Mass Effect

[Concrete donkey]

I'm not actually sure how to keep my character so how do I do it?

When you start a new game it'll ask if you wanna play as John Sheppard, an existing ID (chose this one) or start a new character.

[El Leone]

So I thought I'd give some impressions on the dlc. Instead of describing it all I'll just tackle a few issues which are floating about:

The Mako:
It's featured pretty much throughout the whole quest because there are several bases to visit on the asteroid.

Recycled warehouses:
Yup, they're here. However, it's not as bad as it seems because they have new layouts, and in terms of visuals they're pretty different and have some nice lighting going on. There is one structure which is pretty big and completely new.

Visuals:
Everything looks good. Outside, you've got the view of the local planet as well as large pieces of the asteroid breaking off and floating off towards space. As mentioned above, the visual design inside the structures is pretty nice, partly because of the superb lighting.

New gameplay:
Mostly the usual. it's the same old Mass Effect we all love (or mildly dislike, whatever group you fit into). There are a few new 'twists' in terms of the turrets, which makes it more close range combat and less long range sniping. There's also something else, nothing radical, but I won't mention it.

Presentation/Story:
Definitely shares allot more in common with that of a main planet than that of a side quest. Which is a good thing. Features a decent amount of cut scenes, VA and character interaction. I'm pretty sure it has some new music, or at least plays music which wasn't featured as much in the main game, either way it rocks. Potential hints at events which may happen in either further DLC or ME2.

Fun/worth the cash:
Yes and yes. If you enjoyed ME and rate it highly, then I do suggest you get this. It's got a decent amount of replayabillity, and its pretty action packed and story driven. It also gives you achievement points, if you get off on that kind of stuff.

[SmokeMeAKipper]

Just finished the DLC - definitely worth 400 points in my opinion but don't expect anything radically different from the full game. The planet in the background with bits of asteroid breaking off looks lush. Looking forward to more when it's released.

[PeteJ]

I enjoyed it, bit short for 400 points but it can be replayed with a few different options. Story hinted at more to come which was nice.

It isn't up there with a Story planet by any means, but it is what the side missions should have been.

[Uli]

is there any more lesbian sex in store?

[dlittley]

Yep agree totally with everything said above. If you love Mass Effect like me, then this is definately worthwhile. Quite simply, you get to spend another couple hours (those saying they cleared it in 40 mins are just rushing imo) in the fantastic universe Bioware have created - definately a good thing.

Even tho its not implemented all that well, actually starting the game again with my Level 30-odd Shephard to get to the DLC stuff and then completing that resulted in a very enjoyable evening with my game of 2007.

[capcom_suicide]

Back in Nov I rushed through about 5 hours of play in this game, I felt there were so many other games to play and I've never really been much of an RPG man since the days I was hooked on the Master System game Phantasy Star.

4 months later and I looked at the game again. I just felt like relaxing in a realg game world, and instead of feeling compelled to get Achievement points, rank or level end, I just felt like being immersed into Biowares world.

I have a lot of respect for Jamie, and he was so hyped for this game. Consequently it's been on my "To do" list.

I fired up the projector, pumped up the volume of my 5.1 earphones and set about my adventure. First task was to make my own Shepard. I ended up spending ages on that task, and came up with a character that suited me.

I am absolutly delighted, and amazed in equal measure. I'm 5 hours in, and trying to do lots of side missions in the citadel. The game is such a sci fi experience. The characters bios and conversations are interesting and find myself being dragged into the adventure. It's almost like the vision of old Atari ST point click sci fi games has finally been created. This game must have taken AGES to develop! The detail is staggering.

I am finding the items and combat a bit confusing. I hope I have equipped the best weapons, and sold the tat, but I don't know how to use these upgrades & I am a bit worried the save system on comabt missions may take some serious repeat play. I hope I manage it.

The map and inventory screens are superb too, so I finally feel like I can play an RPG without writing down reams of notes to remember what to do!

Anyway, if you missed this first time round, then It's well worth a punt! I also downloaded the DLC, and I hope this will just be available seamlessly in the game.

C_S

[MonkeyWrench]

Anyone made it to level 60 yet? I'm on my third run through it on hardcore setting and that last level up is a tough slog. Completed the DLC the other day also, top stuff, hopefully Bioware will continue to deliver the goods to keep us occupied until MS2.

[El Leone]

Yeah I've got a lv 60 character.There are ways to increase your experience points. For example, if you destroy sand worms, turrets and those 4 legged robot machines (can't remember their names) using your squad rather than the mako, then you'll get more experience points.

You can abuse that too, like pretty much knock their health down with the mako, jump out and then just keep battering them with shotgun/assault rifle fire.

