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Eyrie Productions, Unlimited
twipper
Member since Jan-8-03
279 posts |
Feb-20-13, 12:26 PM (EDT) |
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"Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
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I gave in and purchased the Steam collection of Mass Effect 1 & 2 Digital Deluxe edition. I've wanted to play the games for a long time, and figured the Snowpocalypse that is hitting Kansas today would be a good day to start. Anyone here have any game-play tips or issues you wish you'd known about when you started your first play-through? I get frustrated when I'm many hours into a game and realize, 'oh, that is how that really works'. Many anticipated thanks, Brian
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pjmoyer
Charter Member
1854 posts |
Feb-20-13, 12:59 PM (EDT) |
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1. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #0
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>Anyone here have any game-play tips or issues you wish you'd known >about when you started your first play-through? I get frustrated when >I'm many hours into a game and realize, 'oh, that is how that really >works'. 1) The Mass Effect Wiki is a good overall guide to the games, and can help you decide what classes and weapons you may want to use, especially in the first game where they're more prolifigate. 2) In ME1, it is possible to make your sniper rifle infinite repeating with no cool down if you have the right mods. However, not all characters are cut out for sniping. Also, not all Shepards can use heavier armor, so that will have an influence on your class choice. The various classes have different skills that can be bought up that will make your weapons use easier. 3) In ME1, you'll have to manage the loadouts for ALL your squad members, which can become tedious, especially when you want to upgrade everybody to Spectre weapons (the overall best in the game, outside of specific gun/mod combinations). 4) In ME1, eventually you'll get so much low-level loot that it won't be worth the effort to sell it off -- liquifey it to Omnigel. Also, make sure you've got enough space in the inventory before you open any container, because otherwise it may not let you pick up the goodies. 5) The mining minigame with the Mako in ME1 can be a little frustrating at times, but you get to drive across alien vistas, find relics, locate ore reserves (one of your prime sources of credits,t he other being selling off higher-level gear), and with the existance of the maps in the wiki, not THAT much of a pain to go through (though some of the ore deposits are in mountain crevices which are hard to get to -- join the Mako Mountain Climbing Club!). As opposed to the minerals scanning game in ME2, where the minerals are soley for your upgrades (so you'll need a lot), each planet must be scanned by holding down the cursor and dragging the radar over the planet, and to the best of my knowledge the locations on the planet are not 'set', it's just given percentages of how much you can find on the planet. Also, don't bother scanning any planet with resources below Fair or Poor (unless they've got some eezo. ALWAYS STRIPMINE a planet with ANY eezo, to be sure you get it all). 6) Do NOT be pressured by the game/gamers to 'twitch game' your way through the campaign. The power and weapon wheels are there for a reason (on the console, at least), they can help you make better tactical decisions since things automatically pause as you determine what your squadmates should be aming at/using powers/choosing guns. more to come in the future, I'm sure... --- Philip
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Philip J. Moyer Contributing Writer, Editor and Artist (and Moderator) -- Eyrie Productions, Unlimited CEO of MTS, High Poobah Of Artwork, and High Priest Of the Church Of Aerianne -- Magnetic Terrapin Studios "Insert Pithy Comment Here" | |
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Gryphon
Charter Member
22375 posts |
Feb-20-13, 10:18 PM (EDT) |
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4. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #1
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>As opposed to the >minerals scanning game in ME2, where the minerals are soley for your >upgrades (so you'll need a lot), each planet must be scanned by >holding down the cursor and dragging the radar over the planet, and to >the best of my knowledge the locations on the planet are not 'set', >it's just given percentages of how much you can find on the planet. I find the mining minigame in ME2 strangely hypnotic sometimes, particularly late at night. To the point where I will sometimes put aside the whole saving-the-galaxy thing and just go around robotically stripmining entire solar systems, and getting actually annoyed when I randomly stumble across a bonus mission that needs doing on some planet I'm just trying to find palladium on. --G. "In research projects, palladium is used to upgrade shotguns, medical equipment, and non-implantable Stark Industries arc reactors." -><- Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/ zgryphon at that email service Google has Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. |
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Gryphon
Charter Member
22375 posts |
Feb-20-13, 10:16 PM (EDT) |
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3. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #0
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I could've sworn we'd recently had this conversation, and indeed we have! Not that I'm shutting anything down here - anybody's got anything new to offer, please, by all means. Just, you know, there might also be something helpful over there. --G. -><- Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/ zgryphon at that email service Google has Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. |
