Anybody elseplan on getting this?
I splurged and got the digital deluxe edition pre-order on Steam..... doesn't even include DLC yet, but ummm.... it's Deluxe!
Definitely getting it, I`m even gonna import my character from the first game. Can`t wait!
I'll be getting it as soon as possible.
Preordered it for 360. I wasnt a fan of this game on PC just like I wasnt a fan of Dragonage on 360.
Definitely interested as long as there isn't any more sex/language/nudity than there was in the first one. So far only one character concerns me (Agent Zero) and her latest trailer is much more toned down than the earlier one, so I think I probably will get it.
Keep in mind that importing your character pretty much only means that you import the choices you made throughout the game. The skills will be different, so your stats will mostly start over.
Does anyone know the system requirements? I have two computers and one laptop now, but I'm not sure if any would be up to snuff for ME2. (Or even ME1 or DA:O, for that matter.)
this is a day one buy for me. I've been eagerly waiting for it, and trying my hardest to beat anything I have left to play, not to mention holding off on buying other games (Darksiders looks oh so tempting...)
ME1 was the reason I bought a 360, and I wasn't disappointed (in the game, that is. Hardware is another story. Read my other topic, lol)
You'd need a pretty nice system. Let me check the Impulse entry, that should tell me.
Here we go.
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Hard Drive: 15 GB
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
Input: Keyboard / Mouse
Video Card: 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Recommended:
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 2.6+ GHz Cure 2 Duo Intel or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or better recommended
Sound Card: 100% DirectX compatible sound card and drivers
DirectX: DirectX August 2008
NOTES: For the best results, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and audio cards. Laptop or mobile versions of the above supported video cards have not had extensive testing and may have driver or other performance issues. As such, they are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Quote from: catwhowalksbyhimself on January 14, 2010, 11:52:04 PM
You'd need a pretty nice system. Let me check the Impulse entry, that should tell me.
Here we go.
Minimum:
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Hard Drive: 15 GB
Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
Input: Keyboard / Mouse
Video Card: 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Recommended:
OS: Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor: 2.6+ GHz Cure 2 Duo Intel or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or better recommended
Sound Card: 100% DirectX compatible sound card and drivers
DirectX: DirectX August 2008
NOTES: For the best results, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and audio cards. Laptop or mobile versions of the above supported video cards have not had extensive testing and may have driver or other performance issues. As such, they are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2. Intel and S3 video cards are not officially supported in Mass Effect 2.
Hmm...It's possible, but I'd have to double-check. And, it would only work on my one computer that actually has a memory card put out in 2009. Gonna have to see what it is. Oh, and can I assume that if I met ME2's recommended requirements, ME1 and DA:O would probably work as well? (Don't have a PS3 or a 360 you know.)
Has anyone read the text under my av lately?
So yeah I'm definitely getting this game. I only played the first one a few months ago when I got my 360 and I loved it. Potentially my favorite game ever. Previews look awesome and having the choices from the first game carry over is such a great idea.
I didn't preorder, I want to see what deals are out there when it comes out. I'll buy it first day if I find time.
I'm in the middle of Dragon Age but I'll probably put that on hold while I play through ME2. And hopefully the DA:O 360 patch will be out by the time I'm ready to play again.
I probably won't pre-order, but I definitely will get it.
Wanted to get the first game before, but my old computer couldn't handle it and I couldn't find the PC version of it for sale anywhere anyway. I just got it off Steam last month during their holiday sale and am on my second playthrough (using the same game, with Shepard as a Vanguard/Shock Trooper; Shepard was lvl 48 when I finished the first time through, and I'm trying to get the Throw and Lift achievements, because I didn't use Biotics much when I finished the game).
can't wait to get it, honestly :)
Going to get the collectors ed. when it comes out. Trying to finish the first one before this one comes out
Ok. This was a day 1 buy for me already. But after seeing the latest trailer on TV. I can't WAIT to play this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHkkAk8xvdI
So, freaking, epic. And with class and style too, unlike most games these days, which feel like they try too hard. I really didn't care for earlier commercials with the mockumentary interviews of all the characters, as it came off as really lame to me ("I'm joining Shepard because I like to fight and kill things!!" Ugh) but this trailer has got me incredibly excited. I don't think I've looked forward to a game like this since, well, the first Mass Effect. And before that it was Legacy of Kain Defiance in 2003, lol.
I did end up pre-ordering it at Gamestop, after all. Sadly, they had quit taken pre-orders for the Collector's Edition, but there's always a chance someone will cancel theirs. I paid for the whole thing at once instead of putting money down, but if they don't get a CE in that I can pick up for another $10, I may get the strategy guide, too.
And I've pretty much given up on getting Shepard to 60 in ME. I did a second runthrough, and he was lvl 48 at the start, 58 at the end of the second run, and I don't feel like doing a third. Did get the Throw achievement but not the Lift one. (Probably shouldn't have used Liara on my team so much.....)
For the second runthrough, I did the following:
Sacrificed Kadian and hooked up with Williams.
Killed the Rachni queen (which I'm not sure was a good idea).
Let Helena Blake or whatever her name is take over as crimelord. (I figure she might owe Shepard a favor in 2 or 3 for that)
Shot the ExoGeni guy in cold blood, more or less.
Told Joker to have the Alliance ships focus on taking out Sovereign so the Council got wiped out.
Picked Captain Anderson to be the new Council rep. One of my favorite actors, Keith David, so Captain Anderson's voice and the Ambassador is a world class jerk (I really hope we get a chance to kill him or at least let him die in ME2 or 3 if he shows up), so I will always pick Anderson.
One rumor I've been hearing about 2 is that Tali might be a romance option. Ugh. One of my favorite characters, but....NO!
If it was a true RPG instead of a FPS/RPG hybrid, ME would be my favorite RPG. As it stands, that would be either Final Fantasy X or Xenosaga Episode I.
Yeah the launch trailer is pretty epic. Not sure when I'll get this, I'd like to get it first day but I might not have time. I'm also considering the Collector's Edition if I see it there, it's only $10 more but it doesn't include anything I really really want so I'm might pass, not sure yet.
There will be a free DLC squad member for Mass Effect 2, just like Dragon Age: Origins. There's supposed to some other free DLC stuff too.
About romance:
Spoiler
If the info I've read is correct then male Shepard will be able to romance: Miranda, Subject Zero, Tali, and Kelly. And female Shepard will be able to romance: Jacob, Thane, Garrus, and Kelly. Keep in mind your romance from the first game carries on into this one if you import your save.
Actually, I've read some spoilers by people who have already played and beaten the game (I guess they must've gotten it illegally, or something), and romance-wise,
Spoiler
Kelly apparently isn't an option for females; there's no same sex option this time. Also, the Tali romance option is apparently disappointing, because you don't get to see her face. They're still keeping what Quarans look like a secret, it looks like.
I've been avoiding any major spoilers. Found out from the GameFAQs board that the official ME2 forums are a no-no, because they've apparently got massive spoilers being posted already.
Besides the illegal stuff, some stores sold it early. Saw that on Wikipedia.
I'm pickin it up tomorrow and I'm desperately trying to get some time to play this week (work is running me ragged and i don't get sick time, so no "mental health day"). I read about all the spoiler talk online and have been avoiding anything that might ruin it for me.
Saw the trailer during the NFC Championship game and was blown away. This game will be epic no doubt.
Check this site out:
http://www.masseffect2faces.com - Some pretty good faces on there.
One hour into Mass Effect 2 and wow, wow and wow!!! Sooo very cool to see my custom Commander Shepard again. Already seeing the results of some of my choices in ME1 and that is so awesome. Going to savor this game like the world's finest steak. :thumbup:
Here is my custom Commander Shepard from the first game. He looks so much better with the upgraded graphics. He looks as close to me as I could get him. http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n301/captmorgan72/IM000581.jpg
Here is a picture of me on vacation. What do you think? Did I get close? http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n301/captmorgan72/me.jpg
I'd beaten the first Mass Effect once, and got about halfway through with a second character, and I thought I'd be able to import the second character into Mass Effect 2 (the char I want to use in the game). I have since learned that's not doable, so I'm hurrying to refinish 1 before moving on to 2. It's driving me crazy.
Looks pretty darn close, I'd say, capt.
I need to take a picture of my custom Shepard. I've got one from the first game, I think. But not the second. Definitely looks better in the second game, except for the scars, which don't match his scar in the first game. I've noticed the scars look more like surgical incisions that haven't healed, so I'm hoping that's what they're intended to be and go away after awhile.
Right now, I'm at the part where you're assisting Archangel (don't want to drop any spoilers for anyone who doesn't have the game yet or hasn't done that part yet, so sticking with calling the character that). Decided to go take care of that before going after Mordin.
I picked up the strategy guide, too. Considered getting the Collector's Edition strategy guide, but decided it wasn't worth the extra $10 just because its a hardback and has a couple of extra things in it.
Question for everyone: What class are you playing in ME2, and if you're using the same Shepard as you used in ME1, what class did you use in it if you changed? (My Shepard I left alone; he's Vanguard (Had the Shock Trooper specialty in the first game)
Picked it up tonight, just got the regular edition, was really tempted to hunt down a CE though.
My ME1 save imported fine. Kinda sad fact when I played ME1 I just selected the default Shepard, didn't customize him at all. Originally I was just playing to try the game for a bit and then restart and customize, but I got hooked right away and kept going. I actually prefer using the default appearance but I would have liked to choose some of the bio options. I was a soldier last time, I think I specialized into a shock trooper. This time I'm a Vanguard though I seriously considered the Sentinel or Soldier.
The imported the save thing is such a fantastic idea.
I played a couple of hours tonight and got on board the ship. I'm a little disappointed with the game - not because anything is wrong but because I had super high expectations. But it's great, I'm really enjoyed meeting the new cast and the returnees.
I haven't touched anything DLC yet. Zaeed has been delayed at least a couple days and I saw on the forums people are having all kinds of trouble with the EA accounts, so I thought I'd let things settle before jumping in.
Word to the wise: For the 360 version if you have an SDTV (like me) the text for ME2 is super small. Some of it is nearly unreadable. As far as I've gone the game is still playable but some of the text documents are a lot of guess work to read - but most of that is non-essential so far.
Actually, they do have Zaeed out already. They have him and a Normandy Crash Site mission up as DLC. I started to download Zaeed, but its a big file and was going to take a long time to download, so I decided to wait to get the DLC.
I've tried the M-490 Blackstorm Projector, and that gun is freakin' sweet! You have to charge it up by holding down the firing button, so its not something you want to use while facing an army of enemies, but it IS good for taking out a whole bunch at long range. Doesn't hold a lot of ammo, though. I only had 2 or 3 shots with it when I first used it. Didn't switch to the Terminus armor (you can't take the helmet off, apparently), but I did recolor the armor Shepard starts with.
Incidentally, they have a promotion going on with Dr. Pepper; if you pick up any of the single serving bottles, they're supposed to have a code under the cap you can use to download some special DLC for different games, and one of them is ME2. I've heard you get two helmets and a visor, apparently, but someone said the ME2 downloads haven't been activated yet, so if you get a code hold onto it for a few days. (I believe you have to pick what you download after entering the code) I have a code (bought a Diet Dr. Pepper and have half of it left in the fridge) and am going to use it as soon as I hear its usable for the game.
