Mass Effect 2 Hype

[I_Am_Nemesis]

I just saw the launch trailer a minutre ago (i know im a bit slow on this haha) and OMFG!!! lol that trailer was awsome and im now on such a hype buzz that it feels like ive drunk 200 cups of coffee haha (bit of an exageration there) because it was just so epic.
Heres hoping that the game lives up to the epic feel the trailer has given.

[Zombie Fred]

Ready to play and installed. Time to jump in!

[Vector]

Just beat the first game, question about save files.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

I have one save file that's from when we were trekking along the side of Citadel, and another auto-save from the final fight with Saren, but that's all there was. Which file would I use to start a game in Mass Effect 2?

[A Jill Sandwich]

Thane is hawt. :3

[Mr_Zombie]

Just beat the first game, question about save files.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

Which file would I use to start a game in Mass Effect 2?

After the ending sequence the game makes another save file. It isn't visible when you go into "Load game" menu, but you can access it when you start New Game+. This file is used in ME2. It contains all your character's stats, inventory and choices that you made during the game.

[Member_of_STARS]

Initial impressions.

- Unintuitive abilities use
- Unintuitive squad commands/abilities
- No customization on any level
- No obvious leveling, its much less of an RPG, the skill points are divided with a lot less diversity, special rounds part of skills now
- Unintuitive and clunky combat, motion feels much less (if at all) badass than in ME1
- Voice acting a tad inferior to ME1

Positive aspects, or aspects superior to ME1? So far, none. Theres probably more quests, and I havent reached the parts where you explore other worlds yet.

[Zombie Fred]

I remember having a few problems at first on a few things so I thought I'll share my opinion below, but I think in most areas (Combat, exploration, voice acting) that it's a damn fine job Bioware has done. I think the big difference this time around is "freedom" when it comes to what you could do when roaming in Mass Effect 1 and with this. My initial impressions also below to the related matter.

Initial impressions.
- Unintuitive abilities use

All classes are different to what abilities you want to use, and how they work, in my opinion, is a lot more effects and relates to the class you are on. The big difference this time around is that you have to build them up from the beginning, where in the first game a lot of classes had no limit to what they start of with in the first levels. Something I don't have a problem with, and this combined with combat is a significant leap bound compared to the combat flexibility with the first game.

Unintuitive squad commands/abilities

I believe they have only limited this to a few orders than full control as Bioware wish to just focus on you (I hardly used any of my squad commands in the first game so this is a no bother to me as they were doing a fine job without.)

- No customization on any level

In your "hub" area, where you come off planets/side quests, you can customize your Armour and weapons there. This ranges from selecting what weapons you come across (blue prints that allow you to create these weapons to select) to changing what form and color you want with your own Armour. There is a fare customization but nothing that Mass Effect 1 did (inventory system with the numerous upgrades for Armour, weapons, and the unparalleled weapons you could fine) in this level. What Mass Effect 2 is inferior to but nothing too bad considering.

No obvious leveling, its much less of an RPG, the skill points are divided with a lot less diversity, special rounds part of skills now

'

- Voice acting a tad inferior to ME1

Male Shepard has been stellar on the hours I have spent, and some of the voice talent in the game has been outstanding (Michael Sheen as the illusive man is one voices I adore when I hear) and during the standard dialogue/in game has given a better presentation, much more than the first.

Like above, you get your experience and bonuses when you finish your quest and enter your "hub", you can't do this during any mission you are set on. This is probably the fault I wasn't fond on considering the much freedom ME1 had compared to this. But nothing that is bad considering the length on these missions/side quests, and that you can return to the "hub" any time you wish. This is down to what you feel personal in this regard but I would wish for better freedom.

- Unintuitive and clunky combat, motion feels much less (if at all) badass than in ME1

I think the combat is probably the best aspect yet in the sequel, and doesn't feel clunky or stiff to me on the battles I have encountered. I did however change the controls to be similar to the first game (having both the interactive and run key binded was a bad mistake, but luckily I could change this to fit much better) because the default controls on the PC version was slightly frustrating. Everything to me was all smooth when I changed the input controls to be alike with the first game. Combat is probably one of the biggest praises I have give to this compared to the first.

I would wish to have the same amount of freedom and stat depth the first game had but I wouldn't regard the game to be less inferior in these aspects with the sequel. Is this a bad thing? Depends on what you after in terms of what defines an RPG (Stats or other) or what you was looking for. But the combat, exploration, characters, sound track, voice acting, presentation have gone one up over the first game, but this could be different for some others in this regard.

[Member_of_STARS]

All classes are different to what abilities you want to use

Im playing with the standard Soldier class, and until now, I havent used any of my abilities except for "stop time" two times. In ME1, I started using the abilities from the get-go. The fact that you have no customization with weapons and ammo is a serious let-down as I had my class suited up for every situation in the first game and the tremendous all-around upgradeability and tweakability promoted that. I dont see that in ME2.

