a disaster.

https://www.pcgamer.com/the-internet-is-brutally-mocking-mass-effect-andromedas-animations

 :lol :rollin :lol :facepalm:
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 17, 2017, 04:11:06 AM
The original games got mocked for some of the facial animations and moments of dialogue, so I'm not worried about that unless they turn out to be prevalent throughout the game.

As for bugs, I find them really annoying but it also seems to be standard for new games these days. It's one of the reasons I pretty much never buy new games on release and wait a bit for bugs to be ironed out.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on March 17, 2017, 04:19:08 AM
Yeah, not sure why that qualifies it as a "disaster". Horizon Zero Dawn had huge problems with lip synching and some minor problems with facial animations as well, but nobody chose to focus on that so why Mass Effect gets so much shit for it is beyond me.

I'm still sure it's going to be fine game. :)
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on March 17, 2017, 05:10:16 AM
I think Bioware could have waited a couple of months, and fix the issues with the animations etc...

I wouldn't have minded to wait a little longer.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 17, 2017, 07:42:02 AM
Yeah, not sure why that qualifies it as a "disaster". Horizon Zero Dawn had huge problems with lip synching and some minor problems with facial animations as well, but nobody chose to focus on that so why Mass Effect gets so much shit for it is beyond me.
Well, in fairness "disaster" was Abydos's word - as far as I can tell the article and the tweets etc it quotes are more mockery, which is fair game!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 17, 2017, 07:43:42 AM
I think Bioware could have waited a couple of months, and fix the issues with the animations etc...

I wouldn't have minded to wait a little longer.
Yeah unfortunately this seems to be the norm now. We discussed this a little while ago in the video games thread, but it's probably because 1. games are that much more complex now, making it easier for bugs/errors to creep in, and 2. online connectivity makes it so easy to release updates/patches that there's less need to get it exactly right first time.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TioJorge on March 17, 2017, 08:40:03 AM
Those are hilarious and yeah if you want to get super serious and straight faced about it, acting like we're talking about a serious issue and not about a friggin' video game, it's embarassing for the company and should be something the devs ironed out a long while back and/or someone should have piped up and said "hey this shits weird y'all". Overall though if someone feels like this is a game ruining thing...to each their own, but that's pretty silly. If anything it adds an unintentional aspect of comedy.

Now if the glitches and bad animations affect gameplay then it's a totally different story. But other than a few serious story moments being made slightly comedic, I can't see why this should ruin the game in any fashion.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on March 17, 2017, 11:29:05 AM
Yeah, the lip sync thing is somewhat annoying but definitely not a game breaker.  Look at FFX.  That game had serious issues with dialogue and video matching and yet it's one of the best RPG's of all time.

They've come a long way since then.  I've seen some issues in Horizon Zero Dawn but most of it is tits on.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 17, 2017, 03:11:15 PM
Now if the glitches and bad animations affect gameplay then it's a totally different story. But other than a few serious story moments being made slightly comedic, I can't see why this should ruin the game in any fashion.
For me, the vibe would also be ruined if those glitches are really pervasive throughout the game, even if they don't affect gameplay. I'm really big on story/narrative, and I think that would be jarring.

But if it's just occasional then I'm not fussed, I feel like that happens in most games in my experience.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: abydos on March 17, 2017, 03:19:56 PM
PewDiePie's video on this is pretty hilarious as well. At least now we know that if the game is not great it will at least be so bad that it will be good :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 19, 2017, 10:55:12 AM
I'd forgotten how much of Mass Effect 1 you spend standing in elevators. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on March 20, 2017, 01:42:34 AM
Sadly, it looks like Andromeda is getting lambasted by reviewers across the board..

What i've heard is that the writing is inconsistant, and the story is disappointing. The latter is sad news to me, since the original trilogy was not only the best story driven video game experience ever, but also one of the best Sci-Fi stories ever period!

I honestly didn't mind the problems with the animations all that much, i only wanted the story to live up to the originals.

My excitement has taken a bit of a hit after this..
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: soupytwist on March 20, 2017, 03:19:00 AM
The biggest thing I've taken from the the review and early beta testers is you no longer control your squad mates in a proper way like the old ME games, and the AI isn't great so they often do stupid things.

Yeah this look like the first real letdown of the year.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 20, 2017, 06:10:19 AM
I think that the reviews have helped temper my expectations. Instead of a game that I will fall in love with and replay many times in the years to come, I am instead anticipating a game that I will "merely" enjoy. If I end up loving it, perfect, but I won't be disheartened if that's not the case. :corn
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on March 20, 2017, 09:11:43 AM
Reviewers and critics are full O' shit.  Don't pay attention.  Never "expect" good or bad.  Play the game and decide for yourself if you like it or not.  I'm looking forward to this game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 20, 2017, 09:33:34 AM
I think that the reviews have helped temper my expectations. Instead of a game that I will fall in love with and replay many times in the years to come, I am instead anticipating a game that I will "merely" enjoy. If I end up loving it, perfect, but I won't be disheartened if that's not the case. :corn

That's where I'm at. It was always going to be a nearly impossible task to better the original trilogy, specifically the first game which is my favorite game of all time. 2 & 3 were good but still didn't touch the awesomeness of the original. The biggest concern for me is the negativity around the characters and dialogue. BioWare has owned this aspect in their past games and it seems that the quality is not what it once was. I was really disappointed by Dragon Age Inquisition. The technical issues don't bother me as much because that seems to be a common trend today and will resolve it self with patches.