Only thing I don't like about being a Vanguard in the game? Charge is risky. NOT a good idea to use it when you're facing a lot of enemies or really need cover. I've only use it once so far.
Zaeed is up? I thought for sure I read on the Bioware forum that he was delayed a couple of days. Did you actually start downloading him? Or just purchase it.
I heard about the Dr. Pepper DLC thing, supposedly it might take a week for those to get up. Not sure if the promotion is being carried out in Canada.
I didn't preorder so no bonus items for me, but the Blackstorm sounds pretty sweet.
Quote from: Podmark on January 27, 2010, 05:37:07 AM
Zaeed is up? I thought for sure I read on the Bioware forum that he was delayed a couple of days. Did you actually start downloading him? Or just purchase it.
I heard about the Dr. Pepper DLC thing, supposedly it might take a week for those to get up. Not sure if the promotion is being carried out in Canada.
I didn't preorder so no bonus items for me, but the Blackstorm sounds pretty sweet.
I actually started downloading. The file is almost half a gig, though. Was going to take about 45 minutes to download. Probably due to people clogging the server to get it. I'm downloading it now, and its only going to take around 4 to 5 minutes.
If you're familiar with the power Singularity, the Blackstorm is basically a weapon version of it. You aim the weapon then hold the trigger and it fires a projectile that explodes into something similar to Singularity or a black hole that explodes with a lot of force after a bit. The problem is you have to charge the power up, and it takes about 4 seconds for it to fire, so its not something you'd want to use in the middle of a fight where you should be taking cover. And it doesn't hold a lot of ammo. Its a heavy weapon and apparently Shepard is the only one who can use heavy weapons (no idea if Zaeed can; the strategy guide doesn't include the DLC), no matter what class he is.
Looks like I'm going to have to head back to the ship after I'm done recruiting Archangel before I go after Mordin. Was looking through the strategy guide and I missed picking up a few assignments on the ship, which are mostly supply pick-ups done at Omega.
Quote from: GhostMachine on January 27, 2010, 04:32:16 AM
Question for everyone: What class are you playing in ME2, and if you're using the same Shepard as you used in ME1, what class did you use in it if you changed? (My Shepard I left alone; he's Vanguard (Had the Shock Trooper specialty in the first game)
In the first game I was a soldier.
Spoiler
Decided to switch to Vanguard after learning Shepard gets rebuilt. Figured it would make sense. Shepard even mentions that he noticed that he received some upgrades, that was cool.
GhostMachine are you on PC or 360? It's just the 360 that had the delayed Zaeed I think.
I'm embarrassed to say I never got ME1. All of this talk about ME2 is whipping me into a frenzy. I'm guessing I should get a platinum copy of the 1st version before worrying about the sequel (especially with the character import feature). Just a quick question for the uninitiated: are all of these character customization options available on the 360? My PC isn't up to snuff for post 2007 games.
Quote from: daerdevil on January 27, 2010, 02:35:20 PM
I'm embarrassed to say I never got ME1. All of this talk about ME2 is whipping me into a frenzy. I'm guessing I should get a platinum copy of the 1st version before worrying about the sequel (especially with the character import feature). Just a quick question for the uninitiated: are all of these character customization options available on the 360? My PC isn't up to snuff for post 2007 games.
My understanding is that the PC and 360 versions of both games are virtually the same.
Quote from: Podmark on January 27, 2010, 01:10:30 PM
GhostMachine are you on PC or 360? It's just the 360 that had the delayed Zaeed I think.
PC. I don't have a next-gen system. Still using a PS2 for non-PC games.
I was afraid of having reality come crashing into my expectations, but so far I'm totally loving it. The reworked combat mechanics downplaying the weapons and upping the use of powers I like a lot, its more fun to play (and having jimmies of warp energy that arc around corners when fired is just cool).
I am playing this game as I did ME1, making choices that I would make in real life. So I have to ask
Spoiler
how do you feel about working for Cerberus now? They are a interesting black ops organization that has done some very dark things in the name of humanity. They did however spend an enormous fortune to resurrect Shepard. That and building the new Normandy, which is far more advanced than the first Normandy. Kinda hard not to feel grateful for that. Also, their methods may be dark, borderline evil, but they are in the interest of humanity. I look back in history at some of the things my country has done (U.S.) that was definitely dark, borderline evil but in the name of freedom and liberty, or so they would tell us. Makes you wonder if you are on the right side (referring to Cerberus). I love that the game makes you think about these things.
Quote from: captmorgan72 on January 28, 2010, 12:00:09 PM
I am playing this game as I did ME1, making choices that I would make in real life. So I have to ask Spoiler
how do you feel about working for Cerberus now? They are a interesting black ops organization that has done some very dark things in the name of humanity. They did however spend an enormous fortune to resurrect Shepard. That and building the new Normandy, which is far more advanced than the first Normandy. Kinda hard not to feel grateful for that. Also, their methods may be dark, borderline evil, but they are in the interest of humanity. I look back in history at some of the things my country has done (U.S.) that was definitely dark, borderline evil but in the name of freedom and liberty, or so they would tell us. Makes you wonder if you are on the right side (referring to Cerberus). I love that the game makes you think about these things.
Spoiler
Personally i think the Cerberus thing is a red herring. That you are supposed to feel conflicted about it, and at some point in the game (or maybe part 3) the rug is gonna get pulled and its gonna turn out that cerberus is really not what it appears. Or maybe I'm just letting my conspiracy ideas run away with me. As for gameplay, I'm playing it as very grey and not helping cerberus any more that I have to. But then I kind of play the characters that way with all groups... I generally take the "What would Jack Bauer do" approach.
So, is ME1 something I should play through before this? I'm thinking that it is a good enough game that I should play it in any event, but does the story/characters/what have you make more sense having played the first game?
I here I am still trying to get through Dragon Age. (I've been out of the country for the last three weeks, and right before I left I learned that I had screwed up the romance I was working on and so had to restart. So, a long ways to go yet.) Now with ME1 & 2 to contemplate, Bioshock 2 due soon . . .
Spoiler
Capt. Anderson sent me a message asking me to return to the Citadel to talk to him and the Council. I tried to reason with them and explain about the Reapers but they told me I was delusional. After everything I did for them (I saved them in ME1) they just blow me off. They even suggested that I do something for them to "win" back their trust and then they would reinstate me as a Specter. I told them to stick their suggestion up their arse. Right there and then, I was done with the Council and my full allegiance is now with Cerberus.
So for christmas I got a new 120 gig HD for my Xbox and during the transfer is said some files were corrupt. I didnt find out which until I tried to import my character over. My fav save got deleted :(
Quote from: captmorgan72 on January 29, 2010, 01:58:55 AM
Spoiler
Capt. Anderson sent me a message asking me to return to the Citadel to talk to him and the Council. I tried to reason with them and explain about the Reapers but they told me I was delusional. After everything I did for them (I saved them in ME1) they just blow me off. They even suggested that I do something for them to "win" back their trust and then they would reinstate me as a Specter. I told them to stick their suggestion up their arse. Right there and then, I was done with the Council and my full allegiance is now with Cerberus.
Hmmmm.....
Spoiler
I let the Council die in ME1. Issued the order to concentrate on Sovereign (basically took this option because the Council were a bunch of boneheaded morons), so the Council's ship got blown up. When I went to the Citadel in ME2, I talked to Anderson (now Counsilor Anderson) and got my Spectre status back. Only thing is, Udina showed up and I really wish there had been a Renegade response option (so I could deck him or something). Really hope that there's an option to do something to Udina (deck him, kill him or leave him to die) in ME3.
Oh, and when you finally meet Conrad Verner (the fan from the first game) on Illium, there's an option to shoot him in the foot. :D
I happened to be extremely ill when ME2 was finally released (true story, I don't play hooky) and beat the game yesterday. Epic.
Fun fact though: My imported game went counter to the "canon" that new players get. I didn't kill Wrex, saved the Council, Anderson over Udina... very odd. The canon route isn't as goodie two-shoes as I expected.
"Those were the days, us against the unknown, killing it with big guns... good times." --Urdnot Wrex
Quote from: GogglesPizanno on January 28, 2010, 04:50:54 PM
Quote from: captmorgan72 on January 28, 2010, 12:00:09 PM
I am playing this game as I did ME1, making choices that I would make in real life. So I have to ask Spoiler
how do you feel about working for Cerberus now? They are a interesting black ops organization that has done some very dark things in the name of humanity. They did however spend an enormous fortune to resurrect Shepard. That and building the new Normandy, which is far more advanced than the first Normandy. Kinda hard not to feel grateful for that. Also, their methods may be dark, borderline evil, but they are in the interest of humanity. I look back in history at some of the things my country has done (U.S.) that was definitely dark, borderline evil but in the name of freedom and liberty, or so they would tell us. Makes you wonder if you are on the right side (referring to Cerberus). I love that the game makes you think about these things.
Spoiler
Personally i think the Cerberus thing is a red herring. That you are supposed to feel conflicted about it, and at some point in the game (or maybe part 3) the rug is gonna get pulled and its gonna turn out that cerberus is really not what it appears. Or maybe I'm just letting my conspiracy ideas run away with me. As for gameplay, I'm playing it as very grey and not helping cerberus any more that I have to. But then I kind of play the characters that way with all groups... I generally take the "What would Jack Bauer do" approach.
Ding ding ding ding ding, we have a winner. Not everyone played through all the side missions in ME1, but a lot of the stuff Cerberus did was outright nasty.
Yeah in my game Wrex lived, I saved the council, and chose Anderson (of course I did, he's Keith David!!), and I saved Kaiden.
Mine Wrex lived, I let the Council die (took the `concentrate on Sovereign' option), chose Anderson, and saved Williams. (Williams was the one Shepard romanced)
Apparently if you start a game from scratch, rather than transferring one over from ME1, Wrex is dead, the Council died, and Shepard sacrificed Williams. Guess that means Liara was probably the one romanced, too. Don't know if Anderson or Udina got the Council job, though. (I started a new game from scratch to play around with the face maker and made a female Infiltrator, then played her up until the start of Freedom's Progress)
Udina is a jerk, so I don't know why anyone would choose him over Anderson. And Keith David is one of my favorite actors, live action OR voice. (I wonder if Keith David and David Keith have ever been in the same movie?) Hard to believe that Steve Blum does the voice of Grunt; he's one of my favorite voice actors, but tends to use the same voice or a variation of it in almost everything he does.
I'm only a portion into the game, but I do find the "canon" way interesting. So basically the canon way is the renegade way? Interesting. I took the paragon way my first run, renegade on my second...and both times I couldn't kill Wrex. I convinced him to say as a paragon by being persuasive, and similarly as a renegade by intimidating him.
Spoiler
Killing the council does seem like the right choice though, regardless. I saved them my first time, and in the sequel after meeting up with them for the first time, I wish I hadn't. Instead of taking their second specter offering, I told them to shove it.
but man, the most pleasing thing so far that hearkens back to the first game is meeting Emily Wong, the reporter, again. I took the renegade option this time. If you know what I'm talking about, it's a very laugh-out-loud moment, but only because it's in a game.
