Mass Effect 2

[eor123]

Although it is an RPG, which I don't particularly enjoy, the reviews for ME2 are so universally positive I thought I would at least give it a shot. Picked up a used copy yesterday and started playing it.

Haven't gotten very far but it is visually impressive and the story line is certainly above average. I immediately recognized Martin Sheen's voice. And the women all have really nice butts.  8)

The timed hacking sequences are a nuisance to me but one is easier as it uses electronic schematic symbols. I've worked with electronics all my life and can mentally process those symbols easily. The hacking sequence when you must match up text strings is proving to be a problem for me. I haven't figured out a trick to solving those yet.

Having to stop the action and scroll through the weapons and powers/abilities wheels in order to make a changes REALLY annoys me but that seems standard fare in RPG's. No surprise there. I prefer the simple "choose between 2 or three weapons, pick up ammo as you go and shoot yourself up when wounded" school of thought in gaming.  Hmmm...kind of sounds like FC2, doesn't it? ;D

We'll see what happens...

[JRD]

I too considered purchasing ME2 not long ago. It's an RPG and my past experiences with that particular genre of games has proved very negative for me. Too much choices and something I see as action breaker as you have to micromanage each and every bit of the game in order to survive, or choose a random pre-programmed setting which makes all the options in an RPG pointless.

Of course, all changed when I picked up Borderlands las month and didn't stop playing since, but again, it's not a typical RPG but rather a hybrid RPG/FPS.

Keep us posted about your impressions of ME2 eor...!!  :-X :-X :-X

[spaceboy]

yeah, I'd like to hear more as you progress.  Now that it's announced ME2 is coming to PS3 I'm at least interested to see what all the fuss is about.  I must admit, however, that RPG's don't typically interest me either.

[Art Blade]

I played ME1 until like 80/90% through and all of a sudden halted it. No idea why I didn't feel like going on any more but I remember one thing: Incredible amounts of different armour suits and weapons.

As much as I like to gear up best possible, I hate it not to know which is which and when or where to get better gear, or what the best gear is. So no matter which RPG I play, I kind of always cheat my way through gear (or whatever currency there is to buy gear) just so I know what the heck it is all about and on what to focus when it comes to making up my mind regarding loadout and suitable gear. What I can't stand is the thought that there might be cool stuff out there and I missed it  :)

ME1 was strange in a way, you didn't play on your own but had to assemble a team of three out of like 5 or so possible members. Each of whom had different assets you had to consider for the next mission when assembling your team. And you could (and should) pass them your surplus gear or even buy gear for them to make them less vulnerable or provide them with more firepower. Since they were all different species, all of them had their own armour suits that were incompatible with most other species.. you get the picture, I believe.

There was some sort of freedom choosing missions, i.e. no specific order how or when to play those, but it was kind of annoying to use your spaceship to jump across the galaxy to get to "hubs" where a set of missions awaited you. So what I did was continuously jumping across the universe to find suitable missions. And then the choice of assembling a team for that mission. And "dress" my team. And myself. Argh..

So when I first learned about ME2, I thought well, let's see what it looks like on youtube & Co, and it didn't convince me.

RPGs I liked to play were The Elder Scrolls IV, Oblivion -- great game. ALPHA Protocol, for my acquired taste, excellent. I'm looking forward to playing Borderlands. But not ME2 :)

[JRD]

(...) What I can't stand is the thought that there might be cool stuff out there and I missed it  :)

(...) I'm looking forward to playing Borderlands. But not ME2 :)

Hmmmmm... you are in for a surprise my friend.

Either you are going to love it or hate it. There's ALWAYS something better out there, ALWAYS... and the best part is that you never get the same thing in the same spot... hell, you never get the same thing anyway  ;D

[eor123]

I'm afraid I will end up trading this one back in but I'll try it for a while. It is such a major title, I felt obligated to try it.

I do have Killzone 2 on deck.  8)

[Art Blade]

Hmmmmm... you are in for a surprise my friend.

