Mass Effect 2 Thread (Use Spoiler Tags)

[Steel Mamba]

I think it'd be a lot easier if there was a separate thread for those who already beat game.

 

[Maynard]

i am surprised by some of the times guys posted that it took them for their first play thru.
i hit 48hrs last night and i still havnt opened the .....

 

IFF mission. i finished the loyalty missions, but i still have that 1 free spot in my crew....i didnt open saluki's spoiler to see who it was.

I am done scanning for resources, but i am still hitting all the planets for these little side missions.

nothing against how quick or slow anyone else plays, just surprised that some guys got thru this in 20-25 hours

 

[Saluki]

i am surprised by some of the times guys posted that it took them for their first play thru.
i hit 48hrs last night and i still havnt opened the .....

 

IFF mission. i finished the loyalty missions, but i still have that 1 free spot in my crew....i didnt open saluki's spoiler to see who it was.

I am done scanning for resources, but i am still hitting all the planets for these little side missions.

nothing against how quick or slow anyone else plays, just surprised that some guys got thru this in 20-25 hours

All the loyalties + every side mission i found + going to every system to get them all 100% took me 26 hours i think. I think there's a few galaxies that pop up the 2nd playthrough that u can't get the 1st, but there's so many im not sure.

 

[Maynard]

geez, i guess i just play incredibly slow

 

[SethMode]

Yeah that's pretty slow Maynard...unless you mine a lot. I mined when I needed to and didn't bother to upgrade weapons I wouldn't be using, or skills that I thought would be useless (Grunt isn't in my party so I didn't bother wasting resources on the Krogan health bonus thing, or his shotgun). I had not problem hitting every planet, and doing every sidequest on my second playthrough in like 20 hours. First playthrough I didn't do many sidequests because I got too into the story I couldn't wait to progress (did do all of the loyalty missions though). My first playthrough with say, 5 sidequests and all loyalty missions was 25 hours.

 

[Steel Mamba]

22 hours is solid compared to the 12 hours of ME 1, I was pretty satisfied with how long the game took to complete. Sure it could be stretched even further, but how much fun is it grabbing groceries and returning missing lockets? If it's not advancing the story IMO it's just a waste of time. Also I really hope they come up with a more fun/less time consuming way to get resources for the third one that mess was just annoying.

 

[Maynard]

Not really. I have a bit less than 42 hours logged so far. I don't have any side missions left, and I finished all the recruiting and loyalty missions. The only mission I have left is the one you mentioned. All my other clusters on the galaxy map show 100%, including additional ones I opened up.

are u saying the ones u opened by detecting anomaly, or did you find them by purchasing star maps? i ask cause the only place i saw to buy star maps was on Illium

i have now 100% all planets and finished everything i can....before i move on....

 

by going to IFF, does that make it so i cant go back and explore anything else? or is it by entering the omega 4 relay? i want to buy some final upgrade in the krogan med base and i need more credits. I wish i could sell resources.

and yes, i do scan for resources alot. i have 200K of everything and about 70K of element zero. i think i over did it on the scanning a bit

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

are u saying the ones u opened by detecting anomaly, or did you find them by purchasing star maps? i ask cause the only place i saw to buy star maps was on Illium

i have now 100% all planets and finished everything i can....before i move on....

 

by going to IFF, does that make it so i cant go back and explore anything else? or is it by entering the omega 4 relay? i want to buy some final upgrade in the krogan med base and i need more credits. I wish i could sell resources.

and yes, i do scan for resources alot. i have 200K of everything and about 70K of element zero. i think i over did it on the scanning a bit

WOW that's a shitton of minerals lol

 

You can go back and explore, but if you do numerous missions after the IFF one it will have consequences to the end of the game. Without ruining anything, you'll understand after playing more.

 

[SethMode]

Was fucking around on my snow day off (didn't even know my office EVER closed, thank God!), and came across this article about ME2:

Gamasutra - News - Analysis: Mass Effect 2's Surprising Genre Experiment

The article itself I guess is interesting, if not a tad pretentious. What interested me more though were the comments. In particular, the number of people that were bitching about how the game had stripped down the RPG elements.

I guess my thoughts on this are: how? Everyone says this, and I just don't see it. The skills are lessened, and thus more focused (and useful! Who else loved character classes in ME1 that were pretty much useless?), and every skill I've found thus far has been useful (albeit, with any game, some more so than others). So I think that you can throw that argument out. Anyone that bitches about the linearity of the game in comparison to ME1 is just a retard, because it's story is set up the exact same way as any other BioWare game (i.e. - you can do one of these 3 things in any order, major plot event, 3 more things to do, major plot event, build towards conclusion). The sidequests can NOT be bitched about because despite the fact that I feel BioWare hasn't really nailed the sidequest thing quite yet (in other words, making them truly compelling) the sidequests in ME2 were so much better than ME1 it's insane. Which really brings us to what people are ACTUALLY bitching about, I'm guessing, and that is: the inventory. My question is: WHY!? Why do some hardcore RPG people LIKE going through pages and pages of inventory only to trash 90-98% of what you have? I loved Dragon Age, but it was so irritating to be deep in some dungeon with my inventory full and great stuff around the corner, having to muddle through screen after screen to trash and destroy things. It was just so needlessly time-consuming. ME2's system of finding a gun and everyone being able to use it and being able to upgrade all of them without needless pickups that are EVERYWHERE, is simply streamlined and better.

