Mass Effect 2

Jobydrone · January 26, 2010, 07:20:49 AM

Mass Effect 2, Bioware's epic sci-fi RPG for the Xbox 360 releases in stores today. I'm not sure if PC hits now or later. Day one buyers get access to special armor and two free downloadable missions that will be paid content in the future. Can't wait to get this, the first game was great and I loved Bioware's recent effort, Dragon Age Origins. Should be fun stuff.

VaeVictis1701 · January 26, 2010, 08:19:31 AM

I actually just recently got into the Mass Effect universe. When I first picked up the game so many moons ago I didn't enjoy the play style of the game. So I ended up putting it down with the intent to never pick it up again. When the trailers for the new game started coming out and I liked what I saw I decided to give it another go... and I absolutely love the game. I have no idea what I was thinking before... but I'm glad I gave it a second chance.

I know that there are three different sets of armor that are being given out. There is a set that comes with a Game Stop pre-order, and Amazon / EA pre-order and another for the collectors edition of the game. The Game Stop one also comes with a nice weapon.

From what I hear the game for the 360 is coming with multiple disks because they put a lot of content in this game. You also can carry over your save from the first one. So any of the major decisions you made in the first one will effect aspect of the sequel. All in all this games looks amazing and I can't wait to play it. :-)

VaeVictis1701 · January 29, 2010, 08:07:00 AM

I just have to say this game is amazing. Anyone who enjoyed the first one should love this game. Granted they turned it into more of a third person shooter in parts... but all in all they made some improvements that adds to they enjoyment of the game.

Bromptonboy · January 29, 2010, 08:25:54 AM

Is the game (first one) just as good on a PC? I am tempted to pick it up.

VaeVictis1701 · January 29, 2010, 08:50:39 AM

The PC version has better graphics then the 360 version. As far as game play I enjoyed the first one a lot. It's more of an RPG style then the second one. When you go to shoot an enemy it does a roll in the background to decide on how much damage you do, based on your stats as a character and in the particular type of weapon you are using.

The main reason I would suggest picking up the first one is for more of the story and background of some of the characters. There are events in the first one that can effect some of the story and game play elements in the second one. Plus you can carry over your character from the first one to the seconds one. You get some bonus squad points when carrying over you character... and if you did any modifications to the way the character looks those carry over as well.

But if you really don't care to much about the story then there would really be no reason to... other then wanting to play a fun game. :)

Jobydrone · January 29, 2010, 12:08:37 PM

I really enjoyed the first Mass Effect. There are some draggy parts for sure, technical problems and elements of the gameplay that were poorly implemented (Mako driving is what I'm talking about there) but for anyone on this site reading this post it is almost guaranteed that you will really enjoy your experience with the game. There's tons of geeky greatness shoved into the backstory and codex history of this game. So much effort went into the fleshing out of the universe, its history, and even the science behind the technologies in the world. You could read the codex alone for hours and not get bored, the writing is that good. That's not even mentioning what's great about the game, which is the roleplaying elements and how you develop your character by making conversational choices with the characters you encounter along the way as well as the actions you perform. The decisions you make have a realistic impact on the world around you, and dramatically effect the ending of the game and fates of your character and party members.

In Mass Effect 2, if you have a character from the first game, you can import him/her and the game recognizes and remembers the choices you made in the first game, and tailors the story around them. Also, you start at level two instead of level one, and if you had alot of money they consider you a "rich" character and get a 100000 credit bonus to start, which comes in handy early on. If you don't import a character, the stroy doesn't change very much. There's a section in the beginning of the game where you are being interviewed by a couple of party members, and the conversation choices you make during that interview determine what direction the story takes as if you had played the first game. So it doesn't matter all that much. That being said, Mass Effect 1 is a great game, and is readily available for less that twenty dollars most places so it is almost a must play for the sci fi geeks around here if you haven't already experienced it.

X · January 29, 2010, 12:29:27 PM

The level you start on in the port is based on your ending specs from one. The max is level 5 with a ton of credits

Jobydrone · January 29, 2010, 01:07:59 PM

Thanks for correcting me there. I imported a level 47 character and started at level 2.

X · February 08, 2010, 06:27:13 AM

Started 2, but couldn't port my character for some reason. Since I traded the game, I can't go back to fix it. I got the paragon ending and saved the council and made my friend the rep, but can't carry that over. Might have to rebuy and fix that.

Meds · February 08, 2010, 07:54:41 AM

Well I've heard great reviews from Jen who is glued to the xbox( hurry up I bought star wars Lego for a reason lol ;) ) so I think I may pick up the first one and give it a go. Still playing Arkham Asulum at the moment :)

Jen · February 08, 2010, 10:37:41 AM

Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on February 08, 2010, 07:54:41 AM
Well I've heard great reviews from Jen who is glued to the xbox( hurry up I bought star wars Lego for a reason lol ;) ) so I think I may pick up the first one and give it a go. Still playing Arkham Asulum at the moment :)

:D I know you bought Lego Star Wars just so that we can play together. I'm sorry, Meds... I do intend to play it with ya... but...I'm currently addicted to ME2. I may need an intervention. ;)

Imported my character, but changed her from an Adept to Vanguard. I like that a lot better. The story hooked me from the beginning with something I was NOT expecting. And since then, after particularly crazy action scenes, I keep saying "WOW....that was fun!"

Also, I'm not going to pursue any of the crew members in this game. Call me old fashion but my version of Shepherd had a boyfriend in ME1 and she's not going to cheat on him no matter what. ;)

billybob476 · February 08, 2010, 10:41:04 AM

I was always a fan of the Vanguard in the original game. I REALLY need to finish ME1. I won't get 2 till I do so.

Jobydrone · February 09, 2010, 08:00:52 AM

Funny Jen, I played Vanguard in the first game and switched to Adept for ME2! I loved the biotic powers of the Adept and I wasn't too crazy about the changes they made to the Vanguard class for the sequel. It's so freaking awesome curving your Biotics over and around cover to nail hiding enemies. Such a great mechanic. I finished with my female Paragon the other day and started a new playthrough with a male character that I intend to play renegade this time. What an awesome game!

Jen · February 14, 2010, 10:03:59 AM

I finished the game last night. The ending was awesome-fun! Lots of action....I felt like an action hero! ;)

I was very proud of my achievements. Seemed to snag more of those than I did on Oblivion, which I spent A LOT more time playing even after I finished the main quest. I plan to return to Oblivion and grab up the rest of the achievements...but not for a little while. I need a break from my game binging. Time to do something constructive now. :D

X · February 14, 2010, 10:43:50 AM

I also beat it last night and loved the ending.