**OFFICIAL** Mass Effect Thread

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Modeps
In reference to additional playthroughs, can you choose a different discipline? In other words, right now I'm a soldier... the next time I go through, can I pick an engineer? I'd like to pick up some of the other achievements for biotics stuff as well.

Yes and no.

Yes you can start the game over as a different character - duh. But if you mean can you do that and keep all your stats/XP - then no, you need to keep the character exactly as it was.

Edit: And FYI, if you want to play on hardcore/insanity difficulty, do NOT start from a level 1 character.

Well that is disappointing... I guess I'll have to go through on Normal again as a dude that does electronics/biotics just to get them.

You can try it - but chances are you will die... a lot. And with the annoying save system I wouldn't recommend it.

Once you hit level 45 or so you can run through the game pretty fearless, regardless of the difficulty level. Especially once you get all the level X Spectre gear.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: ducci
level X Spectre gear.

Sorry? Where can I get my hands on that? I've just been using drops for my gear... I have not really used money at all and been selling everything that is not equiped... I've probably got about 2.5mil credits.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci
level X Spectre gear.

Sorry? Where can I get my hands on that? I've just been using drops for my gear... I have not really used money at all and been selling everything that is not equiped... I've probably got about 2.5mil credits.

Oh man - talk to the guy in the C-sec part of the Citadel. It's hard to explain where, it's down one of the pathways - it's just him at a desk. He'll open up the Spectre gear to buy - and I think the level of available gear is based on your current level.

Then once you do that, you can also buy it from the dude in the bottom level of your ship. It's only weapons, though - the best armor is still only from drops as far as I know.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci
level X Spectre gear.

Sorry? Where can I get my hands on that? I've just been using drops for my gear... I have not really used money at all and been selling everything that is not equiped... I've probably got about 2.5mil credits.

Oh man - talk to the guy in the C-sec part of the Citadel. It's hard to explain where, it's down one of the pathways - it's just him at a desk. He'll open up the Spectre gear to buy - and I think the level of available gear is based on your current level.

Then once you do that, you can also buy it from the dude in the bottom level of your ship. It's only weapons, though - the best armor is still only from drops as far as I know.

Oh, I know who you're talking about... cool I'll check him out. My stuff seems like its pretty powerful right now. I've got AR and Pistol maxed in skill points, and am adding points to Shotgun now. No sniper though, I tried using that once, it was frustrating as heck.

I've also maxed out Intimidate and Charm for my levels, and the Spectre training... and I think my Shock Trooper specialization.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci
level X Spectre gear.

Sorry? Where can I get my hands on that? I've just been using drops for my gear... I have not really used money at all and been selling everything that is not equiped... I've probably got about 2.5mil credits.

Oh man - talk to the guy in the C-sec part of the Citadel. It's hard to explain where, it's down one of the pathways - it's just him at a desk. He'll open up the Spectre gear to buy - and I think the level of available gear is based on your current level.

Then once you do that, you can also buy it from the dude in the bottom level of your ship. It's only weapons, though - the best armor is still only from drops as far as I know.

Oh, I know who you're talking about... cool I'll check him out. My stuff seems like its pretty powerful right now. I've got AR and Pistol maxed in skill points, and am adding points to Shotgun now. No sniper though, I tried using that once, it was frustrating as heck.

I've also maxed out Intimidate and Charm for my levels, and the Spectre training... and I think my Shock Trooper specialization.

You have to get 1 million credits to unlock spectre gear, and I just hit level 50 yesterday and the Spectre X gear wasn't unlocked until that point.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
You have to get 1 million credits to unlock spectre gear, and I just hit level 50 yesterday and the Spectre X gear wasn't unlocked until that point.

Yeah, credit amount isnt a problem... I've got 2.5m because I haven't purchased anything all game.

Another question, (sorry for the barrage of them ), do Renegade/Paragon points carry over through multiple playthoughs as well? or do those reset?

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: chrisg22
You have to get 1 million credits to unlock spectre gear, and I just hit level 50 yesterday and the Spectre X gear wasn't unlocked until that point.

Yeah, credit amount isnt a problem... I've got 2.5m because I haven't purchased anything all game.

Another question, (sorry for the barrage of them ), do Renegade/Paragon points carry over through multiple playthoughs as well? or do those reset?

Intimidate/charm carry over, but your personality points are reset. And actually, I noticed that intimidate and charm points both increase when your level increases and when you make certain choices, so you reach a point where you shouldn't even bother putting skill points toward those since they get increased as you play the game.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Modeps
In reference to additional playthroughs, can you choose a different discipline? In other words, right now I'm a soldier... the next time I go through, can I pick an engineer? I'd like to pick up some of the other achievements for biotics stuff as well.

