The official Mass Effect 2 Thread [Archive]

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BigDaddyCool

11-13-2008, 10:49 AM

Has there been any word on when they plan on releasing it, or what it will be about?

#BROKEN Hasney

11-13-2008, 12:06 PM

Hanso Amore

11-13-2008, 12:10 PM

I heard it will be 6 months later as the Reavers begin to arrive. There are some books coming out that serve as filler.

BigDaddyCool

11-13-2008, 12:50 PM

I thought we prevent the Reavers from returning...

LoDownM

11-13-2008, 01:12 PM

I thought it was Reapers? Either way, I hope it has a better inventory system.

D Mac

11-13-2008, 01:26 PM

Never beat the first one.

D Mac

11-13-2008, 01:27 PM

I thought it was Reapers? Either way, I hope it has a better inventory system.

Yeah Reavers is from Firefly/Serenity.

Hanso Amore

11-13-2008, 01:52 PM

You stop the One Reaper, but the rest are "On the way!!!!!"

You stop them from getting summoned to that space station, but they are going to just take the long route across the galaxy

BigDaddyCool

11-13-2008, 02:11 PM

Well fuck. They are impossible to beat and big jerks.

Sepholio

11-13-2008, 03:56 PM

Yeah, basically what MAH said. All you did was lock up the relay so they couldn't pop into the Citadel system. They have to fly in the normal way now through all those outer galaxies, probably towards the mu relay.

BigDaddyCool

11-13-2008, 04:00 PM

What a bunch of douches...I thought they were heiberanting.

BigDaddyCool

11-13-2008, 04:00 PM

I'm called the reapers douches.

Hanso Amore

11-13-2008, 04:09 PM

Basically, I want to Mouth fuck this game when it comes out. I am so ready.

This was a good game, set in a trilogy, unlike Too Human, which is like they only shipped 1/3 of a game. Fuckers.

ClockShot

11-13-2008, 07:12 PM

I'm ready. I got my second playthrough on hold right now.

Hanso Amore

11-13-2008, 09:22 PM

I'm ready. I got my second playthrough on hold right now.

Dont hold your breathe, this shit is like 2 years out

The Genius

11-14-2008, 04:05 AM

i assume you all downloaded the extra mission thru the marketplace? it was short but worth the money. cant wait for this to come out.

Kane Knight

11-14-2008, 09:36 AM

You stop the One Reaper, but the rest are "On the way!!!!!"

You stop them from getting summoned to that space station, but they are going to just take the long route across the galaxy

Gotta love the Stargate reference, intentional or otherwise.

i assume you all downloaded the extra mission thru the marketplace? it was short but worth the money. cant wait for this to come out.

I downloaded it during their "EP" special on Marketplace. Haven't played it yet. Too many good games came otu at once.

Hanso Amore

11-14-2008, 09:43 AM

Lol KK, what was my reference? I dont know anything about Stargate, but I guess it fits in this thread, so I should have just shut my mouth and rolled with it.

BigDaddyCool

11-14-2008, 10:38 AM

I downloaded it during their "EP" special on Marketplace. Haven't played it yet. Too many good games came otu at once.

I also downloaded the extra mission but never played it because when I was going through the second play through I lost interest for no reason other than probably ADHD.

The Genius

11-14-2008, 11:31 PM

it is only 1 new planet and you basically have to prevent an asteroid from hitting an inhabitated planet. you also meet a new race of alien with 3 eyes.

Kane Knight

11-15-2008, 12:10 AM

Those are the Baratarians, right? I think they were originally touched on in the ME novel that was designed to tease the game.

I know it's only like 90 minutes of gameplay, but especially with the reduced asking price, I figured why the fuck not.

The Genius

11-15-2008, 02:38 AM

yup batararians and it turns out they actually have 4 eyes. i think if you took your time and explored everything you still wouldnt stretch the mission to 90 minutes. i think it took me about 45 and i felt i gave the planet a thorough review.

D Mac

02-04-2009, 05:23 AM

IGN:

February 3, 2009 - On its financial earnings conference call Electronic Arts announced that Mass Effect 2 will release sometime in the 2010 calendar year (barring any delays from BioWare).

This news is hot on the heels that BioWare's other RPG, Dragon Age: Origins on PC, has been pushed back to the last half of 2009. Stay tuned to IGN's GDC coverage in March when we expect to get our first look at Mass Effect 2.

The Genius

02-05-2009, 02:00 AM

sucks, i was hoping it was going to be Q4 2009.

Fryza

02-05-2009, 04:50 AM

Supposed to be some new DLC coming this year.

Stoked about this though. Easily my most anticipated game.

Mr Regal

02-05-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm doing my third play through on Hardcore at the moment, i would kill puppies for a second game right now. Initially I wanted them to do something different, i have since changed my mind and would love to beat the Reavers down big style.

Requiem

02-05-2009, 02:01 PM

Bioware has a lot on their plate right now, so it doesn't surprise me that any of these are being pushed back. They've got Dragon Age, which looks nice, Mass Effect 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, which is a HUGE undertaking. I'd be surprised if Dragon Age isn't pushed back to first quarter of 2010, tbh.

Mr. Nerfect

02-11-2009, 06:35 AM

BioWare are kings right now. I can wait for Mass Effect 2, because I know it is going to be legendary.

Anathema

02-15-2009, 08:07 PM

Its going to be epic on the biggest of epic scales there is!! Cant wait to get it, but obviously I would like to hear sometime soon a few teasers on what the plot actually is from BioWare.

Did anyone else think it was weird though that the badguys were reapers and on the assault rifles you collected was also called a reaper? Seems like they got a bit stuck for ideas there! :p

Requiem

02-20-2009, 04:51 PM

I am playing through the first for the first time right now.

It is amazing. I had played it several times, but never owned a 360.. so I'm playing it on PC right now. Great game.

ClockShot

02-21-2009, 09:04 AM

Bioware has released the the first teaser trailer. I suggest you all take a look cause the end just sent shivers down my spine.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57349

Fignuts

02-21-2009, 12:27 PM

holy fuck

UmbrellaCorporation

02-21-2009, 05:02 PM

This has to be some kind of a Cerberus propaganda piece.

Seriously.

Shit.

ClockShot

02-21-2009, 06:40 PM

This has to be some kind of a Cerberus propaganda piece.

Seriously.

Shit.

Well, if you go to bioware.com and go to the Mass Effect 2 page, they got set up like you're viewing from a Cerberus terminal of some sorts. You ain't far off.

D Mac

02-21-2009, 06:54 PM

So, you'll be playing as a new character?

ClockShot

02-21-2009, 06:56 PM

According to a bit I just read, yes. But Bioware has said a few times already to hold on to your saved games. Cause whatever you did there, is gonna carry over.

D Mac

02-21-2009, 06:56 PM

Guess I better beat the first one then. :shifty:

Requiem

02-22-2009, 02:46 AM

Kinda sucks that I'll have to keep my save files for this until then, but I suppose it will be worth it. The first one is freaking amazing right now. They fixed a lot of the technical issues on the PC version. A lot of the graphical glitches are gone (dynamic shadows are glitched, but I haven't seen a game do dynamic shadows properly yet). They streamlined the UI. It brings up squad commands, weapon switches, and powers all at once split on each side for your party members, with your own in the bottom center. Very quick and easy to use, as well as 1-9 hotkeys you can set to keep things going quicker.. though I still like to pause and direct my abilities that way.

Storywise I am loving this. The sheer amount of voice dialogue is mind-blowing. None of it is campy or cheesy.. it's just all really well done.

Requiem

02-25-2009, 02:21 AM

I just beat it.

When Saren shoots himself in the head, I was seriously left there with my jaw dropped going 'Holy shit...'

I can't wait to see what they're doing with the second one. There is so much left to follow up on, and so many differences they'll have to work with. If they pull it off as well as the first, I will be in awe of the genius that is Bioware.

Easily the best RPG I've ever played, and if it weren't for technical issues, and the vehicle combat, I'd dare add it to the top of my list. Even so, it's probably one of the top 5 games I've ever played.

BigDaddyCool

02-25-2009, 06:52 AM

Requiem

02-25-2009, 10:14 AM

You have to fight robot Saren, you know that right?

Obviously, or I wouldn't have said "I beat the game" :p

ClockShot

05-15-2009, 03:33 PM

So the boys at BioWare sent a new trailer over the web today. It's just a preview video with some team members at what you'll expect at E3.

However.....

They came right out and said that if you killed Wrex in the first game, you won't be seeing him in the second. Just a thought for those who haven't finished this yet.

<EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/CCihMyLi5jU&hl=en&fs=1 width=560 height=340 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always">

Edit: Apparently gametrailers videos are a bitch to embed and view. Went and got one at youtube instead.
</EMBED>

Requiem

05-15-2009, 03:48 PM

CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS FUCKING GAME

sucks that it will probably be delayed again on PC though

Fignuts

05-15-2009, 05:06 PM

So fucking pumped.

D Mac

05-15-2009, 09:24 PM

Working on beating the first one now. Then I'm gonna get that DLC for it.

05-15-2009, 09:42 PM

Should've just gotten the Platinum Hits version then, which comes with it, along with a sexy premium theme.

Fignuts

05-15-2009, 10:00 PM

Aren't we due for more dlc? I remember there was at least supposed to be 2 befoe the sequel.

Fignuts

05-15-2009, 10:01 PM

Also, I like that the new one is darker and more action packed, as from a storyline perspective, the first had a distinct "calm before the storm" feel to it.

05-15-2009, 10:05 PM

This far into it's life and with ME2 around the corner, I really doubt it. Would be nice, though.

05-29-2009, 12:14 PM

ClockShot

05-29-2009, 12:49 PM

I found this little bit of info on videogamesblogger.com. It's what you'll be reading in OXM magazine. I'll put it in spoilers so I won't catch flak.

A ton of information on Mass Effect 2 (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/03/19/mass-effect-2-wont-launch-until-early-2010-only-on-xbox-360-and-pc.htm) has been leaked via the latest issue of OXM Magazine. This ahead of E3 2009.
But the first part of the leaked info discusses the fact that the first Mass Effect will continue to get new downloadable content.

“We are definitely working on a substantial new DLC,” said BioWare to OXM. “We’re finishing it up and making sure that it’s going to be really good, and then we’ll announce it, probably pretty soon. That’ll be the last thing between 1 and 2 in terms of content.”

Regarding Mass Effect 2, they discussed the state of Shepard, the new transit system in the game, the exploration of new worlds, who you will play as and more information on Thane.

