Mass Effect 2 *spoilers around pg 29/30*

[Ragnoros]

[rk47]

Sigh. I guess they wanted it to be screwable to make it memorable. 

[Big Gulp]

Sigh. I guess they wanted it to be screwable to make it memorable. 

"But Aquaman, you cannot marry a woman without gills. You're from two different worlds! "

[taolurker]

How did this get on page 3? sheesh... Only one week to go.

[fatboy]

Only one week to go.

I can't wait.....and I saw 3 (although brief) commercials during 24 on Sunday for ME2.

And nice spoiler btw.....  

[Velorath]

How did this get on page 3?

It got on page 3 because Bioware has been releasing tons of videos in the past few months, many of which contain spoilers.  Hell, there are games sites out there which apparently spoiled the entire first hour and a half of the game.  I'm guessing anyone who is interested in this game is actively trying to avoid discussions about it right now.

[01101010]

--edit: gah, forgot to spoiler to protect the innocent. i swear it was only for a second. 

[Riggswolfe]

--edit: gah, forgot to spoiler to protect the innocent. i swear it was only for a second. 

No. She was a very popular character and many players wanted her as a romance option.

[AutomaticZen]

I've been avoiding all news except for class changes.  I don't even know who's in the game other than the three they keep ramming into my head OVER AND OVER AND OVER on posters: Boob Jumpsuit, Green Dude, and Wrex 2.

[Velorath]

They finally got around to announcing what the Cerberus Card that comes with every new copy of the game does:

BioWare, a division of EA, today revealed 'The Cerberus Network', an in-game portal in Mass Effect 2 that will keep fans engaged with the rich and dynamic Mass Effect universe through downloadable content (DLC) and news. 'The Cerberus Network' is activated exclusively by original purchasers of Mass Effect 2 through a single-use unlock code that comes included in retail and digital versions of the game worldwide. 'The Cerberus Network' is a conduit for players to receive bonus content as well as daily messages and news on upcoming releases for Mass Effect 2 for no extra charge. For players who do not buy the game new, 'The Cerberus Network' can be unlocked through a one-time, in-game purchase of a new activation code*.

"The Cerberus Network augments and extends the rich universe of Mass Effect 2," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, co-founder, BioWare and Group General Manager of the RPG/MMO Group of EA. "We're thrilled to be able to reward loyal BioWare and Mass Effect fans with ongoing, high quality content and provide a direct channel for our players to dive deeper into the intriguing lore of Mass Effect."

Players who access 'The Cerberus Network' will receive the first DLC pack on January 26th (launch day in North America) featuring new missions and in-game items. Included in this pack is a mission that introduces Zaeed, a rugged and deadly gun-for-hire who is recruited to join Commander Shepard's mission to save mankind.

After launch, BioWare will release another DLC pack for Mass Effect 2 that introduces the Hammerhead, a new vehicle in the Mass Effect universe. This agile hover tank features improved handling on rough terrain and maneuvers deftly in combat -- a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments throughout the galaxy. In addition to this new vehicle, BioWare will release new missions and unique in-game items, including Cerberus Assault Armor which boost shields, health and heavy weapon ammo and the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun.

[eldaec]

If that just said 'more missions' I would be compelled to buy all the DLC they could ship. But happily because they imply it is really all about overpowered loot, my 'RMT and Horse Armour Indignation' talent gives me +5 willpower.

[tmp]

No, she's quite literally engineered to appeal to geek types -- a tech genius girl barely past her adolescence, with over-exaggerated female curves. Small wonder they fall for her in droves.

[Velorath]

If that just said 'more missions' I would be compelled to buy all the DLC they could ship. But happily because they imply it is really all about overpowered loot, my 'RMT and Horse Armour Indignation' talent gives me +5 willpower.

The first DLC is free.  It's essentially like the Shale DLC from Dragon Age.  It gives you a new character and a new quest as incentive to by the game new rather than used.

[caladein]

No, she's quite literally engineered to appeal to geek types -- a tech genius girl barely past her adolescence, with over-exaggerated female curves. Small wonder they fall for her in droves.

So are the other two.  Ashley's the tough but compassionate warrior-poet, Liara's the callow archeologist, and Tali's the adventurous and precocious engineering nerd.

This post had a decent chance of involving NGE with how similar the three female characters are.

[Lakov_Sanite]

a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments

I do not like the way this is phrased.  At the moment any game intentionally cockblocks content with the intention of making you pay later for it(insert mmo joke here) that's the last I'll pay for it.  Bioware seems to have a real hardon for DLC now and it's making me dislike the company more and more each time I see it.

[Trippy]

a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments

I do not like the way this is phrased.  At the moment any game intentionally cockblocks content with the intention of making you pay later for it(insert mmo joke here) that's the last I'll pay for it.  Bioware seems to have a real hardon for DLC now and it's making me dislike the company more and more each time I see it.

It sounds like a replacement for the piece-of-crap handling APC in the original game.  I would assume you can still use the default APC to move around the planets if you don't have the DLC.

[Velorath]

a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments

I do not like the way this is phrased.  At the moment any game intentionally cockblocks content with the intention of making you pay later for it(insert mmo joke here) that's the last I'll pay for it.  Bioware seems to have a real hardon for DLC now and it's making me dislike the company more and more each time I see it.

It sounds like a replacement for the piece-of-crap handling APC in the original game.  I would assume you can still use the default APC to move around the planets if you don't have the DLC.

According to reviewers, the base game doesn't have any APC sections (they weren't exactly most peoples' favorite part of the original).  Any sort of planetary exploring missions would presumably part of the Hammerhead DLC.

