Mass Effect/ mass Effect 2 question

Hi all,

This is long - the real question is at the end, for those of you with short attention spans, if you just want me to get to the point...


A while ago, some may remember my question on if I should grab Mass Effect before jumping into Mass effect 2; the general consensus was a resounding YES, so I'm happy to report that I did, and thoroughly enjoyed the game.

Now, a question, though... I've done one playthrough, and I've started a second on the higher difficulty both to get my character to lvl 60 and to unlock a few achievements (and, also, to play with some of the characters I didn't use the first time through.)

The problem is, I'm pretty happy with the choices i made on the first go through, and where the game ended. On the other hand, I'd like to play through the second time and explore different paths/choices...

I've heard that if you inport a save from mass Effect when you start Mass Effect 2, the choices you made and the ending has considerable impact on the beginning of ME2.

if I play through a second time, and make different choices (paragon vs. renegade, romance, character... uh... let's say 'outcomes' for the sake of not potentially spoiling story segments for anyone who hasn't played... My guess is that the game will take the most recent finish for the file that starts Mass Effect 2.

So, i'm torn - if this is true, i'll be compelled to take many of the same paths I've already taken on the second playthrough, to keep the ending the same and have that point to start ME2 from. This would mean I won't see too much new stuff... On the other hand, if I choose different paths, I'll see new content, but not have the starting point I wanted in the second one.

SO, THE REAL QUESTION:

Can anyone confirm the info on what exactly gets imported from ME1 when you import a game to ME2? I've heard higher level = more starting cash, and I believe that your paragon/renegade status and story choices in the first one have an impact as well, but I don't really know how. Should I be worried about what sort of game I import, or does it really matter all that much?

Oh, and please, please - if at all possible, i'd like this question answered without giving away any ME2 spoilers!

 

Alright I'll try

First off, higher level = more credits, slightly more paragon/renegade points and a bunch of other 'minerals' that you need for upgrades and stuff.

Choices from mass effect that are imported. Some of these have an impact on the dialogue/story and some of them dont. I wont say which ones are which:
- The Destiny Ascension (Council) from the fight with Sovereign
- Anderson or Udina as ambassador
- Romance - Liara or Ashley/Kaidan
- Wrex on Virmire
- Ashley or Kaidan on Virmire
- The Rachni Queen
- Fan of yours called Conrad
- Few others that are mentioned

 

Ah, cool... that was pretty much what I thought. i'm thinking if I really am happy with the choices I've made in the first time through, I'm going to have to play it essentially the same on the second run through - then maybe play a new career a third time to see some different choices. That way I can still see some different story elements in ME1, and still have a lvl 60 with my 'favorite' choices ready for ME2.

Thanks for the input!

 

No problem!
What class are you playing with, btw?

 

Well, I wasn't too familiar with the game, so i figured I'd keep things simple and just went the soldier route (war hero/slaver attack survivor, if I remember right...). That way I wouldn't have to worry about figuring out biotics - just shoot stuff...

Originally, on the first runthrough, I didn't really bring any biotic characters, and kind of dismissed them. On the second one, I've been experimenting with them, and I see they can be tough...

 

As a suggestion, if you start again anew, play as a Vanguard. Its kind of a combination between Soldier and Adept (Biotic). You'll have fun with it

Have fun! And dont take too long to get to Mass Effect 2

 

As i understand it, each time you complete the game a non-deletable (maybe/maybe not, but either way) save file is stored, that is the file that imports into ME2. So your first playthrough is one file, and even if you do "new game +" and replay it with the same character to keep your abilities, it does not overwrite your original game. You would have two end-game saves that could be imported, one from your original playthrough and one from your second playthrough.

 

Damn now I wish I would have kept my old saves (reformatted too many times in between the 2 days).

- The council would still be dead
- Anderson would have been ambassador
- Ashley would still be pissed at me
- Wrex wouldn't have died
- Kaiden would still be dead

Can't remember the others.

 

lol... well, I won't mention mine (trying to keep spoilers out, and I can't remember how to tag stuff for spoiler content) but it sounds like I made just about totally different choices from you. Except for the last one, that is....

 

A better option:
1. Get Mass Effect 2.
2. Load your current character from Mass Effect 1 into Mass Effect 2 (the one where you have made all the choices you want to keep).
3. Quit Mass Effect 2, continue with Mass Effect 1 with your second playthrough and do whatever the hell you want.
4. ???
5. Profit!

 

Every time you beat it, a file is saved. If you beat it ten different ways, each of them will be available when the time comes to import.

 

For those that don't have ME saves and don't want to play through the first game again, you can download multiple end game save files from a link on this site: http://www.annakie.com/ to import into ME2.

I can't link directly because work internet security won't let me.

There are supposedly over a hundred files, with both male/female Shepards, various classes to level 60, paragon or renegade heavy, etc. that have played out to various endings. Descriptions of each are there as well.

I only just found the site. I intend to try it tonite, as I just finished my first play through of ME2. Was about to play ME again to get as close to my first character outcome as possible, but may be no need now.