Mass Effect 2

[SlaughterX]

Release Date: 01/26/10
Platforms: PC/Xbox 360
Official Site (http://masseffect.bioware.com/agegate.html?ref=%2F)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bwmZIJV3L._AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JTX7JQ?ie=UTF8&tag=1upcom0f-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002JTX7JQ)

Collector's Edition (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176778)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJR6Ikk1L._SL500_AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL6GAO?ie=UTF8&tag=1upcom0f-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL6GAO)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512tZk4L5eL._SL500_AA280_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VL2HA2?ie=UTF8&tag=1upcom0f-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002VL2HA2)

Media (http://www.gametrailers.com/game/mass-effect-2/10875)

Don't know it took me so long to make this thread. Anyway I hope this game is better than the original... which was good, but didn't quite live up to my expectations for some reason. Since they aren't as high this tiem aroudn I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

[kat_ears_kahrain]

I so can't wait for this.

I do hope that the save data carry through is good. I played the first one way too much, and I don't want to see my effort gone to waste.

[Fatney]

Can't wait to see more ASS EFFECT.

[slayn]

I so can't wait for this.

I do hope that the save data carry through is good. I played the first one way too much, and I don't want to see my effort gone to waste.


It sounds like pretty much everything is going to carry over.

Any squad members that didn't die are coming back, which means you can have up to ten guys to choose from.

[SlaughterX]

Kinda makes me want to buy the PC version and play it over since I plan on getting this one on the PC... I don't have my game save for the first game on my 360 anymore anyway...

[kat_ears_kahrain]

I so can't wait for this.

I do hope that the save data carry through is good. I played the first one way too much, and I don't want to see my effort gone to waste.


It sounds like pretty much everything is going to carry over.

Any squad members that didn't die are coming back, which means you can have up to ten guys to choose from.

Well then, I'm wondering which playthrough it'll do. In playing several playthroughs, I: Killed Wrex, Killed Ashley, Killed the guy... (K.. k.. something...), Spurned my whole crew, maxed out my level, was a bad guy, was a good guy, convinced Saren to kill himself, killed him my self, accepted being a Spectre, told them off, and uh... did it all again as a female force thingy user.

Oh great... now I want to play through it again.

[Enzeru]

I need the original first. :[ But I should probably pre-order the CE ASAP.

[slayn]

Kinda makes me want to buy the PC version and play it over since I plan on getting this one on the PC... I don't have my game save for the first game on my 360 anymore anyway...

I'm in this boat, too. The game is like ten bucks on Steam, but the question is whether I'll have the time to do another playthrough before the end of January.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger. At least this way I can customize my playthrough to have everything I want in ME2.

[Lorinosan]

Meh, I'm not particularly enjoying the first game too much and it's falling short of my expectations. I literally fell asleep while playing at times because it bored me to tears. Then it got interesting and then I went back to sleep. I'm still trying to play through it but it's not easy for me. I think it is the voice acting that's killing it for me among other things.

I mean, after playing and finishing (with full gamer score and now one of my all-time favorite 360 games) Magna Carta 2, this game by contrast...ugh!

The Collector's Edition box art looks retarded.

[Zachalmighty]

You shouldn't compare WRPG's to ERPG's, totally different style.

[Sanctine]

I love the collector's box art. Definitely picking the sequel up for PC. Original was awesome.

[Balrog]

Shepard.

[Lorinosan]

You shouldn't compare WRPG's to ERPG's, totally different style.

Since there is zero difference between the two other then the fact that the labels are misnomers which separate the regions, the two games were compared as "RPGs." I'm sorry if I was politically incorrect about a video game genre but labels are pointless.

[Takamori]

Well hope they dont kill shepard like they were showing in the trailers -.-

[Fatney]

If Shepard is going to die, it's alternate. I'm pretty sure they said the endings will be many and varied.

I hope you'll get to make better looking characters. It was impossible to make something cool in the original, especially because of the hair which looked more like shaped grease. I just had to go with the original Shepard... Which was OK, considering how hot he is I GUESS.

[slayn]

I got these spoilers from a guy that broke his NDA. I'm not bound by an NDA, though :).

Seriously don't read this unless you want most of the major parts of the opening spoiled.

Shepart sort of dies. Your ship gets attacked and is breaking apart, everyone has evacuated except Joker so Shepard goes back for him. I'm not sure if he save Joker, but I know Shepard is still in the ship when it blows up and his body is floating through space. Cerebus, who may or may not have been behind the attack, snatches Shepard from space and manages to keep some of him alive and starts regrowing the rest/using cybernetic parts. This takes two years so everyone from teh first game thinks you're dead.

[SlaughterX]

Here's IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1062898p1.html)'s review!

[Manic Expressive]

I'm so glad I built a new PC. :D

Still need to play through the first one.

[nbinney]

I saw a sign at Gamestop for a midnight release for this. I've worked at a store during several different releases, but I can't really imagine going to one for a RPG.

