Mass Effect

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by John_Keats:<BR><BR>Ahhh, this makes sense. I see what you're saying--there is variance in the translation of the brief recap to the full conversation--that would be quite annoying. That is the ultimate fear for me of the system of dialogue... I don't know what my character is going to do when I select the option. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>From what I've heard, I think they really wanted it that way for this game. Probably partially to keep the flow going instead of making you stop to read all the responses every time. I'm definitely curious to see how it works.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bammer:<BR><BR>But I agree with your sentiment. I think it is due to the shift to everything being voice acted. I understand why they did it. So many console kiddos out there would rather die than have to read things. My own father won't see a movie if it's subtitled. But I think it really puts a damper on the ease of quest creation and number of available dialog options.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I have no problem reading stuff, but so far I actually think the voice acting is a huge part of the immersiveness of the game. The quality is high, and unlike KOTOR, the technology has gotten to the point where the dialog scenes are cinematic enough that I don't mind watching them. I am really enjoying going through the game and listening to all the high quality voice acting.<BR><BR>I've only been skimming this thread because I don't want too many spoilers. However I wanted to ask a question for those of you who have finished the game. How far through the main plot do the initial 3 spectre quests take you? I don't want to get driven toward the end of the game before I've had my fill of exploring.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrubber:<BR>It seems like they spent more time writing Codex entries than anything else. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Well, at least for me, all that codex stuff is part of what really draws me into the game. I'm continually amazed at how much world building they did with this game. It's obvious that they put a lot of thought into how some of these technologies and racial interactions would play out in their universe, and I have a lot of fun discovering that stuff. I can't wait to see the sequels where they've had a chance to tweak the core gameplay some more. Hopefully the game sells well enough for them to actually get completed.<BR><BR>That said, I'm also having a lot of fun with the game. Definitely has its flaws, but so far I'm loving it. It's giving me an urge to play KOTOR again too. I think I might do that in between Mass Effect playthroughs.<BR><BR>I'm somewhat torn on my first playthrough. I'm having a lot of fun exploring the galaxy, and I want to get some of the achievements. But on the other hand, I also sort of want to leave some new stuff to do for next time.<BR><BR>Edit: I can't really articulate what I'm finding so fun about the game, but it draws me in for hours at a time like no other game has done for me recently.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BooDaa:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrikebtr:<BR>Yeah I finally lost my patience for the fucking Mako last night on Nodacrux. Some severely nasty cliff-faces on that planet. <BR><BR>Frankly, I hope they ditch it for ME2. If not, then SEVERELY limit it. Level about half the mountains on the planets, give the Mako some fucking wings, and make the planets a bit more compelling.<BR><BR>I mean the storyline planets are stellar (no pun intended), just seriously awesome, but holy fuck hour 15 of trying to get over/around a mountain... it starts to grate. It also upset me when it clicked last night, and I realize my current playtime of 24-25 hours or so would probably be closer to 15-18 if it wasnt for all the goddam Mako driving. I can live with repetitive bases with repetitive enemies... but for the love of God, dont make me spend 7-10 minutes jacking around in the clown car just to get there. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I've had little to no problems with the Mako. If there happens to be a cliff too sheer to drive straight up I just angle a little to the left or right and it will wind it's way around the mountain just fine. Yeah, it could be a little faster and the controls could be a little better for the thresher maw fights but it's definatly nothing game breaking. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah I have to agree with BooDaa. Maybe I just haven't played enough yet to get bored of it, but so far I'm having a lot of fun with the Mako. Using the jump jets to get some air over a bump is a joy. The only real frustrations I have with it is that the controls for going forward/backwards are awkward, and it can be hard to position the Mako such that you can shoot down. But like I said, maybe I'll get more bored with it as I play more.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrikebtr:<BR><BR>Ok then both of you post your total game time. I am basically 2 few hours from beating it, and I have done every single side quest that presented itself, and explored every planet you can land on. Thats a lot of jerking around with the mako. Dont get me wrong, I love the game, and I thoroughly enjoy the Mako in some cases. That doesnt mean I am a fan of spending 1/4-1/2 of the game driving the damn thing over barren plain after barren plain.<BR><BR>And if you have not yet tried to get all around Nodacrux, then no you have yet to see a cliff too sheer. But the whole planet is covered with them. Even worse, it is covered with many jagged peaks with bits of flatter land that make you THINK there is a path. Let me put it this way, I never saw a single piece of terrain that made me worry about getting stuck until Nodacrux. Yet I almost had to get picked up (by the Normandy) and redeployed 2-3 times while dealing with that planet.<BR><BR>All I am saying is they didnt need to pad things out so much. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Well I did acknowledge that it might be because I hadn't played enough to get tired of it yet. I'm about 20 hours of game time into it and am busy exploring all the side quests.<BR><BR>Haven't gotten to Nodacrux yet, though. That does sound like it sucks.<BR><BR>I was mostly just responding to a general feeling of Mako-hate I've gotten from some people. So far I actually really enjoy running around in the Mako.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Skippy:<BR>Just got started with Mass Effect a few days ago and ran into something last night. My character is a Vanguard, I came across a locked box which I did not have the omni gel or decryption skill to open, however, one of my party did, is there a way to use party members to open things? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It should use the highest skill of people who are currently in your party. Is this not what was happening?

