Mass Effect 2

SionnachOghma

Gonna spoiler this just in case there are some who haven't noticed or given it much thought.

What's up with

The Illusive Man's eyes? Indoctrinated? Part machine? Drug abuse?

Indoctrination was my first thought, 'cos his eyes are just like Saren's. But then you go around attacking Collectors and blowing up Reaper bases and such. A friend at work suggested that maybe he WAS indoctrinated at some point. Not unplausible - Saren overcomes his indoctrination in the end, depending on your Renegade/Paragon score and (I think also depending on your conversation on Virmire).

In the comic that's out at the moment, Liara asks about the name, and emphasizes his spelling of it. Maybe Ill-usive is some reference to his being misused by the Reapers at some point, then either beating the indoctrination or - less likely - being tossed aside and replaced. In the comic, the Shadow Broker is working for the Collectors, trying to help them reclaim Sheperd's corpse. Might be that the Collectors went to him after they lost control of TIL.

Anyone have any other theories?

Captain Chaos

I think it's because of

Cerberus, in this game they rebuild you, if you are renegade enough your eyes glow red. They didn't do that in the first game. I think it's just his biotics implanted through Cerberus and nothing more. Yeah the comic dialogue with Liara was a bit odd.

Mr Freeze

Captain Chaos wrote: »

I think it's because of

Cerberus, in this game they rebuild you, if you are renegade enough your eyes glow red. They didn't do that in the first game. I think it's just his biotics implanted through Cerberus and nothing more. Yeah the comic dialogue with Liara was a bit odd.

I think thats spot on, and is the most likely explanation.

Any theories on The Illusive Mans office though and the planet in the background?

If you choose to destroy the collector base, the planet is blue at the end, if you save the base for Cerberus, the planet is bright red

Oafley Jones

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Yea I came across that one myself tman but do you remember walking around the Citadel in ME1 and almost everyone you spoke to had a side mission attached - the cop and the preaching hanar, the asari 'hooker', the whole C-Sec thing, all the interactions with the council, scanning the keepers, following the rigged gambling machine trail thingy, the asari who was in danger working in the bar etc. - loads of mini missions that you stumbled across by talking to everyone. Your access to the citadel was limited to a few levels with about 3 mini-missions max.

ME1 was a million times more immersive and the characters were much more fleshed out. I actually gave a **** about my team in the first one - this time I didn't give a **** about most of them apart from

garrus and tali - the originals

.

Also and a spoiler just in case

The fact that your interactions with anyone from ME1 were limited and as if you didn't save the whole galaxy together was a bit crappy. Stories barely had anything to do with each other despite it being a sequal.

Have to agree with this. Miss the character customization. But more than anything I miss the treasure hunting/kleptomaniac aspect of RPGs; you know the thrill when you find a rare weapon or item of clothing in a locker. I'm still enjoying it, but i'm not finding it as compelling as say Knights of the Old Republic, which is still my favourite "modern" Bioware RPG.

Captain Chaos

CKWPORT wrote: »

Any theories on The Illusive Mans office though and the planet in the background?

If you choose to destroy the collector base, the planet is blue at the end, if you save the base for Cerberus, the planet is bright red

It looks like a star to me and it fits in with

the plot line with Tali and the stars dying at a young age, or aging too fast. Star change colour depending on how big and hot they are or what stage they are at in their life.

I have yet to finish the game yet, so I've no idea how that pans out. Might get through the relay tonight.

Captain Chaos

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Miss the character customization. But more than anything I miss the treasure hunting/kleptomaniac aspect of RPGs; you know the thrill when you find a rare weapon or item of clothing in a locker. I'm still enjoying it, but i'm not finding it as compelling as say Knights of the Old Republic, which is still my favourite "modern" Bioware RPG.

I'm the exact same, they have stripped away alot of the elements that makes a game an RPG and left just the bare bones required for an RPG. Granted in ME1 you end up with a ton of junk if you don't constantly clear out the inventory but with this there is no real inventory to look after. I could almost be as bold to say that whats left is Gears of War with a decent story line.:o

More than anything I would like these elements back in ME3.

Mr Freeze

Streamlining RPGs looks set to continue...

