Mass Effect 2

[arredondo]

Without reading any potential spoilers in this thread, let me say that as someone who has also just started ME2 for the first time (never played ME1) I am enjoying the experience so far. I'm only on the 4th chapter or so, and I like what I've played so far.

However, the most disappointing thing I've experienced is how terribly un-PC friendly the game is on a fresh install. I had to jump through way too many hoops to get basic things to work right, like mouse movement, improving low budget texture work and applying AA. It's one thing to be mediocre in these areas, but the lack of native mod support is appaling and only adds to the nonsense one has to endure before getting started.

Fortunately it is at least possible to address many of these issues, no thanks to EA. Hopefully they've learned their lesson for when ME3 is released.

 

[irishScott]

Without reading any potential spoilers in this thread, let me say that as someone who has also just started ME2 for the first time (never played ME1) I am enjoying the experience so far. I'm only on the 4th chapter or so, and I like what I've played so far.

However, the most disappointing thing I've experienced is how terribly un-PC friendly the game is on a fresh install. I had to jump through way too many hoops to get basic things to work right, like mouse movement, improving low budget texture work and applying AA. It's one thing to be mediocre in these areas, but the lack of native mod support is appaling and only adds to the nonsense one has to endure before getting started.

Fortunately it is at least possible to address many of these issues, no thanks to EA. Hopefully they've learned their lesson for when ME3 is released.

? I've only ever played it on a PC and mouse-movement worked fine for me from the get-go.

 

[Red Storm]

Hopefully they've learned their lesson for when ME3 is released.

Hope denied. If anything, expect ME3 to swing even more in the wrong direction.

 

[Whirlwind]

Mouse input was fine here.

I am using Texmod for higer resolution textures.

Also tweaked a few ini settings

 

[Franz316]

Story-wise the first was better and more epic feeling(who didn't enjoy driving around on the moon and seeing Earth?) but for gameplay they second is probably better. I have high hopes for the third and am cautiously optimistic.

 

[Kev]

Hope denied. If anything, expect ME3 to swing even more in the wrong direction.

from the previews i've seen it looks like character and weapon customization is more indepth than ME2.

I don't really care though, because I play for the story and gameplay.

 

[sandorski]

? I've only ever played it on a PC and mouse-movement worked fine for me from the get-go.

I also had no Mouse issues.

 

[thespyder]

Without reading any potential spoilers in this thread, let me say that as someone who has also just started ME2 for the first time (never played ME1) I am enjoying the experience so far. I'm only on the 4th chapter or so, and I like what I've played so far.

However, the most disappointing thing I've experienced is how terribly un-PC friendly the game is on a fresh install. I had to jump through way too many hoops to get basic things to work right, like mouse movement, improving low budget texture work and applying AA. It's one thing to be mediocre in these areas, but the lack of native mod support is appaling and only adds to the nonsense one has to endure before getting started.

Fortunately it is at least possible to address many of these issues, no thanks to EA. Hopefully they've learned their lesson for when ME3 is released.

The sad truth is that it was designed around consoles and for consoles. PC is probably a port at best. Which I find a crying shame as it really speaks to the direction that EA (at the very least) thinks gaming is going. And it also means that the full capabilities of PCs today are not touched.

 

[Bateluer]

Just played through ME1 again a week ago, and started ME2 again to refresh for ME3. Coming directly from ME1 to ME2, it feels VERY dumbed down because all the RPG elements and inventory were removed. There's very little character customization at all in ME2, and it was light in ME1. They're both good games, but they're much close to shooters with a story than RPGs.

 

[Whirlwind]

Just played through ME1 again a week ago, and started ME2 again to refresh for ME3. Coming directly from ME1 to ME2, it feels VERY dumbed down because all the RPG elements and inventory were removed. There's very little character customization at all in ME2, and it was light in ME1. They're both good games, but they're much close to shooters with a story than RPGs.

I totally agree with everything you have said. I feel the same way.

A few more screenshots

 

[Doppel]

The sad truth is that it was designed around consoles and for consoles. PC is probably a port at best. Which I find a crying shame as it really speaks to the direction that EA (at the very least) thinks gaming is going. And it also means that the full capabilities of PCs today are not touched.

It's how gaming in general is going. If you're making and no ambition to sell to consoles you've lost a huge hunk of the market, so with them lowest common denominator it's what you program to.

 

[thespyder]

It's how gaming in general is going. If you're making and no ambition to sell to consoles you've lost a huge hunk of the market, so with them lowest common denominator it's what you program to.

Not long ago there was a big push for platform specific products. This went a long way to differentiate the market and enhance sales for each individual platform (PC included). And there is still some "PC" only content out there, just no where near enough.

But yeah, developers have determined that if they aren't selling into all markets, they are losing out on potential sales. Why this had to happen at the practical end of life for the Consoles, where PC platform is clearly superiour, is a mystery.

 

[Via]

Ok, I just finished it. If you haven't played it please don't read (massive spoilers)








**************************************************************************

Spoiler

What a fricking disappointment the ending is; assembling your party is much deeper and more entertaining. The mission that saves Garrus, for example, is ten times the fun.

They had some good inspirations - using the whole group of NPCs by dividing them into parties, making you choose "specialists" etc. But the execution is way too shallow.

I think ME had some of the most epic mission chains in gaming history - multi-layered, deep, and colorful. Even now they outshine anything ME2 had to offer in my mind. I hope the producers of ME3 find some inspiration in them.

Of course, I can't reisist - Is it really necessary to tell me to "aim for the tube" every time one opens? All six fricking times?

What age group is this game for anyway? It allows "relationships" with "conslusions" but doesn't trust you enough to figure out that you need to shoot the tubes when they open up?

