11/20 Mass Effect (Xbox 360)

[Morfiend]

Gamestop called me and said my preorder will be in tomorrow morning. I am fairly excited.

[Wolf]

yay! Proper Mass Effect thread. Here's a couple of things: Elevators are slow. Combat is weird, but once you get used to it and get some levels under your belt you'd wish you had Hardcore unlocked the first time through. Which brings me to - the rpg system is a tad on the simple side, you have to work pretty hard to fuck up a character. Don't start with the "rogue" character (mechanic or whatever). Exploration can get a bit annoying at one point. I never thought I'd get to use my uber skills at trying to climb above Ironforge in a game ever again. Game is le awesome. If you're unsure about it and even remotely like any Bioware game - get it. It's way better than Jade Empire. I'd even say I liked it more than KOTOR.

ps: Don't go heavy on the main quest. First time through I thought "hey, let's move the main story a bit", got hooked, finished the game with almost no side-questing (about 15ish hours).

[geldonyetich2]

I'm eaglerly looking forward to snagging the game tommorrow, but I'm reading the GameSpot review and seeing that there's a number of odd issues like Wolf is describing.  There's a few minor spoilers in the GameSpot review, so I'll quote some of the important glitches sans-spoilers:

• Oftentimes, multiple choices have the same result, a somewhat transparent trick that makes it seem as though you have a lot more impact on the conversation than you really do.
• once you've finished the mission, there's never a reason to return.
• Too bad that the driving portions are undoubtedly the weakest of the game.
• the [ground rover's] turret, for whatever reason, can't move up or down. The result is that bullets don't necessarily land where your crosshair is [...]It's sometimes maddening
• The problem is that the game doesn't check on the [ground rover's] position before respawning [a monster]. Multiple times, we had the creature emerge from directly underneath us, which either resulted in an unavoidable insta-kill or getting stuck [...]while the camera jittered madly.
• provided you micromanage [your teammates in the typical BioWare pause-and-issue-orders fashion] [...] you won't be apt to notice any drawbacks to the AI.
• The menu interface isn't terrible, though on its own, it's a bit clunky. But it's the little things that add up in a game that requires you to spend so much time in menu screens.
• Other problems rear their heads as well, such as the occasions when you or your party members get trapped on level geometry, which forces you to reload your last save
• There are some technical hitches, however. The framerate can dramatically dip at the worst possible times, and there is a lot of texture pop-in. There are also frequent load times--some of them hidden by elevator rides, others popping up in the midst of exploration.

Why mention this?  To kill the hype so the game is better when you actually boot it up.  It's still worth buying and playing.  At the end of the day if you're able to deal with that and still call it 'le awesome" (GameSpot gave it an 8.5) then there must be a whole lot of gold shining through the dirt. 

[Wolf]

Oftentimes, multiple choices have the same result, a somewhat transparent trick that makes it seem as though you have a lot more impact on the conversation than you really do.

While true, that's one of the only true role playing elements left. You actually get to "roleplay" your character. Now the answers you choose and what comes out of Shepard's mouth is a different story. At times you choose an answer and than go "Woah, did I really just say that?".

once you've finished the mission, there's never a reason to return.

Not entirely true. Every planet has a bunch of "hidden" points of interest. Most of the times it's a couple of resource nodes that you survey for a crazy exploration quest. Some of the times it's an explorer's wet dream (hidden lore).

Too bad that the driving portions are undoubtedly the weakest of the game.
the [ground rover's] turret, for whatever reason, can't move up or down. The result is that bullets don't necessarily land where your crosshair is [...]It's sometimes maddening

Can't argue with those. Like I said - driving around with the Mako can get irritating. Not as much as trying to keep it level so the turret shoots where you're aiming while a couple of Geth Colossi are pounding you on hardcore difficulty.

The problem is that the game doesn't check on the [ground rover's] position before respawning [a monster]. Multiple times, we had the creature emerge from directly underneath us, which either resulted in an unavoidable insta-kill or getting stuck [...]while the camera jittered madly.

