Don't it is an overrated series that got popular by shear luck, it is bland predictable and the moral choice system is hypocritical and contrived. There are much better space games for much cheaper. Dead space and Dead space 2 are much more enjoyable and if you have a ps3 resistance and the rachet and clank games are infinitely more original and entertaining. also all of those games have little or no dlc and on computer the dead space games come with all the dlc for free.
Hmmm... I always saw dead space as what would happen if Resident Evil 4 stayed up all night watching the Alien films, only to go on to write a short linear thriller novel about a mute. Ratchet and Clank sounds more appealing, but my sense of bloated nostalgia has always categorized them as "SERIOUS THREAT TO BANJO AND KAZOOIE", so I decided to give them a miss... Same goes for Jack and Daxter.
I keep trying to play ME2 on PC and it thinks I'm trying to steal it and shuts off my firing button! Pissing me off! Otherwise, it is still one of the best looking games out there (even if I think I'm locked into 30 FPS.)
I do have to wonder aloud, does the extended cut of ME3 actually change the way the game ends, depending upon the choices one makes? I understand originally, it largely did NOT and, while very good, made people feel stupid for making the effort to make different choices throughout the game.
Hey folks, now bare with me a second while I elaborate. I'm a pretty picky gamer these days, mainly due to my lack of time which can be used on extensive single player pieces (my favorite breed of game) and, as a result, pride myself in playing said games to their full extent. Now, Mass Effect has been on my "HOLY CRAP JUST PLAY IT" list for a while and has even been sitting on my shelf since September. I've finally got round to booting it up again and have made some good progress, my main issue is with the DLC content for the series as a whole.
I currently have the Bring Down the Sky DLC for MS1 as I got the Xbox Classics edition, but can't get the rest as I don't have an XBL Gold account, mainly cause I'm not a big multiplayer and don't see the point in pay for the connection when I can get updates through an Ethernet. This, combined with the revelation that a considerable sum of DLC for MS2 is PS3 exclusive (try saying that while you're high) had me considering switching over to the Play Station for this series. But then I found out that MS1 is Xbox exclusive, and I would definitely want to continue my save file from each previous chapter. This, along with the hearsay that the Downloadable Content as a whole helps flesh out the world and (in MS3s case) understand the controversial ending, I am left with this simple question: What's the bloody point!? And honestly, is there even a way of me experiencing the entirety of the Mass Effect franchise, short of building a PC rig? I though I'd finally found something by Bioware that I actually enjoyed...
Well, first of all, Bioware fixed the ending. The fix did not take care of all complaints (starchild), but the majority of problems were dealt with.
Second: Even if they didn't fix it. So what? the game is great. The story had many memorable moments, squadmates finally talk with eachother, the gameplay itself is improved. I can go on and go on and go on about all the good stuff. The ending is just sour cherry on a top of the best sci-fi RPG today.
If you're not worried about the ME3 endings[1], go for it.
BSN is generally up in arms about pretty much everything, and I have heard NOTHING about PS3 exclusive DLC. This means its either appearance/weapon packs, which are utterly pointless and do absolutely nothing [Though I did like some of the weapons, not really worth it IMO], but major DLCs like Overlord, Shadow Broker, Kasumi, Arrival and the Online Pass DLCs should be on the Xbox as well.
And you don't need to build a rig to play the series. I don't agree with this:
Gorfias said:
Otherwise, it is still one of the best looking games out there (even if I think I'm locked into 30 FPS.)
And really you could probably run it on anything made in the last 6 years [Not max settings, sure, but even lowest settings will generally look better than a console version]. Either way though, not a PC vs Console thread. Dropping that here.
I do have to wonder aloud, does the extended cut of ME3 actually change the way the game ends, depending upon the choices one makes? I understand originally, it largely did NOT and, while very good, made people feel stupid for making the effort to make different choices throughout the game.
Yes and no.
Did it change the endings? No. If you were looking for some significant consequences for your choices in any form, there is none.
Did it show a slideshow of pictures that changed slightly based off your choices? Yes. E.G:
Have Wrex and Eve alive, Genophage cured and it will show the Krogan happy, stanging together, with baby Krogan, and one slide of them with Krogan architects starting to rebuild. Have Wreav with Eve dead and it instead shows them gearing up for war, 'cause Wreav's just a Krogan like that. Similar for Rannoch.
Hell, other than that I don't think any choices are reflected. Well, choosing the ending does too, and it changes Hackett's narration [Not sure if other choices do since its mostly about "We won, and since we all worked together [My note: And used a space magic deus ex machina] to accomplish the impossible and [My note: Use a Magic Bullet to] defeat the Reapers, we are able to rebuild everything we have lost.].
Also shows some slides of your squad members doing stuff, including one of Zaeed on the beach. Still images, but W/E.
But yeah, other than a slideshow, nothing to reflect your choices.
[1] I don't know how to do footnotes, so I'll just write this here: If you do care about the endings, I'd watch on Youtube to see if what is there will satisfy you. For some people it fixes most of their problems, for others its a nice gesture, but really does about bugger all towards fixing the problems. All depends on what you're looking for in the endings.
What I can tell you is that it does a little to help you understand sometimes [It explains a bit more about the Crucible, and explains the choices a bit better], other times it probably takes a step backwards [For one it removes the line about the Geth in Destroy, though they - and EDI - will still die no matter what] and once or twice it just doesn't bother [For example, when asking about the creators of the Crucible, the Catalyst just tells you there isn't time to explain].
