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Added by Ebow, 19-12-2009, links to http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/17/hands-on-mass-effect-2-the-first-90-...
A spoiler-riffic hands-on from Joystiq
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Hmm. When I open the Alfs I seem to be logged in as user `out` with no permissions or the ability to log out, or in as my actual user.
Soz this is off topic, but I can only post in the news. Have I hit a red button somewhere.
Zombie.
Soz this is off topic, but I can only post in the news. Have I hit a red button somewhere.
Zombie.
Veeeery interesting. I'll smack the server very hard - may be a sessions issue.
lol! Back to normal.
The first WTF of the year! :D
lol. Have to say, the back to normal was referring to my ability to log in.
Very interesting. I nuked the session directory on the server (equivalent to clearing out the temp dir).
Did you backup your system and then copy it over? New OS?
Mayhap the site had a heavy night last night...
Did you backup your system and then copy it over? New OS?
Mayhap the site had a heavy night last night...
No, didn`t do any sys backups. New OS, but was on system when it arrived. Haven`t installed another yet.
Not used Vista much at all, so I could of easily done something odd without realising it.
Not used Vista much at all, so I could of easily done something odd without realising it.
In the absence of a decent limited edition pack I've plumped for the plain old regular edition of ME2 this time round. Bring it the fcuk on!
Looking forward to this after I've finished:
Borderlands
Assassin's Creed 2
The Saboteur
GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
&
Modern Warfare 2.
What a f**king joke...
Borderlands
Assassin's Creed 2
The Saboteur
GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
&
Modern Warfare 2.
What a f**king joke...
The Saboteur any good? Shame on you for Borderlands though.
What's your problem with Borderlands? It's had good press and could be fun with some chums...
I've written about The Saboteur elsewhere. Enjoying it, but as with everything else I'm playing, haven't given it the time it deserves. General reviews are pretty much spot on, if a little harsh - so long as you like sandbox games and aren't expecting anything especially revolutionary you should enjoy it.
I've written about The Saboteur elsewhere. Enjoying it, but as with everything else I'm playing, haven't given it the time it deserves. General reviews are pretty much spot on, if a little harsh - so long as you like sandbox games and aren't expecting anything especially revolutionary you should enjoy it.
ME2 just arrived. Had a flick through the manual. Vanguards (the only class I've played) can now use SMGs (I don't think SMGs were in the first one) and have (in addition to the uber charge ability) a 'pull' ability. If this involves a 'force pull' type gameplay dynamic I'll be putting all my points in shotgun.
Muhuhahaha...
Muhuhahaha...
Bizarrely, I have just bought this on Steam.
No, I don't know what's wrong with me, either.
Going to need some hard drive shuffling to get ArmA2 back on though. Dammit.
No, I don't know what's wrong with me, either.
Going to need some hard drive shuffling to get ArmA2 back on though. Dammit.
I don't get it.
Did you play the first one Ebow?
So far it feels like an old glove, albeit a slightly more sparkly one. Like a good movie sequel it feels like meeting up with old friends.
Not sure I get all this talk of it being 'more of a shooter' since there's still a TON of dialogue and codex stuff to read. I( played it for nearly 4 hours today and have only gotten into about 4 moments of violence.
Guns are better. The charge ability is just as awesome as it looked in the trailer and the voice acting is as splendid as it was the first time around. Then again, when you've got people like Martin Sheen in pivotal roles it can't be that difficult.
Truthfully though, I'm finding it a bit too easy. Maybe it's cos my imported character started off at lvl 3, with 100,000 credits in the bank. Maybe it's cos I play too many games.
Think I'm gonna give insanity a go. See how I get on. It's worth another 75 gamerscore after all, and if it makes those tactical options actually necessary then it'll be a better experience for it...
Did you play the first one Ebow?
So far it feels like an old glove, albeit a slightly more sparkly one. Like a good movie sequel it feels like meeting up with old friends.
Not sure I get all this talk of it being 'more of a shooter' since there's still a TON of dialogue and codex stuff to read. I( played it for nearly 4 hours today and have only gotten into about 4 moments of violence.
Guns are better. The charge ability is just as awesome as it looked in the trailer and the voice acting is as splendid as it was the first time around. Then again, when you've got people like Martin Sheen in pivotal roles it can't be that difficult.
Truthfully though, I'm finding it a bit too easy. Maybe it's cos my imported character started off at lvl 3, with 100,000 credits in the bank. Maybe it's cos I play too many games.
