Mass Effect 1 & 2.

[Keeper]

WOW, just picked these up used, for my Xbox (Kids bought me one for Christmas last year).

VERY NICE SO FAR. Playing one obviously.
One thing I am CONFUSED over. I player KOTOR and KOTOR2 on the PC till I wore out the CD. So I get these games.

I cant queue up my party memebers actions? And HOW do I aim a NPC talent (Like barrier)?
All I have READ on the internet is I can select a SINGLE action (booo!!!) for my party members but it doesnt tell me how to aim it. And Rex keeps casting it in ALL the wrong places.
Csn you select one as a FAVE? I know I can pick Defensive etc., but is there one I can pick as the "One"?

And, does the "Group" get the benefit of everything I use? It took me a long time to get used to the "Y" button heals the whole group (think back to my younger days of Baulders Gate where Group heal came MUCH later and you will understand my confusion LOL), but I finally get that. What I am asking is if I increase my first aid of an NPC to "X" points where the Medi-gel heals 70 points, EVEN though that increased stat is an NPC stat, when Sheppard uses the Medi-gel ("Y") is the 70 point heal in effect? YES the NPC with that stat is in my party. (had to write that before the "Duh comments started LOL)

 

[warcrow]

I cant queue up my party memebers actions?

There is no queuing. It's not turn-based like KoTOR. What you can do however is pause the combat at any moment for as long as you want (just hold the button). This allows you to strategically command your troops.

And HOW do I aim a NPC talent (Like barrier)?

It's been too long (and all the gaming websites are blocked here at work) so I can't tell you exact what buttons to press but you can issue attack commands for each party member. What you cannot do (unless it was patched in and I don't know about it, or you're playing the PC version) is issue separate movement commands (IE:move forward) for each person.

All I have READ on the internet is I can select a SINGLE action (booo!!!) for my party members but it doesnt tell me how to aim it.

Use your crosshair--this is your pointer.

And, does the "Group" get the benefit of everything I use?

Generally speaking--no. The only thing that affects the group is your group revive/heal.

 

[Keeper]

Thanks for the help but I think you are wrong on one point. OR (More probable) I asked it wrong.

When I hit "Y", all three party memebers heal.
And it consumes oner tube of Medi Gel.
Sheppard is NOT savy in first aid. But the one NPC is.
So I was wondering do ALL party members get the 70 points of HEAL per tube, becuase the one party memeber is LOADED with first aid points, or just that NPC who is loaded in First aid get the 70?


AUUUUGH. Dont tell me I shoulda went PC. I LOVE splitting my troops for flanking etc.

LISTEN, I am a convert. I play console now. SO THIS IS NOT A DIG OR SHOT.
I picked it (Console) up MAINLY because PC abandoned Sports Games. (Madden Baseball).
then the irony....
Havent bought a PC game in 9 months. Red Dead, Black OPs Madden etc.
Then I found the "Used Market".... Gaming goodness.
Is this a case (The "no individual movement" thingy) where all the PC guys scream about dumbing down for console?
I got 3 games for less than $35 at my local Gamestop. THAT IS SUHWEET.
Is that my trade off? LESS control/options? For access to the used market?

 

[jlee]

I got 3 games for less than $35 at my local Gamestop. THAT IS SUHWEET.

lol hasn't Mass Effect for PC gone on sale for 5 bucks not too long ago?

I played ME on PC and tried it on 360 but couldn't deal with the controls..went right back to PC.

 

[vi edit]

Your tradeoff for a console is being able to lounge on a couch and play comfortably on a big ass HDTV and a full surround sound setup should you have one. The used game market is just a perk.

As for Mass Effect...you need to get out of the min/max and turn based mindsets of RPG games and treat it like the tactical shooter it is.

If you like Mass Effect, then give Fallout 3 a shot too. It is one of the best crossovers in FPS/RPG out there...even with the bugs that it has. Mass Effect has better production values and a more engaging story, but FO3 has a much more open world with a lot more stuff to do.

 

[warcrow]

When I hit "Y", all three party memebers heal. And it consumes oner tube of Medi Gel.
Sheppard is NOT savy in first aid. But the one NPC is.
So I was wondering do ALL party members get the 70 points of HEAL per tube, becuase the one party memeber is LOADED with first aid points, or just that NPC who is loaded in First aid get the 70?