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Abulia:<BR>First Aid is the only skill, I believe, that *combines* everyone's rating to determine effectiveness.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Wait, really? I assumed it took the highest just like the others. That would certainly change how I allocate First Aid points on future plays if this is the case

 

[HappyBunny]

OK, I have a question about the end of Virmire:<BR><BR>V pubfr gb tb onpx naq cebgrpg gur obzo, fb gur bgure crefba (Nfuyrl sbe zr) qvrq. Ohg jura V tbg onpx gb gur Abeznaql, n ohapu bs gur Fnynevnaf jrer ba obneq. Jura qvq jr znantr gb cvpx gurz hc, naq ubj pbzr gurl fheivirq ohg abg Nfuyrl? Vf guvf whfg n pbagvahvgl reebe ba Ovbjner'f cneg, be qvq V zvff fbzrguvat?<BR><BR>Ertneqyrff, V guvax vg vf njrfbzr gung lbh unir gb pubbfr gb yrg bar bs lbhe perj qvr.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kerii:<BR>Wbxre nyernql cvpxrq gurz hc orpnhfr lbh urycrq pbzcyrgr gur fvqr-dhrfgf gung znqr gurve onggyrf rnfvre.<BR><BR>Vs lbh qvqa'g qb gubfr fvqr dhrfgf, gurl jbhyq'ir fgvyy orra svtugvat jura gur ahxr jrag bss. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Fb Nfuyrl jnfa'g jvgu gurz? Jnf fur jvgu n qvssrerag grnz gura?<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ventolin:<BR>Any tips on making the game harder? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I haven't played on the harder difficulty levels, but one complaint I have with the game is that the difficulty just doesn't scale well with your character's power. Also, your growth in power isn't very smooth. At a certain point, you suddenly start getting awesome equipment and tons of money, and then you just roll over everything in your path.<BR><BR>All the comments about playing a higher difficulty level with a soldier who has some cool biotic power are making me sort of sad that I started with soldier. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to do some other fun combo like adept + assault rifle or sniper.<BR><BR>Oh, one other minor complaint that came up last night: I like the music in the game, but I really wish they would cut it out when people are talking. There was a part in Virmire where I was trying to have a conversation and the music kept going. It was hard to make out some of it, and I have subtitles off for the more cinematic experience. I ended up turning the music volume down, but it was still kind of annoying.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrubber:<BR>Is AI Hacking ever really useful? I keep using it and hacking enemies, but it seems like they just as often keep firing at me anyway. Sure I do see them sometimes fire at their pals, or maybe even just wander around doing nothing, but so far it doesn't seem to offer much. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I've only used it a few times, but they have always immediately turned around and attacked their friends.<BR><BR>Oh one other thing. I'm pretty disappointed with the level 4-7 weapon upgrades. I've only ever seen 3 (rail extension, weapon stability, combat scanner), as opposed to the many armor and ammo upgrades. It's even more annoying because they actually got rid of earlier upgrades, like the one that reduces heat (would make a nice combo with the rail extension, once you get weapons that take two upgrades).<BR><BR>Anyway, all my issues are pretty minor. I'm still loving the game. In fact, these little issues are probably making me even more excited about the idea of sequels. They'll already have this cool universe developed, and will be able to hopefully fix lots of these little nagging problems.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Goetterdaemmerung:<BR>I can't at all identify with people who are planning their "plays through" the game. I played through once, but couldn't find the replay value. The game isn't particularly nonlinear; the dialog options aren't that varied (and as soon as you start your second play through you realize that most dialog choices actually result in the same audio).<BR><BR>I guess I could decide to play a jerk (renegade) -- but it's not fun to force myself to pick dialog options I wouldn't characteristically choose, just to get the different dialog options (which often <I>isn't</I> actually different dialog).<BR><BR>The best alternative I can think of is replaying for the combat -- which can be pretty damned good in the main plot-based missions. Am I alone in this? Frankly I'm jealous of anyone who can get the 40 (60? 80?) hours of fun out of multiple plays through. This game is awesome and I can't wait for the sequel/my next fix. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Well, personally there are several things I'm looking forward to:<BR><BR>1) Choosing different dialog options and doing a few of the more "renegade" style quests. I'm not planning to go for the total asshole approach, but instead more of the "do what needs to be done" type of character.<BR><BR>2) Seeing how different party members react to various situations. There are portions of dialog that you can only see when you have a certain party member with you<BR><BR>3) Different combat mechanics. I started with a soldier, so I haven't really made heavy use of biotics or tech combat abilities.<BR><BR>That said, I know me and I expect that if I start replaying immediately I will get bored. Therefore I'm planning to take a little break after my first play. Mass Effect has given me an urge to replay KOTOR, and there are other games that came out recently which I've missed.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Agreschn:<BR><BR>You want <B>Frictionless Materials</B>, FYI. I've seen it in VII and VIII flavours. It's got damage boost and heat damping on it. Fucking crazy putting that and a rail extension on a Spectre pistol with expert marksman. You're a fucking sniper assault rifle pretty much. Well you don't have the crazy zoom but as long as you can see them, they're dead. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, now that I've started getting level 8 weapon upgrades, I'm seeing Frictionless Materials and others. But from 4-7 there was just those 3 that I mentioned.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hangfire:<BR><BR>Tungsten Rounds VII (Keep them! They disappear after lvl 7 and you never see these beauties again) +40% Damage vs Synthetics.<BR>Shredder Rounds VII (Same as with the tungsten rounds) +40% Damage vs Organics </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Dang, those go away? I guess I'll have to be careful not to dump them. It's kind of obnoxious that they stop giving you some of these upgrades.<BR><BR>I got my first High Explosive Rounds upgrade last night and was anxious to test them out based on what people said here. But then I was disappointed when the +500% Weapons Force didn't seem to do anything, and I couldn't even really tell whether the AoE was being effective. Oh well.

 

[HappyBunny]

Semi On, are you talking about the little sort of red ball of energy that flies over and kills you? I've been hit by that too and I have no idea what it is.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NinjaMutha:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FractalLaw:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NinjaMutha:<BR>For the skills achievements (like using a certain power 75 times) does it have to be my primary character, or can I use my allies </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It needs to be your primary character. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>not much I can do with a soldier then unfortunately. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Well, you can unlock all the weapons so later you can have an Adept with assault rifles, or a Vanguard with sniper rifles, or whatever.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by the lidless eye:<BR>Question: The varren meat quest doesn't seem to be completable. David Reynolds just keeps saying "I can't believe she's gone" etc...<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I had no problem completing it.

