11/20 Mass Effect (Xbox 360)

[Lum]

I love this game. It's like a long-lost episode of Babylon 5 in its space operatic feel - just pulpy enough, with soaring soundtracks and dramatic visuals. Better than the stuff JMS has been coming up with lately!

That being said:

*  Mako combat is a lot less frustrating once you learn to dodge Geth ArmaturaorutuTANK shots with the jump jets.
*  Regular combat is frustrating simply because it follows rules that are poorly explained (a 170 damage pistol does not do the same damage as a 170 damage sniper rifle). So do what I do - trigger Barrier, run up to people, and shoot them in the face with a shotgun. That trumps most combat rules quite handily.
*  Wrex: BEST. NPC. EVER.    Seriously, there is no problem that Wrex cannot solve, given enough explosives. Wrex is even more anti-social ultra-violent than HK-47. If you're trying to decide what's the right thing to do, occasionally Wrex will just pull out a gun and shoot things. Because THAT'S HOW HE SOLVES PROBLEMS.

Reason #40 why I have such a huge man-crush on Wrex: without too much spoiler, Wrex is off being unhappy. One of your party members recommends you talk to him. This is the conversation.

"You should go talk to him."
"Yeah, you're right. What could it hurt?"
"Uh, actually, it could hurt A LOT."

[Wolf]

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.

The exact same thing happened to me. I went right after Liara once I got off the citadel and died like a motherfucker on her quest. Don't worry, just don't stop playing. The combat will grow on you and you'll love it in a couple of hours.

How do you guys use cover? Do you use it in the gears way - run up to something, put your back to it, show from the corner and shoot shit down? 'cause I just run up to some obstacle and strafe out of it to shoot stuff - just like in an old shooter. Works great for me.

Someone asked if advanced skills appear on a different timer - no, they overwrite the pre-existing ones. But cooldown gets a big bonus so they're worth it if you can get them.

Also something I forgot to add last time around - even if you're not doing side-quests do the mission in the "Local Cluster" as soon as it appears. It's important :)

[geldonyetich2]

Wrex is definitely a cool character, starting with his appearance alone.  His gravely voice causes me to think of him as a mildly psychotic Eeyore, as though the popular stuffed mule were a deadly alien juggernaut depressed about his dying race.  He's been behaving himself reasonably well with me, perhaps because I went straight max-charm Paragon this first time.

Kaiden, on the other hand... (spoiler:) I threw him to the jackals the first opportunity the game gave me.  Worthless biotic!

How do you guys use cover? Do you use it in the gears way - run up to something, put your back to it, show from the corner and shoot shit down? 'cause I just run up to some obstacle and strafe out of it to shoot stuff - just like in an old shooter. Works great for me.

Pretty much.  Need to have your gun out, then just run up to a barrier.  You might need to crouch (tap left anlog stick) to use a low cover.

[Riggswolfe]

I just finished the game and am already debating if I want to start a new character for my next playthrough or use my game+ character and work on the hardcore achievement.

Tips:

Achievements actually give you stuff in this game. I got the assault rifle kills achievement and now any character I make has the assault rifle tree. I highly recommend going soldier the first time through and unlocking your favorite weapon for all characters in this way. I can now make a biotic that has:

+10% shields
+10% health
Assault rifle talent tree
+5% XP bonus
and a couple of others I forgot.

Using achievements you can unlock almost any talent tree in this way. Eventually, if you're obsessive enough, you could make a class that had access to most talents.


Use the mako jump jets to dodge. It makes combat 100% less frustrating and it is alot of fun to jump over missiles, land, and blow them away with your cannon shot.

Get the rich acheivement and then buy the special spectre weapons.

Give Ashley a sniper rifle and watch the game become insanely easy. I had fights that were over almost before I even was able to get involved in them in this manner. I don't know why she was so awesome with it, but half the time I'd have just targeted an enemy only to watch them die before I ever pulled the trigger.