Apparently Lionhead are going doing something similar with Fable III, how they can simplify Fable anymore, I don't know, I thought it was already simplified.

Anyways, back to ME3, I think a lot of the RPG elements will return, as thats what people seem to be complaining about most.

ShiverinEskimo

Anyone had a go on Insanity yet?

I played on Veteran first with an Infiltrator from ME1 I imported. Playing on Hardcore now with a new character Sentinel and then I'll see how that goes for a run through on Insanity.

rizzla

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Anyone had a go on Insanity yet?

I played on Veteran first with an Infiltrator from ME1 I imported. Playing on Hardcore now with a new character Sentinel and then I'll see how that goes for a run through on Insanity.

Yeah I'm going through it on Insane. It's frustrating in parts,

The end bit on Horizon did my head in.

It's probably because I'm playing as Adept this time though, I wanted to mess about with all the biotics.

After your first playthrough though you should get an extra 25% to any exp gained, so you level up quite fast which is handy for unlocking stronger/longer powers.

Bubs101

ShiverinEskimo wrote: »

Anyone had a go on Insanity yet?

I played on Veteran first with an Infiltrator from ME1 I imported. Playing on Hardcore now with a new character Sentinel and then I'll see how that goes for a run through on Insanity.

Yeah, went with Infiltrator first and now going with Vanguard. It's pretty hard but I think that's because adapting from infiltrator to Vanguard is a near impossible transition. One shot kills from long range are impossible to substitute with the guys on far ledges that have cover with rocket launchers.

ShiverinEskimo

Bubs101 wrote: »

Yeah, went with Infiltrator first and now going with Vanguard. It's pretty hard but I think that's because adapting from infiltrator to Vanguard is a near impossible transition. One shot kills from long range are impossible to substitute with the guys on far ledges that have cover with rocket launchers.

Yea I didn't want to start Insanity with an Infiltrator again - I didn't play ME1 with a biotic character so I'll play it on Hardcore with a Sentinel and then maybe try insanity with a soldier or infltrator - the sniper rifle is too good.

calex71

Finished the other evening and was back on the ship after credits.
So had enough for the night and decided i'd try to get to level 30 with a new game, played for a while and then decided I'd go do some of the side planet missions form the complete game. New game over wrote the finished save :mad:

ShiverinEskimo

calex71 wrote: »

Finished the other evening and was back on the ship after credits.
So had enough for the night and decided i'd try to get to level 30 with a new game, played for a while and then decided I'd go do some of the side planet missions form the complete game. New game over wrote the finished save :mad:

You sure? When you create a new character it creates a new 'career'. When you go to load the games I think you can press Y or X to 'Change Career'.

I have three games on the go - two imports and a new and I've done the final mission a couple of times more since starting the new one.

calex71

Didn't see my old saves listed under load on the title screen , i'll double check later thanks.

WolfForager

Just finished ME1, very good game, if ME2 is better than it, as i've been hearing, then i can't wait to pick up ME2!

Finished it in 15 hours though, so i take it that i ignored alot of side quests?

calex71

WolfForager wrote: »

Finished it in 15 hours though, so i take it that i ignored alot of side quests?

About another 15 hours worth, took me over 30 to finish each game.

WolfForager

calex71 wrote: »

About another 15 hours worth, took me over 30 to finish each game.

Interesting... Might give it another playthrough as a renegade...

Optimalprimerib

I had an eeny meany miny mo moment between this and bio shock 2. This won out and took about 20 minutes for me to realise i made the right choice. This is special.

SionnachOghma

WolfForager wrote: »

Just finished ME1, very good game, if ME2 is better than it, as i've been hearing, then i can't wait to pick up ME2!

Finished it in 15 hours though, so i take it that i ignored alot of side quests?

Hard to say whether the first or second is preferable. The term 'streamlining' may be great in the business world, but in RPGs it's terrifying. For me, there was too much taken away from the second game. Admittedly, the Mako missions in ME1 got pretty tedious after a while, but I don't think scrapping them altogether was a good idea. They could easily have found ways to mix things up a little, if they cared to try.