Think I'm gonna give insanity a go. See how I get on. It's worth another 75 gamerscore after all, and if it makes those tactical options actually necessary then it'll be a better experience for it...
The multiplayer CD unlock lol
I have been playing the first one over the last weeks - a bit Babylon 5 in it's ooo-mystery, but fun never-the-less.
Have a team of 5 now in ME2, and from what I played in the first, there's more gunplay and less "now walk back to that person AGAIN!" than the first one.
It's had a VERY sparkly update on the PC. Tis almost D3-engine in it's sparkly glisteny-ness (is it U3-engine?). No framerate issues, no CTDs, loading times slightly longer than the first one but I'm not bothered BECAUSE THEY'VE FIXED/DUMPED THE EFFING LIFTS. And the one I've come across is no longer powered by asthmatic hamsters.
TBH I was hooked after the first 3 minutes. That was awesome. Fantastic use of sound (going outside).
A couple of PC-only niggles (if I rebind my keys, can you please indicate the rebound keys, not the default ones, when you say PRESS (key) TO DO THIS; sweet jesus, let me rebind the planet scanning - RMB? really? are you insane?), but overall enjoying it.
Recommend.
I have been playing the first one over the last weeks - a bit Babylon 5 in it's ooo-mystery, but fun never-the-less.
Have a team of 5 now in ME2, and from what I played in the first, there's more gunplay and less "now walk back to that person AGAIN!" than the first one.
It's had a VERY sparkly update on the PC. Tis almost D3-engine in it's sparkly glisteny-ness (is it U3-engine?). No framerate issues, no CTDs, loading times slightly longer than the first one but I'm not bothered BECAUSE THEY'VE FIXED/DUMPED THE EFFING LIFTS. And the one I've come across is no longer powered by asthmatic hamsters.
TBH I was hooked after the first 3 minutes. That was awesome. Fantastic use of sound (going outside).
A couple of PC-only niggles (if I rebind my keys, can you please indicate the rebound keys, not the default ones, when you say PRESS (key) TO DO THIS; sweet jesus, let me rebind the planet scanning - RMB? really? are you insane?), but overall enjoying it.
Recommend.
I would play thought the first game, finish it, then play this. IMHO that's the only way to go. Gonna start it again tomorrow and see how long I can last on 'insanity'. 2 birds 1 stone an all that...
That was the plan, until I noticed I was slightly flush and funds were available for the sequel.
And it's not often we can share a moment of "this game's quite good, isn't it", so I'm sticking with ME2, and may return to the original afterwards in a prequel kinda way.
And it's not often we can share a moment of "this game's quite good, isn't it", so I'm sticking with ME2, and may return to the original afterwards in a prequel kinda way.
Yeah it's good of Bioware/EA to release the PC and 360 versions simultaneously.
Restarted it this afternoon on 'Insanity' difficulty. Yeah. It's tough, but it forces you to think much more tactically and make use of your powers, ammo and the environment much more carefully. Highly recommend it.
Case in point: the first big robot boss you come up against. First time I played it on 'normal' difficulty, all I really did was keep shooting it until it died. On 'Insanity' I started by commanding Miranda (that's what she's called I think) to sabotage it's shields, while Lucas took point with his shotgun cos that's the only weapon he had that was effective against shields. Meanwhile, bot is systematically taking out every piece of cover available. When it's shields are down everyone changes to heavy pistols to take out it's armor. As soon as that's down, Miranda stuns it, allowing Lucas time to move into better cover. I had to use unity a couple times to get people back in the fight too.
Am enjoying much more having to think about things more. Looks like Bioware have put a lot more effort into the mechanics, but I think they may have watered it down to make it feel more like a casual shooter game. I'm not interested in casual shooting...
Restarted it this afternoon on 'Insanity' difficulty. Yeah. It's tough, but it forces you to think much more tactically and make use of your powers, ammo and the environment much more carefully. Highly recommend it.
Case in point: the first big robot boss you come up against. First time I played it on 'normal' difficulty, all I really did was keep shooting it until it died. On 'Insanity' I started by commanding Miranda (that's what she's called I think) to sabotage it's shields, while Lucas took point with his shotgun cos that's the only weapon he had that was effective against shields. Meanwhile, bot is systematically taking out every piece of cover available. When it's shields are down everyone changes to heavy pistols to take out it's armor. As soon as that's down, Miranda stuns it, allowing Lucas time to move into better cover. I had to use unity a couple times to get people back in the fight too.