Here is the breakdown thanks to VG247.

* You will play as Shepard, but for how long is unknown

* There is a new species called the Drell and Thane is a new character who is an assassin and may join your party

* Planets - There will be a Krogan planet, and Illium, an Asari planet, that is like Coruscant from SW. Also there is “Omega” with is like an anti-Citadel in that it’s huge and it’s the bottom of the barrel whereas the Citadel is the height of civilization. Also a Cerebus mothership will act as a location of significance.

* Story - The ultimate story is still civilization fending off the Reapers, but this chapter will deal with this Cerebus corporation and it’s enigmatic leader. There are human civilizations disappearing and it’s up to Shepard to investigate, it’s termed as a “suicide mission” which may lead to the details of the teaser.

* New vehicle that controls better than the Mako…a “new” control scheme.

* Totally revamped inventory system

* Elevator system revamped where you will get the sense of scope of where you’re at and where you’re traveling.

* No more texture pop in.

* Secondary races like Volus and Elcor are much more mobile, giving more depth and makes things more interesting.

* Choices are more meaningful and there is a real risk that major support characters (i.e. anyone not Shepard) can and will die.

* Also on the story, they’re super-hyping the ending, saying that it’s much more grand meaningful in ME2.

* More weapons, more species, more/new team members.

* returning team members, locations, weapons.

You can read even more information on the game on NeoGAF (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=15970212&postcount=703).

06-04-2009, 06:41 PM

Few more scenes than the other one.

<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="437" height="265" id="viddler"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/a1f989f" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple_on_site/a1f989f" width="437" height="265" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler" ></embed></object>

06-04-2009, 11:50 PM

Mass Effect DLC to be announced soon (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/mass-effect-dlc-to-be-announced-soon/)

by Ludwig Kietzmann (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/ludwig-kietzmann/) { 2 hours ago } http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001xbox001.png (http://xbox.joystiq.com/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/02/mass-effect-pc-dlc-puntastic-resized.jpg

While speaking to BioWare's leaders slash doctors, Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka, Joystiq managed to confirm that the second batch of DLC for Mass Effect (that's the first game!) would be announced and detailed soon. According to Muzyka, he was even playing it at the BioWare office slash fortress before departing for E3 2009.

Previously, it was suggested that the next Mass Effect DLC would include some sort of fight club or arena setup (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/rumorang-mass-effect-dlc-mentioned-in-new-me-release-documentar/). So, lots of shooting in preparation for some real shooting (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-mass-effect-2-is-a-shooter/), then.

Fignuts

06-05-2009, 01:25 AM

Yeah was just about to post this. Great news.

06-28-2009, 06:52 PM

Mass Effect 2 won't allow second playthrough by character for sake of continuity (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/28/mass-effect-2-wont-allow-second-playthrough-by-character-for-sa/)

by Alexander Sliwinski (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/alexander-sliwinski/) { 2 hours ago } http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001xbox001.png (http://xbox.joystiq.com/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/06/masseffect2normandy580.jpg (http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=683695&forum=144)

Unlike the first Mass Effect, the sequel will not allow players to restart the campaign with all the skills Shepard gained throughout his (um, her!) second adventure. Mass Effect 2 (http://joystiq.com/tag/mass-effect-2) Lead Designer Preston Watamaniuk notes on the BioWare forums (http://meforums.bioware.com/viewtopic.html?topic=683695&forum=144) that the team is working hard to "offer a smooth progression into ME3 from ME2." The reasoning is that they "have to have reasonable knowledge" of where a character could end up at the end of the game.

Of course, Mass Effect 2 players can feel free to create a new character and start over. So, it appears that if you're looking to start Mass Effect 3 with a jacked-up Shepard, make sure to explore every little nook and cranny of the galaxy before going into the sequel's final mission.

07-29-2009, 09:08 PM

Mass Effect 2 presses reset on Shepard's abilities (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/mass-effect-2-presses-reset-on-shepards-abilities/)

by David Hinkle (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/david-hinkle/) { 20 minutes ago } http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001xbox001.png (http://xbox.joystiq.com/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/07/shepardme_072909.jpg (http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=C6CCCE9F-1A64-6A71-CE798565ED423340)

Things are getting crazy with this Mass Effect 2 (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/mass-effect-2) video game from Bioware. First, we're led to believe Shepard is dead (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/mass-effect-2-teaser-gives-grim-fate-to-shepard-and-co/), then he (or she) is not (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-mass-effect-2-suicide-mission/). Then we find out all of our decisions in the first game will affect the sequel (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/mass-effect-save-file-transfers-hundreds-of-decisions-to-seque/). Now, Computerworld (http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=C6CCCE9F-1A64-6A71-CE798565ED423340) (via The Escapist (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/93511-Starting-Over-With-Commander-Shepard)) informs us that the Shephard we know, love, and have spent so many hours grinding won't have all of his (or her) abilities in the second game. During an interview, producer Casey Hudson said, "There's something that's happening with the story that explains what happens with your abilities. It's something we can't go into detail about for obvious reasons."

It makes sense. If you're starting off an epic quest like the one we assume takes place in Mass Effect 2, it's not good design to have the player start as a jacked, unstoppable god of a man (or woman). It's not like this is Prototype (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/prototype) or something ...

D Mac

07-30-2009, 02:06 AM

Finally beat the first one.

The Genius

07-30-2009, 02:20 AM

about time we got more DLC, i beat the take down the sky campaign in less than an hour.

07-30-2009, 06:54 AM

about time we got more DLC, i beat the take down the sky campaign in less than an hour.

Yeah, it totally wasn't worth the $5. Good thing my copy came with it.

ClockShot

07-30-2009, 06:40 PM

Gotta be getting close. BioWare released the final boxart.

So what are the guys who killed off Wrex supposed to do when they see this?

http://www.cheatcc.com/images/news/masseffect2boxart360.jpg

Mr. Monday Morning

07-31-2009, 05:16 AM

Can't really tell for sure but it might not be Wrex. Could be Thane.

RoXer

07-31-2009, 07:46 AM

I didn't even know Wrex could have died.

It was Kaiden for me.

Mr. Monday Morning

08-01-2009, 06:35 AM

I didn't even know Wrex could have died.

It was Kaiden for me.

Spoilered just in case I guess

At the start of that mission when Wrex goes nuts and you have to talk him round, if things don't go so well either you or Ashley end up killing him

D Mac

08-03-2009, 05:12 PM

Is that fine chick Ashley? Wow

D Mac

08-03-2009, 05:13 PM

What if you go through the first time and don't kill Wrex, but the second time you do?

Mr. Monday Morning

08-03-2009, 05:56 PM

If you've overwritten the first game save then you'll only have one to use :?:

ClockShot

08-03-2009, 06:11 PM

What if you go through the first time and don't kill Wrex, but the second time you do?

I thought I explained that already.

But if you killed him, he ain't showing up in the second.

Outsider

08-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Do you think they even bothered adding Kaiden's voice on this game, or are they just gonna assume everyone picked him to die?

D Mac

08-18-2009, 05:09 AM

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/101/1014208/mass-effect-2-20090814013930124_640w.jpg

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/101/1014208/mass-effect-2-20090814013927999_640w.jpg

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/101/1014208/mass-effect-2-20090814013921968_640w.jpg

Mr. Monday Morning

08-18-2009, 08:05 AM

Wish you could rename the characters. Cause that right there looks like a Kermit kind of guy to me.

08-18-2009, 08:39 AM

Is that Shepard?! So he's alive?!

Seriously, looks good.

ClockShot

08-18-2009, 01:18 PM

Thane. Mass Effect's equvilent to HK-47 in Knights of the Old Republic.

BigDaddyCool

08-20-2009, 03:12 PM

Damnit, I'm going to need to get a hd tv...

08-20-2009, 04:56 PM

Yes, welcome to 2003.

BigDaddyCool

08-20-2009, 05:53 PM

Shut up. I don't see you buying me one.

08-20-2009, 06:59 PM

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/285/UPmJTdk=.jpgUndisputed 50 http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/site/gp-g.jpg
Complete Ahern's survival mission

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/285/UP3LXrM=.jpgNew Sheriff in Town 50 http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/site/gp-g.jpg
Take first place in any combat scenario on Pinnacle Station

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/285/UP-qVwY=.jpgBest of the Best 50 http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/site/gp-g.jpg
Take first place in 12 combat scenarios on Pinnacle Station

New ME1 DLC

D Mac

08-20-2009, 07:31 PM

Heh, I downloaded Bring Down the Sky a long time ago but still haven't played it.

BigDaddyCool

08-20-2009, 07:43 PM

I did too, and now I don't have internet at home, it won't let me play it.

08-20-2009, 07:55 PM

You're not missing much. :-\

BigDaddyCool

08-20-2009, 07:58 PM

Well still, it is the fact that I paid 5 bucks for it and haven't play it yet.

ClockShot

08-25-2009, 02:51 PM

Pinnacle Station DLC for the first Mass Effect has been released. Cost ya 800 points.

08-25-2009, 03:29 PM

I'll wait to make sure it's worth it, unlike the previous DLC.

08-25-2009, 03:29 PM

...and I don't have any points newayz

Verbose Minch

09-05-2009, 12:26 PM

It's just this training simulator thing. Pretty lame.

You get some cool stuff out of it though.

ClockShot

09-26-2009, 08:06 PM

Meet Subject Zero.

<EMBED src=http://www.youtube.com/v/B6m3OXndMpA&hl=en&fs=1& width=560 height=340 type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always">

*does catcall whistle*
</EMBED>

Fignuts

09-26-2009, 08:27 PM

hot

Fignuts

09-26-2009, 08:28 PM

Also, that blood dragon armor looks sweet.

DAMN iNATOR

10-09-2009, 03:03 AM

Mass Effect 2: New Details Revealed

We go hands-on with new content and chat with BioWare about making the series' Empire Strikes Back.
by Chris Stead, IGN AU







Australia, October 8, 2009 - 
BioWare is a studio that impresses. Its game-ography reads like the 
evolutionary pathway of the western RPG: from top-down to third-person, 
from D&D-based combat to real-time action, from narrative linearity to 
open-ended emancipation and – dare we say it – from PC to console, the 
developer has never failed to boldly take the RPG where no RPG has gone 
before. Its latest project is arguably its most ambitious yet: an epic space
opera which spans across three games and plays like a shooter, yet remains 
very much a role-playing experience. This week Greg Zeschuk, the co-founder 
of BioWare, dropped by Sydney to show off a brand new level ahead of Mass
Effect 2's (ME2) early 2010 launch. And as the middle child, it's designed to be 
the trilogy's Empire Strikes Back. 

