Mass Effect 2

[realisticphish]

Anyone else here played it? I've now beaten it twice, with all achievements save the "insanity difficulty" one.

IMHO, the Mass Effect universe is one of the best sci-fi universes ever created. Yes, I include Star Wars/Star Trek in that (though maybe not Dr. Who). The first game was iffy on gameplay, but for once a game developer actually accepted criticism and made radical changes which improved it immensely. And it's even an EA dev! Someone must have had a hostage to make them release a quality game.

In case anyone is wondering, I'm in the "Tali'Zorah Fan" camp

Anyway, I'm dying for ME3 now. Luckily I have Dragon Age Awakenings looming over me, once i finish up the main game stuff, and finish the major achievements. The one advantage to unemployment...

[semillama]

1. It's high on my list of games to play after Assassin's Creed 2

It's on my "to-buy" list for sure. I have only a fraction of the time I used to for gaming, and I have a Gamefly account, so I'm usually playing a long involved game and cleansing the palate with a Gamefly rental that I wouldn't necessarily purchase.

I am really looking forward to it. I especially love that you can reuse characters from the first game. That alone sold me on Mass Effect 2.

[realisticphish]

2. for me

the only big change that wasn't 100% positive was the fact that you now have an ammo system, rather then the "cooldown" thing with weapons.

And the choices you made in the first game really affect what happens in this one; some NPCs are dead, or hate you. Others are grateful for your help in the first game, and reward you for it.

Just a few major pointers: Get EVERY ship upgrade. Get your paragon/renegade up early. Get your team members loyal. And the "Reaper IFF" mission is a point of no return, so try to be done with most other things before going on that quest.

Hopefully that's not too spoilery, and it will help you not be pissed off at certain points :)

[lazarus]

3. what's the game play style?

is it a FPS or action or RPG?

[realisticphish]

4. action/rpg

the fighting is third person, but real time. I would equate it somewhat with Knights of the Old Republic in that respect.

It's a simplified RPG, though. No real inventory; you have a good/evil scale (which, like all Bioware games, it behooves you to fill up quickly). Melee sucks, so you want to use guns or "biotics," basically future-magic.

The real depth is with the story, history, and character development. The voice acting is top-notch, with the possible exception of the main character. Strange, I know, but I found his delivery to be pretty bland. Never played as the female, so maybe she's better. Oh, yeah, that's one more thing. You don't really create a character. You are always Shepherd. You choose first name, M/F, class, and the good/evil development, etc, though

One caveat. If you haven't played the first game, as so are not importing a character from that, it can be more challenging. You get bonuses for importing characters. A lot of missions won't appear, because you didn't save this or that person in the first game. And the default settings for choices if you start a new character can be kind of annoying. In other words, if you have the time and inclination, a quick playthrough of the first one can be beneficial, but I understand a first time ME player not wanting to do that

[lazarus]

5. Yeah, I was going to do that

I played Assassin's Creed I, even though I knew it was inferior, just so I'd have the story for ACII. Glad I did.

So there is no FPS action? I can't stand FPS on a console, my right thumb just can't aim. There was a brief bit of that for a few seconds in GOWIII, and I managed to pull it off, but I wouldn't want to do it much.

Thanks, phish.

[realisticphish]

6. well

there is aiming. It's not like Dragon Age, where it just auto-attacks. There's an aiming reticle, etc. But the precision is not all that important, especially if you're using the assault rifle or submachine gun. Unless you're using the sniper rifle, point-and-shoot is all that really needs to be done. Plus, this is one game where your squad-mates actually DO something.

I find that I always prefer using an inverted Y axis on games. I've played enough pilot games that that's the default motion for me.

Also, if you play ME1, don't be discouraged by some annoying aspects of the gameplay. They overhauled it between games.

[lazarus]

7. Hmm. Aiming.

I may give it a try used, then. I'm hearing more about the good combat in Dragon Age (not turn based, hooray!), where should I start those games to get the story line down?

[realisticphish]

8. DA

Yeah; it's not totally turn-based, but it's also not "HIT A AS FAST AS YOU CAN" combat

[lazarus]

9. oh

I had been told it was action based, similar to my beloved Kingdom Hearts games. I'll look into it more, then.

[realisticphish]

10. well

there's a basic "attack" button. But once you attack, it keeps attacking until you change the target or do something else, like special moves, magic, whatever

[Beetwasher]

11. Is DA Combat Akin To Baldur's Gate?

Thanks for your review!

[Ignis]

12. I'd say it's much more fluid, but you still have the option of pausing.

The AI scripts for your party members are quite detailed and let you really tailor the role you'd like each of them to play. You can take the same mage and switch her from a Healer role to a Damage or Control role simply by changing the script.

With BG, I felt like I really had to hand-hold the party members to get them to do what I wanted.

[Beetwasher]

13. I Can't Wait To Play It! Sounds Great!

Will probably have to upgrade my system first though.

Thanks!

[Ignis]

14. It really is a well designed game. Good plot, acting, graphics, etc.

And given the dearth of RPGs out there these days, we're fortunate that this one rocks. :D

[realisticphish]

15. yeah

have you played awakening yet? I'm finishing a runthrough of the main game in which I intend to get the rest of the normal achievements, and then I'm starting it. It's supposed to be like a whole other game, or at least 3/4 of a game. For 30 bucks or whatever, it better be :)

[Ignis]

16. Nah, I'm wrapping up Borderlands and ME2 (again) first.

If I time it right, the price on Awakenings will drop just as I finish those two. :D

[realisticphish]

17. haha yeah

ME2 was one of the best sci-fi rpgs ever; though, i do have to compare it to both KOTORs, which are gems.

The gameplay may not be perfect, but I LOVE the universe they create

[Ignis]

18. Agreed on KOTOR.

I was more than willing to overlook some clumsiness in the interface or technical problems, because they created an awesome, immersive game with a great story and strong hooks for two plotlines (light/dark).