Oh, and it now lets you reject the Catalyst.
Don't it is an overrated series that got popular by shear luck, it is bland predictable and the moral choice system is hypocritical and contrived. There are much better space games for much cheaper. Dead space and Dead space 2 are much more enjoyable and if you have a ps3 resistance and the rachet and clank games are infinitely more original and entertaining. also all of those games have little or no dlc and on computer the dead space games come with all the dlc for free.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA- oh jesus you're not serious right???
OT, they really are fantastic games. It all comes down to how much the ending of something matters to you. Now that the EC has come out that's not even that big of a deal.
Also, just do the whole thing on 360. All the DLC is available and you get to keep your story through all 3 games, unlike the PS3 versions where you just jump in at ME2. There really isn't any reason to switch midway through.
Second: Even if they didn't fix it. So what? the game is great. The story had many memorable moments, squadmates finally talk with eachother, the gameplay itself is improved. I can go on and go on and go on about all the good stuff. The ending is just sour cherry on a top of the best sci-fi RPG today.
Can't speak for everyone here, but ME3 was an extremely poor Sci Fi RPG IMO. It was a decent cinematic Shooter, but failed to be an RPG, and in so many aspects was either average or below average that I failed to find it engaging.
About the only things I found it improved were the gunplay, and the ability levelling. Everything else took a backwards step so far as I'm concerned.
Eh, I think it was Gears in Space, but pretty much. I'm probably part of that group: ME1 > ME2 > ME3. ME1 was and is by far the most satisfying experience. 2 got old after 2 playthroughs, and whilst 3 had great potential, it utilised basically none of it.
Each to their own, but give me ME1 over the sequels any day.
Yes, oh god yes, it's brilliant until then. Don't expect a 'proper' RPG or anything like that, but the decisions you make will be absolutely game-changing and seem like they matter until you get to the end. Of course, it would've been better if you didn't already know there were virtually no real payoffs and that it was all a sham, but still worth it, especially for the occasional witty writing that comes from situational character dialogue and also from creating your own character and being able to sort of make a personality. The moral choice system is s*** in my opinion, but overall it was a great experience and the ending doesn't negate all of it.
Second: Even if they didn't fix it. So what? the game is great. The story had many memorable moments, squadmates finally talk with eachother, the gameplay itself is improved. I can go on and go on and go on about all the good stuff. The ending is just sour cherry on a top of the best sci-fi RPG today.
Can't speak for everyone here, but ME3 was an extremely poor Sci Fi RPG IMO. It was a decent cinematic Shooter, but failed to be an RPG, and in so many aspects was either average or below average that I failed to find it engaging.
About the only things I found it improved were the gunplay, and the ability levelling. Everything else took a backwards step so far as I'm concerned.
Now that the Extended Cut endings for ME3 are out, you may as well do it. Just make sure to download the EC endings first, so that you need not experience the overly-horrendous originals. The series won't be spoiled for you like so many others.
I wouldn't say that; for many the Extended Cut Ending still spoils the series greatly. I hope it doesn't have the polarising effect on this person, should he/she play it.
Ok, first off, yes play it. It's a fun game and a fun ride, even if they use the end to tread all over your carefully crafted character. (The EC helped, but didn't fix everything)
Second, don't switch systems. Sure, you can get ME2 on the PS3, but you can't import a save. You can only make 6 choices with the Genesis comic. That's 6 choices out of (I think) hundreds.
As far as the DLC goes, you don't need a Gold account to get it, just a Silver one will do. You already have Bring Down the Sky for ME1, so you don't need the other (Pinnacle Station is a joke).
For ME2, make sure you buy new because the Cerberus Network DLC comes free with new copies but is $15 if you buy used. Then all you really need is Kasumi, Overlord, Shadow Broker, and Arrival (the only PS3 exclusive DLC are the ability to buy pre-order bonuses and CE content). That should run you 2480 MS points or $31. You might also want the firepower pack as those are some of the better weapons for the game.
For ME3, the only paid DLC right now is From Ashes, which really isn't all that great. It comes free with the Collector's Edition, so if you can find one, you might as well get it. The Hoodie casual outfit for Shepard that comes with it is at least worth the price IMO. If you don't care about the multiplayer component (which is fun) don't worry about buying new. You can still get the EC for free if you bought used.
if you're already playing ME1 on one platform I suggest you try to stay on it unless you want to go back through 1 again or sacrifice some characters that don't show up in the no import option when playing 2.
Bring Down the Sky is decent as far as free dlc goes.
ME2 had a bit of stuff that was free through the Cerberus network if you bought the game new. Beyond the Cerberus dlc, I'd suggest at least getting Kasumi and Shadow Broker and only spring for Overlord and Arrival if you decide you want the full experience.
The From Ashes DLC for 3 adds a really good team member and I can't imagine not having it in my game. Also make sure you get the Extended Cut to help smooth out some of the rough edges in the ending.
I could go on at length weighing up the series' pro's and con's, but to be honest I've probably done that far to many times before, and really that's not even what you should be basing your decision on.
Even if you end up not liking it, by playing it you've had an experience that has expanded your knowledge and understanding. This goes for all games not just Mass Effect. To as if there is 'any point' in playing something, is to miss the whole point of playing games in the first place.
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