You're confusing the reporters, Marvell. Emily Wong was the nice one you did missions for. She shows up on the Galactic News if you view it, and later on you get mail from her.
Spoiler
I didn't take the Renegade option with the other reporter, because I didn't want the points, and I already knew what happens if you do it, because there's a video showing it somewhere. Instead I used the Paragon conversation option, which still puts her in her place.
Two moments I did go Renegade, and really enjoyed:
Spoiler
Meeting Conrad Verner, I took the option to shoot him in the foot (Not sure if that actually earned Renegade pts, but it seemed something a Renegade would do, and it was a conversation option, not a flashing one), and during the mission to recruit Thane I took the Renegade option when interrogating a merc who refused to talk and tossed him out a window.
Does anyone know where you get the shield and fuel improvements for the ship?
And apparently Kelly is only a romance option if you flirt with her enough to get her to have dinner with you, then don't romance anyone, and reload the game after doing the final mission. (This game doesn't end once you beat it like the first one did)
One thing I have to ask here is about the language. That's the one thing that concerns me, it appears to be far, far worse than ME1, but it seems that nearly all of the stuff they've had to bleep out of the ads came from Subject Zero. Is she pretty much the main source of most of the language in this game? Can you avoid recruiting her?
Another odd thing is that they seem to be over-emphasizing biotics. It seems that nearly every recruitable characters is a biotic, which I find oddly unballancing, and only the returning characters are techs.
Quote from: TheMarvell on January 30, 2010, 06:56:05 AM
I'm only a portion into the game, but I do find the "canon" way interesting. So basically the canon way is the renegade way? Interesting. I took the paragon way my first run, renegade on my second...and both times I couldn't kill Wrex. I convinced him to say as a paragon by being persuasive, and similarly as a renegade by intimidating him.
Spoiler
Killing the council does seem like the right choice though, regardless. I saved them my first time, and in the sequel after meeting up with them for the first time, I wish I hadn't. Instead of taking their second specter offering, I told them to shove it.
but man, the most pleasing thing so far that hearkens back to the first game is meeting Emily Wong, the reporter, again. I took the renegade option this time. If you know what I'm talking about, it's a very laugh-out-loud moment, but only because it's in a game.
Spoiler
The council isn't very helpful in ME2, period. In my first run (saved the council, Anderson as human rep) they basically saw me as a political nuisance but gave me back my Spectre status. In my second run, (council killed, Udina as rep), they wouldn't even speak to me.
Quote from: GhostMachine on January 30, 2010, 07:25:21 AM
Does anyone know where you get the shield and fuel improvements for the ship?
Shield is from Tali, fuel is from... I *think* Samara. All of the recruits have one upgrade available in the Investigate conversation option.
Quote from: catwhowalksbyhimself on January 30, 2010, 05:53:39 PM
One thing I have to ask here is about the language. That's the one thing that concerns me, it appears to be far, far worse than ME1, but it seems that nearly all of the stuff they've had to bleep out of the ads came from Subject Zero. Is she pretty much the main source of most of the language in this game? Can you avoid recruiting her?
Another odd thing is that they seem to be over-emphasizing biotics. It seems that nearly every recruitable characters is a biotic, which I find oddly unballancing, and only the returning characters are techs.
Subject Zero swears the most. You have to recruit her, but you can minimize your exposure to her character. After recruitment, you can basically ignore any of them. There's some language in other parts of the game, but I can't give specific examples. I'm largely desensitized so I may not notice it as much as others.
Biotics aren't unbalanced in this game. You only get two or three biotic powers per character, there's a pretty long cooldown, they're not superheroes really. I honestly like the tech powers better; more debuffing, less crowd control.
That's not what I meant by unballancing. I'm sure biotics are not any more powerful than the other two areas. What I meant is that it is represented by far more characters than other class type combinations, instead of having it evenly ballanced like the first game. With the first game, you had basically one character from each class, slightly customized or the character, but basically that's what it was. But practically everyone in the new game seems to be either biotic, or biotic/soldier.
ME1
Kaiden - Sentinel (Biotic/Tech)
Ashley - Soldier (Combat)
Liara - Adept (Biotic)
Wrex - Battlemaster/Vanguard (Biotic/Combat)
Garrus - Infiltrator (Combat/Tech)
Tali - Engineer (Tech)
ME2
Zaeed - Soldier (Combat)
Legion - Infiltrator (Combat/Tech)
Samara - Vanguard (Combat/Biotic)
Tali - Engineer (Tech)
Mordin - Engineer (Tech)
Archangel - Infiltrator (Combat/Tech)
Miranda - Adept (Biotic)
Grunt - Soldier (Combat)
Jacob - Sentinel (Biotic/Tech)
Thane - Vanguard (Combat/Biotic)
Subject Zero - Adept (Biotic)
They're featured more in promotional material because of the neato physics. Honestly, there's more characters with "powers" in general. Of course, there's almost twice the number of characters as well.
Hmm--I read that Grunt was a Battlemaster which means biotic/soldier.
Anyhow, yeah, this list does seem to indicate that they just over-promoted the biotic characters. That answers my concern rather well, thanks.
There's more foul language in the game besides Jack (Subject Zero's real name), but she does the majority of it. The Asari crimelord you have to deal with on Omega uses the `f' word during a sentence if you keep the conversation going, and Shepard and others use the `a' word (for rear end) a few times, but yeah, Jack uses foul language a LOT.
Doing characters' loyalty mission not only increases their chance of surviving the final mission and gives them an alternate outfit to wear, but it also gives them a bonus power, which you can also have Shepard learn or later on pick as a bonus power in a new game or restart.
Oh, and I got the shield upgrade as a reward at the end of Tali's loyalty mission (fortunately I had enough Paragon pts to make the trial's outcome favorable). I'm guessing from what Midnight said that the fuel increase is a reward from the end of Samara's....
Little spoiler about Samara's loyalty mission that's interesting - read if you need/want Renegade pts:
Spoiler
At the end of Samara's loyalty mission you can apparently choose to help Morinth kill Samara and let her replace Samara on the team, but it'll earn you a lot of Renegade pts. Morinth is probably more useful, as her special power is basically a version of AI Hacking that works on Organics instead.
I still need to do Samara and Thane's loyalty missions and then do some mining before I go after the IFF.
Oh, and I'm playing Shepard as a Vanguard and I've hardly ever used Charge. I find Shockwave and Pull to be much more effective, unless the target has no defenses.
I think I am seeing some similarity with the plot of ME2 and the tv show Alias.
Spoiler
Cerberus is looking more and more like SD-6 from Alias and with the Illusive Man being ME2's Arvin Sloane. I still don't trust him but I do believe that he is doing more to protect humanity and the galaxy from the Reapers than the Alliance or the Council. For this reason I continue to be a loyal agent with Cerberus.
I recently ran into Ashley and she was disgusted with me for joining Cerberus. She backed away from me (after hugging me) like I was infected with a disease after learning I am with them now. The way I see it, they deserve my loyalty. They brought me back from the dead, built me a far superior Normandy and put together a list of people that can best help me against the threat that faces us. The Alliance and the Council are pretty much useless to me as they offer little or no help. There is that chance however, that I am being used by Cerberus for a sinister reason. Until I see evidence of that however, I am with Cerberus.
Quote from: captmorgan72 on January 31, 2010, 04:50:44 PM
I think I am seeing some similarity with the plot of ME2 and the tv show Alias. Spoiler
Cerberus is looking more and more like SD-6 from Alias and with the Illusive Man being ME2's Arvin Sloane. I still don't trust him but I do believe that he is doing more to protect humanity and the galaxy from the Reapers than the Alliance or the Council. For this reason I continue to be a loyal agent with Cerberus.
I recently ran into Ashley and she was disgusted with me for joining Cerberus. She backed away from me (after hugging me) like I was infected with a disease after learning I am with them now. The way I see it, they deserve my loyalty. They brought me back from the dead, built me a far superior Normandy and put together a list of people that can best help me against the threat that faces us. The Alliance and the Council are pretty much useless to me as they offer little or no help. There is that chance however, that I am being used by Cerberus for a sinister reason. Until I see evidence of that however, I am with Cerberus.
You'll have an interesting endgame. :P
A thought just occurred to me. :o
Spoiler
What if Cerberus killed me and set it up to look like the enemy of humanity did it. Then rebuilt me and supplied me with everything I need to get their agenda done?
When do I recruit Steve Rogers for my team?
Spoiler
There are several super soldiers on my team and I am not even done recruiting. First there is me, Commander Shepard was killed and brought back to life and in my case genetically/cybernetically enhanced. I was a soldier in ME1 and now a Vanguard in ME2. Then there is Miranda, who was genetically/cybernetically enhanced to be the perfect human soldier. Jack was tortured/trained/enhanced to be the ultimate biotic warrior. Grunt was genetically created to be the perfect Grogan super soldier. Not even done recruiting and I feel like I can take on the galaxy with my team.
If anyone is playing a class that can use this sniper rifle, see if you can pull off the feat I did this earlier this morning (started a new game using a non-imported female Infiltrator) that I'm still smirking about :
On Grunt's loyalty mission, see if you can take out the boss Krogan with a sniper shot to the rear end. (Probably easier to do if you're an Infiltrator and use the cloak, though) I was planning to head shot him, but he turned around just as I was about to fire, so I decided to hit him in the left butt cheek instead.
So yeah I finally got ME1 beat the way I wanted it that I lost before and then beat ME2 beat it last night. I saved Wrex, Romanced Ashley, and promoted Anderson. Also there were a few other things I decided to do that ended up making cameos in the game in building a long term army. ME2 was alot harder than ME1 and I liked that. The ground enemies packed a bit more punch and you actually needed cover this time around instead up just strafing and shooting your enemies.
Spoiler
So for ME2 I did everyone's loyalty missions and paragoned my way through the jack/miranda and tali/legion arguements. Since your romance carries over I didn't do any on this go round and toward the end of the game I got to stare at Ashley's picture in my cabin before the final fight. I destroyed the station becqause I can just see that biting us in the arse with Cerberus.
Just beat ME2 myself and happily...
Spoiler
my Shepard lived, and so did everyone on my team. Huzzah! I don't think I've ever received so many Xbox achievement points in so short a time as beating this game (Suicide Mission: 50, Mission Accomplished: 125, Against All Odds: 15, No One Left Behind: 75, and Long Service Medal 75). Craziness.
Looking back over the whole game, I've really enjoyed it and think it's a marked improvement over the first Mass Effect. Here's looking forward to ME3!
New free DLC coming later today. Should be up 12:00pm Mountain Time (which is....2:00pm EST?). A new shotgun and Cerberus Assault Armor. (I'm guessing the armor will be like the various bonus armors in that it can't be recolored and the helmet can't be removed, but it looks cool)
Word is that there's eventually going to be a new character released
Spoiler
Named Kasumi, and will be found on the Citadel
, but there's no idea when. There's still no word on when the Hammerhead will be released, but since it will also require new missions (unless they do something crappy and just make it replace the shuttle for landings), I'm betting it won't be any time soon.
I am so loving this game. Taking my time with it. Still have to recruit two more to fill my team roster. I picked it up on release day and I think I am half way through it. Don't want it to end.