Pay attention to weapons. I noticed the cutscenes actually switch your weapons, so if Ashley pulls her pistol in a cutscene, that's what she is using when you go back into the game.

[Miasma]

I don't know if it's just because I haven't played a shooter with thumbsticks in so long but the combat is absolutely ruining the game for me, I hate the battles.

[Mazakiel]

Achievements actually give you stuff in this game. I got the assault rifle kills achievement and now any character I make has the assault rifle tree. I highly recommend going soldier the first time through and unlocking your favorite weapon for all characters in this way. I can now make a biotic that has:

+10% shields
+10% health
Assault rifle talent tree
+5% XP bonus
and a couple of others I forgot.

Using achievements you can unlock almost any talent tree in this way. Eventually, if you're obsessive enough, you could make a class that had access to most talents.

That's...pretty cool.  I need to play a soldier next to unlock some weapons.  Is the change retroactive?  I really like my adept now, I'd rather not start him over completely once I've unlocked some non pistol options. 


Having played a biotic for awhile now, once you get points into adept and the power talents, the cooldowns become alot better.  You'll still be using your gun, just nowhere near as often as early on.  Singularity is very fun.  I need to practice with the grenades so I can lob a grenade under all the floating enemies.  While you can be somewhat fragile without barrier up, biotics can make you pretty survivable.  I was fighting in a research lab for a quest, and as I was running to cover, the enemies didn't do the same, they all just charged me instead.  Which, as an adept, is pretty much an "Oh shit, I'm dead!" moment, except I'd just gotten singularity.  Toss that, and warp, shoot into the mass of floating enemies, and a grenade to finish most the rest, and I'd just killed most of them in about 5 seconds. 

[Amaron]

Don't forget to turn on the auto aiming if the combat is annoying you.  No reason to punish yourself to the point that you don't even like the game.   Is everyone else using all the weapons by the way?  I'm playing a soldier but I've only trained assault rifles.  I still constantly use the shotgun and sniper rifle even without skill points in them.

[Riggswolfe]

Don't forget to turn on the auto aiming if the combat is annoying you.  No reason to punish yourself to the point that you don't even like the game.   Is everyone else using all the weapons by the way?  I'm playing a soldier but I've only trained assault rifles.  I still constantly use the shotgun and sniper rifle even without skill points in them.

I pretty much went assault rifle all the way through the game. It was really helpful until I got used to the combat. When I replay my soldier I'll probably concentrate on shotguns next since I am not sure I'd have alot of luck with the sniper rifle in this game.

[Tannhauser]

I really wish I wasn't Vanguard now.  They are watered down combat and biotic nancy-boys who have to hang back while the she-wolf Ashley cleans house.  But combat now is easier now that I send my team in first to engage and, you know, use tactics an all.  Combat is quite challenging for me, but I am digging it.  At least the mobs don't just fall down and die like KOTOR II.

I adore the MAKO but it's ezmode. 
1. See red dot on radar
2. LT for turret view
3. Click RS for zoom in x2
4. Squeeze money button
5. Profit.

I just now got Medium Armor, hopefully that will slow my impressions of the last moments of Sonny Corelone.

[Bunk]

The battle at the end of picking up blue girl was a tough one, after several tries I had to turn down combat to easy to get by it. I'd have tried more attempts at normal, but it was frustrating that you had to wait on the cutscene each time and couldn't save right before the combat.

Was also a bit of a shocker the first time a Cerebus Sniper got me lined up. I wasn't really expecting to get one shot with full health and shields. I am starting to enjoy the combat more now that I've been playing with ordering the team around. They work great for running up the hall and then back again to draw out an enemy so I can snipe.

Overall, I'm doing pretty good. Only had to punch out two civilians so far.

[AcidCat]

The battle at the end of picking up blue girl was a tough one, after several tries I had to turn down combat to easy to get by it. I'd have tried more attempts at normal, but it was frustrating that you had to wait on the cutscene each time and couldn't save right before the combat.

