Mass Effect series discussion

[LivewiresXe]

That sounds kind of stupid. The ME series has always combined all 3 of these elements. I guess I'll just pick whichever presentation makes ME play like ME has always played.

That would be the RPG one. They're just trying to branch it out to get as many new people into it as possible. And also, the Multiplayer is ONLY Co-op, there's not going to be any like "Team Deathmatch" with it.

 

[mood4food77]

alright good, while i wouldn't care for it anyways

concussion shot would just be really stupid, it hits you, you get hit into recoil, you die, no fail, every time

 

[Pluvia]

Apart from the fact that Cryo Blast is far superior to Concusion Shot.

And they both can't go shields anyway.

that seems like a pointless addition

Technically it's not an addition, it's just normal ME but with 2 options that remove things.

So it's like the opposite of adding something weirdly.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Apart from the fact that Cryo Blast is far superior to Concusion Shot.

And they both can't go shields anyway.

I pretty much never put points towards Cryo Blast the same way I put as few points towards Concussion Shot as I can, actually.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

So which of the three modes plays like the ME we all know and love?

 

[LivewiresXe]

So which of the three modes plays like the ME we all know and love?

Roleplaying, I believe, since it's apparently to let you experience everything if you want full control.

 

[mood4food77]

i really hope the RPG aspect is to the standards of ME1, cause ME2 really lacked in that department

ME1 let you level up pretty much, everything, ME2 just let you level up a few things while spend credits to buy upgrades and then you'd have to scour planets for resources to get them, (very time consuming)

it doesn't have to be as in depth as ME1, just more than what ME2 did (seriously, you onl leveled up abilities)

 

[F8AL]

Alright, well so far I like ME2 over ME1. You can now finally sprint when not in combat and the cover system has been improved. I picked vanguard and got some stuff for importing my lvl 47 soldier character from ME1.

Miranda also looks better in-game.

 

[mood4food77]

yea, miranda on the cover sucks but in game, possibly the hottest female video game character ever

i wish you could actually see how balanced the squad you are setting out with was, like in ME1, it was really convenient

 

[F8AL]

I'm assuming I should look at a guide for the final suicide mission? I want everyone to survive and I read something that you can't import your ME2 character into ME3 if Shepard dies at the end of ME2.

 

[Pluvia]

I'm assuming I should look at a guide for the final suicide mission? I want everyone to survive and I read something that you can't import your ME2 character into ME3 if Shepard dies at the end of ME2.

Shepard will only die if all of you squaddies die (or if only 1 survives) and that outcome is so hard to get that you'd either have to really suck or you have to actively seek it out.

Don't look at a guide, instead just create a new save before you go into the Omega 4 relay, that way you can have your "original" playthrough, and then you can go back and create a playthrough where you save everyone and get the achievements.

It'll give you two playthroughs to choose from when importing to ME3, without having to play the game all over again.

 

[F8AL]

Shepard will only die if all of you squaddies die (or if only 1 survives) and that outcome is so hard to get that you'd either have to really suck or you have to actively seek it out.

Don't look at a guide, instead just create a new save before you go into the Omega 4 relay, that way you can have your "original" playthrough, and then you can go back and create a playthrough where you save everyone and get the achievements.

It'll give you two playthroughs to choose from when importing to ME3, without having to play the game all over again.

Do you mean that I should have two saves:

1st save - Play the game normally
2nd save - Save all my teammates

Right?

Which would would I use for ME3?

 

[mood4food77]

just have multiple save files for the final mission

but seriously, when you play through the game and get everyone loyal, you should have no troulbe keeping everyone alive, you should know who to choose for each spot

 

[F8AL]

just have multiple save files for the final mission

but seriously, when you play through the game and get everyone loyal, you should have no troulbe keeping everyone alive, you should know who to choose for each spot

I didn't think it was possible to get everyone loyal.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Pluvia]

You get to choose which ever one you want. For example, if you have completed ME1 with different Shepards (Eg. A male and a female playthrough) then you get to choose which save file you want to use at the start of ME2. Once you've completed one you can go back and play with the other one if you want.

In ME2 you can just create a new save before you start the Suicide Mission, play normally and see what happens, then go back and play through it on the 2nd save and save everyone.

 

[F8AL]

You get to choose which ever one you want. For example, if you have completed ME1 with different Shepards (Eg. A male and a female playthrough) then you get to choose which save file you want to use at the start of ME2. Once you've completed one you can go back and play with the other one if you want.

In ME2 you can just create a new save before you start the Suicide Mission, play normally and see what happens, then go back and play through it on the 2nd save and save everyone.

You can? Well that's good to hear.

Thanks for the help, Pluvia! Sorry in advance for anymore stupid questions.

 

[Grey Belnades]

I didn't think it was possible to get everyone loyal.

Thanks for the help!

You can but you have to be carful when Legion's loyalty mission is available.

 

[Pluvia]

Make sure you save before you go into the Omega 4 Relay though, there's a long cutscene and, depending on previous actions, some of your teammates can during it.

I don't think you'll struggle though and anyway you've got the whole game to play yet.

