Who else is replaying Mass Effect 1 and/or 2 in anticipation of 3?

[Pheran]

I played Shadow Broker last night for the first time - wow, that was an excellent piece of DLC. The ship is badass, and frying people by shooting the lightning rods was fun.

I wasn't expecting the ending either.

 

[viivo]

I wasn't expecting the ending either.

But it made sense. Definitely one of the best boss fights ever. Walking on the ship, the background was beautiful.

 

[Pheran]

But it made sense. Definitely one of the best boss fights ever. Walking on the ship, the background was beautiful.

Yes, it did make sense. Here's something I'm wondering - does having a save game with Shadow Broker finished make any difference to the ME3 import? I mean, what happened there is a pretty significant event. Does ME3 assume it happened anyway even if you never bought/played Shadow Broker?

 

[viivo]

Yes, it did make sense. Here's something I'm wondering - does having a save game with Shadow Broker finished make any difference to the ME3 import? I mean, what happened there is a pretty significant event. Does ME3 assume it happened anyway even if you never bought/played Shadow Broker?

I can't see it being ignored since the big thing about the dlc was that it was supposed to prep for me3.

So I wager that if it isn't detected in your save or if it's a new game you'll get to make a choice. Or it could be assumed and be a

Spoiler

"Hey, I'm taking a break from being the SB to help you save the universe"

type thing.

 

[viivo]

Well, so much for importing on my first playthrough. I planned to finish ME2 before buying 3 but I couldn't wait any longer. Picked it up today and am 2 hours in. I love the feel of the combat and weapons, much more responsive. I don't think I could go back to 1's sluggish 3rd person action after this. Weapon mods, hooray.

 

[alent1234]

Yes, it did make sense. Here's something I'm wondering - does having a save game with Shadow Broker finished make any difference to the ME3 import? I mean, what happened there is a pretty significant event. Does ME3 assume it happened anyway even if you never bought/played Shadow Broker?

don't know about LotSB but i was on the Citadel last night for the first time in ME3 and fully activated the Normandy. I never played any of the ME2 DLC, just the game. it said the 103rd marine did the Arrival DLC mission, so i'm guessing every piece of DLC will have some effect.

i also got war asset points for all the mining i did in ME2. no mention of finding any turian battle insignias or asari writings in ME1

 

[TecHNooB]

Didn't play the game yet, but was saving the rachni queen worth it?

 

[alent1234]

i heard you get war assets for saving her and when i imported my ME1/2 character saving her was one of the highlights

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

I just started playing ME1 for the first time. I stopped playing the first time when it first came out because it was too boring.

Trying again now, but if it doesnt pick up soon i think im gonna bail on it, and just play ME3 without playing 1 or 2. When is there going to be more action? Right now im just running all over the citadel.

What tips do you have for a newcomer? A huge one that i realized is putting subtitles on, and then pressing x to move on to the next dialogue.

How much time should i spend on side quests at the beginning? What characters should i choose to be in my party? How often should i worry about re-equiping/setting new skills.

I also feel that i suck at combat (directing my teammates, choosing skills, etc) because i have very little time to practice it, and when it does happen, i just take battles really slow so i know i can win them (sniping, then moving in)

I know if i give it a chance ill end up liking it, but how long until the action picks up/i start getting a hang of the combat?

EDIT: also how much should i care about learning about the ME universe? I am constantly trying to remember who characters/races are, and even when characters are speaking of other characters, i often get lost. I dont wanna spend a lot of time in my codex because i want to get the game going.

 

[Pheran]

I just started playing ME1 for the first time. I stopped playing the first time when it first came out because it was too boring.

Trying again now, but if it doesnt pick up soon i think im gonna bail on it, and just play ME3 without playing 1 or 2. When is there going to be more action? Right now im just running all over the citadel.

Stick with it. ME1 definitely has a "lag area" right after the initial colony mission, where you spend a lot of time on the Citadel learning what's what. The world of ME is so amazingly rich that a certain amount of "background dump" is inevitable, and this period on the Citadel is it. Don't worry too much about remembering every detail - things will become clearer as you become immersed in the story. Once you get past this point, the game starts to become pretty amazing.

How much time should i spend on side quests at the beginning? What characters should i choose to be in my party? How often should i worry about re-equiping/setting new skills.

As long as you are not playing on a high difficulty setting, just do whatever makes you happy. Those kinds of details really only become important if you are trying to do an Insanity playthrough.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Stick with it. ME1 definitely has a "lag area" right after the initial colony mission, where you spend a lot of time on the Citadel learning what's what. The world of ME is so amazingly rich that a certain amount of "background dump" is inevitable, and this period on the Citadel is it. Don't worry too much about remembering every detail - things will become clearer as you become immersed in the story. Once you get past this point, the game starts to become pretty amazing.



As long as you are not playing on a high difficulty setting, just do whatever makes you happy. Those kinds of details really only become important if you are trying to do an Insanity playthrough.

cool thanks, will definitely stick with it. I think my problem is i have a certain amount of OCD when it comes to RPG's, and might even explain why i havent made it through one in i dont know how many years.

