Mass Effect 2

[Dave]

Got it, played it over the weekend. If you like Mass Effect then you will like Mass Effect 2. The MAKO has gone so no more driving around looking for resources. However, the replacement (scanning planets) is even more tedious. But that's a minor gripe. All good fun so far!

[Rus-Evo]

The first one is probably not expensive by now......worth a try before I try this one?

[Ignatius]

Yep, Rus.

Just what I did, and I strongly recommend it you. It's one of those Value Games by EA. Mass Effect has turned out to be one of my favourites games in the recent years, so looking forward to get Mass Effect 2.

Dave, enjoy it!

[WebHead]

I kinda jumped into the Mako, visited a planet, then never played the game again. Stupid Mako.

[Rus-Evo]

How big is each planet?

[Ignatius]

Hmmm... not much.

There is two kind of planets: those where you travel around with the mako, kill a couple of creatures, find another couple of things and that's it. They are for secondary missions. Then, there are planets where main missions take place. They are sometimes kind of linear and more or less wide, but don't expect something like Oblivion or Fallout 3 in that sense... at least that's what I've seen up to date.

And now, I've got the need to play it. Now!

[Dave]

Actually I didn't mind chugging around in the Mako. Beats planet scanning every time. And yes, Rus it's well worth buying the original. It's still a fun game. One tip though - don't just plough through the main story or you won't get the best out of it. Make sure you do lots of side missions.

[WebHead]

Rus,

Mass Effect is a classic example of the advantage of largely linear gameplay. It allows the developers to create a gaming experience far more intimate and engaging, with an elaborate storyline, and very impressive depth to the game universe. That is something very difficult to achieve with open-world games like Oblivion where you just do stuff at the expense of story.

I really appreciated the codex, and reading and learning about the different creatures, cultures, history, politics etc.

[Dave]

I really appreciated the codex, and reading and learning about the different creatures, cultures, history, politics etc.

SPACEBAR SPACEBAR SPACEBAR SPACEBAR...

That's me every time there is a cutscene droning on about the history of the Krogan or whatever.

[WebHead]

Funny how we all play games so differently.

[Dave]

Accidentally completed Mass Effect 2. And unlike ME1, there are fewer side missions to keep you occupied. So if I were to summarise a review of ME2 I would say fine game but, even if you try to complete several side missions, the experience is too short. And the scanning for minerals 'mini game' is tedious. Is it worth paying full price for as a new release? Probably.

[Rus-Evo]

Maybe I need to give linear gameplay another shot!!!

[Ignatius]

Hmmm, Mass Effect 2 is getting cheaper on 15 June (20 €). That's a must buy for me, as I enjoyed so much te first one.

[WebHead]

I am still trying to finish the first one. I'm getting towards the end at least. Then I would want to upgrade my PC before buying the sequel. (I don't have a 360)

[Ignatius]

I secretly hope that the second part requires more or less the same machine as the first one. I've read that this is the case, but still I'm not sure.

[Dave]

Mass Effect 2 retains much of the dynamics of Mass Effect. I have played it through a couple of times now. The downside is the scanning for minerals which is boooooooooooooooooring.

[WebHead]

Yeh, I hated the Mako at first, but it kind of got better for me.

But like most games, I get really frustrated with the way the story unfolds. You keep saving the bloody galaxy, and all you get in return is lectures about how you could have done a better job.

(No one would take that **** in real life)

[Dave]

No no the mako is the height of excitement compared to the tedium of mineral mining in part 2. Its awful!

[Rus-Evo]

I just had a go on Mass Effect 2.......its like playing a movie!!!

Is Mass Effect 1 close in graphics and gameplay?

[Dave]

Mass Effect 1 is kinda similar. I think there are more side missions in the first one.

[WebHead]

I still haven't finished Mass Effect original, my PC is playing up. Spoiler warning but for those who've played the game, I should be near the end. I've made my daring escape from you-know-where stealing you-know-what and I've landed on planet you-know-which-one and I'm hoping to catch up to the bad guy you-know-who.

At this rate I won't finish the game till December, and I won't have my new hardware/PC till early next year, I shall pick up the sequel then.

[Rus-Evo]

Ive just been told that the ending can be rather different based on who you are, your back ground, your skills and what you did in the game!!

[WebHead]

Yup. And the whole second game can be played based on the save game file of the original. So your experience is different there as well.