Either you are going to love it or hate it. There's ALWAYS something better out there, ALWAYS... and the best part is that you never get the same thing in the same spot... hell, you never get the same thing anyway  ;D

Well, that is different. "87 bazillion guns," wasn't it :) In this particular case, I'll have fun with the fact that there's a random weapon generator at w@&k (and I could always mod a weapon outside the game, hehe). The titles I was referring to have a limited number of stuff. It usually requires more than one playthrough to find out where is what or how to get it. Or, someone offers loads of good stuff and you'll never know what you'd like best because you have only got a limited amount of money.

I like to have the problem of choosing which of my weapons/gear I want to carry around for the next mission (or period of time) but I don't like the problem of choosing which of someone else's weapons I could afford to buy only to find out it's not what I wanted and ranting all the time because a different piece might have been a better choice but can't go back to buy that one instead. What I need and want is a test run first and if that was cool, get it. If it wasn't, I'd like to try the next one and so on. You know how I like to test stuff  ;D It's just so I can decide properly, after knowing the facts  ;D If I can collect weapons, I'd like to stash them some place and get back to them. Reminds me of FO3. I collected every single weapon type there was (I had that mod with walls packed with all different weapons down in my safehouse). And after that, I created (modded) my own weapons.. see "Artmod" which Ricamundo is so fond of  ;D I did the same with Oblivion, collected everything and then created (modded) my own stuff. Can't help it, I like it like that :)

[spaceboy]

I do have Killzone 2 on deck.  8)

It's nice you've got the best of both worlds to play the exclusives for both 360 and PS3!  Now KZ2 is a great FPS (both online and story mode).  Good time to play now as KZ3 drops in January!

[eor123]

I'm afraid ME2 is going to be a bust. Frankly, it bores me. Too much dialogue followed by action that I can't get immersed in because I have to stop and adjust skills or gadgets or direct squad members here or there.  I may pick it up later but I've already switched to Killzone 2, which seems to better match my tastes.

I think after attempting and disliking 5 different RPG-type games, I can safely assume that I shouldn't bother to try another one. I'm somewhat stubborn.  ;D

[Art Blade]

It's always good to know yourself  ;D

[eor123]

Redux:

As usual I find myself liking a game more after quitting and returning after a  few days with a fresh perspective.

One thing that helped was dropping back to the easiest difficulty setting and restarting.

At that difficulty level it appears that I am able to blunder my way through and complete missions without having to master the weapon and power wheels nor understanding  leveling up, bonuses, squad points, etc.

If you strip away all of what I consider to be nonsense it appears you have a very good third person shooter in which you have a great deal of latitude as to where you go and when. In fact, I don't know why this cannot be considered an open world game -- perhaps an "open galaxy" game?  ;D

Much like rescuing the buddies in Far Cry 2, you assemble a squad buy traveling to different planets to rescue them from predicaments or assisting them. After they have joined your squad, they each have a personal quest  that can be undertaken, rejected, or delayed.  Upon assisting the squad member their powers increase and they become loyal. Oh, and you get to change their outfits which in Miranda's case is cool because I now have her in a skin tight black leather outfit.  And she has been genetically enhanced. 8)

There is a main story line that progresses but at this point I'm so far off that line assembling my team, assisting them with their personal quests and accepting smaller quests  from people you run across, I frankly have no idea how long it will be before I get back on track.

Unless the game forces you to adhere to the main story line after assembling all the team members and it progresses very quickly from that point, I see the potential for well over 100 hours of gameplay.

You have options as how to interact with people and the tone you take in these exchanges increases your status as a paragon or renegade and options in future encounters are determined by that status. Higher paragon--more charm options. Higher renegade -- more intimidation options.

It is pretty immersive. I'm defining my self as paragon but still drinking myself to a stupor at every bar I come across, tipping exotic dancers, trying to talk my way into the VIP room at the club, buying alien porn mags, and seducing my red headed yeoman.  ;D

I mentioned earlier the great deal of dialogue and little action. That was because I felt compelled to stop and talk to everyone who had a conversation icon, which is really not necessary.