Part of me wonders how much of these issues are really issues or if the reviewers are just comparing the characters, story, etc. the original trilogy. It sounds like the game is still fun and the story is good, just not great. Either way I'm still excited to play it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 20, 2017, 02:03:44 PM
My understanding was that reviews were only based on the first few hours? So any comment on gameplay, animation etc. is fair play but I can't see how they'd be able to comment on the story. Or am I misremembering?
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 20, 2017, 02:07:55 PM
Some of the reviews I read sounded like they completed the game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 20, 2017, 02:11:48 PM
Some of the reviews I read sounded like they completed the game.
Ah ok. Could be there are some more recent ones that are more complete, perhaps. I'm sure there was something about the early reviews being only on the opening few hours.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 20, 2017, 03:08:54 PM
Man, I had really high hopes for this.  :sad:

Well, I guess I will wait for it to drop in price a little before picking it up, but I am definitely still going to try and play through it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 21, 2017, 11:52:12 AM
I will be playing tonight so I'll share some first impressions tomorrow. Despite the lackluster reviews I'm still really looking forward to this!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 21, 2017, 01:57:43 PM
I will be playing tonight so I'll share some first impressions tomorrow. Despite the lackluster reviews I'm still really looking forward to this!
I'll be more interested to hear full impressions once you've made significant headway into the game, but first impressions are cool too. :P
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 21, 2017, 02:32:07 PM
While I've seen many people disagree with this, the general consensus, at least among the reviews I've read, is that the first five or so hours of the game are really slow. Just a head's up in case you start to feel discouraged after the first couple of missions. I've actually watched the first couple of hours online, and they looked awesome to me, but I think it's worth mentioning.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on March 22, 2017, 04:18:54 AM
Of the "proper" reviews I've read, the consensus seems to be that while it doesn't live up to the trilogy, it's still a really good game.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 22, 2017, 06:35:22 AM
So I started playing last night but I only had about an hour with the game. I'll start by saying that the Mass Effect trilogy is my favorite game series ever and the original is my favorite game ever. That being said after an hour or so of playing the game, creating my character, and reading through the Codex one word can sum up my feelings: Disappointed. The character creation is easily the worst of the four games and compared to Dragon Age Inquisition is a HUGE step backwards. The eyes of the models are cross and just don't look right. It blows my mind that they spent so long on this game and no one said: " Hey these characters look like total shit". My second biggest gripe is that the codex is not narrated. This is a minor issue overall but after about 20 minutes of reading small font I was about ready to fall asleep (which is ultimately what happened). After landing on the first planet (maybe 20-30 minutes of game time) I had to turn it off. By that time I was so put off by the character creation and my character that I had a hard time just focusing on the story since I kept thinking about how they made a next gen game feel more out dated than the original that came out a decade later.

Long story short, I'm sure this is going to be a good game for what it is and I have now decided to approach this game differently than the original series. In the original series I was meticulous with my character creation and really focused on the choices that I would really make in that situation. So I made the Shepard character me. I'm not going to do that with Andromeda. I'm going to start over and use the default character (haven't decided if I'm going to play as Jack or Sarah but I didn't love the Jack voice actor much) and just focusing on enjoying this game for what it is. A game that takes place in the same Mass Effect universe but that is ultimately a completely different game. I have accepted the fact that Andromeda is a step backward compared to the original and am going to try my best to focus on this game by itself going forward. I think that the reviews were spot on so far but I can tell it's going to be a good not great game and that something is just off or missing that made the original so special.

All that being said, I'm still looking forward to playing now that I have tampered my expectations and to just go along for the ride.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 22, 2017, 07:10:24 AM
Eh, I've always gone with the default character appearance (with maybe minor tweaks) and honestly I found the narrated codex bloody irritating as I wanted to read on but the narration got in the way and couldn't be turned off.

So I get why these sorts of things might bother others who really liked those specific elements, but the former doesn't bother me and the latter actually seems like an improvement. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on March 22, 2017, 07:13:07 AM
Eh, I've always gone with the default character appearance (with maybe minor tweaks) and honestly I found the narrated codex bloody irritating as I wanted to read on but the narration got in the way and couldn't be turned off.

So I get why these sorts of things might bother others who really liked those specific elements, but the former doesn't bother me and the latter actually seems like an improvement. :lol
Exactly this, I get impatient with the narrated codecs and then I try to read it myself, which is hard to do at the same time. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 22, 2017, 07:27:21 AM
Now that you mention it I do remember times wishing the guy would read faster but I still prefer it over reading tiny font.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 22, 2017, 10:54:14 AM
I started playing last night too. Maybe Kaos and I can get a running diary going. :lol

I really enjoyed my first three hours. I don't want to give too many specifics because I think that putting my thoughts in writing will make it harder for me to budge on them if something changes, but at a minimum, the game feels like Mass Effect. :tup

That said, if graphics and technical performance are of the utmost importance to you, do NOT buy this game. Some of the low importance characters that I spoke to while I was doing side missions look like something out of Knights of the Old Republic. :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 22, 2017, 02:23:43 PM
Its already down to $32 dollars on amazon. I might just pick it up and get it over with

(https://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x459/phoenix87x/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-22%20at%204.21.47%20PM_zpsg1g1fpgx.png) (https://s1182.photobucket.com/user/phoenix87x/media/Screen%20Shot%202017-03-22%20at%204.21.47%20PM_zpsg1g1fpgx.png.html)
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TioJorge on March 22, 2017, 10:12:30 PM
Yeahhh... totally renegging on my previous statement of not caring about aesthetics unless they interfere with gameplay. That shit is fucking horrible. Takes you out of the experience every single time. I played a few hours at my friends and it was fun, no doubt, but holy hell...that is truly wretched. Like...I really question how people looked at this and either said "Yeah this is fine" or "it's not bad enough to fix". I'm not gonna buy it...I can't deal with it. I mean can that even be patched out? That is a HUGE fix...I know they commented that it won't be fixed in any initial patches but that kind of sounds like they won't be at all and are just pussyfooting around saying it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: abydos on March 23, 2017, 01:59:17 AM
I guess depending on the severity of the problems, it might be patched if it's a bug but if many of the animation issues such as facial or running animation are not bugs and were made this way, it might require doing additional motion capture or something similar and in that case it might take a while if they bother with it at all.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2017, 03:22:13 AM
Yeah if it's bugs then it's reasonable to assume it'll get corrected at some point, which is my usual reason for not getting games on release (also cost).

If it's just the way the animation was intended, that seems bizarre. I mean, if you're using motion capture then how can it end up looking so silly?
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TioJorge on March 23, 2017, 12:34:31 PM
Right, I'm really hoping that they just said "screw it, we'll patch it out later" (which is still really horrible and stupid) rather than it being this way by design...which is kind of unforgivable based solely on a "fuck you, to the fans" standpoint.