 

[HappyBunny]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Magus`:<br>Garrus has a special quest? -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif -- </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Yup, his is pretty cool IMO. It's about a criminal that got away from C-Sec. I seem to remember you have to go through a few steps of asking him about C-Sec before he brings it up, though.<br><br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by The Faceless Rebel:<br>I've found that Adept + Shotgun is a lot of fun in Hardcore. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>My first play was a soldier and I unlocked all the weapons. For my next one I'm thinking Adept, but I haven't decided on shotgun or assault rifle. Shotgun is fun, but assault rifle is more generally useful I think. Also I'm wondering if Adept + Shotgun is too much like a Vanguard.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Harbinger:<BR>I loved the shotgun myself, especially when I got the koyvalev VIII and later the Spectre Master Gear X ones. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>How do you get higher level spectre gear? I only saw the level 7 stuff on my first play through, and so did my roomate. Do you have to be over 50 to get it?

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FractalLaw:<BR>You get the bonus every time you play after having unlocked the achievement.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>This reminds me of something I've been wondering about. Does anyone know whether these bonuses are tied to the console? That is, are they actually based on what achievements you have, or are they just unlocks that you get at the same time as the achievement? If I go to a different console and recover my gamertag, will I still get all the bonuses for the achievements I've unlocked?

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Magus`:<BR><BR>They are tied to the achievement. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>That is very cool. Achievements have really turned into an awesome idea for the console.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob Loblaw:<BR>I only realized I had left abilities on Defensive until after I finished the game, so I basically did everything myself (as a Soldier) while Tali and Liara looked pretty and tried not to die. It didn't really matter, since I alone was a killing machine with the Spectre Assault Rifle and some heavy armor with upgrades. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>To be fair, if you actually put points into pistols for them and give them a decent weapon, they can still dish it out. Not nearly as effective as them using all their powers, but still no slouch. Pistols are actually pretty damn good in this game.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It's also worth noting that assuming they are accessible, you can definitely get 2 (maybe three) weapon achievements in one run. My current run through as soldier, I am using sniper rifles and ARs. I got the AR achievement on Feros (and after a crapton of UCW stuff). After that, I forced myself to exclusively use sniper rifles until I got the achievement, which I did I think early on in Noveria. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It should be easy to get all three with a soldier. I have sniper and AR and the only story planet I've completed is Liara's. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>On my first play through I was a soldier and got all 3 of those and most of pistols.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Riso:<BR>I did all the collection quests and I tell you guys, they do nothing but give you exp and money. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Who is questioning that? The question people have is whether there are enough quests to get the ally achievements (particularly the Asari one) without doing the collections.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR>They also should have kept the alignment system of KOTOR; and like I stated above; expand upon them to open up the story options based upon how you play your character. No game yet has truly captured the essence of this idea. You actions should truly shape your experience; not just be a thin veneer to the overall game.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I agree with many of your complaints, but having just replayed KOTOR, I have to say I think I like the Paragon/Renegade thing a lot better. It seems like it has a lot more room to actually roleplay your character the way you want. In KOTOR you are basically shoehorned into one of two roles: the shining beacon of light working for the Jedi Council, or the total dickwad dark jedi. The P/R system as implemented seems to allow for a lot more variation in how you play your character.<BR><BR>That said, it would be nice to see your choices have more impact in-game. In KOTOR it affected your skills, but it didn't really change the story until the end. I'm fine with P/R not affecting your skills like KOTOR's alignment, but having it change the story and how people react to you would be cool. But I guess part of that comes down to the expense of producing branching stories in a game of this scope.<BR><BR>Edit: Beyond the skills and ending, KOTOR's alignment system didn't really seem to affect things all that much. Once in a while you would get a quip from your party if they agreed or disagreed with your decision, but it's not like they would stop working with you or anything. Nobody outside your party seemed to care, until you killed them or whatever. It was actually kind of jarring playing as a dark jedi, using dark jedi powers and being a total ass right in front of Bastila, and yet she and the Jedi Council act as if nothing is unusual.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR>HappyBunny:<BR><BR>You may be right and I am looking at KOTOR thru rose colored glases. but my point is that everytime a game announces an "alignment" bases system of roleplaying it always ends up being a very limited feature; between Fable and KOTOR and now this game i am beginning to wonder what these think is the defnition of alignment based play. there may be an added production cost writing a story behind you alignment but that's what you signed up for so suck it up and make a truly branching story. Mass Effect is the closest I have seen yet to this concept but still falls short of actually delivering on that promise.<BR><BR>For example as a Paragon I should have a different response from not only the diplomats but the areas in the Citadel. The upper market and FLux patrons and shops should be much warmer to you. Likewise for renegade; Cora's Den and lower market should embrace you. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Oh, I agree with you. I think part of the problem is that those concepts sound great in theory, but in reality to do it right is both very difficult and very expensive. I mean really when you think about it, if you were really doing a game where the character could scale from a strict law enforcer to a criminal mastermind (or whatever), to make it seem proper you'd probably end up with content that didn't really overlap at all. When it comes down to it, the guiding plot of these types of games severely limits how much impact alignment can have.<BR><BR>Games like Oblivion seem to be much more open-ended (I've never played it, so can't say for sure), which would allow a much greater range of alignment impacting the game. But lots of people want a more structured experience, and I just don't really see how you can do that and at the same time have alignment create significant, believable impacts on the story.<BR><BR>That said, I definitely agree that Mass Effect could have done more within the confines of their system. Even with the linear storyline, they could create more branching points where there are multiple ways to accomplish the next goal, and divide those more based on P/R. P/R seems to have almost zero effect on the game, it's mostly a roleplaying tool. The only significant difference comes down to a single choice, and your previous choices are irrelevant. KOTOR was sort of the same way, but I think the effects of alignment in that game were a little bit more extensive (again, putting aside the skill differences and just talking about story/character interactions).