I had to sleep on that one, and got up this morning and got it on my third try. The combat is definitely not alcohol-friendly gameplay. I didn't know you could change the difficulty midgame or I would have done the same thing.

I've also been trying to use cover more and it definitely helps.

[Shrike]

Soldier is definately easier on the ulcers, but I've gotten my vanguard moving along and it does get easier. Med armor helps, but getting armor with good shield stats and putting in a shield module help tons.

Also...shotguns. The trump card of doom when you have to kick enemies off the gun barrel. Generally, as a vanguard I find myelf boosting my shield, then running in and going all Steven McQueen on the enemy of the moment. Seems to work pretty well. A well place warp can help clear a room in a hurry as well.

Also, as much as I like Ashely, Teli is the one that has me grinning maniacly in a fight. Enemies dancing around like squirrels on meth? Not after she sees one and blows his shield. Always brings out a smile. Sheeeeelds? You don't need no steeeenking sheeeelds!

[AcidCat]

Another nitpick - why am I forced to go through the whole game carrying around two weapons I can never use because of my class?

And I can't tell you how many times I've exited the galaxy menu when I just wanted to zoom out.

But still I find myself compulsively playing. I think the overall theme and story and character interactions are really, really well done. It's a shame combat isn't more intuitive and there seems to be several minor, odd annoyances.

[Amaron]

Another nitpick - why am I forced to go through the whole game carrying around two weapons I can never use because of my class?

Probably wasn't worth special case coding.  You can get all 4 weapon skills on every class via achievements afterall.

The galaxy menu thing drives me batty though too.

[Rasix]

I adore the MAKO but it's ezmode. 
1. See red dot on radar
2. LT for turret view
3. Click RS for zoom in x2
4. Squeeze money button
5. Profit.

I never knew you could increase the zoom before reading this. Using that tidbit, the mako sections have been far less annoying.

With my soldier I'm really only using the assault rifle and shotgun.  Shotgun is really useful for close corridor fighting and for stuff that likes to close to melee.  My party seems to consist of Wrex and whatever tech person I managed to bring along. Wrex with fitness, max armor, barrier, and a shotgun is death incarnate.

This game is really well crafted. I just can't stop playing it. 

[Tebonas]

Sank 15 solid hours of playing into that baby yesterday. Its been years since I've done that. The only downside is that it is the first 360-game I bought that isn't multilingual. A nasty surprise, but at least the German translation is decent enough to not let me run screaming. Still, gotta try to return it on monday and order a proper copy online. I hope I have the willpower, because that game is digital crack.

[Riggswolfe]

Well, I'm about halfway through my second playthrough. My game+ soldier is level 55ish. I'm playing on hardcore mode with Ashley and Garrus in my team. So far the only mobs that are a challenge are biotics.

With the soldier, once you hit a certain point you do become the Grim Reaper made flesh. I love using immunity, then my assault rifle kill skill. (I just blanked on the name, it's late and I'm tired.)

The thing that is annoying on hardcore is alot of the enemies use immunity too. Also, snipers are evil on that level. I've had to be alot more of a tactician than I was on normal but for the most part the only nasty stuff is running into a ton of missile mobs while I'm in the mako.

[geldonyetich2]

I'm pretty close to finishing it the first time through with my Infiltrator.  This is indeed most excellent digital crack.  The combat seems a bit clunky at first, like it tried to imitate Gears of War but fell far short, but the gap closed between the two games closed somewhat once I got used to it.  KOTOR + Gears of War = Win.  + Starflght = Uber Win.  I'm already looking forward to the sequel which (if I had any say in it) would include calling in support strikes from the Normandy while driving around.

But enough gushing.