I'm not sure why but based on a lot of the gifs and such, I had assumed the walking/facial movements were at certain points in the game or specific moments... Nope. It's all the time. Everywhere. Hilarious. Also supremely annoying and immediately takes me out of any kind of immersion I had. it's like blue balls for my imagination.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 23, 2017, 01:44:55 PM
Hard to say really, I guess time will tell. Maybe they genuinely thought it was ok.

One thing I'll say about Bioware is that they tend to try and listen to the fans, like with the free DLC to give a fuller ending to ME3. So even if this was just a poor effort on their part, I would be a little surprised if they just ignored it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 23, 2017, 02:04:50 PM
Started a new game last night and started with the stock character and my new mindset (see previous post). Made it through a few battles on the first planet and am really enjoying my self now. I haven't noticed any issues with animations though the facial animations aren't great but not a deal breaker. They're on par with the original trilogy. I'm going to get 2-3 hours in tonight.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 26, 2017, 06:22:09 PM
Today, I heard someone call it "the tony hawk 5 of the mass effect series" :lol

Well, I wouldn't go that far. Its got some jank going on, but I still like it.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 27, 2017, 12:03:25 AM
Some interesting thoughts on facial animations from ex-Bioware animator:

https://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a824341/mass-effect-andromeda-facial-animation-explained-bioware-animator/

Kinda makes sense in principle that many of the animations would be algorithm based, as it would be impossible to manually animate/mo-cap everything. But still, they had an algorithm that while not perfect by any means worked basically fine in the previous games, and in Dragon Age: Inquisition presumably (might be different algorithms, but they all seemed to work fine). So why not use what they already had?
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 27, 2017, 07:33:38 AM
I played a lot of Andromeda (approximately 20 hours) last week. Here are my thoughts thus far:

- BioWare were not lying when they said that the game was, at its heart, about exploration. That's exactly what it's about. Whereas I felt the original trilogy was about people, politics, and relationships, Andromeda wants you to drive around a lot and immerse yourself in its worlds. This can get frustrating at times, like when you have to drive to six different locations on the map before progressing in a quest. However, it can also be absolutely wonderful, like when you first establish an outpost on a new planet and genuinely feel like a trail blazer.

- The loyalty missions are awesome. Just fantastic. Part of the reason why is that they're almost like a tribute to Mass Effect 2, where you'll spend a shorty, snappy 30 minutes fighting people and speaking with squad mates. Each one really deepened my appreciation for the game's new characters.

- Combat is loads of fun. It took a bit to get used to, but holy crap is playing as a Vanguard awesome.

- There are many areas where I feel the game regressed compared to the original trilogy. For example, some facial animations, movement, glitches that prevent you from completing side quests, etc. I don't personally think that any of these things are game changers, but if you're someone who really values absolute top-tier quality in all respects, you will probably be put off.

- On a final note, while I have almost entirely ignored the social media reception to the game for a couple of weeks, I did see an article where BioWare had to release an official statement that firmly requested people to stop harassing a misidentified employee of theirs over the bad facial animations. That kind of thing is complete nonsense and is reflective of an online gaming culture that is sometimes really toxic. Like, seriously, calm the hell down, people. :chill

Anyhow, I'm really enjoying the game overall. :tup
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on March 27, 2017, 08:04:05 AM
That's great to hear, TOX. :tup Always appreciated your reasonable and balanced approach to... well, basically everything, so I'm glad you're really enjoying it overall as that bodes well for me as well!

In terms of the problems, I would imagine that at least some of them will get patched. Certainly bugs such as those preventing quests from being completed, these seem to be par for the course these days (Bethesda are even bigger culprits - seems as though the bigger and more varied/open a game is, the more problems there are at launch). In terms of animations, it's possible they'll patch that too given the strength of the backlash and their previous record with listening to the fans.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on March 27, 2017, 09:24:18 AM
I just made it off the first planets and haven't even made it to the Nexus yet (tonight hopefully) so I haven't started the proper game but the facial animations haven't been that terrible yet. I still understand how they got worse than the original series and no one did anything about it. That's the more concerning part for me.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on April 04, 2017, 01:54:10 PM
I haven't been able to play nearly as much as I would like. I just made it to Eos and I'm finally really enjoying the game. It really reminds me of playing Star Trek or something. The exploration aspect is great.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 05, 2017, 12:50:27 PM
For all Bioware's flaws and mistakes, they really do seem to put quite a lot of effort into listening: https://www.masseffect.com/news/the-journey-ahead

Shows I made the right call to hold off for now and get the game slightly later. Think I'll probably implement this every time when it comes to EA and especially Bioware games.

Full text if anyone's interested:

Quote
Hi everyone,

It’s been two weeks since the launch of Mass Effect™: Andromeda and we’re thankful to the millions of you who have already joined us on this journey. And though the game is now in your hands, it’s really just the beginning.

Since launch, our team has been poring over your comments and feedback, looking to discover what you like about the game, as well as areas we can evolve or improve.

This Thursday, we’ll release a new patch that addresses technical fixes (crashes, improved performance), but also adds a number of improvements we’ve heard you ask for, such as:

    Allowing you to skip ahead when travelling between planets in the galaxy map
    Increasing the inventory limits
    Improving the appearance of eyes for humans and asari characters
    Decreasing the cost of Remnant decryption keys and making them more accessible at merchants
    Improving localized voice over lip sync
    Fixing Ryder’s movements when running in a zig zag pattern
    Improving matchmaking and latency in multiplayer

There are many more adjustments being made, all of which you can find in our patch notes.

Over the next two months we’ll be rolling out additional patches which will go even deeper and look to improve several areas of the game:

    More options and variety in the character creator
    Improvements to hair and general appearance for characters
    Ongoing improvements to cinematic scenes and animations
    Improvements to male romance options for Scott Ryder
    Adjustments to conversations with Hainly Abrams

These upcoming patches will also address performance and stability issues. And we’re looking at adding more cosmetic items to single player for free.

For multiplayer, over the same timeframe, we’re going to continue to build on the APEX missions that have been running since launch. We’ll be adding new maps, characters, and weapons. On Thursday, we kick off the first of three new chapters centered around The Remnant Investigation.

