Mass Effect 2

[GhostMachine]

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.

[Podmark]

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.

[JeyNyce]

Any links to the save game editor?

[GhostMachine]

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.

[kkhohoho]

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

[kkhohoho]

Can someone answer my question please?

[Podmark]

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.

[kkhohoho]

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?

[captmorgan72]

I love this http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/ignoriginal_nastynate2_030510.html

[Podmark]

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.

I love this http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14235013/mass-effect-2/videos/ignoriginal_nastynate2_030510.html

Yeah that was funny.

[kkhohoho]

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.

[TheMarvell]

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.

[captmorgan72]

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.

[Podmark]

The free DLC heavy weapon is available now. It's called the Arc Projector.
http://masseffect.bioware.com/universe/arsenal/weapons/

[NomadX]

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.

[Podmark]

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.

[Tortuga]

Finished!  Just in time for Red Dead Redemption.    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.

[captmorgan72]

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. 

[Tortuga]

I can't remember how to use Spoiler tags, so I'll just say: I did the same except Miranda.

[Talavar]

More DLC has been announced: 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?

[detourne_me]

More DLC has been announced: 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.

[Mr. Hamrick]

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?

[JeyNyce]

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

[Podmark]

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.

[Mr. Hamrick]

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.

[Podmark]

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.

[GhostMachine]

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.

[Mr. Hamrick]

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?

[TheMarvell]

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.

[Auridian]

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.