Spoiler
The elusive man wants me to board a collector ship. So is this half way or more?
Quote from: captmorgan72 on February 09, 2010, 11:56:01 AM
I am so loving this game. Taking my time with it. Still have to recruit two more to fill my team roster. I picked it up on release day and I think I am half way through it. Don't want it to end. Spoiler
The elusive man wants me to board a collector ship. So is this half way or more?
Spoiler
Its the last storyline mission before going after the Reaper IFF and the suicide mission; you'll just have loyalty missions and sidequests to do before those. DO NOT do the Reaper IFF mission until you're prepared to do the final mission, because something bad happens if you don't do the suicide mission right after the Reaper IFF mission. (Actually, you can do Legion's loyalty mission after the Reaper IFF mission, but that's it - no doing side missions or anything - its Reaper IFF, Legion's loyalty (if you choose to keep him), then suicide mission, or something bad happens on the suicide mission)
Warning about the Collector ship that will save you a lot of hassle:
Spoiler
You know that pain in the butt Praetorian boss mob you fought on Horizon? Well, you fight another one on the Collector ship, and its a bit harder to hide from. So you'll want to pick an appropriate heavy weapon (though there is an opportunity to change your weapons on the ship before you get to that fight). Definitely take someone who can use Incinerate or Incendiary Ammo with you to deal with its armor, if you don't have either of those powers.
Good thing about the Collector ship is you get to learn a new weapon or pick up an upgraded weapon. (I'm playing through as an Engineer this time and learned to use Assault Rifles; last game I ran an Infiltrator and chose a better sniper rifle that holds a lot of ammo instead of learning a new weapon)
Quote from: GhostMachine on February 09, 2010, 11:26:49 AM
New free DLC coming later today. Should be up 12:00pm Mountain Time (which is....2:00pm EST?). A new shotgun and Cerberus Assault Armor. (I'm guessing the armor will be like the various bonus armors in that it can't be recolored and the helmet can't be removed, but it looks cool)
Word is that there's eventually going to be a new character released Spoiler
Named Kasumi, and will be found on the Citadel
The Hammerhead has got to come with some new missions - otherwise it's just pointless, since there's nowhere to currently use it.
I hope it also comes with quests that tell you where to go, because post end-game my character has very little money and no way to get more, so wasting a lot of fuel or probes looking for random planet missions would be difficult.
Here's hoping whatever quests may come with the mystery new NPC are also completable after the conclusion of the main plot.
Quote from: GhostMachine on February 09, 2010, 11:26:49 AM
New free DLC coming later today. Should be up 12:00pm Mountain Time (which is....2:00pm EST?). A new shotgun and Cerberus Assault Armor. (I'm guessing the armor will be like the various bonus armors in that it can't be recolored and the helmet can't be removed, but it looks cool)
That's cool. Hadn't heard about that one. I did hear about the new squad member rumour. I have my doubts that she'll be free. I originally heard the Hammerhead would be free but I'm starting to doubt it.
I'm progressing slowly through the game due to lack of time.
Spoiler
I just recruited Thane. I've got Tali so i still need to go get Samara. I've done Jacob's and Zaeed's loyalty missions, probably going to do Miranda's next. Wondering if Legion is optional or mandatory.
Quote from: Podmark on February 09, 2010, 07:01:15 PM
Quote from: GhostMachine on February 09, 2010, 11:26:49 AM
New free DLC coming later today. Should be up 12:00pm Mountain Time (which is....2:00pm EST?). A new shotgun and Cerberus Assault Armor. (I'm guessing the armor will be like the various bonus armors in that it can't be recolored and the helmet can't be removed, but it looks cool)
That's cool. Hadn't heard about that one. I did hear about the new squad member rumour. I have my doubts that she'll be free. I originally heard the Hammerhead would be free but I'm starting to doubt it.
I'm progressing slowly through the game due to lack of time.
Spoiler
I just recruited Thane. I've got Tali so i still need to go get Samara. I've done Jacob's and Zaeed's loyalty missions, probably going to do Miranda's next. Wondering if Legion is optional or mandatory.
Legion is...
Spoiler
fairly optional - you have to do the mission where you get him, but I'm not certain you have to actually take him with you, or ever reactivate him.
Finished this game a few days ago and I loved it, gonna finish Dragon Age at least once now before I do another run of ME2. I really like the improved fighting system, kinda confusing at first though to really get a sense of what power or ammo to use to deal with barriers, shield and armor of ennemies, but once you get the jist of it you can deal with anything thrown your way and combining biotic powers is pretty cool.
I was amazed how much better this game looks compared to the first one, everything looks better yet familiar, and all the environments look unique which is really good. The paragon/renegade interaction interupt (or whatever it's called) during dialogue cut scenes is a real nice touch.
Oh and haha, if you guys haven't done it yet, you really have to go scan and use probes on Uranus... seriously :lol:
Quote from: Talavar on February 09, 2010, 08:00:13 PM
Quote from: Podmark on February 09, 2010, 07:01:15 PM
Quote from: GhostMachine on February 09, 2010, 11:26:49 AM
New free DLC coming later today. Should be up 12:00pm Mountain Time (which is....2:00pm EST?). A new shotgun and Cerberus Assault Armor. (I'm guessing the armor will be like the various bonus armors in that it can't be recolored and the helmet can't be removed, but it looks cool)
That's cool. Hadn't heard about that one. I did hear about the new squad member rumour. I have my doubts that she'll be free. I originally heard the Hammerhead would be free but I'm starting to doubt it.
I'm progressing slowly through the game due to lack of time.
Spoiler
I just recruited Thane. I've got Tali so i still need to go get Samara. I've done Jacob's and Zaeed's loyalty missions, probably going to do Miranda's next. Wondering if Legion is optional or mandatory.
Legion is...
Spoiler
fairly optional - you have to do the mission where you get him, but I'm not certain you have to actually take him with you, or ever reactivate him.
Well....
Spoiler
You can choose to send Legion to Cerberus to examine instead of activating him, and you get a big amount of money for doing it, if I remember right.
However, Legion's loyalty mission will have a HUGE effect on the Geth in ME3 if you do it, and it is safe to do it before the suicide mission; you just can't do anything else besides Legion's loyalty mission between Reaper IFF and the suicide mission without risking something bad happening.
ok, i've been somewhat following this thread. Just started playing the first Mass Effect.
Any suggestions of major choices to make in ME (or not make) that I might (or might not) suggest in ME2? I ask because I get the impression that I will have to play through ME twice already to get Shepperd up to level 60 and perhaps more of his crew.
How much stuff actually carry over to ME2?
Quote from: Mr. Hamrick on February 11, 2010, 11:15:11 AM
ok, i've been somewhat following this thread. Just started playing the first Mass Effect.
Any suggestions of major choices to make in ME (or not make) that I might (or might not) suggest in ME2? I ask because I get the impression that I will have to play through ME twice already to get Shepperd up to level 60 and perhaps more of his crew.
How much stuff actually carry over to ME2?
A lot of decisions carry over into ME2, and some lead into new side missions in ME2. For instance, if you help Parasini arrest the crooked admin on Noveria, she shows up on Illium in ME2 and asks for your help with something there. Some things just lead to appearances by or messages from characters you helped. (Emily Wong and Helena Blake, for instance - they are in ME2 if you helped them, but they don't give you new missions)
One big thing:
Spoiler
At some point in ME Wrex turns out to be a problem and you could end up having to kill him if you haven't helped him get back the family armor or your paragon/renegade isn't high enough so you can calm him down. If you manage to avoid it, he's an NPC in ME2. If you killed him, you end up running into a different NPC fulfilling the same role in ME2, and they're not as cool.
One thing in ME won't have consequences until ME3. When you get the choice to either kill or free the Rachni Queen, I'd advise freeing her. I could be wrong, but I think the Rachni are going to show up on Shepard's side in ME3 if you freed her. And believe me, he'll need it!
And its a given that you should choose Anderson when asked to pick between him and Udina. Udina is a world class jackass.
The one thing I hate about ME2 is that if you don't import a character from ME and start one from scratch, it picks the worst choices from ME. Basically, as if you played Shepard as a total Renegade. Wrex is dead, Udina is on the Council, etc.
Oh, and
Spoiler
If you deal with Conrad Verner properly (the fan), he shows up in ME2, and I highly advise picking the option to shoot him in the foot. :)
In regards to decision carry-overs...
Spoiler
the rachni do get a couple of brief mentions if you let the queen live: a story on the news about their ships being spotted, and an asari comes to give you a message from the queen on Illium.
I've beat it once with an imported character, and have now started a new character, and I'm surprised at how much worse the in-game situation is.
Spoiler
You can't regain your Spectre status, humanity is extra-hated for basically pulling off a coup of the council, others.
I'm surprised by some of the 'default decisions' Bioware chose for freshly created characters in ME2.
Just Finished Mass Effect and Going to start playing Mass Effect 2 tonight. From what I was told, it's better to play ME1 and carry your character over.
Any preferences on which relationship? I know you get to choose between Ashley and Liara and ...
Spoiler
either Ashley or that human male die.
so... does it make a big difference?
Also, something else that I was wondering:
Supposedly the Xbox360 achievements give you bonuses to abilities. Is this only in the "new game +" thing? or does that apply to new characters started from scratch? I was wondering because I am currently playing through with the default Shepherd just to get the hang of things. Was hoping I could play through a second time from scratch with the bonus stats THEN transfer that character over instead of the default one. Was pondering playing through as something different than a soldier too. Anyone have any idea?
I don't know about the 360 version, but on the PC version you can switch between different games (careers/characters) at any time . You can also carry them all over to Mass Effect 2.
QuoteOne thing in ME won't have consequences until ME3. When you get the choice to either kill or free the Rachni Queen, I'd advise freeing her. I could be wrong, but I think the Rachni are going to show up on Shepard's side in ME3 if you freed her. And believe me, he'll need it!
I suspect the same thing. I expect that the third game will focus on the protagonist, whoever it ends up being (almost certainly not Shepherd) gathering a bit alliance of races together and that the Rachni will join in if the Queen was freed way back in ME1.
Quote from: catwhowalksbyhimself on February 11, 2010, 10:25:35 PM
QuoteOne thing in ME won't have consequences until ME3. When you get the choice to either kill or free the Rachni Queen, I'd advise freeing her. I could be wrong, but I think the Rachni are going to show up on Shepard's side in ME3 if you freed her. And believe me, he'll need it!
I suspect the same thing. I expect that the third game will focus on the protagonist, whoever it ends up being (almost certainly not Shepherd) gathering a bit alliance of races together and that the Rachni will join in if the Queen was freed way back in ME1.
What makes you think the protagonist won't be Shepherd? Everything Bioware has said on the topic is that the Mass Effect story is Shepherd's story...
Spoiler
and if your Shepherd dies in ME2, there'll still be a Shepherd in ME3 - you just can't import yours.
because they've already said
Spoiler
That if Shephard dies in ME2 , he or she, WILL NOT appear in ME3, because he'll be dead. Permanently.
EDIT: Okay, turns out the information I got has incorrectly read additional stuff into a quote by the developers that was not intended. You are apparently correct, which in a way, I find less interesting. In fact, it makes the prospect of a third game less appealing.
