Mass Effect 2
Corporal_Fortier
Join Date: 2005-03-22 Member: 46079Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2005-03-22 Member: 46079Members, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Anyone else getting it?</div>Mass Effect 2 will be released next Tuesday in North America (Jan. 26) for Xbox 360 and PC and so I'm wondering if any of you are going to jump on it when it's released. Personally, I'm a big fan of the original ME and Bioware's work in general, and I'm really eager to play ME2. Heck, I even started playing again to get a save game to import in the sequel.
Bioware raised the bar pretty high in my book with Dragon Age and I really hope ME2 will be as great. Part of me thinks I'll be disappointed though.. Well, we'll see in five days! At least it feels good not having to wait months after the Xbox release to get it on PC!
Bioware raised the bar pretty high in my book with Dragon Age and I really hope ME2 will be as great. Part of me thinks I'll be disappointed though.. Well, we'll see in five days! At least it feels good not having to wait months after the Xbox release to get it on PC!
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<img src="http://www.teamteabag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/avp1.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
I enjoy the universe and storytelling in ME, but the combat on PC was just repetetive peek-a-boo with bad controls and horrible AI.
Isn't it just the special ammo tho? I thought the normal ammo is unlimited.
I only wish they would had focused more on some more diverse melee combat. Something like the demoman update in tf2, rush in fast and deliver a powerful blow at the end of it. It would also go great with my love for shotguns.
<a href="http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/01/20/big-daddy-is-watching-you-bioshock-2-drm/" target="_blank">RPS's article</a> makes it seem not that bad.
GFWL is only for achievements/online play/saving games online. Much like it was for FO3, and any other GFWL title. They are "using SecuROM only as a disc check method for the retail copy of BioShock 2. That is it's only use."
I think I will be avoiding all of them for now.
I disliked ME, and though ME2 looks to be better, I will still wait for a deal.
BS1 was great fun, but again, I will wait for BS2.
I picked up a lot of games this holiday, and still haven't really gotten in on most of them. I'm kinda content for now.
I only wish they would had focused more on some more diverse melee combat. Something like the demoman update in tf2, rush in fast and deliver a powerful blow at the end of it. It would also go great with my love for shotguns.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Then the Vanguard will probably be for you: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNHqFYHh0QM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNHqFYHh0QM</a>
I think this sums up "rush in fast, "powerful blow" and "shotgun" pretty well. ;-)
According to the Wiki on Wikia, there will be weapon/armor mods, but apparently no sockets, as you say:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The player can modify aspects of armor and weapons, such as accuracy or ammo mods, by collecting research projects and working on them at research terminals in the science lab aboard the Normandy SR2, provided Shepard has recruited a scientist to work there.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<a href="http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_2" target="_blank">http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_2</a>
<!--quoteo(post=1748396:date=Jan 21 2010, 08:15 AM:name=Bacillus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bacillus @ Jan 21 2010, 08:15 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748396"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Btw, another thing that seemed to be lacking in ME was the item system. It was all just constant number comparsion without highlights or anything to really characterize your findings (Hurrah, replacing Scorpion IV with Scorpion V). Anything new on that?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Seems the inventory is taking a more modular approach where you will be upgrading parts of your armor to get different buffs for example. I suspect however there will still be some kind of Scorpion I II III etc., but don't take my word on this. You'll also be able to customize the look of your items so your pure Renegade Shepard can equip the best stuff you have without looking like a white and pink bunny if you happened to have found the kind of armor like Ashley's.
As for the ammo thing: it seems all weapons (except heavy ones) will work with those thermal clips. Apparently it's to make combat more fluid by not having to wait behind a concrete block for your weapon to cool down. Oh, and speaking of cover, you character will only take cover manually, so I guess less peek-a-boo fighting, or at least you won't feel like a magnet in a world of metal walls.
Some other interesting changes: You'll only be able to change equipment at lockers throughout levels or in the Normandy. Also, health seems to be taking a COD approach as medi-gel will now only serve to revive teammates.
Pretty epic if i'm honest.
Also sheena (<3) AVP3 is going to be awesome incarnate.
I haven't even finished Dragon Age yet. Or even started Assassin's Creed 2 :X
I think this sums up "rush in fast, "powerful blow" and "shotgun" pretty well. ;-)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
My joyful happiness knows no bounds, wish I had found a proper reaction picture. It is exactly what I wanted :O
Preeeeordeeeering.
On a less joyful note, ME2 just hit the torrent sites. Long before release :/. I also wonder, if I buy it for the PC but pirate it for the console, how bad would that be considered? I really doubt a lot of people buy two copies to get one on each platform and the PC market is sure to take the biggest blow.
I read some of the comments on the torrents, one guy's asking if the DLC is included and cracked already. I think someone doesn't understand the concept of DLC...
do what you want 'cause a spectre is free
Oh I laughed
edit: for those wondering about download size, I just finished pre-loading on Steam and the bandwidth monitor indicates 11,726.4MB.
Overall, this game gets all my praises except for one thing: the big [CONSOLE PORT] sticker on the UI. The combat UI is fine, but browsing stores, upgrade lists or the squad selection screen is seriously bad. They could at least have made double-clicking available.
After 32h of play, here's my take on some concerns voiced earlier:
<!--quoteo(post=1748359:date=Jan 21 2010, 02:21 AM:name=Bacillus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bacillus @ Jan 21 2010, 02:21 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748359"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I enjoy the universe and storytelling in ME, but the combat on PC was just repetetive peek-a-boo with bad controls and horrible AI.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The combat is still peek-a-boo'ish, but they've improved it at least. You'll rarely end up pinned down somewhere (at least not for long) and it's easier to move around the battlefield (no auto-cover, and if you take cover behind a small crate for example, you can jump over it to rush forward.) The AI is a bit better, but I've only played it at Normal for now, and it wasn't very challenging combat-wise.
