Mass Effect

[Skinny Little White Boy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rei:<BR>skinny, the reason you had problems is that you're not supposed to attack benezia at all. once combat starts, run to the right behind the glass box containing the rachni queen. benezia can't attack you behind there since you are out of los. <BR><BR>you weaken her indirectly by killing her minions. that's the trick. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I passed that part easily enough once I started making better use of my teammates. My issue was the next stage after she fills you in on Saren's plan then you have to fight her and the guards.

 

[Rob Banzai]

My parents got me Mass Effect for Christmas and I was curious if there were suggestions on what kind of character to build for the first time out. 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?

 

[Evil_Merlin]

<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>My parents got me Mass Effect for Christmas and I was curious if there were suggestions on what kind of character to build for the first time out. 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></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Not doing pew-pew well is going to be a bit of a hinderence for your first run thru in my opinion. I went Soldier for mine and did OK. I'm going to do a Tech/Bio run next and see just how tough it gets.

 

[Evil_Merlin]

<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>I passed that part easily enough once I started making better use of my teammates. My issue was the next stage after she fills you in on Saren's plan then you have to fight her and the guards. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Use the right dialouge options and you wont have to fight her the second time.

 

[Flipside79]

Just got this game for christmas. All I can say is WOW, great game. I am not really into RPG games, but I did like KOTOR, and that is why I wanted ME. When playing KOTOR I will say I did get a bit bored with the combat, and the fact that the game uses a more traditional third person combat scheme just makes the game for me. I love the story, I love going through the dialog, but in combat, this is exactly what turns a game from something I "like" such as KOTOR to something I "love" like ME.<BR><BR>The story is really great so far, and I find myself not wanting to put the game down, but with family around, I have only been able to play around an hour and 20 minutes so far.

 

[Skinny Little White Boy]

Really? Over my first handful of attempts I tried a few different dialog paths just to hear the responses, then started mashing X just to get through it so I could die some more. I'm going to have to take note of these for my next run through... That's probably going to be a while though. Skate is slowly consuming my will to do anything else. EA really nailed that game!

 

[Magus`]

<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>Not doing pew-pew well is going to be a bit of a hinderence for your first run thru in my opinion. I went Soldier for mine and did OK. I'm going to do a Tech/Bio run next and see just how tough it gets. </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Eh - if you don't crank the difficulty, even Engineer is pretty easy -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>Moreso when you've got all the nifty abilities unlocked - I was able to crush Benezia with Neural Shock + Dampening (Overload/AI Hacking helped with the guards in the first fight a lot)<br><br>Edit: though having only light armor is annoying after my initial runs as Soldier w/Heavy -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- One last achievement and I can drop the Engineer game -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif --

 

[Paul M]

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.

 

[Zaskar]

<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>My parents got me Mass Effect for Christmas and I was curious if there were suggestions on what kind of character to build for the first time out. 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></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I would suggest vanguard even though it is a hybrid pewpew class. The crowd control abilities plus medium armor with pistols (sharpshooter, ftw) is a very powerful mix. Specialized to shocktrooper and you are crazy powerful by level 30. <BR><BR>The great thing about how ME works is when you need to pewpew the game pauses when you hit the right bumper to make your ability choice. You don't need to worry about making the choice while other thing are going on.<BR><BR>The most important thing really is choosing a solid team to support your class choice. What would work very well would be to use one heavy 'tank' and one tech. For a first play through I would suggest wrex and garrus. The two together provide a ton of killing ability and garrus provides the tech abilities you'll need. I used them on my insanity run, nothing stopped us. Use cover anytime you are fighting more enemies than your team count.

 

[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>
</blockquote>
<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>
</blockquote>
<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.

 

[Flipside79]

I started play as an engineer on regular difficulty(default). I am not really into playing games on some super hard frustrating level. I just enjoy playing through the story.

 

[Hellboy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I am not really into playing games on some super hard frustrating level. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>One of the best aspects of the game is the way that the Achievements encourage you to try playing again with different teams, tactics, etc. And once you get the hang of combat even Hardcore and Insanity really aren't that bad.

 

[Bravehamster]

So I got to level 52 this time through before I even got to Virmire. Took care of Noveria, Ferros, and every single sidequest. It's an odd feeling to pull up the Assignments list and not see anything undone. <BR><BR>Oh, and apparently income is capped at 9,999,999. I first noticed this after I stopped getting any money for my last few surveys. <BR><BR>Well, on to Virmire! Let's see how high I can get on a single playthrough.