 

[HappyBunny]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Zaskar:<br><br>One word, no, not even a complete word.<br><br>NADES </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>To bad they made one of the most idiotic control decisions ever and assigned grenades to the Back button -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif --<br><br>I mean, seriously, you use separate face buttons for drawing and putting away the weapon, while relegating an important combat action like throwing grenades (which you often need to hit twice!) to the inconvenient Back button? Who came up with <i>that</i>?

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Skinny Little White Boy:<BR><BR>Edit; Holy fucking jumping saints... The Mako is the worst abortion of a vehicle I've ever encountered in a video game. How the fuck did it make it through play testing? I realize I'm late to the bitch fest about a lot of this stuff, but good lord! Talk about shitting on an otherwise wonderful experience so far.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I really enjoyed the Mako in general; it just got a bit repetitive, and there are issues with the terrain design. What are your issues with it?<BR><BR>Edit: Since it's totally not obvious unless you read the manual, the biggest combat tip I have for the Mako is that while you're in "aim mode" (holding the left trigger) you can click on the right analog stick to zoom in. Also the right shoulder button shoots a canon which kills lots of stuff in one near-hit, and is highly accurate when zoomed.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Skinny Little White Boy:<BR>AUGH! I'm so close to being done with Noveria, but I've been stalled on the Matriarch for a looong time. Finally made it through the first phase and now it's essentially 3 minutes of conversation, 3 seconds of me getting raped, 3 minutes of convo, 3 seconds of rape, convo, rape, convo, rape. I went back a save slot and redid the first part, ended with more health and shields. Now it's 3 mins of convo, 7 seconds of rape, 3 mins, 7 seconds. At least I'm making progress.... and by some miracle I've managed to not launch my controller across the room! I think it may be time for a Forza break... </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>That fight was <I>highly</I> aggrivating for me the first time. WHY GOD WHY did they put the save point BEFORE the conversation. They do similar things in a few other places, have a conversation or unskippable cinematic that drops you directly into a hard fight, and it is extremely frustrating every time. Having to sit through a dialog (even using X, it is annoying) or movie over and over is far more annoying than simply having to work through a fight multiple times, and I honestly can't believe they didn't do something about that during play testing.<BR><BR>Anyway, I started my second playthrough over the weekend -- Adept with Assault Rifles on hardcore. Man it is rough. I go down so easily, especially in fights where my biotics aren't effective. My first play was a soldier on normal, so it's taken me a while to get used to how fragile this character is. And man I had forgotten how crappy assault rifles are early on. Part of my trouble was I could barely kill anything with those early ones and their lousy accuracy. I'm now 23 and finally getting rifles with better accuracy, so things have been getting easier, but it sure was tough there for a while.