"Yeah we have definitely designed it in that fashion," he told us. "If you recall, 
Empire Strikes Back was the darker chapter and that is how we designed the ME2 
story and experience: to try and make the player reflect on the challenges of the character. 
If you put ME2 next to the original it is definitely a darker, harder game." 

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/103/1033498/mass-effect-2-20091008042758112.jpg (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14235013/imgs_1.html)
Grunt goes hunting some wabbits. Sorry, biomechanical zombie things.

Beginning "soon after" the events in Mass Effect, Commander Shepard is scouring
the galaxy looking to recruit "up to a dozen of the galaxy's most dangerous operatives"
as a new threat begins to wipe human colonies from existence. In the new level on show,
we got to experience combat alongside two of these operatives. This included Grunt from
the burly Krogan race who is certainly a handy fighter to have on your side. "Grunt is good to
fight alongside. You would have seen the Krogan Rush where he just runs guys over - you could
make Wrex do it in the first game but Grunt will do it spontaneously which is interesting. It is
different than working with guys that have more traditional powers as Grunt has a much bigger
chance of surprising you."

And surprise you he does. Frequently during combat when confronted with close encounters,
Grunt would break into a run and wreck havoc. This new level was selected for the very purpose of
showing off this in-your-face combat. "We chose this level to show the range in what the player can do.
We had already shown in our PAX demo the long range combat, and now we wanted to reveal something
that was a lot more intimate. We can show off the melee combat, and the shotgun and the ammo types."

Combat has dramatically improved in ME2. As soon as you get it in your hands and begin running for cover
before snapping up your sights on oncoming enemies, you forget that you are even playing an RPG. It's all so fluid.
"Well combat was one of our big focuses. The original was the first time we had ever really tried a shooter, and just
getting the game done was a lot of work. So as time has rolled on we've just got a lot better at doing the combat. The
tradition of the RPG is a lot more like Dragon Age, whereas Mass Effect is more like a game with RPG features. I would
consider it more of a Shooter RPG. Especially after the changes we have made in this one: it is even more like a shooter.
It's very doable to make such a mix work; you just need to get practice with it."

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/103/1033498/mass-effect-2-20091008042755254.jpg (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14235013/imgs_1.html)
There may not be a machine gun/chainsaw combo or shotgun/battle-axe, but the combat is much improved.

And practice is something this particular team is not short on. "We've benefited greatly in that we've kept the same team,
and they learnt a lot of lessons from the first game. The one way to make sure you create great games is to have a consistent
development team. The team that made Mass Effect 1 was the same as that of the Knights of the Old Republic, and literally those
same guys, plus a few new additions, are making ME2. That's why things like the shooting have gotten better because all the decisions
on what to focus upon were a lot easier. You see that with a lot of the best games: they stuck with the same team from Uncharted 1 to Uncharted 2
and look what happened! The games get so much better."

The second character we got to play alongside was Thane from the Drell species, a race new to the Mass Effect mythology. "You can
see that he is a fish-like guy, but he is also a really effective assassin. His race is still a little unclear, as in, it is not broadly known throughout the
galaxy – all we really know is that guys like him are really efficient killers. He is perfect for stealth assassin modes and there are certain missions where
he will be particularly effective with what he brings to the table."

It must be fun being able to create a whole new race, right? "It is! From the beginning you need to decide the purpose that the race serves
and then that can lead into artistic visualisation. You know back on someone's desk or in digital files there are like 42 different fish men and slowly it
evolved into a look that was this kind of cool, kind of calculated, aquatic guy. Then in a fighter you need to decide what powers they will have and
then you put them all together in a way in which it can be executed and modelled. The focus with Thane is aquatic, so we made his skin texture look
iridescent so it looks a bit shiny and fish-like. Even with the voice, he has this kind of bubbly voice. All this culminates in a base character that you can
toy with so that every other individual from that race is a variation."

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/103/1033498/mass-effect-2-20091008042755832.jpg (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14235013/imgs_1.html)
Beware the fish! (That caption goes out to all the Gordon Korman fans out there!)

"You will notice a lot of that in ME2. For example you will remember the Salarians, which are kind of the traditional looking aliens: well we have new
Salarians in ME2 that are a little bit different from the originals but they are in that same zone. That's the neat thing! Once you have created a race
you don't want to stop using them. That is one of the really fun things about making Mass Effect : you get to watch these races take on a life of
their own."

But these are not the only things we learnt from our latest play session with this highly anticipated game. As Greg points out, the team "also wanted
to pick something that just looked cool." Despite being an enclosed level, the sense of scope and attention to detail is immediate: it feels like something
that is much bigger that what is immediately apparent. You can feel the weight of the galaxy around you. Indeed, in the course of the last two years
BioWare has managed to forge a much greater understanding of Unreal Engine 3 and make improvements towards a more enjoyable and poetic gaming
experience.

"We took three main steps to improving the engine. We put a lot of effort into both your team and the enemy's A.I. You'll see enemies do really smart
things like running from cover to cover and mounting or even jumping over obstacles properly. But we really focused on your team mates too, to make
sure they are pretty smart and their combat is really strong. In particular the way they use cover and their precision shooting. [Plus] we use a really
smart reticule. So if you are actually focused on an enemy you have different options you can [order your squad to] do: you can bring up set commands
on your hot buttons. If you point at the floor you can paint a 'go to' position on the ground, if you look at a power button they'll press the power button.
We really just wanted to make sure that no one was doing anything dumb: like walking into a corner.

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/103/1033498/mass-effect-2-20091008042757003.jpg (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14235013/imgs_1.html)
Mass Effect 2 - darker, less clear cut and with more heavily tattooed chicks.

"We also made a lot of technical changes to improve performance. After Mass Effect 1 we had
a really good idea of what levels worked well and worked fast but now we can do it with a frame
rate which is rock solid. Now there are no slow-downs at all: that was one of our main goals from
a technical standpoint. That and making sure that there was texture consistency throughout and
it was all super slick: that was really important to us."

And the third step? "Lighting: we actually worked a fair bit on the lighting as we wanted to refine
it and to make it a lot more dramatic. It's almost a harsher lighting system, where the blacks are
really black and there are a lot of hot spots which you'll see reflect off Shepard's armour. Those
were our three big focuses." We also noticed during our hands-on a much greater depth and
improved quality to the audio experience: this was not just related to the SFX, with seemingly
longer conversation trees that evolve beyond the already stellar system in the original to deliver
greater characterisation and even a bit of humour.

This new level also managed to give off some interesting titbits about the narrative: or at the very
least, the enemy we encountered posed some intriguing questions. "Obviously this level shows off a
new location, but the strangest thing is seeing the Husks again. Your team is questioning what the
Husks are doing there, as they had thought they were tied in with the Geth and were thus a vestige
of the first Mass Effect. Their appearance is designed to make you suspicious. I think you'll find it
interesting when you play ME2 trying to work out what is going on with the story. It is not nearly
as clear cut. In Mass Effect 1 there's an attack on a planet, you see the ship fly away and you think
"okay so that is the ship that caused the problem," it is pretty clear when you're there. ME2 is a lot
less defined. There is an enemy you need to defeat at the end of the game and you generally know
who it is, but you have no idea what they are up to and what sort of technology they are using.
We really tease out the details."

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/103/1033498/mass-effect-2-20091008042757581.jpg (http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/142/14235013/imgs_1.html)
Aww... it thinks it's people!

And what of Commander Shepard? Is he truly floating through space as a humanoid icicle?
Maybe not according to Aria, Queen of Omega – a mining station which is the "underground
equivalent to the Citadel." In a small level demonstration revealed to us before our hands-on
session we caught some conversation between her and Shepard in her Mos Eisley Cantina-inspired
club called the Afterlife. The phrase "you look good for a dead man" suggested a ruse has taken
place, but certainly didn't confirm it.

Indeed perhaps it was just a throwaway comment and a bi-product of a narrative decision
made earlier in the game, a feature that remains a massive part of ME2. "The way we have
designed the in-game designs is to have an indirect impact on the player. It's not like you
will have a completely different experience depending on what you do. It is more the flavouring
of the experience which is significantly affected: it's not like you can destroy the experience by
fooling around with your decisions. However, the people you interact with could make your power
base on a certain planet completely different. We do have to limit ourselves because if you have
too much variability the challenge of building new content becomes too high."

This must be especially true when dealing with DLC? "Definitely, although it is interesting dealing
with Microsoft and DLC, because the DLC has to be self-contained. You can still do a story, like
over three chapters or something, but you would need to build it in a way that you are able to play
the second one independently and not have to purchase the first one."

<EMBED height=360 type=application/x-shockwave-flash width=433 src=http://videomedia.ign.com/ev/ev.swf flashvars='object_ID=14235013&downloadURL=http://xbox360movies.ign.com/xbox360/video/article/102/1029598/masseffect2_trl_subjectzero_92909_flvlowwide.flv&allownetworking="all%"'></EMBED>
More Mass Effect 2 News & Previews (http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/142/14235013.html)
Miss the Subject Zero trailer? Click here to check it out.

But let's not get ahead ourselves. Despite Greg enthusing that there will be a lot more DLC this time
around and it will be a lot more user-friendly in the way it is integrated, we just want to purchase the
game itself first. But will it hit its early 2010 release window or slip like so many other games recently?
"I think the chances are very good. ME2 is certainly coming along very nicely and absolutely we're set
to hit our target window."

10-16-2009, 03:25 PM

January 26th in North America, January 29th in Europe.

ClockShot

10-16-2009, 04:42 PM

Hot damn, I think that's ahead of schedule.

ClockShot

10-17-2009, 05:17 PM

Pre-order goodies have been released. If you go through Gamestop, you get the Terminus Armor and M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon. Get through other "select" stores, you get the Inferno Armor.

http://www.cheatcc.com/images/news/masseffect2armors.jpg

In North America, pre-order bonuses include special-ops armor and weaponry that are designed to boost Commander Shepard's skills and abilities. At GameStop, Terminus Gear is available with pre-orders, which includes the powerful Terminus Assault Armor and the M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon:

The Terminus Armor is designed for use in extreme planetary conditions, increasing run speed and personal shields, and augmenting weapons with an additional magazine of reserve ammo.
The M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon generates a high-powered localized gravity well, accelerating particles to near-infinite mass, and ultimately expanding the selection of heavy weapons available to players when they gear up for combat missions in Mass Effect 2.
Players that pre-order Mass Effect 2 at other retail outlets in North America will receive the potent Inferno Armor, which is used by officers to monitor battlefield conditions by recognizing elevated heart rates, and regulates sub-systems with extreme efficiency to allow for greater response times - together these abilities translate in-game into a negotiation bonus for Commander Shepard and an increase in run speed and augmented damage from combat powers.