This is just a taste of what’s in store as we continue to support Mass Effect: Andromeda. And as always, you all play an important role in that. We want to hear from you about your experiences, both what you love about the game and what you’d like to see changed. We’re listening, and we’re committed to partnering with you as we continue to explore the Andromeda galaxy together.

Here’s to a great journey,

Aaryn
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 05, 2017, 01:43:22 PM
My thinking is that BioWare have always shown that they care about fans. That doesn't mean that they always make the right call, but their hearts are in the right place.

Honestly, the things they're fixing, while nice touches that will make a difference, do not include the main frustration I have with the game, which is kind of beyond doing anything about at this point: Just too much busywork. I would approximate that at least half of the available quests are generic "Drive here, drive there" missions. The main story stuff is terrific, but everything else is a little repetitive. I'm still enjoying myself, don't get me wrong, but the game's a little overwhelming at times.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 05, 2017, 02:25:27 PM
My thinking is that BioWare have always shown that they care about fans. That doesn't mean that they always make the right call, but their hearts are in the right place.

Honestly, the things they're fixing, while nice touches that will make a difference, do not include the main frustration I have with the game, which is kind of beyond doing anything about at this point: Just too much busywork. I would approximate that at least half of the available quests are generic "Drive here, drive there" missions. The main story stuff is terrific, but everything else is a little repetitive. I'm still enjoying myself, don't get me wrong, but the game's a little overwhelming at times.
The original game had quite a lot of that too. 2 and 3 were definitely more story/action focused, which I'd say I enjoyed more overall.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on April 06, 2017, 01:48:38 AM
My thinking is that BioWare have always shown that they care about fans. That doesn't mean that they always make the right call, but their hearts are in the right place.

Honestly, the things they're fixing, while nice touches that will make a difference, do not include the main frustration I have with the game, which is kind of beyond doing anything about at this point: Just too much busywork. I would approximate that at least half of the available quests are generic "Drive here, drive there" missions. The main story stuff is terrific, but everything else is a little repetitive. I'm still enjoying myself, don't get me wrong, but the game's a little overwhelming at times.
Dragon Age: Inquisition had that exact same problem. I remember when it came out and people compared it to The Witcher 3, which handled side quests MUCH better.

That being said, despite its flaws, I'm having a great time with the game!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 06, 2017, 02:16:22 AM
Yeah true about DA:I. I don't mind it though as long as playing the game is an enjoyable enough experience, as it gets you exploring the landscape a bit and find different things/places/people. I'm playing through the original ME trilogy at the moment and I'd forgotten how linear each part of ME2 is. Not that I enjoy it any less, it's just different. DA2 was like that as well. For Andromeda it sounds like they've brought back the sense of exploration from ME1, like they did with DA:I, which ultimately ends up meaning quite a few "go over there" quests.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on April 06, 2017, 02:20:02 AM
Yeah true about DA:I. I don't mind it though as long as playing the game is an enjoyable enough experience, as it gets you exploring the landscape a bit and find different things/places/people. I'm playing through the original ME trilogy at the moment and I'd forgotten how linear each part of ME2 is. Not that I enjoy it any less, it's just different. DA2 was like that as well. For Andromeda it sounds like they've brought back the sense of exploration from ME1, like they did with DA:I, which ultimately ends up meaning quite a few "go over there" quests.
Yeah, that's exactly the case. Andromeda really delivers on that sense of exploring the unknown and discovering new stuff. So it's great fun in that regard. :tup
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: abydos on April 06, 2017, 12:08:35 PM
https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/C8oUq0hXcAADa4V.mp4
 :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 06, 2017, 06:01:00 PM
:lol Mean but funny.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TioJorge on April 07, 2017, 01:36:39 AM
 :lol :rollin :lol :rollin :lol :corn :metal
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 07, 2017, 09:37:42 AM
Amazing. :rollin
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: BlackInk on April 07, 2017, 09:55:13 AM
This guy always makes me laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ToMLelf41s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ToMLelf41s)
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 12, 2017, 03:15:50 AM
Finished ME2 and onto ME3 now.

Replaying them all in a row definitely makes it easier to notice the differences. ME2 much more linear, no real sense of exploration but superb storytelling and the build up to the suicide mission (and the thing itself) is just so damn great.

Also noticeable is how many squadmates you have in ME2. I don't think it's inherently better or worse, just different. I like having that variety, and all the different characters to interact with in a deep way, especially on the loyalty missions which are mostly terrific. On the other hand, they variety means a bit less interaction from each character. The NPCs don't interact with each other all that much, even on missions where they also don't comment and interject all that much as presumably programming and recording it for so many different characters would have been a pretty enormous task. In ME3 I'm appreciating that slightly fewer squadmates is increasing the amount of real interaction I see among them, which is really cool.

Also, I played as male Shepard when I first played the series, so I'm playing as female Shep this time and it's bizarre that for apparently no reason they changed the default character appearance in ME3. I initially changed to the default ME3 character, but she's not even well designed. The facial expressions all looked weird, particularly the mouth movements, as though the animations just didn't work on that model. Which is fine, it can't work for every model, but then why is that the default. So anyway after a couple of hours it was ruining how immersive it all was, so I started again and used my imported character appearance and just tweaked it slightly and it's SO much better now.

So yeah, seems Bioware has always had a bit of a problem with animations, but it doesn't appear to have ever angered people until Andromeda for some reason. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on April 12, 2017, 08:30:54 AM
So yeah, seems Bioware has always had a bit of a problem with animations, but it doesn't appear to have ever angered people until Andromeda for some reason. :lol

Honestly - and this is just one man's opinion - I think that the drama over Andromeda's facial animations is a result of the online gaming community basically reaching a nadir in terms of good faith and thoughtfulness.

Now, don't get me wrong. The facial animations aren't very good and in some cases are terrible. Criticizing them is totally fair. The problem, at least in my opinion, is that people have made them out to be completely deal breaking, to the point where some are calling the game unplayable for this reason alone.