[SlaughterX]

My friend is playing through this right now, he should have it done by Monday. I'm also getting it for the PC (CE, of course), so I won't be able to use my old character (I didn't even bother keeping my old game save anyway after upgrading to an Elite). Either way I can't wait to get out of class on Tuesday!

Also this is what the actual cover art looks like....

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/944907_99727_front.jpg

[Manic Expressive]

Def gonna start playing ASS effect.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2r5cbkp.png

;)

[Dead to Rights]

Mass Erection indeed!

[Fatney]

Def gonna start playing ASS effect.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2r5cbkp.png

;)

Too bad her face kinda looks like Michael Jackson. Tali forever.

[Olethros]

Definitely looking forward to this, even though I'm not a shooter fan (I suck at them!).

[Flußkönig]

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it

[Olethros]

^ lol. You go girl! :p

[Kakizaki]

Well, I had my hands on a copy of the platinum edition of the first but decided to hold off on it. Went back a few days later and it was gone so I ordered a copy today. Hopefully I will like it even a fraction as much as I have enjoyed Fallout 3.

[Foobar]

You shouldn't compare WRPG's to ERPG's, totally different style.

Mass Effect 2 doesn't seem to be any kind of RPG I recognize. All reviews so far say its an RPG, then go on to say most RPG elements are eliminated entirely. If its an RPG... how? Choices are cool and all, but they're not the sole facet of an RPG experience.

[Andy]

Every single game that's ever existed is an RPG.

Think about it.

Gametrailers review was really great for this game. Not the biggest fan of it, to be honest, but I might get it on Steam after it's been out for a while.

[Foobar]

Every single game that's ever existed is an RPG.

Think about it.

That makes the notion of Breakout/Brickbreaker very disturbing.

[SlaughterX]

Here's the meta-review links. 360 (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/masseffect2?tag=topslot;title;1)/PC (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/masseffect2?q=mass effect 2)

And here's a pic of my Shepard.

http://i48.tinypic.com/289lauc.jpg

[Manic Expressive]

Going for black Albino or Sisqó?

http://trendliest.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/sisqo2.jpg

[Fatney]

I'm probably going to make Lafayette.

[Digital Phoenix]

Wow, this game got outstanding scores. It seems a little light on the RPG elements, though.

[Flußkönig]

^It is heavy on the awesome and fun elements.

[SlaughterX]

Beat it today... the ending was pretty disappointing. Way too easy.

[Karkarov]

Beat it today... the ending was pretty disappointing. Way too easy.

I agree the last encounter was too easy. The ending though really was not going to be "bad ass" regardless because this is part 2 in a 3 part series. No matter what they did all the ending of this game was ever going to do was set up the start for the next one.

One of the better games I have played lately, it isn't over hyped. However it actually does have a story and features lots of Role Playing which is actually pretty alien to most console RPG's.

[slayn]

The ending wasn't challenging, but then neither was any other part of the game so that didn't bother me. However, from a story perspective, I thought it was pretty epic.

[SlaughterX]

Well, they released another DLC pack a few days ago... completely meaningless mission, but at least it gives you a decent amount of credits for doing nothing.

Anyway Bioware is holding a raffle (http://social.bioware.com/brc/147498 ) for a bunch of cool items if you own the game, check it out (my link!).

[Abandoned Heart]

Alright, did a search and this what came up. So sorry, but compared to the original, ME2 sucked. I'm fine with combat, but ME2 was way over the top. It definitely has become a shooter. I know, I KNOW. The first was also a shooter, but it was implemented so much better. And a part of me dies whenever I hear about how ME2 handled the story better and the first dragged on and on with cutscenes. I mean, this is the forum of Atlus. Pretty much the gods of long cutscenes.

[DamnedToBeFree]

The ending though really was not going to be "bad ass" regardless because this is part 2 in a 3 part series. No matter what they did all the ending of this game was ever going to do was set up the start for the next one.

Just because it sets up for the third doesn't mean the ending wasn't badass. You storm the Collectors base on a suicide mission, find out they're making a Reaper, tell The Illusive Man to go #### himself, blow the base to hell, all while trying to keep your entire team alive. And after all that, just as the credits are about to roll, you're treated to a ####storm of Reapers about to descend upon the galaxy. How is any of that not badass?

[Evilkinggumby]

The ending though really was not going to be "bad ass" regardless because this is part 2 in a 3 part series. No matter what they did all the ending of this game was ever going to do was set up the start for the next one.