 

[HappyBunny]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Abulia:<br>I'm a Soldier on this first play through and fear starting over with a new character on a harder difficulty. -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.gif -- I think making it to 30 and the Specter weapons is the key. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Now that you have the "rich" achievement, level 7 spectre weapons are available right from the start, even with a new character. You just need to save up enough money to buy them.<br><br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rob Banzai:<br>The type that is a mix of tech/biotic appeals to me since I'm not too good at pew-pew, especially with an Xbox style controller. Is that a bad idea for my first character? </div>
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<br><br>With all the weapons other than sniper rifle, the aiming doesn't really have to be that precise.<br><br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Evil_Merlin:<br><br>Use the right dialouge options and you wont have to fight her the second time. </div>
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<br><br>Woah, really?<br><br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrubber:<br>My suggestion is still not to use Soldier for your first play through for the simple fact that if you want to play through on Hardcore/Insanity levels then you really might want to use a Soldier then for their survivability. I'm a big fan of replaying with different classes in most games since it can get a little bit repetitive to play the same thing over and over. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>Yeah, I sort of regret starting with Soldier for that reason. At least I unlocked all the weapons, though.

 

[HappyBunny]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<br><blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Yeah, I sort of regret starting with Soldier for that reason. At least I unlocked all the weapons, though. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Me too. I would have liked to take a Soldier with a biotic bonus to the next game. But I don't really see myself playing three times more to get the skill and then twice to get the character to lv 60. </div>
</blockquote>
<br><br>I'm not really worried about making the character right now that I might want to take to ME2. I figure by the time it is coming out and we know how your previous character will affect things, I'll be anxious to play the first one again, so I'm planning to not worry about carrying characters over until then. Plus, this way I won't be upset if I lose my save game between now and then -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif --

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rob Banzai:<BR>It's not always clear when I can or should use biotics but at least I can hit the button and ponder it. I'm unclear on what "map" means in reference to throwing or warping. Is it a way to pinpoint the target area?<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>"Map" specifies which ability you have a hotkey for. If you just press and release the right shoulder (instead of holding it down to bring up the wheel), you will use whatever ability you previously mapped.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>I'm starting to collect a pile of stuff. Should I just reduce it all to gel, or does it serve some other purpose? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You can sell it. That's the only other purpose if you can't use it and don't need more gel. Selling is useful because sometimes the vendor has good stuff, but more specifically, once you get 1 million credits you get the "Rich" achievement, which opens up Spectre weapons from a few of the vendors, and those things rock.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"><BR>As for making other characters does that come after you've taken your first one all the way through, or do you just make them whatever, like alts for when you get tired. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>You can make a new character whenever you want. The saved games are kept separately so it's all nice and neat. One thing though is that once you start getting the achievements for your abilities/skill (stuff like "Use barrier 75 times" or "kill 150 enemies with the shotgun"), you unlock that ability for future characters. When you create a new character, you get to add one ability from the set of those you have unlocked. So for example, I'm now playing an Adept with Assault Rifles, a skill they normally don't have access to.<BR><BR>Also, once you beat the game with a character, you have the option to start the game over with that same character, keeping your level, skills, and equipment.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Zaskar:<BR>What they need to do is tell microsoft to bugger off with their no harddrive cache rule. The engine needs to have the textures cached to harddisc and the texture poping would go away. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I'm pretty sure there is no such "no caching" rule. From what I've read caching can be done by the games pretty transparently. And I'm unconvinced that Mass Effect does not cache. Hard drive caching does not magically save them from their poor texture streaming. I've also had times where I heard the DVD drive spin down while loading, as if it were grabbing data from the hard disk.<BR><BR>That said, I agree with you that it would probably be a bad idea for them to drop the unreal engine now. Maybe now that they have more experience with it they will be able to manage the texture loads better.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR><BR>Complete revamp of the combat system. They either have to make this a pure tactical shooter like Socom/Rainbow 6/Splinter Cell or make it an pure action shooter like Gears of War or Halo. While the level design was good the lack of any decent AI made it pointless. The biotic/weapon mix did work well for the most part and an expansion of powers and weapon types would only enhance that portion of the game.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I'm not sure I understand what you want from a "complete revamp of the combat system." It's already not that far off from a typical shooter with special powers.<BR><BR>It sounds like the problems overwhelmed your enjoyment of the game, and that's fine. I see a lot of the same problems, so I can understand that feeling. But it also seems like you want to basically change the entire game, and that's not going to go over well with the large number of people who love the game as it is, despite its faults.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Zaskar:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm pretty sure there is no such "no caching" rule. From what I've read caching can be done by the games pretty transparently. And I'm unconvinced that Mass Effect does not cache. Hard drive caching does not magically save them from their poor texture streaming. I've also had times where I heard the DVD drive spin down while loading, as if it were grabbing data from the hard disk </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>The devs have said on their forums (I'm not gonna go find it, you do it if you care) that when they started this project (before the 360 was on the street) their publisher (Microsoft Game Studios) laid down the law, no caching since there is a good chance there will not be a harddisk to cache too. Little did anyone know way back then that it would not be the case when the game actually shipped. The devs have also stated that the pop-in would be greatly reduced if they would have had done things different. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Hmm, I'll take your word for it I guess. I had never seen anyone actually post supporting evidence for the claim that it doesn't cache, just assumptions that it doesn't. The closest I ever saw was referencing Tycho on Penny-Arcade, but he didn't post any supporting evidence either. And since I've also seen people claim that the MS APIs do caching transparently and automatically, I was somewhat skeptical of that.

 