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Peter Eng
Charter Member
2045 posts |
Feb-21-13, 02:19 PM (EDT) |
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9. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #6
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>Ok, I get the theory behind trying to avoid overt spoilers, because >this thread is about a game that the OP has (obviously) never played. > >But, uhh..if you're going to make a reference that's coded, maybe >making one that isn't obvious to the fandom of the forum you're making >the post on isn't the best code ever? >Well, if you can come up with an area of common experience to use as a code base, I'm sure everybody would appreciate it, but I think the only thing people on this forum have in common is liking the stories. So, I don't think there were many options. Peter Eng -- "If you get a chance to go where there's less pay, but better fellow workers..." |
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Pasha
Charter Member
1018 posts |
Feb-21-13, 10:49 PM (EDT) |
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10. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #9
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>>Ok, I get the theory behind trying to avoid overt spoilers, because >>this thread is about a game that the OP has (obviously) never played. >> >>But, uhh..if you're going to make a reference that's coded, maybe >>making one that isn't obvious to the fandom of the forum you're making >>the post on isn't the best code ever? >> > >Well, if you can come up with an area of common experience to use as a >code base, I'm sure everybody would appreciate it, but I think the >only thing people on this forum have in common is liking the stories. >So, I don't think there were many options. My point is that, if you're trying to avoid, for spoiler reasons, saying "Saturn's moon Titan", maybe saying "That place where Corwin's castle is" isn't the most secure of codes. -- -Pasha What was that feeling again? Oh yes. -Rage- |
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BeardedFerret
Member since Apr-21-08
514 posts |
Feb-21-13, 10:58 PM (EDT) |
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11. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #10
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>>>Ok, I get the theory behind trying to avoid overt spoilers, because >>>this thread is about a game that the OP has (obviously) never played. >>> >>>But, uhh..if you're going to make a reference that's coded, maybe >>>making one that isn't obvious to the fandom of the forum you're making >>>the post on isn't the best code ever? >>> >> >>Well, if you can come up with an area of common experience to use as a >>code base, I'm sure everybody would appreciate it, but I think the >>only thing people on this forum have in common is liking the stories. >>So, I don't think there were many options. > >My point is that, if you're trying to avoid, for spoiler reasons, >saying "Saturn's moon Titan", maybe saying "That place where Corwin's >castle is" isn't the most secure of codes. Wrong moon, buddy.
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Pasha
Charter Member
1018 posts |
Feb-21-13, 11:42 PM (EDT) |
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13. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #11
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>>My point is that, if you're trying to avoid, for spoiler reasons, >>saying "Saturn's moon Titan", maybe saying "That place where Corwin's >>castle is" isn't the most secure of codes. > >Wrong moon, buddy. Fine. Instead of saying "When you get a chance to go to Luna, totally take it, the mission there is awesome", saying "When you get a chance to go to the place where Corwin took Utena after the Spring Formal (not the prom. He took Buttercup to the prom, remember?)" yadda yadda. I was using a counter example. -- -Pasha What was that feeling again? Oh yes. -Rage- |
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laudre
Member since Nov-14-06
428 posts |
Feb-21-13, 09:35 AM (EDT) |
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7. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #0
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ME1: Go with a Soldier, Adept, or Vanguard for your first playthrough. The other three (Infiltrator, Engineer, Sentinel) require a bit more experience with the game to not be frustrating. The pistol is the best weapon type in the game, especially with Marksman, for Shepard. Garrus and Ashley do well with assault rifles if you buy up the relevant skills, and Wrex does well with shotguns. Liara, Tali, and Kaidan want pistols. Be sure to use the pause menu (default spacebar on PC version) to optimize power use and make sure they've got the right weapon equipped. Shepard's skill points should first go into Charm (if you're going with primarily Paragon options, which will show up in upper-left or upper-right conversation options) or Intimidate (Renegade, lower-left or lower-right). Your Paragon and Renegade scores determine the highest available Charm and Intimidate ranks, respectively, and as you reach certain break points on each bar, you'll also get free points in the skill (one each at 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75%), and you get a free point in Charm and in Intimidate when you become a Spectre. Because certain conversation options require a minimum Charm or Intimidate, investing some points in at least one skill is necessary. Charm-driven conversation options