Lameass gamespot people. The Mako has jets (A) that take you off the ground if you get stuck on something. Not entirely their fault, though. You get NO tutorial on the rover. I played through several missions until accidentally I found out I had a turret, at which point I was... well d'uh obviously, stupid. A couple of missions later, again by accident, I found the mako's rocket launcher/shotgun. At which point I just clicked every button to see what they can do.

provided you micromanage [your teammates in the typical BioWare pause-and-issue-orders fashion] [...] you won't be apt to notice any drawbacks to the AI.

Yup. Shotting at walls is not beyond them. But with the right imba-class atm I'm stomping trough the game at hardcore difficulty practically alone, with the occasional help from teammates.

The menu interface isn't terrible, though on its own, it's a bit clunky. But it's the little things that add up in a game that requires you to spend so much time in menu screens.

That's like the ultimate nitpicking. The only thing you can call clunky is the Equipment screen. And you get used to it real quick.

Other problems rear their heads as well, such as the occasions when you or your party members get trapped on level geometry, which forces you to reload your last save

At this point I have at least 60 hours in the game. Never happened to me. With the rover comment, I'm guessing the guy sucks at console controllers even more than I do. And that's saying something.

There are some technical hitches, however. The framerate can dramatically dip at the worst possible times, and there is a lot of texture pop-in. There are also frequent load times--some of them hidden by elevator rides, others popping up in the midst of exploration.

Now that's just spoiled. Play a PC game and come back to me buddy. Fucking hell. Elevators are fucking irritating though. I give him that. They're good if you're a smoker though. Jump on an elevator go light a cig. Works like a charm.

Why mention this?  To kill the hype so the game is better when you actually boot it up.  It's still worth buying and playing.  At the end of the day if you're able to deal with that and still call it 'le awesome" (GameSpot gave it an 8.5) then there must be a whole lot of gold shining through the dirt.

I've been dying to talk about Mass Effect. I'm glad it's out. I have more gripes with the game, but really, it's just nitpicking. Like the fact that Liara is the most un-sexy Asari in the game. Or the still annoying at times dark side/intimidate lines. The only real thing, and you can argue if it's a problem, but you sure as hell have to mention it, is that the rpg system is halotard friendly. Even more so than Jade Empire. I'd still call it the best Bioware game to date. Yeah, I liked it more than Baldur's Gate.  Guns > Swords. Blue skinned entirely female race of practically immortal hotness > elves.

[Shrike]

Just got mine last night and have about 6 hours on it. It's...interesting. I'll second the comment that as an RPG it's a bit dumbed down as compared to, say, Fallout. Still, it's pretty cool.

Presently, I"m playing as a vanguard type. After a few hours, I'm beginning to wish I'd gone soldier (my usual bull-in-the-china-shop routine), but maybe biotics will start to come in handy later. So far, most enemies won't get close enough (or live long enough to get close enough...) to make much use of the more offensive ones. The cover system is a bit odd at first, and your teammates are entirely too likely to jump in that foxhole with you and screw up your aiming. Also, they tend to mill around a bit before taking cover, but once there they do seem to get it together. I'm still experimenting with their control.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with it so far. It does seem to have various routes to the same place in conversation trees, but you do say some pretty surprising things! I've been leaning towards the Paragon side of things, since my basic playstyle in RPGs is always noncommital and reserved...until I have to shoot someone. To paraphrase Churchill, it costs you nothing to be polite to someone you're going to kill. Hey, it worked in Fallout.

I'm enjoying myself. Can't ask too much more than that.

[RUiN 427]

I'm glad I'm going into this knowing some of the issues people are having i.e. inventory, saving, etc...  that way I'm not expecting the perfection that all the hype lead the title to posses

[Riggswolfe]

*waits impatiently for the UPS truck* This morning my ass. Fucking lying gamestop.

[geldonyetich2]

Well, my copy came in.   

 Time to wire the 360 back up to the TV.   

[Bunk]

Since the expected play time on this is 20 - 30 hours, I'm expecting to be coming in around 45 or so, the way I play. It has the KotoR feel so far, but does seem a little shinier and more polished. Combat seems pretty fun - it actualy matters where you go and what you hide behind, unlike the auototarget combat of Knights. I need to find out if I can actually hurt my squad mates or not, since they keep running in front of me and I want to shoot them in the back (for the good of galaxy of course).

