Mass Effect 2: Playable without mineral micro-searching?!

[RenegadeRed]

.../Presses trainer button, get's 500k of all minerals

This. End of problem.

 

[Jaranja]

Title says it all...

I am a normal person.

I stopped reading after that. If you can define normal without being offensive; I may read the rest.

Dude, I don't really care if you read my thread. No need to inform me and no I won't bother convincing you into reading it. Besides, the whole "What is normal really, huh?!" is an old cliché by now. Yeah yeah, you're a non-conformist or something, swell for you.

And you think you're great for insulting me over the internet, nice. If you say you're a normal person for not playing games for as long as people like me, that want to get the most out of their games, then you can get out right now.

Try reading my other posts, you'll find that I actually enjoy long games. But I guess you're to rad to be bothered reading them, right? I don't know if you took offense by the whole "normal"-thing, if you are targeted by people around you as not normal or whatever. I didn't mean anything by "normal", it's just an expression. I'm not saying that "geeks" are not normal, I'm a geek myself in many ways.

Sorry for coming across as rude, but you're the one who started out by telling me how you demanded a definition of "normal" in exchange for your attention. Sort of an arrogant reply don't you think? I really don't care if you read my post or not. If you don't want to read that's just super. But if you're so keen on letting me know, then you should be prepared to get treated without taking offense.

You know you don't even have to scan that much. All you need to do is find Rich planets and scan for about 5 minutes.

I don't like the word normal, it only exists, outside of the scientific area, to demean people and I just hate when people use it like that. It's good you explained though.

 

[Socdk]

Haha sucks for you this is why I play on the PC, where cheats are easily available. For instance, I beat ME1 using a trainer that unlocks unlimited money, minerals, grenades, etc. And it was awesome because I didn't have to drive around that horrible SUV that controls like a Parkinson's patient on icestakes to search for resources. Anyway, I plan on skipping mining in ME2 by doing the same.

Oh and I never understand why people buy a game and then rant about a bad aspect, fully knowing the problem before buying it. Seriously if it bothers you then skip it. Mass Effect 2 is at least a 24 hour game if you do the minimum and want to survive the suicide mission (what my friend did).

I don't cheat. I'm sort of pathetic like that, but I can't enjoy a game if I cheated beating it. So no, doesn't suck for me

"Fully knowing the problem before buying it." - And who said I did?

"If it bothers you then skip it." - If it was skipable I would. That's why asked here innit?

"ME 2 is at least a 24 hour game" - I love long games. I was only concerned about how much of the time would be spent on a mini-game.

1.) Oh OK if you enjoy torturing yourself over a mini-game, posting rants about it, then go ahead knock yourself out. Do what you love. Also you seem to be under the mistaken assumption that cheating always takes the fun out of a game, a discussion of which I will not go into other than to say I had excellent fun with ME1 even though I cheated (whereas it was not as fun before).

2.) Virtually every game review site on the planet had mining listed as a drawback. Your own damn fault for not dong your research before you burn $60 on a game.

3.) Yes, indeed games are skippable. Strange for me to have to explain this, but you can in fact refuse to play a game.

4.) Umm, OK.

1a - Well it wasn't really a "rant" as such. It was merely a question with explanation behind it's origin... I have now learned that I don't need to torture myself over the mini-game seeing as I don't have to. Cake for me.

1b - I have no interest in arguing wether cheating or not is fine because I really don't care. You brought it up, I replied. Obviously you enjoy games even if you are using cheats, otherwise you wouldn't be playing them. Also I'd feel really sad if I started an argument over something as pointless as cheating in single player games...

2 - Got the game free with a console I had to buy anyway. I don't always keep taps on game releases and game reviews so I didn't know this. My own damn fault? I plan on playing the game, mining or not mining, there's no "fault" here? I simply asked a question. Sure it was cloaked in a minor rant but that's just to keep people interested.

3 - So here we go with the personal stuff. Why don't you read things twice before being a smartass? I didn't ask if I could skip the game (numbnut), I asked if the game was playable if I skipped mining all together. I obviously assumed that we were talking about the same thing (skipping mining, not skipping the game altogether).

4 - You sure you understand? Last chance to bicker about something...

 

[Socdk]

You know you don't even have to scan that much. All you need to do is find Rich planets and scan for about 5 minutes.

I don't like the word normal, it only exists, outside of the scientific area, to demean people and I just hate when people use it like that. It's good you explained though.

I'm glad we're okay.

I get what you're saying and I understand the logic. But honestly, isn't that a very bleak view on things? I don't think people give much thought to the word "normal" when they sling it around. So by saying "He's just a normal boy" for instance it is demeaning? Or is it just a factual statement. You're the one who makes "being abnormal" into a negative feature/characteristic (I know, so does society in general). I know that "normal" is used to define your social status in society, but that's really not when people use the word, that's just the nature of the human mind. When people use the word normal however, there's not much ulterior motives behind.

But that's a debate that doesn't belong here.