always appear on the upper left, and will be blue if your Charm skill is high enough, and greyed out and unselectable if it's not; similarly, Intimidate-driven options are on the lower-left, and red if your Intimidate skill is high enough, and gray and unselectable if not. Note that taking those options will increase the relevant morality score. Also, in relation to the above? There's one point in the game (Virmire) where not having sufficient Charm or Intimidate can and will permanently cost you a squad member. You only need one of the two, mind, and it's best to focus on one or the other morality, rather than switching back and forth between the two or going with middle options that don't grant morality points. The next most important skill is your class skill. It'll simply be labeled as your class, up until you unlock the advanced class options, at which point you'll pick one of two (depending on your base class). All of the options enhance all of your abilities in some way or make you more durable in general, thus they've got a good rate of return regardless of whatever else you're going with. Similarly, it's a good idea to buy up your squadmates' class powers. Finally, pick up a weapon skill (pistols are generally the preferred weapon, as above), and also First Aid, if you've got access to it. Defensive skills are also handy in case cover is scarce. Oh, one other thing: unless you change a variable in a text configuration file, it's mathematically impossible to reach level 60 in a single playthrough. It takes at least one, possibly two New Game+ playthroughs to hit the level cap. ME2: The classes are far more balanced this time around, talents are far simpler (but require careful budgeting to avoid with leftover points you can't spend, because of the way point costs escalate), and the classes are a lot more distinct from each other. Not only that, but when importing your save from ME1, you can select a new class altogether -- you can go from a Soldier in ME1 to an Adept in ME2 if you're so inclined. Weapon and armor systems are vastly more streamlined, to the point that you effectively no longer have an inventory system in ME2. Also, you can no longer equip every type of weapon -- the weapons you can equip and use are class-based, and there's a definite preference for some classes that are weapon rather than biotic/tech power-oriented (Soldiers make excellent use of assault rifles, Infiltrators are optimized for sniper rifles, Vanguards love shotguns). There's no longer distinct Charm and Intimidate skills; those conversation options are instead unlocked directly by your Paragon and Renegade scores. Your class power is absolutely the first priority for your talent points, because it not only improves all of your abilities across the board, capping it out (4 ranks, costing 10 points) gives you a permanent multiplicative boost to your Paragon and Renegade scores. Your squadmates should similarly have their class abilities maxed out before anything else, and it's generally best (where possible) to pick the version of the top rank that provides squad benefits. Lastly, if you want the best ending in ME2, make sure you've done all the side missions -- and I do mean all of them -- before you go for the IFF mission. The dialogue for when it unlocks strongly suggests this, but it should be understood that this is completely correct. After the IFF mission, you'll be able to do one side mission before the final story mission unlocks, and, once that happens, everything you do that delays starting the final story mission makes the ending worse. Oh, tangential to the above: as far as the DLC content goes, everything but Lair of the Shadow Broker and The Arrival are intended to happen prior to the suicide mission. They flow best, in a narrative sense, if you do them before the IFF mission (where there is a narrative -- Project Firewalker doesn't have much of one, but Overlord does (incidentally, Overlord also has one of my favorite Paragon interrupts)). I recommend doing Lair of the Shadow Broker after you finish the suicide mission, and The Arrival after that -- the two of them are the bridge between ME2 and ME3. "Mathematics brought rigor to economics. Unfortunately, it also brought mortis." - Kenneth Boulding |
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Gryphon
Charter Member
22375 posts |
Feb-22-13, 11:19 AM (EDT) |
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15. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #14
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>I personally found this bit to be the worst part of an otherwise >excellent game. During the whole story you can take as long as you >want even though NPCs are yelling at you that things are important and >must be done now, just like every other RPG in existence, but then >they pull the rug out from under you in that one instance with >no warning... > >Sorry, just really pissed me off when I got the ending I did after >doing all the side quests. Yes. I've remarked on that same problem a couple of times over the years, mostly in the course of trying to figure out how to warn new players not to make that mistake without actually explaining what it is. :) It's like BioWare spent the previous many years - say from Neverwinter Nights onward - training its player base to think the order these things get done in isn't critical as long as they all get done before the Obvious Plot Advancement Mission, and then, oh hey, not this time. This time there's always room for Jell-O. (Doubly puzzling because at a previous, very similar decision point, "no, we have to keep working on this other stuff" is the correct answer.) --G. -><- Benjamin D. Hutchins, Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & Forum Mod Eyrie Productions, Unlimited http://www.eyrie-productions.com/ zgryphon at that email service Google has Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam. |