Just because it sets up for the third doesn't mean the ending wasn't badass. You storm the Collectors base on a suicide mission, find out they're making a Reaper, tell The Illusive Man to go #### himself, blow the base to hell, all while trying to keep your entire team alive. And after all that, just as the credits are about to roll, you're treated to a ####storm of Reapers about to descend upon the galaxy. How is any of that not badass?

it isn't badass because you don't get to do it with an exploding chainsaw cannon... Thats right, a rocket launcher that shoots flaming exploding chainsaws at the enemy. Now THAT is badass :)

Actually i have to agree with Damnedtobefree. I liked the step-up in combat ME2 had as it made more sense. I used to hate in ME1 running up to a waist high piece of cover and my character would not auto-duck, so my head and half my body is available to be shot(and I'd have to hit the duck button)... whereas in ME2 you gear-of-wars style it and "slam" into stuff appropriately. if it's low, you duck, if it's high, you stand, if it's a edge/corner, you side-step a bit to peek and shoot... what was so bad about that? I realise the game is something of a FPS hybrid but it's not nearly as twitch based as real fps's...

Only thing I hated was the fact you could only sprint short distances so doing a lot of running around some of the bases took forever.. i realize it's more realistic in ways but it just made certain missions tedious.

Besides that tho, I'm psyched for the sequal. I haven't gotten all the dlc released, just the original 2 with the game. Due to hardware failure I need to reinstall the game before getting the rest.

I've also noticed there is a growing and healthier mod community working on model swapping and alternate clothing for the game. the game isn't designed for it, but options are handy. :)

[Flußkönig]

I know, I KNOW. The first was also a shooter, but it was implemented so much better.
If by better you mean worse then I think you are onto something.

I have seen people argue that slow or clunky mechanics are better because it gives the game character, but that has never made any sense to me.

[Abandoned Heart]

I have seen people argue that slow or clunky mechanics are better because it gives the game character, but that has never made any sense to me.

The only ones who took issue with the combat in ME1 are those that like COD or Halo style combat. ME1's system was very fresh, and welcoming. If ME1's combat was like the sequel, I wouldn't have been motivated to purchase ME2.

[slayn]

I don't play the vast majority of first-person shooters and I thought the combat in Mass Effect was pretty terrible, especially when contrasted with the sequel. Having to wait ten or fifteen levels before you can reliably use a sniper rifle is dumb.

[Evilkinggumby]

damn seriously? I had restarted a new character in ME1 and was going to try and go the sniper route but the wobbling drove me nuts.. I don't know if i could stand to wait that long to get decent precision....

whereas the sniper in me2 seemed to have a LOT less sway...

[Abandoned Heart]

Having to wait ten or fifteen levels before you can reliably use a sniper rifle is dumb.

Alright. I'd agree with that. Doesn't change the fact though that ME1's combat was way more encouraging to CONTINUE playing compared to ME2 in my opinion. If anything, ME2's combat is the only reason I've played through just once.

[slayn]

From my perspective, ME2 took everything that was good about combat in ME, made it better, and took out all the stuff that was terrible about combat in ME. Honestly the games don't even play that differently; the only major differences are the fact that you're good at using guns from the getgo in ME2, powers and abilities work a bit differently, and ME2 is a bit faster-paced.

I'll guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Abandoned Heart]

Honestly the games don't even play that differently

Yeah they do. The focus on the first was plot, the focus on the 2nd was combat. If Bioware could have gone a Fallout 3 route, yes minus VATS, that would have been pretty cool, but the change was just too much.

[Flußkönig]

I have seen people argue that slow or clunky mechanics are better because it gives the game character, but that has never made any sense to me.

The only ones who took issue with the combat in ME1 are those that like COD or Halo style combat. ME1's system was very fresh, and welcoming. If ME1's combat was like the sequel, I wouldn't have been motivated to purchase ME2.

Huh, that seems pretty baseless. I have never played Halo or COD and I took issue with ME1's combat.

So far you have done a poor job trying to rationalize the superiority of your opinion.

The only ones who took issue with the combat in ME1 are those who smell pleasant and are intelligent. There, much better!

[Abandoned Heart]

Huh, that seems pretty baseless. I have never played Halo or COD and I took issue with ME1's combat.

So far you have done a poor job trying to rationalize the superiority of your opinion.

The only ones who took issue with the combat in ME1 are those who smell pleasant and are intelligent. There, much better!

When it comes to ratio from personal experience, no, it's not baseless.

[Flußkönig]

Huh, that seems pretty baseless. I have never played Halo or COD and I took issue with ME1's combat.

So far you have done a poor job trying to rationalize the superiority of your opinion.

The only ones who took issue with the combat in ME1 are those who smell pleasant and are intelligent. There, much better!

When it comes to ratio from personal experience, no, it's not baseless.
What is that supposed to mean? You asked some of your friends or something?

Sadly, even after your enlightening post your comment still seems baseless. Care to elaborate?

[Abandoned Heart]

What is that supposed to mean? You asked some of your friends or something?

Sadly, even after your enlightening post your comment still seems baseless. Care to elaborate?

If it was just limited to friends I know, I wouldn't have made that argument. The line of thought that ME1's combat was fine and Bioware screwed up with ME2's system is consistently shared by yes, friends of mine, but plenty of reviews and other areas round the Net, including gamers I chat with online. All of whom say the emphasis on combat, which is the complete opposite of what ME1 was because so many complained there wasn't ENOUGH combat, ruined ME2.

