Mass Effect 2...nuff' said!!!!

[positron1]

Who's gettin' it and who's excited? Do I really have to repeat for the umpteenth time how fond I am of the first game?! I'm one of the biggest sci-fi fans out there, I love Star Trek, Star Wars...all the star stuff, Babylon 5, Battlestar Gallactica both new and old, etc etc. I beat the game the first time last year on March 15...I even remember that date it's etched in so you know how long I've been waiting for this sequel. Something terrible did happen this Saturday, I had a couple of versions of Sheperd saved on the game which I hadn't played in months so I popped it in to refresh my skills before the sequel comes out and I find all my character saves GONE!!! I was mad as hell! So I had to go back in and recreate the version of Sheperd that I was planning to import and now I have to play through the game again...not really a bad thing because I enjoy it so much but that still pissed me off. I also have a couple of chapters left on one of the novels...but as soon as I done with these two things I'm gonna dive into that game.

[bmike818]

I waited too long to get the Collector's edition. So I will be getting this game as soon as I can find one...may be a week after launch tops.

I was just going to buy the regular game until I read this: http://www.craveonline.com/gam...94807

Amazon is giving a $10 credit if you purchase this through Amazon. They also have a pre-order bonus...the Inferno Armor.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Can anyone tell me if ME2 will have different interfaces for the PC and console versions like the first game did? The PC interface is what made the difference between playable and irritating for me. If the PC version of ME2 has gone back to the radial menu crap, I might have to pass.

The ME HUD comparison:

[BusyBadger]

I was just going to buy the regular game until I read this: http://www.craveonline.com/gam...94807

That sounds jizz-tastic!

I need to go and replay the last bit over so I end with the version of Shep that most resmebles how I would go through the game normally if I weren't such an acheivement whore.

[MinisterofDOOM]

You don't have to buy the collector's edition to get the cerberus network card. It will come with the normal version, too.

I still haven't finished ME1 so if I buy ME2 anytime soon I'll be starting from scratch.

[bmike818]

you are right, you get a one time download code for the network. That means if you plan to buy this game used you will still have to pay to access the DLC.

If you don't like the rotary menu, please be advised that Halo Wars relies on a similar interface.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, I've played Halo Wars. It's just ME's particular execution of the design I didn't like. But it's not so much that I don't like the rotary menu as that I DO like the PC redesign. The PC HUD is hugely improved even aside from the loss of the rotary stuff. It is better organized and shows more useful info without having to pause. But the PC version of ME was released much later than the console version to allow for the updated interface. The fact that all versions of ME2 are releasing at the same time makes me wonder if they'll all be stuck with the same HUD.

[BusyBadger]

That would be nice on the 360 so I could see when my squadmembers decided to switch to autopistols instead of using the shotgun or sniper/assault rifle I equipped them with instead of learning about it when I'm up to my exhaust port with Geth.

I hope that's been fixed in ME2.

[positron1]

Can anyone tell me if ME2 will have different interfaces for the PC and console versions like the first game did? The PC interface is what made the difference between playable and irritating for me. If the PC version of ME2 has gone back to the radial menu crap, I might have to pass.

The ME HUD comparison:

I've been watching trailer and footage a plenty of this game off Gametrailers and I was wondering the same thing about the interface difference for PC and Xbox...I'm use to the PC interface.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Anyone else been noticing the trend of game developers putting out "Sequels" that are marginally better than the original with a slightly different storyline, maybe updated graphics, and an added gimmick? I thought those were called expansions? Then they charge 50 bucks with a "collectors" edition on top of that.L4D2 is the major example...I hope ME2 doesn't turn out like that.Monet grubbing cumsuckers.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I don't really take issue with sequels not being hugely different. No need to fix what isn't broken, you know? Plus, it's NOT a new trend. Look at Mario 1 and 2 (and I don't mean the US Mario 2).

If the game has enough content it doesn't matter if it's all-new or not. 40+ hours of gameplay constitutes a new game, not an expansion. There's no reused content. It's not like you're playing the same game with a couple of new characters. It's a whole new story arc, new characters, new missions, new abilities, new character types, new items, new gameplay mechanics...it's a new game. The fact that it reuses some of the same engine and graphical assets means very little.

[positron1]

Can anyone tell me if ME2 will have different interfaces for the PC and console versions like the first game did? The PC interface is what made the difference between playable and irritating for me. If the PC version of ME2 has gone back to the radial menu crap, I might have to pass.