It's a good question that I don't know for certain, however my gut tells me the ability applies to the whole party--much like other abilities (like decryption). This is something you can probably figure out by simply checking out the exact health before and after using the medi-gel.

AUUUUGH. Dont tell me I shoulda went PC. I LOVE splitting my troops for flanking etc.

I've played through Mass Effect on both the PC and console enough to tell you without absolute certainty that the PC version is superior.

* Streamlined equipment and item management
* New HUD, replaces power wheel for easier mouse input
* Ability to give both squad members individual commands
* Customizable hotkey system for biotic and tech powers
* Considerable decrease of texture pop-in
* Dedicated forward and reverse buttons replace view-dependent control of the Mako
* New minigame for decryptions

I mean it's not much but it's enough to improve the experience, particularly the equipment management.

LISTEN, I am a convert. I play console now. SO THIS IS NOT A DIG OR SHOT. I picked it (Console) up MAINLY because PC abandoned Sports Games. (Madden Baseball).
then the irony....

Sure. Whatever works for you.

Then I found the "Used Market".... Gaming goodness.
Is this a case (The "no individual movement" thingy) where all the PC guys scream about dumbing down for console?

Actually it happened the other way around. We had Albert Reed on our podcast a few years ago and we grilled him about bringing Mass Effect to the PC ("It's not a port!"). One of the things worth noting is that ME1 came out for the consoles first, and then to the PC. My understanding is that the game has always been a console game first, it's just that Bioware wanted to take make some considerable improvements to the game--that doesnt always happen these days.

Link to interview: http://www.playedpodcast.com/2008-06-04/played-episode-40

I got 3 games for less than $35 at my local Gamestop. THAT IS SUHWEET.
Is that my trade off? LESS control/options? For access to the used market?

It depends on who you ask, but really most people will tell you that most games are now being developed for the consoles first with PC ports to follow (not in all cases, look at Warcraft and a few others).

When you see hardcore PC developers like Valve and id Software paying a lot of attention to the console market then it's obviously a sign of the times.

In regards to the used games--its your money and time and you can do what you like with it (that sounds more curt than I meant it to sound.) Personally I don't buy used games, and that's primarily because I wish to fully support the very talented developers who make these wonderful games. In case you're not aware, when you buy a used games from Gamestop they (Gamestop, the seller, not the publisher or developer) get 100% of the money. It just seems a little unfair to the hardworking guys who make the games.

However this is just my thing and I don't expect others to follow suite. I fully understand why people buy used games and I'm totally fine with it.

 

[Qbah]

From what I remember the MediGel skill stacks from all your current team members. So you're not wasting it if you skill up more than one person.

Using squad skills? Pause, aim at the enemy you wish to use your squad's skill and select it. When you unpause, your team member will use this skill. I think... I haven't really played ME1 in a while (the Xbox version even longer!)

 

[s44]

Should have gotten PC versions on Steam for $10 each. For ME2, used takes away your access to DLC...

Barrier, by the way, applies only to the caster, so there's no targeting.

 

[Keeper]

AWESOME answers all. Thank you.

Warcrow, WOW. Never looked at it that way. NEVER. And I LOVE BIOWARE so your position.... ONE OF POWER.

I will consider it moving forward.
Being HONEST, I looked at it more from my local Gamestop.

Trying to HELP their economy.
I DO like your POV.

Thanks all.

 

[Dumac]

It's a good question that I don't know for certain, however my gut tells me the ability applies to the whole party--much like other abilities (like decryption). This is something you can probably figure out by simply checking out the exact health before and after using the medi-gel.




I've played through Mass Effect on both the PC and console enough to tell you without absolute certainty that the PC version is superior.

* Streamlined equipment and item management
* New HUD, replaces power wheel for easier mouse input
* Ability to give both squad members individual commands
* Customizable hotkey system for biotic and tech powers
* Considerable decrease of texture pop-in
* Dedicated forward and reverse buttons replace view-dependent control of the Mako
* New minigame for decryptions

I mean it's not much but it's enough to improve the experience, particularly the equipment management.




Sure. Whatever works for you.




Actually it happened the other way around. We had Albert Reed on our podcast a few years ago and we grilled him about bringing Mass Effect to the PC ("It's not a port!"). One of the things worth noting is that ME1 came out for the consoles first, and then to the PC. My understanding is that the game has always been a console game first, it's just that Bioware wanted to take make some considerable improvements to the game--that doesnt always happen these days.