[DamnedToBeFree]

ME1's combat was arbitrary and broken for the most part. Bioware themselves even said so. When you have a gun aimed point-blank at an enemy's chest, there shouldn't be a 25%, 75%, or whatever percent chance of it hitting. It should hit. That's what ME2 fixed.

[Flußkönig]

What is that supposed to mean? You asked some of your friends or something?

Sadly, even after your enlightening post your comment still seems baseless. Care to elaborate?

If it was just limited to friends I know, I wouldn't have made that argument. The line of thought that ME1's combat was fine and Bioware screwed up with ME2's system is consistently shared by yes, friends of mine, but plenty of reviews and other areas round the Net, including gamers I chat with online. All of whom say the emphasis on combat, which is the complete opposite of what ME1 was because so many complained there wasn't ENOUGH combat, ruined ME2.
And that means that only people who like Halo and COD took issue with ME1's combat? Sorry, but your rhetorical story about internet friends and random blog/forum posts don't prove jack.

If you looked around the internet long enough you could probably find some backing for almost any opinion imaginable on this subject. Doesn't make it true, or offer any reliable evidence that the opinion is widely accepted though.

[Karkarov]

Personally I had no issue with ME1 combat, but it was much easier to pick up and play/be effective in ME2. ME2 was an excellent game and while it may have been lighter on story it did deliver what it had exceptionally well. My only real complaint at this point is length, and side missions that have little to no connection to the main story. That is one place ME1 excelled the side stories did tie in with the main story in many cases and many of them formed long interesting chains with self contained plots.

[slayn]

Yeah they do. The focus on the first was plot, the focus on the 2nd was combat. If Bioware could have gone a Fallout 3 route, yes minus VATS, that would have been pretty cool, but the change was just too much.

You're arguing two completely different things here.

On the one hand, you're saying that ME focused more on story than ME2. I don't necessarily agree, but that's fine, it's a valid complaint. Then you're somehow extrapolating this to mean that the combat in ME was better than ME2, which is just ridiculous.

It sounds more like your issue with ME2 is the focus on combat rather than the combat itself. It's ludicrous to say that the combat in ME is better than that in ME2, and if you want to continue to claim so I challenge you to name one specific thing that ME did better without bringing up ratios of combat-to-story or whatever (i.e., focus on the actual combat).

[Abandoned Heart]

Doesn't make it true, or offer any reliable evidence that the opinion is widely accepted though.

And what evidence WOULD you accept since besides people's words, there's nothing really to support any opinion.

You're arguing two completely different things here.

On the one hand, you're saying that ME focused more on story than ME2. I don't necessarily agree, but that's fine, it's a valid complaint. Then you're somehow extrapolating this to mean that the combat in ME was better than ME2, which is just ridiculous.

It sounds more like your issue with ME2 is the focus on combat rather than the combat itself. It's ludicrous to say that the combat in ME is better than that in ME2, and if you want to continue to claim so I challenge you to name one specific thing that ME did better without bringing up ratios of combat-to-story or whatever (i.e., focus on the actual combat).

No I'm not. The combat and story in ME1 complimented each other greatly, that wasn't so in ME2. A lack of story in favor of more intense combat can and does hurt games that are supposed to be emotional and deep.

[slayn]

And what evidence WOULD you accept since besides people's words, there's nothing really to support any opinion.

You might try posting some of those reviews you mentioned, since I can't recall a single one that made the complaints you're making.

No I'm not. The combat and story in ME1 complimented each other greatly, that wasn't so in ME2. A lack of story in favor of more intense combat can and does hurt games that are supposed to be emotional and deep.

There's no lack of story in ME2. In fact, there's probably more story in ME2 than ME (and I know there's more dialogue if you want to use that to quantify story; 20,000 lines of dialogue versus 130,000), it just focuses on your party members because you already know what the big threat is and have a pretty good plan in place to deal with it, whereas in the first game where you spend the whole time trying to figure out exactly what's going on.

[Abandoned Heart]

You might try posting some of those reviews you mentioned, since I can't recall a single one that made the complaints you're making.

There's no lack of story in ME2. In fact, there's probably more story in ME2 than ME (and I know there's more dialogue if you want to use that to quantify story; 20,000 lines of dialogue versus 130,000), it just focuses on your party members because you already know what the big threat is and have a pretty good plan in place to deal with it, whereas in the first game where you spend the whole time trying to figure out exactly what's going on.

More dialogue? Seriously? Have you spoken to Garrus recently? Oh that's right, he's in the middle of calibrations. Of course there's more dialogue because there's more crew members. But the dialogue you can have doesn't reflect the AMOUNT squad mates you have.

As for reviews, BESIDES major commercial sites?