Also, in the first game, you didnt have useless abilities and even though you had a long way to go until you unlocked everything, the first 2-3 ones were just as invaluable as the other ones.

I believe they have only limited this to a few orders than full control as Bioware wish to just focus on you (I hardly used any of my squad commands in the first game so this is a no bother to me as they were doing a fine job without.)

Well, I used them extensively, they were always something I relied on in combat. And the "command circle" thingy was extremely intuitive and well divided so I knew always which one was able to do which task. In ME2, the comm-circle is a mess.

In your "hub" area, where you come off planets/side quests, you can customize your Armour and weapons there.

From what Ive seen, its limited to armor and weapons mostly.

What Mass Effect 2 is inferior to but nothing too bad considering.

Its extremely bad, because it turned the game into a 3rdPS/RPG almost perfect hybrid into "Gears of War with abilities".

Male Shepard has been stellar on the hours I have spent, and some of the voice talent in the game has been outstanding (Michael Sheen as the illusive man is one voices I adore when I hear) and during the standard dialogue/in game has given a better presentation, much more than the first.

I didnt find the Illusive Mans voice acting all that special. Good, but not great.

Like above, you get your experience and bonuses when you finish your quest and enter your "hub", you can't do this during any mission you are set on.

And this is better than ME1?

I think the combat is probably the best aspect yet in the sequel, and doesn't feel clunky or stiff to me on the battles I have encountered.

Its *extremely* clunky and limited. Sprinting across a hallway only to get stuck into a wall because you touched a stool is no fun. Also, the lack of couch is a tragedy,

I did however change the controls to be similar to the first game

I WANT IT!

I would wish to have the same amount of freedom and stat depth the first game had but I wouldn't regard the game to be less inferior in these aspects with the sequel. Is this a bad thing?

Yes, its a terrible thing.

[Zombie Fred]

This (the STAT related RPG mechanics, and misc on other) is unfortunately going to be one of those situations where disappointment and praise is valid between both parties, based on what they enjoyed in the original and expected/wanted in the sequel.

Despite stat heavy RPGs of old being among my favorably games of all time (Torment, Arcanum, Fallout), I personally never felt the loot and stat system enhanced the gameplay of Mass Effect, and while expanding those concepts would have worked, so too would streamlining them. The hub thing is definitley going to be a love or hate to some players, but the lack of freedom probably will lead to frustration at the beginning as you slowly adapt to it. Only negatives in regards to your reply.

IMO, Mass Effect's RPG aspect was never about the small amount of loot,(getting a green armor with +10% this or that) or whatever, and entirely about shaping the world around you with your choices, as the world has become hugely more complex, and the actual 'role' playing is very intense and involved now. What I always have loved about the game, it's become much bigger, expansive, with the deep exploration I have been after. Best game I have played this year, and definitley a sequel that has lived up to my expectations, even with still much to do, I've been blown away by the appraisal the team has achieved.

[A-J]

Just beat the first game, question about save files.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

I have one save file that's from when we were trekking along the side of Citadel, and another auto-save from the final fight with Saren, but that's all there was. Which file would I use to start a game in Mass Effect 2?

I'm pretty sure you need a cleared game save file for importing, mid-game saves won't work.

[A Jill Sandwich]

This (the STAT related RPG mechanics, and misc on other) is unfortunately going to be one of those situations where disappointment and praise is valid between both parties, based on what they enjoyed in the original and expected/wanted in the sequel.

Despite stat heavy RPGs of old being among my favorably games of all time (Torment, Arcanum, Fallout), I personally never felt the loot and stat system enhanced the gameplay of Mass Effect, and while expanding those concepts would have worked, so too would streamlining them. The hub thing is definitley going to be a love or hate to some players, but the lack of freedom probably will lead to frustration at the beginning as you slowly adapt to it. Only negatives in regards to your reply.

IMO, Mass Effect's RPG aspect was never about the small amount of loot,(getting a green armor with +10% this or that) or whatever, and entirely about shaping the world around you with your choices, as the world has become hugely more complex, and the actual 'role' playing is very intense and involved now. What I always have loved about the game, it's become much bigger, expansive, with the deep exploration I have been after. Best game I have played this year, and definitley a sequel that has lived up to my expectations, even with still much to do, I've been blown away by the appraisal the team has achieved.

I agree with you. Besides, not everyone is going to be 100% pleased
with a game no matter what they change or add.

[Zombie Fred]

Vass. It seems the squad command is there (go to input and you can see send member 1 and 2; this is the moving direction to send them), all you have to do is go into the command HUD and you should see your squad skills right next to them. You can select what abilities to use to help against you, as well commanding them on what direction to go. If you want to be more familiar to the old controls on ME1 then change the controls in the options screen (when it comes to the use/run command, just have both primary and secondary as like with the old, there you can get comfortable that way if you wish).

EDIT: Decided to include the level "ability" system and the "inventory"/customization, to explain more into detail.