[HappyBunny]

It sounds like you want Mass Effect to just be a tactical shooter with a good story. That's not the type of game they wanted to make, and that's not the type of game a lot of people want from it. It's fine if you want a different type of game, but don't expect it to change at a fundamental level like that.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR>I'm not trying to be a hater. I loved KOTOR and I thought their concept of RPGing was very original. But in terms of the evolution of their style I don't see it in this game. It feels unfinished and rushed to me. I got this game brand new and for 60 bucks I expect more.<BR><BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I appreciate your opinion, and I agree with a number of your complaints about aspects of the game feel unfinished and rushed. But again, having just replayed KOTOR, Mass Effect is a <I>major</I> evolution of their style of RPG. I enjoyed going through the KOTOR story again, but honestly, despite all its flaws, Mass Effect is a better game in almost every way, IMO.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NervousEnergy:<BR>I just finished the game and enjoyed it enormously, but I also have to voice some disappointment with the combat. I'm not saying it's bad, per se, but it feels like it's not as... cinematic? engrossing? as KOTOR. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Hmm, I'm not quite sure what you're describing, but I found the FPS-style combat far more engrossing than the effectively turn based KOTOR.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Semi On:<BR><BR>That's exactly where I am with it. If I could just give seperate commands to help draw and flank a bit better, that would be all the change I needed. Now if the AI could be improved a bit so Garrus didn't just stand there and take a missile that's easily dodged to the dome, that would be cool too. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah I agree, some improvement in your ability to control the team would be helpful. Especially when one of them decides to just stand there firing into a box. Improved AI would also be very welcome.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by arhra:<BR>Pfft. Get Tali some good armour </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>That's easier said than done. I'm doing a hardcore playthrough right now and I'm in the upper 20s, and she's still using her original armor because I haven't seen a single piece of Quarian armor yet. It's possible I missed some on a vendor somewhere, but still, it's kind of annoying.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PerfectCr:<BR><BR>Yeah but no cinema I've seen puts a screen door in front of your eyes as you watch the movie. I don't know what Bioware was thinking by putting the film grain effect on by default. Horrible choice. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Personally I think the film grain looks fine. I haven't actually tried the game with it turned off, because I see no need to. Maybe it depends on what kind of TV you have?<BR><BR>I do agree the motion blur looks bad though.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrubber:<BR>Also I have to say that I'm still very disappointed with the resolution options on Feros. To me nothing you are able to do at the end there is a satisfying option for a Paragon. I don't want to spoil anything,V qba'g guvax gur bayl bcgvba fubhyq or xvyyvat n 50,000+ lrne byq vagryyvtrag perngher. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Meh, it seems fine with me. Just because you're trying to play a "good" guy doesn't mean everything has to go your way. Yeah, maybe your character would have liked to do something different there, but bapr vg nggnpxf lbh, gurer'f abg ernyyl zhpu tbvat onpx. I just see that as a case where your character's desires can't control everything that happens in the universe. It's not really reasonable to be able to reason yourself out of every situation. I'm actually surprised at some of the ones you are able to get out of without combat in this game.<BR><BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR><BR>But still it was willing to strike a deal with Saren; so it had to have some sense of diplomacy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I think what you're missing is that it struck a deal with Saren... and then he <I>betrayed</I> it. The thing is pretty pissed off about that. From its perspective, you're basically the same as Saren, so why should it give you the time of day?