Outsider

10-18-2009, 03:00 PM

January 26th in North America, January 29th in Europe.

The day after my birthday. Fucking score.

Mr. Nerfect

10-19-2009, 05:24 PM

So looking forward to this game. The first Mass Effect has been my favourite Xbox 360 game so far, and BioWare always delivers. I mean, it seriously seems like each game they make is better than their last, somehow.

D Mac

11-07-2009, 12:55 AM

ClockShot

12-10-2009, 05:31 PM

With a little more than month out from release, BioWare released the voice cast for the game.

Martin Sheen
Shohreh Aghdashloo
Seth Green
Yvonne Strahovski
Adam Baldwin
Keith David
Michael Dorn
Tricia Helfer
Michael Hogan
Carrie-Anne Moss

For those looking for more info, here's a bit from the official press release. Be aware, spoilers are in it. You've been warned.

"Esteemed actor Martin Sheen stars as the mysterious Illusive Man who commands Cerberus, a secretive paramilitary organization dedicated to protecting human interests in the galaxy. Yvonne Strahovski plays deadly Cerberus operative Miranda Lawson, who has been genetically engineered for superior mental and physical traits. Returning to the cast from the original Mass Effect is Seth Green as Joker and Keith David as Admiral David Anderson. And rounding out the vocal roster are Tricia Helfer as EDI, the voice of the new Normandy; Carrie-Anne Moss as Aria T'Loak, the crime lord who rules the planet Omega; Shohreh Aghdashloo as Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay; Michael Hogan as Captain Bailey; Adam Baldwin as Kal 'Reegar; and Michael Dorn as Gatatog Uvenk."

D Mac

12-10-2009, 06:27 PM

WORF!

Requiem

01-23-2010, 07:14 PM

Yeah so I am pretty pumped about this game. Got to see it first hand the other day and it looked incredible. Can't wait to play.

UmbrellaCorporation

01-24-2010, 01:35 AM

Just finished my last playthrough before ME2.

The story so far: *SPOILERS FOR ME1*

- Shepard is full paragon.
- Saved the rachnii
- Sacrificed Alenko
- Kept Wrex
- Romanced Ashley
- At the end, trolled everyone by letting the council die.

Planning to make my Shepard full Renegade in ME2, since I can use the whole "since he's rebuilt, he's corrupted now" thing. Think it will do nicely.

DAMN iNATOR

01-24-2010, 05:18 AM

Minor gripe, but I'm gonna hate having to switch between "Disc 1" and "Disc 2" in ME2. Apparently when you get towards the end of the story, they bridged it by making it where you swap out Disc 1 for Disc 2, and then after a bit you go back and swap out Disc 2 for Disc 1.

ClockShot

01-24-2010, 08:09 AM

#BROKEN Hasney

01-25-2010, 04:05 AM

I'm not liking how they dumbed down the inventory management and added ammo. The combat feels a lot more like GOW now than an RPG style game. Same with the levelling up as there's only a few skills to enhance now

Having said that, it's the only flaw for me. The research, no more buggy driving missions (so far) and the story is amazing.

My female Shepard (the female is such a better voice actor) doesn't transfer over too much stuff in terms of stats, personality and money, but conversations with people show that your decisions in the first game have affected this game and I love it for it.

But yeah, mine was:

- Shepard is full renegade.
- Saved the rachnii
- Sacrificed Alenko
- Kept Wrex
- Saved the Council

I started an ME1 save that has her going paragon. I need to make sure to do things differently in that game.

And make sure you save manually as much as you can. My autosave borked and I had to load a manual save from 5 hours before the point I got to :(

#BROKEN Hasney

01-25-2010, 07:52 AM

There was a bunch of DLC put up for free accidentally. This is the only one that works now:

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-us/games/offers/0ccf0004-0000-4000-8000-0000454108ce

01-25-2010, 08:08 AM

awesome

01-25-2010, 08:11 AM

i wonder why they pulled everything but that.

ClockShot

01-25-2010, 08:19 AM

Hmmm. Hope it ain't the gear Gamestop is giving out...

Anyway, since the trend is putting up our major choices right now, here's mine.

Saved Rachni Queen
Full Paragon
Wrex is alive
Kept info from the Shadow Broker
Saved Council
Chose Capt. Anderson for the Council
Sacrificed Alenko
Romanced Liari

FearedSanctity

01-25-2010, 08:30 AM

Fuuuuck, don't remember most of my choices other than:

Saved Rachni
Full Paragon
Wrex lives
Saved Council
Chose Capt. Anderson
Humped on Ashley

RoXer

01-25-2010, 01:46 PM

Sorry

This item is not available for purchase from Xbox LIVE Marketplace on the Web.

D Mac

01-25-2010, 07:30 PM

I deleted my Mass Effect 1 saved games. :n: Not going through it again.

D Mac

01-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Wow just checked IGN. 9.6 rating.

Requiem

01-25-2010, 07:43 PM

D Mac

01-25-2010, 07:46 PM

Why did you delete the save games? It's not like the save file thing has been a secret. It's been one of the main touted features of the game since before Mass Effect 1 was released.

I stupidly deleted my Gamertag on my old system and recovered it when I bought my new one. Saved games went with it. :mad:

DAMN iNATOR

01-25-2010, 08:03 PM

Why did you delete the save games? It's not like the save file thing has been a secret. It's been one of the main touted features of the game since before Mass Effect 1 was released.

Also, I started playing today. Like it so far, but haven't gotten into the 'guts' of the game really. Pretty much just got into the first actual system you can explore.

That may be true, but even with that being the case, it should come as no surprise that a save file is in no way an absolute requirement for playing ME2, and the people behind the game have even said as much, stating that the game will have a way of compensating for profiles without a ME1 save file.

Granted, I kept mine around, as I'm intrigued to see how the tie-in to ME2 from my ME1 save file will work, and have been ever since I heard about the feature. However, I'm sure there's probably others who either never played ME1, or don't have any interest in playing it now that ME2 is out. It's a matter of deciding how you want your ME2 story experience to play out, really.

ClockShot

01-25-2010, 08:57 PM

So anybody gonna go grab this at midnight. I was thinking about it till I caught the flu.

Definately gonna put some hours in tomorrow.

#BROKEN Hasney

01-26-2010, 01:29 AM

Gah, I only have one more slot left to recruit someone and I haven't even seen some of the old ME1 guys yet :(

I could hit a relay now and go into ehat appears to be the end game, but I'm exploring and making my party loyal, as well as scanning planets for other missions.

Game has completly hooked me in, supposed to be going out tonight but considering blowing it off to finish this off!

#BROKEN Hasney

01-26-2010, 03:32 AM

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/mass-effect-2-review/

Great review. If this isn't GOTY 2010 I dunno WTF will be

DAMN iNATOR

01-26-2010, 04:55 AM

I think it's a little early to be saying that any one game should be GOTY yet in 2010. I mean, it's still January, and on the 9th of February, we have the hotly anticipated BioShock 2 coming out, not to mention who knows how many other AAA-quality games the other 10 months afterwards.

But yeah, if the video game industry recognized a GotM (Game of the Month), then ME2 would definitely be this month's for sure.

#BROKEN Hasney

01-26-2010, 06:33 AM

Outsider

01-26-2010, 07:43 AM

Piss, I have to wait till Friday for this to be released over here :(

And then I have a busy weekend :(

FearedSanctity

01-26-2010, 07:45 AM

I love living only an hour away from a GameFly distribution center. Will be getting this later today

Requiem

01-26-2010, 01:48 PM

Me and a buddy picked this up on a spur of the moment decision at midnight last night. Are about 4 hours or so in now, and absolutely love it.

Yeah, if the rest of the game holds up to what I've seen so far, this will be Game of the Year.

DAMN iNATOR

01-26-2010, 09:23 PM

Once you play it, you'll understand. It wipes the floor with anything released in the past 3 years for me.

Anyways, if you pick up the game second hand, it will cost you $15 just to get the storefront to buy additional DLC which is pretty lame.

Well, unless it earns the first ever "11 - Mecha Godzilla's Pick ("The unicorn in the forest. Will. never. happen. NEVER.")" from OXM (which it didn't and only got a 9.4), then I'd say it would be all but guaranteed. But I'm sure it's a great game, a little disappointed my bro didn't pick it up on a pre-order from anywhere, but I think I'll pay the local video shop a visit first thing in the morning, as they should have copies in by then. Definitely gotta play this through, one way or another whether by rental or purchase, don't even really care which, just want my fuckin' ME2 fix.

The Genius

01-27-2010, 12:20 AM

just loaded it up right now and have high expectations.

The Phenom

01-27-2010, 12:57 AM

I just rented it today, it's a really good game it comes on 2 disks.

The Destroyer

01-27-2010, 03:38 AM

I really wish I'd made more of an effort to play the first one when it came out - I'm now stuck trying to finish it before ME2 comes out on Friday and I just can't see it happening.

Only gotten as far in as finding Liara and I'm on Noveria currently. Seems like there's still quite a bit to go. :-\

The Genius

01-27-2010, 03:39 AM

yeah i think it takes about 30 hrs to complete the first one with minimal side quests.

D Mac

01-27-2010, 04:32 AM

Decided to rush through the first one too before I buy ME2. I downloaded Bring Down the Sky a long time ago but never played it. Guess I'll do that too.

01-27-2010, 08:15 AM

yeah i think it takes about 30 hrs to complete the first one with minimal side quests.

What? It took me like 13 hours.

Requiem

01-27-2010, 01:38 PM

You can rush through the first game if you don't do side quests. With side quests, I would guess about 30-35 hours depending if you are any good at the game or not and if you die or not all the time.

We completed probably 95% of the first game, and it took us about 30 hours. That was with two people switching on and off.. might have missed a couple side quests, but got most of them, and only didn't do like 1 of the collection quests. Did the rest though.

Judging by what we've done in ME2 so far, I would say the second game is probably about as long as the first.