Well, I had to do a little bit of digging, but here's one to start you out-
http://www.infoaddict.com/the-many-failures-of-mass-effect-2

[Flußkönig]

Doesn't make it true, or offer any reliable evidence that the opinion is widely accepted though.

And what evidence WOULD you accept since besides people's words, there's nothing really to support any opinion.

Are you serious? An independent source with some empirical data supporting the opinion would be nice. If I type up a paragraph about random internet posters, blogs and reviews that prefer ME2's combat to ME1 does that mean that your opinion is wrong? Would it mean anything at all?

That really isn't my point though. If you want to state your opinion fine, but don't go around adding in bull#### 'facts' that you can't back up.

I mean, you still haven't even shown any real evidence (even anecdotal) to back up your claim that people who have issues with the combat in ME1 are those that like COD or Halo style combat.

[slayn]

As for reviews, BESIDES major commercial sites?

Well, I had to do a little bit of digging, but here's one to start you out-
http://www.infoaddict.com/the-many-failures-of-mass-effect-2

The funny thing about this review is that nearly every single complaint the author has about ME2 is also true for ME, so it doesn't really support your claims. The only one that doesn't apply to both games is the bit about the stores, but frankly the store situation in ME2, as bad as it may be, is still way better than ME's endless supply of useless weapons and armor.

[Kakizaki]

I'm trying to keep my mouth shut, but I am having a really hard time with the supposed "lack of story" in ME2 when comparing it against ME1.

You want to compare the amount of dialog Garrus had in ME1 against the more prominent role and fleshed out back story that was provided for him in ME2? Okay...

Should also add that I liked the combat in both Mass Effect titles, but did eventually appreciate the refinements of 2's combat. That being said, I have never played a Halo title or CoD title by myself. Probably played them less them a couple of hours combined over the past 10 years with friends.

[DamnedToBeFree]

As for reviews, BESIDES major commercial sites?

Well, I had to do a little bit of digging, but here's one to start you out-
http://www.infoaddict.com/the-many-failures-of-mass-effect-2

So funny reading reviews that bash universally praised games. They try so hard, and grasp at so many straws.

[Evilkinggumby]

I'm trying to keep my mouth shut, but I am having a really hard time with the supposed "lack of story" in ME2 when comparing it against ME1.

You want to compare the amount of dialog Garrus had in ME1 against the more prominent role and fleshed out back story that was provided for him in ME2? Okay...

Should also add that I liked the combat in both Mass Effect titles, but did eventually appreciate the refinements of 2's combat. That being said, I have never played a Halo title or CoD title by myself. Probably played them less them a couple of hours combined over the past 10 years with friends.

Yeah I don't see the story as really lacking. I did notice there was less side story/off the beaten path missions this time around, which was replaced by the various crew missions, but that didn't bother me. And in a number of forums I've read players got pretty sick of the misc missions in ME1 that were uninvolved with the central story, and re-used the same building environments over and over...

I personally loved both games, and like Kaki I see the merits of what they did to refine combat for ME2. Its a tricky thing they were trying to do: make an action-rpg that has some of the depth and gameplay of an rpg but move it towards the fast paced cinematic look of an action game, and still have it be approachable and appealing to both audiences as well as newbs and veterans. Are there going to be imperfections? Certainly. Is it game breaking? not really.

I was a bit saddened when they tossed the MAKO tank in lieu of the planet scan, and as boring as clicking on different color marbles was, I do have to admit that that was a faster and less time-hogging drudge then trying to fight the mako navigating every square mile of the map planetside to find all the resources (which generally weren't useful, they just gave exp/money).

I suspect initially they either took the frustrations of ME1 and navigating the mako to heart and scrapped it as a bad idea entirely, or because of also working on DAO around the time of MME2 they just couldn't budget custom WELL BUILT planets for the entire universe to utilize again, But now that time and gamers voices have come out they're turning that around, which is kool. In the next (or current? I dunno if they released it) DLC they are adding a whole MAKO planet to play on with 5 missions and the return of the tank.

The article you cited is decent, he is mostly nitpicking stuff and i suspect nit-picking-for-the-sake-of-nit-picking because he wants to be the sole voice of reason in the ocean of praise... I commend him for taking a stand, but taking a stand to nit pick is.. well.. lame.

[Karkarov]

Saying there was no plot in ME2, or that the plot was not a focus is just plain wrong. There was not as "much" plot in ME2 as ME1 but it was also a shorter game overall. The story of ME2 was strong and it was very well delivered. People who claim ME2 is not an RPG frankly don't know what they are talking about.

[Abandoned Heart]

Whatever. I can't argue with people who think more combat doesn't hurt a game.

[DamnedToBeFree]

Whatever. I can't argue with people who think more combat doesn't hurt a game.

What is this I don't even....

[Abandoned Heart]

What is this I don't even....

I can't argue with people who think more combat doesn't hurt a game.