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laudre
Member since Nov-14-06
428 posts |
Feb-22-13, 11:58 AM (EDT) |
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16. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #15
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>Yes. I've remarked on that same problem a couple of times over the >years, mostly in the course of trying to figure out how to warn new >players not to make that mistake without actually explaining what it >is. :) Indeed. That's why I describe it as the "IFF mission," which is specific enough to provide the needed guidance without revealing too much (assuming the OP hasn't gone and spoiled themselves silly at the ME wiki). And, really, it's not just BioWare that's done this; Japanese and Western RPGs alike almost always treat time as only passing when you complete certain missions, and text-communicated urgency has no story impact. Oh, this reminds me something similar was implemented in ME3. There are a handful of missions that, if not completed within a certain number of other mission completions after they become available, or if not completed before a particular main story mission, will be treated as failed. Some of them are minor side missions that are picked up through the ambient conversation mechanic and are completed by finding a plot object on a side mission or whatnot, but one in particular you really want to do pretty much when it unlocks. So, keep an eye out for that if/when you do get to ME3. "Mathematics brought rigor to economics. Unfortunately, it also brought mortis." - Kenneth Boulding |
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twipper
Member since Jan-8-03
279 posts |
Feb-22-13, 04:02 PM (EDT) |
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17. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #0
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Just wanted to throw out another thanks for everyone's tips. I'm not surprised I'm enjoying ME. For reference sake, I just left the Citadel for the first time. I loved KOTOR, and it's game-play mechanics. The mechanics here are similar enough that the learning curve hasn't been too bad and the play style is working fine for me. I actually love having all those long conversations that so many people gripe about. The level of universe detailing already shown is seriously impressive. What does surprise me is how good the game looks. Skyrim was the first 3d third person game I'd played outside of City of Heroes since I played KOTOR. And while the shear gorgeousness of walking around Skyrim may be lacking, the character animations and interactions are still excellently done. Watching the characters move around, gesture, show their emotional states in those conversation set pieces is seriously impressive to me. Which makes me feel truly bad that I want to find whomever did the elevator muzak in the Citadel and wring their necks. Standing in those elevators, having to listen to that stuff, it makes me relive those family trips to the Holiday Inn back in the '80's... Brian |
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Verbena
Charter Member
1107 posts |
Feb-28-13, 10:39 PM (EDT) |
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22. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #18
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>>Which makes me feel truly bad that I want to find whomever did the >>elevator muzak in the Citadel and wring their necks. Standing in >>those elevators, having to listen to that stuff, it makes me relive >>those family trips to the Holiday Inn back in the '80's... > >But hey, at least you get the fun squad member conversations to make >up for it! (YMMV). In ME2 and ME3, transitions like that just got >replaced with loading screens. :/ Well, yes, but the actual loading time is a good deal shorter. Overall programming efficiency is better in the two subsequent games, and the graphics get better each time as well. You'll miss Omnigel, though. (They even riff on it during a battle in Lair of the Shadow Broker, which was funny.) The elevator sequences are vaguely amusing the first two times and become very annoying afterwards. -------- this world created by the hands of the gods everything is false everything is a LIE the final days have come now let everything be destroyed --mu |
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twipper
Member since Jan-8-03
279 posts |
Mar-16-13, 03:24 PM (EDT) |
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23. "RE: Mass Effect 1 & 2 Steam Collection"
In response to message #22
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>Well, yes, but the actual loading time is a good deal shorter. Overall >programming efficiency is better in the two subsequent games, and the >graphics get better each time as well. Well, the problem I'm having must be the exception then. Twice now, either Mass Effect or ME2 has corrupted my Steam to the point of Blue Screen of Death. The first time, I chalked it up to an auto-pushed update to Windows 7.
I uninstalled/reinstalled everything and finished my as close to complete Paragon play-through as I have the patience for with no additional problems. Moved on to ME2 yesterday afternoon and early last evening it Blue-screened again, and again corrupted Steam. Will try ye old complete reinstall Wednesday skipping the no-charge DLC's included with my purchase. Ah, the challenges of computerized past-times. Brian |
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version 3.3 © 2001
Eyrie Productions,
Unlimited
Benjamin
D. Hutchins
E P U (Colour)
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