 

[spinFX]

It's funny that so many people are making excuses for this terrible game mechanic.

It doesn't matter if you can get enough minerals for everything in only 30 minutes. That is 30 minutes of tedious boredom.

It doesn't matter that you can speed it up with some tricks and tips.

It doesn't matter that you can break up the tedium by only doing it every few missions.

It doesn't matter if you only probe rich planets and only on big spikes.

Seriously it is a crap mechanic and only massive blind fanboys can defend it.

Having said that, the game is still awesome and I am a fanboy. Just not to the point where I will defend obviously stupid mechanics.

 

[Hello My Name Is]

This is an RPG. If you aren't comfortable with grind or you don't like long games, you bought the wrong title.

I know I haven't posted much and this is going to make me sound like a Troll but this is probably one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Bioware aren't advertising this as a mining game and it is quite obvious it is not a key selling point, the reason the majority of people brought the game were for the plot, dialogue choices and shooting which means they probably got the right title and unfortunately it comes with a really tedious mini game.

 

[JeanLuc761]

I know I haven't posted much and this is going to make me sound like a Troll but this is probably one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Bioware aren't advertising this as a mining game and it is quite obvious it is not a key selling point, the reason the majority of people brought the game were for the plot, dialogue choices and shooting which means they probably got the right title and unfortunately it comes with a really tedious mini game.

You're partially right but you didn't quite grasp what I was saying. My point is basically that all RPG's come with some type of grind and Mass Effect 2 is no exception. WoW uses "Kill X number of Y and bring them to Z" while Mass Effect uses mineral harvesting. I can't really claim either as being very entertaining but they are an integral part of the RPG experience.

Welcome to the Escapist btw.

 

[RenegadeRed]

Haha sucks for you this is why I play on the PC, where cheats are easily available. For instance, I beat ME1 using a trainer that unlocks unlimited money, minerals, grenades, etc. And it was awesome because I didn't have to drive around that horrible SUV that controls like a Parkinson's patient on icestakes to search for resources. Anyway, I plan on skipping mining in ME2 by doing the same.

Oh and I never understand why people buy a game and then rant about a bad aspect, fully knowing the problem before buying it. Seriously if it bothers you then skip it. Mass Effect 2 is at least a 24 hour game if you do the minimum and want to survive the suicide mission (what my friend did).

I don't cheat. I'm sort of pathetic like that, but I can't enjoy a game if I cheated beating it. So no, doesn't suck for me

"Fully knowing the problem before buying it." - And who said I did?

"If it bothers you then skip it." - If it was skipable I would. That's why asked here innit?

"ME 2 is at least a 24 hour game" - I love long games. I was only concerned about how much of the time would be spent on a mini-game.

1.) Oh OK if you enjoy torturing yourself over a mini-game, posting rants about it, then go ahead knock yourself out. Do what you love. Also you seem to be under the mistaken assumption that cheating always takes the fun out of a game, a discussion of which I will not go into other than to say I had excellent fun with ME1 even though I cheated (whereas it was not as fun before).

2.) Virtually every game review site on the planet had mining listed as a drawback. Your own damn fault for not dong your research before you burn $60 on a game.

3.) Yes, indeed games are skippable. Strange for me to have to explain this, but you can in fact refuse to play a game.

4.) Umm, OK.

1a - Well it wasn't really a "rant" as such. It was merely a question with explanation behind it's origin... I have now learned that I don't need to torture myself over the mini-game seeing as I don't have to. Cake for me.

1b - I have no interest in arguing wether cheating or not is fine because I really don't care. You brought it up, I replied. Obviously you enjoy games even if you are using cheats, otherwise you wouldn't be playing them. Also I'd feel really sad if I started an argument over something as pointless as cheating in single player games...

2 - Got the game free with a console I had to buy anyway. I don't always keep taps on game releases and game reviews so I didn't know this. My own damn fault? I plan on playing the game, mining or not mining, there's no "fault" here? I simply asked a question. Sure it was cloaked in a minor rant but that's just to keep people interested.

3 - So here we go with the personal stuff. Why don't you read things twice before being a smartass? I didn't ask if I could skip the game (numbnut), I asked if the game was playable if I skipped mining all together. I obviously assumed that we were talking about the same thing (skipping mining, not skipping the game altogether).

4 - You sure you understand? Last chance to bicker about something...

1.) You yourself admitted it as a rant, twice now. And you're still ranting, just about my post now.

2.) Wasn't interesting.

3.) Why don't YOU read things twice before being a DUMBASS? I said you could skip the mining by skipping the game. You assumed I was talking about something else, thus making you look like an idiot. And now you're mad at me for your own mistake. Wow way to man up.

 

[ShotgunSmoke]

No minerals = no upgrades.

No upgrades = say goodbye to your Shepard and his team.

 

[The Bandit]

It's funny that so many people are making excuses for this terrible game mechanic.

It doesn't matter if you can get enough minerals for everything in only 30 minutes. That is 30 minutes of tedious boredom.