The Leveling "ability" system this time around, is very similar to the likes of the first game, but much more presented in a different way. This time around Bioware has gone for the more classic route on how you level up your skill points in this manner, by leveling your skill rank by having to use a certain amount of skill points with extra benefits and bonuses, than just the simple point per rank increase with the first game. The abilities however this time around for all classes have been fitted so they are all unique than in the first game, in which some classes are given to certain types of weapons and items, and also to go deeper in the class's definition. You get extra perks in your level class to open up more later in the game, but the same foundation is still the same.

The drastic change is how the "inventory system" is used. Armour, weapons, items, are all in your "HUB" (EG, Normandy and misc) and shown differently. How you earn different weapons and armour is pretty much the same concept but different execution. You find blue prints than weapons to take back and create, to upgrade or replace your current) and armour is similar but you have the option to select what types, and edit how it is presented to your own personal taste. You just build all these over time, and the drop rate is significantly different to the likes of the first. You can only change these when you are in the "hub" and not doing a mission/quest you are on. There are other customization areas on the ship such as upgrading the ship itself and other things (a nice few easter eggs they have done) so this some minor explanation how the "inventory" system works for your hub world.

Hope that helps to some people with similar questions

[Member_of_STARS]

This (the STAT related RPG mechanics, and misc on other) is unfortunately going to be one of those situations where disappointment and praise is valid between both parties, based on what they enjoyed in the original and expected/wanted in the sequel.

So... You want a GOW with 3 options? Thats now why ME became so popular. Excluding the obvious appeal of characters, Mass Effect was a successful amalgam of RPG/action. Not RPG with action elements, not action with RPG elements, but a solid mixture of both.

Despite stat heavy RPGs of old being among my favorably games of all time (Torment, Arcanum, Fallout), I personally never felt the loot and stat system enhanced the gameplay of Mass Effect

It had a *MASSIVE* effect on the gameplay. Not only was the character specifically taylorable for personal preferences, the fact that you had to make choices while you leveled up (leaving some areas neglected as you pursued other strenghts), Mass Effect 2 basically means youre going to upgrade most of your character by the first run-through. Furthermore, with no looting and no statistics, theres no RPG.

and while expanding those concepts would have worked, so too would streamlining them.

"Streamlining" nowadays is the same as "making it easier for the common gamer". So, were ditching the expansive customizations in order for people to be able to shoot some shit up. One of the greatest strenghts of ME was customization and options. Take that away, and youre basically ending up with just a shooter.

The hub thing is definitley going to be a love or hate to some players, but the lack of freedom probably will lead to frustration at the beginning as you slowly adapt to it. Only negatives in regards to your reply.

Theres nothing to adopt to. Lack of functions, options and customizations doesnt make a game more difficult. It makes it easier. You dont adapt to crap, you adapt to different things and/or more difficulty things.

IMO, Mass Effect's RPG aspect was never about the small amount of loot,(getting a green armor with +10% this or that) or whatever

Actually, thats exactly what it was about, as it was a pillar for the customizations. You get more stuff and in turn you customize your loadout with it (and your teammates loadouts). The expansive stat system in all of the gear ensured that those options got carried on to the combat, directly.

and entirely about shaping the world around you with your choices

Now youre just playing with words. You didnt shape a thing. The only thing you did shape, was your character and your companions.

What I always have loved about the game, it's become much bigger

Yet the combat, preparation and post-mission procedures became smaller and lesser. And those are the *direct gameplay elements*. So the game itsself became smaller.

You may be content with Resident Evil losing its horror aspect, but Im not. And Mass Effect losing its RPG aspect to accomodate those who are less able is a tragedy.

I dont know about you, but I personally enjoyed going into combat with 12 + 12~16 + 1 different options. In every firefight, those ~30 options I had were the fundamental part of what made the game so great. Maybe Im just used to playing the game 100%, instead 100%-ing it through multiple replays to get .JPEG ribbons (achievemnts).

And while I use the Q and E extensively, its a small enhancement when I compare it to the overall loss.

Theres definitely some cool additions to the game, and I would like to point them out sometime, but the lack of a ton of features in the part which matters the most is tragic, literally. I have yet to feel badass in actualy firefights (meaning, its not as immersive). Like I said, Im used to use everything the game has to offer and every function which is taken away severely affects me. Most of all the cinematic running POV, well done cover mechanics, crouch, those expansive weapon/armor customizations and the huge ammount of abilities I can have with my sidekicks.

Hell, each and every one of my characters in ME1 had weapons set for specific situations, I used the sidekicks options more than I used my own, and this added a huge RTT (real time tactics) aspect to the game.

They even included health regen, which is a colossal joke.

[aris13]

According to Geoff Keighley, ME 2 will come to the PS3 at some point.

http://www.gamesthirst.com/2010/01/21/geoff-keighley-mass-effect-2-will-come-to-ps3-ea-just-cant-talk-about-it-yet/

[A-J]

it's all rumor and speculation, keighley thinks it'll come to the PS3, keighly doesn't work for bioware though. Wouldn't be surprised if this eventually does come to the PS3 later this year.