Frankly, at least during my 40 hours of playing the game, I was actually surprised at just how little character interaction even factored into the experience. Unlike Mass Effect 2, where half the fun is in simply talking to squad mates, Andromeda cares way more about exploration, and so you spend way more time driving and fighting than you do talking. And most of the conversations you have are more in the vein of, "I have a problem. Please solve it for me." It's not like you need great facial animations for that kind of thing. :justjen

Basically, I think that Andromeda has bigger issues than facial animations, which you might not have realized based on some of the low quality reviews of the game that are somehow still getting millions of hits. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on April 21, 2017, 03:03:25 PM
Finished my trilogy playthrough, and the ending is so vastly improved by the Extended Cut (never seen it before).

Also, I went with the synthesis ending as it felt the only one I could choose. I don't know if it's because I played DLC this time and made more of the side quests (went very completionist on all the games this time) - or indeed if it set things up slightly differently with changes from the Extended Cut - but there was no way I could kill EDI and the Geth. I don't even know what my rationale was for the destroy ending my first time through (I think that's what I went for anyway).

Man, what an incredible trilogy. Feel like there's something missing from my life now.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on April 24, 2017, 05:24:37 AM
Finished my trilogy playthrough, and the ending is so vastly improved by the Extended Cut (never seen it before).

Also, I went with the synthesis ending as it felt the only one I could choose. I don't know if it's because I played DLC this time and made more of the side quests (went very completionist on all the games this time) - or indeed if it set things up slightly differently with changes from the Extended Cut - but there was no way I could kill EDI and the Geth. I don't even know what my rationale was for the destroy ending my first time through (I think that's what I went for anyway).

Man, what an incredible trilogy. Feel like there's something missing from my life now.
I know that feeling. Such an unique and epic series of games. :heart
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on April 24, 2017, 07:02:34 AM
30 hours and 23% through Andromeda and I'm really enjoying. It really is completely different type of game that the original trilogy. I think the thing it's really missing is the interesting characters but the focus on exploration is excellent.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on May 08, 2017, 07:19:59 AM
So, after almost 70 hours, I'm finally done with this game. (This post will seem a bit negative, but I assure you, I enjoyed the game! Otherwise I wouldn't spent 70 hours playing it! Also, I'll keep this spoiler-free.)

Yeah, it's a good game and definitly worth playing. However, it's nowhere near the original trilogy. But we all knew that was going to be one hell of an obstacle to climb and BioWare was probably wise to try and make the focus a bit different this time around.

The story and the dialogue are probably what I'm most disappointed in. They have two entirelly different moods going on at any giving time - the first one is the current crisis where the entirety of the Milky Way races could face extinction...and then you have the weird happy, adventuring mood going on, where the characters talk and act like they're exploring the frontier but still have their home safe and sound they can always return to. I just wanted to scream at them "YOU DON'T, TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY FOR FUCK SAKE!" :lol

The highs of the story are still high. However, it speaks a lot about the former glory of the series when it was the references to the originals that made me the most excited. :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on May 09, 2017, 10:34:11 AM
The story and the dialogue are probably what I'm most disappointed in. They have two entirelly different moods going on at any giving time - the first one is the current crisis where the entirety of the Milky Way races could face extinction...and then you have the weird happy, adventuring mood going on, where the characters talk and act like they're exploring the frontier but still have their home safe and sound they can always return to. I just wanted to scream at them "YOU DON'T, TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY FOR FUCK SAKE!" :lol
To be fair, there's quite a lot of that in the original trilogy. Never really bothered me much, tonal consistency is a challenge with all RPGs but I accept it as the other side of the coin to the freedom, flexibility and immersion that the genre offers. Haven't played Andromeda yet though, so can't comment on this game specifically.

Glad to hear it's a solid game overall though, the patches so far seem to have been well-received so I decided to go ahead and get the game! I might wait just a little bit before I start playing because there seems to be an expectation that the next major patch is likely to be released very soon, so I might as well wait for that if it means the experience will be improved.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on May 10, 2017, 03:39:46 AM
The patches so far has been solid so it's probably a good idea. The latest one fixed a lot of the facial animations problems, and even redid a couple of scenes entirely.  :tup Bioware sure is good at listening to its audience.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on May 10, 2017, 04:00:28 AM
Definitely. The ending of Mass Effect 3 was amazing on my recent re-play with DLC, extended cut, etc.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on May 10, 2017, 08:39:42 AM
The patches so far has been solid so it's probably a good idea. The latest one fixed a lot of the facial animations problems, and even redid a couple of scenes entirely.  :tup Bioware sure is good at listening to its audience.

Good to hear..

I might pick this up later, when they have introduced more patches and other bug fixes.

My expectations have been lowered however. What i have heard about the story and the characters, has me seriously worried. :\

But, who knows? I always thought that the trilogy would be an impossible act to follow, but maybe i'll be surprised?
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on May 10, 2017, 10:34:57 AM
Yeah I've always been excited about the game because it's Bioware, and I like their style and think they have a fantastically consistent track record. But the original trilogy was something else, and I never really expected that the new game would capture the same magic. As long as it's enjoyable and engaging like all Bioware games are, I know I'll dig it plenty, and I'm perfectly comfortable with not completely falling in love with it like the original trilogy.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 10, 2017, 06:55:12 PM
The original trilogy is so great. Just thinking about it gets me all excited.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on May 11, 2017, 03:48:56 AM
The original trilogy is so great. Just thinking about it gets me all excited.
I know, right? I still think to this day that the scene in the first game where you're first talking to an actual Reaper is one of the coolest scenes in video game history. It's so perfectly written and executed. <3
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: DougMasters on May 13, 2017, 08:43:41 AM
The only thing playing ME andromeda has made me want to do is replay ME 1,2 and 3. Im trying really hard to like this game but its so.... i dunno. Boring.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on May 13, 2017, 06:43:35 PM
I loved the first ME and worshiped the second one. Those are two of my favorite games ever, but I was a little disappointed by 3. It probably was franchise fatigue in a way, but I never even bothered finishing it.

Andromeda on the other hand I was truly looking forward to, so its very disappointing to hear about all of its short comings. I was ready to buy it day one, but after hearing all the shit, I put that money toward other games. I'll pick up andromeda when it gets a little cheaper in price.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on May 14, 2017, 08:24:11 AM
One underrated aspect of the original trilogy is its music. It's not Star Wars-caliber good, but it's about as close as a video game has ever gotten, in my opinion. The ME1 credits song, the ME2 suicide mission song, and the ME3 ending song are all amazing. :metal
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on May 14, 2017, 12:53:23 PM
One underrated aspect of the original trilogy is its music. It's not Star Wars-caliber good, but it's about as close as a video game has ever gotten, in my opinion. The ME1 credits song, the ME2 suicide mission song, and the ME3 ending song are all amazing. :metal

I'm glad you brought this up! I agree 100%.