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Magus`:<BR><BR>There are several venders who offer a "Non-Human Armors" section - at least one on the Citadel (but I think two) and one on Noveria I believe. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Yeah, the times I looked they didn't have any Quarian stuff. I haven't been to Noveria yet, though.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Shrubber:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Psion:<BR>Going outside the boundaries just has Joker yell at you.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>If you stay outside the boundaries too long or possibly if you go too far, you'll automatically get returned to the ship. I'm not sure which triggers it, but it has happened to me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>It took me a while to realize this, but the red border you see on the minimap is not actually the edge of what you see when you go to the full map. So I wouldn't be surprised if you get sent back to the ship if you actually go out far enough to reach the edge, or something to that effect.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Psion:<BR>Reading any game thread while playing the game is a bad idea. I wouldn't have spoiled my reply if it hadn't started a new page.<BR><BR>And hey at least he didn't spoil Aeris dyi---oops </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>In general I agree with you about reading a game thread and spoilers, but this one has actually been pretty good about rot13-ing everything major.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hast:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Psion:<BR>Tip for Bioware: Next time, <B>seamless transition between decks on the Normandy</B>. None of this elevator crap. The idea of an elevator as the central method of transit between decks on a warship is extraordinarily laughable to begin with. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think the problem here is that Microsoft are a bunch of confused lemmings on stuff like "don't use the hard drive for caching". Some idiot decided that 2 years ago and now no-one dares to remove that ban.<BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Nah, the Normandy is just extremely poor level design. Based on the rest of the game, there is no reason they could not have all the important stuff in the ship in one area without an elevator.

 

[HappyBunny]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PerfectCr:<BR>I loved KOTOR. While Mass Effect had a great story, it was a little to close to KOTOR for my liking.<BR><BR><B>ME / KOTOR</B><BR>Spectre / Jedi<BR>council / Jedi Council<BR>Geth / Sith<BR>Biotics / Force<BR>Saren / Darth Malak<BR>Kaiden / Carth (same voice too)<BR>Sovereign / Star Forge<BR><BR>I could probably find more. Now if you're going to copy a game, KOTOR is the one. <BR> </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I suppose there is a little bit of similarity in the story line (ancient technology coming back, turning people to evil). But most of the stuff you listed there could be equated to things in pretty much any RPG, or really any type of hero story. The stories aren't really any more similar than I'd expect from stories in a similar genre.