 

[Semi On]

<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.

 

[Skinny Little White Boy]

Just level an adept to 10 and don't spend any points, save the game, then reload that save dumping the points into each skill and spam it to get the achievements and unlock skills. Then you only have to play twice, once to level the Soldier, and a second time to try it on Insane. Won't be a 60 from the start, but shouldn't take long to get there.

 

[Magus`]

I played through just enough as an Adept to get all the biotics, then sat in the Feros docking bay and spammed everything against one of the red breakable crates.<br><br>Even Stasis works on those, even though its supposed to only count hits on enemies -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --<br><br>Didn't seem to work for AI Hacking or Neural Shock though -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif --

 

[Abulia]

Man, I love this game. I really like my Shepard character which is a tribute to say how much the acting draws me in. Some of the mannerisms are just so cool.<br><br>I relinquished the TV to let the wife watch Harry Potter. I'm counting the hours until I can play ME again! -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif --

 

[arhra]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Didn't seem to work for AI Hacking or Neural Shock though </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Those two both have to actually induce the status effect on an enemy to register for the achievement (so hitting an organic/synthetic enemy, respectively, won't work, or one who can't be affected by your current level of skill, or whatever), so if you really want to cheese it, the best way would be to save just before a fight where you can easily hit an enemy with it, then just reload that save repeatedly, spamming it each time (probably quicker to do that than wait for cooldowns on other powers, too...).

 

[Magus`]

<blockquote class="ip-ubbcode-quote">
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div>
<div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by arhra:<br>Those two both have to actually induce the status effect on an enemy to register for the achievement </div>
</blockquote>
<br>Stasis was supposed to be like that also, but it worked for me on the destructible crates.<br><br>Edit: I didn't think of reloading a save to just before a room with enemies though - I'll have to do that as soon as I can find some more organics -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif --

 

[arhra]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Stasis was supposed to be like that also, but it worked for me on the destructible crates. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think the difference is down to the definition of a valid target - Stasis works on physics objects, just like the other biotics (drop stasis on a crate, then lift/throw/singularity... crate is locked in position and doesn't move), as well as enemies. Anything that can be moved is a valid target for Stasis, whereas Neural Shock and AI Hacking have much stricter restrictions.

 

[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 --

 

[Rob Banzai]

Ok, so I made a vanguard and I'm trying to get the hang of things. I've been picking up weapons and armor and seeing if they are improvements for the two soldiers in my squad. I've also tried those little weapon upgrades.<br><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><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?<br><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.<br><br>So far I'm really impressed, especially with the branching dialogue. I can't remember the last time I played a game where I felt like I was controlling the direction at all with my choices.<br><br>Of course right from picking my character's background I don't have a clue what those choices are doing to me. -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.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.

 

[Flounder]

Well I got the game abou three weeks ago (I'm in Iraq, so my wife had to ship it to me). I have already beat it with an Adept (my first playthourhg) and an Engineer (on Hardcore). For those people saying the Engineer is not a good class, I have to disagree. Once you unlock Neural Shock (or whatever the ability that stuns organic enemies) the game is pretty much over.<br><br>I was taking down things left and right. The boss fights were difficult at times, but once I hit 25 or 30 they started getting a LOT easier. I loved the fact that the Engineer has the never ending shield skill with Electronics, which was quite useful.<br><br>I just started up a new game on Hardcore with a Solider. I picked Electronics as my bonus skill, just because I wanted the never ending shield on him too. Plus I found out that even though most bosses are immune to the special skills, I don't think I saw one that did not take shield damage from Overload. I honestly agonized over which skill I should pick up for my solider. I almost went with the Barrier ability, then realized that Barrier gives a boost to my shield for about 30 seconds at a time (I know you can recharge it instantly but still it's limited to only some of the time) where as Electronics boosts my shields ALL the time, and with the shield boost ability I can recharge it when I want to as well.<br><br>That said I FINALLY got the Specter Sniper rifle with two of the stabilizer mods in it. I can actually hit things with the Sniper rifle from a distance now -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif -- so life is good.<br><br>I'll let everyone know in a few days how he carries over into the Insanity play through for the final unlock -- View image here: http://episteme.meincmagazine.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --

 

[Semi On]

I'd just like to say that hitting someone with an HE round from a sniper rifle at point blank range is hilarious. I just finished Virmire. I freed the crazy indoctrinated guy and the second he turned red, Garrus unloaded an HE round from a Specter sniper rifle that sent him bouncing around the cell on fire.