I used to play a lot of JRPG's, and i use to love trying to get every thing in the game. I think if you take this mindset and allpy it to newer games that are so deep they become almost impossible, and you lose track of the main story trying to get everything, and complete every misson. (im already trying to walk around and scan all the keepers - i need to stop!)

So more than anything i need to just play, not worry about getting and doing everything, and just enjoy the game. Is there anything i should know as far as things i should make sure i dont miss? I'd hate to use a strategy guide throughout the whole game, but just a few things i should remember not to miss would be nice. (eg. if you missed one materia in FF& you can't get master materia. OR if you forget to do something, you miss out on getting a new character in the group) I hate missing things like that.

 

[Pheran]

So more than anything i need to just play, not worry about getting and doing everything, and just enjoy the game. Is there anything i should know as far as things i should make sure i dont miss? I'd hate to use a strategy guide throughout the whole game, but just a few things i should remember not to miss would be nice. (eg. if you missed one materia in FF& you can't get master materia. OR if you forget to do something, you miss out on getting a new character in the group) I hate missing things like that.

There's not too much you can miss. The only tip I would give (once you get off the Citadel) is to talk with your squad-mates on your ship between missions. Sometimes they will give you side missions, plus this is how you get a romance option. In fact, the side mission you get from Wrex can have a significant impact on an event that happens later in the game. I won't spoil anything, but be sure to do that one before Virmire in order to keep your options open.

Scanning the keepers isn't too bad, but if you are missing one or two you can check here to avoid frustration.

 

[Doppel]

I see professional reviews like ign like this but on amazon it's being torn up by some people--lower overall rating than ME2 or 1 anyway. I can't read the reviews because I am still half way through ME1 and most have spoilers. Sounds like it was dumbed down a bit like bioware did after dragon age.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

I just picked up the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2 for $13 and some change shipped on gohastings.com because even tho I beat the main game on the PC, I never played through any of the DLC, and paying $13 for a new copy of the PS3 version with almost all of the DLC is still cheaper than paying for the DLC by itself on the PC.

So I'll probably end up playing through 2 again, even tho I'm currently playing 3 on the PC.

 

[micrometers]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGwIbH8zLGk

something interesting. It is possible in ME2 to have your shepard die.

If so, and you import that save into ME3...

wtf happens?

 

[Doppel]

I just started playing ME1 for the first time. I stopped playing the first time when it first came out because it was too boring.

Trying again now, but if it doesnt pick up soon i think im gonna bail on it, and just play ME3 without playing 1 or 2. When is there going to be more action? Right now im just running all over the citadel.

What tips do you have for a newcomer? A huge one that i realized is putting subtitles on, and then pressing x to move on to the next dialogue.

How much time should i spend on side quests at the beginning? What characters should i choose to be in my party? How often should i worry about re-equiping/setting new skills.

I also feel that i suck at combat (directing my teammates, choosing skills, etc) because i have very little time to practice it, and when it does happen, i just take battles really slow so i know i can win them (sniping, then moving in)

I know if i give it a chance ill end up liking it, but how long until the action picks up/i start getting a hang of the combat?

EDIT: also how much should i care about learning about the ME universe? I am constantly trying to remember who characters/races are, and even when characters are speaking of other characters, i often get lost. I dont wanna spend a lot of time in my codex because i want to get the game going.

Yep, when I found X during conversations I was very happy!

I typically skip a lot of stuff in games, but I read most of the lore in this one because it was interesting and also importantly not overdone. Also, unlike fantasy genre, it made some sense.

I played ME1 for the first time, finishing last night. I really struggled at the beginning, too, it was quite boring. Not until I finally got access to the Normandy and landed on a planet did I realize how much more there was to the game. But, yes, the beginning in the citadel is really, really slow.

I started ME2 today. About 4 hours in. Damn, it's so much more polished. I may have a different opinion later, but so far the combat is better, the menus work infinitely better, the map is better. Even saving doesn't require me to sit there and stare for 2-3 seconds at a save screen, because gameplay continues as it saves.

It did take me a long while to fully acclimate to the weird inventory system in ME1 and I was more than half way through the game before I even figured (ok, I didn't try hard) how to equip more than one upgrade item to a weapon.

The tail end of ME1 does have a pretty cool story, and normally I don't care much for those but it was quality.

I predict that with the success of this "trilogy", we've not seen the last of mass effect.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Yep, when I found X during conversations I was very happy!

I typically skip a lot of stuff in games, but I read most of the lore in this one because it was interesting and also importantly not overdone. Also, unlike fantasy genre, it made some sense.

I played ME1 for the first time, finishing last night. I really struggled at the beginning, too, it was quite boring. Not until I finally got access to the Normandy and landed on a planet did I realize how much more there was to the game. But, yes, the beginning in the citadel is really, really slow.