Link to interview: http://www.playedpodcast.com/2008-06-04/played-episode-40




It depends on who you ask, but really most people will tell you that most games are now being developed for the consoles first with PC ports to follow (not in all cases, look at Warcraft and a few others).

When you see hardcore PC developers like Valve and id Software paying a lot of attention to the console market then it's obviously a sign of the times.

In regards to the used games--its your money and time and you can do what you like with it (that sounds more curt than I meant it to sound.) Personally I don't buy used games, and that's primarily because I wish to fully support the very talented developers who make these wonderful games. In case you're not aware, when you buy a used games from Gamestop they (Gamestop, the seller, not the publisher or developer) get 100% of the money. It just seems a little unfair to the hardworking guys who make the games.

However this is just my thing and I don't expect others to follow suite. I fully understand why people buy used games and I'm totally fine with it.

Posts like these is why you are on of the best posters in this forum...

 

[Keeper]

posts like these is why you are on of the best posters in this forum...

totally agree!!!

 

[Sadaiyappan]

I think there are too few powers in the game. Give me a real space RPG experience with hundreds of powers. When I hear, "tactical shooter" I think of something like Tom Clancy Rainbow Six where you get great control over the squad. And the group is too small (only 3 people in party at a time) but that means you can fight more enemies at the same time.

TBH I enjoyed Dragon Age more even though I have almost never read fantasy novels, I spent most of my youth reading sci-fi.

 

[warcrow]

Posts like these is why you are on of the best posters in this forum...

totally agree!!!

Thanks!

I think there are too few powers in the game. Give me a real space RPG experience with hundreds of powers. When I hear, "tactical shooter" I think of something like Tom Clancy Rainbow Six where you get great control over the squad. And the group is too small (only 3 people in party at a time) but that means you can fight more enemies at the same time.

Mass Effect 1 (my favorite of the two) had a more RPG-ish feel to it than the second. There were more powers for each class and weapons had stats too, but it's apparent Bioware didn't want to head in that direction. So ME2 was born and is more of a shooter.

I would LOVE to play this hypothetical game you speak of!

 

[chorb]

I picked up ME2 the other day, put about 20 hours into it (have all but 2 of my team members) and just dont have the urge to play any more.

Does the story ever get more engaging?

The combat is the same repetitive steps over and over (for my infiltrator class anyway). and whats up with the total lack of ammo? 10 bullets for a sniper rifle, but then send in 20 baddies... I know they drop ammo, but as a sniper you're usually killing from a distance and can't pick up any drops until the battle is over.

I feel like I'll be trading this one back in soon, was looking for a good RPG too...

 

[Keeper]

I picked up ME2 the other day, put about 20 hours into it (have all but 2 of my team members) and just dont have the urge to play any more.

Does the story ever get more engaging?

The combat is the same repetitive steps over and over (for my infiltrator class anyway). and whats up with the total lack of ammo? 10 bullets for a sniper rifle, but then send in 20 baddies... I know they drop ammo, but as a sniper you're usually killing from a distance and can't pick up any drops until the battle is over.

I feel like I'll be trading this one back in soon, was looking for a good RPG too...

OH NO!!! Dont say that.
I am TOTALLY digging ME1 and am drooling over importing my infiltrator to ME2.
Especially now since I have less "Shakes" with my sniper rifle. ;-)

 

[vi edit]

OH NO!!! Dont say that.
I am TOTALLY digging ME1 and am drooling over importing my infiltrator to ME2.
Especially now since I have less "Shakes" with my sniper rifle. ;-)

In ME1 you had "unlimited" ammo but your weapons would overheat if fired too frequently. In ME2 the overheat is gone, but rations are in place. Money and ammo is abundant enough (at least in the difficulty lev I played) that it was a non-issue.

Also, sniping is much improved in the 2nd and not a shakey cam mess like the first. The sniper rifle is a skill open to other classes now...or at least to the soldier class in addition to the Infiltrator.

 

[warcrow]

One week and the ME2 for the PS3 comes out!

 

[coldmeat]

So I'm playing ME1 again, because I played it over the winter break but didn't do any side missions, and since you can't keep playing after the end I had to start over.

I'd say that my time spent playing the game could be split into 2 parts. 1 is actually doing missions and fighting, and the other is elevators and driving around in the mako surveying minerals.