[capcom_suicide]

10 hours in & I have fallen head over heals for this game. I can 100% understand folk not enjoying it if they either 1.) Can't stand Cut scenes, 2.) Can't stand tearing/slowdown/textureload or 3.) Can't stand cheesy scifi like Star Trek/Babylon 5.

Soooo..... taking aside those fairly serious flaws (Which certainly explain why this was not a 9/10 game) if you love cheesy sci fi, then you are in for a treat! The depth of character bios and story are just superb! I feel like I'm back in sixth form watching Star Trek repeats at night, instead of getting on with homework. This stuff is so geeky it has me smiling from cheek to cheek. I can't help but really connect with the characters, and I'm loving the side quests, despite the fact they are fairly similar "Go to A, collect B and return to C" quests.

Then it dawned on me! Why was it that I couldn't get on with Oblivion? Why was it that Marty was on cloud 9 and I was in the doldrums? Oblivion seems the better designed game to me, and is far larger! I believe the reason here is SUBJECT MATTER. No matter how hard I try, riding around on a horse and shooting a bow and arrow doesn't do it for me.

Drop C_S into a sci fi adventure with guns to tweak and sci fi skillz to learn & I'm in gaming paradise. Add real-time shooting to the blend, with drop dead gorgeous graphics and the scene is set for me to have a great experience.

Sorry for going on, but It's like the penny has dropped. I noticed that I have spent 26 hours playing the Online portion of COD4, and previously I blamed my lack of RPG'age on lack of time. But over the months if I like a game I **can** put in the hours.

I am delighted to find that I am able to really enjoy an action RPG, and know understand the attraction of levelling up, side quests and investigation.

I'm playing the game 100% on the HD projector, and I feel like I'm part of something really really special. Just taking my time, really eating up the atmosphere and not leaving systems until I have sucked them dry of storyline and quests.

I appreciate this post doesn't add much to the thread, but I'm just gushing with enthusiasm for this game, and maybe, just maybe another gamer who left this on the shelf will read my post and give it a shot.

Don't stress, Don't focus on finishing the game. Just open up, listen to the story and enjoying transporting yourself into an utterly immersive, breathtaking and totally "B Movie, sci fi" world.

C_S.

[Red Hogg]

I too am 10(ish) hours in and finally starting to enjoy it. (Truth be told this is my second attempt, I was failing utterly on my first go through and wasn't really enjoying it).

How the smeg does one acquire grenades? Can't buy them, can't find them, no dead bastards seem to drop them. Gah!!

[vanpeebles]

Its a great game, really love it. I'm on another play through now with a new character for the special skill achievements after getting level 60 with my old character.

[Synthesthesia]

I'm on my 2nd play through using my first character, upto level 56 or 57 i think.

Trying to get the completionist achievements for your squad members, does it include the last mission? I'm hoping i've got enough missions to get it too...since i can't travel to the citadel anymore (near last mission) otherwise i'll have to do that next play through

[capcom_suicide]

Update 3. I guess I have come very close to the end of the main story, and am going to everything I can with side missions now. I've used 13 hours so far, and I am hopelessly addicted. I'm trying to savour every minute and take my time but the game has consumed me and like my "Bioshock" experience I am unable to focus on other games until this is done. I'm also thinking lots about how I would like to replay the game.

I'm looking forward to the DLC unlocking, and also I must admit, driving around the planets looking for minerals and pirate camps etc has not bored me. I feel the visuals are so stunning that it almost feels like you are out there exploring new worlds. The times you do get a base to destory or cave to explore I just find myself saying wow wow wow. Seriously, I cannot get over the visuals in this game. I've always been a "High settings" over "Framerate" person for single player games, and the detail of characters and environments are staggering.

It's also rewarding! Nearly everytime I decide to explore a nook and cranny I get rewarded with subplots or items. Cool.

I really enjoy the combat now. My style is to get in cover, p0rn up my teams abilities, then shoot from cover. Feels to me like a star wars movie everytime.

As I said in my first post, I am objective enough to understand the reasons why the game was scored down, but personal opinion is all that counts for enjoyment, and it dawned on me last night. Since starting gaming on the Zx Spectrum, this is the most enjoyable game I've ever played, and I've played a lot.

C_S

[MartyG]

I think I was at 25 hours on my first play-through, the second went through a lot faster. I certainly enjoyed it enough to go through a third play. I completed the dlc last night and claimed my 50 gamerscore points.

That took me about 60 minutes to do, I was pretty pleased by the content. There's enough story and stuff to do for the 400MSP and would definitely grab the next lot based on Bring Down the Sky - I want to play through the mission again with differing options to see how it pans out.

Glad you're enjoying it CS.