It's pretty clear cut. Mass Effect is marketed as being deep, but there were more, and longer battles. That killed most of what made the original good, but others disagree. I dunno. Maybe you guys here have spent too much time playing Persona, you need some release with headshots, to which I don't really blame you, but I still think ME1 is far superior to its sequel in every facet and to those who do disagree, there's nothing that can change their minds.

"There wasn't too much combat in ME2. And even if there was more, there is no such thing as too much combat in a video game."

[DarkRPGMaster]

What is this I don't even....

I can't argue with people who think more combat doesn't hurt a game.

It's pretty clear cut. Mass Effect is marketed as being deep, but there were more, and longer battles. That killed most of what made the original good, but others disagree. I dunno. Maybe you guys here have spent too much time playing Persona, you need some release with headshots, to which I don't really blame you, but I still think ME1 is far superior to its sequel in every facet and to those who do disagree, there's nothing that can change their minds.

"There wasn't too much combat in ME2. And even if there was more, there is no such thing as too much combat in a video game."
It can be a good thing in moderation...but I think you're dead wrong about Mass Effect. Then again, I like most games.

[Kakizaki]

@Abandoned Heart,

You really need to chill with the generalizations. A lot of them are incredibly off base.

[slayn]

Whatever. I can't argue with people who think more combat doesn't hurt a game.

Haha, this doesn't even make sense.

Might I recommend the visual novel genre? Sounds like playing some of those would be nirvana for you.

[Abandoned Heart]

Haha, this doesn't even make sense.

Might I recommend the visual novel genre? Sounds like playing some of those would be nirvana for you.

No. Visual novels aren't my thing. They're no more in depth than something that could be found on any free online game site.

Look at the combat in Prince Of Persia. That was pretty cool. Same with Fallout. Like I said though, the combat in ME2 ruined most of the experience for me.

[SlaughterX]

PS3 version is being released (http://www.1up.com/news/mass-effect-2-playstation-3-release-date) 1/18/11.

[Rpgpunk]

I can't wait to be able to play Mass Effect 2 on the PS3. Sadly fanboys/girls every where are in an uproar about it. I'm just happy I get to play it.

[Karkarov]

Also as a bonus to PS3 buyers.... the PS3 version of ME2 is actually being powered by the ME3 engine so it will be graphically superior to the 360 and pc versions of ME2.

[Rpgpunk]

Along with all the DLC that was released for it already.

[Saburo Hikari]

Not only that, but there's some sort of motion comic thing about the first game that lets you fill in the choices so you don't have to go through the game itself, which I heard wasn't that great. Awesome sauce.

[Evilkinggumby]

hmm mass effect 3 engine eh?

makes me wonder if that will be a tweaked version of the current one or something entirely new and improved.. mostly i wonder due to the import feature. I love carrying my character over from the first to second, and having the same face (and of course same voice) along with lots of story details.

I don't really care in terms of ME2 for the ps3, I don't plan on gettin it so yeah the idea of importing for that game doesn't matter(due to lack of me1 on ps3). i am mostly curious how well it'll retain that from me2 to me3 on the other systems(mainly PC for me).

Only thing I hope they do with this new one is allow you to 'tweak' slightly some details when you import. That way if something doesn't translate over correctly, you have some ability to fix it.

[SlaughterX]

Also as a bonus to PS3 buyers.... the PS3 version of ME2 is actually being powered by the ME3 engine so it will be graphically superior to the 360 and pc versions of ME2.

I seriously doubt it will look better on the PS3 than it did on my PC in 1680x1050 just because of a slightly tunned graphics engine.

[Kakizaki]

^Wow, what a traitor! You played it on the PC? But you are the 360 Kid! :P

[DarkRPGMaster]

If he's using Windows anything, I don't think he's betraying anybody... :wink:

On topic, I still need to get ME2. Problem though is first I have to get a new laptop. Battery in this one is on its last legs and the CD drive is dead.

[Kakizaki]

It was a joke dude (I thought the emoticon made that pretty clear), and no, using Windows isn't the same.

[Evilkinggumby]

..., and no, using Windows isn't the same.

oh man yer baiting a war my friend.. hahah... But yes I saw your joke.. hopefully everyone else gets that it isn't a serious statement lol

[DarkRPGMaster]

It was a joke dude (I thought the emoticon made that pretty clear), and no, using Windows isn't the same.

Sorry, forgot my emoticon there. Edited for the fix.

[Karkarov]

Also as a bonus to PS3 buyers.... the PS3 version of ME2 is actually being powered by the ME3 engine so it will be graphically superior to the 360 and pc versions of ME2.

I seriously doubt it will look better on the PS3 than it did on my PC in 1680x1050 just because of a slightly tunned graphics engine.

I am just saying what ye old official news releases (and actual screenshots) have shown. Also I played it at 1920x1080 on my 360 ;p.

I may pick it up just to see how well the motion comic thing works, and or get all the dlc stuff (I don't own them all on 360). Not sure yet.