Yes and no.

Yes you can start the game over as a different character - duh. But if you mean can you do that and keep all your stats/XP - then no, you need to keep the character exactly as it was.

Edit: And FYI, if you want to play on hardcore/insanity difficulty, do NOT start from a level 1 character.

Well that is disappointing... I guess I'll have to go through on Normal again as a dude that does electronics/biotics just to get them.

You can try it - but chances are you will die... a lot. And with the annoying save system I wouldn't recommend it.

Not to say I haven't had a trouble spot here and there, but I'm just about done my 3rd playthrough (this time on insanity) and each time I've started at level 1. You just have to be strategic about how you level up and what order you visit the main planets. For example, Feros is MUCH easier than Noveria as there are fewer large-scale battles and the "boss fight" is easier, so take that one first.

So far I've played through as an Adept, a Soldier, and now an Engineer. I wanted to be all three for variety and so I could get the achievements for the different abilities like Modeps. Now that I've experienced all three, I know that Adept is my favorite by far. So I'll take my Adept up to level 60 in another playthrough or two once the DLC packs start hitting.

 

[Gooberlx2]

So what is everyone's favorite character combination?

So far I've played through once as a Male, mostly paragon (got the achievement), Vanguard. I really liked Vanguard for the biotic/assault abilities, but lamented not being able to use an assault rifle. Now I'm on a male Soldier who I'm thinking I'll turn Renegade. Once I get the assault rifle achievement, I might just toss that character and try an assault rifle wielding adept.

Also, has anyone actually used the high explosive rounds? The ones that, no matter how many upgrades you have to counter it, are going to overheat your weapon. I figure they'd only really be useful on a sniper rifle.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
So what is everyone's favorite character combination?

So far I've played through once as a Male, mostly paragon (got the achievement), Vanguard. I really liked Vanguard for the biotic/assault abilities, but lamented not being able to use an assault rifle. Now I'm on a male Soldier who I'm thinking I'll turn Renegade. Once I get the assault rifle achievement, I might just toss that character and try an assault rifle wielding adept.

Also, has anyone actually used the high explosive rounds? The ones that, no matter how many upgrades you have to counter it, are going to overheat your weapon. I figure they'd only really be useful on a sniper rifle.

As I said above, I prefer the full-on Adept and (if it's been unlocked) the sniper rifle ability. I also enjoyed being a good guy, it just seemed more natural. But on my one renegade playthrough, it was fun doing stuff like THIS.

 

[Modeps]

OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: Modeps
OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

Ha, I saw you on for a while tonight grinding from level 41 up to lvl 45 (last I saw). I couldn't help but wish I was a Mass Effect virgin playing through the last 25% of the game for the first time.

Once you're done, we should set up a Mass Effect Spoilers thread to discuss the story. Everyone's been really good about not posting spoilers in this one and I'd hate to ruin it for people, but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it.

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

There hasn't been anything official announced. This is from the official Bioware forums FAQ, posted by a moderator: Link

41. Is there going to be episodic content delivered by the Xbox Live?

IGN: In another interesting tack, Mass Effect is the first game in a trilogy, which, BioWare says, will cover the lifespan of the Xbox 360's five-plus year cycle. When you finish the first game, BioWare plans to upload content in between games in an episodic fashion, filling in the story between games. Thus, when the second big title arrives, fans who stick with the downloads will know exactly what's going on.

Jarrett Lee: One important thing I should clarify: fans who miss some of this episodic installments for any particular reason will not be negatively impacted in their enjoyment of the full-game sequels.

Bear in mind, exact details about how episodic content will be developed and delivered have certainly not been finalized.

So no dates, but the 360 has been out for two years now. So that would put ME2 & ME3's releases both in the next three years. It's hard for me to believe they'll squeeze another one out by the end of 2008. I believe KOTOR1 and 2 were released in successive years (by different developers), but look how KOTOR2 ended up...

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: Modeps
OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

Ha, I saw you on for a while tonight grinding from level 41 up to lvl 45 (last I saw). I couldn't help but wish I was a Mass Effect virgin playing through the last 25% of the game for the first time.

Once you're done, we should set up a Mass Effect Spoilers thread to discuss the story. Everyone's been really good about not posting spoilers in this one and I'd hate to ruin it for people, but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it.

Yeah someone start up a thread, I'd be interested in that

 

[Modeps]

I'm the weiner!
Didnt get paragon or renegade achievements though looks like I'll just have to play it again.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I'm the weiner!
Didnt get paragon or renegade achievements though looks like I'll just have to play it again.