Quote from: Mr. Hamrick on February 11, 2010, 07:29:48 PM
Any preferences on which relationship? I know you get to choose between Ashley and Liara and ...
Spoiler
either Ashley or that human male die.
so... does it make a big difference?
Also, something else that I was wondering:
Supposedly the Xbox360 achievements give you bonuses to abilities. Is this only in the "new game +" thing? or does that apply to new characters started from scratch? I was wondering because I am currently playing through with the default Shepherd just to get the hang of things. Was hoping I could play through a second time from scratch with the bonus stats THEN transfer that character over instead of the default one. Was pondering playing through as something different than a soldier too. Anyone have any idea?
Honestly, the romantic relationship you had in ME really doesn't matter in ME2, and probably won't in ME3 either (the romance you have in ME2 probably will have an effect on ME3, though). But of the three possible romantic interests in ME, you have the most interaction with Liara in ME2.....not that it matters. My imported Vanguard romanced Williams in ME, and in ME2 I took the non-romance romance option (Kelly Chambers), hoping they make her a real romance in ME3. (Though I was sorely tempted to have him go after Tali....)
Achievement bonuses apply to ALL games in the PC version, so I'd assume they would in the 360 version as well.
If you want a character that will be really fun to play in ME2, go for an Infiltrator or an Adept. In ME2, Adepts get that killer Singularity power that Liara has, and Infiltrators have a cloaking device and a sniper rifle, so you can headshot a lot of enemies or sneak around to set them up for kills in other ways. I've played ME2 all the way through as a Vanguard (my only imported character), an Infiltrator and an Engineer and am now playing as an Adept. The Infiltrator was the most fun of the 3 playthroughs, but I'm really enjoying the Adept. Keep in mind they got rid of armor restrictions in ME2; all classes wear the same armor.) The Engineer was the least fun. And I have no desire to try playing a Sentinel at all.
I have a few complaints about unlocked outfits in ME2:
Spoiler
1. Miranda wears her original outfit in the romance payoff scene, even if you have her wearing her unlocked outfit. Lame.
2. Both of Garrus' outfits have the exact same battle damage, since the unlocked outfits are just pallette swaps. Would have been better if, once joining your crew after the recruitment mission, they had Garrus announce he had a spare armor or something and slapped his new head on his old body.
3. Samara and Thane's unlocked outfits are fairly ugly.
And regarding Shepard in ME3....
Spoiler
You pretty much have to be lazy or too stupid to be playing the game in the first place for Shepard to die, because from what I've heard the only way Shepard can die is a total party wipe on the suicide mission (ie, you didn't get the ship's upgrades and do the loyalty missions and/or made really bad choices for squad assigments during it). It *may* be possible for other team members to survive and Shepard still dies, but I've not heard of anyone having that happen yet.
until i beat me2 i will not read one spoiler not one :P
I will have to fish for the link but they said that ME3 is the ME that Shepard's story will be "resolved one way or another"
I'm hoping that the love interest choice in ME1 or ME2 will be equally relevant. Liara appears to have some potential to come back to the team, and it's clear in ME2 if she was your love interest in 1, that she's still pretty attached to your character.
As to Shepherd-death...
Spoiler
You can watch it on YouTube. To die in the endgame your whole team needs to be wiped out, which apparently can't even happen if you recruit everyone. One or 2 characters can die before you even land if you don't have your ship upgraded enough, the tech specialist you send through the tunnels can die closing the doors if they're not good enough/loyal/you take too long; the first fire team leader can die if you pick someone with poor leadership skills and non-loyal; the person you have escort the Normandy crew back to the ship can die if they're non-loyal (assuming you're fast enough to save the Normandy crew); a member of your team can die randomly if you don't pick a strong enough biotic to screen you/they're non-loyal; the characters with you at the final fight can die if they're non-loyal/don't have enough upgrades. If you have everyone possible recruited, that's still not enough character deaths to kill Shepherd - basically, he only dies if only Joker is left to catch him at the end.
yeah Ashley let me have it in mine and then sent me an appology email
If you kept to your romance option from ME1 it's supposed to have some kind of play in ME3.
Madam T bought me ME2 for Valentine's Day, so it looks like I'll need to plow through the end of ME a little than expected. I'm done the Citadel and Noveria and I've rescued Liara, so I don't think I have very much to go main story-wise.
Only about halfway through, actually. You'll also want to revisit the Citadel after each major mission. New stuff keeps popping up there, some of which carries over into ME2.
I had some questions specifically for people who had gotten the PC version of Mass Effect 2. (And if they had also gotten the original Mass Effect, even better.)
Back when the original Mass Effect came out, I had seen a substantial number of negative reviews and commentary on websites about the Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools that had been incorporated into the software. I forget some of the specifics, but I vaguely recall some people claiming things like the game wouldn't run if you didn't have a live Internet connection, or it limited the number of times you could install the software on a computer. Might any of the posters here be able to comment on any DRM tools present in Mass Effect 1 or 2 for the PC, and to what extent it affects your ability to play and enjoy the game?
All I know is, if you don't want to worry about DRM get the first game off Steam. The second game doesn't use DRM; you just have to have the first disc in the drive in order for it to run. And you *can* transfer saves from a Steam version of ME to a non-Steam ME2. (I bought ME off Steam for $4.99 in December during the holiday sale but pre-ordered ME2 at Gamestop and picked it up on release day)
Quote from: Viking on February 15, 2010, 04:57:56 PM
I had some questions specifically for people who had gotten the PC version of Mass Effect 2. (And if they had also gotten the original Mass Effect, even better.)
Back when the original Mass Effect came out, I had seen a substantial number of negative reviews and commentary on websites about the Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools that had been incorporated into the software. I forget some of the specifics, but I vaguely recall some people claiming things like the game wouldn't run if you didn't have a live Internet connection, or it limited the number of times you could install the software on a computer. Might any of the posters here be able to comment on any DRM tools present in Mass Effect 1 or 2 for the PC, and to what extent it affects your ability to play and enjoy the game?
I'm not up on any DRM stuff, but the game does do a weird thing where you can't start playing until it connects to the cerebus network. I haven't tried to play the game without being connected though, so im not sure what would happen.
What EA is doing with DRM is that if you have a bootleg copy of the game you will not have access to the DLC stuff. I don't know the whole story but they are doing this with Dragon Age and Mass Effect 2. It was mention on the PC Gamer podcast about 2 weeks ago. You also need a CD key to install the game.
My understanding is that the problematic DRM from ME1 is gone in ME2.
I'm on the final battle...getting roasted by those rocket launching turrets. Tali hacks one near the beginning which is handy, but I need to figure out how to get past the others. In total playtime I'm at just over 20 hours...level 34 or so.
Quote from: Tortuga on February 16, 2010, 02:59:42 AM
I'm on the final battle...getting roasted by those rocket launching turrets. Tali hacks one near the beginning which is handy, but I need to figure out how to get past the others. In total playtime I'm at just over 20 hours...level 34 or so.
Who do you have with you besides Tali? And what class are you playing as?
Quote from: Tortuga on February 16, 2010, 02:59:42 AM
I'm on the final battle...getting roasted by those rocket launching turrets. Tali hacks one near the beginning which is handy, but I need to figure out how to get past the others. In total playtime I'm at just over 20 hours...level 34 or so.
When I beat the game I was lvl 38, but I believe you can level up to 50 or 60 if you do all the side quests in the game.
where are you guys getting these claims that things will have a huge impact on the third game? If anything, your choices will only slightly effect the course of the third game...you know, kinda like how Mass Effect 2 was. All the major decisions you made in ME1 only matter on a smaller scale in ME2. Your love interest, who lives or dies, even the end game decision, didn't really effect the main course of the game. And from a developer perspective, this makes sense. With all the different choices you can make between both games now, it would be a big mess for a third game if it were to make a big impact, like what people here keep claiming. Not saying it won't happen, but why would it be so much different for the 3rd game?
Spoiler
oh, and as for Kelly's romance option, I heard once you have dinner with her, you can go into your personal quarters and she'll send you a message to your private terminal that you can only read from there. After you read it, apparently Kelly visits you there. Can't verify that for sure, but some people have posted that elsewhere.
I didn't know there was a timer after you get the IFF. I did a couple more side quests, and then took the Omega 4 relay. Seeing what they did to Kelly was pretty disturbing.
Anyways, I just finished the game this weekend, and it was incredible. It was a needed reminder of why I purchased a 360 in the first place.
Spoiler
During the ending, I was kind of annoyed at how certain crew members could die though. On my first playthrough, I chose Legion to go through the vents, and Samara to lead the diversion team. I thought a justicar would be a great choice, and was even reassured by Miranda. But since I didn't pick Miranda, Jacob, or Garrus instead, Legion (or Tali) gets a rocket to the face and dies. Then later on, because I didn't pick Mordin to be on my team or escort the remaining survivors, he dies randomly when defending the door. It felt really random to me. I had no way of knowing Samara was a bad choice and it kind of irked me. Then I chose the renegade ending (I was mostly paragon throughout, though) because it made more sense to me. But afterwords I felt bad, and every person on the crew doubted my decision. So I went back and played the ending again, everyone survived, and I destroyed the base. Now everyone loves me except the Illusive Man, lol.
oh, and I romanced Miranda. Tali was very tempting, mainly because I think she is one of the best written characters in the game (her loyalty mission was especially powerful, imo). But I just couldn't resist Miranda's sex appeal, lol.
Marvell....
Spoiler
The Kelly thing is partially correct. If you keep talking to her you can eventually invite her to your cabin for dinner, but that's apparently all that happens. (No cutscene or anything showing what happens in the cabin) If you don't romance someone, and keep talking to her without picking any of the options that will shut down anything happening to her, and she survives the suicide mission, there is something that can happen with her if you continue the game after it and talk to her at least once. May have to keep talking to her for it to eventually happen, though. Its not considered an actual romance, and it won't unlock the Paramour achievement. I'm not going to reveal what exactly happens with Kelly; you have to see it for yourself. Look it up on Youtube if you don't want to play the game and find out that way....and make sure you're not eating or drinking something when you watch!
If you do the suicide mission right after the Reaper IFF mission (or Legion's loyalty mission, if you decide to do it), Kelly doesn't die. Its Lilith, the female colonist abducted during the cutscene showing the attack on Horizon, who gets turned to goop instead.
For the suicide mission, to get everyone to survive:
Spoiler
Ideally, you want everyone loyal. Depending on your Paragon/Renegade score at the time, it may be hard to keep both Jack and Miranda loyal when their fight happens (which is why I usually do Jack's loyalty mission last). If you can only keep one of them loyal and you're not romancing Jack, side with Miranda.
For the ventilation shaft, pick Legion or Tali. Don't even consider anyone else.
For the parts with two teams, pick either Garrus, Jacob or Miranda to be the leader. (Can use the same character for both teams) Zaeed won't work; he may be a mercenary with a lot of experience, but he's a follower, not a leader.
For the biotic field projector, Jack and Samara are the two best choices. If the biotic field projector is not loyal, one of the two team members with you will die.