D Mac

01-27-2010, 03:05 PM

Yeah I'm pretty good at it but I put it on casual diff anyway so I can get through it no problem.

ClockShot

01-27-2010, 07:13 PM

Put some miles on this today and here are my early thoughts. No spoilers, I promise.

Pros:
New upgrade system is cool. Gotta work for some stuff, but that's ok.
The save file does more than you know. Stumbled on a few little things in my quest so far.

Cons:
Do I REALLY need to buy gas and probes?
I agree with whoever said it, ain't liking how they dumbed down the guns and armor mangement.
No map during "story" areas.

Minor note.

Who's on the Guyver fix over at BioWare? I downloaded that Collector's armor that Hasney provided the link to and it's almost a dead ringer to the Guyver suit.

Inadequacy

01-27-2010, 08:15 PM

About to put this in now. I've got high hopes

The Genius

01-27-2010, 09:40 PM

i put in 2 hrs last night and was very happy with what ive seen so far. i hope that save file does something later on, i mean so far all i got was extra credits for having a level 46 character from the first game.

The Genius

01-27-2010, 09:41 PM

also, bring down the sky campaign from the first game was good, took about 40 mins to complete.

Requiem

01-28-2010, 12:37 AM

The Genius

01-28-2010, 02:04 AM

i dunno, i guess i havent gotten far enough into it.

DAMN iNATOR

01-28-2010, 06:02 AM

So far I've dumped in just over 6+ man-hours into this game. Very intriguing stuff so far.

Requiem

01-28-2010, 05:46 PM

So far I've dumped in just over 6+ man-hours into this game. Very intriguing stuff so far.

What other kind of hours could you dump into it? Robot-hours?

D Mac

01-29-2010, 12:54 AM

Went ahead and bought it. Gonna play some without my ME saved game. Casually go through ME 1 and beat it again then use the saved game for this.

D Mac

01-29-2010, 07:06 AM

Some badass shit right here. Engrosing story.

Icess

01-30-2010, 03:41 AM

Loved it. From start to finish. Some of the things have been mentioned elsewhere and are minor drawbacks, but I'll add two gripes...

Would have liked a little more involvement with the prior crew, hopefully ME3 brings back everyone full circle, but I'd imagine that might be hard seeing as...
While my first time going through the ending, I lost no one, but after re-doing it (I'll get to that shortly) I lost Garrus, Jack, the Vet, and Jacob.

So I'd imagine that will be hard to write for.

My second gripe is the new game +. There's no point for it. Your upgrades do not transfer, which I thought I did something wrong so I redid the last mission. This wouldn't be a huge deal if the 1,000,000 iradium that you spent four hours harvesting transferred (it doesn't). Your credits don't transfer, in fact nothing does outside of your level. I'd be ok with that, if the cap wasn't 30, and you weren't a level 29 after completing everything your first go around. So unless it's for achievement point value, there's no point.

I know that the level cap is so that it's easily translated to the next game, but I'd like to replay the same character to level 1000 if I want, that's what makes RPG's charming. Go ahead and drop it to level 3 next game, but give me an incentive to replay the same character this go around, not force me to make a new guy that I never wanted in the first place.

Icess

01-30-2010, 03:42 AM

I do want to say this...

You might be retarded if you trade in any of the Mass Effect "Trilogy" disks. This series has already proven itself to push the standards and I expect great things to come. My last post was somewhat negative, and I don't want anyone to think this game isn't the tits.

On a commercial note, as someone that just sold his Dreamcast games of Legacy of Kain, Marvel vs. Capcom II, and most importantly Skies of Arcadia for over 100 bucks a piece (Skies sold for almost 2, and I had duplicates, can you say UNDERRATED), I will say having originals of each of the series will benefit you more than the trade-in fee.

Just started replaying the first one again, and believe me the bar is now set too high for RPG's. Dragon Age was good, but this/these game[s] treat all current RPG's like her bitch. FF drops this year, as does Heavy Rain (not really a RPG, but neither was Omikron, and people still sleep on that); and all future games need to step up. This is a series that won't be touched (GoW is close... God of War that is) in this generation. IGN ranked the first ME best game on the system for a reason, ME2 proves Bioware is the company to strive for, if not the company to pander to.

By the by, where the fuck is a Legacy of Kain game?

RoXer

01-30-2010, 05:10 AM

Just beat it. Real sleepy. Will talk later. Martin Sheen is the Harbinger. Goodnight.

D Mac

01-30-2010, 05:16 AM

Martin Sheen is the Harbinger. Goodnight.

That had better not be some kind of fucking spoiler you asshole. :mad:

The Destroyer

01-30-2010, 06:53 AM

I love the adverts on The Citadel.

Hamlet with an all Elcor cast. :'(

Kane Knight

01-30-2010, 08:22 AM

I love the adverts on The Citadel.

Hamlet with an all Elcor cast. :'(

That's mentioned in the first one, during one of the elevator rides.

Annoyed by the number of load screens in this. I mean, so far none are as long or tedious as the elevators from the first, but if you want any deck other than CIC in the Normandy, you're looking at a minimum of four load screens...one to get into the Normandy, one to get to the deck in question, one to get back, one to leave.

not always so bad, mind.

Also pissed they dumbed shit down. I decided to reserve judgment until I played the game, but this is not streamlined. It's not the "for dummies" version, even. It's the lead paint eating version.

And the whole "cover shooting" deal. The first used it somewhat, but now the game has "chest high wall" syndrome. This isn't terrible either.

Otherwise, it's a great game with a few annoying glitches so far. Engaging story, good graphics, voice acting that isn't just perfunctory, combat that's functional, etc.

Requiem

01-30-2010, 12:03 PM

Beat it last night and began my second play through.

Honestly, this falls into place right next to Mass Effect 1 as one of my favorite games ever. There were some annoying things. Some tiny glitches. Some load screens that got annoying. But for the most part, it is a very solid game, with a very fun combat system.

We didn't complete the mission with everyone surviving. Mordin died, as we sent him as 'the tech' to go for the first part in the last mission. I am unsure.. but if you send Tali, does the entire party survive? We sent Garrus as the 'squad leader', and used The Justicar as our biotic force field person. Still, Mordin was the only one who died. Wish I had known how it worked, but we didn't want to risk losing Tali because we totally boned her before coming on the mission.

Beat the first couple intro levels on hardcore difficulty, and it is already ridiculously challenging You get to keep your armor and equipment, and your skills (plus you get to start with the bonus skill of your choice). Can't tell you how many times I've already died.

RoXer

01-30-2010, 01:49 PM

Queso here goes...

- Leveling up is definitely dumb. I think the weapons leveling is what bugs me most. The last game, you could equip a lesser weapon with a certain type of ammo and you could still make it useful. In ME2, once you get a new weapon theres no point or advantage to switching to an older one.

- Cover system was wonky for me at times. I was thinking about trying it on insane difficulty but theres no way I can deal with it. I do like how you can send out squadmates to two different locations this time. And for the most part, they react wonderfully. A few times they would run out of cover into fire and do stupid shit but not often. No complaints with the power wheel either. Ammo seemed pointless. Especially since theres so much of it laying around. I think I ran out of ammo twice the whole game. And both times I would immediately find more in the next room. I guess whether it's overheating weapons or ammo clips, somethings gotta be in there to make sure we aren't constantly spraying the enemy.

- The ending reminded me of a lame ass RPG game. I wish I played some to give you an idea of what I mean. Like the entire village is finally gathered to slay the dragon at the end of the game but one wrong turn of the card or roll of the dice and your best friend is eaten by enchanted trolls. And there was no real closure this time around. In ME1, either humans are on the council or are ruling the galaxy. This time around, it seemed like every major decision you make will be resolved in ME3. I don't think we got a clear ending except for beating James Cameron's Terminator.

- On a technical note, the ending was choppy for me. I'll try loading it onto my HDD next time but the scenes didn't rally flow together. It almost ruined the moment. But I guess I'm just nitpicking now.

- DIDN'T GET LAID AT ALL! WTF. HUGE SPACE NERD. Like in order to defuse the situation between Miranda and Jack, I said Jack was right but that pissed off Miranda. So I go to talk to Jack but tell her I don't wanna do her because she's loony. And then Tali comes onto me but I tell her no because I don't wanna deal with her bullshit. AND THEN when I go to talk about the genophage with Mordin he's all "Sorry Shepard, I don't go that way". Can't even get gay space sex. Shepard just ended up staring at a picture of Ashley before the suicide mission starts which is when I think the fucking takes place. I saved it before the suicide mission though so I'm going to try and bone Miranda. I think I have to max out my paragon though because the only conversation options are "goodbye" and two grayed out choices on the left.

- Loved the Joker mission. Wasn't expecting it at all.

- Is it possible to play the game without waking Legion or Grunt? I guess it is. It seems like it will be a bitch for Bioware next game to write all of these possible stories.

- Yeah, I definitely want to run it from that save again. Legion, Jacob, and Miranda died and I blew up the base. I guess I have to have all or most of the upgrades to save everyone? But then half the crew died so I don't wanna waste too much time getting upgrades or scanning planets for upgrades. I don't even know how Miranda died. I was jumping back onto my ship and it showed her laying on the ground.

- And finally, THE ILLUSIVE MAN IS NOT HUMAN. There's no way. I think the novels or comic books show his backstory but it's all bullshit. And I'm willing to bet that Bioware will have it so that if you blew up the base, he'll be human in ME3 and scold you for blowing up Protheian technology. But if you save that technology he'll use it and show his true form which is not human. His "base" is right next to the collector's. They have the same exact sun but they're just on opposite sides so they're in the game cluster. And once you detonate the radioactive nuclear bomb, the sun changes it's color when you talk to Illusive Man. I wanna save everyone and save the technology when I load it up to see what Illusive Man does, but I'm pretty sure I'm right. Dunno if he's a reaper/geth/harbringer whatever. He might be a hybrid of everything. I dunno. BUT HE'S NOT HUMAN. I know that much.

Great game. I can't believe how much time I spent on it.

ClockShot

01-30-2010, 01:54 PM

Did you guys to any side missions at all? Or did you just do the story only. Can't be done with the game that fast.

RoXer

01-30-2010, 01:58 PM

Did most of the side missions. I think I missed a few. There weren't that many actually which is something else I was going to bring up. A whole lotta "meat" in this game. You spent the game recruiting your team and gaining their loyalty. There was only a few pointless side quests. Definitly a good call.