Lastly, this is the best RPG ever at really feeling like your decisions have consequences, and I feel this is much more a case than even ME1, which was great at it. And let's also not forget that this is the best dialog system in, I think, the history of gaming in general.

Sorry to sort of rant, I just find it interesting when I read some of these nerds (no offense if you're on that side) bitching about how they like ME2 less because it's not as much of an RPG. It just makes no sense to me. It took the WORST (inventory, worthless powers) parts of RPGs and cut them loose and made the BEST parts (dialog, actually playing the role of a character that shapes his/her world) better.

Oh, and one comment a guy bitches that there isn't enough ammo in the game for the clip system. Really? Did anyone else have this problem because I found plenty of ammo. He goes on to say "I never completely run out of ammo, just ammo for one weapon. But it's my favorite!" Sheesh.

/rant

 

[CR Knight]

are u saying the ones u opened by detecting anomaly, or did you find them by purchasing star maps? i ask cause the only place i saw to buy star maps was on Illium

i have now 100% all planets and finished everything i can....before i move on....

 

by going to IFF, does that make it so i cant go back and explore anything else? or is it by entering the omega 4 relay? i want to buy some final upgrade in the krogan med base and i need more credits. I wish i could sell resources.

and yes, i do scan for resources alot. i have 200K of everything and about 70K of element zero. i think i over did it on the scanning a bit

i suggest you do everything you need to do before going to IFF. I wish I had.

 

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I wish the level cap was higher, kind of boring to start a new playthrough with a character if they're already a 30. I can't see them raising it though, if it was any higher you'd be able to max out your skill set.

 

[Maynard]

you're probably one of the few people who would sell resources for credits.... i need resources :y:

they are out there thats for sure. I thought they would be limited and i would need as much as i could find. So i scanned alot of planets. I researched ever item i could and still have a ton left over. I decided that while i was going to the planets to 100% all the systems that i would buy just enough fuel to get there and then use resources to use the FTL to get back

 

[Maynard]

good post seth. I wanted to comment on some things you hit in your post

Anyone that bitches about the linearity of the game in comparison to ME1 is just a retard, because it's story is set up the exact same way as any other BioWare game (i.e. - you can do one of these 3 things in any order, major plot event, 3 more things to do, major plot event, build towards conclusion).

i dont have any issues with the linear approach to this game because they do allow you the freedom to tackle quests in theorder you wish. I dont have a problem with what i am about to say, but feel that it takes away from the RPG elements. That being that the quest themselves are very linear. they basically have you follow 1 str8 path to the end of the mission with some small paths that dead end into finding something (like a gun, or upgrade or whatever)

The sidequests can NOT be bitched about because despite the fact that I feel BioWare hasn't really nailed the sidequest thing quite yet (in other words, making them truly compelling) the sidequests in ME2 were so much better than ME1 it's insane.

i totally agree. ME2 did a phenominal job of making each quest feel unique and compared to ME1 where they were all cut and paste side quests, these are amazing.

Which really brings us to what people are ACTUALLY bitching about, I'm guessing, and that is: the inventory. My question is: WHY!? Why do some hardcore RPG people LIKE going through pages and pages of inventory only to trash 90-98% of what you have?

again, totally agree. Fallouts inventory system was nice with the lockers and stuff, but other than missing the ability to sell good for credits, i have no problem with the trimmed down inventory. ME1 was terrible in its menu design


ME2's system of finding a gun and everyone being able to use it and being able to upgrade all of them without needless pickups that are EVERYWHERE, is simply streamlined and better.

i see what your saying, but only specific classes can use specifc guns. so its not like everyone can use a assult rifle, smg, etc etc...

Lastly, this is the best RPG ever at really feeling like your decisions have consequences, and I feel this is much more a case than even ME1, which was great at it. And let's also not forget that this is the best dialog system in, I think, the history of gaming in general.

the dialog is incredibly deep and allows the player to decide how much they want to get to know each person they interact with. Nobody can complain about the amazing depth that ME2 has with its dialog. However, during my playthru, i have made it a point to save to be able to see how a situation would play out if i go at it another way. Other then some key choices, most of the dialog choices provide the same result with the only difference being paragon or renegade for Shepard.



Oh, and one comment a guy bitches that there isn't enough ammo in the game for the clip system. Really? Did anyone else have this problem because I found plenty of ammo. He goes on to say "I never completely run out of ammo, just ammo for one weapon. But it's my favorite!" Sheesh.

lol. Thats kind of funny because i always run out of ammo (power cells) for the collector particle beam. It alos happens to be my most used and favorite weapon.....of courses im gonna run out......lol

seriously though, i never have trouble finding clips at all

 

[killgod]

I was talking about star maps. I'm pretty sure I bought mine on the Citadel though. I don't remember seeing any on Illium.