Anyone can lead the survivors back, I assume, as long as they're loyal. I've had Mordin and Tali, who aren't exactly major tailkickers, lead the survivors back with no problems.
For the final part, don't take someone who isn't loyal with you. They'll definitely die after the boss fight, but may survive if left behind to help hold off the enemy. I had one game where Jack wasn't loyal and survived that way.
And remember one very important thing:
Spoiler
I'M COMMANDER SHEPARD, AND THIS IS MY FAVORITE STORE ON THE CITADEL!
:P
About the the last mission,
Spoiler
Everyone on my team was loyal during the last mission. What annoyed me was the vague, randomness of characters dying. Some choices are obvious: you'll need a tech specialist for the vents, so Tali or Legion are your only options. But why is Samara a bad choice for the diversion team? It's especially confusing when characters admire or curse your choices. Miranda was really impressed I picked Samara to lead the diversion team, and Jack hated Miranda leading it. So, I thought who better than a Justicar? But I was wrong, for some reason.
Mordin dying was really random though. Apparently if you don't have him with you, or have him escort the survivors back, he'll die. I know he's not a warrior, but neither is Tali, and she doesn't die if she's defending the door. It's just a little too vague and seems random to me.
I know the right choices now, but I didn't want to spoil anything before I first beat the game.
Spoiler
No, Mordin won't always die if you don't have him with you or have him escort the crew back. I've left him as part of the team holding off the enemy on more than one occasion, and he comes out fine. But he is a good choice to send with the crew, so....
For the diversion teams you need someone with leadership skills more combat experience to be in charge. Which is why Samara and Zaeed are both bad choices. Miranda, Jacob, and Grunt are the only 3 that really fit that role.
I've done the final mission twice with everyone surviving, and one of those times Jack wasn't loyal. Here's how I did it:
Spoiler
First time (Jack not loyal):
Legion through the vent, Jack and Grunt with me.
Team 2 leader: Miranda
With me: `Samara' (Field projector), Legion, Jacob
Diversion team leader: Miranda
Leading the crew back: Garrus
With me for final boss: Legion and Jacob.
Second time (everyone loyal):
Tali through the vent, Legion and Grunt with me.
Team 2 leader: Jacob
With me: Jack (field projector), Garrus and Mordin
Diversion team leader: Jacob
Leading the crew back: Tali
With me for final boss: Zaeed and Thane (Awesome combo for the final fight if you have Inferno Grenade maxxed and at least rank 3 in Shredder Ammo; they chew Collectors up!)
Quote from: TheMarvell on February 21, 2010, 04:32:51 PM
About the the last mission,
Spoiler
Everyone on my team was loyal during the last mission. What annoyed me was the vague, randomness of characters dying. Some choices are obvious: you'll need a tech specialist for the vents, so Tali or Legion are your only options. But why is Samara a bad choice for the diversion team? It's especially confusing when characters admire or curse your choices. Miranda was really impressed I picked Samara to lead the diversion team, and Jack hated Miranda leading it. So, I thought who better than a Justicar? But I was wrong, for some reason.
Mordin dying was really random though. Apparently if you don't have him with you, or have him escort the survivors back, he'll die. I know he's not a warrior, but neither is Tali, and she doesn't die if she's defending the door. It's just a little too vague and seems random to me.
I know the right choices now, but I didn't want to spoil anything before I first beat the game.
Spoiler
Samara is a bad choice for the diversion team because you're choosing someone to lead it - and she is not a leader of men, or women. Grunt, Zaeed, Samara - they're all powerful fighters, but not good leaders, and people will die if you pick them.
Mordin doesn't always die in those situations, but he does have a high chance to.
Spoiler
so Mordin dying is random? Or does he die if you picked the wrong choice for something else, and then have him defend the door? And if Samara is a bad choice, why does Miranda admire my decision to pick her? Unless she purposely wants others to be killed on the mission, it's really confusing and a bit unfair to the player. I would think an Asari Justicar would have plenty of experience in the centuries that they live. But I'm nitpicking now, lol.
Quote from: TheMarvell on February 22, 2010, 07:41:44 AM
Spoiler
so Mordin dying is random? Or does he die if you picked the wrong choice for something else, and then have him defend the door? And if Samara is a bad choice, why does Miranda admire my decision to pick her? Unless she purposely wants others to be killed on the mission, it's really confusing and a bit unfair to the player. I would think an Asari Justicar would have plenty of experience in the centuries that they live. But I'm nitpicking now, lol.
Spoiler
Mordin shouldn't be dying on the door defense unless he's not loyal. I'm scratching my head bigtime over that, as I've never had anyone not loyal die during that part, and have even had Jack survive once when she wasn't loyal.
(By defending the door, you do mean having Mordin be one of the people left behind while you go fight the final boss, right?)
My recommendation next time you play would be to have him be the one leading the rescued crew back to the ship.
Honestly, though, you would think that Samara and Zaeed would be decent leaders, due to their experience. But Samara is used to being a loner, after all. And Zaeed isn't someone I'd want barking orders to me in a combat situation. He's too hot headed, which is probably why he's not a good leader. (Plus he's had situations in the past where he was the only surviving member of his team, which should raise a flag right there!)
Oh, and one thing I'm not sure if I've mentioned, but for the final boss fight:
Spoiler
Thane with lvl 3 or 4 Shredder Ammo (It should be common sense, but NEVER take the squad ammo option for any character; it'll just cause headaches) and Zaeed with Inferno Grenade maxed (the area effect dmg version) will freaking own the Collectors during the final fight. If you're running one of the weaker combat classes, I definitely recommend using those two with the powers at the levels I mentioned as your partners for that fight.
Do squad ammo's stack?
Quote from: TheMarvell on February 22, 2010, 07:41:44 AM
Spoiler
so Mordin dying is random? Or does he die if you picked the wrong choice for something else, and then have him defend the door? And if Samara is a bad choice, why does Miranda admire my decision to pick her? Unless she purposely wants others to be killed on the mission, it's really confusing and a bit unfair to the player. I would think an Asari Justicar would have plenty of experience in the centuries that they live. But I'm nitpicking now, lol.
Quote from: GhostMachine on February 22, 2010, 08:08:13 AM
Spoiler
Mordin shouldn't be dying on the door defense unless he's not loyal. I'm scratching my head bigtime over that, as I've never had anyone not loyal die during that part, and have even had Jack survive once when she wasn't loyal.
(By defending the door, you do mean having Mordin be one of the people left behind while you go fight the final boss, right?)
Like I said, this what I did on my first playthrough of the ending:
Spoiler
Go through the vents: Legion
Lead the diversion team: Samara
(Legion dies)
Biotic to protect the team from the swarm: Samara
Lead the rest of the group: Jacob
Escort the survivors: Zaeed
Defending the door while I go fight the final boss: everyone except Garrus and Miranda, who are on my team.
(Mordin dies)
All of them were loyal.
Some people on the GameFAQs board say if you don't have enough combat specialists defending the door, then Mordin dies. In this case, Miranda, Garrus, and Zaeed were all missing from the door defense.
So, I reloaded the beginning of the mission and did it the "right" way. Garrus lead the diversion team, Tali through the vents. Jack protected from the swarm. Jacob lead the rest. Mordin lead the survivors to safety, and Miranda and Thane helped me kill the final boss while everyone else defended the door. All survived.
I'm not going to link it because of the lyrics, but has anyone else heard "Those Minerals" yet? :ph34r:
More Mass Effect 2 DLC coming soon - and still free for people who bought new copies of the game: http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/ (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/)
Quote from: Talavar on February 26, 2010, 08:17:24 PM
More Mass Effect 2 DLC coming soon - and still free for people who bought new copies of the game: http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/ (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/)
What it mentions elsewhere but not on that page for some reason is that there's a new heavy weapon coming out as well and will probably be released before the Hammerhead.
Frankly, between the Blackstorm projector, Collector Particle Beam and Cain, I think we have enough heavy weapons already. (Most of the others aren't worth bothering with)
I agree about heavy weapons - there are already too many, and I only ever use the Collector Beam weapon anyway (the Cain is awesome, but most of the time I don't realize a time would have been good to use it until after the fight is over).
I beat Mass Effect 2 last night.
Spoiler
I recruited everyone and completed everyone's loyalty missions but lost Miranda's loyalty during her fight with Jack. My romance was Tali. I finished all the missions before going after the IFF.
I choose Legion to go into the vents, Garrus to lead both teams, Jacob to escort the crew, and Samara as the biotic. I took Thane and Tali for the final mission and destroyed the base. Everyone survived - yay!
Highlight of the game was playing as Joker!
Great game, really enjoyed it.
Looking forward to the new DLC. Happy that it's free.
Heavy weapons wise, I usually use the Blackstorm projector (which people only got if they pre-ordered at Gamestop) or missile launcher, but the Collector Particle Beam is handy when it comes to dealing with Praetorians. The Cain is pretty much an end boss only weapon due to the fact it needs a lot of ammo just to fire one shot and is an overkill weapon.
And is it just me or is the Eviscerator shotgun that was DLC not all that great? Its better than the default shotgun, but the Claymore is more useful than the Eviscerator, in my opinion.
Grats on beating the game, Podmark.
I just beat the game last night and here's what happen:
Spoiler
I had a romance with Tali and did the loyalty mission for her, but when I sent her through the vents, she STILL died. In the strategy guide it stated that as along as the person goes through the vent is loyal to you they will not died, yet she did. I had Miranda lead the second team every chance I got and nobody else died. What gives?
Spoiler
Did you get to each station on time before she overheated?
Quote from: Ares_God_of_War on February 27, 2010, 07:26:15 PM
Spoiler
Did you get to each station on time before she overheated?
Spoiler
Got to all 8 of them. When we try to close the door she took a headshot and died. I was shocked!
Jey
Spoiler
Who was the leader of your second team and did you have their loyalty?
In order for your specialist to survive the vents you must choose Tali or Legion and they must have their loyalty, and you must choose either Miranda, Garrus, or Jacob and they must have their loyalty.
This page (http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Suicide_mission#Suicide_Mission) outlines how the Suicide Mission works.
Quote from: Podmark on February 28, 2010, 07:57:31 AM
Jey
Spoiler
Who was the leader of your second team and did you have their loyalty?
In order for your specialist to survive the vents you must choose Tali or Legion and they must have their loyalty, and you must choose either Miranda, Garrus, or Jacob and they must have their loyalty.
This page (http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Suicide_mission#Suicide_Mission) outlines how the Suicide Mission works.
That's explains it! Thanks.
Spoiler
I had Miranda the leader of the second team and she wasn't loyal (big fight with Jack)
BTW: did you know:
Spoiler
You can have multiple romances! I had one with Tali and after she died I spoke with Jack and kept being nice to her. She broke down and told me everything and met me in my room. This was after I beat the reapers and continue the game after the credits
I think the hardest choice in this game is actually deciding
Spoiler
between Tali and Miranda
. Seriously! I sweated over that decision for a couple of hours.
I've had two game saves, one is my 'real' choices (as I would play it if the character were me, surprisingly high Paragon score) and I chose
Spoiler
Tali
simply because, in my mind, she fits better (I've always preferred character over smoking hot bod) - I would have chosen her in ME1 if that had been an option.
