Mass Effect 2: What do i do?

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

The galaxy is generally a pretty bleak and crappy place if you don't play ME1 and dive straight into ME2. Many decisions from the first game give you the chance to make it brighter and more hopeful, assuming you're that kind of person.

Just sayin'.

 

[Darlok]

The transition from ME2s combat system to ME1s will be a lot harder than the other way arround, as ME2s is better.
But ME2 main story is a lot weaker than ME1s.
You don't have to play ME1 to understand the story.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

Get Mass Effect, you'll thank us after you have extended minerals starting off the Mass Effect 2 gameplay, as well as all the decisions you make in Mass Effect contributing towards a much more connected Mass Effect 2 experience.

Trust me, you'll thank us.

 

[Thaius]

ME2 is great even if you don't play the first one, provided you do have some understanding of the story. But I guarantee you, the game is much, much better if you played the first. I cannot stress how much playing the first game adds to the experience of the second. Going for it and playing ME2 won't kill the experience for you, but you'll be missing out.

EDIT: This is perfectly displayed by the fact that pretty much everyone telling you to skip ME1 did so themselves. In other words, the only people who think ME1 isn't worth playing before 2 are the people who haven't even played ME1. They don't know what they're missing.

 

[VulakAerr]

As somebody else mentioned, it all comes down to the amount of time you have. Unless you're really pressed for time, I'd definitely play ME1 first. It fleshes out the backstory way more than a Star Wars opening crawl ever could. Besides, I think you might later be annoyed at some of the decisions that have been made for you if you play ME2 with the pre-defined story.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

You can pick up and play ME2 without playing ME1 at all. The gameplay is quite different and the game does a decent enough job of carrying the story forward whilst giving you the main gist of the first game. It's much lighter on RPG and heavier on action so is also easier to "pick up and play".

However, playing the first game will add a great deal to the experience. As you may know, many decisions you make in ME1 have an effect in ME2 and those decisions (as a whole) are uniquely yours. It's not just that the opening sequence is harder hitting but the little touches interspersed throughout the game. Without giving away any plot spoilers, you could meet or receive Emails from characters you helped in ME1, encounter a crewmate you romanced or simply have a character say "Hey I remember you from...!".

Here's a thought...you'll only ever get to play through both games for the first time once. Replays are fun but never like the first playthru where it's new and spontaneous. Play thru ME1 first, import your Shepard across and you will appreciate ME2 much more (and get a small starting Money & XP bonus). The galaxy will be shaped by you and it makes it more personal and better role playing. I actually quite envy you that you still have the opportunity to play them both for the first time. Have fun!

PS. Play Vanguard in ME2, Biotic Charge absolutely rocks :-D

 

[Daniel Laeben-Rosen]

You don't really have to, the only thing would be if you wanted to transfer a specific character. But the game assumes you went for the Neutral-options if you don't. And that's not too bad.

Could always pick up ME1 somewhere along the way if you want to give it a go, naturally. The story's quite excellent and there are some continuity-winks that are easier to understand if you've played the first game, but it's not necessary.

 

[Zhukov]

You don't have to play ME1 first.

But I strongly recommend that you do.

The story will make more sense. Some of the characters will be more familiar. Also, you can load your ME1 character into ME2 and your various decisions will carry through into the second game. It's pretty cool.

Besides, if you go straight into ME2, you will never know of the awesomeness that is Urdnot Wrex.

 

[Vault101]

Not essential But I would dtrongly recomend getting the first one makes the experience better

 

[Mr Thin]

A substantial amount of effort was put into making the 2nd game an experience unto itself.

Having said that, YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES! Get the first one first! It just adds so much more, you know the places, the characters, seeing things changed is so interesting!

Get the first one first! I command you!

 

[octafish]

I played ME through about five times, I've played ME2 through once. Play ME first, ME2 is a weaker story and you may not get through it without the returning characters through stories to pull you along.

 

[MrGalactus]

I played the first bit of ME2. Yeah, you need ME1 to understand it I think. When they killed Wilson I was like Why am I meant to care? And when they said we work for Cerberus in a very dramatic way I was like...WHO?
I thought it was funny though when one of the choices for speech at one point was "I've never heard of Cerberus", and then one of the next choices was "I'LL NEVER WORK FOR THOSE EVIL CERBERUS PEOPLE!!"
I'm gonna get ME1 first instead of continue being confused. Thanks for the help, guys!

 

[Irridium]

Play Mass Effect 1 first.

You'll get a better feel for the story, feel more invested, and the story of ME1 is, in my opinion, just better then the second one.

Its not necessary, but if you can, play through the first one first.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

I thought it was funny though when one of the choices for speech at one point was "I've never heard of Cerberus", and then one of the next choices was "I'LL NEVER WORK FOR THOSE EVIL CERBERUS PEOPLE!!"

Yeah, Bioware, while having good writing, has bad writing.

The decisions in ME1 carry over to ME2, so playing through ME 1 makes the galaxy feel more populated.

Also, having a ME1 save game gives you resources and money off the bat, so you get to spend less time on the resource mining thing.