Mass Effect 2

Ugh, I don't like the looks of some of those changes I'm going to wait until the game is released and reviews are published before deciding if I'll going to buy it now for a lot of money or wait for it to go on sale at some point.

 

Wow, I don't either . I think I'm going to hold off on my pre-order at this point. It's probably going to be good, since this is Bioware, but the role playing elements are what I like best about ME. I'm not sure how I'm going to like just running around gunning and the whole "no loot / no inventory" situation.

 

They've really taken the rpg out of this game. I remember having to carefully think about whether I wanted to max out my shotguns first or go for the medium armor or the max lift skill. Seems like now its just which skill I want more considering theres no armor skills or weapon skills

 

I usually don't like RPG games and love FPS games, but some games can pull off the RGP Action genre really well, like STALKER and Mass Effect. That said, I don't want Mass Effect 2 to become more of a shooter - I liked the RPG elements and I want them to stay.

 

Pre-ordered the 360 CE via Gamestop. In preparation I'm firing up the original on the console tonight for a second play through.

Fwiw, latest issue of OXBM gives ME2 a 9.5/10.

 

I played ME1 when it came out, but I never got around to really sit down and play it. Now I have ample time due to the economy, so I am finally getting around to playing it.

Have to say, it truly is an amazing game. Can't wait for the second one.

 

I bit the bullet and preordered on Amazon in spite of Kevin_Jack's warnings. I'm not liking the changes too much but if the gameplay is at least similar and the story is as epic, I'll love it as much as I did the first one. Now to convince my college professors that I need to be given time to play the game

I'll probably use the $10 credit from Amazon on the DA:O expansion, provided it actually gets released.

 

This game is sounding like too much of a shooter based on the posted changes. The no inventory, dumbed-down skill set, less controllable squadmates (and you couldn't even do much with them in the original), and ammo/recharging health are throwing up some caution flags in the back of my mind. I'm hoping this turns out to be true:

I pre-ordered the game on Steam. There's no way I'm not buying this game since a) the original was fantastic and b) I have yet to see BioWare produce anything other than a top-notch product (one of the few developers with that kind of reputation), but these changes are very questionable. Only the experience will tell so I'm holding off all judgment until then. I also won't be reading any reviews until after I beat it.

 

you can set squad power usage in me1. there are three settings, fully auto, defensive only and fully manual. in full manual you control their powers.

 

I'm going to go ahead and preorder the Digital Deluxe Edition on Steam. It's hard to pass up on a sniper rifle which fires three rounds per squeeze.

I love the first game too much to be discouraged.

 

I know ehh? ME1's menu's and inventory system are all based on Bioware's tried and proven system's in their previous RPGs (think KOTOR) which were all great fun. I don't see the reason for change...except for.....making it easier for console gamers.

 

Yeah, but you couldn't actually take control of them like in previous BioWare RPGs. The control was very limited compared to KOTOR.

 

I trust in Bioware, they have a spectacular reputation, and they would have made the chnages for the better of the game, if there are any. One of the main complaints with ME1 was the somewhat dull combat, so maybe they tightening it up was not a bad thing, but some of the changes that are listed are not great, IMO. I will wait til the release to judge though.

 

i agree with narsnail. To my knowledge every game bioware released has been great. as said before reviewers gave ME1 an 8.5 and ME2 has been given a 10 (couple pages back on this thread). That means the changes added to the game and made it that much better than ME1. Now you have to take into account that the reviewer could be an FPS guy and not an RPG guy but I don't know who he is.

 

Finally got around to beating the first one. WOW

All I wanted to say, lol.

 

I'm excited, the changes may be good or bad, but if they're bad then for ME3 they'll go back to the tried and true method. To me this is so much more than just a typical RPG, I wanna continue this awesome and engrossing story. Besides, it may be the fanboy in me but I don't think Bioware can make a bad RPG so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

jade empire wasn't that great, compared to the likes of kotor of course.

 

Hi,

Just wondering what could be the performance requirements to play this game. Any thoughts?

I played the first episode that was more then brilliant and my laptop had (just) enough 3D power to deal with the graphics. I hope the game will use the same engine otherwise I will end in up in the DIY ViDock thread.

 

PC MINIMUM System Requirements
OS = Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
Processor = 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
Memory = 1 GB RAM for Windows XP / 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Hard Drive = 15 GB
DVD ROM = 1x Speed
Sound Card = DirectX 9.0c compatible
Direct X = DirectX 9.0c August 2008 (included)
Input = Keyboard / Mouse
Video Card = 256 MB (with Pixel Shader 3.0 support). Supported Chipsets: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 or greater; ATI Radeon X1600 Pro or greater. Please note that NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, and 9300; ATI Radeon HD3200, and HD4350 are below minimum system requirements.

PC RECOMMENDED System Requirements
Windows XP SP3 / Windows Vista SP1 / Windows 7
2.6+ GHz Cure 2 Duo Intel or equivalent AMD CPU
2 GB RAM
ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or better recommended
100% DirectX compatible sound card and drivers
DirectX August 2008

NOTES: For the best results, make sure you have the latest drivers for your video and audio cards. Laptop or mobile versions of the above supported video cards have not had extensive testing and may have driver or other performance issues. As such, they are not officially supported in Mass Effect.

--

You have the Quadro, which is basically an 8700M GT, correct? If so, you'll be fine with the sequel. The minimum Nvidia card for the first game was also '6800 or greater', so you should expect similar performance. That said, the recommended saw a significant jump, from 7900 GTX -> 8800, so I guess the game will scale well for those who have the available horsepower.