There have been some funny exchanges and I wish I had taken better note of them. One from Jack...a psycho, heavily tattooed woman who wears a leather strap for a bra... " It's weird. I am a total bitch who wants to kill every thing I see but at the same time I am a little girl. Never mind, it's very complicated." Another from an Asari Matriarch bartender... "What can I do you for you hun? Sorry...no sex. I just cleaned the bar."  ;D   

Now that I am into the game there is plenty of action. So far it has been challenging at times but manageable by using cover and taking out attackers as they approach in small waves that are pretty predictable. Open a door, take a few steps toward cover and prepare for an attack. There is usually a "big" opponent at the end of each encounter that has to be taken down with a heavy weapon and some "power manipulation."  So far, nothing I haven't been abel to handle but I assume at higher difficulty levels, one would have to master the squad members' weapons and powers selection as well as be able to direct them on the battlefield. As it is now, my squad members seem to take care of business pretty well without me taking any action other than shooting from cover and healing them when they go down.

After some 20 plus  hours of game play, I am slowly figuring out how to do a few things beyond just covering and shooting the enemy but frankly, it is overwhelming at times. I guess people who are accustomed to the  RPG format have no trouble with all that stuff.

[spaceboy]

glad you're getting on better with it now eor!

and, hey if you like readheads, have you seen Trip from Enslaved?!?  She's in the trailer on the first post here:

http://openworldgames.org/owg/forums/index.php?topic=1899.0

[Art Blade]

Eeyore, your description reminds me of two things.

1) Sounds like ME1 and why I stopped somewhere after like 80% (perhaps 80 hours) gameplay

2) Sounds like ALPHA Protocol regarding talking and shooting and all. Perhaps you'll start to like AP after ME2. :)

[eor123]

Getting deeper into the game now...was trying to play the field with all the girls. As a result, Miranda no longer speaks to me and Jack told me to f@#k off because I won't dump Tali -- incredibly sweet but can't take off her suit to have sex with me without risking her life. Kelly is no longer flirting me and them Samara with the big boobs and heavy spiritual mojo shows up and kneels at my feet, swearing allegiance to me.

I swear to God...this game is a mirror of my relationships in college!...and I'm having about as much success.

^+-+

Aspects of this game completely allude me still... I have absolutely no clue what some of the upgrades accomplish but I keep activating them.

[Art Blade]

I like your style there, Eeyore.  ;D

[eor123]

Well... I [virtually  ;D] got laid before embarking on the end-of-game suicide mission. I was beginning to wonder if I had somehow managed to mishandle all the women so badly it wasn't going to happen. All that effort in being  a paragon and engaging in those seemingly endless, mind numbing conversations with the female team members.... <whew>

Jack showed up in my cabin and the psycho-killer walking tattoo and I shared a intimate moment. The sweet thing even cried.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Alas...the mystery of whether her nether regions are tattooed and/or pierced  remains as we somehow managed to have sex while clothed. Well...you can't get everything.

I grew bored with hopping around the galaxy, mining planets for precious metals that were no longer needed to upgrade weapons, armor, ship, etc. I had upgraded everything that was available to me. I decided to move back onto the story line and complete the game.

I got caught up in the final battle's adrenalin rush and was up almost all night.

Took me 42 hours to complete the main story line and numerous side missions. There appears to be dozens of unexplored planets remaining, but all that was left to do was scan and fire probes into them collecting precious metals I apparently had no use for. Most every system has one planet with some sort of situation that requires a landing and a brief quest. I could return to that play through and search out those missions later.

The human crew members of the ship were all gone and Jack acted as if nothing had happened between us. It looks like I would have a shot at Samara and her cleavage if I listened to more of her stories but knowing I'd never be able to see her blue bits, even if I got lucky, made me wonder if it was worth the effort.

And besides... I felt "loyal" to Jack -- after she bared her twisted soul to me.

You see...that's what happens when you get old.  ;D

I liked the game quite a bit, in spite the RPG-annoyances. I was able to w@&k around them or master enough of the skills to get through the game without really understanding what I was doing much of the time.

Then I did something strange....