So they've got a hardcore difficulty in New Game+ eh?  That's good, even my Infiltrator (Operative spec) seems to have transcended what most Veteran-level foes can do.  Breaking out the Blue Girl was finished the first time with only one application of Medigel.  (Granted, I put it off until only collection assignments were left.)  Sabotage and Dampening are extremely effective abilities.

[Tannhauser]

I've found my team.  Ashley to tank, her Immunity and (rapid fire shot thingy) make her the room cleaner.  Garrus has been brought onboard to support her (was going to use him as sniiper but he goes where Ashley goes) as well as Decrypt containers and eventually have Electronics.   Despite the title the Vanguard stays in the rear, commanding the action and using Unity, Healing, Marksman and Warp to lower defenses.

Yah the fight with Benezia was rough.  Got down to just me vs. 4 of her minions.  I barely pulled it out.  Good times.  I played for 12 hours yesterday.

[Shrike]

I put in the big hours last night as well. Final team is looking like soldier Shepard, Ashley, and Tali. Kinda odd, but they take no prisoners.

I could probably replace Ashley with Wrex, and might very well off and on, but two soldiers can simply lay down the hurt. Tali is surprisingly effective. Anything with shields is fair game for massive explosions and she's pretty handy with a shotgun. Also, I'm used to being able to crack and loot every console, computer, and locked stash that I come across. Some nifty stuff in those. She supposedly can hack AIs, but I have't gotten that skill high enough yet to play hob with the Geth--yet.

I squared off with Benezia last night. If it hadn't been for unity I don't think I'd have pulled it off. Still, the final showdown had me busy cranking my shields back up while Ashley and Tali executed her with a flurry of shotgun carnage--well, as close to an execution as that fight could get anyway. I felt kinda left out.

Fun stuff!

[Stormwaltz]

The only downside is that it is the first 360-game I bought that isn't multilingual. A nasty surprise, but at least the German translation is decent enough to not let me run screaming.

It's the VO. There's enough of it that we don't have enough space on one disc to include more than a single set.

We contracted out to a very reputable place in Ireland (I forget the name, not my end of the business) to get the translations done, and let them make whatever creative edits they needed to make it work within the idioms of their language. One example I know of is that in French, Ashley quotes French poems with the same "message" as the ones she quotes in the original English. So you don't have to put up with an awkward translation of Tennyson's "Ulysses."

[Tebonas]

I suspected it was a space issue. Let me give kudos to the place you contracted. The translation and the voices they chose both feel right. Its like watching an english SF movie in a superbly translated version. One of these days I still want to rewatch that in English, in the way the creator envisioned it. And if I have to choose (if multilingual is no option), I rather choose the English version right now. Because all due respect, even as good as Mass Effect is, even that game isn't worth buying  twice. That is no knock against your contractor. Everybody should hire them, their reputation is well earned.

[AcidCat]

Despite some of my initial frustrations with the combat system, I also have become really addicted to this game. You get on a roll and it's "just this one more thing" and before you know it two hours have gone by. My wife is getting to hate the game but I've been giving her plenty of shopping money over the weekend so I've been getting away with monopolizing the tv :).

I don't really have a set crew, I like to mix it up. Wrex is always great for his random comments. Though that other human dude, I haven't used him since the first mission, I wish there was another character for that spot that wasn't so generic.

[MrHat]

God Damn.

I'm enjoying the ever living hell out of this.

Just clearing out Peak 15 atm.  Some seriously fun stuff.  Currently going Soldier.  I've kept Tali around because of the crazy open boxes (My lootwhore self suffered so bad when I couldn't open a box).  So my team is Shepard + Tali + whoever I feel like atm.

Having so much damn fun.  Even the soap opera stuff is awesome.

Edit: Wrex cracks me up.

[geldonyetich2]

Finished my first time through.  Now I'm going the second time through with a badass Vanguard gothette.  (I'm playing female the second time for the voiceovers and not to ogle polygons, but I might as well have fun with it.)  I'm going for achievements now.  Apparently there's one rigged to every active skill and 150 kills of every weapon.

