Mass Effect 2

[Thoth]

Ah, what can ya do though? MS has the publishing rights for the first game so it's a no-go for PS3 users. =\

Given their resources, their solution was way better than nothing. All of the decisions they are letting you make in the comic are the ones that will affect Mass Effect 3 for sure.

 

[KingPK]

Honestly, I don't think much from the first game will carry over into 3. Maybe some minor plot points (something involving the Rachni probably). I'll probably play all three in order at one point, but really, the first game may feel like a fucking relic by then.

 

[Thoth]

Honestly, I don't think much from the first game will carry over into 3. Maybe some minor plot points (something involving the Rachni probably). I'll probably play all three in order at one point, but really, the first game may feel like a fucking relic by then.

Who you sacrificed in 1. The Council. The Rachni. Love interests. Also, who you made councillor.

 

[vivisectvi]

Which is why i find the jump to ps3 silly.

Yes from a marketing standpoint its financial gold. Hell im tempted to double dip to the PS3 version soley because i want to build my PS3 lineup.

From the story perspective it alienates the completeists whom will sit down and play all 3 games in the way they are designed to be. Every playthough is different depending on how the player is feeling and that correlates over all 3 games. Having a motion comic detailing some of the important life choices in the game leave the player with a sence of bleh.

I don't mind so much. I'm definitely a completist, but on the other hand I'm not lost with the story or anything like that thanks specifically to that comic. I mean it'd be great to play the first game fully and have it transfer over as well.. but frankly I'm just glad to be able to finally plat the franchise, even if it is starting with the second game.

 

[muzzington]

I wouldn't mind an updated ME1 after ME3.

 

[vivisectvi]

I was actually going to mention that. I wonder if Bioware remade ME1 from the ground up with the new engine.. would EA be able to legally publish it? Or do MS's publishing rights extend into the story and characters in the first game?

Of course they'd probably have to patch the 2nd and 3rd games on PS3 in order for choices from the 1st game to take effect. But either way it'd be pretty cool and I'd love to see it happen!

 

[muzzington]

I wasn't expecting much from the DLC's but Kasumi is now one of my favourite characters and the Shadow Broker DLC is a good time.

The little extra additions you get afterwards are amusing. Like someone else mentioned, Miranda's personal life is messed up and awesome, and seeing a Krogan punch the reporter from the first game is one of the best payoffs ever.

 

[A Happy Medium]

Let's not forget Jacob's workout regimen. 2,000 crunches, or so.

Watching Captain Anderson punch Udina never gets old, either.

 

[Conspiracy_Victim]

I'm curious as to what the last DLC's going to be. It would be nice if it was something that might be important to 3 because although I've liked all the DLCs so far it sometimes feels a bit extraneous because none of it means anything. Unless the end of the Shadow Broker DLC becomes important, but I doubt it.

 

[muzzington]

I seem to be back with Liara now after doing Shadow Broker before doing any romantic subplot for the original version. Wonder if that would stop me doing it or not.

 

[vivisectvi]

Apparently it doesn't effect your chances for romances with crewmates. According to the Mass Effect Wikia, at least.

 

[FLAM]

Can't wait to have my PS3 shipped over here so I can finally play this. Played the demo right before I left NY again. Really cool stuff.

 

[KingPK]

I'm curious as to what the last DLC's going to be. It would be nice if it was something that might be important to 3 because although I've liked all the DLCs so far it sometimes feels a bit extraneous because none of it means anything. Unless the end of the Shadow Broker DLC becomes important, but I doubt it.

They've said that the final DLC is supposed to be the buffer between the stories of 2 and 3. Maybe it's

Spoiler

the first moments of the Reapers' invasion of Earth

(spoilerized in case our PS3 brethren haven't finished 2 yet).

 

[Conspiracy_Victim]

That would be cool.

 

[vivisectvi]

Do you think it will make a huge difference for ME3 if...