Original trilogy has the most memorable music scores of any game franchise. Everything from the amazing credits song by Faunts in ME1, to the ending song in ME3.

Some of my personal favorites are:

End Credits in ME1
Vigil in ME1
Tali's Suite in ME2
Samara's Suite in ME2
I Was Lost Without You in ME3
A Future for the Krogan in ME3

I listened the Andromeda soundtrack from Spotify, and it was alright. But still, a far cry from the trilogy's music!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on May 23, 2017, 08:07:07 AM
I finally finished Andromeda. 75 hours and ended at 94% completion. I thought the ending was disappointing. It was confusing and anticlimactic. Overall I'd still give the game 3 1/2 to 4 stars. I would play the original trilogy another 10 times but I have no urge to play Andromeda again.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on May 23, 2017, 04:05:05 PM
I loved the first ME and worshiped the second one. Those are two of my favorite games ever, but I was a little disappointed by 3. It probably was franchise fatigue in a way, but I never even bothered finishing it.

Andromeda on the other hand I was truly looking forward to, so its very disappointing to hear about all of its short comings. I was ready to buy it day one, but after hearing all the shit, I put that money toward other games. I'll pick up andromeda when it gets a little cheaper in price.

I went out on a limb and bought the game with no expectations because I never played the preceding trilogy.  I think I played it for about an hour and haven't pick it up since.  Not saying it was bad.  Not saying it was good either.  Not really sure what to make of it.  Probably need to give it a few more hours I suppose.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on June 20, 2017, 11:18:03 AM
Finished Andromeda, with about 75 hours play time. Really, really liked it. I didn't start playing until a number of patches had been released, plus another one was issued when I was around halfway through, so animation was tidied up and glitches were clearly heavily reduced. But other than that, I don't know what all the fuss was about or why people have disliked it. It takes a while to get into, both gameplay- and story-wise, but once it gets going it's great fun to play and the story and characters are solid.

Overall I'd say it's definitely not as good as ME 2 and 3, but I'd put it on a par with their other games. In comparison to ME1, the narrative isn't as tight, but it's a lot more fun to play, so on balance I rate it around the same level.

It also opens up lots of intriguing narrative arcs that I hope they explore either in DLC or sequels. I know EA said it's on hold for the time being, though that seemed to imply that they're simply not working on a follow up right now, but hopefully there'll at least be some DLC and they'll come back to it later on.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on July 02, 2017, 02:01:26 PM
I stopped playing the game after 30 hours or so. I was getting a little bored with it, which I think had a little to do with the game itself and a little to do with video game overload in general. I think I'm going to start playing again soon, especially after reading that many of the game's early issues have been taken care of by patches.

On a sad note, I also read that the series is probably going on an indefinite hiatus. :sadpanda:

Edit: I just read a fascinating article about the development of the game (https://kotaku.com/the-story-behind-mass-effect-andromedas-troubled-five-1795886428). I would strongly recommend it. I feel terrible for the people at BioWare whose careers will probably be affected by Andromeda's commercial failure, even though it's not their fault. BioWare sounds like a mess right now. If the game was truly built in just 18 months... Man, that's tight. I have a lot of sympathy for those developers.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on July 02, 2017, 05:54:23 PM
That's definitely a shame.

Mass effect 1 and 2 are two of my favorite games ever made, but andromeda really let me down. Its a mess of a game and its missing that spark that made the original trilogy so special. And also, all the SJW non-sense makes me nauseous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hLp0k4_UOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2DlFM1d3Ac
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on July 03, 2017, 09:18:52 AM
What SJW nonsense? I couldn't last for than two minutes into the first video, and he seemed to blame the poor facial animation on them??
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: kaos2900 on July 03, 2017, 10:22:36 AM
I stopped playing the game after 30 hours or so. I was getting a little bored with it, which I think had a little to do with the game itself and a little to do with video game overload in general. I think I'm going to start playing again soon, especially after reading that many of the game's early issues have been taken care of by patches.

On a sad note, I also read that the series is probably going on an indefinite hiatus. :sadpanda:

Edit: I just read a fascinating article about the development of the game (https://kotaku.com/the-story-behind-mass-effect-andromedas-troubled-five-1795886428). I would strongly recommend it. I feel terrible for the people at BioWare whose careers will probably be affected by Andromeda's commercial failure, even though it's not their fault. BioWare sounds like a mess right now. If the game was truly built in just 18 months... Man, that's tight. I have a lot of sympathy for those developers.

It will be a true shame if they keep making dragon age but not mass effect.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on July 03, 2017, 10:58:53 AM
I stopped playing the game after 30 hours or so. I was getting a little bored with it, which I think had a little to do with the game itself and a little to do with video game overload in general. I think I'm going to start playing again soon, especially after reading that many of the game's early issues have been taken care of by patches.

On a sad note, I also read that the series is probably going on an indefinite hiatus. :sadpanda:

Edit: I just read a fascinating article about the development of the game (https://kotaku.com/the-story-behind-mass-effect-andromedas-troubled-five-1795886428). I would strongly recommend it. I feel terrible for the people at BioWare whose careers will probably be affected by Andromeda's commercial failure, even though it's not their fault. BioWare sounds like a mess right now. If the game was truly built in just 18 months... Man, that's tight. I have a lot of sympathy for those developers.


This sounds like a combination of bad management, and an inexperienced development team without vision. The fact that this game was scrambled together in 18 months, shows in just about every aspect of the game!

What makes it more painful, is the fact that the premise of Andromeda was AWESOME. Venturing into a different galaxy, and meeting new and exciting aliens Captain Kirk style! That sounds Cool! They had it all laid out on a silver plate in front of them, and they managed to drop the ball so completely..

This could have been a great way to reboot the franchise after the ME3 Ending "Fiasco", instead they ended up digging the ME franchise even deeper into it's own grave.