The ME HUD comparison:

This was from the IGN review..."On PC, the heads-up display is a bit different, custom built to work with a keyboard and mouse. Both versions are largely identical, though you will get a few more options for customizing hot keys and skill usage on the PC. Which works better for you will be a matter of personal preference."...so we PC gamers must be getting a hud like the one that we are accustomed to in the first game...yay!

[BusyBadger]

L4D2 is the major example...I hope ME2 doesn't turn out like that.

If you were expecting the wheel to be reinvented with Left for Dead 2 you have no one to blame but yourself, there's only so much innovation involved in killing zombies.

ME2 will be a different story, shipping with 2 discs and DLC available on day one of release (I'll still believe that when I see it).

[Nali]

Rather interesting piece of news i did not know.

MassEffect 2 will have two(2) disc swaps during the game.

You play Disc 1 - then disc 2 - then disc 1 again to finish the game.

Its all explained here:http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1063107p1.html

[positron1]

Well I finished the game this morning again so now I have a game save ready....just have a couple of more chapters left to read in Mass Effect Accension so I'm good to go.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Can anyone tell me how much farther I have to go in ME1? I haven't played in ages, but the last thing I did was convince Wrex to side with me on Virmire.

[BusyBadger]

It depends on two things:1) How many of the non-essential missions you want to complete 2) What order you are following in the main storyline (since it's a non-linear)

If Virmire is the first part of the main storyline you are completing you are less than a third of the way through the game.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I don't think I'll bother finishing it before I buy ME2, then.

[BusyBadger]

Weak. I kid - I never finished the first Assassin's Creed title (even though I bought it on release day) before playing the second one.

Seriously though, it's a game worth completing even if you choose not to do it before you go through ME2.

According to the developers there is a little bit of catch-up written into ME2 to let players of the first game know what's been going on since the end of the last storyline. This also helps players that never played the first game get some exposure to the setting and events of the galaxy - so I'd sat you were covered.

[Nali]

ME2 will be a different story, shipping with 2 discs and DLC available on day one of release (I'll still believe that when I see it).

DLC is up on EU marketplace:

Collectors' Weapon and Armor Terminus Weapon and Armor Sentry Interface Umbra Visor M-29 Incizor Sniper Rifle Blood Dragon Armor Recon Hood

See i knew BIOWARE wouldnt betray us.Now i just need this game to frikkin ship!!

[MinisterofDOOM]

IGN's review confirms the PC HUD is indeed optimized for keyboard and mouse, including additional hotkey slots. I think I'll buy via Steam. No discs, no DRM. Woot.

[positron1]

Can anyone tell me how much farther I have to go in ME1? I haven't played in ages, but the last thing I did was convince Wrex to side with me on Virmire.

If you just want to stick to the main mission...complete Noveria and Feros, then Virmire...after that you go to Ilos and you can finish the game.

My preorder copy probably won't be here until Wed so I want to know from some real players what they think about the game...I know some of you have it already!

[MinisterofDOOM]

So far, the game's good. Interesting characters and story, good voice acting. The visuals are a massive upgrade over ME1 (the PC version of which didn't really look very good by contemporary standards). Combat is much improved and feels much more like a shooter with player accuracy playing a much bigger role. Cover is also very important as you can't just stand around and shoot like you could in the first game.

[positron1]

Which copy did you get again, the PC or Xbox?

[MinisterofDOOM]

PC collector's edition via Steam. Unlike many other people I had no issues with my Cerberus/DLC codes.

[krazydriver]

^ I noticed you were playing it last night, I was going to ask you about it but i went to sleep....

I loved the first ME, i'm probably going to get it off steam before the end of the week.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I haven't played any more ME2 since tuesday because I got distracted by an awesome indie game called Bob Came in Pieces that I had forgotten I was looking forward to. Remember the old Lunar Lander games? Well BCIP is a lunar lander as a physics puzzle platformer. And your ship is modular, so the main meat of the game is designing the ship to solve the challenge at hand.

[positron1]

Just finished reading Mass Effect Ascension...great story. Now I'm sitting here with my hands on a copy of Mass Effect 2 debating whether to install it now or wait until I go on vacation in a week???? I know this game will consume my life once I start playing it!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Without spoiling too much:Everyone has turned into ***holes! Screw the Universe, let it burn. I'm disappointed with the new/returning crewmembers. At least my favorite one is still awesome, though. But I miss deploying with my ME1 team. I hope we don't have to wait until ME3 to find out WHY certain people have turned into ***holes.

And they need to hurry up with the rest of the Redemption comic. Dammit.

[positron1]

I broke down and started playing yesterday and all I can say is WOW!