I'm not certain on this, but in NOveria I thought I heard one of my friends say there is some kind of glitch where you can get both there. I think you have to save your game, get one, then load it up and get the other.

I didn't do it because I'm going to get it on my own anyways. but if you just want the achievements and don't care, go for it

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: Modeps
I'm the weiner!
Didnt get paragon or renegade achievements though looks like I'll just have to play it again.

I'm not certain on this, but in NOveria I thought I heard one of my friends say there is some kind of glitch where you can get both there. I think you have to save your game, get one, then load it up and get the other.

I didn't do it because I'm going to get it on my own anyways. but if you just want the achievements and don't care, go for it

Well, I've gotta play through it at least 2 more times, right? May as well try again for them... I had a problem of morals when I picked certain outcomes, I just couldn't do some things.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Modeps
I'm the weiner!
Didnt get paragon or renegade achievements though looks like I'll just have to play it again.

I got the Paragon achievment my first time through. Mostly I played exactly how I normally would, though a few extra paragon dialog picks. This time though I'm specifically choosing renegade options. Some of the renegade options are hysterical.

 

[R Nilla]

It's too bad there isn't a scenario where you can outright murder one of your party members. I remember in KOTOR there was a woman who you could help and she would join your party, or you could just slay her and that was that. I think there may have been others that you could end up not having in your party depending on your choices, and towards the end you can kill a couple more of your party members. Very interesting

Personally I would take out Liara because she annoyed me.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: R Nilla
It's too bad there isn't a scenario where you can outright murder one of your party members. I remember in KOTOR there was a woman who you could help and she would join your party, or you could just slay her and that was that. I think there may have been others that you could end up not having in your party depending on your choices, and towards the end you can kill a couple more of your party members. Very interesting

That would be Juhani. She was also notable for being another of BioWare's lesbian characters.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: R Nilla
It's too bad there isn't a scenario where you can outright murder one of your party members. I remember in KOTOR there was a woman who you could help and she would join your party, or you could just slay her and that was that. I think there may have been others that you could end up not having in your party depending on your choices, and towards the end you can kill a couple more of your party members. Very interesting

Personally I would take out Liara because she annoyed me.

Well I don't know if you did this, but I killed Wrex in Virmire...

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: R Nilla
It's too bad there isn't a scenario where you can outright murder one of your party members. I remember in KOTOR there was a woman who you could help and she would join your party, or you could just slay her and that was that. I think there may have been others that you could end up not having in your party depending on your choices, and towards the end you can kill a couple more of your party members. Very interesting

Personally I would take out Liara because she annoyed me.

Well I don't know if you did this, but I killed Wrex in Virmire...

Oh right, I forgot about that. I haven't gotten there with my Renegade yet...

I suppose there's that part at the end of Virmire as well, although that's not really the same.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Modeps
So, I got the "Completionist" achievement. Does that mean I rock? I have a friend that is on his 3rd playthrough and does not have the achievement. Maybe it just means I'm being quite anal about doing all these sidequests.

I got that one too--it was an acheivement that unlocked and made me feel good, which doesnt happen to often.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Modeps
OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

The ME trilogy will appear on the PS3, PC and X360--EA will make sure of that their $860 million purchase is warranted and as profitable as possible.

The only thing I'm not really sure of, is whether or not ME 1 will show up on PS3--but something tells me it just might.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: Modeps
OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

The ME trilogy will appear on the PS3, PC and X360--EA will make sure of that their $860 million purchase is warranted and as profitable as possible.

The only thing I'm not really sure of, is whether or not ME 1 will show up on PS3--but something tells me it just might.

I'm willing to bet they'll find a way to re-release it sometime in the future along with whatever DLC is released on XBL, and maybe some extras. It shall be called Mass Effect: Omega Orange.

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: Modeps
OMFG.
I just finished Virmire. :Q

A friend of mine said that the other two volumes of ME trilogy would be out by end of next year, can anyone confirm that? If so... curse and praise Bioware! (Curse because I'll probably only be playing those, praise because I wont have to wait long to continue the story )

The ME trilogy will appear on the PS3, PC and X360--EA will make sure of that their $860 million purchase is warranted and as profitable as possible.

The only thing I'm not really sure of, is whether or not ME 1 will show up on PS3--but something tells me it just might.

No one can possibly be sure that any game in the Mass Effect series will be on the PS3. Or ME2 or ME3 on even the PC, for that matter, although that is a pretty darn good bet.

I don't think you can completely discount the possibility that a company that's shelled out 50mil for exclusive GTA4 content and God knows how much to keep BioShock off the PS3 could NOT possibly pay to keep the Mass Effect trilogy console exclusive.