[tmp]

I do not like the way this is phrased.

I think it's phrased just like any other commercial/piece of PR that tries to sell you something you don't really need.

[01101010]

So are the other two.  Ashley's the tough but compassionate warrior-poet, Liara's the callow archeologist, and Tali's the adventurous and precocious engineering nerd.

This post had a decent chance of involving NGE with how similar the three female characters are.

You have a point, but I was traveling down the road of "hey, I am playing a bad ass soldier (warrior) and need this engy (rogue) to open this box for the lootz!" rather than for any Kirk-like escapades. I didn't care for any of the people on my team save for Wrex. Tali was pure utility.

[Tebonas]

The first time I did the same, this time I used Garrus (and Ashley instead of Wrex because I wanted to switch it around this playthrough) and it worked out just as well (going Vanguard instead of Soldier I got the Bio angle covered myself).

I miss Wrex though, thats like playing Kotor without HK-47.

[Sky]

I didn't care for any of the people on my team save for Wrex.

I didn't even know he was a gay romance option.

[Lantyssa]

No, she's quite literally engineered to appeal to geek types -- a tech genius girl barely past her adolescence, with over-exaggerated female curves. Small wonder they fall for her in droves.

They're going to be crushed when it turns out Quarians are frog-people.  Not me though.  Tali's just that awesome.

[01101010]

I didn't care for any of the people on my team save for Wrex.

I didn't even know he was a gay romance option.

I believe I am skating on the other side of the ice.

[Tarami]

I liked Tali because she was the only one that didn't feel like she was bitching all the God damn time and that includes both men and women.

[Lakov_Sanite]

Tali was never in my party since my shepard was the thecy herself. Went with a sort of rogue/sniper character which suited my playstyle(plus i can't stand ever leaving a locked chest or door in any game)  so she just kind of stayed on the ship and stared at the engine.  If I'd had my preference than the human girl would have had a female romance option since she was in my party from day one and we generally got along.

[eldaec]

Wrex....

Shepard: Oh tell me about mercenaries, there is no reason for me to ask this, but fuck I'll ask on the offchance.
Wrex : <20 minute cliche filled epic about betrayal and hey that guy across the room's army literally ripped off my balls but I don't care>
Shepard: Actually why are you here, you joined the team for absolutely no reason, and you're a merc who doesn't want paying, how's that working for ya?
Wrex: Just how I roll dawg.

Turian-guy was trying way too hard. The script read like Gene Hunt, the voice sounded like a whiny bitch.

Blue squid head chick.... jesus christ.

The forgettable male human is possibly the dullest character ever to grace a computer game since Bao-Dur, and not having to talk to him after he was first against the wall on <SPOILER> was a blessed relief.



That leaves Tali and Ashley.

They were both decent characters, but Tali was cooler than Ashley.

I liked Tali because she was the only one that didn't feel like she was bitching all the God damn time and that includes both men and women.

Also this.

[Ingmar]

You know, I'm with you on Bao-dur, he's like a walking yawn, but I remember seeing a many many pages long thread on the KOTOR2 forums that consisted mostly of female gamers swooning about how hot he and/or his character and/or his voice were. So maybe he just wasn't for us.

[eldaec]

Bao-dur lost me on the very first conversation. You meet him on that remarkably dull brown/green planet, and given the slightest provocation he subjects you to a 4 hour treatise on an irrelevant war that then turns out to have no impact whatsoever on matters at hand. I was subscribed to SWG for almost a year, but meeting Bao-Dur remains that most soporific gaming experience of my entire misspent life.

Discovering that the Kotor2 team had decided they had time to fit in Bao-dur's Homeric backstory, but not the HK factory pretty much confirmed my suspicion that there is no God.

[Raguel]

This may sound odd, but I never played Mass Effect because I didn't care much Jade Empire (I don't know why, it just left me cold). I thought I didn't care for Bioware rpgs anymore until I played DA:O. Now I plan on buying ME 1 and 2, but before I do I wanted to ask teh internets: while I realize ME is in a different setting, is it fair to say it's a BG/DA style game, or is it something completely different?

[Goreschach]

This may sound odd, but I never played Mass Effect because I didn't care much Jade Empire (I don't know why, it just left me cold). I thought I didn't care for Bioware rpgs anymore until I played DA:O. Now I plan on buying ME 1 and 2, but before I do I wanted to ask teh internets: while I realize ME is in a different setting, is it fair to say it's a BG/DA style game, or is it something completely different?

It's very, very Dragon Age in Space. Or rather Dragon Age was Horse Effect.

[Trippy]

ME is a real shooter (though you can pause to give orders) as in you have to aim and you can dodge projectiles so it's not like the BioWare fantasy RPGs in that regard.

[Fordel]

Though if you play with enough Biotic and Tech powers, it might as well be another BG/Kotor/DA game.



I need to play ME1 again to see what's the big deal with Tali. I am seemingly completely indifferent to her either way, so I obviously missed something on my first play through.

[caladein]

I didn't have her in my party but I liked her on-ship conversations best after Ashley's.  I can certainly see where the love comes from though just from those.

[Trippy]

I need to play ME1 again to see what's the big deal with Tali. I am seemingly completely indifferent to her either way, so I obviously missed something on my first play through.

You didn't miss anything. I'm not sure why everybody else is so keen on her given she wears a mask the entire time.

[Tarami]

I just thought she was nice and admirable as a person. Dutiful, self-sacrificing and optimistic, unlike the rest of the supernarcissistic crew.