 

[F8AL]

Make sure you save before you go into the Omega 4 Relay though, there's a long cutscene and, depending on previous actions, some of your teammates can during it.

I don't think you'll struggle though and anyway you've got the whole game to play yet.

I just want to make sure that I get the best outcome possible.

And I still prefer the old way of hacking things. (In ME1: Pressing the random buttons instead of matching up symbols in ME2.)

And they changed up the menu (Load/save) and the d-pad directions. D:

 

[Pluvia]

You can map powers in ME2 now though, even for your teammates, don't think you can do that in the first one.

Also Old Man Grey, it's not just Legion's loyalty mission you have to be wary of if you're talking about what I think you are:

Spoiler

squaddies clashing with each other?

.

 

[F8AL]

You can map powers in ME2 now though, even for your teammates, don't think you can do that in the first one.

Also Old Man Grey, it's not just Legion's loyalty mission you have to be wary of if you're talking about what I think you are:

Spoiler

squaddies clashing with each other?

.

Nah, you could.

And is it me or do the graphics in ME2 look better? (I still get scared when Shepard smiles/grins tho...)

 

[sakuraZaKi]

Fortunately, for me, I got everyone saved on my first playthrough. I had no idea they could die until someone told me, lol.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Yeah, beware of what Pluvia said. Just crank up the Paragon with your background and choices.

I WILL say though, that with the Final Mission, if you actually stop and think about who's available for what and what their specialty is regarded as, you really should have no trouble. Yeah, there's a couple of things you might think once or twice on, but if you think in Mass Effect mode, you'll figure it out.

 

[Pluvia]

Or don't crank up the Paragon, play how you want to, if you're Renegade play like that.

I found it easy to save everyone, but my best mate got Miranda killed, and my other friend got Jack, Thane and Tali killed, so it must be harder than I think.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

If you want to know what I did:

Spoiler

I've actually had all squadmates saved in both of my playthroughs, actually. Whenever you get a party member, ALWAYS talk to them after a mission. This included Kelly. They'll tell you about their background, and eventually they'll trust you enough to handle their loyalty mission. I did them immediately. (Kelly doesn't have a loyalty mission.)

As I progressed through the story - once Legion's mission was available, it was the ONLY thing I did before I went through the Omega 4 relay. I made sure to finish everything up beforehand.

I was mostly pure Paragon. You can't resist smacking that reporter in the face.

 

[Grey Belnades]

Also Old Man Grey, it's not just Legion's loyalty mission you have to be wary of if you're talking about what I think you are:

Spoiler

squaddies clashing with each other?

.

Well that and

Spoiler

that you have to do Legion's LM last or else if you have any LMs after Legion's, half or majority of your crew (like Kelly) dies at the Collector base.

Nah, you could.

And is it me or do the graphics in ME2 look better? (I still get scared when Shepard smiles/grins tho...)

Wait, do you have a custom Shep or are you using default Shep?

 

[sakuraZaKi]

Hey, default Shep's smile is the bestest thing since rapefaceLink.

Does anyone know who he's modeled after?

 

[Grey Belnades]

Hey, default Shep's smile is the bestest thing since rapefaceLink.

Does anyone know who he's modeled after?

Mark Meer.

 

[Pluvia]

If you want to know what I did:

Spoiler

I've actually had all squadmates saved in both of my playthroughs, actually. Whenever you get a party member, ALWAYS talk to them after a mission. This included Kelly. They'll tell you about their background, and eventually they'll trust you enough to handle their loyalty mission. I did them immediately. (Kelly doesn't have a loyalty mission.)

As I progressed through the story - once Legion's mission was available, it was the ONLY thing I did before I went through the Omega 4 relay. I made sure to finish everything up beforehand.

I was mostly pure Paragon. You can't resist smacking that reporter in the face.

Well that and

Spoiler

that you have to do Legion's LM last or else if you have any LMs after Legion's, half or majority of your crew (like Kelly) dies at the Collector base.

You don't need to talk to your crew to do their loyalty. You get the option to do them as you progress through the game, plus you don't need to

Spoiler

save the background crew

to get the save everyone achievement.

Edit:

Also technically that's not the trigger for

Spoiler

half your crew dying.

 

[Grey Belnades]

You don't need to talk to your crew to do their loyalty. You get the option to do them as you progress through the game, plus you don't need to

Spoiler

save the background crew

to get the save everyone achievement.

Edit:

Also technically that's not the trigger for

Spoiler

half your crew dying.

I know

Spoiler

but saving/losing your crew could have some implications on ME3 (I don't know) but why wouldn't you want to save your crew nonetheless even if you don't get an achievement?

They're your crew.

Isn't it kinda? IIRC, you can only

Spoiler

do one mission in before the Normandy is able to go to the Omega 4 relay. Anymore than one mission and your crew suffers.

But it's been awhile since I've done a ME2 playthrough so my memoryms a bit foggy.

 

[F8AL]

Wait, do you have a custom Shep or are you using default Shep?

Default Shepard.

And damn you, now I'll have nightmares.

Thanks again for the help, everyone!

 

[Pluvia]

Yeah but you miss out on so much great dialogue with

Spoiler

Legion

that way.