I restarted the game, as a female, and increased the difficulty level a notch. I'm Xena Shepard this time -- a cocky [ pun intended ] lesbian bitch.  :-()

It is difficult to romance another female in ME2, but not impossible from what I've seen. So I am finally living out my fantasy of being a lesbian. It just feels.....right.  8)

Don't worry I'm all right. I have no intentions of bedding the krogan. ewwww.

^+-+

[Art Blade]

maybe you'd enjoy ME1, too. Sounds like there's no big difference, you can romance the shiny jewels out of yourself with about any female crew member and can have a female to female experience, too.

You pig.

:-D

[eor123]

I downloaded some new content yesterday and imported it into my second play through which is about 75% complete with respect to the main story line.

So  far I've been pretty impressed with the new weapons, characters and missions that became immediately available after re-booting the console. It appears that it may extend game play by 5-10 hours. I have completed one of the new missions and it was pretty cool -- one of the most difficult and one of my favorites, in fact.  The end-of-mission "boss battle" took place in virtual space like "The Matrix" and involved a powerful human / AI hybrid.

One mission takes you to the crash site of your previous ship where you place a monument and search for remains / dog tags of the crew. As you walk among what is left of different parts of the  ship, you have flash backs of the ship and the crew. It is gently snowing and very quiet -- the only mission you undertake alone. Some pretty classy moments, IMO.

There are a few really compelling characters in this game and the voice acting is superb.

It is interesting how a game I was ready to discard has become one of my favorites and I can now see why this game is at the top of most "Best Xbox 360 Games" games and "Best Video Games" lists.

 

[Art Blade]

I'm glad you're immersed so much and that you're enjoying the game a lot :) Keep having fun :)

[eor123]

My alter ego.... Commander Bettie Page Shepard.

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Commander Shepard sharing an "After Action" report with Yeoman Kelly Chambers.

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[Art Blade]

Nice ;D :-X

[mandru]

 ???

My alter ego.... Commander Bettie Page Shepard.

Interesting name that.

Betty Page was a pinup queen in the '50s and was sometimes quite naughty (well for the 1950s).  So I was a bit surprised to see that name pop up on the latest media viewer on the OWG home page.

[eor123]

I am an admirer of Bettie Page...thought I'd honor her by naming my Commander Shepard after her.

On my next playthrough, I was determined to be a total badass and see how high I could get my renegade points. I'm making some progress and am seeing some new dialogue options as a result.

For this adventure I went with a California cheerleader archetype. Meet Commander Lizzie Bee (inspired by Lizzie Borden) Shepard. Don't let her looks fool you...she is a real psycho bitch and already has the blood of numerous civilians on her hands. A ruthless, renegade soldier....

I prefer FPS's but if I have to watch someone run around with big guns blowing up aliens, I'd rather it be a girl. LoL

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[mandru]

Ah!  :)

I wasn't aware you could select your own namings in Mass Effect 2 and thought the game designers had slipped in an homage.

You will never hear me complain (well rarely anyway) about girls with big guns.  ^-^

[eor123]

Yes...you can customize your character, complete with a first name.

The level of customization available for facial features is impressive -- probably 30 parameters for each sex, give or take. You also choose your background -- orphan, army brat, or colonist kid. Each of these gives the character a slightly different personality. And you choose whether you are a sole survivor, war hero, or ruthless. Again, each of these choices effects the character's personality.

A lot of options as to orientation -- soldier, engineer, infiltrator, vanguard, sentinel, etc. Each specialization comes with it own set of default weapons and skills.

Since I prefer shooters I have always assumed the role of a soldier, because I  have access to all of the weapons. The biotic powers are good to have in a fight but I'm not sure I want to deal with learning how to use them. I'd rather just aim and pull the trigger.  ;D

The replay potential on this game is immense, given all the character options and the manner in which decisions within the game effect events and your options in the future.

When I take a major decision, I pause and consider how the consequences will play out in future -- and in this case Mass Effect 3. I will be able to import my character form ME2 into ME3 and I understand that the story line track will be altered to reflect has what happened in the past.

I am trying to manipulate events so that the majority of my team can survive ME2 and be able to reappear in ME3, as some of them did in the ME1 to ME2 transition.

I think that's pretty cool.