 

[Abulia]

<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>I'd just like to say that hitting someone with an HE round from a sniper rifle at point blank range is hilarious. I just finished Virmire. I freed the crazy indoctrinated guy and the second he turned red, Garrus unloaded an HE round from a Specter sniper rifle that sent him bouncing around the cell on fire. </div>
</blockquote>I love that thing. Especially with two rail extensions on it.<br><br>Better hope you hit, though... -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/biggrin.gif --

 

[Zaskar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">That said I FINALLY got the Specter Sniper rifle with two of the stabilizer mods in it. I can actually hit things with the Sniper rifle from a distance now so life is good. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>After unlock the second level of assassination the recital really does not move at all under normal sighting. If you want to play from a distance, spend the skillup points and get ready to oneshot just about anything.

 

[Zaskar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">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? </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>As happybunny said, you can assign one ability to the right bumper that is like a 'quick' pick. If you press the RB fast it will fire that ability. Personally I found it a pain in the ass.<BR><BR>If you need to target the ability, just move the control stick while you are holding down the RB until you get the red triangle on a mob.<BR><BR>You can always use your biotics abilities, even just running around you can fire off a throw at just about anything. As to when to use them, warp weakens mobs, use it right away so you and your team can kill faster, the other abilities use as you see fit/needed to control crowds or kill. A well placed lift (in the middle of a tight group) and there will be geth flying everywhere for your squad to kill like pinatas.

 

[Marek]

I really like lift, but throw is definitely my favorite. At high levels it instantly kills some enemies, and if you've got any cliffs around, shoving bigger enemies off the edge is great fun.

 

[Hurricane]

Just finished playthrough #2 on Hardcare.<BR><BR>I did get more sidequests than my first runthru; but that may be a result of me not exploring enough the first time around. For the most part I tried making the opposite choice of that I did before. Honestly though I was disappointed in some of the story directions; essentially your choice made no difference to the overall storyline. The story still essentially played out the same regardless if your are paragon or renegade. I mean even in instances where your choice really should have taken you in a different direction nothing changed. Noveria and Virmire are a prime example of this:<BR><BR>Va Abirevn xvyyvat gur dhrra fgvyy unq gur pbhapvy cvffrq bss ng lbh. Vs lbh fnirq gur dhrra gurl ner fgvyy cvffrq bss ng lbh. Gur bayl qvssrerapr v fnj jnf lbh qvqa'g trg gur enpuav fvqrdhrfgf; hayrff V fbzrubj zvffrq gurz.<BR><BR>Va Ivezver tbvat gb rvgure gur NN tha be gur obzo tbg lbh gur fnzr pbairefngvba jvgu fnera naq rffragvnyyl gur fnzr erfhyg; lbh whfg trg na rkgen qrngu fprar jvgu juvpurire punenpgre fgnlrq jvgu gur obzo vs lbh urnq gbjneqf gur NN tha.<BR><BR>Very lame in my book; if your going to offer choice make the choices count for something. It really kills the replay value of the game to have such a constrained storyline.<BR><BR>Also, what's up with the Bane/Cerberus/Shadow Broker sidequests? I feel like they were unfinished; it seemed like there should have been more to those quests but as far as I can tell I completed them all. I would have really like to have more closure with them. I also thought that the scanning the keeper quest should have had more of an impact to the end game story being that the keepers were an integral part of the story.<BR><BR>Combat wise hardcore was more challenging but ultimately still suffers from the overall deficiencies of the game. I still got most enemies to rush me and this time around my squadmates were more of a hassle than on normal. Their completely stupid AI was even more accentuated on hardcore because they would die easily just because they were standing exposed instead of taking cover; and numerous times they completely ignored my move commands and stood there and got blown to shreds. Not only that this time around they even manage to get stuck alot of times; which forced me to backtrack and unstick them. Not only that on Virmire I ran into a bug where I lost one of my teammates.<BR><BR>In the first part of the breeding facility before you get to the spot where they place the bomb. I am running thru there with Wrex and Garrus when all of a sudden I realise Wrex is not with me. I try to get back to him via the radar and realise that based upon the radar signal he is out in the middle of the water!!!!. nothing I did seemed to get him to come back; I had to actually reload my previous save(thank god I saved it before I took the elevator) to get him back.<BR><BR>Being that it appears that I have exhausted all the possible options storywise in the game I'm not sure if I want to go thru a 3rd runthru. Honestly the gameplay is not that engaging enough for me to want to go thru all that; even on insanity. This game really fails in enemy/squad AI and it completely detracts from the enjoyability/replayability of the game. It's really sad too because this was the first RPG since KOTOR that I have really gotten into and overall I feel that the game fails in too many critical issues to make it a great or even a good game.<BR><BR>After the second time around I still have to give this game a 5-6 out of ten. The story and the dialog system really carried this game and made it an almost cinematic experience; but the gameplay/inventory/graphic issues are too conspicuous to ignore. Definitely did not live up to the hype. Bioware dropped the ball seriously on this one and I can only hope they make the necessary corrections on ME2.<BR><BR>What I would like to see in ME2:<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><BR>Completely redo inventory and stats calculation in the game. Either that or remove it completely. This was one of my primary beefs with the game; between the complete lack of control or organization of weapons, armor and mods, the complete ambiguity of stats and the completely inability to group equip items made it a mindless chore. There were numerous times where I had to spend 15+ minutes converting useless items to omnigels. Even thru this second runthru when I aggressively sold any and everything I wasn't using by the time i got to virmire I reached the 150 item cap. Seriously whoever came up with this system needs to be fired. Atrocious.<BR><BR>They need to scrap the unreal engine and go with something more stable. I remember hearing stories about epic not helping people who licensed the unreal engine and this game to me lends credence to those stories. The texture popping in this game made it look horrible IMO. It's sad because when the textures finally did load the game was beautiful and the modeling was top notch. There may have been issue with something else in the programming because my 360 was constantly running the DVD drive thruout the game. What the hell was it loading?<BR><BR>Now I have to debate whether to go thru the game on Insanity or trade it in and buy Assasin's Creed.

