>>2) I will now have to outlay money on Mass Effect 2 (never played
>>either ME - the acronym has too many bad, Windows-based memories...
>>*shudders*)
>
>Play ME1 first. Trust me.

Admittedly, it's a bit of a slog. I could go on about the Mako all day; it got to the point where I tracked down those Canyonero ads from The Simpsons to keep myself sane through driving bits. That and the inventory system feels like someone spent all of five minutes on it.

But the payoff of the whole continuing story is well worth it, believe me.

-- Slider Da Feral
As for the Windows ME memories, do what I do: call the game ME1.