It doesn't matter that you can speed it up with some tricks and tips.

It doesn't matter that you can break up the tedium by only doing it every few missions.

It doesn't matter if you only probe rich planets and only on big spikes.

Seriously it is a crap mechanic and only massive blind fanboys can defend it.

Having said that, the game is still awesome and I am a fanboy. Just not to the point where I will defend obviously stupid mechanics.

...I haven't seen anyone defend it. I've seen people respond to the OP's question: "Do I have to do this boring nonsense?" We've responded by saying: "Yes, if you want your squadmates to live, here are a few tips to make it slightly less sucky..."

 

[CD-R]

By the way, do you guys know what happened to grenades and why Bioware didn't include them this time around?

You can get the inferno grenade power if you do Zaeed's quest. You have to download him from the Cerberus network first though.

 

[SeanthePsycho]

The game is playable without doing mineral scanning/upgrading but it can come back to bite you in the ass if you don't upgrade, which requires mineral scans. However, if you know what you are doing the second playthrough, you can just do a set amount of mineral scanning for the things you know you need and not have to worry about it afterwards.

Plus, when you go through a second playthrough, you are given about 50,000 units of each mineral which means you can get some of the more important ones right off the bat.

 

[Jadak]

snip

Here's probably the best way to avoid mining:

Play through the game twice. First time, do no sidequests or mining or upgrades or whatnot and just blitz through the thing. Beat the game and start your second playthrough, which is the "for realz" game. Doing it this way makes it so you start the game with 50,000 of every element and 200,000 credits. You'll have to mine a bit, but if you mine out the first cluster, that will give you all the resources you need for the rest of the game (except for Platinum. Stupid 50,000 cost on the surgery upgrade that nobody ever uses).

Can you do that if Shepard dies at the end? It's been made clear that you can't load a save into ME3 if you died in ME2, but can you start another playthrough of ME2 if you died at the end of your first?

 

[Agayek]

Can you do that if Shepard dies at the end? It's been made clear that you can't load a save into ME3 if you died in ME2, but can you start another playthrough of ME2 if you died at the end of your first?

No. You can make a completely new game, and still have all the resources. I believe the way it works is that as long as you have the achievement for beating the game, each successive new game will start with the resources I mentioned previously and have a 25% XP boost. I'm not 100% sure if the achievement requires Shepard to survive or not though.

 

[Ben Legend]

I imported my ME playthrough. Plenty of minerals and stuff. Too much Element Zero though...way too much!

 

[Bigsmith]

When i completed I lived, probably due to me having almost every possible upgrade... armor, sheilding and weapons for the ship for example. Im not sure if u can play the game easily without probing, since like th eonly way to get most of the upgrades is to get minerals via probing.

Oh and almost spent 40 probes on a single planet, i don't no if it was worth it but i did anyway... I suck all the planets i come to dry, Imo it was worth it cause i now have a completed game where i survive to send into Me3.

 

[Socdk]

READ FIRST (If you intend to reply): While your attempts at putting me down are very adorable, I'm not going to respond to your next message. You obviously have some shortcomings in your life and therefore you're overly agressive on the safe haven that is the internet. Grow up little man.

1.) You yourself admitted it as a rant, twice now. And you're still ranting, just about my post now.

2.) Wasn't interesting.

3.) Why don't YOU read things twice before being a DUMBASS? I said you could skip the mining by skipping the game. You assumed I was talking about something else, thus making you look like an idiot. And now you're mad at me for your own mistake. Wow way to man up.

1 - Okay, so I lied when I called it a rant. Or maybe it's just irrelevant? Pointing out what in ones opinion are flaws aren't ranting. And putting you down after your schmuck-thread isn't ranting either.

2 - People responded, so yeah... Again you're not hurting me with your infantile remarks. I seriously doubt you'd have the wits to accomplish that.

3 - Oh forgive me for not understanding that you suddenly talked about something entirely different without mentioning it. Yes, that is called sarcasm. You should really think twice about your wording if you intend to communicate with other human beings. Choosing to use the word "skip" about to entirely different objects is not the best choice...
And no I'm pretty confident that the only one coming of as an idiot in this thread is you. And again, not mad... You can read the edited first post again and see why. I can't get angry at something I pity

 

[GodsAndFishes]

(No Sheppard did not survive, but thats beside the point).

That means you managed to do the game without doing any anything. Why did you even buy it?

This was my second play through, I wanted to see if skill made any difference or if it was just the quests that you did.

 

[CD-R]

I imported my ME playthrough. Plenty of minerals and stuff. Too much Element Zero though...way too much!

What level was yur charecter at? I only got 2500 of each mineral when I imported my charecter.

 

[Ben Legend]

I imported my ME playthrough. Plenty of minerals and stuff. Too much Element Zero though...way too much!

What level was yur charecter at? I only got 2500 of each mineral when I imported my charecter.

The maximum level, you also get more for another achievement, but I cannot remember what achievement unlocked the extra minerals.