 

[Moody]

Hmmm... I dropped between 4 and 5 hours on this last night on rental since the kiddo is with her mom this year and I'll probably dump a couple hours tonight before being social. I'm 90% sure I'll be purchasing this already. It seems big enough that I can do a straight through run, switch classes and do a completion run, then up the difficulty and keep going. <BR><BR>I got scholar before leaving the citadel because I'm obsessive about talking to everyone apparently. However, following 3-4 branches plus sub-branches in every conversation is starting to wear me down. I think it hit me last night when I was talking to Anderson before leaving. It was the exposition that would never end and yet I was compelled to listen to all of the options for fear I'd miss something.<BR><BR>Is there any reason other than curiosity for me to be doing this? I can catch the other options next play through if not because doing this is going to end up never finishing at this rate simply from burnout.

 

[Jonathan Hart]

The DVD spinning at a high speed all the time seems to be common. People are saying it doesn't cache to the HDD at all, which seems to me to be the case.<BR><BR>There is planned downloadable content for Mass Effect. I don't know if that will sway your decision at all to sell it.

 

[Hurricane]

Minimal Rose:<BR><BR>Conversations will essentially stay the same unless you finish one of the major missions like Artemus Tau, Ferros, Noveria, or Virmire. so don't worry if you think you missed something; you can always go back and follow up.

 

[Zaskar]

Hurricane, I think your choice on novaria is important for ME2 or the DLC, Vermire is important to your shepard personally.<BR><BR>You missed the drastic differences in the endgame depending on your choices, or did you do not really do anything different so you did not notice them?<BR><BR>V thrff lbh arire tbg gur punapr gb gnyx fnena vagb xvyyvat uvzfrys be whfg gryyvat uvz gb shpx bss naq xvyyvat uvz gjvpr? V thrff lbh arire fnj gur qvssrerapr orgjrra fnivat gur pbhapvy naq abg? V thrff lbh arire fnj gur qvssrerapr jura Hqvan pynvzf gur ragver tnynkl sbe uhzna pbageby?<BR><BR>As for ME2, the combat system is spot on. People that enjoy shooters get some good action but at the same time the RP crowd can handle the combat. Bioware did not make a shooter here, they made an action rpg, you seem to want a full blown shooter inside your rpg and that will never happen since the RP crowd won't buy it.<BR><BR>Scrap the unreal engine? You're nuts. It would take five + years for us to see ME2 but I'm betting we see ME2 next christmas. 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><BR>I agree completely about the inventory / weapons/armor stats thing. You've got that big ass capt. room and no box to put your shit in? You can't put shit into your locker? <BR><BR>Now don't take this as the ravings of a fanboi cause I'm not, I find plenty wrong with this game and am vocal about those issues but in this case I think you're selling the good parts short.

