Mass Effect 2 [Xbox 360/PC/PS3]

[sj33]

I actually didn't mind them either, I quite liked the more 'RPG-y' elements of the original game.

I think they took the correct approach with the sequel by downplaying these elements though, all things considered.

[jimmbob]

With regards to ME1, it's pretty important that you become familiar with the Citadel. There's also some awesome dialogue, shops, and missions there to uncover.

[kernow]

oh god I land on a planet, fart about for 30mins, die because the combat is pretty poor, reload and then oh.. all your quest progress for that planet is gone. *delete saves* **** this.

[sj33]

Is the console version like that? Wow. I'm so used to being able to save anywhere on the PC version.

[kernow]

uh yeah I could have saved I guess *palm* but I was expecting the checkpoint to be a little more lenient than 'oh you haven't even landed on the planet yet' - I dunno I was playing an infiltrator which I used in 2 also and it wasn't nearly as cool. The controls for cover and crouching etc weren't as refined either - found it really hard going to keep playing. meh. Wait for 3 I guess.

[kernow]

Bought the shadow broker dlc - can't wait to play it later o//

[fuse]

Finished my playthrough last night, on something like 60 hours. A lot of that was just from being sat on the pause screen whilst I did something else, but it was still a pretty huge run through - ended up doing all of the loyalty missions, all of the DLC, getting 100% exploration and all of the side missions, as well as all achievements in the one run. Was very satisfying Still very tempted by the option to take my female renegade char from ME1 back through again.

In short? Fantastic game - loved it to bits. Might've enjoyed it more had it not been for some bits being an absolute swine on Insanity (Scions can bite me), but the combat felt a lot more fair than ME1, and the lighter touch on the RPG elements was fine by me. Cannot wait to see what they do with the third, or even the next DLC before that.

[kernow]

Shadow Broker was badical, well worth the money. I did start another game as a female biotic a week or so back but combat was a little tricky so I gave up. I am keeping the game though I think and can always bust it out when bored.

[112]

Well, I FINALLY got to play this yesterday (PS3 version) and was totally lost!

Thought I got dooped by not having the manual or the so called interactive comic included with the game. A bit of research on google revealed that the manual is on the disc (which aint a bad thing) and the bloody damn interactive comic is a downloadable content thing ma-bob. Meh, If I dodn't have trouble logging into the EA account it would be fine... Ive jus taken command of the Normandy 2, and my bit of interwebs scowering has revealed I need to go download the comic and start again to actually play it Meh!

Quality game mind... can tell its going to be something special... Jus wish I knew what the fudge is going on, as my head is mashed with all the random characters, and random back story that means jack to me at this point...

Will hafta sort it out tonight!

112

[sj33]

'tis what happens when you jump into a trilogy at part 2, I suppose :P

Does the interactive comic do a decent job of bringing new players up to scratch? I can't help that think that much of the emotion in this game would be lost if you hadn't developed an attachment with the characters beforehand.

[Btang84]

Bought this last week on PS3. I did play the first game all the way through on PC and started ME2 on PC as well, but a game-crippling bug that seemed to be completely unheard of stopped me playing it.

Have already clocked up quite a few hours on this already and can easily see why it received all the plaudits. The combat isn't quite perfect, but it's the sheer slickness of the whole package.

The interactive comic did a great job of getting me up to speed but I definitely agree with the general consensus that you can't really enjoy this as much if you didn't play the first instalment. I'm taking my time and this could be one of those games where I do every single quest available to me, very much a first for me. Can easily see the third game being a day one purchase later this year.

[Neon Ignition]

Back on the 360 version I went through on normal with it and I'm considering jumping straight in on the highest difficulty with this. Does anyone know if it's going to make it more effort than worth?

[112]

Well, Im almost playing this on a daily basis, and just trying to relish every moment of it and explore every level... Id have to say that, having not played the first game and having to rely on the interactive comic to get me up to speed, wasnt that great, as I don't have the emotinal attachement to the story or characters, and vast amounts of refferences to the first game, tend to go way over my head or just don't register with me at all...

I am still thouroughly enjoying the game, but I can't help but feel that I am missing a decent chunk of the gaming experience as I am a PS3 owner, and literally jumping into the ME universe for the first time... Last game of this kind that I played was Dragons Age, and KOTOR 2 before it. I can see how the style of the game has evolved, as I am constantly comparing it to KOTOR 2, which may be unfair, but it is for me the closest thing ive played to this game.

Im am a bit confused as to the renegade and paragon points I get, I thought they behave like the light and dark side element in KOTOR, where one cancels the other out, but I seem to have two bars now that are rising incrementally with each other, as conversations go on. I find myself kind of flustered as to which part of the conversation tree to choose, as I run the risk of gaining too many renegade/paragon points.

Very much having a blast on the game so far, but not too fussed on the mining/harvesting of planets, bit boring those parts tbh...

112

[crocky-chocky]

Yeah, it definetly feels like the impact of certain events is diluted having not played the first.

I've clocked about 22 hours on the PS3 version since it came out, and it's about the only game I've played where I completely relish going up to every single NPC for a chinwag.

A few of the missions have been brilliant, but I find most of the gunfights a bit of a slog to get through, and the only reason I'm still going is because the dialogue, characters and universe are just marvelous.

Hate those blinkin' Firewalker missions too, but I've just started the Shadow Broker mission and it already seems to be one of the best. Swings an' roundabouts innit. An 8/10 for me so far.

[Riskbreaker]

Back on the 360 version I went through on normal with it and I'm considering jumping straight in on the highest difficulty with this. Does anyone know if it's going to make it more effort than worth?

It really depends on the class you pick. I used the Infiltrator for my Insanity run and there are some huge perks to being able to cloak as well as the opportunity to access a stupidly powerful rifle. Soldier's tend to get through quite easily too. Vanguard was tough even on Hardcore in my experience, by it's very nature charging head first into difficult opponents is always going to be asking for trouble. The opponents that you had difficulty with on Normal (you'll know the ones) are that much harder the first time you encounter them, but it's all definitely doable and since you've already been through once you'll probably enjoy the challenge. I'd say go for it