They definitely need to bring in more random conversations and walk-on sidequests for ME3. I was also pretty annoyed with the amount of people you see - or receive emails from - from your ME1 walk-ons who you can't talk to. They've been reduced to scenery. If that.

In ME2, your squad has gotten a lot smarter and a lot dumber at the same time, They're good with their powers and clever attackers, but I can't understand why EA brought friendly fire into the equation and programmed your people so that they're constantly walking into your gunsights.

The amount of swearing is ridiculous. How giving half the cast a serious case of sewer mouth is anyone's idea of making a game more mature is beyond me.

And if they scanning/probing thing is present in ME3, I may just go completely insane.

tman

SionnachOghma wrote: »

The amount of swearing is ridiculous. How giving half the cast a serious case of sewer mouth is anyone's idea of making a game more mature is beyond me.

They had to make up for the lack of side-boob somehow...

DirkVoodoo

SionnachOghma wrote: »

And if they scanning/probing thing is present in ME3, I may just go completely insane.

Mass Effect 3: Galactic Surveyor.

What part of that is unappealing??

A lot of the "mini games" in ME2 and to a lesser extent ME1 are fun...once. Not having the challenge scale like lockpicking in Oblivion is ridiculous, in the end it just becomes a chore.

Scanning planets for side missions could be kept, made a bit more fun and just have the resources appear in unlocked crates on the planet, or maybe have you trade for resources at ports. I really miss the proper RPG style mission like in KOTOR, remember the one where you have to judge a dispute between two families. In this it's "Oh I could use your help resolving a dispute....with guns".

Don't get me wrong, excellent game, but I consider it an excellent story based shooter like Bioshock rather than an excellent RPG.

#Daniel

SionnachOghma wrote: »

Hard to say whether the first or second is preferable. The term 'streamlining' may be great in the business world, but in RPGs it's terrifying. For me, there was too much taken away from the second game. Admittedly, the Mako missions in ME1 got pretty tedious after a while, but I don't think scrapping them altogether was a good idea. They could easily have found ways to mix things up a little, if they cared to try.

They definitely need to bring in more random conversations and walk-on sidequests for ME3. I was also pretty annoyed with the amount of people you see - or receive emails from - from your ME1 walk-ons who you can't talk to. They've been reduced to scenery. If that.

In ME2, your squad has gotten a lot smarter and a lot dumber at the same time, They're good with their powers and clever attackers, but I can't understand why EA brought friendly fire into the equation and programmed your people so that they're constantly walking into your gunsights.

The amount of swearing is ridiculous. How giving half the cast a serious case of sewer mouth is anyone's idea of making a game more mature is beyond me.

And if they scanning/probing thing is present in ME3, I may just go completely insane.

Ridiculous amounts of swearing? The only character that swore for me was

Jack

really, and not all that often either. Maybe you pissed alot of people off :rolleyes:

Chairman Meow

SionnachOghma wrote: »

Hard to say whether the first or second is preferable. The term 'streamlining' may be great in the business world, but in RPGs it's terrifying. For me, there was too much taken away from the second game. Admittedly, the Mako missions in ME1 got pretty tedious after a while, but I don't think scrapping them altogether was a good idea. They could easily have found ways to mix things up a little, if they cared to try.

They definitely need to bring in more random conversations and walk-on sidequests for ME3. I was also pretty annoyed with the amount of people you see - or receive emails from - from your ME1 walk-ons who you can't talk to. They've been reduced to scenery. If that.

In ME2, your squad has gotten a lot smarter and a lot dumber at the same time, They're good with their powers and clever attackers, but I can't understand why EA brought friendly fire into the equation and programmed your people so that they're constantly walking into your gunsights.

The amount of swearing is ridiculous. How giving half the cast a serious case of sewer mouth is anyone's idea of making a game more mature is beyond me.

And if they scanning/probing thing is present in ME3, I may just go completely insane.

Ive onyl heard one 'f*ck' so far int he whole game. I thought the swearing was very understated and only used in situations that its necessary, unlike say Killzone 2, where every second word was ****, ****, or ****ing ****.

Mr Freeze

Just finished my insanity playthrough last night. It wasn't too tough when I got used to it. Barrier and cover all that way.

