Mass Effect 2

[hairlesswookiee]

^^^Yes Miranda is a hottie. I love was her "real" persona on TV every Monday while watching Chuck. It's strange hearing her accent in the game because her character in Chuck doesn't have one.

 

[Roc74]

That game was SUPER grainy but the models were amazing.

For ME1 The "Grainy" effect is actually a video filter set in options. It is set as default. Once you remove that option, game looks great.

 

[plasmid303]

I leave film grain filter on. Gives the game a retro/classic sci-fi movie feel. It also distracts the eye from aliasing sometimes.

 

[DinoLast]

stupid Europe and their stupid release date.
I have to wait until Friday.

 

[plasmid303]

As for the game itself I am kind of let down by some things like the very limited skill set for your character and the bullet upgrades from the first game are now part of your skill sets. Some things I do like is how now your team lockers are all connected to one individual locker where you can equip them, scanning a planet for minerals was pretty cool and I cant wait to see what else I can find on them. I can see why people on the Bioware forums are upset it is like they took all the great rpg aspects of the first one and dummied them down or took them completely out but I am not ready to give up on this game yet.

I agree with you. I hope the game opens up later on (I'm only 5 hours in), but my initial impressions were that Bioware streamlined the game too much. A lot of the RPG elements have been simplified. Also, certain areas of the game that I liked from the first game just feel small. Granted, I've only been to the Citadel and Omega thus far, but they themselves feel tiny and not like the large, bustling cities that the Citadel from ME1 hinted at. I think part of it is due to the lack of elevators. Yes, elevators. I was never one of those who disliked the elevators -- They helped connect areas in the first game and created the illusion of a complete, fluid place. The loading screen in ME2 just breaks it up.

 

[Matt S]

Am I the only one that liked the Mako...? No joke, I missed it, but I am 'dealing' just fine without it..! Ok, so I found another Collector Edition at Hastings, bought it - and while the guys at my Gamestop were not thrilled, they let me return my Collector-codeless version....what a pain, but glad I didnt go thru EA..I emailed them last night and the response was on a totally different game...so glad to see they DONT read their emails....LOL

Ok, when I first heard Martin Sheen was doing the Illusive Man, I thought that was a bit too much of stunt casting, but he's great. I am loving the character. Miranda and Jacob are great additions too and you just know the SHAN will hit the FIT later in the game with Shep....

I am dealing ok with the simplified points system, but what weirds me out more: you dont have to use omni gel to heal and you dont see your level points. I am 2 hours in the game and a Level 7 Vanguard (started at 5)...and each time it says 1000 to next level up but doesnt say how many points you have at any given moment.....kinda weird with that a bit....

Bottom line: story is great. Video quality is excellent and overall very happy. Just wished it had a slightly less 'behind the scenes' leveling system

 

[hairlesswookiee]

Yeah I always loved the elevator conversations and fooling around in the Mako.

 

[plasmid303]

Yeah, I miss the Mako too. I'd have hoped that Bioware would just improve on the Mako missions rather than simply taking them all out. AmanaMatt, did you mean Medigel? Omnigel was used in the first game to unlock chests and stuff (that's gone too).

Anyway, I think I've come to accept what Mass Effect 2 is. It's a bit lighter on the standard RPG fare, but at its core, all of the important things are still there. And what are those important aspects? The story. The characters. The world-building that Bioware is so good at.

I think Mass Effect 2 has a lot more personality. The characters all seem more interesting this time around. And it's a lot funnier.


[perhaps very early game spoiler here]
I almost spit my drink out during the first conversation between Joker and Shep on the new Normandy. When Joker was wondering if this new adventure would be better than the good ol' times, and Shepherd answering: "I hope so. I died".

 

[plasmid303]

I just read this review by 1UP.com, and the reviewer's opinions pretty much perfectly mirror my own (also has video review):

No spoilers:
https://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3177714

 

[hairlesswookiee]

The only thing I don't like is that the PC version doesn't have the control pad support. My 360 died so I had to get the PC version, but I absolutely hate using the keyboard and mouse to play video games.

 

[KitFisto]

Hated the first one and ain't getting this one.

 

[darthviper107]

The only thing I don't like is that the PC version doesn't have the control pad support. My 360 died so I had to get the PC version, but I absolutely hate using the keyboard and mouse to play video games.

Yeah, I was surprised that they didn't at least put it into this one, it's not like they couldn't have.

 

[DinoLast]

The only thing I don't like is that the PC version doesn't have the control pad support. My 360 died so I had to get the PC version, but I absolutely hate using the keyboard and mouse to play video games.

Doesn't the X-Box pad work with the PC game?

 

[hairlesswookiee]

Doesn't the X-Box pad work with the PC game?

No. That feature is missing from both Mass Effect games. I'm looking into a program named Xpadder that emulates the keyboard onto a USB controller. Supposedly works pretty decent with many games, but I'm gonna wait on it until I get confirmation that they can pull it off.

 

[darthviper107]

No. That feature is missing from both Mass Effect games. I'm looking into a program named Xpadder that emulates the keyboard onto a USB controller. Supposedly works pretty decent with many games, but I'm gonna wait on it until I get confirmation that they can pull it off.

My brother had some program that allowed you to map keyboard controls to the Xbox controller but I can't remember what it was

Most games that come out now for PC usually have support for it which is weird this doesn't.

 

[Matt S]

Plasmid: yeah, meant Medigel.....those darn spacegels....get em confused.

The humor is great. Minor spoilers: on the citadel, you can buy fish, a space hamster (which cracks me up for no good reason) and the biggie: the two Mass Effect novels....just not sure if they actual novels are included on the game. That would be cool if they were, but they are referenced in the publications section of the game...

I missed that Joker and Shep conversation....that's too funny. Yeah, the humor in this one is good.

The RPG stuff is still there, but is definitely more background - the way you upgrade weapons and the like. Wished it had more of a hands on approach, but the good outweighs the bad

For those that care: the DrPepper codes are now available for Mass Effect items: three different headgear attachments. Nothing crazy, but still kinda cool for the price of a drink

I just read this review by 1UP.com, and the reviewer's opinions pretty much perfectly mirror my own (also has video review):

No spoilers:
https://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3177714

That was a great vid....just a bunch of fans geeking out!

This game is really growing on me...even digging the planet scanning.

Am I the only one that had this huge 'Asteroids' flashback first time to pilot the Normandy...its this games new Makko!

 

[darthviper107]

Just found out my CE got delivered next door, so now I've got my game--nice packaging.

 

[Matt S]

Just found out my CE got delivered next door, so now I've got my game--nice packaging.

make sure your Collector code voucher is right in the tin!!!

 

[darthviper107]

make sure your Collector code voucher is right in the tin!!!

Yeah, I saw that

 

[Matt S]

hehe, wouldnt wish my experience on anyone....but its all over now.