Am enjoying much more having to think about things more. Looks like Bioware have put a lot more effort into the mechanics, but I think they may have watered it down to make it feel more like a casual shooter game. I'm not interested in casual shooting...
Ebow - FFS - stop playing this and finish the first one. It's like watching Empire Strikes Back before A New Hope.
Am still making slow, but steady progress on 'Insanity' difficulty. Met up with one of my favourite characters from the first game last night, after a series of rather intense set-piece encounters that were effectively against the clock - so I couldn't even dig in that much. Really had to make use of everything to get to matey before the boss finished him off.
Haven't heard of anyone else playing it like this, but I'm really enjoying the challenge. I was even using the Vanguard's 'charge' power a fair bit last night. Been too much of a pussy to use it that much before, but I'm finding it good for finishing off opponents once I've wittled the enemy down a bit and closing distances fast. I just need to train myself to make more use of my fists, especially with the amount of damage these 'insanity' enemies soak up...
GOD DAMN IT I NEED A WEEK OFF!!!
Am still making slow, but steady progress on 'Insanity' difficulty. Met up with one of my favourite characters from the first game last night, after a series of rather intense set-piece encounters that were effectively against the clock - so I couldn't even dig in that much. Really had to make use of everything to get to matey before the boss finished him off.
Haven't heard of anyone else playing it like this, but I'm really enjoying the challenge. I was even using the Vanguard's 'charge' power a fair bit last night. Been too much of a pussy to use it that much before, but I'm finding it good for finishing off opponents once I've wittled the enemy down a bit and closing distances fast. I just need to train myself to make more use of my fists, especially with the amount of damage these 'insanity' enemies soak up...
GOD DAMN IT I NEED A WEEK OFF!!!
No. The first one was supremely dull compared to the second one, in my humble always-late-to-the-party-not-really-an-rpg-fan opinion. It's a video game. Any revelations are not going to be life-changing.
Enjoyed the encounter of which you speak - great sense of urgency with it, really liked that.
Still highly recommend, whether you've played the first one or not.
Enjoyed the encounter of which you speak - great sense of urgency with it, really liked that.
Still highly recommend, whether you've played the first one or not.
Disagree entirely that you need to play the first one, in fact, if you've only played 10 minutes of the 2nd you will be utterly fracked off with the annoyances from the first (elevators anyone? ELEVATORS? FRACKIN' ELEVATORS?!?!). I started that game on Insanity by default as I found the original ME too easy on default settings. I thin Bioware think the general gaming public are blubbering retards.
All very good so far, loving the fact it's still ME but with so much more spit and polish. Digging all the extra little things granted to you by virtue of importing a ME1 character. I ended up having a lesbo frenzy with Liara in the first ME, and as a result there is a photo of her in my captain's cabin (ooer missus). Received a message coming from the dude who's wife's remains I managed to get back so he could arrange a burial, thanking me again for doing this for him. It's little things like that that jump-start my jaded gaming heart. Awesome.
All very good so far, loving the fact it's still ME but with so much more spit and polish. Digging all the extra little things granted to you by virtue of importing a ME1 character. I ended up having a lesbo frenzy with Liara in the first ME, and as a result there is a photo of her in my captain's cabin (ooer missus). Received a message coming from the dude who's wife's remains I managed to get back so he could arrange a burial, thanking me again for doing this for him. It's little things like that that jump-start my jaded gaming heart. Awesome.
It's not so much about relavations being 'life-changing' as it is about 'greatly personalising the experience' (TM). You can probably zip through the first game in about 10 hours - you already said you were gonna play the first one again, surely every indication points to a superior game(s) experience playing them the right way round?
Yeah insanity all the way for me. They've definitely buttered it up a lot for the mainstream. I think they've tried to move away from the pause/play mechanic and in doing so have chilled the whole thing out to allow people to react tactically in real-time (you can bind powers to the d pad etc).
This ultimately means the hardest difficulty the game has to offer represents a pretty decent - yet not massively punishing' challenging if you don't mind pause/playing when things really heat up.
All you need to do really is make sure your toons are using the right kind of weapon on the right kind of enemy defense. The powers act as a kind of extra layer of tactical icing...
It's also worth pointing out that I played for 2 hours last night and didn't shoot anything apart from a couple of crates...
Yeah insanity all the way for me. They've definitely buttered it up a lot for the mainstream. I think they've tried to move away from the pause/play mechanic and in doing so have chilled the whole thing out to allow people to react tactically in real-time (you can bind powers to the d pad etc).