 

[Moody]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Hurricane:<BR>Minimal Rose:<BR><BR>Conversations will essentially stay the same unless you finish one of the major missions like Artemus Tau, Ferros, Noveria, or Virmire. so don't worry if you think you missed something; you can always go back and follow up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Excellent. I'll be purchasing this for sure then. ^^ The only other thing I haven't enjoyed thoroughly so far is driving around on a desert planet but I think that had more to do with it being 12:30AM and my eyes already hurting than it did with me really being annoyed at the car. Though the steering really does bug me honestly. I want to aim my camera/turret and drive completely seperately, not turn my camera/turret and the car turns to go that way. Minor flaw though really. Running over people with it is full of win.

 

[Hurricane]

Zaskar:<BR><BR>V qvq znxr Tnehf obgu xvyy uvzfrys naq V whfg sbhtug uvz gjvpr; ur fgvyy pbzrf onpx rvgure jnl; abg n terng punatr va zl obbx. Jbhyq unir orra zber vagrerfgvat gb unir Fnera xvyy uvzfrys; naq unir Fbirervta znavsrfg fbzr bgure jnl nf gur svany obff. Be orggre lrg unir Furcneq obneq Fbirervta gb qvfnoyr uvz va fbzr jnl fb gur syrrg pbhyq gnxr uvz bhg. <BR><BR>V bssrq gur pbhapvy zl svefg ehagueh. V fnirq gurz gur frpbaq gvzr nebhaq. Lbh fgvyy unir gur fnzr pbairefngvba obgu gvzrf; lbh fgvyy unir gb znxr gur fnzr pubvpr. Lbh xabj V arire cvpxrq Hqvan nf gur erc orpnhfr V gubhtug ur jnf na nff. Ohg vg'f abg rknpgyl n fher guvat gung uhznavgl jba'g or qbzvanag jvgu Pncg. Naqrefba ba gur pbhapvy; ur vf n zvyvgnel yrnqre nsgrenyy.<BR><BR>As for the combat I really wanted to see either more objective based levels with a tighter control over your squadmates like Socom\Ranbow\Splinter. Maybe even some stealth sections; after all you are a Special Tactics and Reconnaissance agent but you essentially frontally assault everything. Either that or the more tighter control and contextual commands like Gears of War or the enemy layouts I saw in Halo. Seriously I had a more enjoyable time fighting enemies on single player in Halo3 and with that game you had 2 weapons; an assortment of grenades, and a melee attack. But the way the enemies were arranged and the enemy AI was way more engaging and challenging than ME. That's what I'm looking for. There were numerous times in Halo3 where I had to scout ahead and plan my attack. In ME there was little or non of that; As soon as I was even slightly exposed the room aggroed instantly and blitzed me. And it's strange because you had alot more offensive and defensive options in ME than you did in H3; but there was almost no need for them unless you wanted to think of creative ways to kill people.

 

[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.

 

[Zaskar]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">As for the combat I really wanted to see either more objective based levels with a tighter control over your squadmates like Socom\Ranbow\Splinter. Maybe even some stealth sections; after all you are a Special Tactics and Reconnaissance agent but you essentially frontally assault everything. Either that or the more tighter control and contextual commands like Gears of War or the enemy layouts I saw in Halo. Seriously I had a more enjoyable time fighting enemies on single player in Halo3 and with that game you had 2 weapons; an assortment of grenades, and a melee attack. But the way the enemies were arranged and the enemy AI was way more engaging and challenging than ME. That's what I'm looking for. There were numerous times in Halo3 where I had to scout ahead and plan my attack. In ME there was little or non of that; As soon as I was even slightly exposed the room aggroed instantly and blitzed me. And it's strange because you had alot more offensive and defensive options in ME than you did in H3; but there was almost no need for them unless you wanted to think of creative ways to kill people. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>I would have loved a much deeper action portion of the game as well however the RP goons would have freaked and the game would have not been as large of a commercial success that it is. It crosses genre lines that not much else can / does. This is the real strength of this title it brings many types of gamer into one place for a good ride that everyone can enjoy.

 

[Semi On]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It sounds like the problems overwhelmed your enjoyment of the game, and that's fine. </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Not so much that he didn't play a 40+ hour game TWICE...

 

[Zaskar]

<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.