I started ME2 today. About 4 hours in. Damn, it's so much more polished. I may have a different opinion later, but so far the combat is better, the menus work infinitely better, the map is better. Even saving doesn't require me to sit there and stare for 2-3 seconds at a save screen, because gameplay continues as it saves.

It did take me a long while to fully acclimate to the weird inventory system in ME1 and I was more than half way through the game before I even figured (ok, I didn't try hard) how to equip more than one upgrade item to a weapon.

The tail end of ME1 does have a pretty cool story, and normally I don't care much for those but it was quality.

I predict that with the success of this "trilogy", we've not seen the last of mass effect.

I'm starting to like it a little more, i need to reach a point where i REALLY want to play it all night.

i started watching Dexter a month or so ago, so between that and nhl 12 i barely played at all this weekend. hopefully that will change this week.

 

[Pheran]

Finished ME2 100%. The Overlord DLC is decent but not as good as Shadow Broker. I saved the Arrival DLC for last; did it after I beat the main game. It makes a nice lead-in to ME3.

I haven't played much ME3 yet, but quick (spoiler-free) impressions:

1. Whoah, Ashley got hotter!
2. The opening is wonderful. I like that this series is fine with being dark.
3. Good skill trees are back!! Yes!
4. I'm glad I played Arrival, I'm assuming it explains my "status" in the intro.

I won't post anymore about ME3 in this thread since it's not really the place for it. But damn, I love this trilogy. If I can judge by the skill trees, ME3 definitely took a step back in the right direction from the gutted ME2 RPG elements.

 

[Doppel]

I'm starting to like it a little more, i need to reach a point where i REALLY want to play it all night.

i started watching Dexter a month or so ago, so between that and nhl 12 i barely played at all this weekend. hopefully that will change this week.

I'd also not worry about getting 100%. I bought ME and ME2 on the same day, knowing ME2 was waiting when the first was done, with potentially the third after it, so I felt no need to squeeze every bit of blood from the stone.

 

[OptimumSlinky]

I am trying to replay ME1 right now, but it's damn hard. At least on 360, the engine is so poorly optimized (terrible frame rate), the combat so damn clunky. I know the story is amazing, and I'm wishing I hadn't lost my save, because the first four hours of this game just freaking drag, and the differences in the combat mechanics and graphics engine in the later games is astounding (ME2 is just so much faster, smoother, which MUCH cooler class abilities, even if the story was kind of "Meh" until the very end).

 

[mirandu04]

i am not replaying them as much as i am playing them; don't know why i never played this game before

 

[Gooberlx2]

I won't post anymore about ME3 in this thread since it's not really the place for it. But damn, I love this trilogy. If I can judge by the skill trees, ME3 definitely took a step back in the right direction from the gutted ME2 RPG elements.

Definitely. They improved the clunky RPG elements from ME1 (skills, weapon mods) and kept the best pieces of ME2 (armor, inventory), IMO.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Jesus Christ I suck at this game. I have faced the Krogan Battlemaster about 15 times and cant beat him. I have Wrex and Garrus with me. Garrus is worthless, dies immediately. I kill all his jerks, and just have him left, and he kills us every time.

Sometimes ill be doing good, get him down pretty far, and then he one hit kills me. WTF.

Its my first mission on the normandy, should it be this hard? HELP!!!

EDIT: finall beat him. Wrex taserd him or something and he basically beat him himself.... Why does Garrus suck so bad? Whats a good team for a noob?

 

[Doppel]

I did ALL missions with Ashley, as she has the highest basic combat rating. Then I would add wrex most of the time. I found Krogans intimidating and especially if they rush it's a bad situation. I remember the battle master but don't recall if I had problems with him or not.

My God, the ways in which ME has been improved from 1 to 2 are so numerous. A true blessing resolved an unforgivable oversight in the first ME. You know the cut scenes prior to a fight and how they'd be repeated if you died? In ME2 you can skip them. When you're repeating a fight 10 times as I did a few times that makes a big difference on frustration levels.

 

[alent1234]

Jesus Christ I suck at this game. I have faced the Krogan Battlemaster about 15 times and cant beat him. I have Wrex and Garrus with me. Garrus is worthless, dies immediately. I kill all his jerks, and just have him left, and he kills us every time.

Sometimes ill be doing good, get him down pretty far, and then he one hit kills me. WTF.

Its my first mission on the normandy, should it be this hard? HELP!!!

EDIT: finall beat him. Wrex taserd him or something and he basically beat him himself.... Why does Garrus suck so bad? Whats a good team for a noob?

dumb question, but did you upgrade your weapons?

months ago when i first played this i was also stuck and that was because i never switched to the higher level weapons or ammo or armor. who are you playing as?

i was a soldier at the time and ended up using my sniper rifle a lot to soften him up. then he charged and my homies took him out. use unity to bring back "dead" squad mates to life

and when you fight krogan when they first fall down they aren't dead. they are recharging. DO NOT SHOOT AT THIS TIME. when they get up, open up