<!--quoteo(post=1748373:date=Jan 21 2010, 05:15 AM:name=BadMouth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BadMouth @ Jan 21 2010, 05:15 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748373"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The thing I cant wrap my head around is the need for ammo in ME2, when there was infinite of it in ME1.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's weird at first, but I find it better like this now. Reload takes less than one second so it's faster than waiting for your weapon to cool down, especially if you like the shotgun. I never ran out of ammo since there's plenty laying around, but you still have to be careful sometimes since some weapons (snipers, heavy pistol) have very limited ammo.
<!--quoteo(post=1748384:date=Jan 21 2010, 07:21 AM:name=Svenpa)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Svenpa @ Jan 21 2010, 07:21 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748384"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As I can recall from the top of my head: There will be a lot more upgrades that are related to your weapons and ammo rather than spectre training and the like. Also no weapon sockets for cooling/damage/accuracy.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No more sockets, instead you now have certain skills called "ammo powers" (incendiary ammo, cryo, etc.) which you can activate. They always stay on and do not interfere with other powers. As for upgrading your gun, you can find some new weapon laying around here and there, but it's rare. You can also find or buy blueprints to upgrade weapons/powers/armor/ship and research them in your ship.
<!--quoteo(post=1748396:date=Jan 21 2010, 08:15 AM:name=Bacillus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bacillus @ Jan 21 2010, 08:15 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1748396"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Btw, another thing that seemed to be lacking in ME was the item system. It was all just constant number comparsion without highlights or anything to really characterize your findings (Hurrah, replacing Scorpion IV with Scorpion V). Anything new on that?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You don't have an inventory anymore. You just collect ammo and upgrades (see above), so you don't even have to bother selling stuff. You can customize your armor with new parts, but afaik you can only buy them and there aren't many. You can't customize your teammates except for their weapons since the upgrades affect the whole squad, so they look pretty much always the same.
Also: no more rides with the Mako: you now have a dropship which brings you directly in the action, so no more needless driving.
<span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>Qwib-Qwib</span>
1. Side quests are basically done away with in the traditional fashion. Every side quest seems integrated into the main story and less "save this kitten from this tree". I was worried at first since there was fewer side quests but they just took a while to appear and now might be my favorite part of the game. And the quests you get just from walking by conversations? Brilliant.
2. Ammo. Once again, at first I found it weird and silly but I think I know at least one reason they did this. In ME1 I just used my assault rifle all game, no questions asked. Now, in a big fight I may run low on ammo for my current weapon forcing me to change it up a bit. I used my heavy pistol for long range, then swoop in with my shotgun to dish out close once the pistol is emptied. Very fun now that I have gotten used to it. When the battle is done, there is more than enough ammo left to fill up again.
3. Lack of inventory. Again, this was weird to me, but I always hated picking up everything to end up selling 95% of it the first chance you got. Makes sense to just do away with the picking up and just gives credits like they do now. Only downside here is weapons. I wish we could switch on the fly. On that note, I hate when you pick up a new gun and it replaces the current one in your inventory (maybe a bug for me?). It's switched out a good weapon for the situation for a worse one a few times on me now.
4. Exploration. That's one area that is yuck. I miss the wonder of walking around the massive citadel, exploring it all. I assume this was changed since it did create a sense of "what the hell do I do?" when you first walk out into it. This more linear method helps ease players in for sure but I wish once players got into the game more, it brought back the large open stuff.
Planet exploring. Hrm. Not sure on this still. Scanning = fun the first 2 times. Snore fest after that. It's better than the mako purely because you don't have to spend 20 minutes driving around a planet, but it still suffers from the boring repetition. I liked having a vehicle to explore planets and would love that back, but somehow changed compared to ME1. Useful explanation, I know.
And total side note: Joker's banter/comments with EDI are probably the best part. I really like it and feel the game is a step forward, it just needs a few things brought back from ME1 to make it perfect.
P.S - It's less buggy, but damn, still a few bad mission bugs for me making me not able to complete them. Nothing major, but when actions in this game can affect the next one, it's annoying me a lot :(
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->3. Lack of inventory. Again, this was weird to me, but I always hated picking up everything to end up selling 95% of it the first chance you got. Makes sense to just do away with the picking up and just gives credits like they do now. Only downside here is weapons. I wish we could switch on the fly. On that note, I hate when you pick up a new gun and it replaces the current one in your inventory (maybe a bug for me?). It's switched out a good weapon for the situation for a worse one a few times on me now.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I hated Mass Effect inventory. It was badly console designed and selling stuff was never smooth. So, if they can't improve it enough, scrapping it is fine I guess. The thing I learned from ME is that if you're going with item systems and inventories, you have to go all the way.
So they want me to switch weapons more. That's fine. So why did they remove the weapon switch hotkeys? In ME1 you had pistol on F1, shotgun on F2, assault rifle on F3 and sniper rifle on F4. Now you have to use the menu to switch. And oh, clicked on the wrong weapon by accident? Sure, the game is still paused and you haven't done anything at all, but you are now committed to switching to the wrong weapon. Why couldn't they have kept the hotkeys? "But lolfighter, every class has different weapons now!" Doesn't matter, map 'em to hotkeys anyway. Sure, every class will have different hotkeys, but who cares, you'll learn 'em quickly enough and it's not like you are constantly switching between classes is it? "But lolfighter, soldiers have five weapons now and F5 is bound to quicksave!" So? Either rebind it to F6 or just don't bind heavy weapons to a hotkey. You use those rarely enough that switching through the menu wouldn't be a hassle.
But those are nitpicks. They're blemishes on an otherwise very nice game. They detract from it, but it's still a good game.