[SlaughterX]

You played it upscaled to 1080p on your Xbox, that's far from the same thing. :-p

Anyway... http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-masseffect2-demo-analysis

[Karkarov]

You played it upscaled to 1080p on your Xbox, that's far from the same thing. :-p

Anyway... http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-masseffect2-demo-analysis

Seems odd since no other xbox/ps3 games I know does that. If they are native 720 then they play at 720. Example. GTA4 plays at 720p, it will not play at 1080p upscaled or otherwise. My ME2 will play at 1080p and it does look slightly better then at 720p which will not happen on a simple "upscale" as then they would look identical.

Either way the game looked fine on my 360 I even have footage to prove it.

[SlaughterX]

The 360 upscales everything to the resolution you have the console set at on the dashboard, the PS3 does not (and cannot because it doesn't have a scaler, which is why early PS3 games that only ran in 720p would automatically downscale to 480p when played on HDTVs that were only 1080i). Upscaling can make your games look better (which is one reason why people value BC in older PS3s) if your console does a better job of upscaling than your TV can. Either way something upscaled will never look as good as something natively rendered at a higher resolution (which is why a Blu-Ray will always look better than a DVD even if it is upscaled to the same resolution. Furthermore, outside of downloadable games, very few console games are nativelt rendered in 1080p because the consoles right now just aren't powerful enough to run games at that resolution with all types of other effects going on, such as AA, and other filters and techniques that makes games look better.

[Manic Expressive]

PC version is indeed the best version. Unless your PC isn't doing it right. :tongue:

[Saburo Hikari]

From what I read, there's both advantages and disadvantages of the PS3 version's graphics and performance, but none of that matters to me because I'm just happy PS3 users get to play the game to begin with.

[Crow T. Robot]

From what I read, there's both advantages and disadvantages of the PS3 version's graphics and performance, but none of that matters to me because I'm just happy PS3 users get to play the game to begin with.

Yeah, same here. I hope it's a good port though, or at least decent.

[Karkarov]

From what I read, there's both advantages and disadvantages of the PS3 version's graphics and performance, but none of that matters to me because I'm just happy PS3 users get to play the game to begin with.

Yeah, same here. I hope it's a good port though, or at least decent.

For the record I have now played the PS3 demo and trust me, it looks better than xbox. It isn't so much picture quality or resolution, just that the lighting is clearly done better and objects in general (faces and clothes most notably) have vastly superior shading. There are also a few cases here and there was a scene was redone and the lighting changed around a bit for an overall better impact.

Some people are claiming to see slow down and or clipping but it never happened to me. The PC version will still have an edge but only when played at ridiculously high resolutions. Like alot higher than 1080p. I am willing to bet for most people this means the PS3 will look better.

[Crow T. Robot]

From what I read, there's both advantages and disadvantages of the PS3 version's graphics and performance, but none of that matters to me because I'm just happy PS3 users get to play the game to begin with.

Yeah, same here. I hope it's a good port though, or at least decent.

For the record I have now played the PS3 demo and trust me, it looks better than xbox. It isn't so much picture quality or resolution, just that the lighting is clearly done better and objects in general (faces and clothes most notably) have vastly superior shading. There are also a few cases here and there was a scene was redone and the lighting changed around a bit for an overall better impact.

Some people are claiming to see slow down and or clipping but it never happened to me. The PC version will still have an edge but only when played at ridiculously high resolutions. Like alot higher than 1080p. I am willing to bet for most people this means the PS3 will look better.

Yeah I really enjoyed the demo, I didn't have any lagging issues either. I'm just more concerned about the game as a whole. But yeah, the lighting did look really good.

[SlaughterX]

From what I read, there's both advantages and disadvantages of the PS3 version's graphics and performance, but none of that matters to me because I'm just happy PS3 users get to play the game to begin with.

Yeah, same here. I hope it's a good port though, or at least decent.

For the record I have now played the PS3 demo and trust me, it looks better than xbox. It isn't so much picture quality or resolution, just that the lighting is clearly done better and objects in general (faces and clothes most notably) have vastly superior shading. There are also a few cases here and there was a scene was redone and the lighting changed around a bit for an overall better impact.

Some people are claiming to see slow down and or clipping but it never happened to me. The PC version will still have an edge but only when played at ridiculously high resolutions. Like alot higher than 1080p. I am willing to bet for most people this means the PS3 will look better.

Not true, I noticed a significant difference at 1680x1050.

[Karkarov]

Not true, I noticed a significant difference at 1680x1050.

I am talking about the new PS3 version of ME2, played on the ME3 engine, with superior lighting, shading, and some texture improvement, with native 1080p support. You expect me to believe it will look better on a PC on the ME2 engine, without any of the improvements, and at a lower resolution than 1080p no less?

[slayn]

Everything I'm reading says ME2 on PS3 is 720p.

[Karkarov]

Everything I'm reading says ME2 on PS3 is 720p.