And I'm at about the same place as you, haven't started that mission, and have 225K of minerals, about 105K of element zero.

I'm basically at the same spot.

 

the star maps in illium are sold in the area where you do the mission for Liara, hacking those control boxes. it's in the back right from where you enter the area.

 

[Maynard]

I was talking about star maps. I'm pretty sure I bought mine on the Citadel though. I don't remember seeing any on Illium.

And I'm at about the same place as you, haven't started that mission, and have 225K of minerals, about 105K of element zero.

I'm basically at the same spot.

where did you find them in the citedel?

here where i found them on illium

 

On Illium there is a spot, i forget the name...right behind the cop stand and right next to where you would have been told to take the taxi for the justicar mission.....there is also a place to buy guns and a gift shop back there. I forget the name of the place to buy star maps, but its back there.

it used to have a person there, but now its just a kiosk

 

[hoodyallen]

Holy crap this game is amazing...and I hated ME1. Right now I'm doing the 2nd recruit missions. I was wondering what Squad members I should be using. Right now I'm using Jacob and Grunt.

 

[Maynard]

i am a little confused by what you guys are saying about the last time i can explore before moving on.....

 

i did IFF and was able to explore and travel at will after it. I then did legions loyalty mission and then did the thing with Joker. Now i have opened up the suicide mission and i can still travel at will and explore.

Saluki posted that doing stuff after IFF could have dire consequences. I even read a line in the ME2 wiki that said to do everything before going to IFF.

so i am thinking, WTF? why can i still travel at will without any notice from the game (like from EDI or whatever) that i should goto the omega 4 relay now

i dont want any spoilers and i am gonna try and finish it up tonight. I got lots of saves in case i fucked somthing up without knowing it

 

[Maynard]

i am a little confused by what you guys are saying about the last time i can explore before moving on.....

 

i did IFF and was able to explore and travel at will after it. I then did legions loyalty mission and then did the thing with Joker. Now i have opened up the suicide mission and i can still travel at will and explore.

Saluki posted that doing stuff after IFF could have dire consequences. I even read a line in the ME2 wiki that said to do everything before going to IFF.

so i am thinking, WTF? why can i still travel at will without any notice from the game (like from EDI or whatever) that i should goto the omega 4 relay now

i dont want any spoilers and i am gonna try and finish it up tonight. I got lots of saves in case i fucked somthing up without knowing it

well, i finished it up.....epic game

about what i said above and how my game ended.

 

it didnt effect my outcome at all. i saved my crew, i killed the reaper. i lost thane by sending him into the shaft. I also lost Jack when she was part of my crew while miranda held off the swarms with her barrier. i was kind of pissed that i lost her. I thought by taking her she would be safe and that if anything, i would lose miranda

couple things disapointed me....i had romance with Tali, she took her helmet off but i didnt get to see her face. i also did every dame thing possible in the game and didnt reach level 30. I also didnt get the achievement for using 5 heavy weapons. even though i had 6 and used them all.

in my finish, i saved the reaper technology.

funny when i killed the reaper that i totally ran out of ammo. Glad i was an adept so i could hit it a few times with heavy warp to finish him off

also, just finished the credits and its allowing me to go back and finish up missions and shit....

 

[riley420]

well, i finished it up.....epic game

about what i said above and how my game ended.

 

it didnt effect my outcome at all. i saved my crew, i killed the reaper. i lost thane by sending him into the shaft. I also lost Jack when she was part of my crew while miranda held off the swarms with her barrier. i was kind of pissed that i lost her. I thought by taking her she would be safe and that if anything, i would lose miranda

couple things disapointed me....i had romance with Tali, she took her helmet off but i didnt get to see her face. i also did every dame thing possible in the game and didnt reach level 30. I also didnt get the achievement for using 5 heavy weapons. even though i had 6 and used them all.

in my finish, i saved the reaper technology.

funny when i killed the reaper that i totally ran out of ammo. Glad i was an adept so i could hit it a few times with heavy warp to finish him off

also, just finished the credits and its allowing me to go back and finish up missions and shit....

 

i'm typing this on my ps3, so itmay be horrible. there are specific people you need to pick for each mission at the end...for example, jack making the biotic shield. you have to pick a tech for the tubes (tali or mordin) and a leader like jacob or miranda for the other. that's how you can get everyone to survive.

 

[Maynard]

 

i'm typing this on my ps3, so itmay be horrible. there are specific people you need to pick for each mission at the end...for example, jack making the biotic shield. you have to pick a tech for the tubes (tali or mordin) and a leader like jacob or miranda for the other. that's how you can get everyone to survive.

yeah i plan on replaying the ending.

 

my entire crew didnt like that i gave the base to cerberus. I figure if i dont give it to cerberus and i blow it up that they wont like that either.

i also want to play it on destroy the heritic geth instead of re writing them