This ultimately means the hardest difficulty the game has to offer represents a pretty decent - yet not massively punishing' challenging if you don't mind pause/playing when things really heat up.
All you need to do really is make sure your toons are using the right kind of weapon on the right kind of enemy defense. The powers act as a kind of extra layer of tactical icing...
It's also worth pointing out that I played for 2 hours last night and didn't shoot anything apart from a couple of crates...
I zipped through the first game in under 6 hours, and went back and played through again another 3 times this time taking in the side stuff. My point was that you don't have to have played the first, in fact, I couldn't now go back to the first game with all the frickin' annoying stuff that has been vanquished in the sequel.
I bet you don't complete the game on Insanity.
I bet you don't complete the game on Insanity.
If there was a "no elevators" patch for the first game, I would briefly entertain going back.
Oh come on... it was hardly a game destroying problem.
Given that two people have commented on the elevators in this thread, I suspect you may be wr... oh look, a new game!
Still playing on Insanity.
Only mission that's proven a problem was a sidequest involving taking down 3 mechs, but I'll come back to that when I'm higher level. I take it you've had to drop the difficulty yourself?
Only mission that's proven a problem was a sidequest involving taking down 3 mechs, but I'll come back to that when I'm higher level. I take it you've had to drop the difficulty yourself?
Dropped it down to 'Veteran' by the end of my time with the game yesterday.
Still think it's do-able on 'Insanity', but I was finding myself getting bored by long-range wars of attrition all the time and not having the balls to get up close to make use of all the abilities my chosen class, Vanguard, has.
So all of a sudden the game has become EVEN MORE enjoyable. I can use 'charge' now and not get immediately owned before I can get back into cover. The game is still enough of a challenge to make me have to think tactically about stuff, but things are unfolding at a much faster pace, which generally seems to suit the game better.
There's always time for that second playthrough to unlock those pesky hard-to-reach achievements if I feel so inclined...
Still think it's do-able on 'Insanity', but I was finding myself getting bored by long-range wars of attrition all the time and not having the balls to get up close to make use of all the abilities my chosen class, Vanguard, has.
So all of a sudden the game has become EVEN MORE enjoyable. I can use 'charge' now and not get immediately owned before I can get back into cover. The game is still enough of a challenge to make me have to think tactically about stuff, but things are unfolding at a much faster pace, which generally seems to suit the game better.
There's always time for that second playthrough to unlock those pesky hard-to-reach achievements if I feel so inclined...
I think I'm about a third of the way through the game and now I'm getting through things at a more regular pace and actually getting to use my powers without my shields getting drained within seconds it's starting to dawn on me what an 'MASS' improvement this is over the first game.
It's just so super streamlined without being dumbed down. In many ways, it's more a 'roleplaying game' than many other efforts that pride themselves on 'RPG elements'. The fact that your career progression is almost entirely defined by the choice of who you have accompany you on missions is truly inspired and I can imagine allows a far greater audience to enjoy it.
Gone is the tiresome inventory management, replaced with a truly elegant research/scavenge system that allows you to meaningfully upgrade your weapons and armor without having to horde loot to sell to vendors.
Gone too are the cookie-cutter side-quests and mako driving, replaced instead with genuine set-pieces which you arrive at via drop-ship. Come across a data-log or PDA entry herein can lead to more, though far more than just more of the same.
I'm also loving the fact that the core mission structure almost entirely revolves around assembling your squad, then gaining the loyalty of your squad. Which pretty much equates to 11 x 2 = 22 individual core game missions, each set on a different planet. Add on the side quests and that's a whole lot of a game. A significant deal more than the first game at least, which only took place on about 6 planets, albeit with lengthier missions padded out by frustrating mako sequences.
Am also enjoying the addition of heavy weaponry. Flamethrower is suiting my Vanguard down to the ground!
It's just so super streamlined without being dumbed down. In many ways, it's more a 'roleplaying game' than many other efforts that pride themselves on 'RPG elements'. The fact that your career progression is almost entirely defined by the choice of who you have accompany you on missions is truly inspired and I can imagine allows a far greater audience to enjoy it.
Gone is the tiresome inventory management, replaced with a truly elegant research/scavenge system that allows you to meaningfully upgrade your weapons and armor without having to horde loot to sell to vendors.
Gone too are the cookie-cutter side-quests and mako driving, replaced instead with genuine set-pieces which you arrive at via drop-ship. Come across a data-log or PDA entry herein can lead to more, though far more than just more of the same.