I will check it again because I swore I had the option to play at 1080 without the scaling issues. Regardless it still looks better than pc unless, again, you are playing pc at a vastly superior resolution. I can post you tube links to vids that play all three side by side at the same resolutions and you would have to be considered blind to say ps3 didn't look best.

[SlaughterX]

A compressed youtube video that probably isn't even actually running in 1080p is a poor example to use.

[Karkarov]

A compressed youtube video that probably isn't even actually running in 1080p is a poor example to use.

You prefer I make my own?

[SlaughterX]

I would prefer actually hooking up my PS3 to my PC monitor, or my PC to my TV, and actually comparingboth games using the same display device, that's the only way youwill getan accurate comparison. But I don't care enough to do that because I already know that the PC version will look better maxed out in the resolution I played it at, and there's more to it than just resolution and lighting. There are other filters that can be adjusted in the PC version that will make the game look better that can't be tweaked on either console. Also I know the PS3 version isn't natively rendered in 1080p, it's not powerful enough to run a game like ME at that resolution.

[Karkarov]

I would prefer actually hooking up my PS3 to my PC monitor, or my PC to my TV, and actually comparingboth games using the same display device, that's the only way youwill getan accurate comparison.

Coincidentally this is exactly how my pc/gaming consoles are set up though.

[SlaughterX]

1up review (http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3183078). Definitive version, it is not... the reviewer even says he prefers the 360 version. Go figure...

[Karkarov]

So long as you realize his main complaint is the engine enhancement and the sharper graphics make the animations look stiff which on the xbox 360 didn't stand out due to the blurrier image... Bearing in mind I have played all the versions to some extent and I can tell you, it is in that dudes head 100%, the animations look exactly the same on all three or are so close it is negligeble. After that his only complaint is "I can't carry over ME1" uh yeah, everyone knew that already.

In other words Xbox is the definitive version because you can carry over your save. Not alot Bioware can do to change that on PS3 other than release ME1 there as well, which would not be worth the effort. So the news flash is this, if you don't own a 360, but do own a ps3, this game is aimed at you. Only problem, anyone could have told you that already.

[slayn]

This is the weirdest dick-waving contest because, for the most part, you two seem to agree with each other and are just squabbling over minor stuff.

[Evilkinggumby]

This is the weirdest dick-waving contest because, for the most part, you two seem to agree with each other and are just squabbling over minor stuff.

yeah.. I saw this when the last FF hit and they were doing side by side video comparisons between xbox and ps3 and people were nuts about how different they were...

I've seen the game on my old computer with settings turned down and a terrible framerate, i've seen it on my new rig cranked to maxx settings all and solid FPS and i've seen it (at least, the demo) on the ps3 at 720p on 100" screen. Hell I also saw it on a 37" lcd tv running at 1080p(off a pc). between em all I can say they all looked awesome(though my old pc was stuttery awesome), and there is minute differences between them, nothing i'd call black and white.

So ps3 gets a slightly higher def version but players totally lose out on carry over from me1. eh.. ye take the good with the bad I guess. they still get the visual comic and the chance to make story decisions, so really ps3 owners get the 'cliff's notes' version of me1 and save time scouring the universe for salarian relics.. lol...

eventually i'll likely grab a cheap copy of ME2 for my xbox, just so friends and the wife can mess with it on the big tv. but I myself will move through all 3 games on my pc, because it's easier for me to control(aim) and I dont' want to drop $150 on a trackball xbox controller... lol.

[SlaughterX]

So long as you realize his main complaint is the engine enhancement and the sharper graphics make the animations look stiff which on the xbox 360 didn't stand out due to the blurrier image... Bearing in mind I have played all the versions to some extent and I can tell you, it is in that dudes head 100%, the animations look exactly the same on all three or are so close it is negligeble. After that his only complaint is "I can't carry over ME1" uh yeah, everyone knew that already.

In other words Xbox is the definitive version because you can carry over your save. Not alot Bioware can do to change that on PS3 other than release ME1 there as well, which would not be worth the effort. So the news flash is this, if you don't own a 360, but do own a ps3, this game is aimed at you. Only problem, anyone could have told you that already.

PC version always has and will be the definitive version, yo. The only bad part about playing it on a PC at a high resolution is that the transition from gameplay to cutscenes are very jarring (as the in-game parts look much better than the lower res prerendered cutscenes). Also I think the $60 price tag on the PS3 version brings it down a notch when you can buy both games and probably all the DLC for less on either platform.

[Karkarov]

I will agree I think some games are better on one platform or another. For example Oblivion regardless of the quality of your pc is really better on that pc because that is what it was really designed for. Mass Effect on the other hand was designed for Xbox 360 first, the other versions are merely ports.

Regardless I don't know that I will get ME on the ps3. The idea of playing it with better textures, lighting, and getting all the dlc for basically uh nothing, is nice... However I already own it on 360 and have all the dlc I care about anyway save lair of the shadow broker.