[LK]

The game can be beaten in 6 hours or faster if you stick to the main storyline and speed through dialog.

There's about 20-30 hours of excess content that usually is mostly dialog, loading screen, or something to that effect.  The actual "game" portions are relatively light.

The pain in the ass achievements are the ones where you need to complete "a majority of the game" with each of the 6 side members.  Oh, and beating the game on Hardcore *and* Insanity.

[Amaron]

One example I know of is that in French, Ashley quotes French poems with the same "message" as the ones she quotes in the original English. So you don't have to put up with an awkward translation of Tennyson's "Ulysses."

Well I could care less about that particular part but I actually hate when they do translations that way myself.  Poems are kind of an odd ball situation if you are doing subtitles for a foreign VO but I'd far rather have an awkward translation than have it completely changed.  The quality control on such little changes are often far below the original state of the game.  They also have an awful tendency to regionalize a title making it lose uniqueness.  I feel sorry for anyone who has to get this amazing game filtered through horrible translation work like that.

[AcidCat]

I've kept Tali around because of the crazy open boxes (My lootwhore self suffered so bad when I couldn't open a box).  So my team is Shepard + Tali + whoever I feel like atm.

Seriously, I bring her along a lot of times when I'd rather not just so I don't get some frustrating message that I can't open some loot box.

The game can be beaten in 6 hours or faster if you stick to the main storyline and speed through dialog.

There's about 20-30 hours of excess content that usually is mostly dialog, loading screen, or something to that effect.  The actual "game" portions are relatively light.

I would have to disagree, I'm at 15 hours and maybe I would guess a little halfway through the main storyline, and the optional stuff has been a lot more than talking and loading screens. Plenty of combat and exploring and lewt.

And really, saying gameplay is "just dialogue" in this game is selling it way short. I have never played a game where conversing with other characters was this fun and immersive. I still like it more than the combat itself.

This four day weekend came at a perfect time, I've played the game so much since Wednesday night that my wife hates it. OH WELL there is a galaxy to be saved and a blue alien chick to get busy with!

[Murgos]

I can't find keeper 21.  I left the station and headed out to see the universe though so I figure it's all good and I'll swing back around Citadel at some point.

[Miasma]

Can't find 21 either, been all over, since I'm completely infallible I have assumed it is in a section of the station that only opens up later in the plot .

[lesion]

My 21 was under a back-alley stairway somewhere huffing space gas.

[Rasix]

There's at least 4 in the tower area alone. Maybe 5.  Another one is out by the Normandy, I can see people missing that one. 

[geldonyetich2]

It's hard to say where your keeper #21 can be, but my guess is you haven't tried the dock yet: there's one there.  Another good possibility is the one in the Wards Access Corridor (need to access by taking an elevator between the Presidium and the Wards).  If those are not it, there's a complete list here.

I've put my badass gothette Vanguard reply on hold while I do a New Game+ with my original Infiltrator Shepard in order to unlock the remaining tech and weapons.  High accuracy, higher-level weapons are relatively easy to use even untrained.  When I reroll my goth chick, I've decided to go straight Biotic but with an Assault Rifle bonus skill: throwing, lifting, and singularity is kinda fun.  You wouldn't realize it, but there's actually physics support for combat in this game.

Hardcore mode is surprisingly easy, even with a new character, once you've played long enough to get your game on.  The grind:power curve in this game is not very steep at all.  Level 40 (about IX or Spectre rank) weapons only have about 3x base stats of level 1 (I) weapons.  Mods influence that a bit, but not much.

[lesion]

Has anyone gotten the Scholar achievement? I think I'm one race short, most likely Batarians if they have a Primary entry. I read that you could get everything before leaving Citadel for the first time.

[NiX]

What's with the character+/game+ bit you all keep speaking about? Also, please, go on. You're all making this game sound more delicious as I read each post.