I've only punched out one guy and pulled my gun on one so far, so I guess I'm not quite in full Bauer mode yet.

[SnakeCharmer]

I'm actually a bit disappointed in my first hour of play....

[RUiN 427]

i have this weird feeling that i made the wrong conversation choice a couple conversations ago... maybe i'll load an old save.. like i said before knowing the issues before you start up the game definitely helps with not expecting too much. But overall i like what i am playing so far.

take a look at those acheivements, gonna take several playthroughs to unlock em all.

[Morfiend]

So I got the game, and once again suffer from chronic class indecision. I do like the straight forward combat approach, but being able to use some Biotecs sounds pretty good also. So as it stands I am torn between Soldier and Vanguard. Can any one give any info on the differences of the two, and with no spoilers.

[MrHat]

So I got the game, and once again suffer from chronic class indecision. I do like the straight forward combat approach, but being able to use some Biotecs sounds pretty good also. So as it stands I am torn between Soldier and Vanguard. Can any one give any info on the differences of the two, and with no spoilers.

I /mock your chronic class indecision.

[Morfiend]

So I got the game, and once again suffer from chronic class indecision. I do like the straight forward combat approach, but being able to use some Biotecs sounds pretty good also. So as it stands I am torn between Soldier and Vanguard. Can any one give any info on the differences of the two, and with no spoilers.

I /mock your chronic class indecision.

Hello Pot...

 

[RUiN 427]

i want to keep most of my comments and discussion to myself till i finish the game but i have one question. Without spoiling anything or ruining the illusion that the dialogue is natural, is it possible that i chose the wrong dialogue in one conversation and that set my character to be pissed and angry all the time?

like i said i don't want to know how the dialogue trees work or anything like that, i just have a feeling i have changed the entire game for myself from one "wrong" dialogue choice

[Mazakiel]

Well, did you take the ruthless choice at chargen?  That would probably explain it. 

As to biotics, I went adept, and I do alot more shooting than anything else so far.  Pretty much all the abilities have what seems like a rather long recharge timer on them, especially what I had thought would be a main attack if you went biotics.  And there's really no out of combat biotic abilities, so they're basically more of a supplement to shooting things full of holes, instead of a main form of attack.  Throw, one of the basic abilities, has something like a 60 second base timer.  It's better once you've thrown points into it, but I'm rather disappointed in how often I'm waiting for it to recharge.

All the same, I'm loving the game so far. 

[Amaron]

Without spoiling anything or ruining the illusion that the dialogue is natural, is it possible that i chose the wrong dialogue in one conversation and that set my character to be pissed and angry all the time?

No the dialog trees are going to be mostly independent because that's how bioware does things with their tools.  They use flags to carry info between conversations but that's usually for special case stuff.

BIG PRO TIP HERE:  Read the manual portion on the conversation wheel thing. 

I didn't do this at first and I was kind of unsatisfied with the things Shep was saying.  Turns out that wheel has an actual system to it.

Stuff on Left = dig deeper into conversation (ie the stuff you get after hitting investigate)

Stuff on top = usually good guy/paragon responses
Stuff on bottom = usually bad guy/renegade responses
I think the top/bottom good/bad doesn't apply to stuff in the investigate menu though.

Stuff on right = ending the conversation or moving it along

This actually makes things very interesting since you can pick responses much faster if you know what kind of stance you want to take in any particular situation.  I'm actually finding the replies far more satisfying than even Kotor sometimes where I could read them ahead of time.  In Kotor I'd often pick something and the other persons response to it would be wildly different than what I expected based on the text.  It feels like a little freedom of expression is lost but when you can start making replies quickly the whole "cinematic conversation" thing can be quite fun.

[Mazakiel]

Also to be noted for anyone considering a renegade path, as is standard with Bioware games, the 'dark' path of things is more a case of being a colossal dickhead more than anything else. 

[Wolf]

So I got the game, and once again suffer from chronic class indecision. I do like the straight forward combat approach, but being able to use some Biotecs sounds pretty good also. So as it stands I am torn between Soldier and Vanguard. Can any one give any info on the differences of the two, and with no spoilers.