RoXer

01-30-2010, 02:00 PM

I love the adverts on The Citadel.

Hamlet with an all Elcor cast. :'(

YES! I loved that commercial from the first one but then hearing more of it in this one made my day.

Requiem

01-30-2010, 02:50 PM

Did the majority of the game. Didn't do ALL of the upgrades, but I did all the ship ones and MOST of the upgrades.

We had like.. 35 hours on our save file maybe? Which was more than we got out of ME1, but just by a few hours (and we did everything in ME1 too).

D Mac

01-30-2010, 03:32 PM

You can show this in a spoiler or not I don't care, but you can sex up Miranda right? What does it show? I HAVE TO KNOW. :shifty:

RoXer

01-30-2010, 03:32 PM

Yeah I'm around there too. Have a little bit more because I'm searching planets looking for shit to upgrade.

Requiem

01-30-2010, 03:34 PM

Also, I like the fact that it lets you continue the same game if you want to complete everything before beginning your next play through, because you can then use your UPDATED save file to create your 2nd playthrough character.

D Mac

01-30-2010, 03:52 PM

You can show this in a spoiler or not I don't care, but you can sex up Miranda right? What does it show? I HAVE TO KNOW. :shifty:

Icess

01-30-2010, 07:20 PM

Miranda unzips her suit and shows her bra. Lays a big one on Shep then it changes camera angles.

I finished every possible mission, scanned every planet and upgraded everything outside of one Tech Cooldown and one Hacking improvement. Had like 32 hours logged, played on Vet.

And again, there really isn't a point to replay unless it's with a new character Req. Even if you speed through everything (which you shouldn't since it's kinda the deciding factor on who dies on the last mission) it should take about 15 hours and you don't gain anything.

Requiem

01-30-2010, 07:28 PM

What? There is plenty of reason to replay. I went through as Paragon. Now we are playing through on Hardcore difficulty as Renegade. After that, we may or may not play through on Insanity just for the sake of it, as we like harder difficulty levels in games.

Icess

01-30-2010, 07:51 PM

You don't get anymore exp or anything, I reloaded with another character.

Requiem

01-30-2010, 09:24 PM

You get your bonus skill. 200,000 credits, and 50,000 of every resource (including eezo). Also pretty sure I read something after creation that stated you get 25% more XP from missions.

Icess

01-30-2010, 09:37 PM

All true, though you get similar stuff by importing a character over (not the XP thing) from ME1. The problem is you are in all likely-hood around a 27-30lvl by beating the game completely. The level cap is 30, so you don't gain any exp afterward. Also, you lose all upgrades to weapons, so having 200,000 in credits is gone before you leave Omega. I made the mistake of farming all planets, had about 2 million in common resources, and realized it didn't carry over, so 50,000 is great for biotics, but irradium and palli-whatever are gone quickly.

The biggest thing is the cap on the level, are you really going to put in another 15 hours on a character that isn't gaining anything for ME3? I would just rather have a slew of characters that are at lvl 30 instead. Make another character and go through hard, I'm about half way through Insanity with a new character, and while its an absolute bitch (be a Vanguard or you will struggle) its plausible

RoXer

01-30-2010, 11:28 PM

Is there a way to boost your paragon score when you're already at the end of the game? I've been scanning planets for side missions but no luck so far.

Icess

01-31-2010, 12:04 AM

If you zoom into a planet, AI tells you that an "Anomaly has been detected", so you don't have to scan. If I recall correctly, there are a few points to be made in the Paragon/Renegade department. Nothing game changing though.

That said, this isn't KOTOR, so in the end you should have an equal mix. Don't know what the desire is to go completely one way or the other (in this version); especially since the developers have said "don't play the game this way". A lot of times the conversation won't make sense based upon previous outcomes, and kinda breaks the game"s flow.

RoXer

01-31-2010, 12:50 AM

Because I'm trying to regain Miranda's loyality but she keeps dying in the end because she isn't loyal because I'm not full paragon and I can't get my no one left behind achievement.

DAMN iNATOR

01-31-2010, 01:24 AM

Awesome game. That having been said, I expect even greater things still to come in ME3.

#BROKEN Hasney

01-31-2010, 03:04 AM

Because I'm trying to regain Miranda's loyality but she keeps dying in the end because she isn't loyal because I'm not full paragon and I can't get my no one left behind achievement.

Lol, I'm full renegade as always so this will affect me.

I've read somewhere a lot of the side missions vanish after you pick up the Reaper FF's

#BROKEN Hasney

01-31-2010, 03:06 AM

That said, this isn't KOTOR, so in the end you should have an equal mix. Don't know what the desire is to go completely one way or the other (in this version); especially since the developers have said "don't play the game this way". A lot of times the conversation won't make sense based upon previous outcomes, and kinda breaks the game"s flow.

Link? I've been full renegade in both because it's more fun and nothings been broken, everythings made sense.

Requiem

01-31-2010, 03:57 AM

Yeah what? Going 'completely' something means you get to use the paragon/renegade options in chat, which can make you handle situations completely differently. I went complete Paragon and everything seemed great. I really don't think, given the type of game this is, that the developers ever said that... though I await a link to prove me wrong.

RoXer

01-31-2010, 10:06 AM

Lol, I'm full renegade as always so this will affect me.

I've read somewhere a lot of the side missions vanish after you pick up the Reaper FF's

You just have to be full one way or another to regain so you should be okay. I'm like 80% Paragon and some side would really help.

FUUUUCK. I think I have an earlier save. Ill have to see. I'd rather play the last 6 hours than 26 hours.

#BROKEN Hasney

01-31-2010, 10:57 AM

Fuck, the save game resume failed me again. Gotta re-do Tali and Samera's loyalty missions, so not as bad as last time, but still annoying.

Requiem

01-31-2010, 12:45 PM

Yeah. The resume was one of the main glitches we experienced. Just have to do a 'load' and load your autosaves, as the autosaves are USUALLY mostly up-to-date.

Icess

01-31-2010, 02:08 PM

I was able to use either Paragon or Renegade answers throughout, but I put a lot of work into that character during ME1.

Don't remember where I saw the quote, will do some detective work.

The Destroyer

01-31-2010, 03:25 PM

DAMN iNATOR

01-31-2010, 03:28 PM

Am I the only one who finds the team members in this game a lot more likable and interesting than in the first one? I couldn't be bothered using a lot of the team in ME1, but I'm really finding myself caring about my team mates in this one - plus unlike the first game, I'm actually using some variety in my team, rather than just running through nearly the entire game with Garrus and Liara.

True. I just wonder how they'll approach the issue of your squad in ME3, i.e. what to do about characters in your squad in ME2 that "don't make it"...will they just start us out with Miranda and Jacob again, and give us a plethora of old and new squadmates to choose from and just make it where the ones who didn't survive from an ME2 save file couldn't be used? Should be interesting to see how everything ties together in a couple or 3 years.

#BROKEN Hasney

01-31-2010, 05:57 PM

30 hours in, not even hit the Omega relay yet, but every single side mission was done and every planet explored!

Until I activated legion and had a new system to explore, dammit

FearedSanctity

02-01-2010, 10:25 AM

Just beat it...

I lost 4: Thane, Jack, Mordin and Legion

Thane went out like a bitch via being impaled during the chase after the Omega Relay jump.

Jack got shot up. Apparently a terrible candidate to lead a squad.

Mordin I hated so I sent him to escort Chakwas. Somehow she made it, he didn't.

Legion got cared away by the swarm. :'(

Kane Knight

02-02-2010, 10:26 AM

Verbose Minch

02-02-2010, 11:04 AM

D Mac

02-03-2010, 01:16 AM

Verbose Minch

02-03-2010, 02:21 AM

Wrex/Garrus or Tali/Garrus here.

The Destroyer

02-04-2010, 06:08 PM

Well, crap.

My entire team made it out - except Mordin. :'(

Inadequacy

02-05-2010, 01:56 PM

Just beat the game

I got everyone out, but I didn't hit the omega 4 relay immediately so Yeoman died. That really bummed me out, so now I'm going to go through the game doing everything the same except this time I'm going to save Chambers.

Also my entire first game team was Wrex/Ashley

Requiem

02-05-2010, 02:40 PM

Love the fact that if you do her side quest, she feeds your fish while you're gone.

Johnny McNasty

02-06-2010, 11:42 AM

Got an awesome cheat on the IGN website where they basically give you the winning codes for a Dr. Pepper sweepstakes that allows you to redeem some cool items for Mass Effect 2.

I got the recon helmet, and the sentry shades both of which look quite bad ass on Shepherd.

02-06-2010, 12:20 PM

Since Johnny McNasty was kind enough to not provide a link, here are the details I found.

No need to drink yourself into a Dr. Pepper coma to get the promotional Mass Effect 2 DLC. Hellforge (http://hellforge.gameriot.com/blogs/Hellforge/Mass-Effect-2-Free-Dr-Pepper-Promo-DLC-Codes) has discovered that the promo codes provided at purchase are completely reusable... you can get this DLC with no purchase necessary.
Here are your codes, as originally provided by Hellforge:

CBEEAAA41NWH
CBEEAAAE4L9N
CBEEAAAFQG9J
CBEEAAAE98ZV

Your next step is heading over to the Dr. Pepper promo Web site (http://www.drpepper.com/promotions/ea/signin/) and doing a little work of your own. Simply sign up for an account using fake details (it won't confirm your info), login, and then enter one of the codes. The site will then re-direct you to an EA account page, where you can sign in and choose your Mass Effect DLC.
You can do this three times to receive the goods -- the Umbra Visor, the Recon Hood, and the Sentry Interface. Oh, and you might want to at least consider going out and buying a Dr. Pepper or something. From what I understand Diet Dr. Pepper tastes a lot like regular Dr. Pepper.

I got all three, then it told me that you download them in Cerberus. Since I'm going to be playing this used, it's of no use to me anymore.

RoXer

02-06-2010, 12:23 PM

Nah it will be there when you get it.

02-06-2010, 12:35 PM

Your promotional code included an unlock for both PC and Xbox 360 platforms. To access your content on the Xbox 360, please ensure you activate Cerberus in-game using the same account you used while redeeming this code on the social website. Once you have done this, your content will be available for download from Xbox LIVE via the in-game store.

how will it be there

RoXer

02-06-2010, 12:43 PM

I think you candl cerberus from the dashboard

D Mac

02-06-2010, 12:46 PM

Got all those DLC thanks to a lady at work who buys like 20 Dr. Pepper bottles a day.