It is indeed sad if Mass Effect goes out with such a low note. :sad:
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on July 03, 2017, 12:37:53 PM
What SJW nonsense? I couldn't last for than two minutes into the first video, and he seemed to blame the poor facial animation on them??
Yeah that video was a total mess, I have no idea what it was even going on about but it sounded like nonsense.

And in terms of how the game turned out, I didn't play it immediately so maybe some of the issues were patched by the time I got round to it, but I really don't see what all the fuss was about. In terms of story/narrative/characters, sure it wasn't as good as the original trilogy overall, but it was still solid and had some cracking stuff. In terms of gameplay, I'd say it's the most enjoyable of the series to actually play. As with so many things (like the ME3 ending) this all seems like a ludicrous overreaction.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on July 03, 2017, 12:48:46 PM
What SJW nonsense? I couldn't last for than two minutes into the first video, and he seemed to blame the poor facial animation on them??
Yeah that video was a total mess, I have no idea what it was even going on about but it sounded like nonsense.

And in terms of how the game turned out, I didn't play it immediately so maybe some of the issues were patched by the time I got round to it, but I really don't see what all the fuss was about. In terms of story/narrative/characters, sure it wasn't as good as the original trilogy overall, but it was still solid and had some cracking stuff. In terms of gameplay, I'd say it's the most enjoyable of the series to actually play. As with so many things (like the ME3 ending) this all seems like a ludicrous overreaction.

I agree. While I don't love the game, I also don't think it's anywhere near as bad as the gaming community is making it out to be. For example, if I had to rate it, I would say it's a 6 or 7/10. By contrast, it currently has like a 3/10 user rating over at Metacritic. That's absolutely insane to me.  I think the overreaction is a result of the following:

- A legitimately flawed game
- A studio that was already losing its fans because of the ME3 ending (which I also didn't feel was that bad)
- An online culture where there is a massive social benefit to trolling and rallying against a common enemy
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on September 14, 2017, 05:43:18 AM
Finally got Andromeda, have been waiting to get in the mood after all the negative press at launch and after. Figured since I enjoyed 1 and 2 it can't be that bad. I also longed for playing a game like ME after I was done with The Expanse S02.
Just an hour in so not much to say yet however it's very hard to ignore the goofy character animations, it's so bad at times especially the character your playing but i'm willing to ignore that and focus on story and gameplay which seems alright so far.
Other than that the graphics looks overall really good which makes it a bit weird why the facial animations look they way they are.
Yay the holster animations are back, that alone makes everything alright!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on September 14, 2017, 07:09:25 AM
The animations should look basically fine now that they've patched the game a couple of times. Certainly when I played it (which was a little while after release when it had already been patched at least once to improve the animations) I didn't have any issues with the animations.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on September 14, 2017, 07:27:36 AM
Well, they went in and handcrafted the most obvious/infamous ones. But they can't do that with every conversation, and the fixes for the rest of them are more general. In a perfect world, they would go in all Naughty Dog style into every conversation but that's not really practical in a RPG.
That being said, I played it near launch and have only seen some comparision videos on YouTube after that.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on September 14, 2017, 07:37:52 AM
They updated the algorithm for general conversations (random chats, minor side quests etc.) as well, so while they weren't especially realistic, they weren't bad either, they were merely functional.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: MrBoom_shack-a-lack on September 14, 2017, 10:48:35 AM
The animations should look basically fine now that they've patched the game a couple of times. Certainly when I played it (which was a little while after release when it had already been patched at least once to improve the animations) I didn't have any issues with the animations.
Haven't played before so i'm only going on first impression. It might be better than before but I still think the facial animations looks goofy at times, almost cartoony.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on September 15, 2017, 12:57:09 AM
The animations should look basically fine now that they've patched the game a couple of times. Certainly when I played it (which was a little while after release when it had already been patched at least once to improve the animations) I didn't have any issues with the animations.
Haven't played before so i'm only going on first impression. It might be better than before but I still think the facial animations looks goofy at times, almost cartoony.
Yeah, I agree. I would even say the very first Mass Effect looked much better in that area. A lot more stiff, yeah, but it never took me out of the moment the way Andromeda's face animations does.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on September 25, 2017, 04:02:47 PM
I saw this thread pop up and had a random thought:

If BioWare decided to make Mass Effect 4 - a game set after the events of Mass Effect 3 - what do you think the best way to do so would be? To avoid having to deal with too many variables, I think that they would need to go the same route as Legend of Zelda where they run with one of the possible ME3 endings and frame it in terms of "one of many possible timelines". I think that would be an acceptable way to avoid labeling anything as canon while still picking a direction. Perhaps they explore a Mass Effect universe post-Destroy ending, where everything is in shambles and you need to figure out how to get the galaxy back on track.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on September 25, 2017, 11:40:42 PM
They could even bring in parallel universe concepts (classic sci-fi) and make all the ME3 endings canon, but you're playing primarily within one timeline.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on September 26, 2017, 03:29:05 AM
They could even bring in parallel universe concepts (classic sci-fi) and make all the ME3 endings canon, but you're playing primarily within one timeline.
That would actually be fun - not a lot of sci fi games explore that concept. :tup
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on September 26, 2017, 07:48:12 AM
True, more common in TV and movies, I guess it's a pretty tricky/complex thing to build into games.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on September 26, 2017, 08:00:45 AM
Even though I didn't really like Andromeda, I still very much love the series so I really hope they are able to come back strong with another entry in the series, whenever that may be.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Polarbear on September 28, 2017, 12:30:35 AM
I hope there is another entry in the series, wouldn't even mind a sequel to Andromeda. The idea for Andromeda was awesome, but the execution left much to be desired..

This is just me spitballing, but Mass Effect movie would be a perfect way to bring the series back IMO!

With the recent return of Star Wars and the smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy has been, now would be the perfect time to make a Mass Effect Movie.

Make an adaptation of the first game's story, and get some top screenwriting and directing talent. Someone like Dennis Villeneuve.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on October 24, 2017, 07:50:29 AM
I'm going through a bit of a rough patch right now, so I was thinking of things to do that would be fun. Then it hit me - It's been a couple of years since I played the first Mass Effect. Why not replay it, and perhaps even push through all the way to the end of the third game? I haven't played the second game in ages either, and I last played the third game about 18 months ago.