And the repetetiveness of everything is starting to get to me. All the missions are the exact same, all the planets are the same, and all the building are the same.

 

[JoshGuru7]

The combat is the same repetitive steps over and over (for my infiltrator class anyway). and whats up with the total lack of ammo? 10 bullets for a sniper rifle, but then send in 20 baddies... I know they drop ammo, but as a sniper you're usually killing from a distance and can't pick up any drops until the battle is over.

I thought the ammo restriction was done very well. You will run out of ammo if you only use one weapon, but that's the point. I found myself switching weapons a lot more than I would otherwise and that gave the combat a lot of variety - completely different from how you felt.

 

[s44]

Exactly. Sniping is really powerful now, so if Bio just let you sit in distant cover and snipe all day the game would be ridiculous. If you're out of ammo, switch weapons and go in... There are, incidentally, a couple of maps where the enemies keep respawning if you don't advance.

coldmeat: yeah, that's why they changed side missions in ME2. No more generic prefab building.

 

[Keeper]

PLEASE tell me the Mako missions are gone from ME2?
I found those frustrating and boring.
I didnt sign up for that.......... Not digging those AT ALL.


And Cold Meat.... I agree the cutscenes CAN be a bit long. CRAZY amounts of elevator time.
So I usually use those to grab another diet coke or a fast Bio Break.

Still digging the game and THANKS for the sniper tip!
Its (the shakes) still there (ME1) but the added points got rid of a lot of it!

 

[Keeper]

One week and the ME2 for the PS3 comes out!

So I can presume you are going in for it?
Good. I will learn of your experiance LOL as you are a great resource and seem to be all around nice guy!!!!!

 

[coldmeat]

So I'm playing ME1 again, because I played it over the winter break but didn't do any side missions, and since you can't keep playing after the end I had to start over.

I'd say that my time spent playing the game could be split into 2 parts. 1 is actually doing missions and fighting, and the other is elevators and driving around in the mako surveying minerals.

And the repetetiveness of everything is starting to get to me. All the missions are the exact same, all the planets are the same, and all the building are the same.

Well I finished ME1 today, and I'm about to start ME2, but I'm having a hard time deciding which class to use. In the first game I first played as a soldier, but didn't really like using any of the teammates that had tech abilities to open crates, so I switched to infiltrator and used Ashley and Liara. I really like playing an infiltrator.

This time around apparently there is no decryption skill, so I'm leaning towards soldier. And infiltrator looks nothing like the infiltrator from ME1 anyway.

What will probably happen is I will play the game up until I get the teammates and then start again, depending on their skills and who I want to use.

 

[Keeper]

I am really liking the infiltrator now that I have LESS shakes with the sniper rifle.
I would LOVE to use an assualt rifle though.... So I may start a second screw around game.


Hey, any tips out there for pistola upgrades? (OK, bad Sierra Madre reference there. My bad)
I dont use a lot of them (Upgrades) because a LOT of them ADD heat and I over heat OFTEN. (Yes, I am old and a converted PC player so I spray a wall of lead or photons or whatever the hell are my rounds LOL)

So in slot one I go for accuracy upgrades. And suggestions on Ammo OR slot one?

 

[warcrow]

PLEASE tell me the Mako missions are gone from ME2?

They're indeed gone. The unfortunate thing is they completed took this kind of planet exploration out of Mass Effect 2 proper (there is some DLC, but I wasn't too impressed with it). I was hoping they would keep it in ME2 but improve on the variety and uniqueness. Planet exploration in ME2 now consists of finding a planet, descending unto it and then partaking in a fairly straightforward shooting segment. It's really well done and they're all unique, but going into the game I really hoping to enjoy some vehicle exploration.

CRAZY amounts of elevator time.

Bioware has improved ME2 over ME1, technically speaking, in almost every single way. No more texture pop-in and load times are much less annoying.

So I can presume you are going in for it?

Oh yes, I will be there day one. Can't get enough of this series.

Well I finished ME1 today, and I'm about to start ME2, but I'm having a hard time deciding which class to use. I really like playing an infiltrator.

I'll just say this. The classes were balanced out in ME2 so you really can't go wrong with your choice. I've played through the game with 3 of them now and they were all fun. Just check out the description for each one and see what's best for you.

Personally I enjoy playing a Female Renegade Vanguard in both games--it's the best of all things Mass Effect.