02-06-2010, 12:46 PM

yeah for $15

02-06-2010, 12:57 PM

Mass Effect 2:

Cerberus Network

Released: 1/26/2010

http://marketplace.xbox.com/xweb/lib/images/Marketplace/UserRatings/AverageRating_18.png(1550)
Sign in to rate (http://login.live.com/login.srf?wa=wsignin1.0&rpsnv=11&ct=1265479005&rver=5.5.4177.0&wp=MBI&wreply=https:%2F%2Flive.xbox.com%2Fxweb%2Flive%2Fpassport%2FsetCookies.ashx%3Frru%3DhttpZ3AZ2FZ2Fmar ketplaceZ2ExboxZ2EcomZ2FenZ2DUSZ2FgamesZ2FmediaZ2F66acd000Z2D77feZ2D1000Z2D9115Z2Dd802454108ceZ2FZ3F btZ3D0Z26sbZ3D1Z26mtZ3D4Z26guZ3D66acd000Z2D77feZ2D1000Z2D9115Z2Dd802454108ceZ26pZ3D1Z26ofZ3D0&lc=1033&cb=B001033httpZ3AZ2FZ2FmarketplaceZ2ExboxZ2EcomZ2FenZ2DUSZ2FgamesZ2FmediaZ2F66acd000Z2D77feZ2D1000Z2 D9115Z2Dd802454108ceZ2FZ3FbtZ3D0Z26sbZ3D1Z26mtZ3D4Z26guZ3D66acd000Z2D77feZ2D1000Z2D9115Z2Dd802454108 ceZ26pZ3D1Z26ofZ3D0&id=66262)

Download to Xbox 360
(https://live.xbox.com/en-US/Flows/BeginFlow.ashx?Workflow=FirstPurchase&ru=http%3a%2f%2fmarketplace.xbox.com%2fen-US%2fgames%2fmedia%2f66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802454108ce%2f%3fp%3d1%26of%3d0%26pid%3d0ccf0001-0000-4000-8000-0000454108ce%26bt%3d0%26sb%3d1&aru=http%3a%2f%2fmarketplace.xbox.com%2fen-US%2fgames%2fmedia%2f66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802454108ce%2f%3fp%3d1%26of%3d0%26bt%3d0%26sb%3d1&SkipForChildren=True)

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D Mac

02-06-2010, 12:59 PM

Buy the game and it's free.

02-06-2010, 01:05 PM

yeah no fucking shit. maybe you missed the part where i said I'M GETTING THIS FUCKING USED YOU DUMB PIECE OF SHIT

02-06-2010, 01:06 PM

I'm going to be playing this used

!!!!

D Mac

02-06-2010, 01:08 PM

You need to buy this game.

D Mac

02-06-2010, 01:08 PM

You're too easy.

02-06-2010, 01:24 PM

Diesel Mac, I will gladly buy this game if you give me $60.

02-06-2010, 01:24 PM

I played the Death Magnetic DLC last night on GH3.

Johnny McNasty

02-06-2010, 01:31 PM

Since Johnny McNasty was kind enough to not provide a link, here are the details I found.

Since it is such a hassle to go to IGN then click one link.

I didn't even bother downloading the Umbra visor things, as they look like shit. Definitely will be using that recon helmet though when I make me a infiltrator class character.

Requiem

02-06-2010, 01:34 PM

Why would you actually spend money on shitty Metallica DLC, but not pay more money to get this game new and get awesome content?

02-06-2010, 01:36 PM

Why would you actually spend money on shitty Metallica DLC, but not pay more money to get this game new and get awesome content?

Because I got it for like $4 a year ago. Guy was selling codes for it, and buying the whole thing was the only way to get the 1 song that I wanted.

02-06-2010, 01:42 PM

Since it is such a hassle to go to IGN then click one link.

I didn't even bother downloading the Umbra visor things, as they look like shit. Definitely will be using that recon helmet though when I make me a infiltrator class character.

But do you see now how easy I made it for everyone, instead of making them go out and find it themselves? You were already on the page, you could have taken 2 seconds to copy the info.

Johnny McNasty

02-06-2010, 02:10 PM

Maybe I was too lazy to do so, like how you assume everyone would be too lazy to check it out for themselves. Actually there is no maybe at all I just couldn't be bothered with it.

ClockShot

02-06-2010, 06:32 PM

43 hours 30 minutes. Finally finished. Unlike most of you who buzzed through this, I took my time.

Lost Garrus and Thane. Sent Garrus into the vents, took the bullet after shutting the door. Does that happen to anyone regardless? Send Thane on the diversion, guess the disease caught up to him. Gonna go through the first and second games again someday to see if I get the same outcome.

Pros and cons now that I finished:

Pros:

Liked that team got expanded to 10 people. More variety and backgrounds of who you're fighting with. Especially happy Garrus and Tali came back full time.

Voice acting was great. Hope Martin Sheen, Tricia Helfer, and the other big names return for the 3rd.

Creativty was fun.....for a while.

Cons:

Needs more side missions. Either throw in more N7 missions or get tied in with Cerberus/Alliance/random characters in one way or another.

Mako gone = plus. Replaced with mining = sucks. Scanning planets up and down for platinum. Firing probe after probe, you'll blow about $100,000 just buying probes and fuel, upgrading is gonna be a pain, but in the long run it's necessary. And buying fuel, stupid.

Happy to notice some of my choices when playing. But I wish I got more involved. For instance, I saved the Rachni Queen in the first game. Would have liked to land and planet and do a mission. Instead, I meet an asari on Illium and the queen takes over her body and communicates to me through her.

Creatvity. Hey we got a fish tank, but there's only 3 types of fish. After killing my second batch, I gave up. Didn't bother with the hamster. Got sick of my armor and weapons. I really missed my Spectre guns and Colossus armor after a few missions.

Verbose Minch

02-07-2010, 05:31 AM

Yo Clockshot

The only people you are supposed to send into the vents is Legion or Tali. The rest don't have the hacking abilities to shut the door in time.

Edit: I also finally got every achievement in the game. Feels good.

The Destroyer

02-07-2010, 07:34 AM

Another one for Clockshot...

The secondary teams apparently only succeed if led by someone with leadership skills - namely Garrus, Miranda or Jacob. Stick anyone else in that role and people will die.

Verbose Minch

02-07-2010, 08:04 AM

The Phenom

02-07-2010, 07:19 PM

I heard there is a sex scene in this game how do you get that.

Verbose Minch

02-07-2010, 10:01 PM

I heard there is a sex scene in this game how do you get that.

You seem like a pitiful man.

Johnny McNasty

02-09-2010, 02:21 PM

Just finished it.

Been putting off finishing this for a day or so now, simply because I really didn't won't it to end. Quite possibly my favorite video game experience since KOTOR. Everything really just clicked in this sequel, and it all came together to make an amazing game.

I did all the side missions, explored all planets, and obtained all upgrades, before heading into the suicide mission. The Last mission was extremely satisfying, and I enjoyed using the whole squad to take the Collectors base. Lost Thane though right off the bat, as he was shot down trying to shut a door. Bummed out about that, as it means no achievement for saving everyone. But I have a save file before entering the relay, so I should be able to retry it from the beginning. The giant Terminator thingy was immense, and felt like a proper final boss. I'm still buzzing from this game, and am gonna go ahead and jump back on ME1 to finish my renegade Shepherd to go through ME2 with.

DAMN iNATOR

02-12-2010, 12:30 AM

Dunno how anyone could pass up the opportunity to buy the Space Hamster from wherever it is...nothing like watching it come scurrying out when you click it's cage and then it does a tiny little "SQUEAK!" thing...

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LYBx1aqdFKI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LYBx1aqdFKI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
:lol::rofl::cool::love::heart:

Kane Knight

02-12-2010, 10:13 AM

So...Is it me, or is the friendly AI some of the worst you've played with?

It's not that other AI is great, but I've got used to those little things like your team not running through your line of sight AS you're firing, and stuff like that. They'll get in my way, so I'll choose a new position, and they'll park right back in my fucking way.

God, this game has a fun story, but they made combat almost as much of a chore as the mining.

Verbose Minch

02-12-2010, 12:26 PM

Requiem

02-12-2010, 12:46 PM

Honestly, I found the complete opposite of the AI. If you actively tell them what to do, they pick up the rest of it quite nicely and tended to stay out of my way. Yeah, if you sit there and let them do their own thing, they get in the way every once in a while.

But if you tell them to take cover, they usually listen pretty well. Ability use happens really quickly if they're able, etc..

Would you care to explain how they made combat almost as much of a chore as mining? Because combat in this game is pretty fluid, and if you think it's not then you must fail pretty hard at it. As a vanguard, you can play much of the game without barely touching the pause menu other than to switch weapons. Hell, we were an Adept the first time through, and it was still one of the smoothest combat experiences I've had in a game of this style.

Requiem

02-12-2010, 12:47 PM

Also, the AI tends to be based on what weapon you give them. If you give them a shotgun, they are going to want to run up and use it. Give them a pistol or a sniper, and they tend to stay at a distance.

Kane Knight

02-12-2010, 11:57 PM

Just give them directions for where you want them to cover. Preferably one on either side of you, so that you can cover them if need be.
I'm yet to get them to stay where I put them.

Kane Knight

02-13-2010, 12:03 AM

Would you care to explain how they made combat almost as much of a chore as mining?

I did, Req. I explained in the exact post you're responding to. I was compelled by the fanboy logic of "thinking combat is tedious means you suck at it," though.

Seriously, Mass Effect really doesn't need more apologists.

Kane Knight

02-13-2010, 12:05 AM

Req's post could be re-skinned to discuss Army of 2 TFD.

Icess

02-13-2010, 02:49 AM

Just give them directions for where you want them to cover. Preferably one on either side of you, so that you can cover them if need be.
Play on intensity, and you'll find AI is worthless. Kinda confused why the didn't add online co-op on this. Some characters do alright, but most suck at taking direction (Jack literally goes head first into everything even if you "ask her" to stay back).

I take back my original statement, in that if you want to play the intensity level and get the achievement, you MUST be a lvl 30. Otherwise you won't get past the first collector's ship (though you get an amazing weapon regardless).

Verbose Minch

02-13-2010, 02:56 AM

Play on intensity, and you'll find AI is worthless. Kinda confused why the didn't add online co-op on this. Some characters do alright, but most suck at taking direction (Jack literally goes head first into everything even if you "ask her" to stay back).