 

[makken]

I finished ME1 a while back, but never start ME2. Decided to get it a go this weekend since I had no plans.

I love the new weapons feel and cover mechanics; I always found those two were my biggest complains about combat in ME1, so I'm glad that they were addressed.

That said though, is it that much to ask to have a persistent display of health and shield status for my entire squad? Seriously, this whole "only display health when I'm taking damage" thing is stupid.

And is there a way to select a specific weapon (eg. F1 to F4 in ME1)? Scrolling through my entire loadout to get to my shotgun when I have a hulk charging at me isn't exactly effective.

 

[PrayForDeath]

well i had 2 playthroughs finished and was halfway through an evil playthrough... that's a lot of time. luckily i found one of the old ones backed up

There's a website that has a ton of user-uploaded saves containing various combinations of gender/backgrounds/decisions etc. I forgot the name but you can easily google it.

 

[N2gaming]

Hey Group, A newbie question here, after reading threads like this, it got me wanting to try this game also (ME2) so I DL'd the demo from STEAM and I only tried it for a very short while last night ,but wow!! the graphics are superb!

Ok, heres the newbie question, pretty much in the beginning of the demo I meet a fellow soldier out on a small bridge and he tells me to tell him to shoot across the way to where

the enemies are shooting at us, so how do I tell him to shoot the enemies?? I told you it was a newbie question

 

[Zenoth]

Hey Group, A newbie question here, after reading threads like this, it got me wanting to try this game also (ME2) so I DL'd the demo from STEAM and I only tried it for a very short while last night ,but wow!! the graphics are superb!

Ok, heres the newbie question, pretty much in the beginning of the demo I meet a fellow soldier out on a small bridge and he tells me to tell him to shoot across the way to where

the enemies are shooting at us, so how do I tell him to shoot the enemies?? I told you it was a newbie question

I believe that the default key is Left Shift, that will momentarily stop the game-play (pause, if you prefer), at which point you can move your mouse cursor around and left-click on any specific skill/power you want any of your party member(s) to use, against specific targets. You can simply point your crosshair during the action at any specific enemy, then Left Shit your party members menu up, move the cursor to the chosen power, click that power, release Left Shift and let the action go.

It becomes faster later on as you memorize which powers are good for which types of situations, and enemies. Also you can and surely should use the number keys row to instantly use your own powers during game-play without having to pause to use them for yourself, key bindings are possible or you can just press Left Shift, look at your own powers, and click and drag them on the screen from the bottom of that menu up to the quick action bar at the top-left of the screen.

I hope it helps.

 

[N2gaming]

Thanks Zenoth...

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

Also, be aware that you can drag companion abilities to the hotkey bar and use them that way. Very useful, since companions are about the only way to reliably get off warp explosions.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

If you properly use the left shit pause menu's you can become truly overpowered as hell. I especially like using it to line up headshots on enemies while the game is paused when I'm in a bad situation.

Also, taking Slam for your biotic power as shepard is hilarious. It has a 3 second recharge time. So overpowered.

 

[N2gaming]

Thanks again guys, btw, is (ME2) similar to 'Skyrim'?? that looks pretty nice also at least by the pictures and small videos I have seen.

Also I am not a RPG guy like most in here but I want to try cause it surly seems that in those types of games you get your moneys worth.

 

[thespyder]

Thanks again guys, btw, is (ME2) similar to 'Skyrim'?? that looks pretty nice also at least by the pictures and small videos I have seen.

Also I am not a RPG guy like most in here but I want to try cause it surly seems that in those types of games you get your moneys worth.

Um, no. Skyrim and ME2 are very different games. Although technically both RPGs, pretty much night and day difference. Aside from the different genres (Sci Fi/Fantasy) here are a few things that are different:

Skyrim is an open world, explore what you want, where you want and when you want. Although there are quests and "Missions', it is pretty much a true 'Sandbox' game.

ME2, although you have choice in what order you take your missions and you can simply go and explore solar systems, pretty much it is two or three things to do in each system. And once you get in a system the quests are very much more linear.

Although there is an 'Over-arching' story to complete in Skyrim, you can play for hundreds of hours and never touch it. And once it is complete, you can keep on playing.

In ME2, everything you do is in (to one degree or another) pursuit of the main storyline. And once you complete certain plot points, there is no turning back. And once the story is done, that is it for the game.

In Skyrim, you have a lot more variety of who your character is. Name, abilities, equipment. In ME2, you are Commander Sheppard and your abilities and equipment don't change significantly from play to play beyond a narrow preset group of abilities/capabilities.

And the total feel of the two games is very different. Both are fun and enjoyable, but ME2 is more linear and more of a Action RPG with FPS elements. Skyrim is more of an Open world RPG.

 

[Phynaz]

This thread reminded me to play it, bought it over a year ago during a Steam sale. Having a lot of fun, thanks!

 

[PrayForDeath]

In ME2, everything you do is in (to one degree or another) pursuit of the main storyline. And once you complete certain plot points, there is no turning back. And once the story is done, that is it for the game.

Actually, you can still roam around the galaxy and do sidequests after you finish the main story. But it's nothing like Skyrim, of course.

ME2 is closer to a shooter than an RPG. If you're not an RPG guy, I would stay away from Skyrim.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Actually, you can still roam around the galaxy and do sidequests after you finish the main story. But it's nothing like Skyrim, of course.

ME2 is closer to a shooter than an RPG. If you're not an RPG guy, I would stay away from Skyrim.

I'm not really an RPG guy, but I love bethesda RPG's simply because the combat isn't point and click. I hate those turn based point click games. So boring.