Bring him on Tali's loyalty mission and watch everyone freak out. You create so much different dialogue that way. Plus who cares about

Spoiler

random nameless NPC's that wont do anything in ME3

.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Hey, default Shep's smile is the bestest thing since rapefaceLink.

Does anyone know who he's modeled after?

Apparently he's modeled after some Dutch guy named Mark Vanderloo.

 

[F8AL]

The new map system is waaaaaaaaay better. Everything just seems smoother and there is less loading when you're on the Normandy.

 

[mood4food77]

the entire game is smoother, just a lot of us miss the RPG elements that were in ME1 that got taken away

a lot of us feel like this is more of an action shooter than an RPG, while it is still a great game (one of the all time best), it just doesn't grasp the RPG feel that ME1 did, you don't really level up stuff and the variability available to you just isn't there

but i will say, once i re-applied my points to my shepard, my game got a lot easier

 

[Grey Belnades]

Default Shepard.

And damn you, now I'll have nightmares.

Thanks again for the help, everyone!

No problem, now check your wall.

 

[LivewiresXe]

Also, remember to feed your damn fish.

 

[sakuraZaKi]

^ This.

They always died on me.

 

[Evil Eye]

Lol, look what happens at the part in ME1 where you have to kill Wrex if you don't have Garrus or Liara:

http://youtu.be/ypPPIaYDALk

Even though I was braced for the anticlimax, I actually lol'd. It's super amusing to me just because that was one of the most enthralling moments of ME1 for me, and I ended up using the Intimidation to save Wrex, so seeing you get handed the saved Wrex outcome so easily is just hilarious.

ME2 has far better controls, more character development,doesn't have the Mako, and more paragon/renegade decision making

ME1 was a real RPG, story had some really impactful decisions, and didn't seem as linear, while having a larger exploration idea

seriously, if ME3 just combined the two games, it would be amazing

Oh God yes. Yes yes yes. Don't forget the seamless integration of your backstory into the universe in ME1, which let you really live and breathe the Shepard you had created.

On the subject of paragon/renegade decision-making, does anyone know what the ME3 system is like? I can't remember if anyone answered me earlier, but it has been impossible to find information about it while still avoiding spoilers. ME2's system was bad. The interrupt system was brilliant and I quite enjoyed the increased number of diversions. It let you live the character and be surprised by it at the same time. Being a Colonist, watching the wounded Batarian die on Omega and ignoring the paragon interrupt was particularly interesting. Yeah, my Shep hates Batarians. Heh.

But yeah, the thing about ME2's system (for F8AL who asked) is that it's changed to a ratio, instead of just a grand totality of decisions made. For example, at your first P/R decision, whichever decision you make would give you a 100% rating in that morality alignment. 1/1 possible outcome renegade, let's say. Next time let's say you pick paragon. Then you're 1/2 for both, so 50%. Or you pick renegade again, and are 2/2, or 100%.

This has the advantage of not excluding you from things early on and only being able to see it on a replay... but that's the only advantage, and it only applies if you make the same decision, every single time. That's ... dumb. It punishes you for making three dimensional choices with your Shepard. The only way to take advantage of the system is if you go in with the mentality of being a shining beacon of hope or RAWR I'M A BAD GUY PEW PEW.

In ME1 it was just a total, with checks. You've got running tally of paragon/renegade decisions. In addition to this, there were Charm and Intimidate (Paragon or Renegade motivation) stats you could put points into, and which also received points from your paragon/renegade meter. Therefore you could be all Renegade in conversation for the most part, then stack points into Charm, then if you go Paragon for a few decisions, throw some points in Intimidate. Thus allowing you to take both routes in conversations, and play a fuller, more dimensional Shepard. This is just one of the many ways to make the way you play the game more intricate in ME1 that aren't available in ME2 because they pared down the stats to like, five or six things and then greatly decreased the total amount of points you can obtain.

Also, to mood4food, multiplayer is coop only. There's no PVP.



EDIT: And as per usual I miss a whole page.

Which would would I use for ME3?

IMO, it goes against the spirit of the series to replay and "cook" a better outcome. I think you should import the one where you play the game normally, so that you have to live with the decisions you make. It's... the whole theme of Mass Effect. Making impossible decisions and accepting the consequences. I'm kind of sad a lot of that boils down to basically a Galactic Readiness Meter, but at least there's the personal side to everything.

I understand wanting the achievement so, yeah, put a save right before you go through the Omega-4. But don't use a cooked save file to import into ME3. C'mon. Be a man.

(With that said I find it really unlikely that your squaddies are going to die. If anything the checks for squaddies dying required a little too much incompetence, I think. I saved all of them with considerable ease.

Spoiler

My crew, on the other hand... hahahaha. But not like my Shep cared. They were Cerberus

)

 

[Pluvia]

"Cooked" save files are usually the best ones though. In fact on my "only females survive" (damn you Liara and your plot armour) playthrough was so fun that I'm tempted to use it first in ME3. My Shep looked like this:

Spoiler

And it was just so fun, especially as I was creating the outcomes I wanted.