With the soldier you get access to Snipers, as a Vanguard you don't. With the Soldier you will have more health and better armor (fyi Heavy Armor looks teh ugly on a Female shepard), along with a very powerful ability that will make the game a lot easier for you and let you ease into the combat system and learn how to use cover (immunity). With the Vanguard you'll have access to several really, really cool abilities like lift (sends enemies in the air and you can shoot at them) and a sort of force push thingie but much more powerful. Vanguard, if built right, is most likely the most imba class in the game. With it, though, you won't really have use for one of the more interesting squad members. I'd recommend going Soldier the first way through. It's much more straight forward and like I said, you use one of the better squad members and actually have it supplement you than double shit you can already do :)

Again - to anyone wondering about classes - don't go the rogue/mechanic way. It's a bad choice.

[Morfiend]

Again - to anyone wondering about classes - don't go the rogue/mechanic way. It's a bad choice.

Thanks Wolf. And by Rogue.Mechanic you mean Combat/Mechanic which is the Infiltrator?

[Mazakiel]

I had thought he was meaning the pure rogue type.  Which, having played a little, I can see as not being an optimal choice, at least for a first play through, as the rogue skillsets seem pretty well covered by the squadmates.  The only thing that isn't purely covered is a pure biotics adept type, as best as I can tell.  As rather underwhelming as biotics is so far, I'm seriously debating starting a different class before I get too far into the meat of the game. 

[Rasix]

I like the game so far.  I'm not too terribly fond of the combat system, but I've never played a shooteresque game that's this reliant on cover.  I'm used to wading into a mob of baddies and turning them into kibble.  I'm looking forward to more of it though.  I think it's something I can master, given the opportunity. 

I love the setting.  I love the explorer aspects that Wolf eluded to.  Nothing like hacking a computer and finding a quest for a remote planet or clicking on a suspicious looking gambling machine and having it kick off a quest. I spent a lot of time in the Citadel finding every possible quest I could along with scanning all of the keepers.

There's also just a shit ton of lore they put in the game. I doubt I'll read all of it, but the effort behind it is seriously impressive.

I don't like the hacking.  I really dislike how games are finding different ways to insert "Simon" into my gaming experience. Other random dislikes would be the graininess of the graphics in parts (intentional?), the 3 person group (this game screams for 4), armor graphics (functional! yet fugly), and the loading.  The loading really isn't bugging me that much, but that's because I was playing the Witcher previously.

So, despite my thoughts prior to picking up this title, it's The Witcher that will wait for this game to finish.   At least by then I'll have my additional RAM 

And for the class stuff, only soldier appealed to me.  What I've seen of the other classes so far fails to impres. The biotics I've seen so far seem to pale next to the joy of a beefed up assault rifle.  Plus, like folks have said: much like KOTOR this game will likely be more difficult if you're not playing the muscle.

[geldonyetich2]

I'm about 10-15 hours in now.

The game does seem designed around the idea of Shepherd being a Soldier.  You want to keep Shepherd alive, your death is game over while your party members just get back up after a fight, and the Soldier is the best suited to durability.  Also, the Soldier weapon focus suits Shepherd considering the party members seem to be lousy shots.  Anything technical or biotic that needs doing you can pull from a party member you're taking along.

I chose a Infiltrator and haven't regretted it entirely.  I'm half-Engineer but also half-Soldier, and so I can still contribute quite effectively with Pistol and Sniper Rifle.  My survivability is improved with medium armor (though heavy would have been better).  I can shift the odds back in my favor by making liberal use of Sabotage and Shield Overload.  Still, I can't take many hits at all before I go down.

An Adept, Engineer, or Sentinel must be really hard to play since they've next to no durability and few-to-no weapons.

My Pro-Tips:

• You can pan the screen with the right analog stick while the game is paused in the weapon selection or power selection screens (bumper buttons).  Do that - it's a lot easier than aiming or trying to get properly positioned in real time combat. 
• If you don't want your party members burning all their ability timers on who-knows-what, partly or completely disable it in the Game Options menu.
• Crouching (press left analog stick) improves your accuracy as well as reduces your profile.
• You can skip dialogue with the X/Blue button.