Spoiler

I don't rescue the crew of the Normandy immediately after the Collector/IFF scenario? Hopefully it just plants seeds of Shep being a renegade dedicated to the mission at all costs and doesn't screw me over too hard. I had so much to do still and didn't want to go through the Omega 4 relay right then and there.

 

[Sabre]

Spoiler

It makes a huge difference to ME 2 never mind 3.

 

[vivisectvi]

Damn, I hope I didn't fuck myself with that one. Oh well, there's always play through #2.

 

[LPM]

Same thing happened to me. I was pretty choked. Most games don't punish you for running around and doing side-quests.

 

[Edwin]

Damn, I hope I didn't fuck myself with that one. Oh well, there's always play through #2.

You didn't. Bioware doesn't make consequences game breaking, particularly from one game to another. None of the decisions from the first game had any effect on the way the core gameplay of ME 2 played out; it's just the way content was delivered, or a 5-10 minute side mission or conversation that might have been lost.

 

[Sabre]

Same thing happened to me. I was pretty choked. Most games don't punish you for running around and doing side-quests.

I wouldnt say the game punished you it...

Spoiler

actually makes sence, you get told (from what i remember) that after the crew are kidnapped you dont have time to run around the galaxy or their lives may be lost. One thing, make sure you had everyone loyal or experience the fear of when they die, they stay dead.

 

[Edwin]

I didn't think the "no time to waste!" mechanic was all that well-conveyed. It wasn't really much of a choice because it isn't really framed that way. Still cool, but coulda been better.

 

[A Happy Medium]

I kind of knew what was coming. I took great care in saving my crewmates after losing a certain badass member in the first game.

Spoiler

I should have had Jacob crawling in the vents just to be funny. Maybe he shouldn't volunteer for the most dangerous part of the mission.

 

[LPM]

Same thing happened to me. I was pretty choked. Most games don't punish you for running around and doing side-quests.

I wouldnt say the game punished you it...

Spoiler

actually makes sence, you get told (from what i remember) that after the crew are kidnapped you dont have time to run around the galaxy or their lives may be lost. One thing, make sure you had everyone loyal or experience the fear of when they die, they stay dead.

They say that in every RPG though. This is the first one where there was an actual consequence for dicking around doing sidequests.

 

[sbofn]

So I'm finally playing this (and Mass Effect). Is there any must-have DLC for either game? Conversely, is there anything in the main game that is best skipped? I know people decry the planet-evaluating from the first game.

 

[LPM]

Scanning planets is pretty terrible. Just scan enough for the upgrades and never ever do it again.

 

[Edwin]

So I'm finally playing this (and Mass Effect). Is there any must-have DLC for either game? Conversely, is there anything in the main game that is best skipped? I know people decry the planet-evaluating from the first game.

The planet-scanning is actually new to ME2, but yeah, it's lame. Purchase the upgraded scanner early and it'll go a lot more quickly when you do need it; you can get all the minerals you need for the whole game in maybe 30-40 minutes. The must-have DLC is Lair of the Shadow Broker, which is actually probably the best mission in the game, especially if you played ME1. 3 hours or so of top-notch content and well worth it. If you love the game, Overlord is also pretty decent, though it has a bit too much of the hovercraft.

You can skip a lot of the N7 side missions, as most of them are of the "here's a place with mercs, go kill them" variety. If you're enjoying the game, though, no reason to pass on them, as they mostly have fun combat and can net you some of the weapon/tech/armor upgrades.

The final DLC, "Arrival," should be announced any day now. There's an insert advertising it in the Dragon Age 2 case, so probably shortly after that launches.

 

[A Happy Medium]

I await Udina getting squashed by a Reaper's foot.

 

[vivisectvi]

So apparently Jack Wall moved on of his own accord. BioWare signed Clint Mansell after they found out Wall wasn't coming back to do ME3's music. I really liked Wall's stuff but am interested to see what Mansell does.

 

[vivisectvi]

ME1&2 Squad + FemShep - Tank!

 

[Edwin]

Final DLC on March 29, and Lance Henriksen is back voicing Admiral Hackett again. Dooooope.