 

Forgive my lack of PC knowledge but I was under the impression that a card that was one series higher would have the similar if not the same specs as one that was one series lower but higher in its subcategory. eg. 7900GT=8800GT, 8700GT=9600GT. So technically its still almost the same requirements on the GPU side. The only big change is the CPU which 2.6GHz single core for or ME1 and now a Core 2 duo 2.6Ghz.

Just from what I've read around and I'm not sure about the validity of my GPU comment so don't hold me to it

 

in short no. and there is no 8900gt.

 

Phew... I can overclock the quadro quite well so it gives me a good performance and I can play Operation Flashpoint: Dragon rising as well on my laptop. I'll preorder the game today then... I'm so excited about it.

regards

 

I am at a tradeshow the entire release week. My M17x is too big to take with me (I also have to take my heavy work notebook).

What are the odds that an Ion based netbook would run this game?

Or maybe I'll grab a 360 and the game and play it on the hotel TV.

 

No way a netbook would play this. And honestly, if you have enough space to fit a 360 just bring the M17x. It's worth it

 

can't wait for this. going to pre-order via ebgames (gamestop) to get the terminus armor and special gun. Going to buy it anyways so might as well get all the freebies I can.

 

Well, with the Digital Deluxe Edition, you receive:

- the Collectors Edition armor
- the Inferno Armor
- an Assault Rifle
- the Incisor Sniper Rifle.
- Original Soundtrack
- Digital Art Book
- Digital Mass Effect Redemption #1 comic
- Documentary Video


It's hard to beat that amount of content.

 

if the game will even start, it'll be torture

 

Normal retail version + console = gain those items without needing to pre-order

 

Not to exclude mentioning the day-one, original purchasers DLC -- additional missions, weapons and NPC (Zaeed, rough and tumble mercenary).

 

Hmmm I preorderd it on steam but not the digital delux edition, do you happen to know what comes with just the preorder on steam? I'm not at home so I can't look and now I'm very curious.

 

Only the Inferno Armor comes with the $50 preorder. The DDE is $60.

 

Given some of the gameplay changes, I am afraid I might not like it, but I'm playing ME yet again to have a saved game, just to be sure.

The desire to play it again is what defines a classic, and I've played ME a few times. We'll see how the new one stands vs. the original. One thing IS for sure - I will finish it at least once to see what is going on lol.

 

Perfect, I just managed to hit level 60 before the final boss fight.

 

I've been playing thru ME for a second time lately in preparation for ME2. I have noticed a few things about the game that I had not really paid attention to the first time playing it a couple of years ago. All on the 360 console.

• The seemingly endless dialog trees (I have literally fallen asleep with controller in hand during some of the cycles this time around)
• The annoyingly bad 80's electronica/ambient soundtrack
• The uncomfortably awkward and overly long elevator rides
• The very unintuitive (at least for me now) controls
• I'm finding the gameplay (combat) more difficult for some reason than I remember
• Some framerate stuttering during certain gameplay sequences
• Poor conversation audio levels

Anyone else notice this or other issues? Now I'm wondering if pre-ordering the ME2 CE was a good decision or not.

 

Well, the PC version has shorter elevator rides, more intuitive controls (which lead to smoother combat), and a much improved framerate, even on an 8600M.

Depends on which version you ordered.

Can't you skip through the dialog on 360?

About ME2, they say they've cut out all elevator loading times, but there haven't bee any reports on how the framerate is on 360. There were some PC/360 comparison shots released and the PC version has better textures.

 

Got ME2 on xbx360 last night, cant wait for the pc version. Game will be so much better with real graphics ahahah.

 

Hmm well with the PC version you can skip dialog pretty easy. I thought some of the music was awesome almost googled to see who did the soundtrack. Again, PC controls are great, I personally can't stand using a controller anyway. Elevator rides where horrible until I discovered that your squad mates would say hilarious stuff if you listened. Yeah audio levels had my annoyed too.

On a different note, apparently you can import any level character and the decisions you made up to that point influence the next game.

 

excellent, now i just need to hit level 60!

 

May I remind you all that piracy discussions are not allowed here on the NBR forums.

~Thread Cleaned~

Thanks you,
NBR Moderation Team

 

Have you all seen the vein effect, which pops up on the screen when you take damage?

UGH it's hideous.

 

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Should I let the Council live?

 

Maybe they'll have an option to turn it off/down, like they had an option to turn off the film grain effect.

Or they'll just tone it down before release.

 

Dunno, I did, because only 1 of them pissed me off, I almost always agreed with the other 2.

 

have you seen the Launch trailer for Mass Effect 2 it's pretty cool.

 

it looked more like a movie trailer than a game trailer.

 

I don't have the money to buy on day one. Unfortunately, I will miss out on all this extra content, but it will also give me time to finish the first Mass Effect.

 

i'll probably get this game at a later time, i need to play it in it's full glory with a more powerful system.

 

What extra content ? And also , what does having a save game from the 1st one give you ?

I finished ME awhile ago . Normal diff level , finished it around lvl 45 . Is there anything i missed about ME being tied with ME2 ( besides the story ) . Oh , and i havent tried both DLC yet either . Are they any fun ?

 

• There's bonus items included for pre-orders and the Collector's Ed. if it can still be bought.
  
• ME2 will incorporate whatever level and decision's you've (Shepard) made in the first game. Only time will tell to see how well this actually works.