[Ragnoros]

I don't like the hacking.  I really dislike how games are finding different ways to insert "Simon" into my gaming experience. Other random dislikes would be the graininess of the graphics in parts (intentional?)

Yeah the button pressing is getting old fast.

Also you can turn that graininess off in the options menu under graphics.

[Rasix]

Mako    Gyah, what a terrible design decision.  "HEY GUYZ, HOW ABOUT A SUPER MARIO HUMVEEE?!?!" There's a reason certain games don't make you drive and play gunner at the same time.

Still, this game is very engrossing.  BTW, you might want someone with medium decryption for the later parts of Feros.  Just might come in handy.  Feros is just a great level.

Must sleep now.  I'm not used to marathon gaming anymore.

[Tebonas]

It will be here tomorrow morning. Already took the day off, can't wait.

[Amaron]

I love the Mako (jump jets 4tw) but using it in combat certainly isn't what I'd call "expanded gameplay" or whatever.  I basically just drive it up and use it like a turret that can sometimes maybe dodge.

The regular combat is growing on me though.  First time I went to a planet with combat I could really start to see how it's a bit more interesting compared to what I was seeing on the Citadel.  Charge a bunch of guys and blow their faces off with a shotgun then quickly drop behind some cover and snipe a sniper you can't even see without the sniper rifle scope.

[lesion]

I really, really dislike the Mako. I love exploring though. I'm torn.

Took the day off to continue playing like a drug fiend. I'm level 30-something and I just started Feros. Sidequesting is boners.

[Morfiend]

On my skills/powers screen it give me the option to "Bind Power to Key", but I cant for the life of me figure out what button it is bound to.

[Rasix]

On my skills/powers screen it give me the option to "Bind Power to Key", but I cant for the life of me figure out what button it is bound to.

right button

[Tannhauser]

I'm about 8 hrs in as a Vanguard and kinda wishing I went Soldier. I think the biotic cooldowns are too long, why use skills you can only use once a combat? 
-Citadel is very cool and I like the stations that warp you around fast.
-Combat is weird, things are happening fast and I'm stumbling around with my biotics and Marksmen abilities.  The more I do it though the more I'll probably like it.
-Exploration is great fun and I like the Mako.  I am looking for a way to log what systems/planets I have explored though.
-Loading is a mite annoying but not as bad as I feared.  Not an issue with me.
-Pop-ins aren't bothering me too much.
-I would have to say that I prefer cake to pie.
-It's a very deep game and so far very very enjoyable.

[Morfiend]

On my skills/powers screen it give me the option to "Bind Power to Key", but I cant for the life of me figure out what button it is bound to.

right button

I figured it out. Right Bumper.

I rerolled my soldier to vanguard just to check it out. I think I like the pistol better than the Assault rifle. The rifle is so inaccurate. I agree that the power cooldowns seem to take way to long.

Does anyone know if you get the second rank of a skill, like Warp -> Master Warp, is that a new skill or just a modification to the original. If so, then you could use Warp once and then Master Warp. That could make pumping biotecs very powerful.

[lesion]

I was playing Soldier/Commando and all my specials upgraded (same slot), not sure if they're biotech per se.

Also, GOTY for me. Beats Portal only because it's longer.

[AcidCat]

Currently a level 10 Vanguard, and finding the combat frustrating and unintuitive. Which is odd, since I really like KOTOR's combat. I'm at the planet where I rescue the "blue chick" and there have been two battles that I just die again ... and again ... and again... and again. I'm now at the battle at the top of the elevator trying to escape this place, and the game is really making me pull my hair out at this point. I am trying to take my time, pausing and using all the abilities me and my dudes have, but it just isn't enough. I haven't been this frustrated with a game in a long time. And it's a shame, since I really like the story/dialogue parts of the game.

[lesion]

I dropped the f-bomb on the Matriarch about 257 times but she was immune or something OH HO HO

Once I got used to the combat dying constantly became less of an issue, but the fucking Mako almost made me explode with hatred. O wot cruel duality.