I take back my original statement, in that if you want to play the intensity level and get the achievement, you MUST be a lvl 30. Otherwise you won't get past the first collector's ship (though you get an amazing weapon regardless).

I already beat it on intensity, so I don't see what your point is. If you want to beat the game, you have to tell them where to go, otherwise you are fucked.

Requiem

02-13-2010, 02:00 PM

I did, Req. I explained in the exact post you're responding to. I was compelled by the fanboy logic of "thinking combat is tedious means you suck at it," though.

Seriously, Mass Effect really doesn't need more apologists.

You didn't say why it was tedious though. All you said is the AI got annoying. That hardly encompasses all of the combat. As far as the combat mechanics go, they are anything but tedious. They are extremely fluid, and allow for very quick use of abilities, with very little (to none, at times) use of the pause menu. The reason I said you must fail at it, is because that's the only way it wouldn't be as fluid of an experience.. ie; if you didn't grasp the concept of hotkeys, or just couldn't hit your targets.

Hell, if you're playing on easier difficulties, you really don't even have to tell your party to do much of anything. You can be a beast on your own with them just acting as ranged support most of the time.

Really just baffles me that anyone could find a complaint in the way the combat gameplay feels, because it seems to me like that is the aspect of the game they spent the most time on to polish.

I get that you don't tend to like shooters (it seems), but saying ME2's combat is tedious is just wrong. If you think those mechanics are 'tedious' (maybe you meant something else, because tedious is just the wrong word for ME2's combat), then I would say you will probably never find a shooter that has whatever feature or 'feel' that you're looking for.

Requiem

02-13-2010, 02:17 PM

Not saying the AI was amazing either. It had its ups and downs. But during my playthrough, I never felt like a situation was made much more difficult because of the friendly AI.

#BROKEN Hasney

02-13-2010, 03:41 PM

The combat pisses me off, even more so now I sent a 2nd character through ME1 to get
some different outcomes in ME2. I hate how dumbed down it is now, stupid addictive story.

Hanso Amore

02-14-2010, 01:29 PM

Just beat it first time through, saved everyone, all achievements.

Sent Legion though the Ducts, used Jack as my Biotic Shield, Used Garrus to lead btoh Fire teams. Took Grunt and Miranda to the final fight.

All Lived. Well actually I sent the crew back alone and they all ate it....Fuck em, sucks for the Doc though.

Mad excited for ME3. They built this in the perfect way.

1 - Sets up the World and story
2 - Fleshes out the characters in a sort of episodic story that doesnt really advance or effect the main story, but is great and sets up for 3
3 - I can onlu assume will be an epic finale. Wonder how it would all work out of you die? Also, wonder what crews you will have this time round.

Verbose Minch

02-14-2010, 01:51 PM

Hanso Amore

02-14-2010, 03:44 PM

If Shepard dies on the suicide mission, you can't transfer that file over.

OHHHH, but he is still the main character of the next game, you just have to start from scratch. I am a fucking idiot

FearedSanctity

02-14-2010, 09:45 PM

Pretty sure the crew in 3 will just be made up of survivors of the first 2, plus probably a few new ones

The Genius

02-15-2010, 11:19 PM

YESS!!!!! finally got with Tali. I wanted her in the first one but I think only ashley and liara where available. i hope there is still an outside chance with miranda.

The Genius

02-15-2010, 11:28 PM

and to follow that up, Jack just got lasered!! couldn't be happier.

The Genius

02-16-2010, 12:42 AM

amazing game, put like 45 hours into this.

02-26-2010, 09:51 AM

Mass Effect 2 'Firewalker' DLC coming late March, includes Hammerhead vehicle and 5 missions (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/25/mass-effect-2-firewalker-dlc-coming-late-march/)

by James Ransom-Wiley (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/james-ransom-wiley/) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/writer_rss.gif (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/james-ransom-wiley/rss.xml) { 10 hours ago } http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001xbox001.png (http://xbox.joystiq.com/) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/pc-button25.png (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/@pc)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/02/hammerhead-022510.jpg (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/)
BioWare has detailed another dose of Mass Effect 2 DLC, dubbed the "Firewalker" pack. The upcoming release includes five missions featuring the Hammerhead vehicle, according to an update on the Cerberus Network page (http://masseffect.bioware.com/info/cerberus/), part of the official Mass Effect site. BioWare co-founder Greg Zeschuk described the Hammerhead as a "hover tank," during a recent interview (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/interview-bioware-greg-zeschuk-on-mass-effect-2-and-3/) with Joystiq, adding, "It's not a wheeled vehicle, so it's going to have a bit of a different control scheme" than did the much-maligned Mako vehicle featured constantly in Mass Effect 1.

On the website, the Hammerhead is promoted as "a heavy assault vehicle that hovers over the battlefield at up to 120 kilometers per hour [75 mph] and features a guided missile system ensuring accuracy even during aggressive maneuvering." In other words, it's everything the Mako wasn't -- and it's optional.

The Firewalker DLC pack is scheduled for a "late March" release and will be accessible free of charge through the Cerberus Network (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/cerberus-network)in-game delivery system. Of course, nothing's really "free" when it's got Cerberus' shady name attached to it, is it, Mr. Illusive Man?

gonna download cerberus now

D Mac

02-26-2010, 02:42 PM

Cool. Glad I bought the game and got Cereberus free. :cool:

Outsider

02-27-2010, 04:14 PM

I have still only played an hour of this game due to my Xbox problem.

I fucking hate everyone in this thread now.

03-11-2010, 04:33 PM

Mass Effect 2 DLC 'Kasumi's Stolen Memory' lands on Apr. 6 (don't forget!) (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/mass-effect-2-dlc-kasumis-stolen-memory-lands-on-apr-6-don/)

by Ludwig Kietzmann (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/ludwig-kietzmann/) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/writer_rss.gif (http://www.joystiq.com/bloggers/ludwig-kietzmann/rss.xml) { 11 minutes ago } http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001breaking001.png (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/@breaking/) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/001xbox001.png (http://xbox.joystiq.com/) http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/pc-button25.png (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/@pc)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/01/masseffect2standard580.jpg
While Mass Effect 2 (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/mass-effect-2)'s in-game DLC pipeline, The Cerberus Network (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/cerberus-network), continues to transport new weapons (and soon, a new vehicle) to players for free, BioWare has announced the game's first pack of paid downloadable content. "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" finally completes Commander Shepard's dirty dozen, adding a confident female thief to your anti-Reaper repertoire. It's currently scheduled to launch for Xbox 360 and PC on April 6th.

After downloading the DLC, players can get in touch with Kasumi on the Citadel, either in the middle of an ongoing Mass Effect 2 game or after the completion of the main story (lesson learned from Mass Effect 1 DLC!). Once recruited, Shepard aids Kasumi on a secretive mission of recovery, which requires a suave disguise and a run-in with an influential and predictably corrupt art collector. The content, which also provides the "Locust" SMG, a flash-bang grenade loyalty power and a new Achievement, should take about an hour and a half to complete.

BioWare is currently in the midst of "internal discussion" to determine the price of the DLC, but we'll keep you updated as soon as it's finalized. Look for some impressions of "Kasumi's Stolen Memory" on Joystiq later today. Spoiler: It looks great.

alvarado52

03-11-2010, 05:52 PM

Should be interesting. I wish they would do more to implement the character into the game (convo choices, more banter between DLC characters and regulars).

ClockShot

05-04-2010, 03:19 PM

The Equilizer Pack went live today. For 160 points, you get the Archon Visor, Inferno Armor (pre-order content), and the Capacitor Helmet.

05-04-2010, 04:18 PM

how exciting!

Fignuts

08-10-2010, 03:01 AM

Why the fuck does req keep referring to himself as "we" in this thread? Also FINALLY picked this up and beat it, and will post my thoughts soon. For now, you should know that the Overlord dlc is a good buy.

Requiem

08-10-2010, 01:16 PM

Because my first playthrough was a dual playthrough with a friend of mine. I have since played through the game several times, on my own and again with a friend, but at the time it was a duo-experience.

D Mac

08-11-2010, 04:14 AM

Still haven't beat it. And I bought it the day it came out.

Fignuts

08-11-2010, 04:57 AM

Hammerhead is pretty fun. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the mako. Also another dlc mission is dropping this month, supposedly. Involves the shadow broker. Willing to bet he turns out to be the illusive man.

09-07-2010, 01:42 PM

Shadow Broker was really good. Best DLC so far. The little extras you get afterwards are pretty cool, like the 2nd base type deal and the investment opportunities.

Fignuts

09-07-2010, 03:59 PM

Sweet gonna dl this now.

ClockShot

12-29-2010, 07:38 PM

Shadow Broker was really good. Best DLC so far. The little extras you get afterwards are pretty cool, like the 2nd base type deal and the investment opportunities.

Had an "opening" in my gaming and decided to grab the 4 major DLC. I hope Bioware throws a couple more out to hold us over until 3 comes out.

Man, who's the Shadow Broker was one of the biggest mysteries I wanted solved in all of gaming. Here I am thinking it's somebody I met or a super duper computer pulling all the stings. Hell I even thought the Elusive Man was the guy. Instead it's a 9' tall new alien in a tuxedo. Although at the end it reminded me of the DLC in the first KOTOR. Sort of a secondary hideout you buy the little things. And that asari spectre mid-boss was a bitch to beat on hardcore.

The Destroyer

01-03-2011, 07:55 AM

Seems we're getting one more piece of DLC before Mass Effect 3 comes out.

No details yet though.

Fignuts

01-03-2011, 11:00 AM

AWESOME

The Destroyer

01-03-2011, 01:32 PM

Oh, and the Cerberus News Network will no longer be updated except for during the week of release of the DLC and for two weeks in advance of ME3 coming out.

I had no idea they'd been adding new news stories to it pretty much constantly.

Fignuts

01-03-2011, 01:33 PM

Me neither. I should go back to ME2, and see how that shadoe broker base stuff is doing.

ClockShot

03-30-2011, 06:58 AM

Downloaded "The Arrival" DLC last night and played the first half. Kinda boring. Hoping it picks up when I finish it today.

03-30-2011, 08:24 AM

Haven't read anything good about it anywhere

Brujesino

03-30-2011, 03:49 PM

Arrival was alright nothing special.It takes about 1 hour to beat and there no real significent choices in the in it.You have choices but they all lead to the same thing.

So if your a achievement kind of guy might as well go for it because theres becuase the main story comes out the same.