The renegade chose
Spoiler
Miranda. Need I explain why? :P
The Renegade is a LOT more fun to play. Seriously, it's like going GTA on the ME universe :D
As examples (Spoiler heavy, obviously). These both crack me up SO much, especially the second one XD
Commander Shephard is such a jerk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy-eRfupYbA)
Commander Shephard is such a jerk part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PjTuSQNLI4)
Looking forward to ME3, ESPECIALLY towards what my decisions wrought. I mean...
Spoiler
You've got the Rachni, who promise to return and back you up, you have the genophage research, you have the green skinned asari returning, you have the 'oh man I am so dead' conversation with your original girlfriend to come...Did that annoy anyone else? If I'd known I was gonna have Tali as a romancable partner in ME2, I would have stayed celibate the first time round. I don't really feel like playing the entirety of the first ME1 AGAIN just for that, so now I have to look forward to possible friction in the final game. Bah.
If you've done certain things, I think ME3 is going to be interesting, because:
Spoiler
Once the Reapers show up, the Council will have to get off their butts if they don't want to get tossed aside or told where they can go (and it ain't a Pismo Beach clam festival!). And Shepard should have a ready-made army, with the Rachni, Quarians and Geth backing him up.
Oh, and as for romances....
Spoiler
If you flirt with Kelly Chambers a lot, don't romance anyone, and she doesn't die (ie, you do the suicide mission right after the Reaper IFF or Legion loyalty mission), something interesting happens with her after reloading the game and talking to her another time or two. (You'll find something in your private messages if its going to happen, then have to have Shepard go to his cabin and look around his desk there for it to happen) Its not considered a true romance, though; it won't unlock the Paramour achievement, for instance.
Did another run at the suicide mission with no deaths, despite Jack not being loyal. This time I was playing as a Soldier with Fortification:
Spoiler
Legion through the vents, Miranda leading the fire team, Thane and Grunt with me.
Second part, Jacob leading the distraction team, Samara projecting the biotic field, Legion and Zaeed with me.
Escorting the survivors back: Tali
My team for the final part of the mission: Garrus and Samara.
I've now played ME2 all the way through as every class except Sentinel, which I have no interest in playing. Vanguard was the only character imported from ME1, and I've played it through as an Infiltrator twice (two different characters, one male, one female). I'd have to say Infiltrator and Adept were the most fun, Engineer the least fun.
Spoiler
Sentinel was surprisingly fun for me. Very good change of pace from infiltrator; you're incredibly durable and have solid biotic powers. Good utility aggro magnet.
I love that video;
"You've questioned my competence through the entire mission!"
"The best way to stop that is to show me you're competent."
Videos had me laughing. Now I have to stop playing Bioshock 2 to play ME again!
Questions for all:
I played ME 1 & 2 back to back and now I want to play it again. I going to play it back to back again because I can't see myself playing ME2 without playing ME1 again, especially with the choices you can make. Does anybody else feels the same?
I agree. I would've liked to have played ME again, but I loaned it to a friend. My second playthrough with a renegade FemShep just felt wrong somehow. I don't like the default decisions.
I'm not really one for replaying a game right after beating it, but when I do play Mass Effect again it will be both games back-to-back.
Btw, if you don't like the default decisions from ME2, download the saved game editor. You can go in and change the decisions, but they only take effect on a second playthrough with the same character. I did that with the Soldier I beat the game with last night, and played him up to past getting the Normandy. Have visited the Citadel and done the ice brandy and provisions side missions plus the side missions
Spoiler
Krogan Sushi and the one with the Volus accusing the Quarian of stealing his credit chit
, but no actual missions yet.
Interesting thing: I changed it so Ashley was the one sacrificed on Virmire and Liara was the one romanced, so you'd think it would be Kaidan on the Normandy at the beginning of the game, right? Nope. Liara, wearing armor. I thought only Ashley and Kaidan could show up during that part, so I was pleasantly surprised when it was her instead.
One thing I really wish would carry over in replays that doesn't? Your Paragon and Renegade ratings.
Oh, and for anyone who plays Renegade mostly, there's at least one time you shouldn't take the Renegade option, because it will shut down a side mission without you being able to complete it:
Spoiler
When dealing with the Asari who C-Sec won't let fly. If you take the Renegade option and get smart when talking to them, it shuts down the side mission so you can't complete it.
Spoiler
However, if you do Garrus' loyalty mission first and find the forged identity papers you can give them to the asari and get some renegade points.
I just noticed the Kasumi option in the savegame editor. Yay, another DLC character. :)
Kasumi has been talked about some on the Bioware forums, though only by players and not by anyone from Bioware, so everything is just speculation. I'm betting she ends up being like Zaeed, in that there's not much interaction with her onboard the Normandy-2 and she can't be a love interest.
The save editor is a must-have, in my opinion, if you play a female Shepard, because most of the default hairstyles for females stink and you can give them some other hairstyles using the editor. Apparently you can also give them non-normal colors, because I've seen a picture of a female Shepard with bright pink hair, though I don't know how to do that. (There aren't really any decent alternate hairstyles for men that have been found yet for changing in the editor, though there IS a mohawk that works for either gender) You can also change eye colors using the editor, but I don't want to do that unless there's a way to give Shepard eyes like TIM's.
Kasumi is actually mentioned in the news on Illium. She's a thief and she robbed somebody. The game data files include information on her so it is very probable that she is a future DLC squad member.
Any links to the save game editor?
Quote from: JeyNyce on March 02, 2010, 11:46:58 AM
Any links to the save game editor?
You can get it here:
http://www.masseffect2faces.com/index.php?show=tutorials&tutorial=saveEdit (scroll down a bit for the link)
Click the "custom hair" link at the top of at page for a better tutorial on changing hair.
Hi. I got a new laptop, and I'm wondering if it's good enough to play Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age. (Plays SFIV just fine.) Here are the specs, or what I can get of them anyway.
AMD Athlon II Dual-Core Processor M320(2.1GHz)
RAM: 3.00 GB (2.75 Usable)
ATI Radeon HD 4200
Can someone answer my question please?
I don't have the PC version for either so I can't give any first hand knowledge but a few months ago I stumbled onto a site that may help:
http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/CYRI/intro.aspx
It runs an ap that compares your system specs to the game requirements. It's not 100% though, it said I could run Civ4 because I was on Windows 7 but the game runs prefectly.
Alright. According to the website, my laptop meets not just the minimum requirements, but the recommended requirements, except for one thing; the graphics card. Here's the part I have a problem with though. According to this, I need an ATI Radeon 2900 XT, made in 2007. Yet my laptop has a ATI Radeon HD 4200, made in 2009, two years after the 2009 XT was put out. Even more questionable is when I click the Recommendations link. It directs me to the same graphics card that my laptop has, a HD 4200. Can someone please explain this to me?
I love this http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/ignoriginal_nastynate2_030510.html
Quote from: kkhohoho on March 06, 2010, 01:52:41 PM
Alright. According to the website, my laptop meets not just the minimum requirements, but the recommended requirements, except for one thing; the graphics card. Here's the part I have a problem with though. According to this, I need an ATI Radeon 2900 XT, made in 2007. Yet my laptop has a ATI Radeon HD 4200, made in 2009, two years after the 2009 XT was put out. Even more questionable is when I click the Recommendations link. It directs me to the same graphics card that my laptop has, a HD 4200. Can someone please explain this to me?
I have the same graphics chip in my laptop. Just because it's newer doesn't mean it's better than other older cards. Your best bet might be to ask on the Mass Effect forum and see if anyone has your card and is playing the game. If it would work you'd be playing on low settings for sure.
Quote from: captmorgan72 on March 06, 2010, 04:47:02 PM
I love this http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/ignoriginal_nastynate2_030510.html
Yeah that was funny.
Quote from: Podmark on March 06, 2010, 07:08:26 PM
I have the same graphics chip in my laptop. Just because it's newer doesn't mean it's better than other older cards. Your best bet might be to ask on the Mass Effect forum and see if anyone has your card and is playing the game. If it would work youd be playing on low settings for sure.
Yeah, well, I'm asking around online, but unfortunately, I might not be able to play ME2. Fortunately, I am able to play ME1 (Recommended) and Dragon Age (Minimum), and as long as the expansions for DA don't update the graphics, I'd probably be able to play those too.
anyone try going back to ME1 after playing ME2?
I did this week. And...it just didn't pull me in as much as I thought it would. I was really pumped after ME2, and wanted to start the epic all over again, but the first game just didn't have that effect (pardon the pun) on me. I even bought the two DLC's, but both of those sucked. I forgot how annoying the Mako was too. Don't get me wrong, it was, and still is, an awesome game, but I think after you play through it once, it no longer has its hooks in you, as you know whats going to happen. I'm guessing ME2 is similar, but I can at least play through again as a female. I just think after 2 plays of each game, there's not much reason to go back.
one thing ME1 did that trumps ME2: ammo. Why did they add ammo to ME2? I'd much rather have no ammo, but overheating like they did in ME1. There's nothing more frustrating than being in a firefight and then all of a sudden you're out of ammo. And in ME2, I constantly ran out with the shotgun, and could hardly ever find refills.
Finished the game today. Lost one crew member. Here is what happen.
Spoiler
Tali went through the vents. Zaeed led the fire team. Jack and Legion with me.
Second part, Miranda leading the distraction team, Samara projecting the biotic field, Legion and Jack with me.
Escorting the survivors back: Grunt
My team for the final part of the mission: Jack and Legion.
Jack was my romance pick. I really liked her character, tortured soul and all. The only character that didn't give me their full loyalty was Miranda, due to her fight with Jack. Tali took a shot to the head killing her when we were closing the doors. It was a shock when it happened. I thought it was interesting that Legion was the one who pulled me up into the shuttle, basically saving me. I decided to hand over the base to Cerberus. Tried to see the bigger picture, the larger threat.
I really loved this game. I also love how you can continue the story after the final mission. Inviting up Jack to my private quarters and getting "cozy" with her is awesome. Excellent role playing value. I'm such a role playing whore that I would end every playing session in Shepard's private quarters putting on his casual clothes. Then when starting up a game I would position him in front of the toilet, flush and get dressed in his formal wear. I like to get absorbed into the story.
The free DLC heavy weapon is available now. It's called the Arc Projector.
http://masseffect.bioware.com/universe/arsenal/weapons/
I really wish I had kept a save file before I did everything. I have no place to try out the new shotgun that was recently released or the Arc Projector. I could always start a new game but right now I don't feel like going through that long non-skippable opening.
Quote from: NomadX on March 09, 2010, 09:44:57 PM
I really wish I had kept a save file before I did everything. I have no place to try out the new shotgun that was recently released or the Arc Projector. I could always start a new game but right now I don't feel like going through that long non-skippable opening.
I'm hoping that the Hammerhead download later this month will include some squad parts to it's missions so I can try it out.
Finished! Just in time for Red Dead Redemption. :D I knew that if I didn't finish before Tuesday that I wouldn't get around to finishing it for ages.
The ending was spectacular...I loved how the last series of missions kept ramping up. I made an unlikely choice at the end, so I'm curious how that'll effect ME3.
Curious, what choice did you make?