That my 1015 points got and game complete, both paragon and renegade endings playthroughs done.

Roll on some more DLC, so I can play a bit more as the badly scarred renegade Shepard.

Mitch Connor

playing a second play through as a renegade. finger permently on the right trigger!

Absolutely laughed out loud last night playing it. honest.

Met that reporter who does the dirt stories on you in the Citadel...

"I'm sick of your disingenuous comments..." BAM

absolute gold.

SionnachOghma

Mitch Connor wrote: »

playing a second play through as a renegade. finger permently on the right trigger!

Absolutely laughed out loud last night playing it. honest.

Met that reporter who does the dirt stories on you in the Citadel...

"I'm sick of your disingenuous comments..." BAM

absolute gold.

I was actually a little disappointed. It was hilarious, but you totally should've gotten more points for that.

SionnachOghma

I just finished the game for the second time, but I must be doing something wrong, because both times,

Mordin died. Why?

All Loyalty missions completed.
Saved his assistant.
All Upgrades performed.

In both games, Mordin was the tech I sent through the vents when I invaded the station. When they're struggling to get the doors closed, Mordin gets shot in the head. The way I heard it, if you send a character who ISN'T loyal into the vents, they'll get shot during this scene and keel over. So why does Mordin croak it?

Should I send Jacob, as he initially volunteers? Or would Legion's armoured head survive the shot? I'd like to get the perfect ending if I can. Or am I destined to lose someone for some reason I've missed, some dense mistake I made?

wes

SionnachOghma wrote: »

I just finished the game for the second time, but I must be doing something wrong, because both times,

Mordin died. Why?

All Loyalty missions completed.
Saved his assistant.
All Upgrades performed.

In both games, Mordin was the tech I sent through the vents when I invaded the station. When they're struggling to get the doors closed, Mordin gets shot in the head. The way I heard it, if you send a character who ISN'T loyal into the vents, they'll get shot during this scene and keel over. So why does Mordin croak it?

Should I send Jacob, as he initially volunteers? Or would Legion's armoured head survive the shot? I'd like to get the perfect ending if I can. Or am I destined to lose someone for some reason I've missed, some dense mistake I made?

I sent Legion in and he survived. Also, I think Mordin apparently dies at random for no reason, so its best to have escort the crew back.

Otacon

SionnachOghma wrote: »

I just finished the game for the second time, but I must be doing something wrong, because both times,

Mordin died. Why?

All Loyalty missions completed.
Saved his assistant.
All Upgrades performed.

In both games, Mordin was the tech I sent through the vents when I invaded the station. When they're struggling to get the doors closed, Mordin gets shot in the head. The way I heard it, if you send a character who ISN'T loyal into the vents, they'll get shot during this scene and keel over. So why does Mordin croak it?

Should I send Jacob, as he initially volunteers? Or would Legion's armoured head survive the shot? I'd like to get the perfect ending if I can. Or am I destined to lose someone for some reason I've missed, some dense mistake I made?

I have heard that there seems to be a bug with Mordin where he can died regardless of loyalty.

Best option is to send him back with the survivors. He survived for me when I did that.

Also send either Tali or Legion into the vents.
Have Garrus or Miranda lead the groups and have Samara or Jack as your bubble-person.
Thats what I did and I got the No One Left Behind achievement

ShiverinEskimo

SionnachOghma wrote: »

I just finished the game for the second time, but I must be doing something wrong, because both times,

Mordin died. Why?

All Loyalty missions completed.
Saved his assistant.
All Upgrades performed.

In both games, Mordin was the tech I sent through the vents when I invaded the station. When they're struggling to get the doors closed, Mordin gets shot in the head. The way I heard it, if you send a character who ISN'T loyal into the vents, they'll get shot during this scene and keel over. So why does Mordin croak it?

Should I send Jacob, as he initially volunteers? Or would Legion's armoured head survive the shot? I'd like to get the perfect ending if I can. Or am I destined to lose someone for some reason I've missed, some dense mistake I made?

send Tali/Legion through the vents and ensure Garrus/Miranda/Jacob is your fire team leader