I'm also loving the fact that the core mission structure almost entirely revolves around assembling your squad, then gaining the loyalty of your squad. Which pretty much equates to 11 x 2 = 22 individual core game missions, each set on a different planet. Add on the side quests and that's a whole lot of a game. A significant deal more than the first game at least, which only took place on about 6 planets, albeit with lengthier missions padded out by frustrating mako sequences.
Am also enjoying the addition of heavy weaponry. Flamethrower is suiting my Vanguard down to the ground!
"Dropped it down to 'Veteran' by the end of my time with the game yesterday."
I should have opened a book tbfh.
I should have opened a book tbfh.
I will not rise to this. I will not rise to this. I will not rise to this...
Some more free DLC? Today? In the form of new Armor and a 'LONGER RANGE SHOTGUN?'.
Why yes please.
http://kotaku.com/5467039/cerberus-ups-your-mass-effect-2-alfenal-tomorrow?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kotaku%2Ffull+%28Kotaku%29
The epitome of 'this gen' gaming if ever there was one. I 'heart' Bioware...
Why yes please.
http://kotaku.com/5467039/cerberus-ups-your-mass-effect-2-alfenal-tomorrow?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kotaku%2Ffull+%28Kotaku%29
The epitome of 'this gen' gaming if ever there was one. I 'heart' Bioware...
Have you dropped the difficulty down any further mate?
There is SO SO SO much worth discussing about this game and all you want to do is flame me.
f**k OFF AND DIE.
And no, I'm still playing it on Veteran.
f**k OFF AND DIE.
And no, I'm still playing it on Veteran.
...for now.
I was still playing on Veteran when my Xbox died.
The 'Cain' Portable Nuke launcher in Mass Effect 2 is by far and away the most satisfying weapon I have ever fired in a videogame. Ever.
It really is quite a remarkable looking game - and this is coming from someone who's become so well acquainted with stonking visuals I've almost become quite jaded by it. It's not just the film-like textures on the aliens, the huge skyboxes in cities give the feeling of enormous grandeur despite the areas you get to explore being comparitively tiny. It definitely makes up for it though, with you being whisked around each set-piece at the whims of the inctedibly well written set-pieces.
The concentration of the scenarios gives it an almost 'comic book' type vibe. I find myself coming away from an evening spent playing through a couple missions as though I've read a couple of awesome 2000 AD installments. The joy of meeting each new team member, then later reaquainting with them to do their loyalty mission.
The only downer really is that I am starting to get a bit naffed off with planet probing and inevitable OCD that sets in once you realise you have to get another X thousand bits of platinum to upgrade your favourite weapon. And your favourite team member's favourite weapon. And boost the fuel reserves on your ship, so you can save the fuel bills for ordance instead.
Still, this is quite possibly the best game I've ever played. If only because it hits more notes than any other Bioware game before it.
And yeah DNM - I am still playing on Veteran...
It really is quite a remarkable looking game - and this is coming from someone who's become so well acquainted with stonking visuals I've almost become quite jaded by it. It's not just the film-like textures on the aliens, the huge skyboxes in cities give the feeling of enormous grandeur despite the areas you get to explore being comparitively tiny. It definitely makes up for it though, with you being whisked around each set-piece at the whims of the inctedibly well written set-pieces.
The concentration of the scenarios gives it an almost 'comic book' type vibe. I find myself coming away from an evening spent playing through a couple missions as though I've read a couple of awesome 2000 AD installments. The joy of meeting each new team member, then later reaquainting with them to do their loyalty mission.
The only downer really is that I am starting to get a bit naffed off with planet probing and inevitable OCD that sets in once you realise you have to get another X thousand bits of platinum to upgrade your favourite weapon. And your favourite team member's favourite weapon. And boost the fuel reserves on your ship, so you can save the fuel bills for ordance instead.
Still, this is quite possibly the best game I've ever played. If only because it hits more notes than any other Bioware game before it.
And yeah DNM - I am still playing on Veteran...
Just met the the final 'crew member'.
OH MY GOD.
Best game ever.
OH MY GOD.
Best game ever.
Finished this today. Awesome finale. Rather nicely lets you continue playing once the credits have rolled, so you can bod about and explore, play DLC etc.
Of course there's always the option to kick the game off again at your current level. Did this for a couple of missions to unlock the 'power gamer' achievement and was overcome by how awesome this game is to play.
RPG shooter nirvana...
Of course there's always the option to kick the game off again at your current level. Did this for a couple of missions to unlock the 'power gamer' achievement and was overcome by how awesome this game is to play.
RPG shooter nirvana...