Strap in, fellas. This is going to be fun... For me...  :lol
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on October 24, 2017, 09:11:50 AM
I've played the series twice, but I know I'll definitely play it again eventually. Just so rich and immersive. If you're going to play through the whole trilogy again then definitely report back with thoughts, musings, observations etc.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Lynxo on October 24, 2017, 09:18:38 AM
I think I've played through all three games about three times. Always such an amazing experience, the series is truly unique. :heart
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on October 24, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
I love the original trilogy. Played through 1 and 2 twice. So much fun
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 24, 2017, 02:27:52 PM
I've played the series twice, but I know I'll definitely play it again eventually. Just so rich and immersive. If you're going to play through the whole trilogy again then definitely report back with thoughts, musings, observations etc.

If they remastered the trilogy for PS4, I'd definitely play it.  :tup
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on November 06, 2017, 08:45:15 AM
I am seven hours into my ME1 playthrough. Here are some observations:

- This game has an incredible atmosphere to it. The world building is second-to-none. I feel completely immersed when I play it. :hefdaddy

- A general approach of mine has been to take everything in. I am not rushing through. This is paying dividends for me. :millahhhh

- The Citadel is amazing. Probably the best version of it across all three games. I have spent hours running around and completing side quests there. :metal

- There have been a few times where combat and driving became annoying. You can tell that BioWare was still figuring that stuff out. :|

I'm having a fantastic time thus far.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: ariich on November 06, 2017, 08:54:30 AM
- This game has an incredible atmosphere to it. The world building is second-to-none. I feel completely immersed when I play it. :hefdaddy

- A general approach of mine has been to take everything in. I am not rushing through. This is paying dividends for me. :millahhhh
These two points feel related. I definitely did that on my second playthrough as well, just take my time and try and do as much as I can as it's all just so immersive.

Quote
- The Citadel is amazing. Probably the best version of it across all three games. I have spent hours running around and completing side quests there. :metal
Yes! I remember when I first played the games, getting back to the Citadel and thinking "ok it's cool and all, but it's not like it was in ME1". In most other regards, I found 2 and 3 a big step up, but the whole vibe on the Citadel in particular was just wonderful in 1.

Quote
- There have been a few times where combat and driving became annoying. You can tell that BioWare was still figuring that stuff out. :|
Combat does kinda suck, and oh my god the driving is just completely awful. A friend of mine stopped playing the series part-way through ME1 because of the gameplay and I can understand that, though personally I find it a reasonable price to pay (especially as it's only really bad in the first game) for what is overall the best game series IMO.
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on November 27, 2017, 11:45:26 AM
Checking in again... I am a couple hours away from the finish line, so I thought I'd give a few more thoughts.

- The writing is amazing. Last night, I was on Ilos speaking with Vigil, and as he revealed that the Citadel is just a giant mass relay for the Reapers, I couldn't help but think, "This is so clever." Everything about the exposition is borderline brilliant. You can tell the BioWare team was firing on all cylinders. :hefdaddy

- The inventory management becomes kind of addictive. Once I got the hang of it again, I started devoting a lot of time to making every character as well-equipped and powerful as possible. This resulted in me becoming an absolute wrecking ball, which I love, because I've played some games where your character is fully leveled up and you still feel as though you're a Level 5 Starter Pokemon. :censored

- I found Feros and Noveria to be fun but a bit of a grind. I couldn't play either for more than 30 minutes at a time. Virmire and Ilos, on the other hand, were epic. :metal

Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on March 05, 2018, 08:43:27 AM
Has it really been three months since I last checked in? My oh my, how time flies! Since we last spoke, I've finished 1 and am almost through with 2 as well.

- The first game is amazing. It really builds and builds into something epic. I already mentioned this before but I found the writing to be on another level. :hefdaddy

- The second game is one of my all-time favorites. It's the game in the series I've played most. Some of the early missions felt a little too familiar - Not the game's fault but mine for playing them too much.

- Like the first game, the second one builds and builds. The loyalty missions are all so awesome and personal. I really enjoyed the ones that changed the formula a bit, like Samara and Thane's where there is no combat.

- Lair of the Shadow Broker is a phenomenal DLC. It has amazing cut scenes, fun combat, epic music, and a really personal touch with Liara. :metal

- I will play the Suicide Mission this weekend, which is two of the best hours of gaming I know. I'm super excited, but also nervous about making mistakes!
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: Phoenix87x on March 05, 2018, 11:11:08 AM
Mass effect 1 - Awesome, and I love it
Mass effect 2 - Awesome, and one of my favorite games every made. It was game of the year for that year as well  :hefdaddy
Mass effect 3 - I was feeling franchise fatigue at this point, but its decent

and of course:

(https://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/black_floyd_2007/vomit.gif)Andromeda
Title: Re: Mass Effect (merged thread)
Post by: TheOutlawXanadu on July 05, 2018, 06:36:22 AM
Almost a year after restarting the original trilogy, I have finished Mass Effect 3. It was a truly awesome experience. Here are some final thoughts.

- I think I mentioned this previously, but the music in ME is world class. I actually downloaded the ME3 soundtrack this morning for my drive to work.

- Up until now, ME2 has always been my favorite. This time around, I actually enjoyed ME and ME3 more. I was really impressed by the atmosphere and world building of the former, and was just as impressed by the constant payoff in the latter.

- Say what you will about the ethics of paying $100 for the full ME3 experience with downloadable content included, but that final version of the game is really satisfying. I may have mentioned this before, but in my opinion, each piece of DLC remedies something the game was lacking originally. Eden Prime adds a cool new character to a relatively small crew, Leviathan does more world building, Omega adds a couple more hours of content, and Citadel provides great fan service. Perhaps just as importantly, they make the game less linear.

- If there is one point that everyone can agree on, it's probably that the series has all-time great characters. Sometimes, I even felt like I had real relationships with them! BioWare set a high bar with this group.

- Regarding the ending: I don't like the choices available, but some aspects of the final minutes genuinely moved me.

Anyhow, thanks to anyone who took the time to read. I look forward to another playthrough in a few years. :metal