Spoiler
I felt very loyal to The Illusive Man after all he did for me and humanity. I decided to give him the Collector Base. Jack was my romance choice too.
I can't remember how to use Spoiler tags, so I'll just say: I did the same except Miranda.
More DLC has been announced: http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/ (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/)
Sounds cool, I hope it's fun. The Kasumi DLC was a lot of fun, while the Hammerhead tank missions left something to be desired - did ME2 really need jumping puzzles? There have also been a couple of weapon, gear and outfit downloads no one's mentioned so far.
Is it just me, or is there a major dearth of armour head accessories that don't look like butt?
Quote from: Talavar on May 14, 2010, 02:30:39 PM
More DLC has been announced: http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/ (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/dlc/)
Sounds cool, I hope it's fun. The Kasumi DLC was a lot of fun, while the Hammerhead tank missions left something to be desired - did ME2 really need jumping puzzles? There have also been a couple of weapon, gear and outfit downloads no one's mentioned so far.
Is it just me, or is there a major dearth of armour head accessories that don't look like butt?
nice i'll definitely be getting this. VI Overlord reminds me of the one mission (i think it was a cerebus base raid in ME1) that had a corrupted VI.
you are right about the hammerhead missions... too bad, i was hoping that they would remind me of the mako more... if you look in the cargo hold where the hammerhead and shuttle are kept, it seems like there is a lot more room for some other vehicles too.
(you are so right about the head accessories though!)
In my first playthrough i mainly stuck with the inferno armor until i bought the majority of N7 armor pieces to customize it.
This time i'm using a soldier build with the cerebus armor (since it's a continued ME1 character, i don't need the added language options from the inferno suit) - also I'll probably switch to Collector Armor after a few missions, so i can be decked out with collector armor and collector guns.
My third playthrough will be on insane level as a biotic rebel. I'll try to be a complete hardcase - haven't figured out which armor i'll use though.
I've a feeling that I should probably start a new thread for this but....
I just finished the FIRST Mass Effect game and probably will be playing through it again on that save just to get my character to lvl 60. However, I was looking through some stuff and I have some questions.
1) Do the achievements that give gameplay bonuses carry over to Mass Effect 2?
2) On my current playthrough, my Shepard is a Earthborn Soldier. I am still not 100% sure about how to use to the tech and biotic stuff. Is it worth starting a new character that is one of those from lvl 1 and getting him all the way to lvl 60? Can you choose a new class when transferring over to ME2?
3) On the first playthrough, I chose mostly Paragon responses. On my second one, I am taking mostly Renegade responses. (Though I am let the council die on the first playthrough. I may choose a different response on the second one.
4) With regards to Achievements and the character based achievements that say finish x amount with this character in your party, do the side quests not count?
5) Are there any penalties for not doing the side quests when everything is transferred over to ME2?
6) Which of the DLC for ME2 is worth getting? I definitely plan to get Katsumi. What all is entailed in the Cerebus Network DLC? I got the impression that it was something I needed Xbox Live gold to utilize. I hope that is incorrect, is it?
1) Do the achievements that give gameplay bonuses carry over to Mass Effect 2?
The only one I can think of is that you finish ME2 with a character that you had from ME1
2) On my current playthrough, my Shepard is a Earthborn Soldier. I am still not 100% sure about how to use to the tech and biotic stuff. Is it worth starting a new character that is one of those from lvl 1 and getting him all the way to lvl 60? Can you choose a new class when transferring over to ME2?
You can change you character looks and powers in the beginning of ME2
3) On the first playthrough, I chose mostly Paragon responses. On my second one, I am taking mostly Renegade responses. (Though I am let the council die on the first playthrough. I may choose a different response on the second one.
Yes
4) With regards to Achievements and the character based achievements that say finish x amount with this character in your party, do the side quests not count?
I don't think so, but not 100% sure
5) Are there any penalties for not doing the side quests when everything is transferred over to ME2?
Doing some of the side quest helps the story in the second game. Some of the action you did in the first may or may not pop up in the second game
6) Which of the DLC for ME2 is worth getting? I definitely plan to get Katsumi. What all is entailed in the Cerebus Network DLC? I got the impression that it was something I needed Xbox Live gold to utilize. I hope that is incorrect, is it?
Gold memebers get access to the DLC first. Silver member have to wait a week before they can download it - unless otherwise stated
Quote from: Mr. Hamrick on July 26, 2010, 06:58:01 PM
6) Which of the DLC for ME2 is worth getting? I definitely plan to get Katsumi. What all is entailed in the Cerebus Network DLC? I got the impression that it was something I needed Xbox Live gold to utilize. I hope that is incorrect, is it?
The Cerberus Network gave you a bunch of DLC for free at the start. Those are:
Zaeed - The Price of Revenge - new character
Normandy Crash Site
Cerberus Weapon and Armor
Arc Projector
Firewalker Pack - new vechicle
Everything else you need to pay for, though I don't think you require the Cerberus Network to get them. XBox Live Gold is NOT required.
Quote from: Podmark on July 26, 2010, 07:43:31 PM
Quote from: Mr. Hamrick on July 26, 2010, 06:58:01 PM
6) Which of the DLC for ME2 is worth getting? I definitely plan to get Katsumi. What all is entailed in the Cerebus Network DLC? I got the impression that it was something I needed Xbox Live gold to utilize. I hope that is incorrect, is it?
The Cerberus Network gave you a bunch of DLC for free at the start. Those are:
Zaeed - The Price of Revenge - new character
Normandy Crash Site
Cerberus Weapon and Armor
Arc Projector
Firewalker Pack - new vechicle
Everything else you need to pay for, though I don't think you require the Cerberus Network to get them. XBox Live Gold is NOT required.
I bought the game used. I will have to pay for all of it.
Quote from: Mr. Hamrick on July 26, 2010, 07:47:34 PM
I bought the game used. I will have to pay for all of it.
Right, sorry. The Cereberus Network still includes those DLC in it's price then.
The others are separate purchases. I don't think you are required to buy the Cerberus Network to buy the separate DLC but I could be wrong.
Definitely buy Zaeed Messani if you can. He has a pretty good loyalty mission and one of the best loyalty powers in the game. Maxxed out the Inferno Grenades can tear stuff up very fast. (Its my favorite loyalty power that's not a shield to use when Shepard gains the ability to take on loyalty powers)
The Cerberus armor and weapon pack is pretty nice. The Arc Projector, not so much. The only times I've used it have been when I knew I would be fighting mechs. But then again, I do have the Blackstorm Projector weapon from pre-ordering through Gamestop (the Terminus armor was crap, though).
I have yet to play the Firewalker pack. I haven't played ME2 much since before it was released and don't play on buying any of the pay only DLC content (Kasumi being paid DLC is crap, since she's final squad member; she should have been free and the Firewalker pack pay, if you ask me). I'm not through playing ME2, however. Its just that I played it all the way through several times as different classes so I got burned out and am playing other games right now.
P.S. I'm hoping for a Mass Effect MMO at some point!
P.P.S. Read the text under my avatar. :)
Quote from: JeyNyce on July 26, 2010, 07:38:37 PM
3) On the first playthrough, I chose mostly Paragon responses. On my second one, I am taking mostly Renegade responses. (Though I am let the council die on the first playthrough. I may choose a different response on the second one.
Yes
stupid me, left the question off this one. Was wondering which was better to have but I'll probably have both pretty high by the end. Is it better to let the council die though?
Guess I will go ahead and get all the DLC. Apparently, the Arc Project pack comes with the Cerebus Network DL. I bought the game used so I will have to pay for the Cerebus Network download. Only DL I am getting for free is the Blood Armor from Dragon Age: Origin that transfers over to this.
Is Kasumi really that worthless?
I'm currently replaying the game right now, so I can give you my impressions on some of the new stuff.
With all the DLC, I think it's only worth it if you're starting a 2nd playthrough or relatively early in the game. The Cerberus network comes with all sorts of goodies, but paying $15 for it might be a little steep depending on how much you paid for the game. For a new copy and it being free, it's awesome. Zaeed has a great loyalty mission and often times I find myself taking him with me on missions because his abilities really come in handy. The firewalker pack is kind of weak though. It's basically hovercraft levels where you fly around collecting resources and occasionally fight turrets. There's also some easy platforming segments. It's kind of cool at first because it's different, but it's nothing great. The Arc Projecter, on the other hand, is a great heavy weapon. It basically shoots lightning bolts at a single target, and if there are multiple enemies close to your target, it'll chain over to them.
Kasumi and Overlord are good DLC's. Overlord offers a good amount of content (about 2-3 hours worth, give or take) and has a neat story that's a bit on the creepy side. Kasumi is short though, and while her loyalty mission is fun, it's not very action packed. Really, she's especially only worth it if you're playing through again and/or early on in your save. She does have some handy, unique abilities like shadow strike, where she sneaks up on an enemy and delivers a powerful melee from behind, then sneaks back to cover.
Overall, the DLC depends on how much you love the game, how far you're into it, and how much more of it you want to play. Since I'm playing through it a 2nd time now, I thought it was worth it, but this is also my favorite game this year. If you already beat it and only want to play through the new DLC's...it's hard to fully recommend for $7 each (plus $15 for the Cerberus Network). That's almost $30 for all the DLC up to now (not including the costume packs) which is a bit much.
I'm really looking forward to the next DLC though: Lair of the Shadow Broker (featuring Liara). After that I think the DLC is done.
Ok I just had to reply to this since I have the first Mass Effect and then bought the 2nd when it came out a month later.
Spoiler
If you let the council die then most of the aliens on the Citadel tend to lean toward being anti-human. The new council won't even speak to you.
Kasumi is awesome. I can't believe I waited so long to download her. She has one of the most awesome powers in the game, which The Marvell already said. I've been able to take down a MECH with her alone. If they don't have shields then they are dead and if they have shields then they won't have them anymore.
The new Aegis dlc is pretty good if you want some different armor and a new sniper rifle. I never used the full armor with the face masks. I like to see my Shepard. I'm waiting for the new Lair of The Shadowbroker DLC since it has my LI in it, Liara. I liked Zaeed's loyalty mission but I didn't like using his character in my squad. I usually had Miranda, Kasumi, Tali, Garrus or Legion.
Ok, I have played about 2/3 or so through the game. (counting the optional stuff, scanning planets, etc) I definitely think I am gonna go back and play through the first one again so I can get my character on lvl 60. And when I do that, I am playing back through Mass Effect 2 as an Infiltrator. I find myself using the sniper rifle as my primary weapon more and more unlike the first game.
I am a bit confused about loyalty powers. Supposedly Shepperd can get one of a character's ability. Any suggestions on which ability. Just wondering.
I will say that I think Jack is my favorite character in either of the ME games.
You can spend resources to change the ability belonging to another character that he learns.
It really depends on what class you're playing Shepard as, but one of the defensive abilities is a good choice for most classes. I used Zaeed's a lot (best power in the game, really, once its maxxed out) if I felt I didn't need a defensive power.
It's under research, you can research any special power that a team member has.
Personally, I took Reave. So useful, not only does it damage barriers and shields, but it also carries a stun with it too. And if it's just health, you can take them out of the fight for a full 20 seconds - all while stealing their health! It's especially useful vs Krogan and Vorcha :)