Mass Effect 3

billybob476 · March 12, 2012, 05:25:21 AM

A lot of people say skip ME1, I enjoyed it but apparently there's some videos you can watch to get 'up to date' on it. One advantage to taking the time to play though each game is that the longer you wait, the cheaper ME3 will get.

Definitely don't skip ME2, it's one of the best games I've played in a long, long time.

Jobydrone · March 12, 2012, 06:19:45 AM

I would have said skip ME1 until I played it again last month and really loved it. There are some flaws but they're easily avoidable. If you do make the right decision and play ME1 first, there's things you can do to improve the experience. My biggest piece of advice would be to skip as much of the driving sequences as you can. You have to drive the Mako alot, but if you go straight to your mission objective and avoid the miscelaneous stuff on the map you can cut down on alot of the crazy traversal and quickly get on with what you need to do to progress.

You certainly can skip the first because ME2 bends over backwards to make it okay. There's even a DLC pack you can buy for Xbox 360 that lets you make the important decisions of ME1 so you can create a character that seems like one that's been through the events of the first game. And on PS3 there is no ME1, so you have to skip it if that's your only system. But don't be tempted. There's no rush to get into ME2 or 3. ME2 is a huge improvement on the mechanics of the first game, but I believe you'd appreciate it way more with the experience of the first under your belt. And it's really really good.

ChrisMC · March 12, 2012, 09:33:49 AM

I wouldn't skip anything. My Paragon character is the same guy I've played for years, I even had to re-do the face for 3. I think you miss alot of the value if you skip 1, there's alot of tapestry there. You get a great feel for the universe of the game, and to be honest, I didn't ever mind driving around on planets....repetitive, yes, but unique. Now that the whole series is out, you can take your time and play through all of them in a row. The transition from 2 to 3 specifically is very nice, I just played through 2 again with the DLC and started 3 immediately after and it's great.

Play them all, it's the best sci-fi entertainment out there, in my opinion.

billybob476 · March 12, 2012, 09:41:18 AM

Quote from: Chris-El on March 12, 2012, 09:33:49 AM
I wouldn't skip anything. My Paragon character is the same guy I've played for years, I even had to re-do the face for 3. I think you miss alot of the value if you skip 1, there's alot of tapestry there. You get a great feel for the universe of the game, and to be honest, I didn't ever mind driving around on planets....repetitive, yes, but unique. Now that the whole series is out, you can take your time and play through all of them in a row. The transition from 2 to 3 specifically is very nice, I just played through 2 again with the DLC and started 3 immediately after and it's great.

Play them all, it's the best sci-fi entertainment out there, in my opinion.

Do you need ti play all the DLC to flow nicely into 3? Or is it really just the 'latest' DLC pack that follows directly into 3.

Jobydrone · March 12, 2012, 11:24:05 AM

I played Firewalker missions, Zaeed, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project: Overlord, and Arrival. I wouldn't guess any of them are essential, but they're all very good. Arrival, the latest one, is pretty darn short and probably the weakest of the three in my opinion. I would doubt any of them tie in much beyond a passing reference in ME3 considering that probably no more than 10% of the ME audience actually purchased and played these. But I can't say for sure since I haven't played it yet.

ChrisMC · March 12, 2012, 04:01:06 PM

Shadow Broker is pretty important!

X · March 12, 2012, 04:15:50 PM

All of them tie into the game and affect the story in some way.

ChrisMC · March 12, 2012, 04:17:25 PM

Just like a good portion of storylines, big and small from ME1 play into the game in some way.

Appaullo · March 13, 2012, 03:11:30 PM

As stated a few times above, Rico : Play all of them, the story is WELL worth it, and its a bit of a thrill to take your character from game one all the way to game three. That being said, if you must skip any, then try to play ME2, at that start they allow you to sort of make your decisions from ME1. Its a bit odd, how they do it, but it will still work. But be warned ... some of those decisions will have little meaning if you dont play ME1, the council choice for instance. Without playing through ME1 that would have been a "eh ... whatever" answer for me.
As for the day one DLC, I'll get it. I only got the game yesterday and only spent an hour with it so far. I'm jaded because I loved the first 2 so much, but I'll say it - I know I'll love this one too.

Appaullo

JT · March 13, 2012, 06:45:19 PM

Im playing me1 for the first time and im almost finished. So far i would say not to skip it. It has an old 80's scifi movie feel to it so if you like that kind of thing you should play it Rico.

ChrisMC · March 13, 2012, 06:52:31 PM

One thing worth mentioning as well is the awesome scores in all 3 games. Runs the gamut from sci-fi synth to emotional to action-packed.

billybob476 · March 14, 2012, 05:27:53 AM

Quote from: Chris-El on March 13, 2012, 06:52:31 PM
One thing worth mentioning as well is the awesome scores in all 3 games. Runs the gamut from sci-fi synth to emotional to action-packed.

Yup, the ME2 soundtrack is in my "working music" rotation.

KingIsaacLinksr · March 14, 2012, 09:05:53 AM

The Illusive Man's theme is the best theme of the bunch. Just packs so much into it.

King

billybob476 · March 14, 2012, 09:25:18 AM

Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on March 14, 2012, 09:05:53 AM
The Illusive Man's theme is the best theme of the bunch. Just packs so much into it.

King

Martin Sheen's theme :)

KingIsaacLinksr · March 14, 2012, 09:34:31 AM

Quote from: billybob476 on March 14, 2012, 09:25:18 AM
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on March 14, 2012, 09:05:53 AM
The Illusive Man's theme is the best theme of the bunch. Just packs so much into it.

King

Martin Sheen's theme :)

Yeah, I like his acting whenever I see it. :). Or I suppose hear it. The Illsuive man was definitely the main reason we played ME2, to figure him out. And we didn't quite do it either.

King